London is a world class center of the arts. If you are interested in artistic activities you have numerous opportunities to make friends in London while doing the things you love. Whatever branch of the arts interests you, and whether it is participating actively or watching professionals, you can easily make friends through it in London.

Here’s how:

TV

London is home of the BBC Television Centre. You can get free tickets to be in the audience of a wide range is TV shows as they are filmed. You may even see yourself on TV afterwards. If you have a favorite show shot in London, why not find out when it is next being filmed, ask around and arrange a trip to be in the audience. Coming together to watch a TV show live is a great way to make friends. Imagine the fun conversations you could have afterwards, sharing memories and planning your next TV studio visit, and it’s all for free!

Film

The streets and historic sites of London are often used for filming. Many British and overseas films are shot on London streets and venues around the city. You could be a paid extra! TV companies are always looking for ordinary people like you and me to be in background shots. You could have fun, even in costume, with a non-speaking or walk-on part in a film and make friends with people who are regular extras on many films. It’s a fun hobby and gives you chance to meet famous people and make friends with your fellow extras. People who live outside of London don’t have this opportunity that living in the capital city brings.

The London Sci-Fi Film Festival is held annually. It is in August to September in 2011. Here you can make friends mingling with sci-fi fanatics, writers and stars of the shows you love. Nowhere else in the country has anything like it so if you want to make friends with fellow sci-fi fans get down to London for the festival.

Theatre

There are a huge number of theatres in London. All types of plays are performed from classics and serious plays to hilarious comedies and modern musicals, with everything else in between. By becoming a regular theatre-goer in London, you will be able to spot familiar faces that often turn up to performances. Strike up a conversation with them in the bar over a coffee or alcoholic drink. You can easily make friends that way, and be introduced to shows you may not have thought about seeing.

If amateur dramatics is your thing too, you will find that many of the London theatres have amateur companies that you can join. Appearing in a play and rehearsing together is a good way to make friends with like-minded people.

Music

The music scene in London is huge and vibrant. Few things offer a better way to make friends than to share a few drinks and then bop the night away on the dance floor or at a gig or concert. From massive stadiums where world class acts perform to small and intimate jazz club and alternative rock bands, London has it all. You can easily put the word out at work or in college that you would like to get a group together to see a certain artist. There may be some surprises in who expresses interest but that is a good way to make friends with people who share your musical interests.

Classical music fans have world class opportunities to see their idols in London, whether that is at the BBC Proms in the Park, Hyde Park or at the Royal Albert Hall. This is not for everyone, so chatting with the people you sit near at these events could open up for you some good opportunities to make friends with like-minded people who would enjoy going to other concerts with you.

Dance

Whether you want to learn to dance in a particular genre, to watch a performance of ballet, modern dance or any other dance genre besides, or you just want to boogie with friends at a club, you can do all of these things in London. On the dance floor, your moves and the relaxed atmosphere can allow you to make friends and set up a meeting for the following weekend. There are numerous salsa classes and other dance classes which are conducted all over London. Of course, London night clubs are legendary and often have famous DJs like Pete Tong and others. An easy way to make friends is to arrange with the people you work or study with to meet up at a club on a Friday or Saturday night.

No article about ways to make friends with artistic people in London would be complete without mentioning the Nottinghill Carnival, held every year. It is an amazing feast of music, dance and food where people get together on the street. Make friends at the Nottinghill Carnival and you make friends for life!