Events.
Scroll down or click REGULARS to check out our weekly timetable of creative arts and wellness events.
One-off events are included in the HIGHLIGHTS section.
Watch this space to keep up-to-date with what’s going on!
HIGHLIGHTS
CINEMA: Layla
SATURDAY 13TH JUNE - 17:15
Join the Film High Club for a screening of Layla (2024), Amrou Al-Kadhi’s bold and tender British romance, with an intro and post-film discussion.
Layla, a British-Palestinian drag performer, moves fluidly between worlds, navigating identity, desire and belonging in contemporary London. When they begin an unexpected relationship with Max, a marketing executive from a very different background, questions of authenticity, assimilation and self-expression come sharply into focus. By turns playful and piercing, the film explores what it means to be seen, and at what cost.
BOOK TICKETS
CINEMA: Libya in Motion
SUNDAY 21ST JUNE - 16:00
Join Maghreb Ciné for a screening of shorts from Libya, with an intro and post-film discussion.
This is an omnibus feature made from a series of short stories, filmed over three years by emergent Libyan filmmakers in post-revolution Libya. The film is a testament to the courage and resilience of the filmmakers.
Doors open 4pm, feature starts 5pm.
The screening will be introduced by an invited speaker and a post-screening discussion will follow the film.
BOOK HERE
CINEMA: Two Wheels/Two Films
19:30 THURSDAY 25TH JUNE & 19:30 THURSDAY 30TH JULY
Waltham Forest Cinema Project presents a double header of cycling classics that capture tour cycling in its 1970s heyday. We will screen A Sunday in Hell and The Head of the Pack, two films that show the poetic highs and punishing lows of the sport.
About the films
19:30PM Thursday 25th June– The Head of the Pack
UK premiere of new restoration!
Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx is widely considered the greatest racing cycling of all time. The Head of the Pack is the rarely-seen classic that captures him during his peak. Visual poetry, intimate home life and thrillingly up-close race photography combine to make this a gripping portrait of both the man and the sport of tour racing.
Waltham Forest Cinema Project is proud to screen the UK premiere of the stunning restoration, following its debut at Cannes. Without commentary, the film is an opportunity to dig deep into what makes a legend, the loneliness of towering over your competition. Soundtracked by a wild electronic early music score and full of thoughtful interventions and editing, The Head of the Pack is the best sport film you’ve never seen.
19:30 Thursday 30th July – A Sunday in Hell
A Sunday in Hell – hailed as “arguably the best film ever made about professional cycling” – captures three titans of tour cycling at the peak of their game. Eddie Merckx, Roger de Vlaeminck and Freddy Maertens were all world-conquering talents when they competed in 1976 race. But their skill becomes nothing against the feat of the brutal horror of the 168 miles of the Paris–Roubaix race: cobbled, tire-shredding roads; enveloping dust and slick mud; and racers crashing in churning chaos.
Director Jørgen Leth (who was also a noted cycling commentator) sought to capture the genuine experience of cycling the race, removed from cliché, combining technical precision, lyrical beauty and the riders’ dogged charisma to make this a brilliant portrait of the best of the sport.
We will be screening the Danish version of documentary, an extended cut with Leth’s own commentary.
The Head of the Pack (1974) / Directed by Joël Santoni / 110 mins / Advised 12A certificate
A Sunday in Hell (1977) / Directed by Jørgen Leth / 111 mins / Advised 12A certificate
To read more about Waltham Forest Cinema Project, click here.
BOOK HERE
CINEMA: Sister Midnight
SATURDAY 11th JULY - 17:15
Join the Film High Club for a screening of Karan Kandhari's comedy, Sister Midnight (2024), with an intro and post-film discussion.
BOOK HERE
CINEMA: Film For A Fiver!
THURSDAY 28TH MAY - 19:00
You're invited to the second edition of Films For A Fiver! ; A one-day film festival celebrating the short films of POC, Women, and LGBTQ+ storytellers through some friendly community competition.
From animated romantic horror to experimental music videos, we encourage shorts from all genres! Our goal is to showcase underrepresented storytellers’ work and cultivate community connection.
