Don't wait until the weekend to have fun, check out our top five events happening in east and central London this week...

Jawdance

An evening of poetry and music, showcasing established artists as well as newcomers who can sign up on the night for an open mic lucky dip draw where 12 slots are available for three minutes each, selected at random.

Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, Wednesday, January 18, 7.30pm. Details: 020 7613 7498

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The Tempest

On a distant island a man waits. Robbed of his position, power and wealth, his enemies have left him in isolation. But this is no ordinary man, and this no ordinary island. Prospero is a magician, able to control the very elements and bend nature to his will. When a sail appears on the horizon, he reaches out across the ocean to the ship that carries the men who wronged him. Creating a vast magical storm he wrecks the ship and washes his enemies up on the shore. When they wake they find themselves lost on a fantastical island where nothing is as it seems. The Tempest will be brought to life on the Royal Shakespeare Company stage with the help of Intel and Andy Serkis’ Imaginarium, featuring some of today’s most advanced technology in a bold reimagining of this magical play.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Wednesday, January 18, 7pm. Details: 01245 60650

West End Musical Choir

West End Musical Choir are the UK’s official adult musical theatre choir based in London. They host weekly sessions learning the classic and new hits from the West End and Broadway. This is the ultimate feel-good experience, learning how to sing songs from musicals. No auditions, no need to read sheet music and no pressure to perform – just bring your passion for musical theatre!

St George’s Church, 44 Queen Square, WC1N 3AH, Thursday, January 19, 7.30pm. Details: 07917 683 738

Blithe Spirit

Charles Condomine arranges for an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a séance at his house. She inadvertently summons Charles’s first wife, Elvira. Elvira haunts Charles and makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles’s marriage to his second wife Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost.

Theydon Bois Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, Thursday, January 12 to Saturday, January 14, 8pm. Details: 01992 919038

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Comedy Festival: Raw

The London Moth Story Slam: Voyage

A competitive open mic night for five minute stories. This event is all about adventures in a different time zone, or at least a different post code. The storyteller hopefuls put their names in The Moth hat and half hour later, names are picked and one by one storytellers take the stage. The ten featured stories are scored by teams of judges selected from the audience.

Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, Thursday, January 19, 7.30pm. Details: 020 7613 7498