Events for Adults
 Tuesday 11 February, 7pm
Carnegie Library, SE24 0DG
Bookings via Eventbrite
Queer as Folklore: The Hidden Queer History of Myths and Monsters is an exhilarating journey across centuries and continents which reveals the unsung heroes and villains of storytelling, magic and fantasy. Featuring images from archives, galleries and museums around the world, each chapter investigates the queer history of different mythic and folkloric characters, both old and new. Event organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library
 Friday 14 February, 6.30pm
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
Booking via Eventbrite
Join us for a great Sing-along showing of the film Rent (12A/12:135 mins). In New York City's gritty East Village, a group of bohemians strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.
 Friday 14 February, 7pm
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
For LGBTQ+ History Month Brixton’s Radical Reading Group are reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.
David, a young American in 1950s Paris, is waiting for his fiancée to return from vacation in Spain. But when he meets Giovanni, a handsome Italian barman, the two men are drawn into an intense affair - a decision that will bring tragedy. Join us to discuss Baldwin’s exploration of queer desire.
All welcome, feel free to bring drinks and snacks. For a copy of the book please contact the library on 020 7926 1056.
 Sunday 16 February, 1pm
Meet: Steps of Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking essential: Contact clare@lambethlinks.org.uk
Revealing Brixton’s hidden LGBTQ+ places, walking in the footsteps of local LGBTQ+ heroes, artists, activists and clubbers. A brief introduction to our stories and histories. Led by qualified Lambeth Tour Guides: Adrian Gibson and Clare Truscott. This circular walk lasts approx. 90mins Free! but numbers are limited so booking essential.
 Monday 17 February, 7pm
Durning Library, SE11 4HF
Booking via Eventbrite
Tom Shakespeare is a local Kennington resident and churchwarden as well as a sociologist who has written extensively about many aspects of disability. He will talk about 'Doomed to be metaphors? Disabled characters in fiction'.
For refreshments a £3 donation is requested. Event organised by the Friends of Durning Library.
 Tuesday 18 February, 6.30pm
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
Join Anam Zafar and Sophie Lewis, the translators of Fearless and Free, the iconic Josephine Baker in her own words, now published for the first time in English. Anam and Sophie will discuss her life, her loves (which included Frida Kahlo and Colette along with her four husbands) and the process of translating the voice an icon of civil rights.
 Saturday, 22 February, 12pm to 4.30pm
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
An afternoon of fanzines, small press, books, art and more in the library celebrating LGBTQ+ zinesters, writers and artists. Stallholders include: Dominique Duong, Cool Schmool, Round table books, Rachael House, Vampire Hag, Jasmine Kahlia, The Mollusc Dimension, Snowflake, Gears for queers and Books Peckham. There will be a communal zine table too so if you make your own zine bring it along to sell or swap.
Some stall spaces still available too, contact Colette at the library: CTownend2@lambeth.gov.uk
 Image: Wikimedia Commons: Wikipedia rainbow logo by ImStevan. CC-BY-SA3.0
Monday 24 February, 6pm to 9pm Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
Join us at the library to help add LGBTQ+ lives and history to the world’s largest online encyclopaedia. Learn how to make a quick easy edit, contribute LGBTQ+ history from books and materials, learn about articles, images and other media and help us to rebalance information and build representation! Editing training, all welcome.
 Tuesday 25 February, 6.30pm
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
From the critically acclaimed author of One Small Voice, we are joined by Santanu Bhattacharya to discuss their new book, Deviants, a bold, electrifying story of a family in which three generations of gay men in India fight for love and dignity against the currents of their times.
 Thursday 27 February, 6.30pm
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
Booking via Eventbrite
Come and enjoy an evening of readings with the writers and editors of the anthology, Flash Dances: 100 Little Queer Tales.
Gay Authors' Workshop and Homo Promos Theatre Company began workshops for young and fledgling LGBT+ writers in spring 2024. They focused on flash fiction - very short form stories - because that seemed the most approachable form. The writer’s range in age from 18 to 90. The variety of interests shown - fantasy, historical, comic, familial - goes way beyond any conventional definition of LGBT+ themes. Truly we are everywhere - and interested in everything! Copies of Flash Dances will be available to purchase on the night.
 Friday 28 February, 7pm
ONLINE: Booking via Eventbrite
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty follows Feyi Adekola, a Nigerian American visual artist, as she heals from the trauma of widowhood and finds new love. Join the group to discuss online.
