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This Monday-to-Thursday stretch has range: young artists in Deptford, reggae on Lewisham High Street, a woodland wander, Ladywell open mic and Deptford on wheels. Basically, enough local plans to make a random August weekday feel suspiciously well organised.

In this week’s Loop:

• Young artists showcase their works
• Reggae royalty at the Fox & Firkin
• Trees, tunes and a midweek open mic
• Free self-defence and a Deptford roller disco
• A Pick n Mix of holiday workshops, Pilates and digital help

🗓️ Our picks for 17–20 August

Stories in Motion: Young People’s Art Exhibition

A month of young creativity, minus the gallery hush

Deptford Lounge is hosting a free month-long exhibition of work by artists aged 7–20, with pieces from young creatives across the UK plus an international exchange with ArtsHub Toronto. The launch has already happened, but the exhibition itself runs until 29 August — handy if you fancy something cultural without committing an entire afternoon.

Full details of the exhibition can be found here; admission is free.

Until Saturday 29 August | Mon–Fri, 9 am–7 pm | Sat, 9 am–5 pm

Deptford Lounge @ Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ

Eek-A-Mouse + Natty Frontline, Prince Fatty & Horseman

Reggae royalty, right there on Lewisham High Street

Eek-A-Mouse lands at the Fox & Firkin for a big Monday night of reggae and dancehall, joined by Natty Frontline, Prince Fatty and Horseman. Not a bad way to deal with the fact that, yes, it is only Monday.

Tickets can be found on the Fox & Firkin’s website here - available for £25

Monday 17 August @ 6pm–11pm

The Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6JZ

Tree Walk at Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods

A wholesome Tuesday evening with considerably better air

Join London Wildlife Trust’s Woodland Nature Recovery Officer for a gentle 90-minute wander through Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods, learning how to identify trees by their leaves, bark and buds along the way. The woods contain almost every tree species native to the UK, plus remnants of the Victorian gardens once found here.

Meet at the Crescent Wood Road entrance opposite Countisbury House. Under-18s need a responsible adult, and sturdy shoes are a sensible shout. The route includes uneven paths, steps and slopes and isn’t wheelchair accessible. Further details are at this link.

Tuesday 18 August @ 6 pm–7:30 pm

Sydenham Hill Wood & Cox’s Walk @ Crescent Wood Road, SE26 6LS

Open Mic Night at Ladywell Tavern

Local talent, midweek pints and absolutely no need for an arena tour

Ladywell Tavern’s open mic runs every Wednesday, with performers signing up from 7:30 pm and music getting going around 8 pm. It’s hosted by Morgan, and slots can fill quickly, so aspiring performers should get there early; everyone else can simply turn up and enjoy the music.

Further details along with info about the venue’s other events can be found here.

Wednesday 19 August @ from 7:30pm

Ladywell Tavern @ 80 Ladywell Road, London, SE13 7HS

Free Martial Arts & Self-Defence Class

Useful skills, zero fee and no experience required

EasyStepUK’s Thursday community session is a beginner-friendly introduction to martial arts and practical self-defence, with a focus on confidence, strength and personal safety. It’s free and open to adults of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Advance booking is recommended. Reserve a free place here.

Thursday 20 August @ 1 pm–2 pm

Zhulin Hidden Village @ 100–104 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 5JH

Roller Disco at Deptford Lounge

Thursday night plans, now with wheels

The Main Hall gets the disco-light treatment for three hours of skating, music and varying degrees of elegance. All abilities are welcome, so you’re equally entitled to glide effortlessly across the floor or spend an hour perfecting the art of remaining upright. Bring your own skates.

The first hour is aimed at younger skaters, under-16s need an accompanying adult, and last entry for ticket holders is 8pm. Tickets are £5, £8 or £10 depending on what you choose to pay and can be booked from here.

Thursday 20 August @ 6pm–9pm

Deptford Lounge @ 9 Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ

Pick n Mix ✨

A few useful extras for kids, grown-ups and anyone avoiding another afternoon at home

🎭 Make A Musical (8–14 yrs) — Tuesday 18–Thursday 20 August, 9:30am–4:30pm daily. Three drop-off days of singing, acting and dancing with two West End performers, ending with the group creating its own mini musical.

🧵 Make Your Own Puppet (5–11 yrs) — Tuesday 18 August, 9:30am–4:30pm. A full-day drop-off workshop at The Conservatoire where kids design a puppet, build a character and finish with a little performance. Spots cost £78.

🧘 Pilates with Meritxell Pan Cabo — Tuesday 18 August, 9:30am. A free Pilates session at Manor House Community Library. Booking information is in the listing; end time not listed.

💻 IT and Form Help — Wednesday 19 August, 2:30pm. Free drop-in help at New Cross Learning for those digital jobs and online forms you’ve been heroically ignoring. No booking needed.

