PICK OF THE MONTH: What’s on in April

Spring is coming (though we said that last month too) and Brixton landmarks, from the Windmill to the Lido, fling open their doors again. We’re embracing spring too, having included rather a lot of nature-based Brockwell Park activities in our listings this month…

Friday March 29 Not leaving London for Easter? Volunteer for the day at the soup kitchen at Southwyck House. Recently set up by Brixton resident Solomon Smith, it caters for homeless and vulnerable people in the area. Call 07538419514 to volunteer.

Saturday March 30 It’s the first open weekend of the year at Brixton Windmill. Book yourself on a truly informative tour at booking@brixtonwindmill.org.uk and learn all about the Ashby family and their milling prowess.

Sunday March 31 Treasure hunts! That’s what Easter is about and the Friends of Brockwell Park are of course putting on a nature-inspired easter egg hunt for children, from 10.30am-12.30pm. £3 per child.

Monday April 1 Enjoy the last day of the bank holiday with a walk in Brockwell Park – our favourite view is from the top of the hill with a clear view of the London skyline (on a good day). And look out for some good pranks, obviously…

Tuesday April 2 There’s an afternoon tea event at The Florence pub in aid of The Eve Appeal for gynecological research.

Wednesday April 3 Pop along to see what’s on at the 198 Contemporary Arts Gallery on Railton Road, 25 years old this year.

Thursday April 4 Blues singer Mark Harrison will be performing at Upstairs at the Ritzy from 8pm tonight along with harmonica maestro Will Greener and folk duo Josienne Clark and Ben Walker. Free entry.

Friday April 5 Local boxing professional AJ Carter will compete in his first fight today at Grays in Essex. Read all about it on our sports page at the back of this paper.

Saturday April 6 A new acupuncture and shiatsu space, Brixton BASS, is celebrating its launch today at 32-44 Tunstall Rd. Start at 11am with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony and move onto short sessions on Qigong self-massage and meditation. There will even be a performance of traditional Japanese Kyomai dance. RSVP to the tea ceremony on 07743180 145 or just turn up in the afternoon.

Sunday April 7 A simple day is in order if you’ve overfed on Easter Eggs and chocolate last week. Pay a visit to the new Papa’s Café for a cheese toasty (yep, old school). The café is in Papa’s Park, a community garden on Pulross Road with a playground and basketball court.

Monday April 8 We’re praying for good weather this month, but either way we’ll be at Windrush Square at 7pm limbering up for our Brixton Blog run around the park…unless there is actually a snow storm (we ain’t so brave). All abilities welcome.

Tuesday April 9 Employment, training and local businesses workshop to consult on the new development at Somerleyton Rd, 7pm-8.30pm at the Lambeth Volunteer Centre, 35 Brixton Station Rd.

Wednesday April 10 Among the many weird and wonderful offerings at the Brockwell Park Community Gardens this month is a Hanami workshop for children. Eh? Kids aged seven and over can learn to make a wire bonsai tree and decorate it with paper cherry blossoms. £5 per child. Booking essential via education@brockwellgreenhouses.org.

Thursday April 11 Tonight at 8.30pm, ‘McCullin’ is playing at Whirled Arts Cinema. The documentary details the life and work of war photographer Don McCullin, whose photos from the field sent hard-hitting images of conflict home to the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.

Friday April 12 Tonight Electric Brixton is hosting Havana D’Primera, “the most popular group in Cuba right now” according to the Electric’s website. This will be a fun night – book early, doors open at 9pm and tickets are £22. 

Saturday April 13 Join joggers in Brockwell for the Parkrun. It is a timed 5k run at 9am with your results recorded for you so you can see your improvements each week. Five kilometers is roughly one and a half laps around the park. Meet outside the Lido.

Sunday April 14 Ethiopian female singer Zewditu Yohannes will perform popular Ethiopian ballads and her own compositions in her deep, husky voice at Hootananny Brixton tonight from 8pm, entrance free.

Monday April 15 OK, our last Brockwell Park tip. This one is for people over the age of 65 who fancy a bit of gardening and socializing. A new seniors’ project is starting today. From now on, there’ll be gentle gardening activities, a healthy lunch and a walk in the park every Monday from 11.30am-1.45pm. Email education@brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk or phone Beth on 07427 685 714.

Tuesday April 16 There’s a workshop on housing and communal space in the plans for a development at Somerleyton Rd tonight, 7pm-8.30pm, Lambeth Volunteer Centre on Brixton Station Rd.

Wednesday April 17 Rise up nice and early to catch the early morning yoga session at Yoga Point, 122 Dalberg Rd, from 7.30-8.30am. Admittedly we have been trying to do this for a long time, always sleeping through our alarm…

Thursday April 18 Three acts will try to make you laugh – and hopefully succeed – tonight at Ritzy Crackers in the upstairs bar. Adam Hess, a writer for Channel 4’s ‘Stand up for the Week’, and sketch comedy group The Pin support headline act Thom Tuck. Doors open 7.30pm, advance tickets £8 and £9 on door.

Friday April 19 Every Friday, Kaff Bar on Atlantic Rd holds a ‘Fiver Friday’. Pretty self-explanatory really – all cocktails and double house spirits are £5 all night, and you can get two pints for a fiver two. Our tip: get a cocktail made from Brixton’s Ossie’s Fresh Ginger Beer.

Saturday April 20 It’s the Brixton Retro and Vintage market at Brixton Station Road today. This was rather paltry when it began last year, but things are kicking off now as more clothes, jewelry and antique sellers join each month. 10am-5pm.

Sunday April 21 The Ritzy has been running autism-friendly screenings for seven years now. Today, Wreck-It Ralph 2D is screening at 11am, especially for people on the autism spectrum or with other special needs and their family or friends. Customers can move around, make noise or take break. Tickets £3 for all.

Monday April 22 Surely one for everyone – the Ritzy is hosting a Mario Kart 64 tournament tonight at 6.30pm. Just £2 for tournament entry and to be reunited with Mario, Luigi and Yoshi.

Tuesday April 23 Women, get your voices ready, for today is the day new choir Electric Belles practice at Electric Social on Acre Lane. Every Tuesday, in fact, from 7.30pm for free. Anyone (female) welcome.

Wednesday April 24 A Somerleyton consultation workshop again – this is important, people! Tonight is the health, education and culture workshop, 7pm-8.30pm at the Lambeth Volunteer Centre.

Thursday April 25 For the active among you, pop along to the Rec today and try out one of their cheap and usually excellent classes – on Thursday, they offer aerobics at 10.30am, group cycle at 6.15pm and pilates at 7.15pm.

Friday April 26 Every Friday night, Plan B brings urban pop and hip hop to Brixton Rd at their Bump night. For £7 before 11pm, you can party the night away until 4am.