Welcome

This week we've got the unexpected space phenomenon that hit Finchley, and 3 local cinemas to keep us entertained.

🎬 3 Of Finchley's Cinematic Gems

In our community, 3 local cinemas provide unique experiences for every movie lover. Finchley's cinemas offer a mix of historic screens and modern comforts.

1: Vue North Finchley - A Modern Marvel at Risk

Great North Leisure Park, N12 0GL

Tickets £6-£10

Vue North Finchley offers a modern cinema experience. It has 8 screens and more than 2,100 seats.

It isn't luxurious, but it is an affordable option for families and cinephiles alike. With free parking available, planning your visit is hassle-free.

As noted in earlier issues of Finchley Now though, this local favourite could be demolished for a new development. So get there while you can.

2: Muswell Hill Everyman - Elegance and Nostalgia Combined

Fortis Green Road, N10 3HP

Tickets £18-£20

Step into the Everyman Cinema in Muswell Hill and you're stepping into a slice of history.

This cinema boasts art deco style and offers a luxurious experience. You can enjoy plush seats and have tasty meals and drinks served right to you.

Although ticket prices are on the higher end, the quality of service makes it a worthwhile treat. The Everyman, found on Fortis Green Road, shows off the golden age of cinema. It is cherished by those who love the finer things in life.

3: Phoenix Cinema

52 High Road, N2 9PJ

Tickets £8-£16

The Phoenix Cinema on High Road is a piece of Finchley’s living history.

Founded in 1910 and open since 1912, it is one of the UK's oldest cinemas still in operation.

The Phoenix focuses on independent, foreign, and art-house films. It provides a varied schedule of screenings for thoughtful viewers.

Its commitment to cinematic excellence makes it a cornerstone of our cinematic landscape.

Get your popcorn ready.🎬🎬

Events

KIDS

Sunday 9th March

Creation – The Bubble Show | Sun, Mar. 09 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | artsdepot, N12 0GA | From £14 | Journey through the awe-inspiring story of the origins of Bubbleland, as it’s brought to life in a dazzling display of soap and water. Immerse yourself in this spectacular adventure as the master of bubbles breathes life into: light, water, plants, animals, stars, and the essence of human nature itself.

Wednesday 19th March

Youth Action Project | Wed, Mar. 19 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Free | Dan Tomlinson MP, the Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, wants to know what you think about politics and about your local community. Chipping Barnet YAP is a chance to: ,eet others who are interested in politics and community. Take part in creative workshops focused on bringing change to politics. Speak out on topics and issues that matter to you.

OLDER PEOPLE

Tuesday 18th March

Living Well in Barnet | Tue, Mar. 18 | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | RAF Museum, NW9 5LL | FREE | Join us at the RAF Museum in Hendon for a morning of talks and activities focusing on memory and dementia prevention. Professor Catherine Loveday will be sharing her science-backed memory strategies. Fiona on 0208 629 0269 to book.

ARTS

Thursday 6th March

Kate Mosse: Labyrinth Live | Thur, Mar. 6 | 7:30 pm | artsdepot, N12 0GA | From £22 | This dazzling, immersive theatre experience features music, imagery, and film, guiding you through the history and mystery of the Languedoc region — Carcassonne, Toulouse, Chartres, and the Pyrenees.

Saturday 15th March

Barnet Physic Well - March | Sat, Mar. 15 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | 31 Wood Street, EN5 4BE | Free | Returning for March, see the Physic Well. It comprises a seventeenth century underground well chamber, over which a Tudor-style building was erected by the Council in 1937. Over the years this fell into disrepair, and between April and November 2018, extensive restoration work was overseen by Barnet Museum,.

COMMUNITY

Thursday 6th March

Women's Hour of Power at UBX Wembley | Thu, Mar. 06 | 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | 1 Olympic Way, HA9 0NP | Free | To celebrate International Women's Day, UBX Wembley are excited to host two free open sessions for the Wembley community. UBX Wembley will be opening their doors to the Brent community for a free workout.

Friday 7th March

MUSIC

Saturday 8th March

Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle | Sat, Mar. 08 | 7:30 pm to 9:45 pm | Trinity Church, N12 7NN | £18 | Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle performed by Finchley Chamber Choir, Conductor: David Lardi, Accompanists: Richard Leach and Benjamin Newlove. The composer brings all his operatic talents to bear in a work that is joyously exuberant and dramatic.

