KCWC upcoming events

Latin Dance (08/04/2026)

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Join us for Latin Dance every Wednesday at 11:00. We meet in the spa at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington (just next to Kensington Gardens). Our teacher is Rafal Lautenbach who is a true professional, and we cover a range of Latin dances including Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Bachata, Samba. You don't need any prior dance experience as Rafal explains everything again when new people join us. This is not an exercise class, it is just pure dance fun.

The dates left in April are 8, 15, 22, 29 and you can buy single tickets for £22 or a 3-ticket package for £60. (However, the 3-pack must be used in the month of April).

You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in but make sure that your shoes slide on the floor - not trainers. If you decide to come on a regular basis I will let you know where you can buy dance practice shoes.

For any queries contact Event organiser Jenni Kravitz at latindance@kcwc.org.uk

Mahjong (13/04/2026)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:30:00 GMT

KCWC Mahjong Mornings welcome you to join us for 2 hours (10.30-12.30) every Monday at The Cooper's Arms, 87 Flood Street, SW3 5TB

Prompt arrival at 10.30 is critical, as is registration (by purchasing a ticket below), by noon the Sunday prior each week to ensure we have enough mahjong sets and players.

While new players will be given instructional materials, regular players will need to purchase a Mahjong Book (c.£30) to bring to each meeting.

Please ensure you book a ticket for each date you wish to attend.

For any queries please contact Activity Leader Nicola Harayda at mahjong@kcwc.org.uk

German Conversation (15/04/2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Come and practice your spoken and written German in a friendly and supportive environment.

Our meetings usually take place in one of the member’s home to discuss current affairs and read a topical text from a German magazine or newspaper.

So book your attendance to find out where the next meeting will take place.

Please contact Activity Leader Bianca Maclean if you have any queries at german@kcwc.org.uk

Italian Conversation (16/04/2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:30:00 GMT

Join a relaxed Italian conversation group for those who would like to practise the language in an informal setting. Each session is inspired by a short article, providing a starting point for lively discussions about Italy and its culture.

Meetings take place at a café in central London.

A basic knowledge of Italian will help participants follow the discussion more easily, and make the most of the experience.

Come and enjoy speaking Italian in good company!! ☕

Please register to indicate your intention to participate in this meeting. For any queries contact event organiser Anna Bianchi at italian@kcwc.org.uk

Evening Speaker - Tom Bradby (16/04/2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

A familiar face as one of the twin anchors of ITV's News at Ten as well as the journalist famous for his revelatory interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2023.

The anchor of ITV's News at Ten, Tom Bradby was named the Royal Television Society's Network Presenter of the Year in his first year in the role. A journalist with ITN for 30 years, Tom himself made headlines when hosting the explosive interview in 2023 with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He is also a much-published author and has now produced his tenth thriller, Red Scorpion.

Doors open at 7pm, talk begins at 7:30pm

For any queries, contact Activity Leader Ina Messer at eveningspeakers@kcwc.org.uk

Foodies - Cantonese Cooking Demo & Tasting (20/04/2026)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Fellow KCWC member Helen Nathan (chef and founder of Cook’d London ) in conjunction with Hong Kong cook, Ms Wing Li, will demonstrate a selection of dishes including steamed sea bass, Din Tai Fung Salad and matcha swiss roll.

As well as watching the cookery demo, guests will sample everything and take home copies of all recipes.

This event will take place at a member's home in SW18 (nearest tube East Putney/on street metered parking available). The exact address will be provided to registered participants nearer to the date.

Reserve your place by booking a ticket below. The organisers will then contact you with payment procedure. Cost is £55.00 per ticket.

Please inform the organisers of any food allergies, intolerances or other dietary restrictions well in advance to enable us to accommodate your needs by emailing foodies@kcwc.org.uk

French Conversation (21/04/2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:30:00 GMT

Welcome to the French Conversation Group! If you would like to maintain and improve your French, we will give you opportunities to practice this language amongst a pleasant group of international ladies.

