What's on in London this week: 15 – 21 May 2023
Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 15 - 21 May 2023.
Explore London
Balance Festival 2023
Get ready for the arrival of Balance Festival in Shoreditch this week! This three-day festival has been hailed as the ultimate destination for enthusiasts of a healthy lifestyle. Get inspired and connect with top fitness trainers, renowned yoga experts, wellness professionals, talented chefs, and innovative brands dedicated to wellness. Supported by the Balance Journal, Balance Edit, and Balance TV, the festival offers visitors a truly transformative experience.
Date: 19 - 21 May 2023. Location:The Truman Brewery 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QR. Price: from £22.50. Book now.
Image: © David Hofmann
Dry Disco: Alcohol-free Festival
Get ready for Dry Disco, the alcohol-free festival catering to sober and sober-curious women, happening this weekend at the iconic Ministry of Sound club. Join in dancing, breathwork, panel talks, disco party, and enjoy alcohol-free cocktails. The festival starts with a welcome talk by founders Steph Elswood and Millie Gooch, followed by three activity options: "Stay Sassy" dance workshop, breathwork workshop by Mollie Bylett, and Zen Den/Pamper Lounge for relaxation. Engage in panel talks on self-love, confidence, and sobriety. End the day in style, dancing to DJ's beats.
Date: 20 May 2023. Time: 10:30 am – 7.30pm. Location: Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street London SE1 6DP. Price: £44.04. Book now.
Hot 8 Brass Band
Don't miss the highly anticipated return of New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band to London, bringing their infectious blend of Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop. Known for their electrifying performances, their music exudes relentless energy, leaving a lasting impression on every venue and listener. With deep roots in the community and musical traditions of New Orleans, while also embracing diverse influences, the Hot 8 Brass Band strikes the perfect balance between familiarity and originality, creating a truly special musical experience.
Date: 20 May 2023. Time: doors open 7pm. Location: Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road,London, NW1 8EH. Price: £27.50-£29.50 +fees. Book now.
Image: Hot 8 Brass Band, @hot8brassband
Celebrate Japanese culture at (ki:ts) London
Join (ki:ts) London this Saturday to celebrate Japanese culture! Experience the creations of renowned barista and roaster Riku Yamashita, as he presents his latest coffee roaster inspired by the coastal regions of Guatemala. Indulge in the unique flavours of Cimarrona"coffee brewed with a ceramic filter. Don't miss the chance to savour Japanese bread and beverages, including Sakura Mochi Pan and Matcha Oat Latte. Plus, enjoy a 20% discount on (ki:ts) bags and belts when you purchase coffee or bread. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Japanese cuisine and culture at (ki:ts) London!
Date: 20 May 2023. Location: 31A Duke Street London W1U 1LS. Price:Free. Book now.
Image: Matcha Late. Photo by MJ Tangonan
Wine not? It's May
Imagine an incredible setting with a fusion of music, fashion, and an abundance of wine all in one place. It's time to gather your friends, dress to impress, and raise a glass to a night of pure FUN! Vintage & Vino have curated the finest wines, the hottest beats, and the trendiest vintage gems. So bring your good vibes and have a toast to the good life at their Wine not? It's May! event happening this week in Shoreditch.
Date: 20 May 2023. Time: from 4pm - 11pm. Location: Iron Bloom Shoreditch Event Space 46 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3EP. Price: £8-12. Book now.
CloseUp Festival 2023
CloseUp Festival, the flagship event of CloseUp, is a must-attend showcase of the best emerging indie/electronic talent. Held at Colours, a renowned venue in North London, this three-day, two-stage extravaganza has previously featured acclaimed artists like Orchards, Swim Deep, and The Magic Gang. The festival has an an exciting lineup this year, including talented acts such as Phoebe Green, Bandit, BAYBOARDS, Runrummer, Bedroom Boredom, Delights, Freya Beer, and Sophie Griffiths.
