What's on in East London this weekend, 15th and 16th June, 2019

Romeo and Juliet

Since its 1965 premiere with The Royal Ballet. Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet has become a modern ballet classic. The choreography captures the emotions of the young couple as they fall in love, despite the barriers that finally bring about the story's tragic end. The whole company brings the colour and action of Renaissance Verona, where a busy market all too quickly bursts into sword fighting, and a family feud leads to tragedy for both the Montagues and Capulets.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Sunday, June 16, 2pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Happy Feet

Join in celebrating the 50th consecutive show of F L Toppers’ longest-serving member. With the usual mix of sizzling dancing, dazzling costumes and great tunes, expect to be entertained, charmed, amused and learn why 50 shows later, she is still treading the boards.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, various times. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Paul Chowdhry

Comedy powerhouse and star of Taskmaster and Live at The Apollo, Paul Chowdhry brings his hit show ‘Live innit’ to the Hackney Empire. Voted one of 2018’s top 10 shows at Wembley Arena, Paul Chowdhry will perform two special shows, packed with lots of new material, to be recorded for his forthcoming special.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ, Saturday, June 15, 5pm and 9pm. Details: 02089 852424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Angela Barnes

After a career in health and social care, Angela Barnes took the plunge and embarked on her life-long dream to be a comedian. Within a couple of years she had won the 2011 BBC New Comedy Award and became a finalist at the 2011 Latitude Festival New Act of the Year competition. Angela has gone on to star in Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo, as well as being a regular on BBC Radio 4.

The Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 8LJ, Sunday, June 23, 1.30pm. Details: 020 8743 5050 bushtheatre.co.uk

Swarm

Bees are in serious decline in the UK and across the world. Other pollinators such as hoverflies, moths and butterflies are also in trouble. The biggest single threat to pollinating insects is intensive farming. Meanwhile, home and garden stores sell a wide range of pesticides for use by amateur gardeners that are toxic to bees. In Swarm, artists Anna Alcock, Hannah Ford, Miyuki Kasahara, Alke Schmidt and Sandie Sutton respond to this crisis with new work that draws on the latest research into the causes of the alarming decline of pollinators. Featuring painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture and installation, the exhibition is both a call to arms and a celebration of these wondrous and hard-working insects that are so vital to our food security. With Swarm, the artists share with us their enthusiasm for our pollinating insects and aim to inspire us to protect them.

Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, Friday, June 14, to Sunday, January 26. Details: 079045 46294 e17designers.co.uk

Kombucha Brewing

Come learn the wonders of kombucha brewing. Get a better understanding of lacto fermented beverages such as kvass, tepache and kombucha. The focus is on kombucha which is an all-natural, raw fermented tea. It’s a delicious dose of goodness for your gut, low in sugar and packed full of beneficial acids, lactic bacteria, enzymes and antioxidants. Discuss everything you need to know about fermenting and brewing your own kombucha at home. During the workshop you will get to try several different flavours of kombucha as well as taste some fermented vegetables and live kefir. You will learn how to create your own kombucha flavours, how to create the lovely natural fizz, how to care for your scoby, maintain it and grow it so you may produce kombucha endlessly. You will leave with recipes and the knowledge to experiment further at home.

Today Bread, 6-10 Central Parade, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 4RT, Sunday, June 16, 5pm. Details: cultcure.org

Streatlife

Streatlife is Alexandra Palace’s legendary free street food and craft beer festival. The festival features over 30 of London’s top street food vendors, craft beer bars, cocktails, Pimms and all sorts of tasty treats. Saturdays will feature epic DJ sets and live music acts and Sundays will have a more relaxed vibe, with sets curated by radio stations.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16. Details: 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com

Waterloo Weekend

Commemorate the Battle of Waterloo anniversary weekend and re-live the drama and grandeur of the Napoleonic War. Featuring the 95th Rifles, who will be presenting life in one of Wellington's Regiments with live re-enactment both inside and outside Apsley House, and see a Georgian surgeon demonstrate his trade, or listen to a talk on Regency etiquette, all in the splendours of the Duke of Wellington's London home.

Apsley House, 149 Piccadilly, W1J 7NT, Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, 11am to 4pm. Details: english-heritage.org.uk

Pride Street Party

Gather in the Yard to celebrate with London’s LGBTQ creative community for the perfect afternoon of pre-pride preparations. Sharpen your vogueing skills, craft a fierce look and hit the shops. The street party is free and open to all.

Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ, Saturday, June 15, 2pm to 8pm. Details: coaldropsyard.com

Behind the Scenes Tour

A tour behind the scenes at Southbank Centre giving fascinating insights into the history of the site and the people who have shaped it. Follow in the footsteps of world-famous orchestras and artists on a tour that gives you exclusive access to areas usually reserved for performers and staff, and hear the inside story from trained tour guides.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, Saturday, June 15, 6pm. Details: 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk