Oysters and Absinthe at Callooh Callay 

This weekend is your last chance to discover the atmospheric absinthe and oyster bar at Callooh Callay, an eclectic Alice in Wonderland-inspired bar by Old Street. Located behind the venue’s wardrobe (seriously), the upstairs absinthe bar offers a selection of reasonably-priced oysters and bar snacks alongside delicious absinthe cocktails such as Sazerac and Death in the Afternoon. You’ve only got until Saturday to mix with the Green Fairy, however, as the pop-up bar is being once again converted to a new theme. Until 6 Apr

Bollywood Showstoppers at The O2

Revel in the magic of Bollywood dance at this spectacular show, which combines colourful costumes, catchy songs and amazing choreography. Amongst the performers will be notable performers Bipasha Basu, Shaan and Atif Aslam. Tickets start at £25. 7 Apr

Open Days at Upminster Windmill

Visit one of England’s finest examples of an 18th century smock mill (a windmill with a hexagonal or octagonal tower) in Upminster this weekend. The Grade II* listed building will be open for free tours on Saturday and Sunday, on which visitors can view the mill’s fascinating machinery and enjoy views that extend over London to the transmitter at Crystal Palace. 6-7 Apr

Eagles at Easter: Falconry Displays at the Royal Air Force Museum

In celebration of the symbolic place that birds of prey have within the Royal Air Force (RAF) – the eagle is, for example, featured prominently on the service’s badge – the RAF Museum is staging falconry displays on its helipad. Three displays will be held per day, and visitors can also enjoy the museum’s display of more than 100 aircraft as well as a host of fun activities. Entry is free. 6-12 Apr

Warhol on Film at the ICA

This weekend the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) will be screening UK premieres of three rare Warhol films from the 1960s, which have been newly restored. Chelsea Girls, Sleep and Vinyl are among the most significant works of the artist’s career, during which he created more than 600 films. Screening times and ticket prices can be found on the ICA website. 5-7 Apr

The Wonder Street Fair at the Barbican Centre

Coinciding with the Barbican’s Festival of Neuroscience, the Wonder Street Fair will fill the Barbican Foyer with free activities, performances and demonstrations. More than 20 inspiring activities will be on offer, including the chance to discover cave painting, play with motion sensors and even knit a neuron. 12pm-7.30pm, 7-9 Apr

Photo by Ade Bradshaw via Flickr.

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend at Somerset House Anyone who longs to be part of the London Fashion Week action will love the Vodafone London Fashion Weekend, a stylish consumer event that takes place just after London Fashion Week itself. Set against the stunning backdrop of Somerset House, the four-day event offers catwalk shows, lectures and – of course – exclusive shopping opportunities. Tickets start from £15.50.21-24 Feb 

The London Super Comic Convention at ExCeL

A must for comic book fans, the London Super Comic Convention is the largest event of its kind in the UK. Exhibitors come from across the globe to display the latest in comics and comic memorabilia, whilst many of the world’s most famous comic creators will be on site to meet fans and sign autographs. Tickets start from £17.50. 23-24 Feb

Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour at the Union Chapel

Temperatures are plummeting in Islington this weekend, as the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour skis in to the Union Chapel. The festival is one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world, and celebrates adventure, human endurance and the great outdoors through the medium of film. The London screenings allow you to see the festival’s best short films and share in a world of high octane action, beautiful vistas and remote cultures without leaving the (comparative) warmth of Islington. Screenings vary depending on the evening and tickets are £13.50. 21 Feb-1 Mar

Chinese New Year Celebrations at the National Maritime Museum

Discover British East Asian heritage and how the sea aided the flow of ideas from Asia to Britain at the National Maritime Museum, which is hosting a day of free Chinese New Year celebrations. From 11am to 4pm, both adults and children can enjoy themed workshops, music and performances that celebrate the Year of the Snake and highlight the influence of Oriental culture on the UK. 23 Feb

Anton & Erin Go To Hollywood at The Barbican

Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, stars of the enduringly popular Strictly Come Dancing, are bringing a dash of glamour to the Barbican this Saturday. The twinkle-toed pair are dancing in a new show that pays homage to classic MGM musicals such as Gigi. Featuring a 25-piece orchestra, memorable songs and show-stopping choreography, this is guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Tickets start from £19.50 and there are two performances to choose from. 23 Feb

More events in London

Have you seen The Snowman in London? He’s been melting the hearts of both children and adults for 30 years and this Christmas, he’ll be visiting the capital in more ways than one.