The rules are simple : filmmakers can submit films of no more than five minutes for £5. Every entrant has a chance to win the sum of the submissions! Voting will be done via a live audience poll, so be sure to invite friends, family, and filmmakers alike to increase your chance of winning the whole pot!
BOOK TICKETS
CINEMA: Mystery Film Screening!
THURSDAY 14th MAY AT 19:30
Spring (screening) has sprung! Join us for another mystery screening film screening 🔎
Keep an eye out for clues we’ll be dropping on our Instagram stories (@backronymfilms) 🧐 First comment to guess will get a free surprise on the day!
Grab your tickets now!
BOOK TICKETS
CINEMA: Talking About Trees / (الحديث عن الأشجار)
SATURDAY 9TH MAY AT 17:15
(RESCHEDULED FROM 11th APRIL - due to an unforeseen clash with a Sudanese community event)
Join our good friends the Film High Club (Maghreb Ciné's world cinema strand) for a screening of the Sudanese feature, Talking About Trees (with an intro).
Filmmakers Ibrahim, Suliman, Eltayeb and Manar, close friends for many years, left their motherland in the sixties and seventies to study film abroad and founded the Sudanese Film Group in 1989. After years of distance and exile, they are reunited, hoping to finally make their old dream come true: to bring back cinema to Sudan by reopening the Halfaia Cinema, a dilapidated cinema in Khartoum (-Letterboxd).
The screening will be introduced by an invited speaker and a post-screening discussion will follow the film.
Doors open 5.15pm, feature starts 6pm.
Standard Tickets: £10 / Concessions: £8 (Low/No Income, Over 60s, Under 18)
BOOK TICKETS
CINEMA: I Like Killing Flies (+ Food Tasting)
SATURDAY 25TH APRIL AT 18:00
Ecstatic Truths and Waltham Forest Cinema Project present a twentieth anniversary celebration of culinary doc classic I Like Killing Flies, with your chance to get a taste of iconic New York restaurant Shopsins. We’ll be serving up Kenny Shopsin’s iconic Chilli Mac after the screening and raising a glass to an under-recognised icon of food culture.
Doors open 5pm, feature starts 6pm.
Standard Tickets: £7 / Concessions: £5 (Low/No Income, Over 60s, Under 18) / Student: £3
BOOK TICKETS
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CINEMA: Mystery Film Club
FRIDAY 17TH APRIL AT 19:30
Backronym Films are back at Good Shepherd Studios with another monthly mystery screening 🔎
They’ll be dropping some clues as to what the film might be on their stories on Instagram (@backronymfilms), so be sure to keep a lookout 🧐 First comment to guess will get a free surprise on the day!
Tickets are pay-what-you-can, grab yours now!
Doors open 7:30pm, feature starts 8pm.
Tickets: Pay What You Can
BOOK TICKETS
JOHN SMITH - WORLD FAMOUS (from Walthamstow)
Thursday 19th March / 19:30 – 21:30
Standard Tickets: £7 / Concessions: £5 (Low/No Income, Over 60s, Under 18) / Student: £3
Join Waltham Forest Cinema Project for a Q&A with local (and world famous) film artist John Smith, showing the films that reflect the borough, including the Waltham Forest premiere of his latest Being John Smith.
BOOK TICKETS HERE
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BACKRONYM X GSS FILM CLUB
Thursday 12th March / 18:30 – 21:30
Tickets: pay what you can
Join us next week Thursday 12th March from 6:30PM for our first ever Mystery Film screening!
This will be a monthly film club - film lovers, film makers and people that love surprises all welcome!
BOOK TICKETS HERE
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REGULARS
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Little Sing Song
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Currently on break but pop-ups shared via WhatsApp group.
Join Danie and start your day with a fun-filled singalong loved by little ones and their grown ups alike!
Nursery rhymes | Classical | Jazz | Folk | Reggae and more.
JOIN WHATSAPP GROUP HERE FOR POP-UP INFO
BOOK HERE
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Magic Box
MONDAYS, 16.00
Term Time
Join Lottie on an interactive storytelling adventure where kids help tell a story based on the odd things she finds in her Magic Box!
