What's on in London this week: 10 – 16 April 2023
Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 10 - 16 April 2023.
Explore London
Spring Plant Fair 2023
The Garden Museum Spring Plant Fair brings together expert plant growers and specialist nurseries from around the country to sell a variety of garden plants. Visitors can meet the growers and seek advice on what plants will flourish in their garden, balcony, or allotment. This year's fair includes new stalls from Great Dixter Nursery and Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens, providing a rare opportunity for Londoners to purchase plants grown by these historic nurseries. The fair also features a program of talks and workshops on topics such as growing annuals, seed sowing, and increasing wildlife and biodiversity in small spaces. Additionally, there will be a cookery demo and tasting in the studio kitchen. The programme is curated by Susanna Grant, the founder of Hello There Linda, a shade specialist plant shop based in Hackney. Click here for the full programme.
Date: 16 April 2023. Time:10am - 4pm. Location: The Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB.Price: from £4. Book now.
Image: Edgar Castrejon
Brick Lane Jazz Festival
The Brick Lane Jazz Festival, a highly-anticipated annual event that brings together London's jazz community, is set to kick off this week for three days of exceptional music in Shoreditch. The festival is a celebration of diversity, showcasing new and established jazz artists from London's vibrant music scene, known for their genre-defying sounds.This year's festival features over 50 artists across seven music venues, with all festival venues located within a minute's walk of each other. Don't miss this incredible event that celebrates the very best of London's jazz scene! Click here for the full line-up.
Date: 14 – 16 April 2023 Location: Various around Brick Lane. Book now.
Humans 2.0 by Circa
Circa Contemporary Circus is bringing Humans 2.0 to the Southbank Centre in London for its premiere. This contemporary circus performance showcases the beauty and mechanics of acrobatics, set to a score by techno composer Ori Lichtik. The show explores the challenges of being human, with acrobats performing feats such as hand-to-hand acrobatics, human towers, and banquine while pushing their physical limits. Rather than using props, the acrobats use their own bodies as swings, climbing frames, and supports. Through teamwork and trust, the show poses the question of whether we can ever achieve a perfect balance or if adapting to constant change is the only way forward.
Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Date: 12-16 April 2023. Price: from £18 - £30. Concessions available. Book now.
Coffee and Chess at Mercato Metropolitano
Have a wholesome Sunday playing chess at Mercato Metropolitano's café in Elephant and Castle. Suitable for all levels and ages, this casual chess club meets every Sunday morning. It’s the perfect session for anyone who likes to play chess, whether you are a beginner or master, there are players of different standards.Chess games start at 10 am and end at 3 pm, and participants can join in at any time. To top it off, there is also an excellent selection of coffee and food available in the café.
Date: 16 April 2023. Location: 42 Newington Causeway London SE1 6DR. Price: Free. Book now.
Image: Magnus Lunay
Sofar Sounds
Calling all music enthusiasts! Get ready for an unforgettable week filled with spectacular Sofar Sounds shows happening all across the city. From Tuesday to Sunday, immerse yourself in a myriad of musical events located in areas such as Hackney, Camden, Finsbury Park, Walthamstow, and Soho. If you're new to the world of Sofar Sounds, prepare to be mesmerised as they magically transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary venues for intimate live performances. The best part? The musical lineup remains a mystery until the moment the artists grace the stage! Don't miss out on this incredible experience.
Date: 11-16 April 2023. More dates available throughout April. Location: Various locations across the city. Prices: from £19. Click here to discover dates and locations for events.
Akram Khan Company: Jungle Book reimagined
Experience the magic of dance-theatre in Akram Khan's latest production, Jungle Book reimagined. Set against the backdrop of a world struggling with the impacts of climate change, this captivating retelling of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale follows the journey of a young child and their unlikely allies through a deserted city overrun by wild animals. Featuring a stunning original score by Jocelyn Pook and brought to life by ten international dancers, state-of-the-art animation, and visuals, this production is a vital piece of storytelling that explores the importance of belonging and respecting our natural world.
Date: Until 15 April 2023. Location: Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN. Price: from £15. Book now.
