There’s disco fever around town this week with the 10th anniversary of Baby Loves Disco, plus family raves in Crouch End, Dulwich and the end of the month disco at That Place on the Corner in N16 (Sat evening).
For more things to do with kids in London at the weekend, including live comedy and family theatre, read on!
Sat: Comedy Club for Kids at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE (Leicester Square tube)
All the feeling of a live comedy venue but without the dodgy bits! Enjoy the sight of your little ones cracking up at an afternoon show with proper stand-up acts. 12.30pm, £10/family of 4 £30 (Jan 25)
Sat: Baby Loves Disco 10th Birthday Bash at Sway, 61-65 Great Queen St, Holborn WC2 B5BZ (Covent Garden tube)
It’s a decade since BLD launched in America and London is throwing down with a retro party celebrating good tunes throughout the ages. Come dressed from your favourite decade and prepare to party with little disco dolls and dudes. There’ll be vintage party games and free drinks for best dressed mum or dad (and best groovers). 1-4pm, £9/non-walkers FREE (Jan 25)
Sat: Mini Maestro: Vivaldi at St-Martin-in-the-Fields , Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross Road tube)
Barking dogs, chattering birds and raging storms take young listeners on a whirlwind tour of the four seasons, in the fine company of Vivaldi as translated by conductor John Landor and the orchestra. 4.30pm, £8.50/child under 18 £6.50 (Jan 25)
Sat-Sun: LOCO London Comedy Film Festival: LOCO Jr & School of Slapstick, multiple venues
The London Comedy Film Festival presents its season for kids along with the School of Slapstick that teaches kids ages 6-12 the secrets of silent film comedy with professional tutors, costumes and props. The programme offers a School of Slapstick workshop (Sat 11.30am) + a screening of Charlie Chaplin in the Circus at Rich Mix in Shoreditch (Sat 1pm); plus Bugsy Malone at Greenwich Picturehouse (Sat 11am). On Sunday, there’s a School of Slapstick workshop (11am) + a Buster Keaton double bill (1pm). Full details and prices plus info on upcoming screening of Matilda on the web sites (Jan 26-Feb 1)
Sun: Hey Presto at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Presto the cat joins forces with Monty the dog to form a magic show. But their friendship is threatened when fame goes to Monty’s head. A tale of fun and fur, filled with catchy songs, from Peaceful Lion productions. 3pm, £8.95 (Jan 26)
Sun: Royal Opera House Family Sundays at ROH, Bow St, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
On the last Sunday of the month, the Royal Opera House throws open its doors to kids for an afternoon of backstage tours, live make-up or stage combat demos, design workshops, dress-up and more fun. For ages 6+, younger ones welcome but some activities may be unsuitable for them. 12-4pm, adult £5/child £3 (Jan 26)
Sun: London Improvathon: Family Episode at Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park N4 3JP (Finsbury Park tube)
Book in for an all-nighter at the 7th annual festival of comic storytelling and improvisation where some of the UK’s top comedians create a 50-hour soap opera (in 25 two-hour episodes) across two days. Or you could just bring the kids to the Family Episode on Sunday to watch the increasingly sleep-deprived performers lurching towards the finale. Family Episode 11am-1pm (Sun), Full Improvathon 7pm (Sat)-7pm (Sun); £10 per episode, £5 to stay on for next one, £55 full two days, £7 concs (Jan 25-26)
LOCAL PICK (ISLINGTON)
Thu-Sun: Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
Settle in for this sweet and funny puppet show for ages 2-6 featuring a ballet-loving puppy, after the popular picture book. 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm + 10am baby-friendly Sunday shows; adult £10/child £8 (until Jan 27)
We also like
Catch a falconry display at Somerset House (Sat); the highly anticipated exhibition Vincent Van Gogh: Sunflowers , opens at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square (Sat); The Little Disco gets big and small partying in Dulwich (Sat); Big Fish Little Fish family rave has its first event in Crouch End, it’s SOLD OUT but check the web site for upcoming parties (Sat); and it’s your last chance to catch Picture This: Children’s Illustrated Classics at British Library (ends Sun)
2014: The Year I Make It Happen