Themes will be given in advance so you can prepare them at home before discussing with the group when we meet, every fortnight, at a member's home. A good level of French is required.

Meeting location details will be sent to registered participants before each meeting.

Please book a ticket below to indicate your intention to participate in this meeting. For any queries contact event organiser Genevieve Sentier at french@kcwc.org.uk

Bible Study (21/04/2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Come study the Bible with us!

We are currently planning our focus for Win/Spr. We try to understand the meaning in the scriptures and then apply it to our lives.

For any queries contact event organiser Bonnie Fletcher on biblestudy@kcwc.org.uk

Music Journeys - Leighton House: Guided Tour, Reception and Concert (21/04/2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:15:00 GMT

Leighton House, the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896), is a unique and unforgettable setting for music. From its first construction in the 1860s up until shortly before his death, his studio-house and garden was Leighton's constant preoccupation and delight, as he extended and decorated the building, and filled the rooms with an extraordinary collection of paintings, ceramics, textiles, furnishings and other objects. Leighton House recently underwent a transformative capital project and reopened in October 2022 with improved visitor facilities, step-free access to all public parts of the building, a new purpose-built gallery, new contemporary commissions and recovered original architecture lost in later additions following Leighton's death.

After the tour, we will be seated to enjoy an evening of solo piano music from Spain and France, with music of Manuel de Falla and Erik Satie.

Event Schedule:

6:15 - Reception with a glass of wine

6:30 - Pre-concert Guided tour.

7:30 - Concert begins!

8:20 - Interval with drinks and little nibbles

8:40 - Concert resumes

9:30 - End of Evening

For queries, please email the event organiser Maria Puleio at music1@kcwc.org.uk

Additional performance information: Simone Alessandro Tavoni is an acclaimed Italian pianist who has performed internationally at prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and Palau de la Música Catalana. A Parklane Group Artist and Keyboard Charitable Trust Artist, he received a full scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival, studying with Fabio Bidini. He holds degrees from the Royal College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Liszt Academy, and Hochschule für Musik Stuttgart. Simone was selected for the BBC Pathway Scheme and is supported by HSH Dr. Donatus Prince of Hohenzollern. His programme commemorates two composers with vividly contrasting styles, born 150 and 160 years ago respectively: the Spanish Manuel de Falla and the French Erik Satie. To conclude, we hear Chopin's monumental Third Sonata . . . an unmissable evening.

Backgammon at the RAC (22/04/2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An opportunity to play some backgammon and improve your game!

For any queries, contact the event organizer, Brenda Rosen, at backgammon@kcwc.org.uk

Evening Book Group - The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemiri (22/04/2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join us as we discuss The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemiri.

MEET THE MIKKOLA SISTERS: INA, EVELYN, AND ANASTASIA. Ina is tall, serious, a compulsive organizer. Evelyn is dreamy, magnetic, a smooth talker. And Anastasia is moody, chaotic, quick to anger.

Following them from afar is Jonas. Like the sisters, he's Swedish Tunisian, raised in Stockholm but yearning for so much more. His life intersects with theirs across decades and continents, from Tunis to Berlin and New York. And when Evelyn goes missing, it's Jonas who tracks her down - and helps break the curse that has loomed over the Mikkolas for years.

We will meet at a member's home - exact location to be confirmed nearer to the date.

For any queries, contact the organizer on eveningbookgroup@kcwc.org.uk

Evening Events - Earth Day Jewellery Workshop (22/04/2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join us for a relaxed and creative evening where you'll design and handcraft your own beautiful brass pendant!

Guided step-by-step, you'll choose your stone and learn how to wrap with brass using traditional techniques. You will finish with a wax thread, but brass chains are available at an additional cost on the evening.

Stone Options

You will choose from one of the following:

Amazonite - Known as the stone of courage and truth, believed to encourage balance, calm communication and confidence.

Amethyst - A soothing and protective stone, associated with clarity of mind, stress relief and inner peace.

