Tower Hamlets has a vibrant arts scene, and a host of family and community activities. We hope you find something to enjoy.
For more events taking place in Tower Hamlets this month, visit our What’s on Guide for arts and entertainment listings.
 A Season of Bangla Drama returns 4 – 27 November. Plays and performances to entertain, provoke and draw you out as the autumn draws in.
This month long festival uses the powerful medium of theatre to celebrate Bangladeshi heritage in a creative and accessible way. Browse our jam-packed programme of Bengali theatre, art, dance, music and more! Tickets range from FREE to £15.
This year’s theme is ‘freedom of speech’ and self-identity’. Productions look back though history with topics including the Bengal famine of 1943-44; one man’s journey in the context of the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh; and the story of migration in the 70s and 80s. The 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Language Movement is addressed in two plays.
On a lighter note, there is exuberant dance-theatre celebrating nature’s glory, the crossing of generational divides through Bengali folk music and reverence for a modern Bengali poet.
Performances take place at venues throughout Tower Hamlets. Download the full festival brochure
Supported by Arts Council England and Tower Hamlets Homes, A Season of Banga Drama is the biggest festival of Bangladeshi theatre outside of Bangladesh. It is organised by Tower Hamlets Council in partnership with Queen Mary University of London, Migrant Memories and the Post-Coilonial Imagination Project and Arts Without Borders.
 This year’s Season of Bangla Drama is accompanied by a fantastic fringe programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, walks and more. Highlights of the fringe programme include:
 Free tickets to Raindance Film Festival Black History Month Screenings for Tower Hamlets residents
2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Raindance Film Festival, the UK’s leading indie film festival, and this year’s edition will be a celebration of 30 years of independent film in the UK. As part of Black History Month, Raindance Film Festival present films at Genesis Cinema with a limited number of FREE tickets available for Tower Hamlets residents on a first come, first serve basis.
Visit the Genesis' box office on the day to claim tickets.
Supported by Tower Hamlets Council.
Frantz Fanon: Black Skin White Mask + Q&A
 Part of the Curious About Colonialism project delivered by The New Black Film Collective, this free screening takes place at Idea Store Whitechapel on Tuesday 1 November. Reserve your place.
Starring celebrated British actor Colin Salmon (Arrow, Prime Suspect, Tomorrow Never Dies) as Fanon, and using reconstructions, archive footage and interviews with major theorists and writers, Frantz Fanon: Black Skin White Mask tells the story of the life and work of the highly influential anti-colonialist writer Frantz Fanon.
An intellectual and poetic exploration of Fanon's life, influence and legacy, from his early years in Martinique (then a colony of France) to his professional life as a psychiatric doctor and revolutionary in Algeria during the bloody war of independence with France.
 After three years away, Writeidea returns from 4 - 6 November at a new venue, Bethnal Green Library, in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
This year we have chosen to look more closely at the London we live in. From the fantasy of Ben Aaronovitch's London books, to uncovering history buried along the Thames with Tom Chivers' 'London Clay' and Malcolm Russell's 'Mudlark'd'. We also explore the music of The Clash, The Rolling Stones and more - as well as live music from folk singer, Rita Tam.
View the full Writeidea line up and book your free tickets!
For up to date information follow us on Twitter @Writeideafest
 Festival of Print is East London Printmakers’ annual exhibition and their sixth to be held at The Art Pavilion, Mile End Park. The exhibition is the highpoint of ELP’s creative year. It celebrates the exciting range of contemporary printmaking and wealth of skill and talent at ELP from established artists to emerging creatives. For the first time this year, the show also features work by recipients of ELP's new Studio Bursary Awards, introduced to extend inclusion and diversity.
At Festival of Print, visitors have the opportunity to see and acquire original prints by 95 participating artists. The prints showcase screenprint, etching and lino. The limited-edition 2022 ELP Box Set will also be launched.
Opening Night Thursday 24 of November, 6 – 9pm and the exhibition continues 25 November - 4 December, open daily 11am - 6pm.
 Artist SM Adad presents a large and vibrant selection of portraits of well-known performers from both the UK and Bangladesh. This exhibition at The Brady Arts Centre is a celebration, in paint, of the diverse genres that come within the performing arts umbrella and a fitting exhibition to accompany this year’s A Season of Bangla Drama.
On the opening night, 3 November, Asad will create a super-fast real-time painting with a burst of energy that launches and signifies both the art show and the festival of which it is a part. The exhibition is open from 2 – 27 November.
