What's on this weekend, 9th and 10th February, 2019

100 Years of Jazz Piano

Pianist James Pearson, with Sam Burgess on bass and Chris Higginbottom on drums, present a history of jazz piano, featuring Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans and many more.

Loughton Methodist Church, 260 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1RB, Saturday, February 9, 2.30pm. Details: 020 8502 4701 nationaljazzarchive.org.uk

Thank ABBA for the Music

Grab your platforms and flares for a journey back in time to when ABBA dominated the charts and ruled the airwaves. This two-hour theatre spectacular captures all of the magic and excitement of one of pop history's most successful and entertaining live bands. Featuring all of ABBA's greatest hits, including Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Fernando, Super Trouper and many more. With stunning costumes, a 7-piece live band, interactive video projection, some tongue-in-cheek Swedish humour, and ABBA’s spectacular trademark harmonies, this is the ultimate feel-good party show.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, February 9, 7.45pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

The Counterfeit Stones

Why pay a fortune to see ants in a stadium when you can experience the faking brilliance of The Counterfeit Stones? Packed with big hits, retro fashion, vintage guitars and a huge dollop of Spinal Tap humour.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, February 10, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Skylark Trio

Fusing the raw dynamism of gypsy music with the complexity and composure of contemporary jazz, the Skylark Trio bridge the gap between the American and European jazz traditions. They take inspiration from the music of Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt, but mostly play arrangements of bebop and straight ahead tunes as well as new compositions and the occasional gypsy jazz standard to elevate the mood.

Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG, Sunday, February 10, 8pm. Details: 07904 525639 lunalounge.info

Music from the Movies

Revisit the glitz and glamour of awards season with a magnificent selection of Oscar-winning scores from the last eight decades of fantastic film-making, including Star Wars, Chariots of Fire, Lord of the Rings, and much more.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8XX, Saturday, February 9, 7.30pm. Details: 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk

DNA

A group of teenagers do something bad, really bad, panic and cover things up. But when they find their misfiring practical joke uniting them, what’s the point of putting things right? DNA is a modern day black comedy with a dark heart. It was first performed at the National Theatre in 2007. Written by Dennis Kelly, this explosive tale of a group of misfits at the edge of society is directed by Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and performed by The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama undergraduates.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Thursday, February 7, to Thursday, February 14, various times. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Variety Show

The Mayor of Havering Cllr Dilip Patel is honoured to present a special charity variety show. Join him and his wife and consort Cllr Nisha Patel for a great evening of entertainment and variety, featuring energetic performances from a range of local groups and acts, including Romford Drum and Trumpet Corp, the Studio Romford Ballet, Newton Primary School ballroom dancing, and much more.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, February 10, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Anthropocene

In the frozen Arctic wastelands, an expeditionary team of scientists becomes trapped. Tensions rise and relationships crumble; and then something appears, out of the ice. This fourth collaboration between composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh, promises a night of unrelenting dramatic tension and superb storytelling.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ, Saturday, February 9, 7.30pm. Details: 02089 852424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Anton and Erin

Join the nation’s favourite ballroom couple in their new show-stopping dance production. The world of ballroom meets musical theatre with stunning costumes and breath-taking choreography, set to iconic theatrical favourites including The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, 42nd Street, Wicked, Top Hat, and many more. With an all-singing, all-dancing supporting cast live on stage, the show also features the sensational London Concert Orchestra.

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS, Saturday, February 9, and Thursday, February 14. Details: barbican.org.uk

Chelmsford Dance Centre

The Chelmsford Dance Centre is back again for its wonderful spectacular, giving the school's pupils a fantastic opportunity to showcase their dancing talent. There will be a variety of dance styles including ballroom, Latin and hip hop, plus a few surprises. The performers range from 18 months old right through to seasoned professionals.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Sunday, February 10, 2pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Walthamstow Walk

There’s so much more to Walthamstow than just its famous mile-long Market. Discover the home of Sweeney Todd author Edward Lloyd, hear tales of the famous musicians who have played in the borough, discover a theatre hidden within a school, and visit the original Walthamstow Village.

William Morris Gallery, 531 Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4PP, Sunday, February 10, 2pm. Details: 020 8496 4390 wmgallery.org.uk

The Secret Pet Cemetery

This is a special opportunity to visit the Victorian Pet Cemetery in Hyde Park, which is rarely open to the public. The cemetery dates back to the 1880s and contains the remains of around 1,000 animals, many in graves marked by tiny headstones. This quiet corner of Hyde Park is a touching reminder of the special relationship that can exist between animals and humans. The walk takes in Tyburn - where thousands of people were executed over the centuries - plus Speakers' Corner, Reformer’s Tree and other gloomy stories that bring to life Hyde Park's dark heritage.

Hyde Park, London, Saturday, February 9, 10.30am. Details: royalparks.org.uk