What's on in London this week: 24 – 30 April 2023
Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 24 - 30 April 2023.
Explore London
Adidas x Pitch Women's Golf Event
Adidas and Pitch are teaming up to host an exclusive event series to encourage women's participation in golf. The first event, hosted by Mia Baker, welcomes women of all skill levels to create a modern golfing community. The launch event includes games to win Adidas gear, golf and nail artists, and competitions like Pitch n Putt and Nearest the Pin, with goodie bags and networking opportunities for attendees.
Date: 27 April 2023. Time: 6pm-11pm. Location: Pitch Soho 12 Meard Street London W1F 0EQ. Price: £11.55. Book now.
Image: Pierre Cronje
Sheku Kanneh-Mason & Philharmonia Chamber Players
Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Philharmonia Orchestra's talented musicians present an hour-long performance of exquisite Bach and Brahms pieces, including Kanneh-Mason's own arrangements of three Bach chorale-preludes for cello ensemble.
Date: 26 April 2023. Time: 6pm and 8.30pm. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15 – £45. Book now.
Bored of Dating Apps London Launch Party
Bored of Dating Apps (BODA) is launching their social nights in London, with a 90s-inspired theme and a focus on wholesome, mental health-friendly connections. The events are open to all singles over 18, regardless of gender or sexuality, and feature a Dutch Courage shot, live music, and a self-love activity. BODA aims to create a community of like-minded individuals who value a slower, healthier approach to dating.
Date: 26 April 2023 Time: 7pm-11pm. Location: Big Penny Social 1 Priestley Way London E17 6AL. Price: £22.38. Book now.
Supernova at the Clapham Omnibus
Experience the touching play Supernova, about Tess and Harry, two space enthusiasts in love, but Tess's depression tests their relationship. This poignant production explores the impact of depression on relationships and finding inner peace. After a successful VAULT Festival run, it will open at Omnibus Theatre this week!
Date: 25 April – 13 May 2023. Location:Clapham Omnibus - 1 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 0QW. Price: from £10. Book now.
Breakin’ Convention 2023 at Sadler's Wells Theatre
The Breakin' Convention Festival is a celebration of hip hop culture, featuring live DJs, bespoke graffiti, freestyle sessions, and a total makeover of the foyer. The festival will take place at Sadler's Wells Theatre from 29-30 April 2023, before embarking on a UK tour from 17 May - June 2023. The festival will be preceded by events across London presented by Breakin' Convention. Les Twins, Ruben "Rubix" Noel, Laura Nala from Criminalz, and South Korean crew MOVER are among the world-renowned talent joining the festival this year. Max Revell, Gully South Block, Lauren Scott, Ghetto Funk Collective, Samuka from Ill-Abilities, La Diva aux Pieds Nus, Far From The Norm, Boy Blue, and Dutch threading artist Justin de Jager will also be performing.
Date: Friday 28 April – Sunday 30 April 2023. Location: Sadler’s Wells Theatre and Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN. Price: from £15. Concessions available. Book now.
Rooftop bars in London
With summer fast approaching and rooftop bars reopening, we've rounded up some of our favourite rooftops for enjoying those long summer days.
Image: Sushisamba
Sushisamba City
Sushisamba is a trendy restaurant and rooftop bar on the 38th and 39th floor of the Heron Tower. It offers a panoramic view of London, unique fusion food, and quirky cocktails. Despite the high prices, the views are worth it for a boujee treat.
Location: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY. Instagram: @sushisamba_ldn
Aqua Spirit
Enjoy a spectacular rooftop experience at Aqua Spirit near Oxford Circus, offering Japanese or Spanish tapas and drinks with stunning views of Regent Street. Be sure to arrive early as it operates on a first-come-first-served basis.
Location: 5th floor, 240 Regent Street, W1B 3BR. Instagram:@aquakyotolondon
Image: Aqua Kyoto, London. © MTotoe
Boundary London Rooftop
Unwind in style at Boundary, the ultimate rooftop restaurant and bar situated in the vibrant heart of Shoreditch. Soak up stunning panoramic views of the area as you indulge in a mouth-watering seasonal menu and sip on expertly crafted cocktails. As a popular destination, booking in advance is highly recommended.