Clear Quartz - Often called the master healer, thought to amplify energy, intention and positivity.

For any queries please contact Activity Leader Sarah-Jane Luckhurst at eveningevents@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (24/04/2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:30:00 GMT

The twentieth century offers some of most fascinating and wide-ranging classical music, taking in the perky Neoclassical styles of Paris, the hazy minimalist sounds of New York, the forbidding complexity of the Darmstadt School, and everything in between. While a lot of this music is immediately likeable, some of it may sound unappealing or even nonsensical at first hearing. Either way, understanding it often requires some delving into the deep histories and ideas behind it.

This course offers a comprehensive guide to twentieth-century classical music for the complete beginner, covering many of the major themes of the century in (very) broadly chronological order. You will get to hear some of the iconic, must-hear pieces, but we will also explore some of the less well-known voices as well, making a truly diverse experience. In the process you will discover how all of this music interacts with its historical context and cultural ideas which shaped it, all of which gives the sound its meaning.

The 10-week course (weekly, no class on 1 May) is suitable for people with or without previous knowledge of classical music, though it makes a particularly good next step for those who have already taken the Discovering Classical Music course.

All classes will be supported by a PowerPoint presentation and plenty of audio and video examples of the music, and there will opportunities for discussion around the material too, with all opinions welcome.

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

St. George's Day Cheese Tasting (in the comfort of your Home) (24/04/2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Celebrate St George's Day with a tasting dedicated to the best of English cheesemaking! Join us on Friday 24th April at 7pm for our Virtual Cheese Tasting with the artisan cheeses and crackers from Paxton & Whitfield's delivered to your door for the perfect night in!

You'll taste four outstanding English cheeses and P&W's signature crackers -- from traditional territorials to innovative new creations that showcase the diversity of England's homegrown cheesemakers. Guided by James Rutter, Paxton & Whitfield's Managing Director, the relaxed and informative tasting is the perfect way to honour England's proud cheesemaking heritage while discovering a few modern favorites along the way.

Paxton & Whitfield is one of the oldest cheese mongers of London dating back to 1742, a Royal Warrant Owner since 1850.

Cost is £45 per ticket including delivery of cheeses and crackers to your door. Please book a "ticket" here to indicate your interest, and the Activity Leader will contact you with payment instructions.

For any queries, contact Activity Leader Nur Civelek at culinaryexplorations@kcwc.org.uk

Bridge (28/04/2026)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Bridge is played in a friendly and informal atmosphere at the National Liberal Club or Riverstone or a member's home in Kensington using English ACOL and US 5 card major bidding systems.

Please register for your free ticket by clicking on the link below.

Please contact event organiser Katy Cooke for any queries at bridge@kcwc.org.uk

Evening Events - Quiz Night (28/04/2026)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join us for a pub quiz at the Crabtree – It’s £2 per person quiz entry fee paid directly to the quiz master on the evening.

The quiz gives you the chance to win a £50 bar tab for first place, to a bottle of wine for second-to-last place. The quiz normally starts at 8pm, but we’re planning to meet from 7pm so we can grab a table and form a team or two.

Partners are very welcome, so feel free to bring them along and test your general knowledge!

Please note: This is an established pub quiz, and we’re looking to form teams on the evening with KCWC members as well as partners and friends.

For any queries, please contact Activity Leader Sarah-Jane Luckhurst at eveningevents@kcwc.org.uk

Art History - Visit to V&A East Storehouse (29/04/2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Please join us on a visit to the newest area of the V&A.

What is V&A East Storehouse?

V&A East Storehouse is your access to all areas of the V&A Collection.

Spanning four levels, and bigger than 30 basketball courts, V&A East Storehouse is a new purpose-built public space. Taking over a section of the former London 2012 Olympics Media Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park the warehouse-type space is designed to give unprecedented access to the V&A.

As well as providing a purpose-built home for over 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 1,000 archives from the V&A's collections, Storehouse is a new kind of museum experience.

