On the agenda: Volvo Starlite Urban Drive-In; Steve McCurry; Mary Portas; BikeRadar Live; Royal Albert Hall

It's retro week! We're off to a drive-in and, when that's done, we're going down the hop

Film

It's fair to say that the drive-in movie, that staple of Americana, never quite took off over here. Perhaps it was the lack of chrome trimmings on our rides, or the inclement weather; either way, cultural entrepreneur Damian Barr's (carbon-neutral) Volvo Starlite Urban Drive-In is seeking to change all that. Setting-up shop in London's über-cool rent-a-space the Truman Brewery, this "pop-up" experience offers a 20ft screen alongside a cavernous "lot" filled with a fleet of 25 gleaming Volvos for you to step into and kick back to classic Yankee flicks Grease and Dirty Dancing as a team of roller-skating waitresses serve popcorn and cocktails. Friday and Saturday, starliteurbandrivein.co.uk. For the chance to win a pair of tickets, email your details to newreview@independent.co.uk

Adam Jacques

Photography

When daring young photojournalist Steve McCurry went to Afghanistan to cover the Soviet invasion in 1984, he captured the conflict's defining image – the green-eyed "Afghan Girl" – catapulting his career into the stratosphere. Twenty-six years and a slew of evocative images later, McCurry's first UK exhibition has landed, featuring more than 80 of his most compelling photographs, including the heartbreaking Bombay image "Beggar Girl". To 17 October at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, bmag.org.uk

AJ

Fashion

You've watched her on TV, you've read her life-coaching columns – now you can click on her too. Shopping maven, lifestyle guru and PR legend Mary Portas has launched her own website, which promises to be an online community for those in need of a bit of retail therapy. It will list shops with reviews which anyone can add to, comment on and rate, as well as hosting online polls. It's a marketing dream – just like Mary herself. maryportas.com

Harriet Walker

Books

While the ever-magnificent London Literature Festival kicks off on the South Bank on Thursday, those who can't make it to the capital need only go to their local Oxfam shop to expand their literary horizons. The second Oxfam Bookfest is bigger and better than last year's, with events from Inverness to Plymouth until 17 July, featuring stars from children's author Jason Bradbury to Bob the Builder. oxfam.org.uk/bookfest

Katy Guest

Cycling

Cycle nuts will have Saturday's Tour de France locked into their viewing schedule, but those looking for a more interactive ride can head to this year's BikeRadar Live, set in and around Brands Hatch in Kent. A plethora of activities are on offer, from 106-mile sportives and off-road races for the super-pedal-powered, to stunt displays and a cycling film festival for the more sedentary. 10-11 July, bikeradar.com/live

AJ

Dance

Back in the days when butter was rationed to four ounces and swinging meant something entirely different, gran would let down her hair and jive away into the night at one of the countless dance halls across the UK. Fast-forward to 2010 and the Royal Albert Hall is cashing in on a new surge of interest in old-style good times by turning its cavernous interior into a 5,000sq ft dancefloor for one night only, where you can jitterbug your away across the dancefloor to the sound of the jive and swing band the Jive Aces and have yourself a spiffing night out on the razzle. 9 July, royalalberthall.com

AJ