On Christmas Eve, The Snowman will enjoy some spectacular views of London as he returns in Channel 4′s sequel to the much-loved animated film. In The Snowman and the Snowdog, The Snowman and friends swoop past some of London’s most famous sites, including the London Eye, Big Ben and the OXO Tower. 24 Dec, 8pm

You can also see the original animated version of Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman at the Barbican, with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera providing extra magic with a live accompaniment to the film. The family double-bill also includes a screening of Peter and the Wolf, with narration by Tamsin Greig. 22-23 Dec

Finally, clocking up its 15th year at the Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells is the dance production of The Snowman. This family treat includes an orchestra, dancing penguins and of course, the magical flying sequence, all created live on stage.

Which is your favourite version of The Snowman?

Remember, remember, the fifth of November. And the second, third and fourth for that matter, as this whole weekend is packed full of exciting Bonfire Night celebrations. If bright lights and big bangs aren’t your thing however, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the shape of historic cars, ice skating and digital creativity.

Bonfire Night, Various Venues

Marking the failed attempt of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Bonfire Night is a traditional celebration that features huge bonfires, seasonal treats  and, of course, spectacular fireworks. London is renowned for hosting some of the UK’s best displays: check out events at Bishops Park, Richmond and Southwark Park, or see more sparkling ideas. Admission ranges from free to £10 depending on the venue. 2-5 Nov

Barbican Weekender: Natural Circuits 

Unleash your creative side with a free weekend of digital-themed workshops, talks and activities at the Barbican. Exploring the combined power of nature and human ideas, this weekend allows you to become a Tweet poet, hack your t-shirt or contribute to a digital museum of memories. 3-4 Nov

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

See 500 automobiles made before 1905 at this spectacular event, which is the world’s longest-running motoring celebration. The cars will depart from Hyde Park Corner at sunrise on Sunday, driving through the centre of London and along a 60 mile route south to the seaside town of Brighton. If you don’t feel like getting up early, Saturday’s Regent Street Motor Show allows you to see all the vehicles – and some of their drivers – up close between 10am-3.30pm. Both events are free. 3-4 Nov

Ice Skating at Canary Wharf and the Natural History Museum

The first of London’s many festive ice rinks open this weekend, and if you’re in the mood for frosty family fun the Natural History Museum (from 2 Nov) and Canary Wharf (from 3 Nov) are both great destinations. Both venues have refreshments available, and this year Canary Wharf also boasts London’s first skate path. Ticket prices and opening times vary. Until Jan

UK Jewish Film Festival, Various Venues

Cinemas around London host many of this prestigious festival’s events, and this weekend kicks off the 16th UK Jewish Film Festival with a wide range of premieres and screenings in the capital. You can see films covering a diverse mix of subjects, ranging from documentaries and hard-hitting wartime dramas to romantic comedies and shorts. See the website for full details and ticket prices. 1-18 Nov

There are lots of new exhibitions opening this weekend, giving you the chance to learn about everything from how your favourite film characters got their look to why the humble trainer plays such a big part in popular culture. Alternatively, the excellent Bloomsbury Festival is the perfect chance to explore the area’s many cultural venues and expand your mind at special events.

Bloomsbury Festival, Various Venues
This two day festival is a wonderful chance to experience the thriving culture of historic Bloomsbury, which was made famous by prominent literary figures of the early 20th century. There are special activities at many of the great venues in the area, ranging from drawing sessions at the British Museum to bug-themed games at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. If you can’t decide, head to Russell Square for a varied programme of entertainment that includes poetry, dance and even maths buskers. 19-21 Oct

Hollywood costume at the V&A
Costumes are an essential part of a film character’s personality, and you can discover the complex process behind their creation at this intriguing exhibition. Using a variety of media, including exclusive interview footage, the exhibition takes visitors through every aspect of the costume designer’s job, before treating them to a stunning display of famous movie outfits. Adult tickets are £15.50. Until 27 Jan

Sneaking into Fashion, Covent Garden Piazza
Get a whiff of sporting fashion at this entertaining free exhibition, which traces the adoption of trainers into popular culture. Visitors can admire a range of celebrities’ trainers, including those made famous by Mo Farah, Kanye West and Vivienne Westwood. The exhibition is open from 9am-7pm every day in the Covent Garden Piazza. Until 28 Oct

