Dulwich Picture Gallery is delighted to announce its very first weekend culture festival ‘MayFest: Men of Mystery’ (15–17 May 2015) which includes two Vintage Evenings featuring outdoor cinema, exhibition tours, swing dancing and street food in the Gallery’s grounds. This year the festival will celebrate the work of the ‘Master of Suspense’ Alfred Hitchcock and the 20th century artist Eric Ravilious whose work is said to have been inspired by Hitchcock’s shadowy interiors, mysterious scenarios and strange perspectives.

The Gallery will open late on Friday and Saturday nights with a line-up inspired by the intriguing similarities in the work of both Alfred Hitchcock and Eric Ravilious. Outdoor cinema screenings of Rear Window and The 39 Steps will follow exclusive ‘Ravilious: Man of Mystery’ tours of the new exhibition. Visitors can also enjoy a free swing dance lesson at 7.15pm from renowned dance school Swing Patrol followed by a show-stopping pre-film performance, as well as indulge in the latest street food trends courtesy of popular vendors from the West Norwood Feast. A pop-up vintage shop courtesy of East Dulwich’s ChiChiRaRa and make-up artist Billie MacKenzie will be on hand to help visitors get the vintage look. Visitors are encouraged to ‘dress the part’ in 1930s and 40s style dress with prizes for those with the best vintage style.

Over the weekend the Gallery will be inviting visitors to take part in a mass-installation drop-in workshop for all ages in the Gallery’s grounds. Families are invited to come along and take part in the session coordinated by a teaching artist. All creations will be hung on the outside walls or of Sir John Soane’s Gallery throughout the day. On Saturday morning an ‘Eye Spy’ Storytelling session in the Gallery will bring Ravilious’ paintings to life for young visitors with an animated teller using interactive techniques to help children engage.

May Fest: Men of Mystery is part of Museums at Night, the annual UK-wide weekend of late openings at arts and heritage venues, which captures people’s imaginations and encourages audiences to do something different with their evening.