Essex Poetry Festival

This is a chance for poets from all over the county and beyond to get together, read and listen to some amazing poetry.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, October 13, 1pm to 9.40pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Shake the High Road

Featuring a host of amazing live acts and DJs across a real mix of musical genres, it’s set to be a very special day in E11.

Various locations in Leytonstone, Saturday, October 13, from 1pm. Details: 07904 525639 lunalounge.info

One Night of Rock

Pick up your air guitars as One Night of Rock come to town with 48 of the greatest rock hits ever written. You’ll be singing and head-banging the whole night through. Non-stop foot stomping and chorus-singing anthems from Guns ‘N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Queen, Dire Straits, Muse, Kiss and many more.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, October 14, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

The Aces

Four piece cover band playing number one hits from down the years.

The Coppermill Pub, 205 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HF, Saturday, October 13, 8.30pm. Details: 020 8520 3709 coppermillpub.co.uk

The Wider Earth

A new theatre in the Jerwood Gallery at the Natural History Museum has been unveiled for the award-winning drama The Wider Earth. The play, about the story of young Charles Darwin, is running for a limited season. Join the 22-year-old Darwin on HMS Beagle's daring voyage to the far side of the world, and discover the gripping story behind one of the most important discoveries in history. The Wider Earth features a cast of seven, remarkable puppetry, an original score and cinematic animations to bring to life uncharted landscapes in the theatrical event of 2018.

The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, Saturday, October 13, to Sunday, December 30. Details: nhm.ac.uk

Reckonings

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the current theatre, Sadler’s Wells commissions three works from a new generation of UK-based dance-makers. Julie Cunningham, whose work is concerned with gender identity, has recently launched their own company. Alesandra Seutin fuses urban dance languages with African styles to explore contemporary issues. While Botis Seva, from collective Far From the Norm, uses foundations of hip hop to create his own physical dance language.

Sadlers Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN, Thursday, October 11, to Saturday, October 13. Details: sadlerswells.com

Black Panther (12A)

T’Challa, the new ruler of the advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must defend his land from being torn apart by enemies from outside and inside the country.

Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, South Woodford, E18 2RB, Sunday, October 14, 7pm. Details: 020 8708 8800 redbridgedramacentre.co.uk

First Man (12A)

Following his service in Korea and now being established as a civilian test pilot, Neil Armstrong leads a fairly normal family life. Living with his wife and child, Armstrong’s illustrious career as a test pilot may be about to lead him in a direction that’s a lot less ordinary. Joining NASA as part of the programme aiming to land on the moon before the Russians, Armstrong is tasked with a difficult and potentially deadly role. Stars Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy.

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS, until Thursday, October 18, various times. Details: barbican.org.uk

Hall of Mirroring

How do we present ourselves as individuals and in groups? How does this change when we’re looking at ourselves and others? Artist Harold Offeh invites families to create repetitive poses and positions which will be mirrored and distorted in the reflective surfaces around the room. Over the course of the weekend, families can explore different modes of display and create a GIF to capture their experiments.

Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA, Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14, 1pm to 5pm. Details: serpentinegalleries.org

Paupers, Priests & Progressives: A Personal History of the Salvation Army

News from Nowhere Club invites you to their next meeting. Founded in 1996, the club challenges the commercialisation and isolation of modern life. Josh Selfe, Captain of the Leytonstone Salvation Army, reflects on 150 years of his family’s links with the movement. From Auxiliary-Captain John Strong, ‘The Cornish Devil Driver’, one of the Army’s first officers in the 1870s, to the alcoholic coal miners and tanners of the Selfe family raised from poverty by the charity’s work in Bristol’s slums. The talk will finish by contemplating how the principles and aims of the Salvation Army should manifest themselves in the 21st century.

The Epicentre, West Street, E11 4LJ, Saturday, October 13, 7.30pm. Details: 0208 555 5248

The Knitting and Stitching Show

The Knitting and Stitching Show is the largest craft and textiles event in the UK. Each year the show welcomes throngs of sewing, dressmaking, knitting, crochet and textile devotees. The show offers over 400 craft companies, hundreds of workshops and demonstrations, daily fashion shows, and more than 20 galleries showcasing the work of leading textile artists and groups from all over the world.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, Thursday, October 11, to Sunday, October 14, from 10am. Details: 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com

Bikes and Bakes

Grab your mates and head to Lee Valley VeloPark for a morning of cycling, coffee and cake. Cycling is a great way to stay healthy and spend time with friends which is why the London 2012 Legacy venue has launched a series of Bikes and Bakes events to encourage more people to cycle together and reap the benefits. During the event, which aims to encourage groups of friends to cycle for fun and fitness, riders will take on the loops and bends of the venue’s one-mile traffic-free road circuit before sitting down to enjoy some well-deserved coffee and cake.

Lee Valley VeloPark, Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 3AB, Saturday, October 13, 10am to 12pm. Details: visitleevalley.org.uk

Somnex Show

With your entry ticket get free access to expert advice, innovative new products, specialist exhibitors, multiple interactive workshops and immersive classes as well as the Spa & Beauty Bar - all designed to help you understand how to improve your sleep and give you and your family a fun day out.

The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QR, Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14, 10am to 6pm. Details: somnexshow.com

Adventure Uncovered

Adventure Uncovered Live returns to London, uniting the adventure community for an inspirational day of film, photography and new refreshing discussions on social and environmental impact. The event welcomes a diverse range of speakers, including activists, filmmakers, artists, industry professionals and adventurers, to share their unique experiences of social and sustainable action. A global struggle is taking place right now of enormous consequence, and nothing less than the future of our planet is at stake. Connect and build relationships with like-minded individuals, in order to accelerate the understanding and uptake of sustainable approaches to adventure and the great outdoors.

The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1GB, Saturday, October 13. Details: adventureuncoveredlive.com

Nowhere Nights

Nowhere Nights is back for the winter, bringing live jazz and spoken word to Tap & Bottle. Climb the stairs to the wine bar and emerge into a celebration of all things bohemian. Performers confirmed for the night so far are: Henry Knudsen (sax) and Everton Bahadur Young (acoustic guitar), Amani Saeed providing poetical prowess, and Hello, Central (guitar/keys/bass/vocals). Edmund Davie, typewriter poet known from the Southbank, will also be on hand to craft you a personal poem on whatever topic you like.

Tap & Bottle, Flat Iron Square, 64 Union Street, SE1 1SG, Saturday, October 13, 7pm. Details: eventbrite.co.uk