Events

A general listing of the latest events in Kensington can also be found at Spoonfed.

Cinderalla on Ice
24th - 28th February 2010
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP
Website: www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/cinderella/default.aspx
A new interpretation of Cinderalla from the world-famous Imperial Ice Stars is coming to the Royal Albert Hall - with the arena floor being frozen with ice for only the second time in its history!

The perfomrance is choreographed by Tony Mercer, one of the leading creators of contemporary theatre on ice, and two times Olympic gold medallist Evgeny Platov. The score has been composed by Tim A Duncan and Edward Barnwell, and recorded by the 72-piece Moscow State Cinematic Orchestra and 10 soloists from the Manchester Symphony Orchestra. The score will be complemented at each performance by a live 20-piece orchestra.

Tickets are available from the website above.

Holland Park Opera
Held each summer in June, July and August, this wonderful open-air venue right in the centre of Holland Park is home to some fantastic opera performances each year.

Details of operas held and how to book can be found at www.ohp.rbkc.gov.uk.

The Notting Hill Carnival
Taking place over the last weekend of August, the Notting Hill Carnival gets bigger, bolder and better every year.

In case you're wondering, the Monday after that weekend is always a public holiday in the UK - so you can party hard with no work consequences!

Read more about it on our sister site: Notting Hill Carnival.

Kensington & Chelsea Music Society (KCMS) Concerts
The KCMS returns for the 2009-2010 season with another wonderful selection of six concerts, this time held in St Mary The Boltons and St George's Church. Performers include the Rautio Piano Trio and Navarra String Quartert, who will perform Haydn's "Seven Last Words" alongside paintings by Jaime Baird.

Full details of the season and performers can be found on the Kensington & Chelsea Music Society website.

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum
Every winter (November to January), a 1000 square foot ice-skating rink is created in the grounds of the Natural History Museum. Over the years, this pastime has increased in popularity in London during winter, and a number of rinks appear all around the capital - including some in very scenic locations (e.g. Somerset House, or the Tower of London).

The rink at the Natural History Museum, November 2007

The rink at the Natural History Museum, although smaller than some others, is amongst the more established ones in London and is hence very popular. The excellent location and the beautifully decorated surroundings attract numerous visitors. There's also a Christmas fair next to the rink, although this shuts in the evenings, and a bar serving the ultimate winter warmer - Winter Pimms.

You definitely have to book in advance as tickets tend to sell out relatively quickly, and if you prefer not to skate amongst the crowds, try to go on a weekday afternoon.

Alternatively, I'd recommend going in the evening to get the full effect of the atmosphere and the pretty fairylights twinkling in the trees.

There's also a little side rink for beginners or those wishing to brush up their somewhat rusty skating skills. There are also marshalls on the rink who provide tips, or help those that haven't quite got the hang of it. And don't worry, plenty of people fall down!

Tickets can be bought online. Skates are provided at no additional cost to the ticket.

See Ice Rink and Christmas Fair at the Natural History Museum for further details.

Past Events

Chelsea Arts Festival
13th - 24th June 2009
Various venues in Chelsea, including Cadogan Hall, The Royal Hospital Chelsea and the 606 Club
Website: chelseaartsfestival.org
Headline act of the Chelsea Arts Festival is rock legend Rick Wakeman at Cadogan Hall, where he will perform his composition "P 'n' O". Rick will be playing a 9ft grand piano and be accompanied by an orchestra and the English Chamber Choir.

Other concerts include Australian Music Foundation Showcase Sunday Afternoon; Mica Paris at the 606 Club; and Vikram Seth and Alec Roth's Confluences - Seven Elements.

Full details are on the Chelsea Art Festival website.

Graham and Green Warehouse Sale
24th & 25th July 2009
Kensington & Chelsea favourite Graham and Green - who sell an eclectic mix of furniture and lifestyle products sourced form all over the world - are having a warehouse sale on 24th & 25th July. Be sure to pop along for great bargains on the beautiful items they sell, with up to 70% off furniture, mirrors, lighting and other accessories.

