What's on in London this week: 14 – 20 August 2023

Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 14 – 20 August 2023.

All Points East 2023

The beloved East London festival, All Points East, is making a comeback this weekend with an epic lineup. Spanning the next two weekends, the festival features highlights like Stormzy's curated This Is What We Mean Day on 18 August 2023. Named after Stormzy's upcoming third album, the day will showcase his best work with a full live band and a diverse lineup of artists. Alongside Stormzy, headliners Dermot Kennedy, The Strokes, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs will grace the stage, accompanied by an exciting supporting bill featuring artists like Haim, Girl in Red, Tove Lo, Errykah Badu, and more.

Date: 18-19 August 2023. Price: from £85.25. Location: Victoria Park, Hackney, E9 7DE. Book now.

Image: @allpointseastuk

Lift 109 Lates: Sundown Session

Experience the magic of Lift 109 Lates with the second edition, Sundown Sessions. This exciting event offers a night of fantastic music, incredible ambiance, and cocktails. Feel the energy with a live DJ set 109 meters above London's skyline. There will be two exclusive ascents between 6.30-7.30pm and 7.15-8.15pm.

Date: 17 August 2023. Location: Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN. Price: £59 (Tickets include one complimentary drink: MOTH cocktail or water). Website: lift109.co.uk

Image: Lift 109 Lates Sundown Sessions. Photo by Joshua Atkins.

Lavender cutting at Ham House and Garden

The renowned Cherry Garden at Ham House is famous for its 1,200 fragrant lavender plants. As summer comes to an end, they invite visitors to participate in a unique experience. The first of these sessions will be taking place on 15 August. There will be other sessions taking place on the 17 August, as well as 5 and 7 September. Guests can cut their own lavender directly from the Cherry Garden and take home a bunch or two to enjoy the scent beyond the event. No experience is necessary, as all pruning equipment will be provided by the team at Ham House.

Date: 15 and 17 August 2023. Time: 11 am – 12.30 pm and 2pm - 3:30pm. Location: Ham House and Garden, Ham St, Ham, Richmond TW10 7RS. Price: The event is free, but normal admission prices apply. From £14.50/£7.70 Adult/Child. Book now.

Image: Lavender in the Cherry Gardens at Ham House. August 2023. © MTotoe.

Field Day 2023

Field Day is also making its return to Victoria Park this weekend for its 16th edition. The event will be graced by the presence of electronic music icon Aphex Twin, who will be headlining alongside Bonobo. Remarkably, it has been four years since Aphex Twin's last live performance! The day will also feature supporting acts such as Jon Hopkins, Jayda G, and SBTRKT.

Date: 19 August 2023. Price: from £75. Location: Victoria Park Hackney, E3 5TB. Book now.

Image: Cocktails. Photo by Gaby Yerden.

Cocktails in the City

Following a successful pop-up event in July, Cocktails in the City returns for a fun-filled weekend experience. It includes workshops, expertly crafted cocktails by skilled bartenders, and interactive games. This event takes place in the charming Bedford Square and features more than 20 respected bars and brands.

Date: 17 - 19 August 2023. Location: Bedford Square, WC1B 3HH. Price: £22 + £2 booking fee.This includes a complimentary cocktail of your choice on arrival. Book now.

A Night of Motown at Jazz Cafe

Experience a night of music reminiscent of the iconic Motown era, brought to life by a live band. Revel in hits from legendary artists including The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.

Date: 14 August 2023. Location: Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG. Price: Standing: £15 - £18. Restaurant: £25. Book now.

Image: Photo by Konstantin Aal.

Colson Whitehead: Crook Manifesto

Colson Whitehead discusses his highly anticipated sequel book, Crook Manifesto, with Erica Wagner at the Southbank Centre. Set in 1971 New York, the story follows Ray Carney, a furniture-store owner navigating a city plagued by crime, corruption, and bankruptcy. Amidst a shooting war between the NYPD and the Black Liberation Army, Ray aims to maintain his business and life while avoiding trouble. Crook Manifesto paints a vivid picture of Harlem and family dynamics in a chaotic and hostile environment. Colson Whitehead is a renowned author known for works like The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, has received multiple awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction. Erica Wagner is a former literary editor of The Times. Click here to discover more events from Southbank Centre's summer 2023 Literature and Spoken Word Season.

Date: 17 August 2023. Time:7.45pm. Location: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15. Book now.

Image: Hospitality In The Woods

Hospitality In The Woods
Get ready for the return of Hospitality In The Woods, the massive Drum & Bass festival, on August 19, 2023. This one-day event at Beckenham Place Park will feature five stages with headliners like Netsky, High Contrast, A.M.C, and more. Expect an electrifying atmosphere, top-tier artists, and a true sense of Drum & Bass community.

Date: 19 August 2023. Price: from £33.25. Location: Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham, BR3 1SY. Book now.

WellnesS 

Sunrise yoga and breakfast at art'otel

Join local yoga teacher Jinis for an invigorating summer yoga series at art’otel London Battersea Power Station's rooftop. Experience the flowing vinyasa style every Friday morning until 15 September. After the session, savour a healthy breakfast at TOZI Grand Cafe, surrounded by art by art'otel's signature artist, Jaime Hayon.

