Critically acclaimed comedy from Kevin Bridges, a festival to mark International Women’s Day and a battle to create the best Fair Trade banana recipe are just some of the things featured in our top five this week.

1. Friday - Kevin Bridges

Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges performs ahead of his 2014 Australian tour at Jacksons Lane, Highgate. Since his critically acclaimed mainstream TV break on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, his shows have regularly sold out. The evening will also feature fellow comedian Damo Clark.

Starts at 9.30pm. Tickets £12. Call 020 8341 4421 to book.

2. Saturday - International Women’s Day

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, hosts a festival to mark International Women’s Day. Held annually on March 8, thousands of events take place worldwide to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

A series of events at the school will see the student body come together and celebrate the history and future of women across the globe. The festival will play host to acclaimed theatre companies such as Clean Break, Generation Arts and Tender. A children and families workshop starts at 9am. All other events will begin at 9.45am. The event is free. Booking advised at iwdfestival.weebly.com.

3. Wednesday - Banana Battle

Battle it out to create London’s most tasty banana recipe as Camden Fairtrade Network welcomes cake bakers and recipe makers from all over London to enter their competition. Creations can be sweet or savoury and entries will be judged by a Colombian banana producer who will also be talking about the positive impact Fairtrade has had on his community. The event forms part of the annual Fairtrade Fortnight. Hosted at The People’s Cafe in Cromer Street, King’s Cross. Starts at 6pm. Visit www.camdenfairtrade.org.uk for more information.

4. Sunday - Become a Chocolatier

Youngsters, aged eight to 11, are invited to join in a fun afternoon making edible Purim-themed chocolate confections.

Participants will learn about the skills of a chocolatier from Steph Saffer, founder of Kokopelli’s Chocolate, a north-west London-based boutique chocolaterie, and make chocolate masks and hamantashen. At the London Jewish Cultural Centre in Golders Green from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets £30.

Booking at www.ljcc.org.uk.

5. Saturday - Haiti gig

Themed around the “10 years of women’s resistance to occupation and repression”, world-renowned poet and reggae artist Linton Kwesi Johnson will be reading some of his work at a benefit gig for Haiti.

Also marking International Women’s Day, he will be joined by Kat & Co, Tabitha Benjamin, Battle of You and Vasuntra A Sundram. At the Crossroads Women’s Centre in Wolsey Mews, Kentish Town, from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets £10 (waged), £5 (unwaged). Proceeds go to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund and the Medical School of Dr Aristide. Call 020 7482 2496 to book.