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012 at the National History Museum
The best 100 wildlife images, selected from more than 48,000 international entries, are displayed in this renowned annual exhibition. Visitors will see thought-provoking works that cover the entire spectrum of the natural world, including the competition-winning photograph, which is due to be unveiled today. Adult tickets are £10. Until 3 Mar

Michael Clark Company: New Work at the Barbican Theatre
See the hotly-anticipated new production by legendary British dancer and choreographer Michael Clark at the Barbican Theatre. This double bill of dance combines classical ballet with modern choreography and is set to music by Scritti Politti and Relaxed Muscle. The latter will be playing live during the second part of the performance. Tickets start from £16. Until 27 Oct

From the rural beginnings with speeches from Shakespeare, through the Industrial Revolution, with nods to our great institutions (the NHS, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the inventor of the World Wide Web), with comedy from Messrs Bean and Bond, Boyle’s show stretched both our imaginations, and it seemed, the walls of the stadium, as the show seemed to encompass the whole world inside the “steel O” to misquote Shakespeare! Here are my top 10 moments from the show, with tips on places to visit in London if you were similarly impressed.

1. Bradley Wiggins and that Huge Bell
What a way to start. Winner of the Tour de France and in possession of a snazzy new yellow jersey, Londoner Bradley Wiggins rang the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world, at 23-tonnes cast by the Whitechapel Bell Company (est in 1570). Fancy visiting their factory? You can.

2. Kenneth Branagh as Isambard Kingdom Brunel
I’m a huge fan of actor Kenneth Branagh, and his reading of the “Isle is full of noises” speech was fantastic. He was representing Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an engineer responsible for many of the UK’s bridges and dockyards. You can learn more about this famous chap at the Brunel Museum, and take a tour through his Thames tunnel in Rotherhithe.

3. London Symphony Orchestra (and, of course, Mr Bean)
Have you ever seen a better one-finger ostinato than that performed by Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean? It was one of several very funny moments, but behind it all was the London Symphony Orchestra, with Vangelis’ tune from Chariots of Fire swelling under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. You can see the orchestra play throughout the year in London.

4. James Bond Visiting Buckingham Palace
Another brilliant comic turn, this time from HM The Queen herself. A pouty Daniel Craig took a trip to Buckingham Palace before executing the most incredible arrival at a party ever; you too can visit the Queen’s residence during the summer months. And if you’re a big Bond fan, don’t miss the current Barbican exhibition about our most famous spy.

5. JK Rowling Reading Peter Pan
Another of my highlights was hearing Harry Potter author JK Rowling reading from Peter Pan, before a team of hundreds of children performed a piece representing the wealth of children’s literature from Great Britain. If you were inspired by the literary display, why not try our Peter Pan Day Out, or visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to see behind the scenes of JK Rowling’s incredible world.

6. Tim Berners-Lee – Inventor of the World Wide Web
An unsung hero of the modern age, and a key player in the digital revolution, Londoner Tim Berners-Lee made a guest appearance in the Ceremony, live tweeting “This is for everyone” which certainly made me want to cry! You can learn more about computer scientists like Tim at the Science Museum in London.

7. Dancer Akram Khan’s Moving Nod to Mortality
Earlier silliness was tempered with stillness as another Londoner, British Bangladeshi dancer Akram Khan performed a moving dance work called Mortality. Having held the post of associate artist at the Southbank Centre, he’s currently associate artist at Sadler’s Wells, and regularly performs in London. Keep an eye on our dance pages to see him perform again in London.

8. David Beckham’s Speedboat Along the Thames
Later, the mood changed again, as we were treated to the view of the lovely David Beckham sweeping along the Thames on a speedboat. Were you tempted? I’ve done it too, on one of the Speedboat Tours available in London, and I totally recommend it. (I can’t promise you’ll get the same fireworks as you pass under Tower Bridge, but the adrenaline rush is the same!)

9. The Olympic Cauldron by Thomas Heatherwick
There were so many well-kept secrets surrounding the ceremony, but one of the best was the cauldron and the identity of the final torchbearers. It was yet another emotional moment when the young athletes circled the stadium, and lit the 204 petals representing each country, which then rose together to create the cauldron. Want to know more about the Thomas Heatherwick Design Studios? There’s an exhibition dedicated to the team on at the V&A until 30 September.

