On the agenda: XOYO; Brighton Comedy Festival; Agatha Christie Festival; London Fashion Week; London Design Festival;

Red, red, red: shades of Maybelline, herrings in Devon and painting the town in Old Street

Music

After eight years of planning and refurbishing, the disused print works near Old Street station that will henceforth be known as the 800-capacity XOYO is to open its doors for the first time this Wednesday. Did this part of east London need another hipster magnet? Not exactly. But with the launch party being headlined by up-and-coming art-rockers Everything Everything and the week ahead also featuring a show from British Sea Power and a DJ set from Queens of Noize, we say see you down the front. xoyo.co.uk

Simmy Richman

Comedy

If you couldn't make it to Edinburgh and are desperate for a few ha-ha's to warm you through the coming months, head down to the south coast, where the fringe's Comedy Award winner Russell Kane will be joined by Al Murray, Jimmy Carr, Ardal O'Hanlon, Stewart Lee, Frankie Boyle (Enough? No? OK, then...), Sarah Millican, Robin Ince, Jack Whitehall, Kevin Bridges et al in placing a bonfire under the cockles of your heart at the Brighton Comedy Festival from 7-23 October. Tel: 01273 709 709, brightoncomedy festival.com

Robert Epstein

Books

It's a mystery. No, not Toyah – get your head out of the 1980s – but rather who's the killer at a series of murder-mystery dinners being put on at the Agatha Christie Festival. Based in her native Devon, the festival this year celebrates the 120th anniversary of the author's birth, and alongside the dinners, there will be a 1930s village fête, boat and train trips, garden parties and an open-water swim. But the highlight for amateur snoops will surely be the treasure hunt with a twist – find 120 red herrings scattered through Paignton, Torquay and Brixham. Today to 19 September, englishriviera.co.uk

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Fashion

With London Fashion Week kicking off on Friday, spare a thought for the make-up artists backstage who'll be creating the runway looks we'll want to copy. Fresh from the New York shows, Maybelline artists have set up shop in a new pop-up store in Covent Garden to give beauty obsessives tips to get catwalk-ready at home. Stock up on old favourites or take a look at two exclusive products which won't be elsewhere until 2011: the red shade that's a bestseller in the US will be on sale for the first time in the UK, while its gel eyeliner promises to revolutionise your make-up bag. 16-26 September, 18 Shorts Gardens, London WC2

Harriet Walker

Design

Spare a penny? Then why not attach it to a giant magnetised coin – which will then be swapped for pounds and given to charity – at this year's supersized London Design Festival, which is set to host more than 200 installations, events, workshops and performances at 150 venues across the capital. Why not pop along to the V&A, for example, where "celebrity maps" will take you on a tour of the favourite items in the museum of designer Paul Smith, supermodel Erin O'Connor and singer Florence Welch. Saturday to 26 September, londondesign festival.com

Adam Jacques

Sport

It can be a surreal experience supping a pint outside a riverside pub, only to see a flotilla of ships bearing down on you. But that's what will be happening on the Thames on 25 September (the flotilla, anyway) as a record 300-plus boats of all shapes and sizes push themselves 21 miles upstream from London Docklands to Ham. A truly international affair, this is one spectacular that deserves a good crowd (and goodness knows there'll be room enough to accommodate you). greatriverrace.co.uk

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