Expect songs, movement and silly stories - and a whole lot of imagination!
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Iyengar Yoga
MONDAYS, 19.15
Ongoing
Join Disha at her welcoming and accessible class open to all including beginners.
What is Iyengar yoga? A form of yoga which focuses on precision and alignment through poses (aka asanas).
BOOK VIA EMAIL OR TEXT
Email: disha.sughand@gmail.com
Text: 07812634223
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Flying Sycamores Forest School
TUESDAYS, 10.00
Term Time
An introduction to ‘forest school’ activities and ideas, such as nature-inspired craft, to increase enjoyment of the outdoors and ultimately look to connect with nature in a profound and enjoyable way.
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Feel Good Walk
TUESDAYS, 10.30
Ongoing
Feel Good Walks are suitable for anyone to join and are free. They provide a great way for people to get out and about, meet new people and explore some of the beautiful green spaces Waltham Forest has to offer.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED. Just turn up on the day.
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Baby Dance
TUESDAYS, 10.40
On summer break, returning September 2026
Join Fiona at this class where caregivers can come along and dance with their babies aged 0-9 months (slings not essential).
No baby music, just fun, uplifting tunes and a chance to dance, while are babies enjoy the movement.
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After School Art Club
TUESDAYS, 16.00
Term Time
Led by experienced and professional artists and artist educators, join Irene at this art club aimed at 5-10 year olds where all skills levels welcome.
Expect engaging and inspiring projects, a safe and supportive environment, fun and relaxed atmosphere, creative freedom, enhanced critical thinking, affordable pricing and opportunities for showcasing and celebrating achievements.
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Leytonstone Adult Acting Course
TUESDAYS, 18.30
On break, returning in the summer
Welcome to the Leytonstone Adult Acting Course. This is a space for all levels (beginners and professionals).
Each term we will cover a different era of theatre and explore multiple practitioners to help you delve deeply into multiple acting techniques.
The sessions will help you not only feel more confident as a performer, but help you understand new ways to approach text so that you can feel secure in performing outside of the classes.
Standard: £13 per session
Low/No Income: £6.50 per session
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Musical Theatre Choir
TUESDAYS, 19.30
Next term 28th April - 7th July (Performance 14th July)
Welcome to the first East London Sing Space Show choir. Here is the place to improve your singing technique, learn Musical Theatre numbers with great harmony and belt out your favourite showtunes! Run by performer and composer Marissa Landy who is a Leytonstone local.
No auditions, all welcome.
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Groove Dance Exercise Class
WEDNESDAYS, 11.30
Ongoing (No class on 20th May, 3rd June and 26th August)
Groove makes dance easy and fun for everyone.
You will be guided and united in simple movements, then dance them your way. If you can move, you can Groove!
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Mini Boo by Little Boo Theatre
WEDNESDAYS, 15.00
Term Time (No session 17th June)
Step into a magical world of story, music, bubbles, puppets and sensory play, designed especially for babies aged 6-18 months.
Each Mini Boo session supports early development through movement, textures, sounds and shared exploration in a calm, nurturing environment for you and your little one to build confidence, connection and curiosity together.
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After School Drawing Club
WEDNESDAYS, 16.00
Term Time
Led by experienced and professional artists and artist educators, join Irene at this drawing club aimed at 5-11 year olds where all skills levels welcome.
Explore drawing in all its forms and shapes. Inspiration will be taken from the world around us and from old and contemporary art.
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Womens' Wellbeing Cafe
THURSDAYS, 10.30
FREE, DROP IN
The Wellbeing Café hosted by Mind offers 10 weekly face-to-face sessions for women of Waltham Forest and are particularly well-suited to those who experience low mood, anxiety, loneliness, or social isolation.
The café offers social time, wellbeing sessions, activities, advice and learning sessions.
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Wellbeing Cafe
THURSDAYS, 13.30
FREE, DROP IN
The Wellbeing Café hosted by Mind offers 10 weekly face-to-face sessions for residents of Waltham Forest aged 18 years or older and are particularly well-suited to those who experience low mood, anxiety, loneliness, or social isolation.
