What's on in London this week: 25 September - 1 October 2023
Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 25 September - 1 October 2023.
Sneakerness - The Sneaker Convention
Get ready for Sneakerness, the Sneaker (aka trainers) Convention happening this weekend at the Truman Brewery. Presented by The Evening Standard, it's a great event blending sneaker culture talks, DJ sets, and competitions. Born from a love for sneakers, Sneakerness has become a global sensation and is now hitting London. Plus, it's family-friendly - kids under 10 get in for free with an adult.Don't miss out if you're a fan of athleisure or a trainer enthusiast!
Date: 30 September – 1 October 2023. Location: The Truman Brewery, 83 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL. Price: from £15. Book now.
Image: Air Jordan. Photo by Madvortex.
Jung Jae-il + London Symphony Orchestra: Music from Parasite & Squid Game
Celebrating the 10th K-Music Festival anniversary, Jung Jae-il, known for Squid Game and Parasite music, performs his award-winning scores with the London Symphony Orchestra. Jung Jae-il presents a journey featuring iconic orchestral compositions from Korean masterpieces like Squid Game, Parasite, Broker, and Okja, along with music from his upcoming album Listen.
Date: 1 October 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £25- £35. Book now.
Queer Nature
Kew Gardens presents Queer Nature, a month-long festival exploring the bond between queer individuals, plants, and fungi. The festival features a large-scale installation by artist Jeffrey Gibson and a thought-provoking garden display called Breaking the Binary by Patrick Featherstone and the Kew Youth Forum. Additionally, video interviews with LGBTQ+ individuals in the field shed light on the interplay of LGBTQ+ identities and the natural world. The festival also includes vibrant after-hours events, offering music, cabaret, comedy, and talks.
Date: 30 September- 29 October 2023. Location: Temperate House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond TW9 3AE UK.Price: included with entry to the Gardens, from £19. concessions available. Book now.
Image:A member of the horticulture team waters plants in the Temperate House. © RBG Kew, Jeff Eden.
Is AI an Existential Threat to Humanity?
Ever pondered the implications of AI on our society both now and in the future? Delve into this pressing topic at the Southbank Centre this week. Is AI an Existential Threat to Humanity? happening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, promises an engaging discussion on precisely this subject. With tech companies like Google and OpenAI pouring substantial resources into AI, pushing the boundaries of human intelligence, the event gathers experts to deliberate the risks, benefits, ethical AI development, and its profound societal impact. Join this crucial dialogue to gain valuable insights into the future of technology.
Date: 28 September 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15. Book now.
Cazcabel x Jack & Boule end of summer party
Join the unforgettable end-of-summer celebration this weekend as Cazcabel teams up with Jack & Boule for a night of electrifying beats, fabulous Cazcabel cocktails, and exciting boule games. For just £20 per person, guests can dance to the tunes of DJ Cocoa and savour delicious Cazcabel cocktails. The drink menu includes Watermelon Picante, Paloma, Coco Spritz, and Honey Pineapple Margarita, all crafted with the award-winning Cazcabel tequila.
Date: 29 September 2023. Time: from 6.30 pm until late. Location: Jack & Boule, 101 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP. Price: from £20. Book now.
Image: Jack & Boule Cocktails London South Bank.Image courtesy of Jack & Boule.
Redacted! x 05 Fest: Inua Ellams
Inua Ellams, a poet and playwright, hosts an event featuring diverse writers debuting unique blackout poetry creations. Blackout poetry involves redacting words and sentences from existing text, unveiling hidden poetry. The event, part of Inua Ellams' 05Fest, invites writers to share their redacted revelations with a live audience. It's a showcase of creativity with limitless possibilities for individual expression within this poetic form, and attendees may even have the chance to share their own blackout poems.
This event is part of Inua Ellam's 05Fest. A week-long festival that puts poetry centre stage and unites separate strands of Ellams' work in different styles. View the full programme of events.
Date: 26 September 2023. Time: 7.45pm. Location: The Pit, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £18. Book now.
