HEADS UP!

7 MARCH -- Here’s your chance to see one of the all-time great examples of film noir. Night and the City, directed by Jules Dassin in several London locations, tells the story of Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark), a hyperactive hustler whose every scheme ends in failure. Yet now he thinks his latest scam is actually the chance of a lifetime. All he has to do is take control of the professional wrestling game from underworld boss Kristo (Herbert Lom) by manipulating him through his father, the retired wrestling superstar Gregorius (Stanislaus Zbyszko). Gripping and unforgettable, this 1950 film will be screened today at the Museum of London at 2pm. Admission free. Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y. Visit: www.museumoflondon.org.uk

9 MARCH – Here’s one for film films. A Sentimental Journey by Adam Rolston is the story of Doris Day. A vivacious blonde with a wholesome image, able to sing, dance and play comic and dramatic roles, Day became one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s and 1960s. But behind the scenes her personal story was as harrowing as some of the characters she played on screen. At thirteen, a car accident threatened to end her dancing career. By seventeen, she was married to a psychopathic bully. When her third husband died, he left her with enormous debt. Musical numbers include Move Over Darling, Secret Love, Little Girl Blue, Day By Day, Que Sera Sera, Young At Heart. At 7:30pm at Wilton’s Music Hall until 4 April. Graces Alley, Off Ensign Street, London E1. Tickets: £23.50-£16.50. Box Office 020 7702 2789.

10 MARCH -- Harry Christophers, founder of The Sixteen, brings this internationally-acclaimed vocal and instrumental ensemble to the Barbican in March for a performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Regarded by some as one of Western classical music’s greatest achievements, the 27-part work is as monumental in its construction as it is in the length of time it took for Bach to complete it. The Sixteen, Gramophone’s Artist of the Year, who are particularly noted for their expert interpretations of Baroque repertoire, are joined by soprano Gillian Keith, mezzo Sarah Connolly, tenor Robert Murray and bass Dietrich Henschel. Silk Street, London EC2 at 7:30pm. Tickets: £35-£11. Tel: 0845 120 7550.

12 MARCH -- As Tim Burton’s new 3D-version of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland opens at BFI IMAX on 5 March, it’s time for a brief rabbit-hole retro with a programme of films from 1933 through to 1988 at the National Film Theatre to complement the release. Begin with the star-studded 1933 Paramount version, scripted by Joseph Mankiewicz and featuring Cary Grant as the Mock Turtle, Gary Cooper as the White Knight and WC Fields as Humpty-Dumpty. Borrowing from both Alice tales, it takes a liberal approach to the source material but concludes with an ending of suitably surrealist proportions. At 6:30pm at the National Film Theatre and on 14 March at 6:10pm at NFT3. South Bank, London E1. For other highlights, visit: www.bfi.org.uk/southbank. Tickets: £9-£6.65. Tel: 020 7928 3232.

17 MARCH – The first monographic exhibition of paintings by Christen Købke: Danish Master of Light (1810-1848) is the first ever of the artist to be shown outside Denmark. Købke is arguably one of the greatest talents of Denmark’s Golden Age, yet a solo exhibition of his work outside his homeland has eluded him until now. Denmark’s ‘Golden Age’ – the term used to describe the amazing diversity of intellectual, scientific and cultural achievements of the first half of the 19th century – was nevertheless a time of social inequality and economic collapse as the nation was declared bankrupt in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars. Yet Denmark recovered with remarkable swiftness and creative endeavour to produce defining images of a peaceful, innocent, ordered society. This show comprises 48 of Købke’s most beautiful informed by a decidedly avant-garde sensibility. Stunningly beautiful. At the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2 until 13 June. Open daily from 10am. Admission free.  

19-21 MARCH – Stride stylishly into spring along with thousands of loyal customers of the Designer Warehouse Sales which has established themselves as a destination hotspot for fashion lovers from London and abroad. Known for promoting genuine reductions and only designer labels, DWS has become a resource for stylists, journalists, celebrities and fashion lovers alike. Those looking for established designer wear at 60-80% below retail prices are invited to head straight to the March DWS where items from both Winter 2009 and Spring 2010 are to be found among the 180 labels including Versace and Dolce and Gabbana. Thane Works, 5-6 Islington Studios, Thane Villas, London N7 from 10-8pm. Admission: £2. Tel: 020 7697 9888.

20 MARCH – The first Ideal Home Show opened in 1908 and was organised by the Daily Mail. The show was aimed at a growing market of home owners and showcased many labour saving devices. The show -- which built its reputation on home innovation and was the UK launch pad for countless household products such as the toaster and electric kettle (1920) and the microwave (1947) -- has always been at the forefront of every home-related innovation. The tradition continues as over 400 exhibitors present their latest products in interiors, home improvements, gardens, kitchens and bathrooms plus lots more, including the Ideal Village and theatres packed with hourly demonstrations and advice from such feature specialists as Fiona Phillips, Gregg Wallace, Monty Don, George Clarke and Linda Barker. Until 5 April. Earl’s Court, London SW5. Tickets: Tel: 0844 415 4144.

23 MARCH -- Andrew Upton’s vigorous new version of Mikhail Bulgakov’s rarely performed masterpiece, The White Guard comes to the Lyttleton tonight. Unrivalled in its depiction of the near-farcical mayhem of civil war across a vast and vivid canvas, the narrative centres in Kiev during the Russian civil war when the Turbin household is sanctuary to a ragtag, close-knit crowd presided over by the beautiful Lena. As her brothers prepare to fight for the White Guard, friends charge in amidst an atmosphere of heady chaos, quaffing vodka, keeling over, playing guitar and falling in love, the new regime is poised to destroy the Turbins and their world. South Bank, London. SE1. At 7:30pm. Tickets: £10. Box Office: 020 7452 3000.