It's been a long time coming, but lazy summer days seem to be on their way at last. Residents of N16 will soon be poolside in the park or sipping cool drinks in Church Street's cafes. However, should you feel the need for a little time in the shade and some cultural stimulation, there is much on offer in the coming months - whether your taste is for Bollywood and Bhangra rhythms, stand-up comedy or avant garde cinema, you need never leave the borough.

The Arcola Theatre continues with its eclectic programme. Release the Beat (until August 21) offers an energetic fusion of hiphop and breakbeat inspired by the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Continuing its exploration of world theatre, from 23 August Tiata Fahodzi Theatre Company collaborates with emerging directors and writers in 6 presentations of new work reflecting the richness of the experience of the African diaspora residing in Britain. 

From existential comedy about recklessness on the roads of Nigeria through an examination of the price paid for artistic vision to the psychology of staff and visitors to Robben Island during Mandela's incarceration, the company offers a rare opportunity to delve deep into theatre and its compatibility with the British stage. Looking further ahead, in October the acclaimed Out of Joint present their 10th anniversary production of Shakespeare's masterpiece of blood-soaked ambition, Macbeth. Not to be missed. (020 7503 1646 or www.arcolatheatre.com).

The Hackney Empire continues to bring an astonishing variety of entertainment to an insatiable public. August includes urban music, poetry and drama from Coco Jems (1), Midnight Cabaret (6,13 and 20) and South African dance (29). On 2 September Paul Merton and the Comedy Store Players improvise for charity, there's a tribute to the work of songwriter Jule Styne (23) and an evening with Tony Benn. This Autumn promises an opportunity to experience some opera at non-Covent Garden prices - La Boheme (14 October), Aida (3 November), Carmina Burana (7 Nov) and The Cunning Little Vixen (15). (020 8985 2424)

At The Rio, Michael Moore's acclaimed Fahrenheit 9/11 and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban are showing until 5 August. Will Smith rages against the machine in I Robot and the young Che Guevara and friend make a journey of discovery across South America in Walter (Central Station) Salles' The Motorcyle Diaries (from 27 August) (see picture above). Continuing the renaissance in American documentaries, in Sundance Festival favourite Super Size Me (from 10 September) director Morgan Spurlock chronicles his decent into fast food hell. Orange subscribers can obtain a free ticket when purchasing one at full price each Wednesday. For information on Saturday matinees and kids' films contact The Rio (020 7241 9410 or www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk).

Hackney Museum promises a Noisy Summer with opportunities this August to lean turntable skills with DJ Rachel Harvey (5) and a workshop discovering African/Brazilian and Indian dance rhythms (19.) Raining Cats, Dogs and Fishing Rods (12) will be exploring the origins of idioms, proverbs and phrases used in some of the 100 languages now spoken in Hackney and culminates in a high-profile exhibition for all ages exploring these themes (020 8356 3500 or hmuseum@hackney.gov.uk).

Summer Reading

The award-winning Stoke Newington Bookshop (see page 6) recommends the following books as ideal summer reading:

Brick Lane, Monica Ali, BlackSwan, £7.99
Star of the Sea. Joseph O'Connor, Vintage, £6.99
A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bil Bryson, Black Swan, £8.99
Truecrime, Jake Arnott, Sceptre, £6.99
Notes on a Scandal, Zoe Heller, Penguin, £6.99
Sidetracked, Henning Mankell, Vintage, £6.99
Dude, Where's My Country?, Michael Moore, Penguin, £7.99
Liars and Saints, Maile Meloy, John Murray, £7.99
The Opposite of Fate, Amy Tan, Harper Perennial, £7.99
A Round-Heeled Woman, Jane Juska, Vintage, £7.99
The Know, Martina Cole, Headline, £6.99
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown, Corgi, £6.99

. and for kids:

Lion Boy, Ziza Corder, Puffin, £4.99
The Book of Dead Days, Marcus Sedgwick, Dolphin, £4.99
Horrid Henry meets the Queen, Francesca Simon, Dolphin, £4.99
Doctor Judy Moody, Megan McDonald, Walker, £4.99