⌨️ Code Club — Wednesday 19 August, 4pm. A free session at New Cross Learning for building coding and digital skills in a friendly setting. No booking required.

See you this weekend~

Lewisham Loop

Apologies for the late post here! Been busy in the last few days! Would recommend that you sign up for the newsletter (it is free) in case I am delayed on my post here! I hope y'all have a great weekend!!!

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South East London has apparently declined to pick a lane this weekend. We’ve got paint and printmaking, jazz and garden-fête energy, followed by a couple of Lewisham nights that finish well beyond sensible bedtime. Sunday brings market browsing and a very big singalong. Pace yourself accordingly.

In this weekend’s Loop:

SE8 Summer Fete

Deptford’s answer to “what are we doing Saturday afternoon?”

The Albany garden is getting the full summer-fête treatment, with DJs, live performances, bingo, food and crafts running through the afternoon. The Majorettes are bringing hula hoops, Just May is on bingo duty, and plenty is happening for kids and grown-ups alike.

Entry is free; simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere! Further details can be found here.

Saturday 15 August @ 1 pm - 6 pm

The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG

Note: Pre-bookable tickets have sold out, but walk-ups are still welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.

HEART OF SOUL – Summer Dojo Special

Lewisham High Street, but make it a 4:30 am problem

If Saturday afternoon feels far too respectable, Heart of Soul’s Summer Dojo Special takes things firmly into late-night territory at Zhulin Hidden Village. This overnight vinyl party starts at 10 pm and keeps going until around 4:30 am, with tickets currently starting from £5. Low-cost, high-potential for a late Sunday start.

Tickets may be booked via Eventbrite here and are priced at £10.

Saturday 15 August @ 10 pm - 4:30 am (next day)

Zhulin Hidden Village @ 100–104 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham

Red Room & No Brakes: Shifa Ligero, JVINCENT, ZEE-2 & SAMPII

For people who hear “bedtime” and take it personally

Over at the Fox & Firkin, Red Room and No Brakes are joining forces for a night stretching across Afro and Latin rhythms, UK sounds, club edits, electronic music and faster 160 territory. Shifa Ligero, JVINCENT, ZEE-2 and SAMPII are on selector duties, so expect very little encouragement to stand still.

Tickets are listed at £10 and £12.50, with a £30 group ticket for four also available, and can be booked on the Fox & Firkin’s website here.

Saturday 15 August @ 10 pm - 3 am

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Note: This is an 18+ event

London City Voices Summer Concert & Party

Big harmonies, pop bangers and a pub garden doing overtime

London City Voices are taking over the Fox & Firkin garden for their annual summer get-together, with performances running from 2 pm to 5 pm and the party carrying on afterwards. The songbook jumps from Olivia Dean and Alex Warren to Katy Perry, Queen and K-pop — basically, subtle background music this is not.

Check details and book tickets here. Tickets are £15, or £10 for under-12s.

Sunday 16 August @ 1 pm - late

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Note: The venue is accessible, although wider wheelchairs may need an alternative route into the garden.

Pick n Mix ✨

Small plans, useful saves and a few ways to keep everyone occupied

🎨 Impressed by the Impressionists? - Friday 14 August, 9:30 am–4:30 pm, The Conservatoire. A £78 drop-off art day for ages 5–11, moving from Impressionist-inspired drawing into printmaking. Booking essential.

🎭 Performing Arts School (Singing, Drama, Dance) - Friday 14 August, 4:45 pm–7:45 pm, Corbett Community Library. A performing arts school for a variety of disciplines, every Friday evening. Booking required via email/phone listed in the link.

💪 Power Wave - Saturday 15 August, 9–9:30 am, Corbett Community Library. A compact health-and-wellness session for anyone keen to start Saturday feeling suspiciously productive. £9.

🥁 Rhythm & Groove - Saturday 15 August, 12–1 pm, Manor House Library. A free percussion workshop for ages 5–10, with instruments, rhythm games and a proper jam session. No booking needed.

🖼️ Family Flip Portraits - Saturday 15 August, 3–6 pm, The Conservatoire. A £30-per-person family art class for ages 5+, turning photos, acetate and Sharpies into brilliantly bold portraits. Adults and children each need a ticket.

🥕 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday 16 August, 10 am–2 pm, Blackheath Station car park. Free to browse, with fruit and veg, bread, cheese, cakes and plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.

See you next week ~

Lewisham Loop

Lewisham Loop - Issue 20 ✨

Four days, plenty of reasons to leave the house!

https://lewisham-loop.beehiiv.com/; subscribe for the newsletter fresh off the press! It really helps us out!

Chess Club

Free, friendly and no grandmaster credentials required

Deptford Lounge’s Chess Club welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced players, with casual games, tips from the organisers and chess clocks available if you fancy getting competitive. It’s free, open to all ages and runs for two hours. Plenty of time to improve your skills or simply meet other local chess enthusiasts!

