London Diary: The best of what's on this week, September 10-16

Casa Latin American Theatre Festival

How do you surmise the music, arts, culture and attitude of a whole continent in one festival?

It’s a tricky proposition, capturing the soul and spirit of such diverse cultures, but it is one not-for-profit theatre company CASA overcame by inviting five companies from Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina to answer.

There’s everything on offer, from comedy clowning, storytelling and dance to political theatre, with talks and Q&As delving behind the scenes of the performances on show. Something to invigorate your mind, body and soul.

Until Sept 16. Times vary. £5+
52-54 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW  Oval 
casafestival.org.uk

Hawkers, Harlots & Hacks

As Aussie media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s cronies continue to be hauled through the courts for various (alleged) misdeeds, this tour takes you behind the scenes of media-land’s former home, Fleet Street, with all manner of pilloried and disgraced hacks dispensing stories you wouldn’t believe.

Sept 15. 3.30pm, £13.50
Fleet Street, EC4M 7DD
Station | City Thameslink
unrealcityaudio.co.uk

Brick Lane Music Festival

Om Unit, David Rodigan, Kutmah, Ray Keith, DJ MK, Loefah are just some of the artists to grace this two-day totally free music fest in the heart of London’s East End.

Cafe 1001, Vibe Bar and the Big Chill Bar are the hosts of this year’s event and you can bet there’ll be some good food knocking around, too. 

Sept 15-16. Times vary, free
E1 6PU  Aldgate East
cafe1001.co.uk ;
vibe-bar.co.uk; bigchill.net/bar

Viva la Divas

A festival celebrating female musicians, divas or otherwise, the first night of which is hosted by Jools Holland, who presumably can be a bit of a diva, too.

Singing for the ladies are the likes of jazz star Natalie Williams, singer/guitarist Dani Wilde and Nicola Emmanuelle, playing Ella Fitzgerald songs.

Sept 12-29, £4.50
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place, E14 4QT 
Station | Heron Quays 
boisdale.co.uk

Gingerline HQ

This secretive and wholly immersive dining experience is held from Wednesday to Friday somewhere along the East London, or Ginger, line.

A clandestine 6pm text message will alert you to your underground experience’s location. Previous events have included Victorian era, puppetry and a ‘submerged’ naval submarine nights, the evening including cocktails, a four-course meal and a take-home art menu amidst the wildly inventive eccentricity.

Sept 12-Oct. 7pm, £43+
Secret location  
gingerline.co.uk

More London Free Film

Pray for that Indian summer – or take a jumper – as September features a run of free movies at this South Bank sunken theatre.

Up this month are spy thriller Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Brit comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Dickens-adap Great Expectations, and Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris.

Sept 12-28. 7.30pm, free
The Scoop at More London,
SE1 2DB
Station | London Bridge
morelondon.co.uk

Spoken Nerd

Science is king, ‘nerds’ rule the earth, and everyone else better get used to it. These monthly nights take that which was not normally fertile ground for comedy – mathematics, science experiments – and fashions it into unique, themed evenings of informative comedy. Laugh and learn.

Sept 17. 7pm
Cockpit Theatre, NW8 8EH
Tube | Marylebone
festivalofthespokennerd.com

Photos: Emli Bendixen