Mickey's coming to St George's

CHILDREN are invited to a series of Mickey Mouse-themed activities at Harrow's Disney Store during the school holidays.

The shop in St George's Shopping Centre is celebrating the launch of a new range of clothes dedicated to the studio's most iconic creation, and his girlfriend - called 'I love Mickey because[2026]'

Until Saturday (August 15), families can take part in a trivia quiz to test their knowledge of the animation studio's most famous characters and learn facts about Goofy, Minnie, Pluto and the others.

From August 16 to 22, the store is laying on free animation classes in which youngsters, and mums and dads if they like, will be taught how to draw Mickey Mouse in a few simple steps.

To round off the month, the final week, from August 23 to 29, is a seven-day celebration, like an indoor summer fete with party games. In addition to the weekly events, stores will be running a T-shirt design competition. The winning child will get to spend a day with a fashion designer and have their I Love Mickey garment sold in store.

All profits will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

what? Mickey Mouse fun activities

where? Disney Store, St George's Shopping Centre, St Ann's Road, Harrow

when? Daily until Saturday August 29 - check precise times with the store

cost? Free

see: Call the store on 020 8861 1474

Wildlife exhibition

A PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition of the world's most exotic and stunning wildlife is open for just two more days.

Forty images taken by professional photographer Jayesh Gudka, 53, of Bridges Road, Stanmore, and his daughters Jaymi, 21, and Amee, 18, during trips abroad and in the UK are hanging at The Wealdstone Centre in High Street, Wealdstone, until Saturday. The show is entitled A Celebration of The Planet and its Inhabitants.

Mr Gudka said: "I love nature and I love wildlife and since it's 200 years since Charles Darwin's birth, we thought we would show our pictures. We took 4,000 images in four days in the Galapagos Islands last year so it has been very difficult to sort them. They are on sale and some of the money I make from these images will go to charities: grassroots conservation projects in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands."

what? Photographic exhibition

where? The Wealdstone Centre, High Street, Wealdstone

when? Today (Thursday), 9.30am to 8pm, tomorrow (Friday) 9.30am to 1pm, and Saturday, 9am to 5pm

cost? Free, but photos are on sale

call: Amee Gudka on 07962 252 519

Hear some of the best youth jazz

LISTEN to some of the nation's best young musicians when the Harrow-based National Youth Jazz Orchestra plays at Jazz at the Manor, a long-running weekly gig held at the home of Wealdstone FC.

The orchestra holds a monthly slot, offering up a mixture of instrumental and vocal numbers with enough solos to keep everyone entertained.

Talented youngsters drawn from all over Britain show off on the drums, keyboard, guitar and bass guitar as well as trumpets, trombones, saxophones, French horn and flutes, and are accompanied by singers to give an uplifting swing to proceedings.

what? National Youth Jazz Orchestra

where? Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club, Grosvenor Vale, off West End Lane, Ruislip

when? Sunday, August 16, beginning at 12.30pm cost? £10 on the door

see: www.geocities.com/jazzupstairs for gig schedule

Three-week art exhibition at synagogue

WEMBLEY Art Society opens its three-week long annual exhibition, the 56th in its history, on Monday.

Up to 100 pictures by 15 of its members, including portraits, landscapes, still life and the odd abstract image, will be hung at the Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue. None of the works has been displayed at society exhibitions before, and almost all of them can be purchased.

what? Annual art exhibition

where? Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, Preston Road, Wembley (NB: There are security gates so visitors must ring the bell to be let in)

when? Every Monday to Friday between 10am and 12 noon, beginning on Monday, August 17, and finishing on Wednesday September 9

cost? Free

contact: Society secretary Jean Swanson by email at jean.swanson@btopen

Thursday night knees-up at The Trinity

WAVE your hands in the air like you just don't care. Yes, it's the blend of future hits and retro party classics at The Trinity Bar's long-running Thursday night knees-up Back To The Future.

Two up-and-coming bands perform a set of fresh tunes before the Awful DJs (their name, not ours) hit the decks to spin floor-fillers and the odd guilty pleasure.

This evening Jack Green And The Band Of Thieves, a local outfit who have appeared in our Giggin With The Guide column and have just registered for the Orange Unsigned competition, will be headlining along a mystery guest we have been promised is 'very, very special'.

Other acts to have graced the stage in the past include Harrow chart-topper Kate Nash and favourites Bombay Bicycle Club.

Once the live music stops, the club starts, when you can expect to hear cuts from Madonna to Blur to Huey Lewis and The News.

what? Back To The Future

where? The Trinity Bar,Station Road, Harrow

when? Every Thursday from 10pm to 3am

cost? Free

see: www.trinity-bar.com