By Liz Marvin
M25-inspired ravers Orbital are at the Brixton Academy on Friday and Saturday, playing together again after a five year break. The Jamm are hosting Friday’s after party, with brother Phil on the decks. Tickets are a tenner, available here or on the door, and if you want to go to the gig itself it looks like there are still tickets available through the Academy’s website.
The temperature is set to rise to a comparatively balmy 10 degrees on Saturday, much to the relief of those taking part in the Winter Swim at Brockwell Lido in aid of Crisis. I think there has been concern that it was going to turn into a charity ice skate. However, with the water temperature reported as 3.7 degrees yesterday, it’s still going to be a hugely unpleasant experience for all the insane brave people taking part. Get there before 12 noon to see the fear and hear the screams. The Lido Café will be running a poolside barbecue and selling hot chocolate and mulled wine, among other goodies. Oh, and comedian Jo Brand will be there for some reason. She may have made a TV show about swimming. Unsure.
Then, hang around as the Croydon brass band oom-pah-pah their way around some Christmas carols from 4.30pm. Tickets are £3 for grown ups and £1 for their offspring and money raised is going St Christopher’s Hospice.
It’s the last retro and vintage market of the year on Station Road from 11am on Saturday. Head to the Makers Corner stall to make a hat for the Brixton Market Mad Hatters Tea Party float in the New Year’s Day Parade.
Fancy watching a movie by candlelight? The Prince Regent is showing Gremlins as part of their A-Z of cinema at 7pm on Sunday in their upstairs room. It’s free, as is the popcorn, and there are squishy sofas to hide behind during the scary bits.
Liz Marvin blogs at brixtonia.com
