Top 5: Unmissable Events in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
Plans? We can’t get enough of them. Here’s 5 amazing events you simply can’t miss this weekend:
Friday 28th September
1. For Female Empowerment: V&A
What: This week, the V&A Friday Late is teaming up with online magazine and collective, gal-dem. Made up of over 50 women of colour, gal-dem offers their take on the world. Come to the Museum for an all-female line up, pop-up salons, soul food recipes and London’s best MCs.
Why: Female DJ’s A.G. and DJ Darkstepper and MC’s Souljah, Flohio and Melz will be bringing UK Grime to the V&A with high energy sets throughout the evening. Visit the WAH Nails pop-up salon where nail art comes with attitude. In the Medieval Renaissance gallery, watch a fashion show by designer Ibiye Campis featuring her jeans and bucket hats. Her denim pieces are inspired by 90s nostalgia and music videos, and celebrate inspirational figures from Aaliyah to Angela Davis. Personal trainer Kelechi Okafor will lead a workshop on twerking, tracing the origins of the dance form from Africa via New Orleans. Finally, Reel Good Film Club will be inviting visitors to lie down and look up as they project a selection of their favourite 90s music videos in the Tapestry Galleries.
Price: Admission free. Some events may be ticketed.
When: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Illustration by Leyla Reynolds
2. For an Immersive Experience: Illuminations
What: Illuminations has just announced the first events for its 5th Anniversary, confirmed to take place from Friday (28th) to November, featuring the series’ biggest and most exciting programme yet. An intoxicating and eclectic showcase in modern music, art and film, this now 14-day event – curated by London independent promoters and tastemakers Rockfeedback, re-establishes itself at the centre of the multi-cultural capital.
Why: Illuminations 2016 will commence with The Bug presents ‘Sirens’, plus special guests joining the ever-shifting artist for a new work, blurring the boundaries between live performance and immersive installation, centered around the theme of complications surrounding his son’s birth. ‘Sirens’ is an avalanche of sound, light and physical sensation.
Price: £18. Buy your tickets here
When: Illuminations at Autumn Street Studios, E3 2TT
Saturday 29th October
3. For Everything Under One Roof: Last Days Of Shoreditch
What: Last Days Of Shoreditch is reopening its doors this weekend, with the site now armed with a wealth of winter season additions to take the party right through until December. The mezzanine level will now feature a brand new restaurant area providing table service from the resident traders, whilst the entire venue will become fully heated and covered for the very first time.
Why: Opening its doors from Thursday to Saturday every weekend, everyone can once again enjoy a fine array of foodie offerings from the likes of Rainbo, Wingmans, Mama’s Jerk, Cheese Truck, and Pull and Punch fueling party-goers until the music stops. And while we’re on the subject of music – there’ll be a nonstop series of curated musical line-ups including parties from the UK’s best loved festivals such as Bugged Out Weekender, Eastern Electrics, Snowbombing, and many more. Thanks to the power of outdoor heating, Last Days of Shoreditch will now feature toasty fire pits, plus an improved dance floor space; ready for you to throw down some serious shapes.
Price: Advance tickets: free drink, queue jump and guaranteed entry – £8. On the door: £5. Tickets here
When: Last Days Of Shoreditch, 288-299 Old Street, EC1V 9DP
Sunday 30th October
What: Chelsea’s infamous speakeasy bar, Barts will be introducing the Sunday Blues this autumn and winter. Starting from Sunday, his undeniable love of the blues will be revealed each week with well-known artists performing their favourite blues tunes live.
Why: Uncle Barts has enlisted some of the best live blues musicians in London including blues singer, Katie Bradley. Her love of the blues exposes her as a very exciting, up-coming artist. Experience her haunting rendition of the Delta Blues, with a drink in hand. As the winter nights draw in, warm your cockles with some popcorn on the house and a tipple from Barts‘ brand new Comic Book menu, inspired by the infamous story of how Uncle Barts came from the rough streets of Chicago and created his own bootlegging business in the heart of Chelsea. Choose from expertly crafted cocktails including, Uncle Barts‘ Punch, made with Bacardi Oakheart rum, zesty lime juice, Angostura bitters, apple juice and ginger beer and other heady concoctions.
Price: Free entry
Where: Chelsea Cloisters, 87 Sloane Avenue, London, SW3 3DW
5. For a Special Collaboration: Ceviche Old St
What: Inspired by the collaborative Soul Sessions between Motown artists during the 60s, Ceviche Old St are to host a series called the Soul Food Sessions. Martin Morales and his team will be opening their kitchen for a series of one-off nights with selected ‘soulfood chefs’ to collaborate and capture an exciting new food movement.
Why: Kicking off the Sunday session will be Chef Edson Diaz-Fuentes, founder of Santo Remedio. Alongside Ceviche Old St Executive Chef Vitelio Reyes’ menu, Edson has created a selection of new taco dishes reflecting his Mexican heritage in celebration of Day of the Dead. Nibble on tacos of grilled ox tongue with smokey Pepián Rojo, and Michoacan Style pig’s cheek with salsa verde and pickled onion. Ceviche Old St’s cocktail maestros will be on hand serving up exclusive cocktails such as a Peruvian Margarita – Pisco impostor Tequila, orange pisco, lime, agave syrup) and the Ofrenda – Pisco impostor Mezcal, marigold and honey syrup, smoked pineapple, limo chilli and vanilla infused pisco.
Price: To book, email: oldst@cevicheuk.com.
When: Ceviche Old St, 2 Baldwin St, London EC1V 9NU
