What’s on in May

FROM THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR

Times and dates change. Please check before starting out

Art in the Park has Saturday afternoon workshops for children and adults https://artinthepark.co.uk/

Camberwell Knit and Crochet Group meets monthly on Sunday 3-5 pm at the United Reformed Church, Love Walk. You can contribute to arts projects, bring your own work, or learn from others with more experience contact camberwellartsmarket@gmail.com

Camberwell Library Knitting and Crochet Group meets every Tuesday 3-4 pm, in the first floor meeting room.

Gayle’s Coffee Bar, 29 Peckham Road SE5 (entrance in Havil Street opposite Theatre Peckham) Crochet with Zoe, free, donations welcome. Every Friday 2-4 pm. Please check first @gaylescoffeebar

Life Drawing last Wednesday of every month at the Grove House Tavern 7:30-9 pm £11 https://www.studio-eden.co/

Camberwell Life Drawing The Sun of Camberwell 61-63 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NS every Monday 7 pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monday-camberwell-life-drawing-tickets-788683452437?aff=erelexpmlt

Gracesmews photography gallery 9-10 Graces Mews Until 23 May Les Krims:Fictcryptokrimsographs https://gracesmews.com/

Sim Smith Gallery: Rumble: Dido Hallett until 2 May; Close to Me: Sung Jik Yang until 2 May; I’m A Big Star: Kate Groobey 7-30 May https://www.sim-smith.com/

South London Gallery: Paulo Nimer Photo: Encantados 1 May-23 August; Anti Bam: Sacred Groves 1 May-23 August; Short Wave:Krystle Patel presents Clout 9 May https://www.southlondongallery.org/

William Hine Gallery, 31https://gracesmews.com/1 Camberwell New Road: Lindsey Bull: Quiet Magic until 23 May https://www.williamhine.com/

BOOKS AND LITERATURE

Camberwell Library: Monday club. Share a short story or a poem or try some creative writing, every Monday 3-4 pm; Book Group second Tuesday of the month 7-8 pm.

Black Art and Poetry Group last Friday of every month 5:30-7 pm Free computer learning available most days, booking essential. See library staff for more information Camberwell.Library@southwark.gov.uk https://www.southwark.gov.uk/culture-and-sport/libraries/library-activities-adults

Lala Books, 4a Grove Lane, open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am-4 pm Sunday. Wishbone: Sarah Meth, Jenny Kennedy 6 May; Cristina Rivera Garza in conversation with Octavia Bright 7 May; Poetry at Lala Books: Decree; Ashley

Hickson-Lovence 20 May; Cecilia Knapp in conversation with Monica Hersey 21 May https://www.lalabooks.london/

Book club at Lumberjack last Thursday of the month. Sign up at insta Wearelumberjackcoffeehttps://www.instagram.com/p/DHnqnvFIQlC/?img_index=2

South London Gallery Bookshop, 65-67 Peckham Road. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12-6 pm Wednesday 12-9 pm Saturdays and Sundays 11 am-6 pm https://shop.southlondongallery.org

CRIME

Safer Neighbourhood St Giles Ward: next panel meeting at St George’s Church, Newent Close SE5 https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/southwark/st-giles/about-us/crime-map

Ward panel meeting tbc at Denmark Hill Community Centre https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/southwark/champion-hill/meetings-and-events/crime-map

Live stand-up comedy every Thursday, Grove House Tavern, 26 Camberwell Grove https://www.grovehousetavern.co.uk

The Joiners Arms pub quiz every Wednesday open mic every Thursday https://www.facebook.com/TheJoinersArmsPub/?locale=en_GB

The Sun comedy club 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, pub quiz every Tuesday https://suncamberwell.com/

African Drumming Classes. Learn how to play West African drums Tuesdays 7 pm

https://longfieldhall.org.uk/2024/10/08/drumming-class-with-dia/

Lo-Fi Improvised Music Workshop first Saturday of the month 5 pm free

wildingstuart@hotmail.comhttps://longfieldhall.org.uk/2022/08/17/lo-fi-improvised-music-workshop/

Longfield Hall 50+ Latin Dance Workout Wednesday 1-2 pm; Capoeira Monday and Thursday 7-9 pm https://longfieldhall.org.uk/classes-workshops/

Longfield Voices Community choir Friday 10-11:30 am, free just turn up.

https://longfieldhall.org.uk/2019/01/15/longfield-voices/

Silver Swans Ballet Friday 2:30-3:30 pm info@mcalpinedance.com

Expressive Bodies: Improvisation and Contemporary Dance class Mondays 6-7 pm, Longfield Hall, 50 Knatchbull Rd, SE5 9QY https://www.kwamcollective.com/expressive-bodies-improvisation-and-contemporary-dance-class

Artichoke Pilates one-to-one sessions and small studio classes in Artichoke Mews, next to Camberwell Leisure Centre https://artichokepilates.com/

Basic Space, Camberwell Passage, offers a large yoga space and a seven-bed.

