theatres • concerts • special events places to go February 15 Bring a book to swap. Register via email.
Southbank centre southbankcentre.co.uk February 15 Drop-in literary event with a giant bookswap with Discover Children’s Story Centre and other arts and literature organisations across London. Bring along old books to swap. Free event. NATIONAL STORY TELLING WEEK February 1-8
Chinese New Year in Soho
UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com The Pardoner’s Tale January 16-31 Chaucer’s tale with music, songs and sound effects. 7+ years. Cost £16/£10. Grandpa’s Railway January 28-February 9 An exciting journey with Grandpa and his working model railway, with music and surprises. 5+ years. Cost £16/£10. Hannah February 8-March 9 Based on Marlowe’s Dr Faustus, Hannah questions right and wrong, the lure of power, appearance and reality. 11+ years. Cost £16/£10. Not Now, Bernard February 15-March 9 Bernard tries to make friends with a monster. 2+ years. Cost £16/£10. Wanted: Rabbit February 18-23 Three police officers hunt a rabbit on the run. 4+ years. Cost £16/£10. Backstage Tours January 18, February 15 See parts of the theatre not seen on stage. Booking required. 7+ years. Cost £3.
Special Events CHINESE NEW YEAR chinatownlondon.org london.gov.uk The Year of the Horse February 2 Welcome in the Year of the Horse with free outdoor events in and around Chinatown. Watch stage shows, acrobatics, martial arts, parades and Chinese dances. Celebrations also take place in Trafalgar Square.
EASTBURY MANOR HOUSE Eastbury Square, Barking IG11 9SN
( Upney) 020 8227 5216 lbbd.gov.uk/eastbury Ship Ahoy! Pirate Day March 1 Dress up as a pirate, find treasure and take part in craft activities. Pirate Day parade at 3pm. Cost £2.50 per child. History in the Baking March 8 Food sampling afternoons with flavours from the past.
EXCEL LONDON (Custom House DLR) E16 1XL 020 7069 5000 excel-london.co.uk thebabyshow.co.uk/excel/ The Baby Show February 21-23 Pregnancy and parenting event with advice and information. KINGS PLACE 90 York Way, N1 9AG ( Kings Cross) 020 7520 1490 kingsplace.co.uk Aurora Family Concert February 15 Interact with music. Separate sessions for 0-5 years and 6+ years. Cost £6.50/£4.50/family £16.50/£19.50.
Take part in story telling sessions and events across the community.
OWLS PLAY CENTRE Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside, 1G6 3HN ( Fairlop) redbridge.gov.uk owlsplaycentre.co.uk Indoor Play Area New indoor play centre for children 6 months to 12 years. Separate soft play area for babies and toddlers. Cost £1.50 for children 6mths-1 year, £4 for toddlers 1-3 years and £6 for 4-12 years. Adults £1 and babies under 6mths free. RICH MIX CINEMA & ARTS CENTRE 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA ( Liverpool Street) 020 7613 7498 richmix.org.uk Mwalimu Express January 19, February 16 Live artist and films from an African country. Family friendly. Free. Chinese New Year Celebrations 2014 February 1 Performances, food, charity stalls and workshops. Free. Discover Limehouse China Town February 1
Find out what life was like in London’s first Chinatown. Family friendly event with timed tickets and entrance. Booking required. Free.
TOWER OF LONDON EC3N 4AB ( Tower Hill) 0844 482 7777 hrp.org.uk Coins and Kings Permanent exhibition exploring the story of the Mint when it was based at the Tower and how coins changed history. Entrance £19.50/£9.75/£52.
VALENTINES MANSION & GARDENS Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA ( Gants Hill) 020 8708 8100 valentinesmansion.com (closed in January) Open Studios February 16 Drop-in event with special demonstrations from local artists. Free entry. Wonderful Windows February 18 Learn about stained glass windows and make one to take home. Booking essential. 5+ years. Cost £3.50. Captivating Calligraphy February 18 Learn about the art of writing using a feather pen and ink. 5+ years. Booking essential. Cost £3.50. Fan and Mask Making February 18 Use different craft materials. Booking essential. All ages. Cost £3.50. Loving Origami February 19 Make an origami animal and take part in an origami hunt for birds. Booking essential. 4-8 years. Cost £3.50. Farmers Market February 23 Local produce.
LEE VALLEY PARK FARMS Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF visitleevalleypark.org.uk Opening Weekend at the Farms February 15, 16 Opening weekend with special activities and handling sessions including getting up close and personal with the animals. Entry charges apply. LONDON CHILDREN’S BOOKSWAP Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Webber Street, SE1 8QW clpe.org.uk
‘Wanted: Rabbit’ at the Unicorn Theatre
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