As frequent readers are all too aware, we here at the Runoff love nothing more than anonymously sticking our noses where they don’t belong. And you too can take part in our passion/dysfunction by attending the great Pullens Yard Open Studios weekend happening this weekend (10-11 June) in Walworth.

The studios at Pullens Yards are usually not open to the public, but twice a year they fling their artistic portal open to give us a glimpse into their creative universe. The artists are more than happy to show you what and how they create, and of course you can buy what’s on show. And of course buying is by no means compulsory, as at the end the day these folks just want to show off how creative they are and it’s totally free. Have we mentioned how much we love free?

If you’re feeling spiritual, the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Renfew Road are having an open day on Saturday from 10 -4 and we’re all invited. The building that houses Jamyang is an old courthouse dating from 1869, in its latter days used as a maximum security court for special remands including IRA terrorists and the Kray twins. One of the activities on the day is a tour of the building. Other talks include discovering more about Buddhism and meditation, and something we find curiously alluring called a ‘Death Café’. The event is free but you need to register and it can be done here. 

If you’re feeling vocal, the folks at Be In Vauxhall are once again hosting ‘Bearpit Karaoke’ this weekend. The press release describes it as ‘attracting huge crowds each month of both professional and non professional singers’. We walked by it last month and at first didn’t know if was Karaoke or some kind of weird spiritual revival. But it looked fun, and this year Mother Kelly’s and Bokit’la (Oval Market) French Caribbean will be on board with stalls. 

Bear Pit Karaoke takes place this Saturday (10^th) from 3 to 7 and then on every second Saturday of the month over the summer. It’s located at that sketchy bit at the end of the Pleasure Gardens where you indeed might be accustomed to seeing people singing, but for once it won’t be men on their own bursting into song while gripping a bottle of ‘White Lightning’.