Image: Crystal Jo
Gardening at Pop Brixton
Come and discover the joys of gardening in the heart of Brixton at Pop Brixton's urban garden. This vibrant green oasis provides the perfect opportunity for participants of all backgrounds to indulge in a range of tasks, from nurturing edible plants through seed sowing, pricking out, planting out and harvesting, to tending to ornamental plants and taking cuttings. With something for everyone, this is an excellent chance to acquire new skills and knowledge. For those who can't get enough of gardening, why not head over to Brixton Orchard, just a 10-minute walk away, from 1pm to 3pm? There's always more to learn and explore in the world of gardening!
Date: 13 April 2023. Time: 10am - 11.30am. Location: Pop Brixton 49 Brixton Station Road London SW9 8PQ. Reserve your free ticket for Pop Brixton and for Brixton Orchard.
Bath Bomb Making at LUSH Oxford Street
Head to LUSH Oxford Street for an exciting workshop where you'll get to make their limited edition Follow the White Rabbit Bath Bomb. Bath bombs have been a household favourite at LUSH for over 30 years. At their workshop, you'll learn how to create your own handmade bath bomb and take it home with you. In addition to the bath bomb workshop, they have a range of fun activities planned, including a shower jelly race and a game of Pictionary using their FUN product. Plus, as a special treat, you'll receive exclusive LUSH Oxford Street goodies to take home with you!
Date: 13 April 2023 Time: 2.30pm. Location: Lush Spa Oxford Street 175-179 Oxford Street London W1D 2JS. Price: from £15. Book now.
Wine tasting
London has a variety of wine tasting events available for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and those who are looking for a fun night out. These wine tasting events cater to different occasions and price points. Here is our pick of wine tasting to try in London this week.
Image: Lucas Santos
Brixton Wine Club
Brixton Wine Club is hosting a wine tasting event suitable for all wine enthusiasts, from beginners to experts, on 11 April at Mortimer House. The event will offer a flight of 5 delicious wines to taste and a tasting sheet. Seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and dogs are also welcome to attend.
Date: 11 April 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JH. Price: £25. Book now.
Tap and Bottle Wine Club
Discover the beauty of Mediterranean wines at Tap & Bottle Wine Club's tasting event, hosted in the intimate and cosy upstairs snug of their wine bar. In collaboration with 'The Modest Merchant,' this exclusive event will feature a selection of five handpicked wines, accompanied by scrumptious food pairings. Relax in the inviting atmosphere of their wine bar and raise a toast to the arrival of spring with a Mediterranean-inspired celebration of exceptional wine, delicious cuisine, and wonderful company!
Date: 12 April 2023. Time: 7.30pm – 9pm. Location: Tap & Bottle, 64 Union Street London SE1 1SG. Price: £30 . Book now.
Thirsty Thursday Wine Tasting at Renegade Urban Winery
Renegade Urban Winery offers a wine tasting experience every other Thursday. This week's theme is ‘HOME GROWN’, featuring their own locally-sourced British wines and unique selections from other innovative British wineries. The tasting will explore the recent history of English wine growing and offer insights into different wine styles. The event is open to all levels of wine knowledge and will be presented in a friendly and approachable manner. Guests can enjoy sampling the wines and learning about the personal favourites of Renegade Urban Winery. It's a great opportunity to discover something new in the world of wine.
Date: 13 April 2023. Time: 7-8pm. Location: Renegade Wine Bar12 Gales Gardens London, E2 0EJ. Price: £25. Book now.
The New Wave of Spanish & Portuguese Wines
Bottle London is hosting a special wine tasting session to explore the world of Spanish and Portuguese wines. These regions have been known for producing world-class wines for a long time, but a new wave of producers is taking wine in a new, exciting direction. The ticket price includes a guided tasting of six wines and snacks for the evening.
Date: 12 April 2023. Time: 7pm - 9pm . Location: Bottle, 69 Highgate High Street London N6 5JX. Price: £19.50. Book now.
Wine Tasting With Sommelier Fabio Acari
Experience an enchanting evening of Italian wine and food pairing with the esteemed Sommelier Fabio Acari, hosted at the stunning Americano Hawley Wharf. Savour the flavours of Italy through a series of exquisite wine tastings, whilst receiving expert guidance on wine selection and pairing from the master himself. Engage in insightful discussions about the rich history and origins of each wine.Your ticket includes 8 glasses of wine, complemented by carefully curated meat and cheese pairings. As an added bonus, you’ll get the opportunity to purchase these exceptional wines at exclusive prices.
