JC Quartet - Jolly Jazz and Blues

This high energy instrumental combo features some of the funkiest musicians in and around London. Their performances are firmly rooted in old school jazzfunk, displaying a love of Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, The Meters, Booker ‘T’ and Lou Donaldson. But there are some real surprises in their set as well,

Luna Lounge, Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG, Friday, October 9, 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Details: 07904 525639, lunalounge.info

Acid Drops

Taking their inspiration from the soul-jazz of the 1960s, typified by the Blue Note and Atlantic record labels, this line-up of sax, guitar, bass and drums give it a new spin, adding references to cinema and TV themes as well as more contemporary tunes.

Luna Lounge, Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG, Saturday, October 10, 8.30pm to 11pm. Details: 07904 525639, lunalounge.info

Fairytales Choir - A World Most Beautiful

Be serenaded by the sweet sounds of these harmonious voices as they sing about this beautiful world. Everyone will love these enchanting melodies and love songs about sunshine, moonlight, swinging from the stars – everything from the earth below to the heavens above.

The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT, Friday, October 9, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Details: 01708 443333, queens-theatre.co.uk

Walthamstow Folk Club - Melrose Quartet

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan join forces with Jess and Richard Arrowsmith formerly of Crucible for a true folk supergroup. Four voices in harmony, double fiddles, box and guitar-bouzouki combining with their bold take on old and new English songs and tunes.

Ye Olde Rose and Crown, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, Sunday, October 11, 7.30pm. Details: 020 8509 3880, yeolderoseandcrowntheatre.co.uk, wegottickets.com/event/328482

Best of the Music Fest

Seven months of free music in Valentines Walled Garden will be wrapped up on Sunday with duo Smith Sound, choir Glade Community Singers, jazz and blues duo Liz Byrne and Mark Yoxall, guitar duo Niris, vocal trio Deja Vu who sing Crosby, Stills & Nash and Irish traditional folk band Corragh. The final event is run by Redbridge Music Lounge and the Green Fair Music Club and supported by the Gardeners Cottage Cafe.

The Walled Garden, Valentines Mansion and Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford, IG1 4XA, Sunday, October 11, 11am to 4pm. Details: 07917 050490, rgfmusicclub@gmail.com, rgf.org.uk

BBC Radio 2 Friday Night is Music Night-Nelson Riddle

The story of the master musician and arranger will be presented by Clare Teal, Graham Bickley and Curtis Stigers who will also sing an extraordinary selection of songs he arranged for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat 'King' Cole, Judy Garland and many, many more. The BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Richard Balcombe are joined by the BBC Big Band in a unique and rare collaboration.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1EJ, Tuesday, October 13, 7.30pm. Details: 020 8985 2424, hackneyempire.co.uk

The Romford Salvation Army Band

A charity concert featuring singers William Byrne and Joni Talks.

The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT, Wednesday, October 14, 2pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Slap

A new LGBT play written by upcoming playwright Alexis Gregory and directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair. Slap is a shocking, sexy and sometimes sweet, 70-minute rollercoaster ride which welcomes you to the world of Dominique, a glamorous transsexual hooker in the throes of an emotional meltdown. Suitable for 16+.

Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford E15 1BN, until October 10. Details: 020 8534 0310, stratfordeast.com

The Box

In 1921 a group of postal workers created a unique Time Capsule as a memorial to The Great War. The box, crammed with papers, lay forgotten for many years on a sorting office shelf, before being rediscovered and opened on the centenary of the start of war. This original piece of theatre captures some of the intriguing contents and true events surrounding the box - an extraordinary last post from WWI.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Wednesday, October 7. Details: 01279 431945, playhouseharlow.com

Salaam

Salaam, meaning ‘peace’, is Sonia Sabri Company’s latest stunning creation. This double-bill programme opens with a rare treat of solo Tabla music and then cleverly weaves a dialogue between live music and Kathak dance, celebrating harmony, inner –stillness and the simple bliss of being alive. It was originally created in response to the unrest around the world and aims to refocus and reminisce on all that is good.

Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, Wednesday, October 7. Details: 020 8708 8800, redbridgedramacentre.co.uk

Horrible Histories

Expect 3D special effects and plenty of thrills when two new adventures are brought to life. In Incredible Invaders you'll see the Celts crunched when the Ruthless Romans invade Britain, the Savage Saxons smashing things and the Vicious Vikings sailing into the audience. Groovy Greeks will show you the truth about growing up in Greece, from savage Sparta to angry Athens, the Trojans, Persians, first ever Olympic Games, the Minotaur and Zeus.

Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8 1EJ, October 7 to 11, various times. Details: 020 8985 2424, hackneyempire.co.uk

Cinderella

Ballet Cymru presents a sparkling and refreshing ballet based on the eternal fairytale. The company prides itself on being different and it has been working with award winning composer Jack White and Circus Company Citrus Arts to conjure a surprising world of wonder and magic.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Saturday, October 10. Details: 01245 606505

Hip Hop Pop - The Evolution of Hip Hop dance

Harlow dance company Hip Hop Pop will take you on a fantastic journey around this dance genre, from its social dance routes in America, through influences from around the globe, to the styles of today. A cast of 80 dancers will set the stage alight with fancy footwork and iconic dance moves, all to some of the best hip hop, funk, and pop classics music.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, October 10 and 11. Details: 01279 431945, playhouseharlow.com

Parkway Dreams - The New Town Musical

This musica play set in the 1970s has been created by EastEnders writer, Kenny Emson using verbatim interviews, period references and town council shenanigans. The poignant family saga, performed by Eastern Angles Theatre Company, gives a fascinating and funny insight into the development of English New Towns.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, October 15 and 16. Details: 01279 431945, playhouseharlow.com