Location: 2-4 Boundary Street, London, E2 7DD. Instagram:@boundaryldn
Roof East
Roof East in Stratford offers stunning views of East London from a large rooftop playground featuring activities like crazy golf, rooftop film club, and yoga. Enjoy delicious food from East Side Pizza and Cheeky Burger. Perfect for a fun day out with friends and family.
Location: Floors 7 & 8, Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, London, E15 1XE. Instagram: @roofeast
Click here for more of our rooftop recommendations.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
Ajamu: The Patron Saint of Darkrooms
Autograph presents a captivating exhibition of photographs by Ajamu, featuring his evocative depictions of black queer bodies that challenge conventional gender and sexuality norms. Ajamu employs sensuality and desire as a creative tool to liberate the representation of black queer bodies.
Date: 28 April – 2 September 2023. Location: Autograph London Rivington Pl, London EC2A 3BA. Price: Free. Book now.
#FLOFAVOURITES THIS WEEK
Imagee: Kudzanai-Violet Hwami: A Making of Ghosts. Victora Miro, April 2023. © MTotoe
Kudzanai-Violet Hwami: A Making of Ghosts
Victoria Miro Gallery presents A Making of Ghosts by Kudzanai-Violet Hwami, an art exhibition exploring grief and memory through paintings and photography. Hwami's paintings address the complexities of identity in a world saturated with images, while two poems by Ruvimbo Gumbochuma are thematically related to the artwork. Visitors can take home a poster of the poems as a token of appreciation.
Date: until 13 May 2023. Location: Victoria Miro Gallery, 16 Wharf Road, London N1 7RW. Price: Free.
Image: Image: Maro Gorky, Dievole Late Spring, 2007
Maro Gorky: A Life Painting
Long & Ryle are showcasing A Life Painting, an exhibition celebrating Maro Gorky's 80th birthday. It showcases her use of bold colours in oils, watercolours, and works on paper to depict the Tuscan countryside where she has lived for 50 years with her husband. Gorky's artistic journey from romantic landscapes to abstract patterns is reflected in the exhibition.
Date: 19 April – 12 May 2023. Location: 4 John Islip St, London SW1P 4PX. Price: Free.
Steve McQueen : Grenfell
Grenfell by Steve McQueen is a film created in response to the tragic fire that occurred on14 June 2017, at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, resulting in the death of 72 people. The film is a record of the tower before it was covered with hoarding. In the aftermath, the government launched an inquiry in two phases, and four years since the publication of the Phase One report, the recommendations are yet to be implemented. The findings of the second and final phase of the Inquiry are due to be reported in late 2023. There is an ongoing criminal investigation.
Date: 7 April – 10 May 2023. Location: Serpentine South Gallery, London W2 3XA. Price: Free. Book now.
Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of life
Discover the visionary work of Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian, who both invented their own languages of abstract art rooted in nature. They shared an interest in science, spirituality, and philosophy. The exhibition features rarely exhibited works of both artists and showcases their beautiful, complex work through vibrant signs, shapes, and colours.
Date: 20 April – 3 September 2023. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside London SE1 9TG Price: from £20. Book now.
Image: Blush (2023) by Morgan Otagburuagu. Courtesy of the artist and Doyle Wham.
Morgan Otagburuagu: In Bloom
Doyle Wham is showcasing the first global exhibition of Nigerian self-taught photographer, Morgan Otagburuagu, featuring his latest series In Bloom, which explores the cyclical nature of life and death through the symbolism of flowers. The series represents a move towards rebirth and re-emergence after the artist's personal tragedy of losing both parents in 2021. In Bloom also has a powerful message about the beauty of dark Black skin, reflecting the artist's commitment to combating colourism in his work.
Date: 21 April -10 June 2023. Location: 91a Rivington Street,EC2A 3AY. Price: Free.
Last chance
Kesewa Aboah: A lightness
Incubator 23 is a new exhibition series featuring London-based emerging artists, each presenting their first solo shows. The exhibition includes Kesewa Aboah's debut solo show, A Lightness, showcasing her unique monochromatic paintings and tapestries created with her body as the painting tool. Aboah's work explores the tactile threshold of the female form, leaving an indelible trace with poetic ambiguity.
