Our pick of the weekend’s action:

FRIDAY 19

Blow the froth off an autumn beer or two at this Real Ales festival, featuring around 20 of the tastiest brews from the Lancashire region, all day until Sunday at Filthy McNasty’s, Amwell Street, EC1. Free entry, discount on beer for CAMRA card holders, call 020 8617 3505.

Be one of the first to hear new material from saxophone legend Courtney Pine’s new album at the London launch of House of Legends, from 7pm at Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, N1. Tickets cost �25, visit www.agmp.co.uk.

Help an innovative art space and venue celebrate its third birthday in the company of the reggae legends Trojan Soundsystem, from 8pm to 2am at the Book Club, Leonard Street, EC2. Costs �5 after 8pm, call 020 7684 8618.

Luxuriate in an afternoon concert for the over-55s by the Royal College of Music at the Claremont Centre, White Lion Street, N1. Free, call 0207 837 3402.

SATURDAY 20

Grab a bite to eat then relax with a drink as the Mick Sullivan Quartet, featuring Miss Bizzie and the Blue Light Boys plays swing and jive for your pleasure, from 8 to 10.30pm at Ajani Grill, Hornsey Road, N19. Free, call 020 7272 5566.

Sup some interesting ales and listen to live music from King Toadfish while you chose your favourite at this real ale festival, all day from Thursday to Sunday at The Alma, Newington Green Road, N16. Free entry, call 020 7359 4536.

Break out the brushes and easel with these mixed level art classes for adults and beginners class for children aged seven to 12, from 2.30 to 5pm (adults) and 10.30am to 12noon (children), at Highbury Baptist Church, Highbury Place, N5. Cost �76 (�56 concessions) for adults and �80 (�60 concessions) for children for eight sessions, call 07786 760437.

Enjoy an exhibition of fashion, textiles, jewellery and accessories from highly established and emerging talents as part of the Islington Contemporary Art and Design Fair, from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Candid Arts Trust, Torrens Street, EC1. Call 020 7837 4237.

SUNDAY 21

Find out how to prepare and barbecue the perfect steak, then impress your friends by matching it with the correct wine, from 4pm at De La Panza, Southgate Road, N1. Costs �50 for the lesson and as much meat as you can eat. Call 020 7226 0334.

Dip into the Orient with these Chi Kung classes. Every Sunday from 11am to noon at Providence Court, Upper Street, N1, every Saturday, from 11.15am to 12.30pm and every Friday from 6.45pm to 7.45pm, at the Unity Church, Upper Street, N1. For more information call 07973 622240. Cost �10 a lesson or �40 for five.

Fight your corner at Battle of Ideas: high-level, thought-provoking, public debate organised by the Institute of Ideas, from 10am at the Barbican, Silk Street EC2. Cost �60 (�35), call 020 7638 8891.

Design, create and funk up your own t-shirt to look like a catwalk superstar at this workshop for over 18s, from 4 to 5.30pm at Manor Gardens Centre, Manor Gardens, N7. Costs 25 (�18 conc), call 020 7272 4231.