Reformer studio https://www.basicspacelondon.com/camberwell

Bronx Gym Benhill Road has a sauna, fitness studio and boxing classes, including for women and children https://www.bronxldn.com

Camberwell Leisure Centre has a wide range of classes, swimming pool and newly refurbished gym https://southwarkleisure.co.uk/centres/camberwell-leisure-centre

Cornerstone Studios 1 Addington Square offers yoga, sound baths and other classes https://www.motionlondon.co.uk/contact

Level Out studios in Camberwell Station Road offers Reformer Pilates

https://www.levelout.london/

Longfield Hall: Stretch and chill, Monday 7-8 pm, with KWAM Collective, email info@kwamcollective.com ; Zumba with Melody on Friday, 7:30-8:30 pm; ladies boxing Wednesday 7:30-8:30 pm; Silver Yoga Tuesday 10-11 am; Pilates Monday 10-11 am; Yogafusion Wednesday 7:30-9 pm; Capoeira Classes every Monday and Thursdays 7-9 pm info@yogafusion.org.uk https://longfieldhall.org.uk/classes-workshops/

Lost in Yoga, Urlwin Street, offers various classes https://lostinyoga.com/

Motion Studios in Addington Square offers yoga, Pilates, and barre classes

SE5 Pilates, Hubert Essakow offers one-to-one Pilates with an experienced instructor from a dance background https://hubertessakowpilates.co.uk/

Outdoor sauna Ruskin Park 7 am-8:45 pm (Tuesday 4-8:45 pm) off-peak £9.50,

Concessions.https://www.community-sauna.co.uk/locations/camberwell

Twist Studios under the arches in Camberwell Station Road offers personal training pre- and post-natal support https://twiststudios.co.uk/locations/personal-training-camberwell/

Urban Heat sauna offers group, private and community sessions Arch 347, Camberwell Station Road https://www.urbanheatwellness.com/

Zen Yoga, Camberwell Grove, offers a wide range of classes https://www.zenyoga.org.uk/

Camberwell Green market every Saturday 10 am-3 pm. Hyper local produce, mead, jam, coffee, bread, veg and more.

Eat around the World Camberwell’s fabulous food festival. Food from five continents, food walks, free music, free community lunch, kids games and bouncy castles, farmers market with honey, mushrooms, mead, jam all made in Camberwell, herbs and plants, crafts. Find out how to save energy and money in your home at Camberwell Society and SELCE free retrofit workshop. Camberwell Green Saturday 16 May 11am to 7pm.

Mr Valentine Presents. A Buster Keaton silent film double bill 16 May at St Giles’ https://liveatstgiles.com

U3A Silver screening of Fearless at the Brixton Ritzy on June18 at 2pm followed by Q and a withthe director. Fearless is a documentary on six women between 78 and 90 invited to help rebuild the “ mother country” after WW11.

https://www.fearlessfilm.org/trailer.

Coldharbour Blue cinema, 259 Hardess Street. https://www.coldharbourblue.com/

The following organisations welcome volunteers: Friends of Burgess Park, Benhill Road Nature Garden, Friends of Ruskin Park, Sceaux Gardens, Lettsom Gardens, Friends of Brunswick Park, Myatt’s Fields Park, Friends of Camberwell Green, Camberwell Gardens Guild, Southwark Nature Action Volunteers http://www.camberwell.life/discover/

Ruskin Park has an Edible Gardening group meeting every Saturday 12-3 pm and Litter Picking every Wednesday 10-11 am https://www.friendsofruskinpark.org.uk/whats-on/

A new sauna has opened in Ruskin Park. Open Thursday through Monday 8 am to 7:30 pm. Last session 6 pm. https://www.community-sauna.co.uk/locations/camberwell

