It’s a long way from crackers to crocuses and the days between can seem relentlessly grey but take heart – Hackney’s written a diverse and diverting prescription to pep us up: innovative European short films, astonishing African images and even an investigation into where we put our bottoms.

Rio Cinema

April brings two German films – a monumental performance from Bruno Ganz as Hitler in Downfall (1-7) and social satire in The Edukators (15-28). From 8-14 Saul Dibb’s documentary Bullet Boy explores UK gun culture and the Raindance East Film Festival (22-28) gives voice to cultural diversity (www.raindance.co.uk) www.riocinema.co.uk  (0207 241 9410)

Hackney Museum

In collaboration with the Hayward Gallery’s African Remix – the largest exhibition of contemporary African art ever shown in Europe – the museum will be displaying a selection of work from five photographers based in Mozambique, Morocco and Ivory Coast. These vibrant and contrasting images present a different perspective on urban and rural lives. On 14 April, Gus Casely Hayford, Programme Director of Africa 05, will talk about the exhibition and the promotion of African art and culture in the UK. Until 17 April, the on-going programme highlighting Famous Women of Hackney focuses on Oscar-winning actress Jessica Tandy who was born in E5. Contact the museum with suggestions of other females with links to the borough. museum@hackney.gov.uk (0208 356 3500)

Geffrye Museum

Until 29 August London’s unique interiors museum presents SIT – an exhibition challenging notions about seating through innovative approaches to form and function, including portraits of London’s design community. Why not take the tour of one of the restored 18th century almshouses and show the kids how lucky they are? www.geffrye-museum.org.uk  (0207 739 9893)

Arcola Theatre

One hundred years ago Berlin and Vienna were home to some of the greatest minds of the 20th Century and Dumbfounded Theatre and the Oxford Stage Company are co-producing The Last Waltz, 3 classics from 1905, for the first time in London for 70 years (till 17 May). The prejudices beneath the society’s glittering surface and bourgeois hypocrisy are laid bare in Schnitzler’s Professor Bernhardi and Wedekind’s Musik, whilst Rose Bernd by Hauptmann charts a young woman’s decent into the lower depths.
Take your pick or see them all together on April 23 & 30 or May 7 for £20. Alternatively, in Crossings (from 11 May) Clare Duffy investigates what it means to be young, in love and alive in a confusing world and Shortcuts 2005 (23-29 May) brings together theatre professionals and new writing. There are opportunities to present your own work
(arcolashortcuts@yahoo.co.uk).
The Arcola Youth Theatre for 13-19 year olds has an open day on 5 April for auditions, taster sessions and enrolment. www.arcolatheatre.com  (0207 503 1646)

Hackney Empire

The Empire’s eclecticism continues apace. English Touring Opera present Madame Butterfly (24 & 25 April) or indulge yourself with the Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand songbooks in Manhattan Nights (6 April) and Patti Boulaye’s Sun Dance from 13 May. The Young Vic’s acclaimed production of Lorraine Hasberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, about an African-American family in 1950s Chicago, is playing from 3-7 May. Not to be missed.