It gives you a chance to see behind the scenes of a working museum, explore why and how objects get collected by museums, find out how they are cared for, and uncover the stories they tell about us and our world.

This will be a self guided visit and will give us the opportunity to explore together the newest and most exciting art space in London!

Note: Nearest stations to the museum . . .

Hackney Wick Overground (10 mins walk)

Stratford International (20 mins walk)

There is no parking near to the museum!

For any queries, please contact event organiser Susan Alloun at arthistory1@kcwc.org.uk

Volunteer With Us At The Wandsworth Food Bank (05/05/2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

You can make a difference by joining us for just 2 hours on the first Tuesday of every month.

KCWC supports the Wandsworth Foodbank by helping to sort, label and organise the food donations. You'll find that the 2 hours just flies by!

The Wandsworth Foodbank Warehouse is located at 9 Ferrier Street, Wandsworth, SW18 1SW, conveniently located 2 minutes walk from Wandsworth Town Station and easily accessed by many bus routes.

Make a difference by signing up and help KCWC and Wandsworth Foodbank to support those less fortunate!

If tickets are sold-out for this event, you are welcome to join the waitlist - please note that we typically only get to the first one or two members on the waitlist, so please don't be disappointed if you are not contacted.

Please email event organiser Christie Bachmann for any queries at charityvolunteers@kcwc.org.uk

*Note: If you're interested in regular volunteering, Wandsworth Foodbank are also looking for kind and compassionate people who can commit to volunteering once a week for a minimum of six months.

Evening Speaker - Errollyn Wallen (05/05/2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Acclaimed Belizean-British born composer, Errollyn Wallen, will be talking about her book, Becoming a Composer -- a personal journey through her challenging childhood in the UK, her path in classical and jazz music, and insights into her creative process as a prolific, multi-award-winning artist.

Well known for her works in opera, orchestral, and vocal music, as well as major events like the 2012 Paralympics, she is named as one of the world's top twenty most performed living classical composers.

Doors open at 7pm, talk begins at 7:30pm

For any queries, contact Activity Leader Ina Messer at eveningspeakers@kcwc.org.uk

Drama: Unrehearsed Reading/Acting "The Mousetrap" (06/05/2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Please join us for a session of unrehearsed reading/acting of the play "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie.

No prior acting experience is required, it is not about putting on a perfect play, but about spontaneous fun! If you don't want to act, you can simply read.

For this event, please buy a copy of “The Mousetrap” and bring it with you. There are various copies available second hand (google search). Alternatively you can buy a Samuel French Theatre Edition of the play for £ 10.99 from Waterstones (check availability online from their website) or other bookshops.

If you register as anonymous, you must please inform the activity leader of your name and contact details in order to be included.

For any queries, please contact event organiser Judith Neuling drama@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (08/05/2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Volunteer at Refettorio Felix Community Kitchen (11/05/2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Join us at Refettorio Felix, St Cuthbert’s in Earl’s Court. Help us serve a restaurant-quality 3-course lunch in a decorative community kitchen!

Refettorio Felix proudly opens itself to people who struggle with many issues including loneliness, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, and rough sleeping. Their stated mission is “to bring dignity back to the table and promote a sense of community whilst tackling the dual issues of food waste and food poverty with our surplus food lunch service.”

We are looking for volunteers to assist with meal service, once per month. The three-hour shift begins at 11:00am with an induction followed by set up, lunch service, and table clearance. Afterwards, you are invited to join the staff for a lovely hot meal.

Please get involved in helping our shared community.

Signing Up: We request volunteers to sign up at least one week in advance to inform the organisers of all members of our group and review all guidelines. Should you be unable to attend, please notify us immediately so we can contact someone from the waitlist to replace you as the kitchen will depend on our KCWC commitment. If tickets are sold-out for this event, you are welcome to join the waitlist - please note that we typically only get to the first one or two members on the waitlist, so please don't be disappointed if you are not contacted.