Date: 14 April 2023. Time:7pm - 10pm. Location: Americano, 3 Water Lane London, NW1 8NZ. Price: from £29. Book now.
Cheese & Wine Tasting Discovery at El Vino Fleet Street
Image: Davys of London
Delve into the season's finest cheeses, expertly paired with an exquisite selection of wines, in an event hosted by Ned Palmer, a celebrated cheesemonger and best-selling author. Upon arrival, savour a crisp and refreshing aperitif before embarking on a journey through eight artisanal cheeses. From the medieval Roquefort to Victorian Cheddar, from soft cheeses with ancient origins to modern British classics, Ned will be your knowledgeable guide throughout the experience. The cheeses will be served alongside mouth-watering bread and fruit pastes, perfectly complemented by an array of exceptional wines.
Date: 14 April 2023. Time: 6.30pm. Location: El Vino Fleet Street, 47 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1BJ.Tickets: £80.00 per person including aperitif followed by wine pairings with 8 artisanal cheeses.Book now.
Amalfi Wines - The estate of Benito Ferrara
Petersham Cellar is presenting a range of top wines from the Benito Ferrara wine estate, located in San Paolo di Tufo in the heart of Campania, Italy. Campania is known for its strong historical links to wine and vine, dating back to the 12th century BC, and is one of Italy's oldest wine regions. The region's abundance of sunshine, volcanic soil, and a long growing season makes it perfect for growing vines. The Ferrara family has been making wine in Campania since 1880, and their vines are planted on steep volcanic slopes at 450-600 metres above sea level. The event will start with a reception drinks and canapes, followed by a curated meal and 3 fine wines from this historic wine producing region.
Date: 13 April 2023. Time: Noon - 3pm. Location: Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane Off Petersham Road Richmond TW10 7AB. Price: £120. Book now.
One to look out for
Badiani Gelato And Wine Tasting
Image: Sean Cloudsdale Photography. © Badiani
In collaboration with their in-house sommelier, Badiani, the award-winning luxury gelato producer, is offering a range of wine and gelato pairings to shake up traditional wine and cheese tasting experiences. The events will take place at Badiani's Chelsea shop on Fulham Road. With a focus on sustainability and artisanal products, Badiani has scoured Italy to find wineries that share their values and passion. This promises to be more than your average gelataria.
Date: Thursday 20th April 2023 and 2 other Thursdays.Time: 7.30pm - 9pm. Location: 303 Fulham Road, SW10 9QH. Price: from £40. Book now.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
The Ultimate Bootleg Experience
Studio/Chapple is hosting an exhibition called The Ultimate Bootleg Experience that showcases the works of five artists. These artists will explore how archival materials such as album covers, posters, VHS tapes, and notes on the fridge can be used to document sonic and visual cultures, and how they can help create memories, political histories and stories. The exhibition aims to highlight the intricacies and fragility of everyday archival material and cultural detritus related to sound.
Date: 14-30 April 2023. Location: Enclave 7, 50 Resolution Way, Deptford, SE8 4NT. Price: Free
Image: Good Morning, 2023. Mina Mhach Durban and Athen Kardashian. The Ultimate Bootleg Experience, Studio/Chapple.
Sony World Photography Awards 2023
The Sony World Photography Awards 2023 exhibition will showcase exceptional images from international talent at Somerset House from 14 April. The exhibition includes a spotlight on the new Sustainability Prize and a special curation of works by Japanese photographer Rinko Kawauchi. With over 415,000 images submitted, this promises to be one of the most impressive exhibitions in the Awards' history.
Date: 14 April – 1 May 2023. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: from £15. Concessions available. Book now.
#FLOFAVOURITES THIS WEEK
Alice Neel: Eleanor Nairne, Rochelle Roberts and Chloë Ashby
The Barbican's Alice Neel exhibition curator and exhibition catalogue editor will be speaking with writer and art critic Chloë Ashby about the life and work of American portrait painter Alice Neel. The exhibition showcases Neel's intimate paintings that promote figurative painting during a time when abstraction was more popular, and often featured marginalised subjects. The exhibition catalogue includes essays by the curator, critic Hilton Als, and poetry by Daisy LaFarge. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing.