Date: 18 August 2023. (every Friday until 15 September). Price: £50 pp, covering a 60-minute yoga class, nutritious breakfast, and drinks.Time: Classes run from 7am-8am, followed by brunch until 9am. Location: art'otel London Battersea Power Station, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ. Book now.

Image: art’otel London Battersea Power Station's rooftop yoga.

Nobu Pilates

Nobu Pilates in central London offers a fresh take on Pilates. Led by Creative Director Marsha Lindsay, their signature classes blend classical Pilates with dynamic techniques for a sculpted physique. Choose from Power, Precision, and Pure classes, available individually or in discounted packs. With limited class sizes and private training options, individual attention is guaranteed. If you are going to be doing regular sessions, you can manage your packages conveniently through the MindBody app.

Date: daily. Price: a group class is £37 per person or purchase in packs of 5, 10 and 20 to benefit from a discount. Location: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG. Book now.

Museum Spotlight

London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum holds a vast collection of over 500,000 items spanning two centuries of transportation history. It offers the opportunity to uncover the deep link between modern London's evolution and its transportation system across three floors, showcasing vehicles from horse-drawn omnibuses to the futuristic Elizabeth line. Explore interactive exhibits, iconic artefacts like the original tube map, and vintage coaches. With double-decker buses, tube simulators, and more, it's fantastic fun for all ages. Click here to discover six reasons to visit the London Transport Museum.

Image: London Transport Museum. July 2023. © MTotoe.

Arts & Culture

#FLOFAVOURITES: THIS WEEK

DOOR TO DOOR

Schoeni Projects MLS Artist Residency (MLSAR) venue in southwest London.

This week is the final opportunity to preview the DOOR TO DOOR Artist Residency by Schoeni Projects, a remarkable collaboration between THE SHOPHOUSE and Schoeni Projects, taking place simultaneously in Hong Kong and London. This ongoing venture features the artists Szelit Cheung and Olga Grotova, both delving into the dual symbolism of doors and artworks as gateways into physical spaces and the depths of their creative minds. In this ongoing cross-cultural exchange, each artist is currently immersed in a four-week studio experience in both cities. As the residency progresses, an upcoming OPEN STUDIO event will offer a unique peek into their creative processes, blurring the lines between the act of creation, the audience, and the space itself. Following the OPEN STUDIO, an exhibition phase will spotlight the inspiring artworks that emerge from this journey.

Continue scrolling below to delve into our interview with Nicole Schoeni, the visionary founder behind Schoeni Projects.

Date:18 July - 15 August 2023. Location: MLSAR, Clapham Common, London, SW4. Price: Free, but must be booked. Book now.

Lancelot Ribeiro: Finding Joy in a Landscape

Discover the dynamic artistic journey of Lancelot Ribeiro, an expressionist poet and painter residing in Hampstead. The exhibition at Burgh House showcases his transformation from his early days in 1930s pre-Independence India to his later life in mid-20th century Britain. Ribeiro's artistic progression is marked by his exploration of form and materials, shifting from conventional portrayals of the Lake District to surreal urban scenes and lively abstract works influenced by geology. Through each artwork, Ribeiro prompts viewers to view their environment anew, encouraging a re-evaluation of how we capture and communicate the essence of these landscapes.

Date: until 17 December 2023. Location: Burgh House, New End Square, London, NW3 1LT. Price: Free. Website: burghhouse.org.uk

Image: Lancelot Ribeiro: Finding Joy in a Landscape, Burgh House.

Places in Peckham: Art Club

Places in Peckham is an informal art club organised by Goodhand Drawing. Led by artist and educator Florence Goodhand-Tait, the event invites participants to create artwork inspired by the local area. Through drawing, printmaking, embroidery, and collage, attendees will respond to local places using their own memories and provided reference images. Basic materials are supplied, but participants can bring their preferred tools. The event aims to offer a comfortable space for creative exploration while enjoying free refreshments.

Date: 14 August 2023. Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Location: Copleston Centre, Copleston Road London SE15 4AN. Price: The session is Pay what you can (suggested donation: £10). Book now.

FUJI: A Opera

The Africa Centre presents FUJI: A Opera, an immersive exhibition chronicling Nigeria's fuji music genre. This multi-dimensional showcase unveils fuji's historical significance, its roots in Yoruba-Muslim communities, and its role in paving the way for Afrobeats stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid. Featuring unseen archival footage, rare instruments, and audio installations, the exhibition captures fuji's energy and evolution over 60 years, celebrating Nigerian musical heritage and its global impact on the music industry.

Date: 18 – 28 August 2023. Location: The Africa Centre, 66 - 68 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL. Price: £13.69 / £8.29 Adult/Child. Book now.

Image: @ritual_exhibition

Ritual

Ritual is an exhibition by six recent Newcastle University graduates, showcased at Willesden Gallery. Through painting and ceramics, they explore the connection between time and nature, offering diverse interpretations. Delve into their reflections on deep time, humanising its magnitude, and experience how Ritual captures the essence of time's rhythms and cycles.