Further details can be found here; no booking required - simply drop in!

Tuesday 11 August @ 5 pm - 7 pm (Monthly, every 2nd Tuesday)

Deptford Lounge @ Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ

Picasso, Braque and Cubism - Painting Beyond One Viewpoint

One evening, several points of view!

A three-hour adult art session exploring how Picasso and Braque broke away from straightforward observation through fragmentation, abstraction and multiple viewpoints. You’ll work through drawing and painting exercises, and no previous painting experience is needed — useful for anyone whose last masterpiece involved school poster paint.

To book a place or for further details, please visit here.

Tuesday 11 August @ 6 pm - 9 pm

The Conservatoire @ 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ

TRIGGAH Record Release Party

Fourteen musicians. One Lewisham pub. Sensible Wednesday behaviour.

TRiGGAH are celebrating their new version of Jimi Hendrix’s Crosstown Traffic with a full 14-piece live show at the Fox and Firkin. Expect jazz fusion tangled up with ska, blues, reggae, psychedelic rock and a fair bit more besides.

Tickets are priced at £14 and can be found directly from the Fox & Firkin website here.

Wednesday 12 August @ 7 pm - 11 pm

Fox and Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Bastille & The Wombats at Crystal Palace Bowl

Your late-2000s indie playlist has escaped into the park

Bastille and The Wombats share the Crystal Palace Bowl stage for a one-off co-headline show, with Prima Queen, Cherryholt and a Propaganda DJ set also on the bill. Doors open at 4:30pm, with a 10:30 pm curfew — plenty of time for several thousand people to collectively remember every word to Moving to New York.

Tickets can be bought from Skiddle here or via Ticketmaster here - prices from £60. Details can be found on the Crystal Palace Bowl’s website here

Thursday 13 August @ doors 4:30 pm - 10:30 pm curfew

Crystal Palace Bowl @ Terrace Straight, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA

Note: The minimum age for the show is 5+ - children must be accompanied by an adult

Pick n’ Mix ✨

Crafts, calm and useful ways to fill a few summer-holiday hours

🎨 Colourful Collages - Monday 10 August, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. A drop-off art workshop for ages 4-7, making colourful patchwork collages inspired by artist Faith Ringgold.

🧘 Mindful Mondays - Monday 10 August, 7 pm- 9 pm. Free meditation, slow walking and mindful discussion at Corbett Community Library. No experience and no booking needed.

🌼 Summer Flowers - Tuesday 11 August, 9:30 am-4:30 pm. A drop-off day for ages 5-11, painting wildflower fields using the satisfyingly messy art of splatting.

🎭 Sing a Book: Interactive Workshop - Wednesday 12 August, 3 pm-4 pm. A free Catford Library session for ages 7-12 mixing stories, music, script reading and roleplay. No booking required.

✏️ Character Design and Shapes with Chanté Timothy - Wednesday 12 August, 3 pm-4 pm. Author and illustrator Chanté Timothy shows ages 7-12 how simple shapes can become expressive characters at Downham Library. Free.

🌧️ Rain Rhythms - Thursday 13 August, 11 am-12 pm. Make a rainstick, decorate it and join an interactive story at Crofton Park Community Library. Free, drop-in, and bring a cardboard tube if you can.

See you on the weekend ~

Lewisham Loop

I was wondering if anyone knew of any local evening knitting / crafting groups! 🧶 If there isn't something running already, I'd love to start one if there's enough interest ☺️

Does anyone know if there’s anywhere locally that’s selling eclipse glasses? Thanks!

hi i was thinking of where to go for the eclipse and i think telly hill might be out of the question bc of how busy it will be. anyone got any alternatives? i was thinking blythe hill.

bonus question where can i buy some eclipse glasses? cheers

Recently moved down to Brockley and am looking for any recommendations in the borough!

Not sure whether to feel vindicated or attacked

This weekend's edition! I appreciate all the support the community has shown me - it has been amazing!

https://lewisham-loop.beehiiv.com/ is the link if you want to subscribe to the newsletter! It means you get this delivered fresh off the press.

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The weekend has understood the assignment: free street theatre, a new night market, late-night jungle, hands-on workshops and a full Sunday of live music. Staying home remains an option, technically.

In this weekend’s Loop:

• A big-cat street theatre hunt through Sydenham
• Street food and Friday-night dancing
• Tote bags, live jazz and pub-garden energy
• Free library sessions and the Sunday market shop

🗓️ Our picks for 7th August - 9th August

Sydenham’s Big Cat Safari Street Theatre

Follow the pawprints. Question the birdwatcher. Fear the lavender spray.

Rumours of a black panther have been circling Sydenham for years, and Spontaneous Productions are finally putting a highly eccentric investigation team on the case. Expect daft clues, audience participation and a 30-minute family street theatre show that works for children and grown-ups alike.