Exhibitions
 Showing from Tuesday 4 February
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
A group show celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month, featuring a vibrant and diverse lineup of artists from Lambeth and beyond. The show strives to explore themes of gender, sexuality, and society’s expectations from the very moment we learn to hold our first toys and play. It challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity, delving into how toys have been used to enforce gender roles and expectations. Curated by Xavier White (b. 1993).
Exhibition Launch, Panel Discussion and Private View
Tuesday 4 February, 6pm
Booking via OutSavvy
Panel: ‘We still need to actively create spaces for queer art - why?’ Marty Davies (she/her), Founder of Trans History Week, writer, and freelance cultural strategist, Joseph Galliano (he/him), Founder of Queer Britain and former Editor of Gay Times.
Further information: @rockxaviergb
 Showing until Thursday 27 February
Durning Library, SE11 4HF
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
A group show with three painters: Alice Delhanty, Harry Kincade and Toby Ursell.
 Credit SMP Archive 2008
Showing until 21 February
Lambeth Archives, SW2 1ET
Exhibition available during Archive opening hours
Boots On The Ground is an exhibition of archival photographs depicting the first 2O years of the St Matthews Project (SMP) curated by Brixton based artist Ellie Laycock. SMP is a grassroots football outreach project that started as a Brockwell Park 'kick about' in 2OO4 for kids from the St Matthews Estate, which sits opposite the new Lambeth Archives.
Will you recognise anyone in the photographs? Audiences are invited to participate and record their memories as part of this interactive exhibition, and celebration of an incredible local grassroots organisation.
 Showing until March
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
Clapham Library is proud to present selections from a five-year project by London-based artist Ben Chisnall, observing the lives of his fellow city dwellers, the ordinary and not-so-ordinary, all doing that most mundane and levelling of all London activities: taking the Tube. All works are painted in oil on hand-prepared wood panel. Paintings are offered for sale as listed and are sold framed.
Further information:
benchisnall@hotmail.com
Instagram: @Londoners.Underground |
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Events for Children and Young People and Families
 Half-term starts on 15 February and all our libraries will have great activities for children. Half-term activities for children include under 5 sessions and celebrations of the Luna New Year - the Year of the Snake - join your local library for fun craft activities.
 Will it be rainbow coloured or feature a slogan? Design your own badge or use some of our templates to wear with pride!
Tuesday 18 February, 2.30 to 4pm. Upper Norwood Library
Wednesday 19 February 2.30 to 4pm. Minet Library
Thursday 20 February 2.30 to 4pm. Carnegie Library
Suitable for all ages!
 Fridays: 28 February to 28 March (5 weeks), 10am to 12pm
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
Do you have a child under 5? Are you feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis? Would you like to connect with other parents in a supportive environment? If so, sign up for Munch Brunch, Story & Rhyme Time today!
You will receive: A free brunch, Free Story & Rhyme Time, Free low-cost, no-cost activity ideas and Free books.
To book a place please contact: Angela Russell on 07508 074921. Email: unitymatterscic@gmail.com
 Fridays through to April
West Norwood Library, SE27 9JX
Booking via Website
Join us for these new exiting opportunities for 11 to 15 year-olds. Starting on Fridays in January through to April, The Dream BiG Performing Arts bring two programmes where young people can express themselves through either music or drama whilst coming together to have fun and develop key personal and social skills. Both projects will integrate to produce a short film around the important subject of Joint Enterprise/Guilty by Association to educate our youth about the law. Through this exciting project, all participants will develop important transferable life, personal and social skills, team and leadership skills together with self-confidence/worth, resilience and a change mindset to positive outlooks; and networking opportunities to professional sources and inspirational role models to help open doors!
Dream BiG Music Creation Workshop, Fridays, 5.15pm to 6.30pm
Dream BiG Urban Films Club, Fridays, 6.45pm to 8pm
Please register for one of these exciting projects by completing this registration form. If you have any enquiries, please contact us either by telephone on 0208 676 3480 or email info@bigcic.org
 Saturday 1 February to Sunday 9 February.
National Storytelling Week is a fantastic annual celebration of the power of sharing stories. Stories teach us about the world; they allow us to step into someone else’s shoes and feel empathy; they help us to relax and escape and they can help develop essential literacy skills.
The theme for National Storytelling Week 2025 is ‘Reimagine your world’. Whether it’s something unexpected on your way to school, odd sounds you hear at night, or a path you’ve never followed, the world around us is full of secret lives, places and possibilities. The most extraordinary story can come from the most ordinary place: it just needs someone to find it.
