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Around Town | Art | Bars & Pubs | Clubs | Comedy | Festivals | Film | Gay & Lesbian | Kids | Music | Restaurants | Sport | Theatre | Travel

The Mind Body Spirit Festival runs from Wednesday to Monday

Around Town
For a stress-busting bank holiday head down to the 31st Annual Mind Body Spirit Festival where you’ll find products, treatments, workshops and demonstrations on healing and alternative new age living. Alternatively, dig out your most extravagant outfit for a twenty-first century take on the legendary balls thrown by the Surrealists at the V&A’s Surrealist Ball. There'll be a raffle with prizes such as a packet of Gilbert & George cigarettes, and ticketed events such as Lady G Luck's shrimp lady dance and a levitation piece by Marisa Carnesky!
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Kids
'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' Leave the car on the drive and stay put to avoid arguments. As always, families are more than catered for this bank holiday. Send your broody teens down to Artrocker All Ages Gigs at the Roundhouse. Shouty punk trio Untitled Musical Project play this week’s Saturday afternoon shindig. Meanwhile the week-long Festival of Youth Arts kicks off this Saturday at Trafalgar Square with young artists performing music, dance and poetry, plus fashion shows, live drawing and T-shirt workshops. Sunday there’s a free family treasure hunt where families Discover the Hidden Secrets of the Southbank, but the safest bet for this bank holiday is surely Paradise Gardens, a free two-day music festival which includes a designer village fete curated by the East London Design Show, a kids' area, circus acts and rides from Carters Steam Fair. Plus a burlesque bar, Swingball tournament, diverse food stalls, a craft market and after-dark shows featuring a firework finale each evening.
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Kitty, Daisy and Lewis play The Borderline this Friday

Music
Gigwise, some of us are sorted: the Amy Winehouse, Pet Shop Boys, Rufus Wainwright and Gotan Project gigs have all sold out, but there are plenty of alternatives for those determined to catch a gig this weekend. Plugging their new Mutya-featuring album this weekend are jazz-techno-trip-hop duo Groove Armada,who play the Roundhouse on Friday. Teen trio Kitty, Daisy and Lewis headline with their swing and rockabilly sounds at Borderline on the same night. And for some bossa nova sounds Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela play their slinky, enjoyable take on flamenco on Friday while Nouvelle Vague bring latin-tinged 80s post-punk covers to the Sheperd’s Bush Empire on Sunday. Alternativly, catch Julien Temple’s rock-doc about ex-Clash frontman Joe Strummer. ‘Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten’ is showing at cinemas all over London.
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Clubs
Another bank holiday weekend, another embarrassment of clubbing riches. Click here for the full lowdown on what’s happening where this weekend.

Art
This weekend sees the return of the Tate Modern's four-day festival of performance, art and music, UBS Openings: The Long Weekend. There are scores of activities for families including a carousel made from unusual objects and a 3000 square-foot board game. While most smaller galleries stay closed at the weekend, east London’s Hauser & Wirth Coppermill gallery houses a new exhibition from Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed, while Shoreditch gallery Rocket exhibits photography from Martin Parr. Both are open Saturday and Sunday. If you’re staying central, the much talked-about Anthony Gormley exhibition has just opened at the Hayward Gallery and it's your last chance to see the National Portrait Gallery's hugely popular Face of Fashion exhibition, which closes this weekend.
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Bars & Pubs
If the weather smiles on London this weekend why not celebrate alfresco? A good place to start is The Cock & Hen Brewpub, where outdoor seating and patio heaters prove a huge draw for punters looking to while away the afternoon continental-style. Alternatively, head to the idyllic pub garden at The Albion, catch a riverside seat at the Bavarian-themed beer garden Stein’s or try something altogether more quirky at Camden’s Gilgamesh bar where, weather permitting, its giant retractable roof opens and drinkers with mojitos and margaritas bask in the sunshine. And for the perfect open-air pre-club tipple head to The Big Chill House were a cool vibe, sophisticated music policy and large roof terrace awaits you.
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Film
If you’ve already seen sci-fi sequel '28 Weeks Later' and Julien Temple’s brilliant biopic 'Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten' and you’re in the mood for some nautical action adventure this bank holiday, then catch the third Jack Sparrow outing ‘Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End’. At cinemas everywhere from Thursday.
Film listings

