It’s a bit of a grim one for an August Bank Holiday Weekend. The sky seems a little more overcast after waking up to the devastating news that Chadwick Boseman aka Black Panther had passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer. We are so grateful for the joy and sense of empowerment he brought to our home and the inspiration he gave to countless others. Rest in eternal power, King T’Challah.
We’ll be watching Black Panther again this weekend at home and we also have Jackie Robinson on our watchlist — find these movies and more on my list of great films, TV shows and documentaries about race, prejudice and Black pride.
In other news, the publication date for Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World has been moved by a couple of weeks, I’ll let you know when we have a confirmed day for release. I’ve been super busy behind the scenes, including recording a mini podcast series that I can’t wait to share with you all.
If you want to brighten your mood, the Notting Hill Carnival (pictured) is happening online for 2020, details below. Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend. I can’t believe school starts next week!
Bringing Up Race: Countdown to Publication
I’ll be sharing more clips and appearances as we count down to publication. BBC Tiny Happy People invited me to share my tips for how to talk to very little ones about race. I hope you enjoy the piece and don’t forget Bringing Up Race is available for pre-order HERE.
August Bank Holiday London Kids Weekend Scoop
Sat-Sun: The Drive In London, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, Edmonton, London, N18 3QQ
The classic American drive-in experience has been all the rage in summer 2020. This one brings movies and live events with sound broadcast straight to your car’s FM radio. August Bank Holiday weekend includes: Dinosaur World Live (Aug 29-30/£40-£60 per car); The Greatest Showman (Aug 30/£35 per car, 5.45pm); Back to the Future (Aug 30/£35 per car, 8.45pm). Arrive 45 minutes before showtime; £35 per movie/live event prices vary (until Aug 30)
Sat-Mon: Notting Hill Carnival: NHC 2020 Access All Areas, online
This year Carnival is happening online, a three-day virtual party taking over August Bank Holiday Weekend. Look out for live-streamed and pre-recorded performances bringing the vibes, steel bands, costumes, calypso, soca and sound systems into your home. Spotify has a dedicated Notting Hill Carnival microsite too. (Aug 29-31)
Sat-Mon: ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
London Zoo is fully operational with all safety protocols in place. Take your kids along to say hi to the animals pon their final week before school stars. Walk-through exhibits remain closed and face masks might be required, so come prepared. 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm; adult from £32/child from £21/under 3s FREE (ongoing)
Sat-Mon: Underbelly Festival presents: Street Eat at Victoria Park, Wimbledon Park and South Bank
Enjoy some live entertainment and outdoor munchies from a range of street food faves at Victoria Park (until Aug 31) or at Wimbledon Park (until Aug 31) or the South Bank (Jul 29-Oct 10, 12pm-9pm). Tue-Fri 12pm-8pm/Sat-Sun 11am-8pm). (until Oct 10)
Sat-Mon: George Irving Funfair, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Feel the thrill of the funfair at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in its final weekend of the summer. Limited numbers allowed, pre-registration online, wear face masks and use all safety precautions as required. 1pm-10pm (Fri-Mon); £1 entry, £1.20 per token or £10 for 10/contactless payments (until Aug 31)
Sat-Mon: The Luna: Open Air Cinema, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4LW (Sloane Square tube)
These might be the last days of outdoor cinema when the weather’s still manageable. This weekend, families can catch Grease or Jurassic Park on the big screen at Royal Hospital Chelsea (Monday’s movie is The Joker, brilliant but not too child-friendly!). BYOB/picnic, or order refreshments on site (contactless payments only). Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Doors 6.45pm/film 8pm; from £37 per pitch for 2 people; pre-booking essential (Jul 30-Oct 3)
Sat-Mon: Horniman Museum: Summer 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Rain or shine, you can head to the Horniman for fun in its gardens (Plonk Crazy Golf is also on site) or to go back in time with the Permian Monsters exhibition (now running until Jan 3). Sundays are for browsing fresh produce and goods in the Horniman Market. The museum and grounds are open 10am-6pm; entry to Horniman is FREE (small fees some activities) (Jul 20-Sep 3)
Sat-Mon: Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Enjoy some rousing musical theatre in the open air with this classic Andrew Lloyd Weber spectacular. No age range specified, but probably best suited for older kids ages 8+. The Open Air Theatre will also host comedians like Russell Brand throughout the summer in their MOREoutdoor Mondays standup series. Priority booking access can be purchased for £15 (visit openairtheatre.com/priority). Shows at various times; tickets from £25 (Aug 14-Sep 27)
Sat-Mon: Birmingham Royal Ballet presents Cinderella, online
Catch Birmingham’s Royal Ballet’s magical production of Cinderella, which received its digital premiere at 7pm on Tue Aug 25. The family-friendly ballet is available to watch for 7 days on Birmingham Royal Ballet’s website and Facebook page to mark the end of its online Home from Home series. Free to watch, donations welcome. (until Sep 1)
Sat-Mon: A Celebration of Slytherin, at The Making of Harry Potter, WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
For the first time ever, you can walk through a Great Hall decorated in Slytherin colours and also see the Slytherin Common Room up close. Fans will appreciate a 25-foot section of the set with imposing stone walls and authentic props. The exhibition has been extended, as part of the reopening of WB Studio Tour with hygiene and social distancing guidelines in place. Visitors age 11+ must wear face masks or coverings for the duration of their visit. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £47/child from £38/family £150/ages 0-4 FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (extended until Nov 12)
Sun:Big Fish Little Fish Kitchen Raves, online
Every Sunday since lockdown began, the award winning, Glastonbury playing, baby-friendly ravers have been streaming the tunes to your living room. Live appearances will kick off again from September (check out their events page for bookings) or join more than 500k virtual ravers who have parties with them virtually. Kitchen Raves are Suns at 2pm. NB: All live streams are FREE (never pay to access or it’s a fraudulent link) — view via the links on BFLF website or their Facebook page.
Mon: Eat Out to Help Out at King’s Cross, King’s Cross/Granary Square/Coal Drops Yard, N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
August Bank Holiday Monday marks the last day of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, offering restaurant diners a 50% discount at participating restaurants (capped at £10 per head). If you’re in the local area, you can find a handy guide to what venues are taking part in the scheme via the Kings Cross N1C website. (until Aug 31)
‘My favourite film? Black Panther. I’ve not watched it yet but it’s still my favourite film.’ – Jed in 2018, age 9
50+ Inspiring Books about Race and Diversity that Every Child Should Read