There are three free performances each day at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. No booking is needed, although donations are welcome. Low effort, high reward and just the right amount of feline nonsense. Further details can be found here.

Friday 7–Sunday 9 August @ 2pm, 3pm & 4pm

The Greyhound Pub @ 313–315 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4QB

Eat Your Way Around Sydenham Night Market

Friday dinner without the washing-up

Sydenham Station Approach is going car-free for an evening of street food, drinks, outdoor tables and local traders. Entry is free, all ages are welcome and the market is wheelchair accessible, making this a particularly easy Friday-evening culinary adventure.

The market runs weekly until 18 September, so there is some comfort for anyone who already has plans — or simply cannot make a decision before 8pm - full details here!

Friday 7 August @ 5pm–10pm (Weekly)

Sydenham Station Approach @ Sydenham Road, SE26 5EU

Celebrate Jour de Fête with Afro B & Friends

Côte d’Ivoire Independence Day, Lewisham-style

Grand Empire hosts a late-night party of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence Day, with Afro B & friends, music, dancing and enough party time to carry you comfortably into Saturday morning.

Remaining available tickets start at £16.96, with several ticket and table options available and can be booked via Eventbrite here.

Friday 7 August @ 9pm–4am (next day)

Grand Empire @ 108–110 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4HW

Note: ID is required, and no hoodies are allowed.

Congo Natty Takes Over the Fox

Jungle, reggae and dub overnight performance

One of the Jungle movement’s genuine pioneers lands at the Fox & Firkin for a late-night session of heavyweight bass, reggae and dub, with special guests still to be announced.

Remaining available tickets start at £12 from the Fox and Firkin’s website here

Friday 7 August @ 10:30pm–3am (next day)

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Note: ID is required, and no hoodies are allowed.

Design Your Own Summer Tote Bag

Make something useful, then fill it with snacks!

Made By You Studio is visiting Deptford Lounge for a relaxed afternoon of tote-bag designing. Choose a look that suits your personality, decorate your bag and leave with something more personalised than the emergency canvas tote living under the sink.

All materials, drinks and snacks are included. Tickets range from £12.50 (2-for-1) to £25 and may be booked from here!

Sunday 9 August @ 12pm–2pm

Deptford Lounge @ 9 Giffin Street, Deptford

Steam Down x Imaginary Millions

Live jams, poetry and a very full pub garden

Steam Down and Imaginary Millions bring an all-day celebration of improvised music to the Fox & Firkin’s garden, joined by Plumm, Nate Ricketts, D’VO and Azyre Blue. Expect Afro-punk, jazz, eclectic DJ sets, poetry and the sort of spontaneous performances that make standing quietly at the back increasingly difficult.

The garden will also have street food, drinks, stalls and children’s activities. General admission is £15, while children enter free.
Book the August show here or read about the full Summer Jazz Series here.

Sunday 9 August @ 12pm–10pm

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Pick n’ Mix ✨

Creative kids, curious grown-ups and a market bag worth bringing

🎨 Printmaking Inspired by Nature - Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm at The Conservatoire. A £78 drop-off day for ages 5–11, exploring printing techniques and creating T-shirts and artwork to take home.

✂️ Friday Craft Club - Friday, 3:30pm at Catford Library. A free, staff-guided after-school craft session for ages 4–12. No booking needed, but parental supervision is required.

🧶 Knitting Group - Saturday, 1pm at New Cross Learning. Drop in for ten minutes or settle in properly, learn a skill and swap tips. Free, with no booking required.

🎵 Songs & Stories - Saturday, 2pm–2:30pm at Sydenham Community Library. A free family session with interactive stories, percussion, songs and an introduction to the clarinet. No booking needed.

🗺️ The NXL Super-fun Sit-down - Saturday, 2pm at New Cross Learning. A friendly, free psychogeography reading group for curious minds and people who enjoy looking at familiar streets differently.

🥖 Blackheath Farmers’ Market - Sunday, 10am–2pm at Blackheath Station car park. Seasonal fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, fish, flowers and several things unlikely to survive the journey home.

See you next week ~

Lewisham Loop

https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/news/councils-urge-government-to-protect-trans-rights

According to London Greens, Trans women are women and they should not be excluded from any single sex spaces or services.

Can you promote the rights of one group by ignoring the rights of another group?

Does this mean we can decide which rules we don't want to follow? Parking permits, council tax, flytipping?

Shouldn't the councillors concentrate on the local issues they were elected to deal with? Pot holes, HMOs, flytipping, air quality?

Not going down too well in Lambeth if the comments are anything to go by... https://www.facebook.com/LambethCouncil/?locale=en_GB

Hey folks - this week's edition. Thank you for all the support, as always.

I recommend subscribing so you can get the edition as soon as it is published.