Kevin McAleer plays rare gig at the Soho Theatre

Comedy
Of course, Londoners don’t need reminding of the calibre of the capital’s comedy circuit, but highlights for this bank holiday include gigs from talented Aussie stand up and former Perrier Award nominee Sarah Kendall who previews the show she’s taking to Edinburgh. Meanwhile Tim McAuthur’s alter ego, the all-singing, all-dancing nun Sister Mary McAuthur blesses the Jermyn Street Theatre, while the highly inventive Irish cult hero Kevin McAleer plays a very rare London date at the Soho Theatre. And, of course, the Comedy Store hosts the best comedy improv outfit in town with players like Niall Ashdown, Lee Simpson, Jim Sweeny and Richard Vranch.
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Paradise Gardens © Tower Hamlets Council

Festivals
If you needed any more persuading that London is the place to be this bank holiday then this alfresco freebie is surely it. Paradise Gardens, a free (yes free!) two-day music festival in Hackney’s Victoria Park sees headline performances from ‘80s ska-pop revivalists The Beat, Tunng, Sunit & Raxstar, Dhol Academy, Riz MC, Shiva Sound System with a special DJ set by Radio 1’s Bobby Friction. There’s fireworks, global food, craft markets, Swingball and a Pussy Parlure burlesque bar. Spoilt is what you are.

For more London music festivals click here. Plus check our comprehensive guide to all this summer's festivals in our Summer Music Festival Guide 2007.

'Vernon God Little' plays at the Young Vic

Theatre
Summer has officially arrived for theatregoers as this bank holiday sees the launch of the Open Air Theatre season at Regents Park. First up is Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth', which starts on Saturday. For some grotesque tickling of the funny bone head to the Young Vic for director Rufus Norris and writer Tanya Ronder’s brilliant adaptation of DBC Pierre’s prize-winning book, 'Vernon God Little'.
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Jodie Harsh co-hosts new night Foreign at Bar Music Hall

Gay & Lesbian
Indie night behemoth Popstarz celebrates its 12th birthday this bank holiday; three rooms of indie, pop, disco with birthday cake and other veritable treats on offer throughout the night. The following night sees more indie action with the Rebel Rebel Britpop Bank Holiday Bender, where resident DJs pay tribute to Britpop with a major bash at Dingwalls. Adidas jackets optional. The hugely popular polysexual throw-down Club Motherfucker is at Stoke Newington’s Barden’s Boudoir this Saturday. Daughters of the Kaos play alternative, elektro, indie, hip hop and riot grrl with guest DJs Elplate, Fonteyn, and Dreamburger. Or it’s clubs for hunks who funk at the Megawoof Bank Holiday Special this Saturday at Crash with DJs DJ Diddy, Daz Saund and David Eph. The hardcore clubbers among us will be pleased to know that, as well as their usual Sunday comedown session, there’s a S.L.A.G.S/Chillout Bank Holiday Special open from 2pm till late on Monday. If you want to side-step the dancefloor entirely, catch a film at The Secret Cinema at the Soho Hotel, a season of films selected and introduced by various gay scenesters and stars. This Saturday is 'Blood for Dracula' introduced by Trademark.
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Restaurants
Start the weekend with one of London’s best breakfasts or browse one of the city’s many food markets for gastronomic goodies to take home. If the weather is fine take a stroll and dine alfresco at one of London's best park cafes. For more eating out ideas have a look at our top 50 London restaurants guide.
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Sport
There’s plenty to watch this weekend for the capital’s sports fans. Bristol Rovers take on Shrewsbury Town in the Coca-Cola League 1 play off finals while Blackpool play Yeovil Town in League 2. Monday sees Derby County continue their campaign to reach the premiership, with a game against West Bromich Albion, the last league game of the football season. The BMW PGA Championship sees six of the world's top 15 golfers in action over Wentworth's famous West Course. Or try something different at Bangers, Stock Rods and Rookie Rods Racing. No so much racing as a wild array of shunts, scrapes and acts of premeditated mechanical violence.
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Travel
If you're still determined to leave the Big Smoke this weekend check our guides to UK city breaks and daytrips outisde the capital. And for something more active try one of these UK fitness breaks.
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