Date: 20 – 21 May 2023 Location: 2- 4 Hoxton Square N1 6NU. Price: from £17.60. Book now.
London Farmers’ Markets
London's vibrant farm-to-fork scene presents a wide array of top-notch farmers' markets to explore. These markets offer delightful experiences and a chance to connect with local producers while enjoying the freshest ingredients for your weekend meals. Here are a selection of our favourites.
Image: Raghavendra Mithare
Pimlico Road Farmers' Market
Discover Pimlico Road Farmers' Market's set against the backdrop of Mozart's statue on Orange Square. Explore stalls with fresh produce, delicious fresh pasta, eggs, meats, fish, bread, and fine cheeses. Enjoy seasonal delights like asparagus, cherries, and strawberries. It's the perfect place to find great produce and friendly vendors.
Date: Every Saturday Time: 9am-2pm. Location: Orange Square, corner of Pimlico Road and Ebury Street, SW1W 8UT.
Ally Pally Farmers’ Market
Held every Sunday at Alexandra Palace Park or Campsbourne School, this award-winning market offers top-quality local produce, including fruits, vegetables, bread, cakes, meat, cheese, eggs, and more. You'll also find local crafts, hot food, charity stalls, and Fairtrade coffee. Bring the whole family, including your furry friends.
Date: Every Sunday. Time: 10am – 3pm Location: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY.
Notting Hill Farmers' Market
Uncover the hidden gem of Notting Hill Farmers' Market, where you can indulge in unpasteurised milk, fresh herbs, vibrant salads, fine fruits, and vegetables sourced directly from local farms. Don't miss the wild mushrooms, fresh pasta, and pestos. Look forward to seasonal delights like asparagus in May and cherries in July.
Date: Every Saturday. Time:10am – 2pm Location: Fox Primary School, Kensington Place London W8 7PP.
Wimbledon Farmers’ Market
Experience the beloved Wimbledon Farmers' Market, featuring engaging stallholders and a diverse range of produce. Discover seasonal flowers, organic meat, goats' milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, pies, cakes, bread, herbs, honey, eggs, and a wide selection of tasty cheeses.
Date: Every Saturday. Time: 9am - 1pm. Location: Wimbledon Park Primary School Havana Road London SW19 8EJ.
Click here for more Farmers’ Markets in London.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
Image: Guler sari from Angoori collection, 2019. Raw Mango. Photo Ritika Shah
The Offbeat Sari
This week, the Design Museum unveils an exhibition that celebrates the contemporary sari and its metaphorical significance for modern India. Curated by Priya Khanchandani, it brings together numerous saris from designers, wearers, and craftspeople in India, showcasing the evolution and cultural influences of this traditional garment. From being an everyday outfit to a symbol of resistance and protest, the exhibition highlights the sari's design innovation, expression of identity, and cultural meanings, offering a glimpse into the complexities of modern India.
Date: 19 May - 17 September 2023. Location: 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 6AG. Price: from £12.60. Book now.
Eye of the Collector
This week, Eye of the Collector returns to Two Temple Place for its highly anticipated third edition. From 17 - 20 May over 150 artworks from more than 20 esteemed galleries will transform Temple Place. With exciting new commissions, the fair promises a thrilling experience for visitors. Set against the awe-inspiring architecture of Two Temple Place, the exhibition harmoniously combines established artists and emerging talents, creating a fantastic showcase for visitors.
Date: 17-20 May 2023. Location: Two Temple Place, Temple, Two Temple Place, London, WC2R 3BD.Price: from £32.50. Book now.
#FLOFavourites this week
Soojin Kang: To be you, whoever you are
To be you, whoever you are features new textile sculptures by Korean artist Soojin Kang that explore the sculptural possibilities of textiles through weaving, knotting, winding, and unwinding. The sculptures, made from hand-dyed linen, jute, and silk, resemble totems and busts on the first floor and larger-than-life-sized bodies on the ground floor. Kang's use of textiles blurs the boundaries between the natural and synthetic, human and organic, and interior and exterior. She challenges the assumption that weaving is a subordinate art form associated with femininity, instead creating unruly forms that erupt into sculpture. The sculptures embody emotions and vulnerability, demanding the viewer's recognition.