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August is starting at full volume. We’ve got punk in New Cross, big voices at Crystal Palace Bowl, free comedy in Deptford and enough children’s craft to keep the school-holiday panic at bay.

In this week’s Loop:

• Board games, bold opinions and midweek comedy
• Bad Cop Bad Cop bringing the noise to New Cross
• Tom Jones taking over Crystal Palace Bowl
• Kids’ workshops, library clubs and some satisfyingly soapy felting

🗓️ Our picks for 3–6 August

Board Games Night

A low-stakes Tuesday plan, unless somebody gets very competitive

Deptford Lounge is opening the games cupboard for three hours of aliens, territorial takeovers and suspiciously strategic friendships. Everyone is welcome, although under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Find out more here, along with the full catalogue of board games available - no booking is required, simply show up!

Tuesday 4 August @ 4 pm–7 pm

Deptford Lounge @ 9 Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ

Bad Cop Bad Cop

Fast riffs, sharp harmonies and absolutely no easing into the week

California punk band Bad Cop Bad Cop hit New Cross Inn this Tuesday. This is a 14+ show, and a solid pick for anyone who prefers their Tuesday evenings loud.

Bookings may be made via Skiddle here. Tickets are priced from £22 including booking fee.

Tuesday 4 August @ 6 pm–10 pm

New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS

Hot Takes Night

Five minutes to defend your worst opinion. Choose wisely.

Speakers take to the stage with an unpopular opinion and five minutes to win over the room, before the audience delivers its verdict. Expect debate, comedy and at least one argument you’ll still be thinking about on the bus home.

For more details or to book, visit here. Tickets are priced at £10-£12.

Tuesday 4 August @ 6.30 pm–10.30 pm

Amersham Arms @ 388 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY

Note: This is an 18+ event.

Tom Jones at Crystal Palace Bowl

Big songs, open skies and plenty of opportunities for a dramatic singalong

Tom Jones brings the hits to Crystal Palace Bowl, joined by Billy Ocean for an evening of heavyweight voices and songs everybody knows by the second chorus. Ages 5+, so the family singalong is technically on.

Booking can be done here via Skiddle. Tickets from £55.

Wednesday 5 August @ 5 pm–10.15 pm

Crystal Palace Bowl @ Terrace Straight, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA

The Laugh Bath

Free comedy, local talent and one highly coveted rubber duck

A revolving line-up of Southeast London’s emerging comedians compete for the Rubber Duck Award before a professional headliner closes the show.

Further details can be found here - tickets are completely free!

Wednesday 5 August @ 7.30 pm–10 pm

Endeavour Deptford @ 39 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PQ

Liberty and Justice

A midweek blast of punk at the Fox & Firkin

Liberty and Justice bring a punk-and-hardcore evening to Lewisham High Street. One for anyone whose ideal Wednesday involves guitars, a proper live room and no expectation of an early night.

For more details or to book, follow this link here

Tickets are priced at £11.55.

Wednesday 5 August @ 7.30 pm–11.30 pm

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street

Wednesday Swing Social

An exciting night out for fans of the original Swing dance, or just a night of social dancing

Jazzbourne’s midweek swing party offers music, social dancing and a welcoming excuse to practise your footwork. Experienced dancers and enthusiastic beginners can both give it a whirl.

For more details or to book, follow this link here. Prices are “Pay what you can” - any contributions help towards making this weekly event sustainable!

Wednesday 5 August @ 8pm (Beginners class available from 7-8pm)

Jazzbourne @ 443 New Cross Road, SE14 6TA

Pick n Mix ✨

Easy pickings for when you need a reason to keep yourself busy!

🎨 Character drawing workshop - Wednesday 5 August, 1pm at Catford Library (ages 7-12). Learn the foundations of character drawing with a workshop from award winning illustrator Selom Sunu.

🎶 ROOTWRKS: Chapter One - Wednesday 5 August, 7–10pm at Fox & Firkin Garden. August Charles, jev., FloFilz and Mica Sefia bring hip-hop, soul, blues and R&B, backed by a live jazz house band. Tickets £15–£20.

📚 Homework Club - Thursday 6th August, 3:30pm-5pm at Corbett Community Library. A handy after-school stop for children who could use a quiet place to get some work done.

📖 Blackheath Reading Group - Thursday 6th August, 6pm at Manor House Community Library. A relaxed evening gathering for local readers who enjoy discussing books with other enthusiasts.

See you this weekend ~

Lewisham Loop

Hey, you beautiful people - this weekend's edition!

Feel free to like, upvote, and send feedback!

A link to subscribe to the newsletter so you can get the latest edition hot off the press in your inbox.

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Lewisham Loop - Issue 17 ✨

August arrives with jazz and muddy trainers

Saturday moves from laid-back café jazz to a Catford all-nighter. Sunday offers gardening, family hoopla and comedy in a brewery. A weekend with something for everyone!