Vauxhall City Farm Community Gardeners Group Weds 1:30-3:30 pm free weekly sessions. LGBTQ+ Gardeners Group Saturdays free fortnightly sessions. https://www.vauxhallcityfarm.org/

Saturday art workshops are being held at the Art in the Park studio in Burgess Park on Saturdays 2-4 pm. There will be two art activities at each session suitable for both adults and children. The activities will vary and include printing, drawing, weaving, textiles etc. Drop-in sessions, no need to book. All are welcome. Chumleigh Street, SE5 RJ https://www.friendsofburgesspark.org.uk/

Holiday play schemes: Camberwell after school project 14 Badsworth Road www.caspuk.org tel 02077082711, Lyndhurst Primary School Rise and Shine, Stay then Play https://www.junioradventuresgroup.co.uk/make-a-booking/ See individual listings for more information and links.

Baby Bank provides free clothes and equipment for babies to support parents, from Salvation Army, 105 Lomond Grove. Please send a message to Katherine Weston on the Baby Bank Whatsapp 07506 602254 to book an appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday 10 am to 12:30 pm. https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/camberwell . Or contact Parent Actionhttps://www.parentaction.org.uk/whats-on-offer-parent-action/baby-bank

Blue Elephant Young People’s Theatre for 7-18-year-olds on Saturdays in term time. Free for Southwark residents https://www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/whatson

Burgess Junior Parkrun every Sunday 9 am at Burgess Park. Two-km event for 4-14- year-oldshttps://www.parkrun.org.uk/burgess-juniors/

Burgess Park free after-school activities Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 3:30-6:30 pm see website for details https://www.burgesssports.org/

Camberwell Library classes: Stem, coding and robotics for 7-18-year-olds until 4 December Thursdays 6:15-7:15 pm. https://www.ignitehubs.org.uk/STEM-hub Sessions for 0-4 years, baby and toddler session Monday 11-11:30 am; Book start

Tuesday 10-11 am; Rhymetime Friday 11-11:30 am; arts and crafts club Saturday 2-3 pm https://www.southwark.gov.uk/culture-and-sport/libraries

Camberwell Scouts has groups for all ages from 6-18. Beavers 6-7 years Thursday, Cubs 8-10 years Wednesday, Scouts 10-14 years Monday, Explorers 14-18 years Tuesday, all at Gilesmead info@23rdcamberwell.com

Longfield Hall: The Mushroom Show, interactive family show 30 May at 11 am and 1pm The Tale of the Loneliest Whale, for ages 4+ 19 June at 5pm.

Longfield Hall Sprout Skills Hub, offering fun, life skills workshops for ages 7-13, Fridays 5-6 pm. Parents are welcome to contact Lively Sprout directly if they have any questions on info@livelysprout.com

Longfield Hall Free drama classes for local young people on Sundays as follows: 6-8 years 10-11.30 am, 9-11 years 12-1:30 pm, 12-16 years 2:30-4 pm. Email youthmanager@longfieldhall.org.uk for more information.

UpTop Dance School runs various sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays for ages 4-14. To register for a free trial session email, them on contact@uptopdance.com or call 07448 588860.

Vauxhall City Farm runs various courses for children in term time, including Young Farmers, Junior Volunteering and Afterschool Club. There is also a May Fair 16-17

May, offering a wide range of activities and free entry, though donations are appreciatedhttps://vauxhallcityfarm.org

Parent Action runs classes for new and potential parents and drop-in play groups. Babies MumSpace (for under-1s) Mondays 11:00 am-12 noon and Fridays 10.30 to 12.30 at Camberwell Salvation Army, Lomond Grove, SE5 7HG. A group for parents with under 1s, for fun, interactive and wellbeing sessions. Contact Mena: 07534 727316 or mena.amnour@citizensuk.org. Tuesday MumSpace 10:30 am-12 noon at United Reformed Church Love Walk join us for an active play drop in

contact Mena 0753472731mena.amnour@citizensuk.org.