10. The Great British Music
Finally, what about the amazing music that played throughout? So many great British musicians were given a moment in the spotlight: from Elgar to Underworld; from Charles Parry to the Arctic Monkeys; from the Sex Pistols to Dizzee Rascal. If you’re a fan of Sir Paul McCartney, make sure you visit the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing next time you’re in London; you can also pay tribute to the history of British music at the British Music Experience at The O2.

What were your favourite moments? Let us know in the comments below.

Bond is back and this time he’s at The Barbican. Designing 007: Fifty Years of  Bond Style is an exhibition celebrating the world’s most illustrious spy, who first appeared on our screens in 1962.

On display are Bond gadgets, costumes, set designs, props, weapons, artwork and stunts; all of which help to create the world of James Bond on screen. 

There are impressive full-size models such as Jill Masterson’s golden-sprayed body from 1964′s Goldfinger and scenery from recent Bond movie, Casino Royale. I especially loved the bikinis worn by Ursula Andress and Halle Berry in Dr No and Die Another Day respectively, and the Golden Gun from The Man with the Golden Gun.

Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style at The Barbican until 5 September 2012

Journalist Marina Soteriou is a long-term London resident. Writing as part of our World in London series, Marina adds her experiences of Cypriot culture in the capital.

Every Thursday evening at a church hall in Waterloo, a group meet to perform dances which have been danced for centuries. They are the Philhellenes Dancing Group.

I joined nearly three years ago as I wanted to feel closer to my family on the other side of Europe, in Cyprus. The only thing I can remember from my dancing class at primary school in Nicosia was somebody finding a centipede in their shoe, but last October I performed seven Pontic dances at the annual Dance Around the World Festival at Cecil Sharp House in Regents Park.

The group has been running for 21 years, and has performed in Cyprus, Athens, Lesvos and Andros. In London, they’ve danced at the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and the British Museum.

Cypriots love a debate and since the so-called “Cyprus problem” has remained unsolved since 1974 – as a result of a Turkish invasion which followed a coup by the junta ruling Greece at the time – we are never short of a topic. Following the division, thousands of Cypriots came to live in London, when the Greek Cypriots fled to safety in the south and the Turkish Cypriots went north.

My grandfather, Andreas Soteriou, was from the beautiful village of Agios Epiktitos in the Kyrenia district in the North, perched high with breathtaking views of the coast. But being born in 1982, these lands were not known to me. The Cyprus I knew stopped abruptly where the rusty barbed wire and UN soldier was. The bullet holes in the Nicosia church we went to every Sunday morning were testament to the violence which was followed by decades of stalemate.

It was not until 2003 when the border crossings opened that the link with my ancestors could be restored and I could visit the house where my grandfather was raised, see his father’s grave and share gifts and stories with the Turkish Cypriot neighbours.

There is something restorative in folk dancing, knowing these intricate steps, double steps and jumps have been replayed for thousands of years and that now is just another dot on the timeline. Although we do not know what the future holds for Cyprus, we know these dances will survive.

Whenever I go back to Nicosia, one of the first things I like to do is go to Ledra Street in the city centre and buy a Papaphilippou ice cream and do as the locals do and promenade.

On one such visit, the first thing I saw was a group of Pontics in traditional costume performing their dances in the public square, the very same dances I have performed with my Bulgarian, Greek, English and Cypriot friends in the church hall in Waterloo on a rainy Thursday night.

For another slice of Cyprus, you can choose one of the many Cypriot restaurants all over London, but I prefer the hive of activity at the Yasar Halim Bakery in Haringey. The bakery was opened by a Turkish Cypriot in 1981 and has everything you can imagine, from the sweet Tahini tachinopites, to the Cypriot doughnuts dipped in syrup, “loukoumades”, which are eaten with the semolina-filled shiamishi at fairs.

To join the class or attend a Greek folk dancing workshop visit www.philhellenes.com or email greekdancing@philhellenes.com. The next Dance Around the World folk dancing festival, which has performances and workshops, takes place on 20 and 21 October. Visit www.datw.org.uk to find out more.

Do you know any other instances where you can sample Cypriot culture in London? Let us know in the comments below.

Next in our World in London blog challenge is Palestine. The 2012 London Palestine Film Festival runs from 20 April 20 to 3 May. Sheyma Buali celebrates the rise of this unique event on London’s cultural calendar. 

For 15 years, the London Palestine Film Festival (LPFF) has been engaging growing London audiences with quality film made in and about Palestine.