Date: 11 May –17 June 2023. Location: Gathering Gallery, 5 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5LU . Price: Free.
Image: A Giambattista Valli Gown from the Spring 2020 Haute Couture Collection. © Historic Royal Palaces / Giambattista Valli Paris
Crown to Couture
Crown to Couture at Kensington Palace explores the connections between the worlds of the Georgian court and the modern-day red carpet. Featuring over 200 objects displayed across the State Apartments and intimate exhibition spaces, the exhibition will showcase both historic court dress and iconic contemporary red carpet looks worn by high-profile celebrities such as Lizzo and Lady Gaga. Through this display, visitors will learn about the preparation and styling required for attending such events, as well as the subtle messages conveyed by clothing and the design influences that inspire outfits.
Date: until 29 October 2023. Location: Kensington Palace, Palace Green, London, W8 4PZ. Price: from £24.50. (The exhibition is included in Palace admission price).Concessions available. Book now.
Last chance
Alice Neel: Hot Of The Griddle
This week marks the final opportunity to view Alice Neel's solo exhibition at the Barbican Art Gallery, featuring over 70 of her vibrant portraits alongside archival photography and film. The exhibition is the largest in the UK to date of Neel, an American artist whose work captured the shifting social and political context of 20th-century America. Despite figurative painting being unpopular at the time, Neel was crowned the "court painter of the underground" for celebrating those marginalieed in society. Her radical portraits caught the attention of the FBI, and her political work has since gained her a cult following among younger artists.
Location: Barbican Art Gallery, Barbican Centre,Silk Street, London,EC2Y 8DS. Date: until 21 May 2023. Price: from £18. Concessions available.Book now.
Image: Mary D. Garrard, 1977. © The Estate of Alice Neel. Courtesy The Estate of Alice Neel.
Cinema
Met Opera Live: Don Giovanni
Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove presents a fresh take on Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera. Set in an abstract architectural landscape, this production delves into the dark corners of the story and its characters. Led by baritone Peter Mattei as Don Giovanni, the star-studded cast includes talented performers such as Adam Plachetka, Federica Lombardi, Ana María Martínez, Ying Fang, and Ben Bliss. Experience this charming reinterpretation of Mozart's tragicomedy at the Met.
Date: 20 May 2023. Time: 5:55pm. Location: Barbican Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London,EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £37+ booking fee. Book now.
She’s All That at Rooftop Film Club
Watch the 90s classic She's All That at Rooftop Film Club in Peckham's Bussey Building. Arrive early to enjoy stunning views of the London Skyline, indulge in tasty pizza and sip refreshing drinks from the Bussey Rooftop Bar. Seating is unreserved, and wireless headphones and blankets are provided. Doors open at least 30 minutes before the film starts. Check out other summer movies like Rye Lane, Notting Hill, Mean Girls, The Breakfast Club, and The Inbetweeners. Enjoy a nostalgic movie night under the stars at Rooftop Film Club!
Date: 20 May 2023. Location: Bussey Building - 133 Rye Lane, Copeland Road Industrial Park, Peckham, SE15 4ST. Price: from £16.95. Book now.
Image: Screening of Rye Lane at Rooftop Film Club, Bussey Building. Photo by Liberty Martin.
Pop-up & Venues
Parade in a day! Family creative workshops + Parade
Join Kingswood Arts for a fun-filled day at 'Parade in a Day,' a free family activity where you can participate in a vibrant carnival-style parade and learn new skills. Choose from three workshops: create stunning costumes, learn dance moves, or join the samba group to keep the rhythm alive. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is required. In addition to the parade, Kingswood House offers a range of other exciting activities on the same day, including a Family Fiesta with South London Symphonic Winds, a children's film screening, interactive storytelling with Keith Park, an Artists' Open House, a children's art exhibition, and much more.