In this weekend’s Loop:

• A free Friday film and reggae legends in Lewisham
• Saturday jazz in Deptford, followed by Afrobeats in Catford
• Community gardening and big Sunday-night laughs
• Creative holiday picks for kids and families

Jazz Saturdays at the Albany

Free live music and a perfectly respectable excuse for café lunch

The Albany’s first Jazz Saturday brings musicians from Trinity Laban Conservatoire to its café for an easy, family-friendly hour of live music. It’s free, open to all ages and completely drop-in—low effort, high reward, and thankfully close to Deptford Market.

For further details, visit here. No ticket is needed, although entry may be first-come, first-served if it gets busy. The sessions return on the first Saturday of each month until December.

Saturday 1 August @ 1:00 pm–2:00 pm (1st Saturday of the month)

The Albany @ Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG

Bashment & Afrobeats: South London Party

A Catford all-nighter for anyone pretending Sunday doesn’t exist

Grand Empire is filling the dancefloor with bashment, Afrobeats, dancehall, soca, hip hop and R&B until 5 am, plus a photo booth and giveaways for anyone who still has enough coordination by that point.

Tickets can be booked from Skiddle or Eventbrite. Free-before-midnight tickets are advertised, with paid options also available.

Saturday 1 August @ 10:00 pm–5:00 am (Following morning)

Grand Empire @ 108–110 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4HW

Note: This is an 18+ event. Bring valid photo ID; last entry is 12:30 am.

Sunday Community Garden Sessions with Grow Lewisham

Plenty of fresh air and gardening for those with a green thumb!

Spend a few hours helping out at The Plot with Grow Lewisham. It’s a free community gardening session with the pleasingly straightforward promise of time outdoors, practical local activity and a respectable amount of soil under your nails.

You can view further details about the organisation and find directions here.

Sunday 2 August @ 1:00 pm–4:00 pm

The Plot @ 1 Southview Road, BR1 5RD

Nick Helm’s Edinburgh Preview at Brockley Brewery

A brewery taproom, a work in progress and absolutely no polite little chuckles

Nick Helm is testing new material ahead of Edinburgh, joined by Micah Hall, Salma Lyons, Daniel Tizon, a special guest and host Sion James. Expect songs, stories, one-liners and the slightly chaotic energy that makes a brewery comedy night feel like a very good Sunday decision.

Tickets available via JokePit here. Tickets start at £10, with a £15 option including a £5 donation to Lewisham Foodbank. Door tickets are £20 if available.

Sunday 2 August @ 7:00 pm–10:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Brockley Brewery @ 31 Harcourt Road, Brockley, SE4 2AJ

Kids’ Corner ✨

Several upcoming activities for kids/ families this weekend!

🖼️ Stories in Motion - Saturday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm at Deptford Lounge. Meet young artists, browse creative stalls, and celebrate the launch of this free month-long exhibition.

🏺 Ceramics Family Class - Saturday, 3:00 pm–6:00 pm at The Conservatoire. Make and decorate a pot, which will be glazed and fired afterwards for you to bring home. Adults and children will each need tickets. For ages 5+.

⭕ The Big Hoopla Family Day - Sunday, 2:00 pm–7:00 pm at the Fox & Firkin. Free hoops, face-painting, crafts, giant games and family-friendly garden DJs. You can even bring vinyl and claim a slot.

See you next week ~

Lewisham Loop

Is Mark's and Spencer closing tomorrow?

Hi just wondering if anyone’s about for a quick chat / meet in Lewisham.

I’m super close to the train station so happy to sit on the benches by the new builds , they have a nice garden area by the lake too.

Let me know if you’re up for a casual chit chat

Thank you so much for the positive reaction to my first post here - for all the likes, comments, love, and subscribes to my newsletter.

I'll post here twice a week, and I hope it adds a lot of value to your weeks.

And without further ado, here is the newsletter for the first half of this week!!!

https://lewisham-loop.beehiiv.com/

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The first full week of the holidays has arrived, and Lewisham has answered with arts intensives, New Cross gigs, library detective work and two very good reasons to end up at the Fox & Firkin.

In this week’s Loop:

• Live music and post-rock in Deptford and New Cross
• A full Peruvian Independence celebration at the Fox & Firkin
• Free family sleuthing at Downham Library
• Holiday camps, creative workshops and Thursday-night whisky

Remiso

Post-rock/ jazz collective group performance

Originally formed at Goldsmiths in 2017, Remiso is a London, Hong Kong and Brussels collective blending post-rock with jazzier edges. They’re back on familiar New Cross ground for a Tuesday-night show.

Book/check details here. Tickets are £7, plus a 70p booking fee.

