Gay Camberwell

What's New

SEPTEMBER'S NEWS 

Greetings, Gay Camberwellians,

After a summer break in newsletter action, we are back, with all the best things to do in the SE5 vicinity over the next month. 

Film
Whirled Cinema's summer holiday ends this week with an autumn programme of films. Across the border to the east, the 5th - 12th September sees the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival, with an array of interesting films and events in quirky venues. And we are making progress in our search for a new home for Pink Screen Sundays, since the Castle closed its doors. 

Art
GX Gallery is currently showing Flock, showcasing 12 of the top graduates from Camberwell, Wimbledon and Chelsea Colleges of Art. We went to the private view and thought it was one of the most interesting SE5 art shows of late. Then from the 10th September they show Outsiders - catch the private view. Elsewhere, the South London Gallery has Nothing is Forever, their fascinating new show (made all the more tempting by the promise of the adjoining cafe), the Red Gate Gallery continues its quirky programme (best enjoyed on Friday nights when the bar is open). On 27th September, the Camberwell Space opens, a new public art gallery at the Camberwell College of Arts, with its new show Terminator, showcasing 15 contemporary London-based artists. If it's more participatory art you desire, Art's Bar has a new weekly event on Tuesdays called Textile and Turntable - do crafty things while listening to vinyl. Though Art's Bar recently cancelled an event so we're still checking they're okay. And House is about to start Friday night events curated by locals, in a programme called Halfway House. No details available yet, but keep an eye on their website... and why not propose an event yourself?

Theatre
Camberwell's theatre scene returns from its summer holiday on 21st September with Estate Walls, an inner city show at the Oval House Theatre. 21st September also marks the start of a 3 week festival of Nigerian playwriting at the Oval House, with performances, readings, and debates. On the 28th September, Blue Elephant Theatre's autumn programme starts with Jukai, a new piece incorporating half-mask, contemporary theatre and Japanese traditional music to tell a story about straying from the path. 

Music
We are spoilt for jazz at the moment in Camberwell. Jazz in the St Giles crypt continues its atmospheric weekly slot on Friday nights. Le Petit Parisien has live jazz every Sunday from 8, and the Sun and Doves on the first Sunday of the month. If you're looking for outdoor music, this Sunday is the last chance to catch the summer music programme at Myatt's Fields bandstand. On the more experimental side, on the 10th and 11th September, South London Gallery hosts an 'exceptional, captivating sensory experience, mixing experimental industrial music and sounds recorded from the Serengeti', East African Nocturne.

Books
Camberwell Gay Book Group is now meeting on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm at Le Petit Parisien. This month's book is Chalcot Crescent by Fay Weldon. New members are very welcome.

All dates and details are on the Gay Camberwell website homepage.

New on the Gay Camberwell Website
There's a new section called 'Learn' with details of courses you can take in Camberwell.

We've also been writing a couple of restaurant reviews, including No 67, and Pizza Lenuccia.

And we have written quite a few recent blog posts about life in and around SE5.

Random other bits of Camberwell news

Camberwell Leisure Centre has obtained more money for further refurbishment, which means it's now not due to re-open til February 2011. The extra money will be spent on re-tiling the pool, improving the gym, and restoring the facade.

South London Gallery has re-opened with a brilliant new cafe, No 67

And opposite South London Gallery, just over the SE15 border, New Gallery London has just opened - owned by the Bar Story people.

Have a great September!

Love Gay Camberwell