Late Night Full Moon Manifestations at Lift 109
Battersea Power Station's Lift 109 hosts Full Moon Manifestation workshops, 109 metres above ground. Led by Roxy Marrone, these workshops during the full moon focus on breathing, meditation, and self-development to manifest dreams and embrace abundance. This event is part of the 'Lift 109 Lates' series, offering unique after-hours experiences.
Date: 29 September and 28 October 2023. Location: Lift 109,Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN. Price: £45 includes Lift 109 ascent, Full Moon Manifestation experience and a soft drink. Book now.
Image: Image: Lift 109 Full Moon Manifestations.Battersea Power Station. Photo by London from the Rooftops.
Africa Writes 2023
Africa Writes, organised by the Royal African Society, returns as the UK's biggest celebration of contemporary African and diaspora literature. The event explores "Intangible Heritage," focusing on the unspoken elements that shape our identities and stories. Attend in person or online with flexible ticket options. Renowned curators and literary figures will make this a great experience for enthusiasts of African literature and culture, as well as those eager to embark on this literary journey.
Location: 29 September - 1 October 2023.Location: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB. and online.Price: from £15 per day and £25 for full weekend tickets. Concessions available. Book now.
WELLNESS
London Lions Coaching Sessions
London Lions, the city's pro basketball team, is offering free workshops at Canary Wharf's Bank Street court, designed by Yinka Ilori. Workshops cater to different age groups, with a chance to win Ilori's limited edition basketballs. The event runs from 26 - 29 September, with coaching clinics and competitions on 30 September. An exclusive Yinka Ilori art collection is on display at Enter Gallery from 26 September - 1 October, reflecting the basketball court's energy and culture.
Date: 26 – 30 Saturday 2023, times vary. Location: Bank Street Park, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4SG. Price: Free. Website: canarywharf.com.
Image: Courtesy of Canary Wharf London.
Frieze Sculpture 2023
The annual Frieze Sculpture exhibition has returned to the capital, featuring 21 leading international artists presenting their artworks across the historic English Gardens of The Regent’s Park. Curated by Fatoş Üstek, a notable figure in contemporary art, this year's exhibition coincides with Frieze London and Frieze Masters. The artworks explore the dual nature of sculpture—both lasting and transient— and delve into themes of transformation, political empowerment, contemporary rituals, and social imaginings. Here is a small portion of sculptures that stood out to us for their meaningful impact from this year's cohort of artists.
Amy Stephens, Waking Matter, 2023
Amy Stephens transformed surplus marble into Waking Matter, symbolising stability and beauty. This piece celebrates geological textures and encourages reflection on our environment and artifacts, showcasing Stephens' innovative approach to everyday materials.
Instagram: @amystephensstudio
Image: Amy Stephens, Waking Matter, 2023. Presented by Bo Lee and Workman. September 2023. © MTotoe.
Zak Ové The Mothership Connection, 2021
Zak Ové, a British Trinidadian artist, reinterprets African and Trinidadian cultures through repurposed materials, highlighting carnival, masquerade, and self-emancipation. His art merges old-world mythology with Afrofuturism, embodying hope. The sculpture Mothership Connection symbolises a future beacon, blending diverse cultural elements and architectural references.
Instagram: @zakove
Image: Image: Zak Ové, The Mothership Connection, 2021. Presented by Gallery 1957. September 2023. © MTotoe.
Click here for a visual preview.
Click here to discover our pick of 7 must-see sculptures at this year's Frieze Scuplture.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
Africanesse: Angèle Etoundi Essamba
Doyle Wham presents Africanesse, the UK's first solo exhibit by acclaimed Cameroonian artist Angèle Etoundi Essamba. The exhibition showcases vintage silver gelatin prints, challenging stereotypes about Black women. These rare artworks, hand-developed between 1985 and 2006, now grace prestigious collections globally. Essamba reflects on her shift from the darkroom to digital photography, cherishing her intimate connection with craft during the darkroom era.
Date: 28 September - 25 November 2023. Location: Doyle Wham, 91a Rivington Street,EC2A 3AY. Price: Free. Website: doylewham.com
Image: Autoportrait. Courtesy of Angèle Etoundi Essamba and Doyle Wham.