Date: until 1 September 2023. Location: Willesden Gallery - The Library @ Willesden Green 95 High Rd, London NW10 2SF. Price: Free. Instagram: @ritual_exhibition.

Last chance

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2023

Ensure you catch the final week of The Royal Academy of Arts' 255th Summer Exhibition. Coordinated by David Remfry RA, the exhibition drawing inspiration from E.M. Forster's Howards End, the theme of ‘Only Connect’ weaves through this year's exhibit, seamlessly blending contemporary art with architecture. Boasting acclaimed artists like Yinka Shonibare and Tracey Emin, alongside emerging talents, this showcase stands as a cross-generational celebration.

Date: until 20 August 2023. Location: Burlington House,
Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD
. Price: from £20; concessions available. Book now.

Image: Sculpture by Sam Shendi. RA Summer Exhibition 2023. June 2023. © MTotoe.

Cadogan Gallery Summer Exhibition 2023

Don't miss your last chance to catch the Cadogan Gallery Summer Exhibition, ending this week. The showcase includes fresh creations by artists such as Kim Bartelt, Gabriele Cappelli, Ramón Enrich, Richard Hearns, Laurence Leenaert, Sam Lock, Deborah Tarr, and Richard Zinon.

Date: until 19 August 2023. Location: 87 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD. Price: Free. Website: cadogangallery.com.

 

Cinema

Finding Christa + A String of Pearls  

Two poignant films from renowned American documentarians delve into the impact of missing family members is on show at the Barbican. In A String of Pearls, Billops focuses on generations of men dealing with urban struggles and fatherly absence. In Finding Christa, she explores her decision to give up her daughter, unraveling complex layers through conversations with her adult child and extended family. These gems are part of The Films of Camille Billops and James Hatch series, celebrated after their recent BAM showcase, tackling themes of family, identity, and society.

Date: 17 August 2023. Time: 6.30pm. Location: Cinema 2, Beech Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £13 + £1.50. Book now.

Image: Christa Victoria (L) and filmmaker Camille Billops in Finding Christa. Third World Newsreel.

Pop-ups & Venues 

MAC x Debenhams pop-up

MAC and Debenhams team up to celebrate MAC's debut in Debenhams with an immersive pop-up event. The collaboration showcases lifelike, edible MAC product replicas and classic MAC items available for purchase, accompanied by goody bags, exclusive discounts, and surprises. Also, debuting is MAC's Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick, a must-have for a vibrant summer look, available for £22 on debenhams.com.

Date: 15 August 2023. Time: 5pm - 9pm. Location: Sook Oxford Street, 58 Oxford Street, W1D 1B.

Image: MAC x Debenhams pop-up.

#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week

FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK

Angel Comedy RAW Sundays 

Experience the Angel Comedy New Act, New Material Night—an exciting showcase of emerging and established comedians. Witness the freshest talents striving to become tomorrow's stars alongside seasoned performers testing out their latest material. Renowned names like James Acaster, Romesh Ranganathan, Josie Long, and others have graced this stage. This evening promises laughter and a glimpse into the comedy world's future. To secure your spot, arrive early, as entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Date: 20 August 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: The Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, London N1 8DY. Price: Free.Website: angelcomedy.co.uk.

Food of the week

Friends of Ours

Image: Friends of Ours. Hoxton, London. August 2023. © MTotoe.

Situated in Hoxton, Friends of Ours is a renowned East London brunch destination cherished for its warm ambiance and all-day brunch choices. With charming decor, an outdoor terrace, and local art, their menu features tasty items like brioche French toast, Bombay lamb Benedict, and a mouthwatering hash brown with fermented chilli and smothered Manchego cheese. Don't miss their exceptional Brazilian and Nicaraguan coffee, along with delightful summer cocktails. Whether it's a relaxed catch-up or a lively lunch, Friends of Ours promises good food and good vibes.

Click here to discover more about this cool East London brunch hotspot. 

Location: Friends of Ours, 61 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6BU. Website: friendsofourscafe.com. Instagram: @thefriendsofours

Interview of the week

In conversation with Nicole Schoeni

Image: Nicole Schoeni. Schoeni Projects.

In light of the ongoing DOOR to DOOR artists residency by Schoeni Projects, take a moment to read our interview with Nicole Schoeni, the founder of Schoeni Projects. Nicole is an experienced gallerist and gallery director. She has lived in Hong Kong for most of her life, although she attended school and university in the UK. Contemporary and street art are two of her passions, although what she truly cherishes about the art world is collaborating with creatives and meeting new people.

Click here to read the full interview.

Cause of the week

Bookmark

Bookmark began in 2018 with a clear mission: ensuring every child learns to read. Inspired by personal experiences, founder Sharon Pindar established the charity. In a world where 7.1 million English adults struggle with reading, Bookmark aims to change this narrative and provide every child with the ability to read.

Image: Bookmark.

Empower a child's journey through reading by becoming a volunteer. Dedicate just an hour a week to read stories and engage in games with a child aged 5 to 10 on a secure online platform.

Click here to discover more about volunteering with Bookmark.