There are some recent shifts in London's cultural scene worth of a note for Hammersmith residents and businesses. Europe's largest multi-arts centre, the Barbican, is bringing to Hammersmith venues some events of "Way Beyond Nashville". Beyond Nashville is a festival of Americana and alt.country music. It started in 2001 following an explosion of interest in the genre, and since then the festival keeps growing year after year.

Beyond Nashville was first confined to the Barbican. In 2002 "Further Beyond Nashville" didn't go much further in terms of location. Three other venues participated in the festival: the Borderline (W1), Union Chapel (N1) and The Spitz (E1). This year's "Way Beyond Nashville" certainly goes way beyond. From the 10 venues where the festival will be held, four are in Hammersmith: Lyric Hammersmith, Carling Apollo, Shepherd's Bush Empire and Bush Hall. It starts on Monday 20th October until the 20th November.

Another well-known art organisation is also transferring its shows to this part of the city. This year's English National Ballet Christmas season will be held at the Carling Apollo. Hammersmith residents will have at their doorsteps two of the most traditional Christmas ballets: Cinderella (from 10 December) and The Nutcracker (opens on Christmas eve).

Nothing to disturb Lloyd Webb's sleep, but other news confirm that Hammersmith is getting even more importance in London's arts scene. The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (Lamda) has recently moved to Talgarth Road, the Apollo is now at almost double capacity after a massive refurbishment and the Lyric, already a major producing and presenting theatre, is under redevelopment to become a London landmark, with dramatic glass-fronted entrance, new rehearsal space and street-level café.

Despite the new Lyric, the new Apollo, the Riverside, the Bush Theatre, the Bush Hall, the Shepherd's Bush Empire, the Irish Centre and the Polish Centre, there is still one thing that Hammersmith residents' and visitors are missing out: an adequate space for the visual arts.

Way Beyond Nashville Web page

English National Ballet Web site