Parade in a Day! Family creative workshops + Parade is part of the series of events for Dulwich Festival 2023. Click here to discover more events.
Date: 20 May 2023. Time: Workshops: 10am - 12pm, parade: 1.30 - 2pm. Location: Kingswood House, Seeley Drive, SE21 8QN. Price: Free but ticketed. Book now.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
Maame with Jessica George
Join author Jessica George for an engaging evening as she discusses the most talked-about book of 2023! Explore the rich meanings of Maame (ma-meh) which has many meanings in Twi, but in this case, it means woman. Meet Maddie Wright, a character who has always been defined by her roles within the family—caretaker, stand-in for her mother, caregiver to her father, and keeper of secrets. Determined to break free and become her own woman, Maddie sets out on a transformative journey. Will she have to sacrifice everything to find her true voice? "Maame" is a remarkable coming-of-age story, brimming with wit and relatability, urging readers to embrace their own heroism. Don't miss this opportunity to join Jessica George and delve into the compelling themes of her widely acclaimed novel.
Date: 16 May 2023 Time: 7pm – 8.30pm. Location: Brixton Library, Brixton Oval London SW2 1JQ. Price: Free. Book now.
Food of the week
Image: Sunny Side Up Café
Sunny Side Up Café
Veuve Clicquot announces the highly anticipated return of the Sunny Side Up Café in London, coinciding with the opening of their new exhibition, SOLAIRE CULTURE . Renowned chef Andi Oliver has collaborated with the brand to curate a menu blending their iconic Yellow Label champagne with Caribbean flavours. Guests can indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as Braised Short Rib Burger, Green Shakshuka, and delicious waffles with plantains, all paired with Veuve Clicquot champagne.The café, located on the exhibition's second floor, features sunny yellow interiors, a Champagne bar, and a retro vibe for an immersive culinary experience.
Date: 12 May 2023 – 6 June 2023. Location: Piccadilly Circus, London, UK, Entrance at the corner of Piccadilly and Regent Street. Solaire Culture, 55 Regent Street, London, W1B 4EE. Website: solaireculture.veuveclicquot.com
Interview of the Week
We had a chat with Joanna van Son.
Image: Joanna von Son
Joanna van Son is a fine artist from London with a diverse background, having been born in Oman to Venezuelan/Irish and Dutch parents and raised in China, Russia, and the UK. She was drawn to Baroque art from a young age, particularly the bodily representations and dynamic figurations in the works of Caravaggio and Cecily Brown. Her interest in the process led her to combine art and architecture, resulting in her current artistic practice of painting the underlying forces and hidden processes that shape human experience. Recently, her work was showcased in an exhibition called 'Universe 25' at Gillian Jason Gallery in Fitzrovia, where she was part of a group of emerging artists exploring the blurred space between utopia and dystopia, inspired by John Calhoun's radical study of mice in 1968.
Click here for the full interview.
Cause of the week
Our highlighted cause for the week is the inspiring 'I MATTER' pavilion installation at this year's Photo London.
Imgae: I MATTER, Photo London, Somerset House, May 2023. Photo by MTotoe
The 'I MATTER' project, presented by CASE Art Fund, is an ongoing photographic exhibition aimed at raising awareness about the human rights of children. The exhibition at Photo London showcases monochrome photographs of students from Harris Academy St John’s Wood in North London, each holding a sign that reads "I MATTER" in their native language. Through this powerful installation, the project seeks to emphasise that every child is significant, irrespective of their race, class, sexual orientation, legal status, or religion. By reminding us of the importance of children's rights, particularly in an increasingly challenging world, 'I MATTER' serves as a powerful reminder that all children deserve safety, education, and nourishment, regardless of their background.
The outdoor exhibition can be seen at Photo London, Somerset House until 6pm on 14 May 2023.
Website: caseartfund.org