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Greenwich news and information

What’s On This Week: June 22nd – June 28th 2009

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Now that summer’s in full swing there’s plenty happening for kids young and old this week in and around the town.

The main attraction for most will be the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival, in which various performers will adopt the park and river as their stages in short modern dance and musical pieces using spectacular scenery and lighting.  There are events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, culminating in Pi Leau at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich on Saturday evening.  Think Cirque de Soleil meets Greenpeace – harnesses, raised platforms and acrobatics, with a serious message about Climate Change thrown in.  The whole event is free, but its best to arrive early for some of the peak time shows as there is limited seating. (Jun 25-28, free)

After the nationwide success of the Hogwarts spoof Potted Potter, the connoisseurs of all things silly (aka Dan & Jeff) are back with the aptly named Potted Pirates at Greenwich Theatre on Saturday.  Expect plenty of ‘ooh-arrs’, ‘me hearties’ and slightly inappropriate jokes about parrots that your kids will probably love, and Johnny Depp would probably hate. (Jun 27, 3pm & 7pm, £10/£7.50)

If you like your humour a little more high-brow, you might prefer to check out the new comedy night at the Blackheath Halls on Saturday instead.  I always find comedy nights can be a little hit and miss but these three are apparently ‘top’ and come from the successful Barnstormers Comedy outfit, so it’s definitely worth a look. (Jun 27, 8pm, £12 on the door)

Talking of successful comedians, the legend that is Michael Palin will be gracing the IndigO2 this Friday to regale Greenwich folk with tales of Monty Python and his extensive travels.  If you’re feeling flush you can get tickets in the VIP section for the bargain price of £140  – what credit crunch? – but there are still a few normal tickets available, a snip at £38.  I hope there’s free wine! (Jun 26, 7pm).

Other noteworthy events include The Big Smoke, a showing of Blitz-themed silent films at the Picturehouse on Tuesday and Wednesday, and if English Choral music is your thing you might like to check out “Heavenly Music and all that Jazz” at St Alfege on Saturday evening.  There’s also a free Wildlife Drop-in at Greenwich Park on Wednesday, and a chance to dress your kid up like Henry VIII at Tudor Day at the Royal Artillery Museum –  don’t worry, there will apparently be plenty of adult costumes too, in case you were worried about missing out.

Is there anything else happening in Greenwich this week? Use the comments box below to share any info.

Henry Days at the Old Royal Naval College

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Henry Days – Old Royal Naval College
June 13th/14th 2009

There will be a weekend of Tudor themed activities at the Old Royal Naval College to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne.

Activities on show include:

  • A typical 15th century hunting parade
  • Knights battling each other in combat in the extensive grounds of the college
  • Archery try-out sessions
  • Face painting and flag making workshops
  • Tudor-themed games
  • Children’s entertainment
  • Tudor dancing

Saturday’s action will be from 12pm – 5pm whilst Sunday’s action will take place from 10am – 5pm.

Greenwich Comedy Festival 2009

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Russell Howard

A new comedy festival has been announced for this September, with a whole host of well known comedians performing in Greenwich.

The Greenwich Comedy Festival takes place between Sept 7th – 13th and will see comics such as Russell Howard, Jo Brand, Ardal O’Hanlon, Rich Hall and Arthur Smith performing at the Up The Creek comedy club, Greenwich Theatre and a specially erected 1000-seater tent in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College.

There will also be a chance for selected aspiring young comedians between 15 – 19 to hone their skills in workshops before performing in front of a 1,000-strong audience.

Find out more about the Comedy Festival and book tickets online at the Greenwich Comedy Festival website.

The Maids at Greenwich Playhouse

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A new production of The Maids by Jean Genet is coming to Greenwich. The play, based on the lives of the infamous Papin Sisters, was last performed in Greenwich in 1974 with a cast that included Glenda Jackson and Susannah York, who both appeared in the film adaptation.

The new adaption is being brought back to Greenwich, at the Playhouse theatre, by theatre company Nomads of Bazar.  They promise a production that will fuse “pop culture and our obsession with the media in the 21st century”  and challenge “the boundaries between love, sexuality and criminal intent”.

The Maids is at the Greenwich Playhouse from 9th June – 5th July 2009
Tues-Sat @ 8pm | Sun @ 4pm
Tickets: £12; £10 (Conc.)
Box office 020 8858 9256 | boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk

Dance and Draw at Forum@Greenwich

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Learn how to draw, and learn how to dance… at the same time! Dance and Draw is a cool new experience taking place at the Forum@Greenwich in Trafalgar Road.

The purpose of the sessions is to encourage people to express themselves, gain self confidence and reduce session.

The innovative Dance and Draw sessions are available in an afterschool slot for teenagers and there’s also evening sessions.

Find out more about Dance and Draw here

Walking With Dinosaurs at the O2 Arena

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Walking with Dinosaurs is the spectaculat exhibition taking place at the O2 from August 5th through to the end of the month. Based on the populat BBC TV series, the breathtaking show gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with dinosaurs constructed from state of the art animatronics and puppetry.

Fly Navy 100 Events

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It was on May 7th 1909 that the decision was made to spend £35,000 on the development of an airship. That was the birth of British naval aviation, and a century later, a series of events are being put together to mark Fly Navy 100.

On Wednesday 6th May, HMS Illustrious (“Lusty” to her friends) will arrive in Greenwich, having made her way up the Thames. On Thursday at midday, there will be a centenary flypast as every current front line helicopter type will pass over the Thames and Illustrious.

There will be further demonstrations between 14.00 and 14.30 on the 9th and 10th of May, and there will be static aircraft available to view in the ground of the Old Royal Naval College.

Find out more about the Fly Navy 100 Events

Easter Bonnet Parade 2009

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Easter Bonnet Parade, Cutty Sark Gardens, 12th April 1.30pm

An Easter bonnet parade will take place this Sunday in Cutty Sark Gardens, starting at 1.30pm.
Prizes on offer for the most creative bonnets include tickets to Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival, books and easter eggs. Free workshops have already taken place this week to help young people get their bonnets ready. 

Parade day will also feature the Gandini Jugglers, a Continental market and a showcase of greetings cars and pictures from Blackheath Arts Society, plus egg and spoon races for all ages.

If you’re stuck for ideas, have a look on Google Images for easter bonnets.  Good luck!

Public Debate on Public Private Partnerships 23rd April

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Debate on Public Private Partnerships, 23rd April, 6.30pm

The School of Business at the University of Greenwich is hosting a debate, open to all, entitled:

“Public-Private Partnerships: What future during Recession and Fiscal Retrenchment?”

David Heald, Professor of Accountancy at the University of Aberdeen, will be discussing a range of contemporary issues surrounding the UK public-private partnerships experience to date.

Topics covered will include:

  • The implosion of the banking sector;
  • What roles public-private partnerships might play in response to the paralysis of the banking system;
  • and Changes to the accounting system.

More info here