Date: 19 – 30 April 2023 Location: 2 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PR. Price: Free.
Pop-ups & Venues
Henry Holland Studio Seconds Sale
Image: @henryhollandstudio. Image by Tom Peppiatt
Henry Holland is having a seconds sale of his handmade ceramics that have small imperfections like cracks, chips or wobbles that make them unique and special. The sale offers lots of colourways and styles available for 50% off or more.
Date: 29 -30 April 2023. Time: 10am- 5pm. Location: 50 E Amhurst Road London E8 1JH. Price: Free. Book now.
An Evening of Extended Enjoyment with Heal's
Heal's is celebrating the extension of its Tottenham Court Road flagship store with an event on 27 April. The event will include an extended collection of design pieces from brands such as Zanotta, Carpe Diem, and Gubi, as well as workshops on ceramic and glass drawing, mark-making and mono-printing, and painting candles. Attendees can also enjoy premium blended cocktails and live music from the English National Opera. The event is free, but booking is required to reserve a spot.
Date: 27 April 2023. Time: 6pm-8.30pm. Location: Heal's 196 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 7LQ. Price: Free. Book now.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week
free event of the week
Sustainable waste management: a fast track to net zero
Image: NASA
This event focuses on sustainable waste management's role in achieving net-zero emissions. Experts will discuss the latest technologies for recycling household waste into fuels and feedstocks, removing carbon from the atmosphere, and the potential of residual plastic waste and biomass feedstocks.
Date: 27 April 2023. Location: Chancellors Hall - Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU. Price: Free. Book now.
Food of the week
Rose Bakery London
Image: Rose Bakery London, Dover Street Market, April 2023. © MTotoe
Rose Bakery, co-founded by Rose Carrarini and Jean Charles, is a culinary gem that serves up an exceptional array of seasonal lunches and minimal intervention wines. Their unwavering commitment to using organic, British ingredients shines through in every dish, resulting in simple yet exquisite food that strikes the perfect balance between the comfort of home-cooking and the refinement of restaurant cuisine. Nestled within the Dover Street Market, Rose Bakery is a haven for food lovers seeking a wholesome meal and tasty desserts!
Location: 3rd floor, Dover Street Market, 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG. Instagram: @rosebakerylondon
Interview of the week
We had a chat with Akeil Onwukwe-Adamson.
Image: Akeil Onwukwe-Adamson. © Jeremiah Fernandes
Akeil is the founder of Queer Bruk. Queer Bruk was born out of a need to speak to black queer people, whilst also speaking to the heritage and the culture that we grew up on.
Click here to read the full interview.
Cause of the week
Canary Wharf Group opens streetwear store to support youth employment
Image: Circe Collective, Canary Wharf. Photo by Lesley Johnson / Canary Wharf.
Canary Wharf Group has partnered with Circle Collective, a social enterprise, to help 250 unemployed young people in Tower Hamlets find permanent work. The partnership has resulted in a new streetwear store in Jubilee Place, staffed by young people and selling vintage clothing and global streetwear brands such as Fila, Kickers, and Dickies. The retail space will also be used for workshops, pop-ups, art shows, and ticketed events. The work experience will enable the young people to learn transferable skills such as customer service, product knowledge, cash handling, and timekeeping. Proceeds from store sales will fund the ‘back your future’ employability course run from the premises by the sister charity Circle Community. The partnership aims to support young people in gaining work experience, customer service training, and coaching to overcome obstacles to employment.
The new store is located Mall Level -2, Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5NY. Click here for opening hours.
Upcoming events
Flower Pressing with Maddy’s Workshop
Image: Maddy’s Workshop
Discover the art of flower pressing in a tranquil setting with Maddy’s Workshop. Learn the secrets and techniques, create your own bespoke masterpiece with Maddy, a talented French artisan. No experience needed, and all equipment is provided. Enjoy a botanical cocktail from Patron restaurant, while surrounded by flowers from Maddy's garden in Brittany. Walk away with your beautiful creation in a pretty envelope!
Date: 30 May 2023 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30 pm. Location: 26 Fortess Road Kentish Town London NW5 2HB. Price: £38.62. Book now.