For schools there are downloadable resources and online storytelling workshops. Find out details how you or your school can get involved at National Storytelling Week 2025.
 Tuesdays, 4pm. Brixton Library
Wednesdays, 4pm. West Norwood Library
Third Monday of each month, 4pm. Minet Library
Last Monday of each month, 4pm.
Carnegie Library
Calling all book-loving youngsters aged 7 to 11: come and chatter, get involved in fun and creative activities and choose new books to read.
Other Library Activities
 Do you or does someone you know need help with getting an e-visa which has now replaced the old immigration documents (biometric residence permits), biometric residence cards (BRC), endorsements in passports, such as stamps, and stickers in passports, such as entry clearance? You can book a session with one of our librarians or if you need more help come to one of the drop in sessions that will be running at South Lambeth Library in January. For more information on sessions email libraries@lambeth.gov.uk
 Thursday 6 February, 2pm
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite
Bring Your Baby for a fun baby friendly Zine and craft Club. New parent? Come along to make a zine and do crafts and collaging with your baby. Older children are welcome too! For more information email Colette: ctownend2@lambeth.gov.uk
 Join us and Centre 70 for our Men's Wellbeing workshops, hosted by Beyond Equality as part of our Men's Community Hub in London. A space to discuss your mental wellbeing and pick up tools to support yourself and others.
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Wednesday Workshops 2pm to 4pm:
Wednesday 12 February: Men and Mental Wellbeing
Wednesday 19 February: Masculinities and Seeking Support
Wednesday 26 February: Building Supportive Communities
Certificate will be provided at the end of the workshop. To book and for more information contact Wellbeing@centre70.org.uk
 Monday 17 February to Saturday 22 February (during library opening hours)
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
Bring clothing items you don't want, to swap for those you do, or just take something away! Clothes for babies, children, teens and men especially needed.
 Every Wednesday
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
Booking via Eventbrite
Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit or crochet? Perhaps you've got the basics down but are looking to improve? Or maybe you just want to knit with some company. Why not join us on Wednesday mornings. Yarn, knitting and crochet needles provided but do bring your own if you have them! All levels welcome.
From our Friends
 The Brixton Immortals Domino Club (BIDC) is inviting schools across Lambeth to take part in our 2025 Inter-School Domino Introduction Project. Our team will teach pupils the skills and strategies of domino playing and organise an exciting summer tournament, hosted by the Lambeth Mayor in Summer 2025.
Don’t miss this chance to bring fun, strategy, critical thinking and teamwork to your school.
For more information, contact: Clifton Oddman,Planning & Events Coordinator
Tel: 07956 338 419
Email: Brixtonimmortals@yahoo.com
 Tuesday 4 February to Sunday 9 February.
Welcome to the Stepping Into Stories Kids' Lit Fest 2025!
An outstanding children's literary festival, right at the heart of South London. Join the Festival in Herne Hill and online for the sixth festival of children’s poetry, performance and storytelling. Meet leading lights from the world of children’s literature and publishing to share, create and celebrate stories in all their wonderful forms. Confirmed names for 2025 include:
Joseph Coelho, Robin Stevens, Sam Sedgman, Matt Goodfellow, Gabby Dawnay, Alex Falase-Koya and many, many more…
There are also a Free 'Getting Published' workshop and events for Schools.
 Lambeth Read Easy are helping adult to learn to read and have a long list of referrals from people who struggle. They urgently need volunteers to join the team to help meet the needs of readers who just need some assistance. Just 2 or 3 hours a week would make a huge impact on the service they deliver.
'Coordinators' match readers with coaches and support each pair on their journey. Flexible, enjoyable and immensely rewarding, this is a rare chance to make a big difference with a little of your time. Would you like that opportunity? Drop Cormac lambethleader@readeasy.org.uk a line for a ‘no-commitment’ chat, he'd be so happy to hear from you!
 AgeUK Lambeth have FREE advice and services that can help with energy bills.
The service supports anyone struggling with energy poverty in Lambeth by providing you with specialised energy advice from one of their Energy Advisors, to overcome difficulties experienced in paying for gas and energy bills (excludes water and other utilities). Support includes: - Contacting energy providers - Exploring cheaper providers - Offering practical advice about reducing cost. Telephone 020 3909 8949 for more information or visit their website. |
