ENERGY and dynamism are the watchwords of this spectacular youth circus with youngsters from across the globe.

With an awe-inspiring performance from Australia, a group from Lithuania exploring the world of the clown, and a show created from a social programme targeting anti-social behaviour in the upper Anman Valley, Wales, the London International Youth Circus Festival 2010 is a real treat. Founded by Albert & Friends Instant Circus in 2004, this highly successful festival - the largest circus event of its kind in the UK - has previously hosted troupes from Russia, Israel, Estonia, Finland, Holland, Belgium, Slovenia, Germany and the UK.

A&FIC began in the parks of Hammersmith and Fulham in 1983. Although still reflecting its west London environment and roots, its reputation and performance schedule now extend beyond the borough.

It offers young people extensive training in ground and aerial skills, music, mime, dance and drama and has gained worldwide recognition for presenting highly skilled, innovative circus theatre performances.

what? London International Youth Circus Festival 2010 where? Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL when? July 13-18, times vary cost? £10, £8 concs (group deals) call: 020 8237 1111 see: www.riversidestudios.co.uk

Youth been framed

AN EXHIBITION by artists more used to displaying their skills on street walls is on display at an Ealing church tomorrow (Saturday).

The graffiti and mural art has been produced by a youth club based in a deprived part of Kilburn, known as the Oxford Kilburn Club or OK Club, named after its founders, a group of students from the Christian Union at Oxford University.

The club donated a wall of the club to the many young people in the area who liked to daub graffiti on whatever surface they could find - making their mark on the world.

A graffiti expert has since encouraged them to switch their creativity to paper, which in turn led to an art club and the current exhibition.

The club, which has been visited by David Cameron, also provides a range of activities from sports, photography and cookery to educational visits, advice and support.

what? OK Club art exhibition where? St Mary's Church, St Mary's Road, Ealing, W5 5RF when? July 10, 10.30am-6.30pm cost? Free entry, but work for sale call: 020 7624 6292 see: www.okclub.org.uk

Bang goes comedy

A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD line-up of top comics is descending on the Castlebar pub for what promises to be an impressive warm-up to the borough's comedy festival.

TNT Comedy Explosion is a group of London-based comedians and promoters who have come together to perform and promote comedy both in London and at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2010 next month.

They have been performing previews of their upcoming Edinburgh show Bang Out of Order at various venues in and around London. The bar, in Uxbridge Road, will host the TNT Comedy Explosion next Thursday, the night before Ealing Comedy Festival begins.

As well as showcasing a wide range of talent, the event will also be raising funds for Ealing Mencap, which supports people with learning disabilities.

what? TNT Comedy Explosion where? Castlebar pub, 84 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W13 8RA when? July 15, 8pm cost? Free call: 020 8567 3819 contact: abel@thecastlebar.co.uk

Theatre with community spirit

A YOUTH theatre group is staging a trip down memory lane, with all the highlights of a community centre's history.

Our Centre is an innovative and unique piece of theatre, devised by TheatreStudioWest and backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The group has spent the past months collecting memories of the Priory community centre in Acton Lane, Acton, so the event will include interviews, a DVD and an interactive booklet.

Actress/director Julie Saunders, who founded the group, said: "This will be a living history trail where each room at the centre becomes a different era of significant history that has happened at the Priory."

TSW is a youth theatre group based at the Priory offering drama, dance and singing classes for four to 19-year-olds.

Each class, taken by professional tutors, is packed with activities for young people to explore, create and perform in dynamic productions, some at local theatres.

what? Our Centre where? Priory Community Centre, Acton Lane, Acton, W3 8NY when? July 11, 1pm cost? Free. Must reserve tickets call: 020 8994 8751, email admin@theatrestudiowest.co.uk

Song with your supper

THE rhythm of life will really put a tingle in your feet at the Hanwell and Ealing Operatic Society's summer show.

The group, which recently performed a widely acclaimed Fiddler on the Roof at the Questors Theatre, Ealing, is busy rehearsing a variety of songs written by composers and lyricists, from Jerome Kern and Cy Coleman to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim.

The programme will include chorus numbers, solos and duets and the whole performance will be accompanied by a fish and chip supper (sausage and vegetarian alternatives) or tea and cake at the matinee.

The Hanwell & Ealing Operatic Society is an amateur group in West London affiliated to NODA (the National Operatic and Dramatic Association) who mainly perform musicals, pantomimes, operettas, old-time music hall and the occasional concert.

Its members are an enthusiastic group from all walks of life and of all ages from high school upwards.

what? HEOS summer show where? St James's Church, W13 9DL when? July 16-17, 7.30pm, matinee at 2.30pm on July 17 cost? £12.50 evening, £9 matinee (bar available) call: 01784 255 164 email: mhpartridge@par.me.uk