The café offers social time, wellbeing sessions, activities, advice and learning sessions.
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Communi-Tea
THURSDAYS, 14.00
Ongoing
FREE weekly creative, social and physical wellbeing meet-ups for over 50s. Each session includes a satisfying combination of:
- 14.00: Chair-based Yoga-inspired exercise
- 15.00: Hot drink and snacks
- 15.30: Weekly activities on rotation
No pre-booking required, just drop in and if you have any comments or questions you can contact Jessica on 07904 517465 or contact@jessicagreen.net.
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Barre and Baby
FRIDAYS, 10.20
Ongoing (No class on 19th June)
A low impact fitness class specifically adapted for the postnatal body. To help build muscle strength, improve posture and restore your core. All while being with your baby, moving to good tunes and boosting those endorphins!
It is suitable for mums from six weeks post-birth (ensuring you have been cleared by your doctor), up until babies are nine months. All abilities welcome.
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Community Pilates
FRIDAYS, 12.15
Term Time
A mat-based pilates classes for everyone!
Not only will this class help your fitness, it will help the community too...Thanks to the generosity of the instructors, your payment goes towards community projects taking place at Good Shepherd Studios!
Back to your fitness...
We will work the entire body through a series of repetitive exercises, helping to improve your strength, coordination and mobility.
If you’re a complete beginner, great! We’ll start with the basics and layer from there.
If you’re working with injuries there are plenty of adaptations.
If you’re looking to build on your existing expertise then there are lots of progressions and equipment for us to use.
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Monthly Life Drawing Social
1st SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 18.00
Ongoing: Future sessions 7th June & 5th July
Monthly life drawing class suited to all abilities and although untutored, advice and direction is freely given on request. Materials included.
Experienced and dynamic life models each week.
Class consists of 2 × 50min sessions with 15min social interval. The first session includes quick short poses ranging from 1min to 10mins. The second session involves 2 longer poses.
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Vinyasa Flow Yoga
SATURDAYS, 9.30
Ongoing
Start the weekend with some high spirited yoga, playlist and relaxation that will leave you feeling more open, aware and alive.
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Monthly Restorative Yoga
4th SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 15.00
A monthly opportunity to immerse yourself in deep relaxation and joy. During this cosy, accessible and healing experience, Jessica of E11 Yoga will guide you through a floor-based, low-impact practice, allowing time to reset and rejuvenate.
PAST EVENTS
PASTURES
We share the site with the Pastures Centre and the beautiful Our Pastures Community Garden.
USEFUL INFO
Getting to Good Shepherd Studios
Located within the same grounds as the Pastures Centre, surrounded by green space and with an on-site café (Back to Ours), Good Shepherd Studios is a homely space where all are welcome... you just need to find us!
Our address:
Good Shepherd Studios
15a Davies Lane
E11 3DR
We strongly encourage walking, cycling or using public transport to visit Good Shepherd Studios.
Nearest stations: Leytonstone High Road (Overground) and Leytonstone (Central line)
Nearest bus stops: Leytonstone High Road station Stop J and Stop F (257 and W13).
Parking: There is no parking onsite but restricted street parking is available nearby.
Please check the Waltham Forest Council website and street signs for up-to-date restrictions.
Vehicle restrictions at time of writing:
Controlled Parking Zone: LSE, Permit holders only, Mon-Fri, 10am – 2pm
School Street (Davies Lane east of the junction with Pastures Path): No travel into the zone during term time between 8.30am and 9.15am and 3.00pm and 3.45pm.
Accessibility
There is no lift in the building. There is, however, step-free access available to the ground floor (including toilets).
The Auditorium is located on the 1st floor and only accessible via steps.
The Annex is located on the ground floor and there is step-free access to this space.
If you have any access requirements, please feel free to contact the event organiser or us on enquiries@goodshepherdstudios.com
Short on cash?
We want all our events to be accessible to the community so each event and activity on this page offers discounted entry if the pricing would otherwise mean you wouldn’t be able to join in. No verification, no stigma, just get in touch with those running the event/activity and they’ll sort it out.