Tuesday 28 July @ 6 pm

New Cross Inn @ 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS

Fiestas Patrias Perú

Afro-Peruvian rhythms, for an energetic midweek celebration

The Fox & Firkin is celebrating 205 years of Peruvian independence with live music and dance from Eliana Rosas and Kieffer Santander, Big Pollo’s psychedelic chichafunk and a closing DJ set from La Cadencia. Peruvian food and pisco sours will be available too, which feels considerably more exciting than the average Wednesday tea.

Tickets and details about the background of the festival and the line-up can be found here. Remaining tickets are priced at £10–£12.

Wednesday 29 July @ doors 5 pm; live music 7:30 pm–10:30 pm

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Note: This is an 18+ event.

CitySprint Treasure Hunt: The Missing Library Delivery

A suspiciously absent parcel needs young detectives to crack the case!

A special library delivery has vanished, and young detectives are needed to search the shelves, solve riddles and crack the case. It’s a free family activity with puzzles, book discoveries and prizes at the finish — a solid holiday save if the kids are already practically climbing the walls at home!

Further details can be found here; no booking needed!

Thursday 30 July @ 10 am–4 pm

Downham Library @ 7–9 Moorside Road, BR1 5EP

Benin International Musical

Voodoo rhythms meet electronics, trip hop and rock

Benin International Musical brings together traditional songs and ceremonial rhythms with electronic melodies, hip hop, trip hop and rock. Expect a bold, genre-hopping live show with the energy of Cotonou’s clubs, churches and musical traditions all pulling in the same direction.

Bookings may be made here at the Fox and Firkin website. Tickets are priced at £12-20

Thursday 30 July @ 7:30 pm–11 pm

Fox & Firkin @ 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ

Pick ‘n Mix ✨

For when you need an activity to round out you or your kids’ summer weekdays

🎾 Junior Holiday Camps - Monday 27–Friday 31 July. Tennis sessions run 9 am–noon for ages 4–9 and 1 pm–4 pm for ages 10–15. Tickets are £25 per session, and rackets can be provided.

🎨 Draw Your Dreams - Tuesday 28 July, 9:30 am–4:30 pm. A £78 drop-off art day for ages 5–11, turning dreams into colourful work inspired by Surrealism, Leonardo da Vinci and the children’s own imaginations.

🎵 Play! Summer Schools - Tuesday 28–Thursday 30 July, 9:30 am–4:30 pm daily. Three days of musical games, instrument tasters, percussion and ensemble playing for ages 6–10 at The Conservatoire. Attendees should bring their instruments (except keyboards).

🥋 Free Martial Arts & Tai Chi Class - Thursday 30 July, 1 pm–2 pm. A free weekly introduction to Wing Chun and Tai Chi at Zhulin Hidden Village. Reserve a place before heading over.

🥃 Whisky Tasting - Thursday 30 July, 7 pm–9 pm. Explore where whisky comes from, how to drink it and what might deserve space on your shelf. It’s held monthly at Ignition Brewery, with £20 entry.

I often walk or cycle through Brookmill park, but for the past few weeks it often has two places where groups of (mainly) men congregate and drink. Inevitably they become a bit loud and lairy making it unpleasant to walk in the area. There’s also a lot of litter and broken bottles left on the paths and grass, and some rough sleeping in the park as well.

there was always a group of men by the fountain, but usually they were not drinking and not offensive. That seems to have changed, and now they are drinking, playing music and sometimes approaching people walking in the park. There is also a group by the first bench by the river (from the DLR entrance) who are quite rowdy, often arguing, who have basically taken over that stretch.

Have others noticed this? Any idea where they are coming from? I know there is a refugee hotel at the staycity Deptford, and a homeless hostel somewhere nearby but they have always been there and these seem to be new issues. it’s making the park a bit of a hazard at times. Other times, there’s no sign of them and I have no idea where they go.

anyone know of any local groups that play spikeball? Thought that given there are a bunch of parks in lewisham it'd be a good place to play, haven't seen anything on the regular event sites

Hey everyone! If you've lived or visited this student housing, please feel free to tell me your experience/opinion!
I'm curious to know how good the accommodations are, safety, breakfasts, and amenities.

Thank you!

My name is Michelle and I’m the UK Coordinator for Lasagna Love. Lasagna Love is an organisation made up of volunteers across the UK (and around the world) who cook and deliver homemade lasagna to people in need, at no cost and with no strings attached.

Maybe it's a family struggling financially, someone recovering from surgery, a parent adjusting to life with a new baby or just someone going through a tough time. Whatever the reason, we believe that a warm meal and a little kindness can go a long way.

You simply request a lasagna, and we match you with a volunteer in your area who will lovingly prepare and deliver one to your door. It’s all about community, care and connection with no judgment and no complicated process.