The sale is at 3-4 Capital Interchange Way, Chiswick, TW8 0EX (map).

V & A Museum Village Fete
24th & 25th July 2009
The 10th annual alternative village fete at the gorgeous V & A Museum in South Kensington presents all sorts of fun and games. Friday sees the fete go on til late.

Full details at V & A Museum Village Fete Jubilee.

Peter Pan Kensington Gardens
26th May to 30th August 2009
Taking place in the specially constructed Kensington Gardens Theatre, the round structure will make use of CGI technology to provide a magical new stage version of Peter Pan!

Full details can be found at www.visitlondon.com/peterpan.

Scrapheap Challenge at
The Heatherley School of Fine Art, Chelsea
10th October 2009, 10am – 4pm
75 Lots Road, London SW10 0RN
Website: www.heatherleys.org
The Heatherley School of Fine Art will be holding a free drawing event as part of the Big Draw this year.

Our tutors will be opening up the studios into a vast scrapheap of a still life in an attempt to build an indoor cityscape. Flitting in amongst the structure will be two 'rubbish tip fairies' (models in costume) so that we can also make studies of the figure in the urban environment.

Joining us at an easel in the afternoon will be artist and long term Private Eye cartoonist, Barry Fantoni. Former Heatherley's student Cherie Lunghi will also be participating.

At the end of the day we will compile the work produced into a huge collage, creating a new landscape of its own.

The event is open to anyone over the age of 18 and is completely free of charge. All materials will be included. To book a place please call the Heatherleys office on 020 7351 4190.

Graham and Green Relocation Sale - 22nd - 25th Oct 2009
Notting Hill shop Graham and Green - who sell an eclectic mix of furniture and lifestyle products sourced form all over the world - are having another sale from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th October. They are offering up to 70% off furniture, home accessories, lighting, mirrors and Christmas gifts - be sure to drop by!

The sale is at 3-4 Capital Interchange Way, Chiswick, TW8 0EX (map).

ignite – Live Music at the Royal Albert Hall
September - November 2009
Café Consort, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7
(Door 12-Grand Tier Level)
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Cafe Consort at the Royal Albert Hall is holding a series of Friday and Sunday concerts, covering a variety of different genres - from Latin American and jazz to flamenco and samba. Friday concerts (12pm to 1.30pm) are FREE whilst tickets for Sunday events (12pm to 2pm) are £25, which includes a delicious brunch.
See listings for concert details.

Designer Sale for RNIB - 75% discount!
Tuesday, 24th November 2009, 5.30pm - 8pm
Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road London, SW3 2EE 
Featuring a huge range of designer clothes and accessories at bargain prices, this is an evening not to be missed. Designers include Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Jenny Packham, Marith and Francois Girbaud, James Lakeland and many more, some with discounts up to 75% off. Tickets are £10 and all proceeds go to RNIB! To book, visit www.rnib.org.uk/designersale or call 0845 345 0054.

Vintage and Designer Evening
Thursday 26th November 2009, 4pm - 9pm
British Red Cross, 69-71 Old Church Street, London SW3
All welcome to come and enjoy a glass of wine and shop for something very special including dresses by Chanel, Dior and McQueen, shoes by Manolo, Jimmy Choo and Louboutin, and handbags by Chanel and Vivienne Westwood plus a selection of beautiful vintage furs.

Graham and Green Warehouse Sale - 15th-17th Jan 2010
Notting Hill shop Graham and Green - who sell an eclectic mix of furniture and lifestyle products sourced form all over the world - are having another of their wonderful warehouse sales on the third weekend of January.

The sale will take place on:
Friday 15th January: 9am - 5pm
Saturday 16th January: 9am - 5pm
Sunday 17th January: 10am - 2pm
at 3-4 Capital Interchange Way, Chiswick, TW8 0EX (map here)

Be sure to pop along for great bargains on the beautiful items they sell, with up to 70% off furniture, mirrors, lighting and other accessories with a range of end of season, sample, ex-display, discontinued & damaged stock.