The Floyd Effect

Pink Floyd’s recording career spanned almost three decades and, for its 10th anniversary, The Floyd Effect has chosen two of the band’s most remarkable albums to create their new tour. Spotlighting the music of The Division Bell and a complete, unbroken performance of the iconic Dark Side Of The Moon, concerts will also include tracks from Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall, delighting Pink Floyd fans everywhere.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, November 17, 7.30pm. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

Windrush: A Celebration

70 years on from the HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival in Essex, British/Trinidadian poet, novelist and musician Anthony Joseph celebrates the seismic impact the Caribbean diaspora has had on UK culture. An array of musicians and artists come together to celebrate the Windrush generation and the triumph of the Caribbean spirit through song and spoken word.

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS, Saturday, November 17, 7.30pm. Details: barbican.org.uk

The Outbursts

The Outbursts return with their own unique brand of punk-rock mayhem.

The Coppermill Pub, 205 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HF, Saturday, November 17, 8.30pm. Details: 020 8520 3709 coppermillpub.co.uk

Little Stars Circus

Little Stars Circus share their celebration of aerial dance by their fantastic students of all ages. Each dance is thoughtfully choreographed by the individual and students will perform on a variety of equipment including aerial hoop, silks and trapeze.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, November 17, 12.30pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Papalarny the Magic Man

It’s Papalarny the incredibly popular children’s entertainer, as seen on Channel 4, creating mind-blowing balloon models and performing his hilarious family magic show.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, November 17, 11.30am. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Luck of the Draw

This poignant and sometimes shocking short play is a domestic take on WWI. It is based on letters from Cyril Kimber on the Front Line in 1915 and Reminiscences of William Smith, written in his 93rd year after serving in both world wars. Cyril and William are worlds apart, but the mud and the music are common ground in their horrific experience, and draws them to recognise their common humanity.

The Barons Court Theatre, 28A Comeragh Road, W14 9HR, Friday, November 16, to Sunday, November 25, various times. Details: 020 8932 4747

A Christmas Carol

Experience this beloved Christmas tale brilliantly retold by Charles Dickens’ great grandson, Gerald Dickens. Follow the story of cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who experiences a life-changing night when he is visited by three mysterious ghosts. Travel with Scrooge through his past, present and future and see if he is willing to change his selfish ways. Along the way you will meet some of Dickens’ best-loved characters in this heart-warming story suitable for audiences of all ages.

Kenwood, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR, Sunday, November 18, 6pm and 8.30pm. Details: english-heritage.org.uk

Evelyn & The Yellow Birds

This interactive musical adventure for the whole family explores jazz music and its Caribbean influences through Evelyn’s heart-warming tale, with a live band accompaniment, presented by Evelyn’s granddaughter Cherise Adams-Burnett. Evelyn, a young woman living in Jamaica, decides to travel with her new husband to England, hoping for exciting new opportunities. But she misses the sounds, scenery and sunshine of island life. How can she make London her happy home?

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8XX, Saturday, November 17, 11am. Details: 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk

Dance Inspirations

Bringing a stunning combination of dance and performing arts, top class industry professional judges, outstanding prizes and live entertainment by host Helen Scott UK.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Sunday, November 18, 10am to 8pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Lorenzo Lotto Portraits

Celebrated as one of the greatest portraitists of the Italian Renaissance, Lorenzo Lotto uniquely portrayed a cross section of middle-class sitters, among them clerics, merchants, and humanists. Lotto depicted men, women and children in compositions rich in symbolism and imbued with great psychological depth. The prominent addition of objects which hinted at the social status, interests, and aspirations of his subjects added meaning to each work. With the inclusion of documents that have survived from Lotto’s own account books, this exhibition – the first of its kind in the UK – provides extraordinary insight into the artist’s individualistic style and the people he portrayed.

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN, until Sunday, February 10. Details: nationalgallery.org.uk

The Creative Craft Show

This show features a range of crafts guaranteed to inspire visitors. For those wanting a truly ‘hands-on’ experience, the show offers a wide range of creative workshops and demonstrations allowing visitors to get stuck in. Joined by some of the best crafting exhibitors in the UK, renowned experts and a huge range of fantastic supplies, the show is the perfect place for visitors to discover new techniques and stock up on exciting new materials in time for winter projects. Visitors can join crafter and author of Mindful Crafting, Sarah Samuel, to learn how to use colour and clay and immerse themselves in the sheer enjoyment of creating something new. For those looking ahead to the festive season, the Crafty Beggars will be hosting a range of Christmas themed workshops and in the Creative Den visitors can learn how to make paper, jewellery and greetings cards. Talented dressmakers showcase their winning entries into the new national sewing competition, Sew Your Style.

ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL, Thursday, November 15, to Saturday, November 17. Details: excel.london

Writeidea Festival

The tenth Writeidea Festival, a unique free reading festival, will feature Michael Rosen, Viv Albertine, Chris Difford, Suresh Singh and The Gentle Author.

Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BU, Friday, November 16, to Sunday, November 18. Details: ideastore.co.uk

Ships in the Night: The Dark River

Storyteller Olivia Armstrong is a weaver of tales, a mistress of enchantment who has been captivating audiences for over ten years. Everywhere from pubs to palaces, rivers to ruins, she tells wonder tales from around the world, myths and legends of the British Isles, and strange stories from the secret corners of the city. Olivia will be joined by London’s resident storyteller Vanessa Woolf and folk performer and storyteller George Hoyle. Settle down in the hull of Cutty Sark for an evening of ghoulish Thames tales and magical stories straight out of old London lore.

Cutty Sark Theatre, King William Walk, SE10 9HT, Sunday, November 18, 7pm. Details: rmg.co.uk

London Upcycling Show

This fun, family-friendly event showcases upcycling at its very best, and is packed with practical workshops including child friendly activities, interactive demonstrations and creative exhibitions.

Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Forest Road, E17 4JF, Sunday, November 18, 11am to 2pm. Details: eventbrite.co.uk

Sailors and Starlight Family Rave

Set sail and let the stars guide you as the museum hosts another of award-winning family rave. Everyone from the smallest swashbuckler to the biggest buccaneer will enjoy this celestial celebration as they party to dance tunes including acid house, techno, drum ‘n’ bass and much more. Take part in multi-sensory dancefloor delights, experience live DJ, glitter cannons, giant balloons, bubble machines and the famous parachute dance. Be amazed with hands-on activities, explore the children’s gallery or take a break in the chill-out zone.

Museum of London Docklands, Hertsmere Road, E14 4AL, Saturday, November 17, 2pm. Details: 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk