MUSIC, DANCE & COMEDY at Woolwich Works

Monthly Queer Jazz gigs plus loads of other music, comedy and dance are among the highlights of the Woolwich Works programme this summer.

Ace DJ Tina Edwards and singer-guitarist Jelly Cleaver are hosting the Queer Jazz events which feature some of the best young musicians around.

Singer-songwriter and artist Eliza Oakes is headlining this LGBTQIA+ celebration on 15 June. The support act is Faker Villain, a trio led by saxophonist Faye Thompson.

July’s gig – on the 13th – features the Caribbean vibe of bassist, singer and composer Isobella Burnham and will include an open-genre jam backed by Jelly and the queer-led house band.

The third Queer Jazz evening, on 17 August, promises a party atmosphere as genderqueer artist margamool and Texan singer, keyboardist and trombone player Akin Soul bring down the curtain on the series.

If you prefer your music more folksy, don’t miss Dan Haynes’ and Pete Richards’ (pictured) globally acclaimed Simon & Garfunkel tribute Through The Years on 8 July, a fittingly nostalgic follow-up to May’s fabulous gig by the Mersey Beatles.

But for a more contemporary feel, check out Woolwich Works’ perennially popular music series the Arsenal of Sounds. July’s gig on the 7th stars the brilliant London Lucumi Choir and Germa Adan, who showcase the spiritually rich culture of Cuba and Haiti.

Then on 4 August you can revel in a mashup of rhythms from Latin America, Africa, Britain and Ireland – plus an injection of electronica – with Imperio Bamba and Vientos.

And there’s still more brilliant music… Brass Rascals, one of London’s finest horn collectives, are having a blast on 17 June, while south London multi-instrumentalist and singer Quinn Oulton takes to the stage on 1 July with his mix of electronic indie and jazz.

Envelope-pushing dance company Protein, who call Woolwich Works home, will be staging There & Here on 24 July. This is an annual event that celebrates the amazing contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees, migrants and sanctuary-seekers.

For more light-hearted fare, comic Helen Bower presents a work in progress on 22 June, there is a new edition of the Arabs Are Not Funny strand on the 30th, improv troupe Absurdocles continue their strand on 6 July and 3 August, Bring Your Own Baby Comedy for grownups is on July 14 and standups Mickey Overman and Olga Koch present a work in progress on 20 July.

Full details of the venue’s complete schedule at https://www.woolwich.works/whats-on