Please email event organiser Dina McCormick for any queries at charityvolunteers@kcwc.org.uk

Passion For Fashion - VIP Bicester Village Spring Shopping Trip (13/05/2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Join us for another super fun day out of town, at the fabulous Bicester Village. This is a VIP Shopping trip! Do you need to revamp your wardrobe for Spring?

Whether you decide to take the train with me or drive, we will start our morning with complimentary croissant and coffee/teas at Ottolenghi in Bicester Village. Our VIP Concierge will give us our individual QR codes, so that we will have access to hands free shopping all day at incredible stores such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Prada, Celine . . . etc. All at discount prices!

We will also have access to The Apartment for complimentary refreshments in the afternoon. This is a VIP only access that is complimentary for our group.

Lunch reservations can be booked in advance by the concierge, if you wish. This and any transportation will be on your own tab.

For any queries, please contact activity leader Barbara Welch at fashion@kcwc.org.uk

Art History - Modern Art in America 1920-1950: Part 1 (13/05/2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In these two lectures Dr Ben Street will look at modern art in America from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Along the way, the lectures will discuss the rise of American Modernism and contact with its European counterparts; the development of photography as an art form; and the emergence of important museums and galleries in the US.

Historical contexts will include the Wall Street Crash and subsequent Depression; Roosevelt's New Deal and the employment of artists; and America's entry into, and emergence from, World War II.

Artists who will be discussed will include Georgia O'Keefe, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, Alice Neel, Philip Guston, Mark Rothko, and many more.

Please join us from 9:30am for coffee.

For any queries, please contact event organiser Susan Alloun at arthistory1@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (15/05/2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Music Journeys - A Woman Beyond her Time, Elisabetta de Gambarini (17/05/2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Do you like live music? Here is the chance to kick back, enjoy a live performance on a variety of instruments and chat to the performers over tea and cake (included in the tickets price).

Discover an amazing woman- referred to as "the English Mozart of the 18th century" - little known until recently! Renowned Italian pianist Margherita Torretta presents the life and works of Elisabetta de Gambarini, an Italian musician, composer and entrepreneur.

Timing

4pm: Doors open

• 4:00pm - 4:45pm: Chat to the artists over tea and cake

• 4:45pm - 5:00pm: Overture by a Continuo Foundation young artist

• 5:00pm: Concert begins

• 6:00pm: Concert ends

• 6:00pm - 6:30pm: Greetings

Description

Elisabetta de Gambarini was an 18th-century Italian-English composer, harpsichordist, and singer. The narrative weaves together her personal journey and artistic achievements against the backdrop of a time when women faced significant barriers in the musical world and society.

Gambarini represents a very modern figure of her time, going against the social and cultural norms of 18th-century Europe, challenges faced by women in the arts. Gambarini's background, family, and musical influences shaped her musical career, so much so that she navigated the male-dominated music scene, earning recognition as both a composer and performer.

https://www.continuoconnect.com/features/academy-of-ancient-music-elisabetta-da-gambarini-a-musical-force-of-nature-in-georgian-london

The performance will include a selection from Gambarini's harpsichord works and songs, as well as compositions by contemporary composers:

E. De Gambarini:

• Sonata in C major, Op. 1 n°5 (Vivace- Siciliana- Spiritoso)

• Song “ Behold and Listen” (from Lessons Op.2 )

• Sonata in G major, Op. 1 n°4 (Gavotta-March-Non troppo presto)

G. F. Handel:

Flute Sonata in F major, FWV 369 (Larghetto, Allegro, Siciliana, Allegro)

B. Galuppi:

Piano Sonata Illy 32 (Andantino- Allegro)

D. Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonatas:

• K.132 (andante espressivo)

• K.118 (non presto)

• K.32 (aria)

• K.515 (allegro)

E. De Gambarini: Songs from Lessons op.2

• Canzonetta

• Se dir non lice al mio tesoro

• Se mai fosse la mia forte

• Un giorno più chiaro
• Lover go and calm thy sight

Artists

Margherita Torretta, piano

Jasmine Flicker, soprano

Enrica Mondo, cello

Giulia Nigra, flute

For queries, please email the event organiser Maria Puleio at music1@kcwc.org.uk

Additional information on each Artist:

Margherita Torretta is an Italian pianist and ex- classical dancer born in 1986. After her debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York in 2016 with D. Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas (following her first CD recording with Academy Productions label D.Scarlatti-20 Keyboard sonatas), she performed in over twenty countries around the globe, in Europe, England, the United States, Asia and Australia, included concert halls as London’s St.Martin-in-the-Fields, Vienna’s Ehrbar Saal, Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Institute, the Conservatory Maurice Ravel in Paris, the Steinway Hall in Dubai, Sala Verdi in Milan and many others. She graduated with honors at the Conservatory in Piacenza and at the G.Verdi Conservatory in Milan. Supported by the Theo Lieven Foundation she entered the Performance & Interpretation Masters Program at Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano ad she was a student at the prestigious International Lake Como Academy directed by William Grant Naborè, studying with Dimjtri Bashkirov, Fout's Ong and Stanislav Ioudetich. Margherita has released a second album with Baldassare Galuppi’s piano sonatas (2023, Academy Classical Music). She's the first pianist to record the complete piano works composed by Italian-British composer Elisabetta De Gambarini (2024, Brilliant Classics) and in March 2024 she released her first novel Rimmel inspired by her personal story (2024, edizioni Pendragon). Her Interviews and reviews have appeared in music magazines including Gramophone, BBC music magazine, Gramophone, Classics Today, The Art Desk, Pianist Magazine and International Piano. She has performed live concerts and given interviews over major broadcast networks including BBC Radio 3, RAI Radio 3, Rai Radio 2, RSI Radiotelevisione Svizzera, France Musique, Radio France, Luxembourg 100.7, ORF1 Austria and Radio Romania Muzical. She currently lives in London.

Jasmine Flicker is a British classical singer and violinist who studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and is now at The Royal Academy of Music, supported by the Leverhulme Scholarship. Operatic experience includes The Six of Calais/Ruth (Pegasus Opera), Papagena, The Magic Flute (Nevill Holt Festival), Belinda, Dido and Aeneas (Longborough Festival Opera), and Drusilla/Fortuna, L’incoronazione di Poppea (Hampstead Garden Opera). Work in theatre includes the titular role in The Immortal Henrietta Lacks (Theatre Peckham). As a Vache Baroque Young Artist in 2021, performances included Paradise & Pandemonium and later being a featured soloist for the VB Showcase: Women of the Baroque. Jasmine Flicker has been appointed to their board of Trustees. Other chorus work includes the Hanover Band’s Messiah UK Tour 2021, Chineke! Voices at the BBC Proms, and performances with The Opera Makers as well as the Black British Classical Foundation. From 2023-24 she was a mentee on the Pegasus Opera Mentoring Scheme with Glyndebourne and supported vocally through the National Opera Studio’s Diverse Voices Programme. Work in film includes being the violin soloist for Marvel’s Black Widow (2021), with music composed by Lorne Balfe. Work in TV includes Netflix’s Bridgerton (2024) and Take Me to the Opera on BBC (2023).

Enrica Mondo began her musical journey at the age of four, studying the cello at the Suzuki Academy of Turin under the guidance of Maestro Antonio Mosca and later with Liviana Pittau. At twelve, she obtained her Suzuki Diploma and subsequently continued her studies with Maestro Marco Mosca, followed by further training with Maestro Stefano Cerrato. She won first prize and performed in a duo at the Gala Concert of the "Play'n'Play" competition in 2015. In 2018, she was awarded first prize at the prestigious “XVIII International Musica Insieme Competition for Young Performers in Chamber Music, Orchestra, and Choir. From a young age, she has performed extensively in orchestral ensembles across Piedmont, including with the “Orchestra Suzuki di Torino,” with whom she participated in prominent festivals such as the “Wratislavia Cantans Festival” in Wroclaw. In 2019, she was admitted to the Vivaldi Conservatory of Alessandria, where she currently continues her studies under Maestro Claudio Merlo. In 2022, she was awarded second place at the "International Musical Competition City of Alessandria”. In 2023, she graduated with distinction from the Vivaldi Conservatory of Alessandria, earning her Bachelor's degree with the highest honors. She is currently completing her Master there. She has attended masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Stefano Cerrato, Massimo Macrì, Enrico Bronzi, Asier Polo and Jeroen den Herder.

