May your days be full of free stuff
by Jen
It’s finally summer and the festival season is upon us. If, like me, you’re too broke for a festival, you can take advantage of everything in this list. London has outdone herself this month with free music, free movies, amazing Pride celebrations and a pavilion or two. As always, if nothing on my list tickles your fancy, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 | Late at Tate Britain: Platinum Paradise | 2nd June
Image: Tate Britain
Head to Tate Britain for Platinum Paradise to explore how people relate to their queerness in 2017 in this fab night out responding to the current exhibition: Queer British Art 1861 -1967. Music will be supplied by BBZ, there will be a new film by Jay Bernard, and talks and performances throughout the night.
When: 2nd June, 6pm – 10pm
Where: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
#2 | East End Film Festival | 3rd June
Image: East End Film Festival
The East End Film Festival is kicking off with a day of free films at Spitalfield’s Market. Stop by at 1130am to see All Eyes East, 4pm for Cutting East, and 5pm for Circle/Line. What do they all have in common? They all celebrate London and the UK – focusing on people’s lives and experiences on this island we call home.
When: Throughout the day
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW
#3 | Rinse FM Block Party | 11th June
Image: Southbank Centre
Part of this year’s MIA curated Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre, Rinse FM will be on the terrace with some of London’s top DJs for a day-long free block party. Fingers crossed for good weather – but I’m willing to bet it’ll be great even in the rain. Besides, there’s no grass so you don’t need to bring your wellies!
When: 11th June, from 1pm
Where: Riverside Terrace, Level 2, outside Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
#4 | Queer & Now: official Pride in London Festival Launch | 24th June
Image: Tate
Ahead of the Pride in London parade in July (which will be on next month’s list – duh) Pride in London and Tate Britain have teamed up for the launch of the Pride in London festival. Throughout the day and evening there will be activities, talks, performances and music that brings together key perspectives from across the LGBT+community.
When: 24th June, 2pm – 10pm
Where: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
#5 | BP Big Screens: The Royal Ballet’s The Dream, Symphonic Variations, and Marguerite and Armand | 7th June
Image: Visit London
Maybe you’ve always wanted to go to the ballet but didn’t want to spend the money (which isn’t an excuse by the way because you can get REALLY cheap seats to the ballet)…well, on the 7th June you can go for free! Kind of … head down to Trafalgar Square or The Scoop for the BP Big Screens– free screenings of The Royal Ballet’s performances of The Dream, Symphonic Variations and Marguerite and Armand.
When: 7th June, 730pm
Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN & The Scoop, Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2DB
#6 | Serpentine Pavilion | 23rd June onwards
Image: Griffin Gallery
I know that I tell you guys to go to this every year and I probably sound like a broken record – but that’s because every year it’s great. This year’s Serpentine Pavilion is designed by Francis Kéré, the award-winning architect from Gando, Burkina Faso. Just go, instagram it, and be merry – you know you want to.
When: From 23rd June – all day
Where: Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA
#7 | London Festival of Architecture | 1st June – 30th June
Image: Visit London
Maybe you’re bonkers for brutalism, or passionate about post-modernism? Whatever your architectural fancy, the London Festival of Architecture has it covered. There’s a bunch of free installations across the city, architecture practice open houses and talks and events.
When: 1st June – 30th June
Where: Various locations across London
#8 | Greenwich + Docklands Internation Festival | 23rd June onwards
Image: GDIF
At the end of the month, GDIF will be bringing some pizazz to the streets of Greenwich and the Docklands. You can catch French street theatre Compagnie des Quidanms and their illuminated horses, circus performances and jazz-swing music, and much much more. Check the listings to see what’s going on!
When: 23rd June – end of the month
Where: Various locations across Greenwich + Docklands
#9 | Dulwich Pavilion Lates | Friday Nights
Image: Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery has decided that the Serpentine Galleries shouldn’t have all the fun and have commissioned their own pavilion for their 200th birthday (happy birthday, DPG!). They’ve gone one step further and programmed it with free Friday night events (but you do have to reserve a space!). This year’s pavilion is emerging architects, IF_DO. Go check it out, it looks ace!
When: Friday Nights, 6pm onwards
Where: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Rd, London SE21 7AD
#10 | Grandfest | 18th June
Image: Grandfest
I found out about this event last month and stored it away in my brain for this month’s list! Grandfest is organised by the Royal Voluntary Service to celebrate talented older people and heritage skills that they can share with a younger generation. How awesome is that? You can learn everything: Knitting, Bread Making, Wood Turning, Basket Weaving, Cider Making and Rag Rugging all for FREE with an optional donation of £5 that goes towards the charity (come on, you may be broke but you can spare a fiver!).
When: 18th June
Where: Across London