 Urban Makers return to The Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park, to host their annual festive makers’ market over two weekends, November 26 and 27 and December 10 and 11.
Fifty different designers each day will be selling everything from Christmas gifts and decorations, to homewares, jewellery, art, candles and accessories. All sustainable and ethical. Free entry.
There will also be a range of craft workshops including embroidery, punch needle and Christmas decorations. Opening times 11 – 5pm.
Urban Makers Feast will be back with a great selection of festive food and drink including delicious cakes, warming savoury food, artisan coffee, cocktails and more.
Do you want to help produce a film festival?
 Cutting East Film Festival is back and it’s a fantastic celebration of young people’s achievements in film. This multi-arts programme will empower young people by giving them a platform to showcase their work and ideas.
The Cutting East programming team is made up of talented young people, aged 16-21 from East London.
We are seeking to recruit our programme team! We are looking for young people with different skills including filmmaking, creative writing, public speaking, performing arts and music.
Workshops will take place in January and February 2023 with the festival taking place at the Genesis Cinema in February. Spaces are limited, but if you’d like to take advantage of this FREE opportunity, please register your interest at hello@mileendcommunityproject.org
Supported by Tower Hamlets Council
 Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives have partnered with the Women’s Environmental Network for two events on contemporary food in Tower Hamlets as part of their current exhibition programme.
Saturday 5 November | 11am-1pm | FREE | Book your free place
A participatory, in-person workshop exploring the ways in which food plays a part in the lives of Tower Hamlets residents in 2022. We’ll use food diaries, stories and photographs to discuss how we ‘feed the hamlets’ today, and to hear your own reflections, aspirations and food memories.
The workshop will include discussion sessions on food justice, food memories, contemporary food domestic productions and a free lunch!
Saturday 19 November | 10am-1.30pm | FREE | Book your free place!
You might know about the Battle of Cable Street but did you know that Cable Street Studios used to be the site of one of the largest confectionery and jam factories, Batgers and Co in the early 20th Century? Have you heard of the Somali-run café Rio Club that used to be on Ensign Street in the 1950s and 1960s? Come join us for a walk around Shadwell’s forgotten cafes, factories and soup kitchens and the lively Watney Market of today. We’ll explore the rich social, cultural and economic history of food and food production.
 As part of the People's History of Petticoat Lane project, artist Husna Parvin is running a FREE 12-week programme of Painting Workshops for adults at the Flower and Dean Community Centre. Local people from the Aldgate East area are invited to learn and develop creative skills, while connecting with their neighbours in a calm, safe and relaxing environment.
The People's History of Petticoat Lane is part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone project, organised by local people, and funded by Historic England with support from Toynbee Hall.
Bow Families: Drop in arts workshops
 Bow Families is a series of free, drop-in family art workshops that take place on the last Sunday of every month in the Bow Arts Courtyard. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for local families to get creative and try something new! Each session is led by a Bow Arts’ Artist and all materials are provided.
The next events are on Sunday 30 October and Sunday 27 November.
In the October session children and adults will be dreaming up and making fantastical creatures. In November you will be getting creative using a range of fun materials to build the unexpected and creating miniature models, worlds, shelters, refuges, or places of your dreams.
These events are in an inclusive, friendly environment which is accessible to all abilities and age groups.
 Film Africa, London’s biggest celebration of African and African diaspora cinema presented by the Royal African Society, returns for its 10th edition from 30 October to 6 November.
Rich Mix are excited to be a host venue for this year’s festival, with a packed programme of screenings, workshops and more!
Film Africa showcases 48 titles from 16 different African countries, including 22 UK, European and World premieres. Film Africa will also host screenings, Q&As, panel discussions, workshops, live music events and more across seven London venues as well as a selection of seven narrative and documentary films available on BFI Player.
 With the festive season fast approaching, the mayor is calling on talented young creatives to create colourful designs for the our annual corporate Christmas cards.
Primary school age artists are encouraged to be inventive and draw, paint or collage a card with a seasonal and borough theme. Designs should be submitted by email by 2pm on Tuesday, 8 November. Find out how to enter.
If you are organising arts or cultural events, either online or at your venue in Tower Hamlets, please submit listings to our What’s On pages.
Use #TowerHamletsTogether to highlight your event and enter wider conversations about activities and support available to the local community.
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