British Art Fair
The 32nd British Art Fair is kicking off at the Saatchi Gallery this week. The event will shine a spotlight on Modern and Contemporary British Art with over 70 exhibitors. Some key features include the 'Crossing Borders' exhibition, celebrating international artists in British art, and a new Solo Contemporary section dedicated to emerging UK artists. Additionally, the fair will host an art exhibition with a climate theme, showing support for WaterAid.
Date: 28 September – 25 November 2023. Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY. Price: from £17. Book now.
Rubens & Women
The Dulwich Picture Gallery hosts Rubens & Women, challenging the notion that Rubens depicted only one type of woman. The exhibition showcases over 40 artworks, revealing the multifaceted roles of women in his life and work. Notable pieces include portraits of powerful women, depictions of his family, and a blend of tenderness and depth in portraying women. It offers a fresh perspective on Rubens's legacy.
Date: 27 September 2023 – 28 January 2024. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD. Price: Adults £16.50 with donation. Concessions available. Book now.
Image: Peter Paul Rubens and Frans Snyders, Diana Returning from the Hunt, c. 1623, oil on canvas, 136 x 184 cm. Courtesy bpk | Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden | Elke Estel | Hans-Peter Klut.
Spies, Lies and Deception
Spies, Lies and Deception at the Imperial War Museum presents a fascinating exhibition showcasing over a century of espionage. Explore how deception has influenced conflicts and lives from WWI to the present day. The exhibit features 150+ objects, digitised media, and interviews, delving into the role of deception and its human cost. Highlighting compelling stories like SOE agent Noor Inayat Khan's, it offers a glimpse into the price of deceit.
Date: 29 September - 14 April 2024. Location: Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ. Price: Free. Website: iwm.org.uk.
Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas
Tate Britain is showcasing a comprehensive journey through the career of renowned artist Sarah Lucas. Known for her bold exploration of the human form, sexuality, and societal themes, the exhibition features over 75 artworks spanning four decades, including intriguing new pieces.
Date: 28 September 2023 – 14 January 2024. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG Price: from £17. Concession available. Book now.
Image: Sarah Lucas, Bunny 1997. Private collection (c) Sarah Lucas.
The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals
Frans Hals at the National Gallery features the largest collection of Frans Hals' works in over thirty years. Co-curated with Rijksmuseum and Gemäldegalerie, it displays about fifty of Hals' masterpieces from various collections worldwide, including the famous The Laughing Cavalier from the Wallace Collection. The exhibition offers a chronological exploration of Hals' artistic evolution.
Date: 30 September 2023 – 21 January 2024 Location: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN Price: from £20. Concessions available. Book now.
#FLOFavourites: This Week
Céline Condorelli: Pentimenti (The Corrections)
Céline Condorelli, the National Gallery's Artist in Residence for 2023, has transformed the museum experience with her latest installation, inviting visitors to recline and view a ceiling textile sculpture while listening to Trafalgar Square sounds. Through this, she explores the Gallery's history and visitor engagement. The residency aims to redefine cultural boundaries.
Date: 13 September 2023 - 7 January 2024. Location: The National Gallery,Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Price: Free.
Image: Céline Condorelli: Pentimenti (The Corrections). September 2023. © MTotoe.
10 Magazine x Claridge’s ArtSpace
Claridge's ArtSpace is currently hosting an exhibition celebrating 24 years of 10 Magazine, a prestigious British luxury quarterly. The exhibition, titled tentastic, looks back on the publication's significant contributions at the intersection of fashion, art, and beauty. It also anticipates the launch of 10 Magazine's new American edition, symbolising a new and exciting chapter for the publication.
Date: until 29 September 2023. Location: Claridge's ArtSpace, Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR. Price: Free.
Meeting at the Volta
Meeting at the Volta at David Hill Gallery celebrates African photographers Sanlé Sory and Kyle Weeks. Sory's monochrome shots capture 1960s-1980s youth culture in Burkina Faso, while Weeks focuses on Ghana's modern youth. The exhibition reflects evolving photography styles and the vibrant youth of West Africa.
Date: 29 September- 25 November 2023. Location: David Hill Gallery, 345 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 6HA.Price: Free. Website: davidhillgallery.net
Image: Sanlé Sory, Jamais sans ma Vespa, 1980.
