Little Miss Random Recommends – Week Ending 09/09/2012

Another month, another injury. Ah well. At least it enabled me to catch up on many episodes of The Closer, and help boost the economy as I splurged on some online shopping. How did you spend your weekend?

But, seriously, of course I did something pretty cool over the weekend. I caught Piccadilly Circus Circus, a remarkably well-organised affair which turned Piccadilly Circus, well, into a circus, only without the animals. We wouldn’t want another unfounded lion sighting, would we? If you missed out on it, I can only feel sorry for you. When else would you get the chance to see Piccadilly Circus buried under 1.5 tonnes of feathers?

To ensure you don’t miss out on such quirkiness this week, here’s your list.

School Nights

1. Carnesky’s Tarot Drome, another immersive theatre experience brought to us by the people behind Carnesky’s Ghost Train, sets out to simultaneously take you on a journey through the Tarot, meeting life-size representations along the way. The show will also challenge you to see what happens when you come face-to-face with the Tarot cards in the flesh. Sep 4th to 15th, Old Vic Tunnels, 8.00 pm, £20
2. Catch triple Olivier Award-winning Timothy Sheader add a contemporary twist to the already powerful musical Ragtime, now into the last days of its run. As the strains of ragtime music are held on a record player, a father tells his son a story of hope set at the beginning of the 20th century, involving people whose dreams of a better world shape their destiny. Till Sep 8th, Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park, 7.45 pm, £22.50 to £42.50
3. Gamerdisco, brought to us by the same team behind Nintendisco, is a new monthly club night featuring multi-screen projected gaming from old school Nintendo to up-to-date future classics while DJs spin 90s, electro, hip hop and, my personal favourite, gaming themes. You should see me jump around the room like nothing else on this planet whenever the Super Mario Bros theme tune comes on, The Book Club, Sep 5th, 7.30 pm, free entry 
4. The five-piece Danish post-rock band Sleep Party People hits London this week on their tour of the UK. If you like your shoegaze, then you’ll want to check out this new band, if, for nothing else, to watch a band who wear rabbit masks on stage to overcome shyness. Sep 5th, 7.30 pm (doors), The Lexington, £9.65 (adv including fees) / £10 (at the door)
5. Learn how to live a richer and more meaningful life by partaking in Kindness Behavioural Training taught by KBT founder Dr. Paramabandhu Groves, a highly experienced NHS consultant psychiatrist and mindfulness teacher at Breathing Space. While KBT is normally taught as an eight-week course, this event provides a one-off opportunity to learn about this movement and how you can cultivate more kindness in your life. Sep 6th, Conway Hall, 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm, suggested donation of £15 but more or less is acceptable
6. The awesome grafittimundo presents The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires, featuring work from the leaders in Buenos Aires’ street art community. I absolutely adore the urban art scene in Argentina, so it’ll come as no surprise to you that I consider this a must-see. Sep 6th to 12th, Londonewcastle Project Space, 6 pm to 10 pm on Sep 6th / 12 noon to 7 pm thereafter, free
7. Poet and rapper Kate Tempest’s Brand New Ancients tells an everyday epic that finds the gods of today all around us and reveals that our true heroes are much closer than we think. Set to an exhilarating live score, this play tells the tale of two families as they collide, connect and come apart, all racing towards a violent conclusion. Sep 4th to 22nd (Sep 4th to 5th are sold out), BAC, 8.00 pm, £12

Weekend

1. Come along, press some buttons and bring the ingenious machines at the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre to life. Watch the performers in Ron Fuller’s tiny mechanical circus, marvel at Keith Newstead’s lifelike brassy peacock, and see many of Paul Spooner’s humorous creations including the man who eats his own weight in spaghetti – in the bath. Sep 7th, Space Station Sixty-Five, 12 noon to 6.00 pm, free
2. Enjoy free entry to St. Paul’s Cathedral at the last Summer Lates of 2012. Escape from the hullaballoo of city life and discover the rich faith, architecture and history of the Cathedral. A short reflective service, Compline, will be said at 8.45 pm. You can also choose to partake of the Best of British food with food and drink served by Harbour & Jones in the crypt. Sep 7th, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm, free
3. HeadSpaceDance, led by acclaimed dancers Charlotte Broom and Christopher Akrill, both of whom have danced with Culberg Ballet and Northern Ballet Theatre, present their debut work Three & Four Quarters. The dancer-led collaboration includes a selection of solos, duets and trios choreographed by Mat Eks, Javier de Frutors, Luca Silvestrini and Didy Veldman, culminating in the 1991 duet Light Beings by Mat Eks which he has reworked specially for the company. Sep 7th to 11th, Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House, £8.50 to £20
4. Terry Sanderson looks at the many aspects of Marlene Dietrich’s complex personality, exploring her legendary movie career using film clips sourced from rare archive material in Marlene Dietrich – An Affectionate Tribute. The night will culminate with a complete performance, on the big screen, of her fabulous one-woman show, with which she toured the world. Sep 7th and 8th, Conway Hall, 7.30 pm, £10
5. Africa Express brings together musicians spanning different cultures, genres and generations to break boundaries and offer a new perspective on Africa and its music. The London show features musicians by the likes of Damon Albarn, Amadou and Mariam, Nicolas Jaar and many other performers. Sep 8th, Granary Square (off Goods Way), £22.50 (including fees)
6. Future Cinema transforms a secret location in London into the halls of Rydell High School, the fun fairs of southern California and the drive-in move music and nostalgic romance of the 1950s as it presents the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza that is Grease. This is your chance to be a Pink Lady or a T-bird and just let your inner bad-girl/boy out. Sep 7th to 9th (Sep 8th is sold out), secret location, 6.30 pm, £35
7. Prepare yourself to be wowed as you leave the city (or the City) behind and enter into a new world via a wardrobe, only to find The Secret Enchanted Ball, a night of decadence and excess, guided by The Naked Butler. Expect misbehaving centaurs, Minotaurs, faeries, unicorns, and, above all, an enchanting burlesque show featuring Miss Coco DuBois, Millie Dollar and Sophia St. Villier. Sep 8th, meet the Butler at the corner of 66 West Smithfield Street, EC1A 9DY, 8.00 pm to 3.00 am, £25
8. Enjoy an evening of live music with four-piece Midlands-based band Rollo Markee and The Tailshakers, possibly the greatest exponents of Chicago blues and swing in the UK (the club says). The band, fronted by Rollo on harmonica and vocals, was formed in 1998. Sep 7th, Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, free before 8.30 pm / music starts at 9.00 pm / Sep 8th, Round Midnight, 9.00 pm, free
9. What better way to round off the end of the London 2012 Games with the annual end-of-summer extravaganza that is The Mayor’s Thames Festival? With performances taking place around, duh, the Thames, whether it’s an audio installation by Output Arts, the Night Carnival (aka the parade of 1,500 dancers, drummers, lantern-carriers and performers) or the Fireworks Finale, you’ll be hard-pressed to not find something you’ll enjoy. Sep 8th to 9th, check website for times and performances, free