Amongst the first festivals of its kind in the world, today the LPFF and its curatorial umbrella, the Palestine Film Foundation, is the leading authority on Palestinian cinema, consistently bringing rare and hard-to-find films to London screens. The Festival showcases both the newest in Palestinian production, and exposes audiences to classics and rediscoveries from across the breadth of cinema history. 

As a relatively diverse and progressive city, London makes an inviting space for cross-cultural and political debate; it is this open characteristic that explains the growth of Festival audiences.

The LPFF has built strong partnerships with a wide variety of London-based arts initiatives; it has also secured precious statutory funding for its unique contribution to the city’s rich cultural calendar. The Festival exists today as a Palestine-focused project that is emphatically at home in the British capital. 

First held in 1998 with a VHS recorder in a classroom at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), today the LPFF takes place over a fortnight at four major venues across the city. The bulk of the programme is hosted at the Barbican Centre. But in keeping with its origins and the Foundation’s belief in the educational role of film-led debate, the LPFF maintains a number of screenings at University of London venues, offered on a “pay-what-you-can” basis, ensuring no-one is priced out of the Festival. 

The LPFF’s strengths lie in both the richness of the films on offer, and in the calibre of its guest speakers. Indeed, for the Palestinian and broader Arab communities in London, the LPFF’s value derives from establishing new spaces for cultural and intellectual exchanges, bringing London communities together with students, actors, academics, and cineastes alike. In recent years, the Festival has attracted leading directors Michel Khleifi, Elia Suleiman, Kamal Aljafari, and Eyal Sivan and renowned scholars and writers Ella Shohat, Ahdaf Soueif, and Ilan Pappe. With scores more preeminent speakers engaging with Festival audiences annually, the LPFF has emerged as a prized space for London audiences to discuss myriad questions related to Palestine in thought-provoking and fresh ways.

As the Festival has continued to expand beyond cinema screenings, an annual visual arts exhibition has been added to its highlights. Remarkably, this remains free to the public, hosted at the Barbican Centre. The 2012 exhibition provides a rare showcase of work by 15 video artists from Palestine (6-27 April).

With its annual fortnight packed with panel discussions, UK Premieres, art exhibitions, director talks, and even a new youth outreach programme, the LPFF is firmly on its way to becoming the leading cultural event related to Palestine in Europe. What’s more, this year promises an additional bonus in the form of three special “Pre-Festival Events” from late March – stay tuned online for details, tickets, and updates: http://www.palestinefilm.org/

Can you suggest any other places to get a taste of Palestinian culture in London? Let us know in the comments below

Simon Callow is bringing his one-man show, Being Shakespeare, back to London in March, for a strictly limited run. He’ll be at the Trafalgar Studios from 7 to 31 March, bringing a multitude of the bard’s most famous creations to life. It’ll be the perfect warm-up for the World Shakespeare Festival which kicks off the following month.

Another March date for your diaries is Thursday 15, when Complicite and Simon McBurney return to the Barbican (following the success of Shun-Kin and A Disappearing Number) with a new English adaptation of Master and Margarita. It’s a stage adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s rich magical realist novel about the struggle between evil and compassion. I’m a big fan of Complicite’s work, so I’m really looking forward to seeing this one.

Finally, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are back for in London in 2012, bringing The Complete World of Sports (abridged) to the Arts Theatre for a six-week run from 18 July to 25 August, to coincide with the London 2012 Olympic Games. The show’s described as “every sport even played on every continent in the entire history of the world in under two hours!”. It’s a clever idea from clever boys, and I wish them luck!

London Casting News

• One of my favourite actors, Jill Halfpenny, is returning to London, to play Beverly in Abigail’s Party at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 2 March
• Another great British star, Tara Fitzgerald, will appear opposite Ben Chaplin and Jemma Redgrave in Farewell To The Theatre at the Hampstead Theatre from 1 March
• Stand-up comic and actor Ardal O’Hanlon is playing the lead in a new production of Port Authority at the Southwark Playhouse from 24 January
• Finally, I’ve got details of the lucky ladies playing alongside Zach Braff in All New People at the Duke of York’s Theatre from February. Both Eve Myles and Susannah Fielding have previously worked with the RSC, and both have strong sci-fi links: Myles plays Gwen in Torchwood; Fielding has appeared in Doctor Who. I wish them both well with their return to theatre

More next week…