South London Gallery: Children’s Garden Trail: Every Saturday and Sunday 12 noon-6 pm; Family Space 30 May 11-1pm https://southlondongallery.org

The Butterfly Tennis Club: after-school club Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in term time 3:30-5:30 pm, Sundays 8-11 am. Club runs children’s holiday camps during half term 8:30-10:30 am http://www.butterflytennis.com/p/childrens-tennis-classes.html

Theatre Peckham Academy term-time timetable of classes for ages 3–16 includes musical theatre, ballet, acro, songwriting and music production, acting, glee club pop, junior acting company, tap dance, acting for screen, street dance and young and talented theatre creators. Registration open https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/tp-academy

Dash the Henge: Frankie Churchward 3 pm, Mango in Euphoria 5pm, 2 May; Olivia Khoury 7 May; Simon Bromide and the Bromides 8 May; Parliament of Wolves 3 pm, Starfish 5 pm, Angelina Luzi 7 pm, 9 May; Emom 13 May; Jeanie and the White Boy Luxury Apartments 14 May; Dave Barbarossa 15 May; Kilmorie 3 pm, Freya Beer 5pm, Weird Bloom 7pm 16 May; Yer Bard Poetry 20 May; Devices 21 May; Bag 22 May; Midnight Cafe 3 pm, Suki Emmanuelle 5 pm, 23 May; Mother Church 28 May; The DNA Test Logan Fisher 29 May; Best Band 3pm, Bone Zeno 5 pm; Serena Kaos 7 pm 30 May https://dashthehengestore.com

Jazz Live at the Crypt: Soultime 1 May; Rave at Your Fictional Borders 8 May; Khachapuri 15 May; Anna Panzanelli 22 May; Jonny Liebeck Quintet 29 May; Ines Loubet 26 June https://jazzlive.co.uk

Music at St Giles’: London Saxophone Choir 17 May; Diabolico: Laura Lootens 14 June; Organoke 20-21 June; Reston Cobblers Club 10 October; Sofar Sounds 28 November https://liveatstgiles.com.

Longfield Hall: LoFi and Noisy Women 4 July. Also hosts a wide range of musical events https://www.longfieldhall.org.uk

Parents

Parent University Course (for pregnant women in their third trimester or babies under 8 months Mondays 1-2:30 pm at Camberwell Salvation Army, 105 Lomond Grove, SE5 7HG. Antenatal Course three sessions: Pregnant women and partner. Postnatal course seven sessions: For parents with babies under 8 months. For more information and to book please contact Mena: 07534727316 or mena.amnour@citizensuk.org

Photography workshop in Camberwell. Join us for a hands-on photography workshop designed for all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, our guided sessions will help you shoot with confidence and creativity. Every Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/photography-workshop-in-camberwell-every-sunday-from-2pm-5pm-15-tickets-1578675764709?aff=erelexpmlt&keep_tld=1

Graces Mews photography gallery, 9-10 Graces Mews, Camberwell, SE5 8JF www.gracesmews.com

Until 23 May exhibition Les Krims

Zap studio -professional photography studio for hire, equipment, lighting infinity cove contact Simon or Venetia office@zapstudios.co.uk

Myatt’s Fields Lunch Bunch Over 55s meets every second Wednesday 1-3pm. See website for more details https://www.myattsfieldspark.info

Silverfit runs free Pilates and Nordic walking sessions in Burgess Park. Meet at Park Life Café at 10:30 am every Tuesday https://www.silverfit.org.uk/events/silvertuesday-burgess-park/

Southwark Pensioners Centre 305-307 Camberwell Road offers a wide range of classes, services, outings and events, including Monday art group, creative Tuesdays, choir, recorder playing, local history group, Southwark explorers, computer sessions, Chi Kung class, podiatry service, advice sessions, Monday men’s group and more. Southwark Pensioners Centre – supporting older people in Southwark https://southwarkpensioners.org.uk

End of Life Matters: regular courses https://endoflifematters.co

U3A Dulwich and District has a wide range of groups and activities, from archaeology to wine appreciation and more. https://dnd.u3asite.uk/groups/

Rosemary Club Memory Cafe: weekly group at Longfield Hall for people living with dementia and their carers, Tuesdays 11-3 pm, contact café manager Bukki on 07939 493 686or memorycafe@longfieldhall.org.uk for more information.

Burgess Park has a wide range of sports activities for adults and children, including American football, BMX, bootcamp, boxing, cricket, cycling, football, fishing, fitness trail, indoor and outdoor gyms, rugby and tennis. For details see https://www.friendsofburgesspark.org.uk/

Dulwich Hamlet Football Club men’s fixtures and women’s fixtures https://dulwichhamletfc.co.uk

Ruskin Park boot camp free exercise classes every Saturday 10-11 am football lessons https://www.friendsofruskinpark.org.uk

Tennis courts and lessons at Brunswick Park, Burgess Park, Kennington Park Myatt’s Fields Park, Ruskin Park.