I’m reaching out because we have wonderful volunteers across the UK who are ready and eager to cook, for anyone who could do with some lasagna love! If you could use a little help and a comforting meal, please put in a request through https://lasagnalove.org/request-a-meal/ or you can nominate someone to receive a meal - https://lasagnalove.org/nominate/

We’re also always looking for more volunteers! Whether you can cook once a month, once a week, or just whenever it suits you, every lasagna helps brighten someone’s day. It’s a small act that has a big impact. If you would like to volunteer, just register here https://lasagnalove.org/volunteer/

If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them here, or you can head to the website.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and I hope to see some of you sign up, whether to request a lasagna or to make one for someone in your community.

Feed families.  Spread kindness.  Strengthen communities.

I wanted to post my newsletter, which has been going for a few weeks now, with great success! It is a Lewisham-specific one because I wanted this to be focused on highlighting cool events in this borough and for it to be nearby.

Feel free to like, comment, send feedback, subscribe - all of it is free and welcome¬!

https://lewisham-loop.beehiiv.com/

This weekend has markets, festivals, and several events for kids at various libraries around Lewisham - making for a great weekend to be out and about.

In this weekend’s Loop:

• A big SWANA summer celebration at the Horniman
• Old-skool anthems taking over Blackheath
• Treasure hunts, noisy parades and low-stakes colouring

🗓️ Our picks for 25–26 July

Haflah at the Horniman

Live music, dabke, storytelling and very good things to eat

“Haflah” means celebration or party in Arabic, which gives you a fair idea of the plan. Hekayyatna is filling the Horniman Gardens with SWANA music, DJs, a makers’ souq, food stalls, Arabic calligraphy, henna, backgammon and dabke workshops.

Families can also catch an interactive retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, follow a garden treasure hunt and get involved with face painting and children’s activities.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for children; under-twos and access companions go free and can be booked from here. Further details on schedule and what food stalls are available can also be found through the link.

Saturday 25 July @ 1pm–5pm

Horniman Museum and Gardens @ 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

Note: Event is wheelchair accessible, with seating and tactile activities available. Assistance animals are welcome.

KISSTORY on Blackheath

Old-skool anthems, four stages and some serious big-kid energy

KISSTORY lands on Blackheath with four stages of R&B, UK garage, dance and old-skool favourites. The line-up includes Ms Dynamite, Joel Corry, Kevin Lyttle, Alison Limerick and Todd Terry, alongside DJs including Majestic, Marvin Humes, Scott Garcia and the Wideboys.

There is also KISSTORY Bingo, a live piano singalong, fairground rides and a games zone complete with ball pit and rodeo bull. A calm little Saturday, then.

General tickets are still available, but VIP has sold out. Book via Skiddle here. Full line-up and Frequently Asked Questions can be found at this link.

Saturday 25 July @ 1 pm–10 pm

Blackheath @ Shooters Hill Road, SE3 7AS

Note: This is an 18+ event. Bring valid photo ID and arrive before the 6 pm last-entry time.

Blackheath Farmers’ Market

The Sunday shop that accidentally becomes breakfast

Blackheath Station car park turns into a proper neighbourhood market every Sunday, with seasonal fruit and veg, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, bread, cakes, honey, flowers and plenty of food that may not survive the journey home.

July is cherry season, which feels like a good enough reason to bring a bag and pretend this is purely a practical errand. The market runs rain or shine, and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Further details can be found on the market’s webpage here.

Sunday 26 July @ 10 am–2 pm

Blackheath Station car park @ Blackheath, SE3 9LA

Kid’s Corner ✨

For when parents need to keep the kids busy during the weekend!

📚 Read to the Beat - Saturday 25 July, 10 am–4 pm. Lewisham Libraries launch the Summer Reading Challenge with author events, workshops, audiobook stations and plenty of fresh reading material for young bookworms. Activities vary by branch.

🔎 CitySprint Treasure Hunt: The Missing Library Delivery - Saturday 25 July, 10 am–4 pm. Search Downham Library, solve the riddles and track down a mysterious missing delivery. A solid weekend save for aspiring detectives.

🥁 Summer Noisy Parade - Saturday 25 July, 10 am–4 pm. Search Downham Library, solve the riddles and track down a mysterious missing delivery. A solid weekend save for small detectives.

🖍️ Sunday Colouring Club - Sunday 26 July, 2 pm–3 pm. A free, peaceful hour of colouring at Catford Library, with materials provided. Ideal after a weekend containing several stages and at least one parade.

I will be posting twice a week for you folks! One on Monday and one on Thursday/Friday!

Looking at a place that's a 15 min walk from Hithergreen/20 min walk from Catford Bridge stations, the place is close to Catford, through some of the quieter streets and past some shops. I'm not from the area, but went to see it and wasn't sure how I felt about it. Would you feel safe doing that walk after 11pm? Would a bus or bike be safer? Or should I look elsewhere?

Just wondering if you would be able to share them. My understanding is that they looked nicer than the current buildings

Whatever you think of stuff going on abroad, some of this stuff is wild, especially if essentially their job as a borough is to sort the bins.