Giulia Nigra began studying the flute under the guidance of teacher Bruna Querio. She obtained her first-level academic diploma in flute with top marks under the guidance of Maestro Stefano Parrino. She is currently enrolled in the first year of the two-year specialization program at the Conservatory of Alessandria.In 2023, she attended the LeAltreNote masterclass, where she participated in lessons withPeter-Lukas Graf. She has further refined her skills with Tom Andreassen, Vincens Prats, Pepe Sotorres, Juliette Hurel, Matej Zupan, Wissam Boustany, Sarah Rumer, Sarah Louvion, Monika Streitová, Paul-Edmund Davies, Carlos Cano, Mariano Bas, and Antonio Nuez. In 2017, she recorded a CD as a member of the Giovanile TAKKA Band orchestra. Alongside her studies and performances, she is also dedicated to teaching: she teaches musical grammar at the Associazione Liveo Musicale in Rivarolo Canavese, flute at the Casa della Musica in Portacomaro, and at the Filarmonica Association in Bosconero. She won the "Vivaldi" scholarship in 2023 and the LeAltreNote award in 2024. She is a member of the flute quartet Inedito Flute Quartet.

London Walks - Hidden Pocket Gardens in the City (19/05/2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 13:15:00 GMT

Let's embark on a sensory walk through the streets of the Square Mile, London's financial district. Forget about bonds and shares, and follow our guide, Emma, along a fragrant route that winds its way among the skyscrapers and the little alleyways of the city.

Each garden of the city is a little haven of peace tucked between glass and steel towers and historic buildings.

We invite you to walk those pocket parks together, rain or shine!

Note: We will be meeting at 2:00pm in the city - the exact meeting place to be specified later.

For any queries contact event organiser Geneviève Sentier at londonwalks@kcwc.org.uk

Evening Events - Elegant Evening at the Hat Shop (20/05/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join us for a fabulous evening of fizz, fashion, and flair at Titfertat!

Mary Spiteri, the creative force behind Titfertat Richmond will be sharing the inspiring story behind her bespoke hat business — from the art of finding the perfect shape for your face to selecting the tone and textures that complement your outfit effortlessly.

Whether you’re looking to style an outfit with race season approaching or a standout social event, Mary’s expert eye and passion for style will guide you in discovering what works best for you.

You will enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival and light nibbles as you browse the collection of custom-made and ready-to-wear pieces.

For any queries, please contact Activity Leader Sarah-Jane Luckhurst at eveningevents@kcwc.org.uk

May 2026 Guest Speaker's Address - Baroness Hale (21/05/2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Our guest speaker this month is Baroness Hale of Richmond, a British judge who was President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2017 until 2020 and the third person and only woman to serve in this role. In 1984, Baroness Hale became the first woman and youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission overseeing important reforms in family law. In 2004 she joined the House of Lords as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and the only woman to have been appointed to that position, before transferring to the new Supreme Court in 2009 with the other Law Lords.

Lady Hale presided over the Supreme Court's ruling in 2017 that the government could not trigger Article 50 to leave the EU without an Act of Parliament, upholding Parliamentary sovereignty, and again in 2019 that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's prorogation of Parliament was unlawful; cases which featured in Lady Hale's acclaimed biography Spider Woman. In her latest book, With the Law on Our Side, she considers nuances of the judicial system and provides a timely reminder of the importance of justice and the rule of law.

