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On the agenda: Latin American art; I Blame Coco; eating al fresco at the National; hotguysreadingbooks.com; Wychwood Festival; Martin Margiela

We're all set to marvel at Margiela, blame Coco and have a picnic with Alan Bennett

Sunday 30 May 2010 00:00 BST
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Art

Think Latin American art, and most of us might find it hard to think beyond Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. But not for much longer. Transferring from New York, the Pinta Art show comes to London's Earls Court from Friday, where more than 50 renowned galleries (some UK-based, such as White Cube and Riflemaker) will show off a panorama of leading and emerging Latin American talent, including the Mexican installation artist Damian Ortega. Runs until next Sunday, pintaart.com Adam Jacques

Music

For a glimpse of the next crop of young musicians poised to make it big, the return of this year's Sanderson Predicts gig series – set in the London hotel's stunning inner courtyard – is worth a peek. Last year it showcased Little Boots and Marina and the Diamonds, and this year, Sting's daughter Coco Sumner and her band I Blame Coco kick off the series, which will run every Thursday for the coming month. The gigs are free – although you'll need to book a table in advance and there's a minimum spend of £40 per table. Tel: 020 7300 1444, sandersonlondon.com AJ

Food

London's National Theatre has created a tasty tie-in to its late-summer programme: al fresco meals served before select performances. Work is afoot to convert its terrace into a luscious rooftop garden replete with blossom trees and manicured grass where you can chill on a deckchair and feast on a pre-made picnic before heading down for one of four performances including Alan Bennett's The Habit of Art. There are only 10 dates available, so places are likely to be snapped up fast. 2-20 August, £55 per person including picnic and play, nationaltheatre.org.uk AJ

Books

A new study of more than 70,000 people in 27 countries has shown that having just 20 books in your house will increase your child's academic success – and keeping a 500-book library results in a child remaining in education for an average of three years longer. But the tricky problem remains: how to persuade teenage boys to read? How about showing them the website hotguysreadingbooks.tumblr.com, where they'll soon learn that girls swoon over intelligent men? Girls like guys who read books, fellas. See you in the library. Katy Guest

Kids

Cheltenham's annual arts and music festival Wychwood has all the usual family fare next weekend: tales from Roald Dahl, clay-sculpting for tiny tots... and one of the world's great ballet companies? Yes, the English National Ballet's troupe of expert teachers will be running a series of six one-hour workshops for kids of all ages. It's first come, first served, so check out the programme brochure, available on the day, for information on reserving a space – and prepare to see your child turn into Billy Elliot. wychwoodfestival.com AJ

Fashion

The exhibition the fashion world has been waiting for has finally reached our shores: Maison Martin Margiela 20, a retrospective of the Belgian designer's glittering career, opens at Somerset House on Thursday and is sure to be a hit, after enjoying international success in Margiela's hometown of Antwerp. Marvel at the ingenuity, wit and sheer beauty of his pieces; gasp at the feats of design, width of shoulder pads and complexities of his wig-coats. This publicity-shy designer has much to offer beyond the catwalk, and here is an exhibition to do him justice. somersethouse.org.uk Harriet Walker

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