Myatt’s Fields five-a-side football and tennis http://www.myattsfieldspark.info

Talks

  • Camberwell Talks Few musicians have shaped alternative music like Laetitia Sadier. At the next Camberwell Talks on Monday 11 May, she shares her story – from Stereolab to a fearless solo career at 7pm in the crypt, St Giles’ Church. Book hereSouth London Gallery: Rooms of Neighbours with Josiane M H Pozi and Yvette Francis 20 May; https://southlondongallery.orgAn evening hosted by Grove Chapel to be held at the Grove House Tavern at p.m. on Tuesday 5th May for a talk by Dr Monty Lyman, psychiatrist and award-winning author, on the subject of faith, mental health and the modern world. Tickets £10, to included a free drink.:https://bit.ly/46VXiUJAdi’s mushroom growing workshops will be held at the Remakery, 51 Lilford Road on 9 May https://www.urbanmushrooms.co.ukDiscover how to retrofit your home and meet other Camberwell Society members at the Society’s stand at the Eat around the World food festival on the Green on 16 May.

Golden Goose Theatre: The New Rep Scratch Night 4 May; Charlie and Striptease until 9 May; The Sneeze 12-16 May; Setting Sail 17 May; What Vegans Do When Husbands Go Missing 20-22 May; Catch of the Day 29-30 May; 113 26-27 June; Iris 1-2 July; The Candidates 8-9 July https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk

Southwark Playhouse: Lifeline until 2 May; Flyby until 16 May; Invisible Me until 2 May; The Wasp 6-30 May; The Last Man 8 May-6 June; Redcliffe 22 May-4 July; Ride the Cyclone 19 June-22 August; The Jonathan Larson Project 9 July-22 August; Jane Eyre 28 August -24 October; Twenty Thousand Streets under the Sky 10 September -17 October https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Longfield Hall: The Factory’s Cymbeline: Promenade Performance 16 July; She Goat Theatre Club: free drama group for local older women 5 March,10:30 am-12:30 pm https://longfieldhall.org.uk/2025/04/01/she-goat-theatre-club/ The Writers Room: for new and emerging writers, held on second Monday of every month 7-10 pm. The Directors Playground: for emerging theatre makers, Tuesdays 7-10pm. Find out more and apply https://www.thedirectorsplayground.co.uk/the-playground

Theatre Peckham: Witness 2-5 May; Pack It Up 2-3 May; Hello My Name Is…5-6 May; The Lost Lombi 7-8 May; Four Walled Boyfriend 7-9 May; Republic of Silence 7-8 May Our Father 9-11 May; Roots 11-12 May; Debris 11-13 May; Fair Verona Road 18-20 September; Soulsation 27 September; Stroke in the Sun 2-3 October; Routes 2-4 October https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/shows-events/#

The White Bear Theatre: He Said/She Said until 2 May; Ashes and Diamonds 5-16 May; The Name 19 May-6 June; Live from the Warehouse 6-13 July; Waving 28 July -1 August https://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/

The Camberwell Society’s trees and green Spaces group has a Medicinal Trees Walk, Myatt’s Fields Park on Saturday 9 May, 2:00–3:30 pm, a gentle guided walk through Myatt’s Fields Park https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leaf-it-to-nature-a-walk-with-camberwells-medicinal-trees-tickets-1988034573927?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Check out the Camberwell Society’s websiteand the next Camberwell Quarterly for their summer programme

The Camberwell Society website has six walks in the local area http://www.camberwellsociety.org.uk/events-activies/

The Camberwell Society’s new Twenty-One Urban Strolls in Camberwell is the perfect present . Written by locals, this insider’s walking guide leads you through peaceful parks, vibrant streets and the overlooked corners that make Camberwell unique. Each route comes alive with maps and illustrations by local artists, revealing the area’s rich history, green spaces and hidden gems. Local Stockists: LaLa Books, SE5 Forum Saturday stall, Lumberjack, King’s College Hospital Friends Shop, Dash the Henge, NoNo Cafe, Review Books, Chener Books, Rye Books, Celestial, Dulwich Picture Gallery and Village Books. Check out full list on www.camberwellsociety.org.uk