Please join us at the final Guest Speaker Address of this year to hear from one of the country's greatest ever jurists, and one who has furthered the cause of women practitioners and other women professionals throughout the English Speaking World, possibly as much as any other woman.

Tentative schedule of the day:

9:30am - 10:45am - Registration, tea/coffee

10:50am - Members invited to take a seat in the auditorium

11:00am - Introductions

11:10am - Guest Speaker

12:05pm - Q and A

12:20pm - President's announcements

12:30pm - Meeting conclusion

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (22/05/2026)

Fri, 22 May 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (29/05/2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Pop Up: The Making of Netflix's 'Dinosaurs' (04/06/2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

We welcome you to a talk by evolutionary biologist, writer, and filmmaker, Tom Land. Tom will explain how Natural History documentaries are made, focusing on the hit Netflix series, ‘The Dinosaurs’. Drawing on his experience from the BBC Natural History Unit creating ‘Prehistoric Planet’ for AppleTV+, and Silverback Films creating ‘The Dinosaurs’ for Netflix.

He will also talk about his latest projects, and the documentary film making industry.

Tom will reveal insights into how the hit Netflix show was made, combining science and incredible narrative storytelling. Starting with the process of concept development to finished product using photo realistic computer-generated imagery from the finest digital artists in the world. How do you combine fossil evidence with real animal behaviour? How do you rebuild a dinosaur from scratch? And how do you deal with feuding paleontologists?

He will give a tour through the ins and outs in a day of rebuilding the prehistoric world, and what it was like to work with Sir David Attenborough, talking to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and why it took a year to figure out what dinosaurs sounded like. This is a deep dive into the details of how a nature history programme is made, and why science and storytelling matter so much in today’s world. You can preview some of his work at https://thomasland.co.uk

Coffee and tea will be served in the Walker room before the Talk, which will begin at 2:15.

Guests are welcome!

For queries, please contact event organisers Laura Land and Ina Messer at popup@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (05/06/2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (12/06/2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (19/06/2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (26/06/2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Classical Music & Opera - Classical Music in Focus - The Twentieth Century (03/07/2026)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:30:00 GMT

This classroom-taught course is offered in partnership with KCWC, but is open to everyone.

This course has a two-step registration process:

1- Book and pay for the course on the Imperial College website (KCWC members use the "Associate" rate):

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/adult-education-courses-summer-2026/classical-music-twentieth-century/

2- Email Eve to let her know you are on the register to be included in communications relating to this course.

For any queries, contact Eve on opera@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (12/10/2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Imperial College is running a 10 week Discovering Shakespeare course from October 2026. This is a KCWC initiative, and Imperial has provided us with an exclusive link to enroll now. The course will be advertised to the general public on Imperial's site in late April.

No prior experience required. This course is designed both for those who attended our Summer's Introduction to Shakespeare and who want to go deeper, and for those who are new to Shakespeare and wish to explore this world-famous writer.

Together, we will embark upon a broad survey of Shakespeare's work across both drama and poetry. Led by Dr Sarah James, an enthusiastic and welcoming tutor, we will look at individual texts in detail, and consider scenes from filmed productions. Each week will cover a different theme. There will be an emphasis on historical context, as we chart Shakespeare's responses to contemporary social, political and religious concerns. We will examine the radical and controversial aspects that surprised his original audiences, and consider his current place in English literature.

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

To Register: Email Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk She will send you the special Imperial College link just for KCWC members with our discounted rate along with the detailed course schedule. You will use that link to actually sign-up and pay for the course directly thru Imperial College.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (19/10/2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (26/10/2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (02/11/2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (09/11/2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (16/11/2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (23/11/2026)

Mon, 23 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (30/11/2026)

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (07/12/2026)

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk

Discovering Shakespeare - Imperial College Course (14/12/2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Early bird opportunity!

Lectures will take place on Mondays from 12 Oct to 14 Dec:

The Cost for the 10-week course is £162.

For any queries, please contact Event Organiser Jane O'Hara at literature@kcwc.org.uk