Date: 11 April 2023. Time: 7pm - 8.30pm. Location: Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0DT. Price: from £8. Book now.
Caro and Music
Annely Juda Fine Art is exhibiting Caro and Music, a selection of sculptures by Anthony Caro inspired by music. The exhibition features works dating from 1971-2010, including the Concerto Series from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The exhibition will be accompanied by the music Caro listened to while creating his sculptures. Caro was inspired by classical music, particularly Mozart, and incorporated discarded musical instruments into his sculptures. The exhibition celebrates the intersection of feeling and form in Caro's work.
Date: until 6 May 2023. Location: Annely Juda Fine Art, 23 Dering St, London W1S 1AW. Price: Free.
Image: Caro and Music. Annely Juda Fine Art.
Nicola Bealing - Chapter 2: The Borough
Nicola Bealing's exhibition at Matt's Gallery is now showcasing the second part of a two-part series. 'Chapter 2', titled The Borough, is a suite of new paintings inspired by George Crabbe's long poem of the same name. The paintings depict the story of Peter Grimes, a fisherman who takes on young apprentices who meet a grisly end at his hands. The paintings feature dark and seductive imagery that draws in viewers with their colour and paintwork but repulses them with their subject matter. The exhibition also includes small character studies and features Bealing's largest works to date, measuring 3 meters in height.
Date: until 16 April 2023. Location: 6 Charles Clowes Walk, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AN. Price: Free.
A conversation with artist Adam Chodzko’s at Camden Art Centre
Camden Art Centre is hosting a conversation and launch of Adam Chodzko's new publication, Ah, look, you can still just about see his little legs sticking out from it all! The book is based on Chodzko's lifelong relationship with Pieter Bruegel's painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus and includes his multimedia artworks from the past thirty years. The book also discusses topics such as globalisation, austerity politics in Britain, and the rise of the digital algorithm. Chodzko's observations and humor draw attention to the purpose of art in today's world, envisioning new ways of seeing, empathy, and ecological awareness. Chodzko will be in conversation with publisher and artist Michele Horrigan, discussing his ideas, methods, and thought patterns.
Date: 13 April 2023. Time: 7pm-9pm. Location: Camden Art Centre, Arkwright Road, London,NW3 6DG.Price: from £0- 15. Book now.
Abdulrazaq Awofeso: Broad Streets
Ed Cross Fine Art is currently showcasing Broad Streets, a collection of new portrait works by Abdulrazaq Awofeso, a British-based Nigerian artist. Awofeso's pallet portraits, made from discarded wooden pallets used for transporting goods around the world, represent human figures through wall reliefs, freestanding sculptures, and installations. Inspired by his encounters with people from different cities and subcultures, Awofeso's portraits are individually carved and painted by hand, showcasing the diversity of individuals and challenging cultural and racial categorisation. Broad Streets draws parallels between the two roads of the same name in Birmingham, UK, and Lagos, Nigeria, underscoring the distinctiveness of the individuals who frequent them.
Date: 6 May 2023. Location: Ed Cross 19 Garrett Street, EC1Y 0TY. Price: Free.
Image: Abdulrazaq Awofeso, Peace, Love and Light 2023.
Last chance to see
Gabriela Giroletti: Mingling Currents
Brazilian artist Gabriela Giroletti’s works are on display at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in her second solo exhibition titled Mingling Currents. Giroletti's paintings are inspired by nature and explore the sensations and movements of water through a series of translucent and fluid forms. The exhibition title comes from Theodor Schwenk's book Sensitive Chaos, which explores the relationship between water and air and their relationship to biological forms. Giroletti's paintings are ambiguous, retaining deliberate ambiguity to evoke a sense of wonder. The canvases are textured, full-bodied, and almost gritty, and some are attached with sculptural objects. The paintings capture the pulse of life in all its strange brilliance, showcasing the never-ending process of transformation. This week is the last chance to view Giroletti’s works at Kristin Hjellegjerde.