Cinema
The Swimming Pool by Binka Zhelyazkova
Binka Zhelyazkova's 1977 film, a rare venture into colour, delves into late socialist malaise on Sofia's streets. Bela, a disillusioned young woman, forges a relationship with an older ex-partisan named Apostol. The story unfolds around Bela's prom night, as she contemplates suicide but meets Apostol instead. Their encounters form an unexpected triangle of friendship, jealousy, and budding romance. The film offers a sincere portrayal of late socialist ennui, focusing on the experiences of a young woman in the city. Shot on Sofia's streets, The Swimming Pool merges fiction with urban reality, providing a unique glimpse into 1970s Bulgaria. Curator Teodosia Dobriyanova will introduce the screening.
Date: 27 September 2023. Time: 8.15pm. Location: Cinema 2, Beech Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £13. Book now.
Image: Hidden Figures: Binka Zhelyazkova, Bulgaria 1977 dir Binka Zhelyazkova 137 min.
Pop-ups & Venues
NEW OPENING
JONGGA pop-up store
Image: jongga_global
Daesang Corporation, a food company, is currently hosting a JONGGA pop-up store in Covent Garden, to promote kimchi in the UK. Europe is emerging as a key market for kimchi, with the Netherlands and the UK being top destinations for domestic kimchi exports after Japan, the US, and Hong Kong. The pop-up store, named "Flavourverse," is designed to introduce Londoners to flavours and JONGGA. It comprises three zones highlighting JONGGA's excellence and history, providing an immersive experience of kimchi paired with various global cuisines.
Date: 16 September - 8 October 2023. Location: The Stables Gallery - Unit X, 40 Earlham St London WC2H 9LH. Instagram: @jongga_global.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
What Is Happening Inside?
What Is Happening Inside? is an empowering youth development initiative. Young individuals have crafted compelling audio pieces that delve into the inner workings of institutions and explore community empowerment. The program, commencing on Wednesday, offers insightful discussions led by experts, emphasising innovative audio and spatial design approaches.The resulting sound pieces were initially meant for display in RESOLVE Collective's them's the breaks exhibition. However, the exhibition ended prematurely due to RESOLVE Collective and their collaborators facing issues with the Barbican. Click here for more details about this.
Date: 27 September - 15 October 2023. Location: Level G Hub, Barbican Centrem Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS.Website: barbican.org.uk
Food of the week
Forza Wine National Theatre
Image: Forza Wine National Theatre. September 2023. © MTotoe.
Forza Wine, a South London rooftop favourite, brings its vibrant charm to the chic National Theatre on the South Bank. Their minimalist space with exposed concrete and bold art offers indoor and outdoor dining year-round. Delight in natural wines, evolving seasonal cocktails, and 'sort of Italian' snacks. Highlights include Cauliflower fritti and mozzarella with figs & hazelnuts, which is simply delicious! With splendid views of the South Bank and River Thames, it's perfect for a casual drink and snack post-show at the National Theatre or Southbank Centre.
Location: Royal National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX. Opening hours: Daily Noon – 12pm. Instagram: @forzawine. Website: forzawine.com
Interview of the week
In conversation with Iona Scott
Image: Iona Scott with a Discosphaera Plankton Light Sculpture.
Iona Scott, a versatile multimedia artist, combines art, technology, and science in her practice. Her Plankton Light Sculptures, inspired by marine phytoplankton, aim to create a connection to these essential, unseen life forms that produce 50% of Earth's oxygen. Through her art and immersive experiences, Scott raises awareness about phytoplankton's vital role.
Click here to read the full interview.
Cause of the week
Trees for Cities
Image: Trees for Cities.
Trees for Cities is the sole UK charity operating at a national and international scale to enhance lives by planting trees in cities. They actively engage with local communities to bring about positive, lasting transformations in neighbourhoods. Their projects focus on revitalising neglected spaces, fostering healthier environments, and promoting interest in growing and consuming healthy food. The tree planting season typically runs from October to March, allowing trees to establish before summer growth.
Click here to discover ways you can volunteer and support Trees for Cities.
Website: treesforcities.org