Saturday 15th March

Brahms, Dvorak and Scriabin | Sat, Mar. 15 | 7:30 pm to | Trinity Church, N12 7NN | £18 Maximum | Finchley Symphony Orchestra’s concert conducted by Christopher Stark opens with something of a rarity. Scriabin is perhaps known as a somewhat eccentric composer of large-scale pieces but his rarely performed ‘Rêverie’ is a short, languid evocation of dreaming. Followed by Dvorak and Scriabin.

Saturday 16th March

Fearlessly Taylor 2025 | Sun, Mar. 16 | 4:00 pm | Millfield Theatre, N18 1PJ | £15 | ‘Fearlessly Taylor’ is so excited to present her acclaimed Taylor Swift tribute show, with her band. The show features all of Taylor’s much-loved hits, including ‘Shake It Off’, ‘22’, ‘Blank Space’, ‘Love Story’, ‘You Belong with Me’, and of course her latest hit ‘Karma’

NATURE

Wednesday 5th March

Nature Connection Walk - New Barnet | Wed, Mar. 05 | 1:45 pm | New Barnet Leisure Centre, EN4 9BS | Free | Come and join the weekly Nature Connection Walk in the beautiful Monken Hadley Woods. This event is perfect for nature lovers, and anyone looking to unwind, switch off their phone and take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. We will be taking it at a slow leisurely pace that suits everyone, so we can connect with our surroundings, each other and ourselves.

Events - Book Ahead

Wednesday 23rd April

TALK: The power of swearing by Professor Catherine Loveday | Wed, Apr. 23 | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Ann Owens Centre, N2 8LT | FREE | Catherine shares why we swear and how the use of taboo words can deeply affect the way we think, act and relate to each other, plus why swearing can make us feel better.

Saturday 22nd June

East Finchley Festival 2025 | Sun, Jun. 22 | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Cherry Tree Wood, 88 Summerlee Ave, N2 9QH | East Finchley Festival returns stronger than ever in 2025 hot off the heels of their 50th anniversary. Look forward to an afternoon of music, food, drink, shopping and fun for all.

Saturday 12th July

Kaleidoscope Festival | Sat, Jul. 12 | 1:00 pm to 10:30 pm | Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | From £15.95 | Alexandra Palace’s very own Kaleidoscope Festival returns on Saturday 12 July 2025 Headlining the festival’s stunning outdoor Hilltop Stage, dance music legends Faithless will be performing live.

Local Lowdown

The brand new Stufio at Barnet and Southgate College

Recording

Studio buzz. Barnet and Southgate College has opened a new £2.2 million studio. Here, students get to produce TV shows, soundtracks, and animations with cutting-edge equipment. Perfect timing as film and TV studios expand across the UK, opening up heaps of job opportunities.

Eating

Morning munchies sorted. Three schools in Barnet and five in Brent will start free breakfast clubs for primary-aged kids in April. This is part of a nationwide plan of 750 schools across the UK. Get ready for a brainy breakfast boost.

Apprenticing

Skills spotlight. Brent Cross Town shines during National Apprentice Week. Contractors like JRL Group and Galldris teamed up with Whitefield School to champion apprenticeships. They're paving the way for diverse young talents to build careers in construction.

Traveling

Train pain. New data on the busiest train stations in the UK reveals that Mill Hill Broadway ranks 311th. It sees 4,583 entries and exits each day. It's lagging in performance. It ranks 2,412th out of 2,636 stations, with only 11% of trains on time. Time for a timetable tune-up?

Voting

Don't forget that the Finchley Church end by-election for a councillor is this week on 6th March. Polling will be open from 07:00 am to 10:00 pm. Make sure you exercise your right to vote.

Finchley Night Sky Lights Up

The shooting star? | Image by Mike Constantine

Last Wednesday evening, an unexpected celestial spectacle surprised Finchley residents. At around 6:30 pm, a brilliant shooting star streaked across the sky.

Experts are now weighing in on the dazzling display.

Jake Foster, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, says the strange light was likely a big meteor, often called a fireball.

But Foster doesn’t rule out more unusual origins. He says it might have been a small piece of space junk, like a part of an old satellite, coming back into our atmosphere.

About 50 tons of space rock enter Earth’s atmosphere every day.

Finchley just happened to catch a glimpse this time.

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Editors' Note - From Tessa

We have an exciting week ahead in the Davis Family.

Not only will it be my birthday, but I'm taking 2 x 13 year old girls to see Sabrina Carpenter this week.

Trying to familiarise myself with her back catalogue and getting our outfits ready.

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

You can now get a guaranteed (paid) listing for local events or local lowdown/news items.

And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

Tessa Davis

Sasha Frieze

Finchley Now

🗞️ Did You See Finchley's Shooting Star?