Date: until 15 April 2023. Location: Kristin Hjellegjerde, 2 Melior Pl, London SE1 3SZ. Price: Free.
Pop-ups & Venues
Salad Days x Liv Purvis Market
Image: Liv and Daisy Tinker with Liv Purvis. @saladdaysmarketlondon
Salad Days Market and Liv Purvis will be hosting a joint market event this weekend at Beckenham Place Mansion in Beckenham Place Park. The market will feature a curated selection of 60+ small UK-based brands, selling unique and handmade products such as clothes, jewellry, homeware, and art. Liv Purvis will bring a new angle to the market with vintage and antique finds. The event is dog-friendly, free to attend, and will also have food and drinks available. It will take place on 15-16 April, and will feature different brands each day. It will also include an outdoor food market on Sunday!
Date: 15 – 16 April 2023. Time: 11am – 4pm. Location: Beckenham Place Mansion, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Book your free ticket here.
#FLOFavourite: Pick of the week
FREE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK
Kettle Chips Escape Room pop-up
Calling all crisp aficionados and code cracking fiends! Get ready to embark on an epic adventure as KETTLE® Chips launches the ultimate snack experience this weekend in Shoreditch! Prepare to be blown away as they unveil two daring and exclusive new seasonings with the one-of-a-kind KETTLE® Chips Escape Room pop-up experience. Get your taste buds ready for a tantalising journey that will transport you through a maze of hidden clues, challenging puzzles, and top-secret codes. With your expert crunching skills, you'll be able to unravel the mystery of these two sensational new flavours that are soon to hit the shelves.
Date: 14 - 16 April 2023. Location: 146 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JE. Price: Free. Book now.
Interview of the Week
We had a chat with Kid Spirit.
Image: Kid Spirit aka Sujit Naha. Photo by Rob Barrie
Kid Spirit is the alias of London based songwriter/producer Sujit Naha. Having signed record deals with Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, he’s accumulated over 50,000,000 streams via a host of co-writes and ghost productions, in addition to his own artist project. A multi-instrumentalist who possesses the unique ability to blur the lines between genres, Sujit uses his classically trained background to create melodies and sounds that are sure to be remembered. His most recent song called ‘Slip Away’ was released on Monstercat in 2022, made in collaboration with Dutch producer Arlow.
Click here to read the full interview.
Food of the week
Spring
Image: Spring Restaurant, Somerset House, April 2023, © MTotoe
Spring is a restaurant in Somerset House that celebrates food and seasonal produce through heartfelt and produce-driven cooking. Chef Skye Gyngell has taken steps to reduce plastic waste in the industry, making Spring one of the first single-use plastic-free restaurants in London. Gyngell is committed to responsible consumerism, eliminating plastic straws and containers, and introducing biodegradable cling film alternatives. Spring offers an unforgettable dining experience with exceptional cuisine and a dedication to sustainable practices.
Location: Spring Restaurant, Somerset House, Lancaster Pl, London WC2R 1LA. Instagram: @spring_ldn.
Cause of the week
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Image: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is dedicated to preventing suicide, particularly among men in the UK, where 125 lives are lost every week. They provide life-saving services and provoke conversation, while challenging stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental health. CALM's campaigns aim to change the conversation around suicide and empower people to seek help before they reach a crisis point. Their services include a helpline and webchat, which are available 365 days a year, and they encourage anyone struggling with life to reach out for support. CALM aims to unite the UK against suicide and save lives through their work.
Click here to get support. Click here to donate, fundraise or volunteer with CALM. Website: thecalmzone.net.
Upcoming events
Roof East is re-opening this month
Image: @roofeast
Roof East in Stratford reopens on 20 April with classic games like Sluggers batting cages, Birdies Crazy Golf, Arrows archery game, and Glitter Bowls. A new free games area features giant Jenga, Kub, Connect Four, Cornhole, and Table Tennis. Enjoy street food from vendors like Cheeky Burger, Piddaji, and Papi Chulo and drinks from five bars. Regular events like Jenga Championships and pub quizzes will be held. Bookable spaces for events and parties, including Cabanas, The Dugout, The Pavillion, and Summer House, are available.
Location: 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1XE. Website: roofeast.com