What's on in London this week: 3 – 9 April 2023

Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 3 - 9 April 2023.

Explore London

Half Six Fix: Prokofiev Symphony No 3

The Half Six Fix is a 60-minute music performance hosted by London Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda, featuring Prokofiev's Third Symphony. The symphony is an explosive adaptation from an opera about lust, longing, and demonic possession. Prokofiev's music is ferocious and flamboyant, with rhythms that pound, melodies that surge and swell, and bells that crash. This programme is not your average concert.

Date: 5 April 2023. Time: 6.30pm- 7.30pm. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £18-35. Book now.

Image: Megan Thomas

Vegan Sri Lankan Cookery Class with Jahan

The Station Style Cookery Class at Migrateful Cookery School in Clerkenwell, London offers a unique opportunity to learn and taste authentic Sri Lankan cuisine with Chef Jahan, a refugee and migrant chef. Participants will have their own cooking station and be guided through personal recipes using traditional techniques. The class includes a sit-down meal featuring the dishes prepared, and the recipes will be emailed afterwards. Sample menu items include Coconut Milk Rice with Turmeric, Soya Devil, and Pineapple Chutney. It's a delicious and unforgettable learning experience for all skill levels.

Date: 7 April 2023. Time: 6.15pm – 9.15pm. Location: Migrateful Cookery School Corporation Row, London, EC1R 0NE. Price: £76.55. Book now.

Full Moon Women's Gong Bath Ceremony

The Full Moon Women's Gong Bath Ceremony is an event where women come together to ground, centre, and receive wisdom. The event offers a space for women of all ages and backgrounds to slow down, heal, and reconnect with their innate wisdom. Activities such as mugwort tea, journaling, sharing, movement, meditation, and a gong journey are included. Participants are advised to bring a journal, an open heart, a blanket, an eye mask, socks to keep their feet warm, and comfortable clothes.

Date: 6 April 2023, Time: 7pm- 10pm. Location: Open House Hackney, 5 Prince Edward Rd London E9 5LX. Price: £22.38. Book now.

Image: Notting Hill, Anthony Bressy

Romantic Notting Hill: Outdoor Escape Game

Immerse yourself in a romantic-themed adventure throughout London's stunning open-air surroundings with this unique escape game. Discover intriguing clues, engaging challenges, and fascinating stories from the past and present as you explore the city's hidden and popular locations. The experience is brought to life through an interactive mobile app, where you'll feel like the main character in a movie, complete with witty dialogue, captivating mysteries, and unexpected surprises. Whether you're exploring alone or with a partner, this event is perfect for all as you can pause and resume the game at your leisure, with 24/7 availability. Questo, the mastermind behind this incredible event, is an urban entertainment platform, showcasing over 300 different experiences, crafted by local content creators and event organisers, in over 130 cities worldwide.

Date: 8 April 2023 (multiple dates available). Location: 86 Portobello Road London W11 2QD. Price: £7.99. Book now.

Book talk: Guilty of Journalism

Kevin Gosztola, author of the book Guilty of Journalism, will be in London to speak about the US government's case against Julian Assange and the implications for press freedom. He will be joined by Rebecca Vincent, Director of Operations and Campaigns for Reporters sans frontières (RSF), a global organisation that defends the freedom and independence of journalism. Gosztola's book analyses the role of US national security agencies in targeting Assange and WikiLeaks, highlighting the extensive lengths to which the "shadow government" has gone to instill paranoia and fear among Assange's inner circle and supporters. Vaughan Smith, a freelance cameraman and founder of Frontline News TV and Frontline Club Charitable Trust, is also mentioned. The legal action against Assange is expected to culminate in a trial in the US in 2023.

Date: 6 Apr 2023 Time: 7pm – 8.30pm. Locaton: Frontline Club 13 Norfolk Place London W2 1QJ. Price: £16.96. Book now.

Mitsuko Uchida: Beethoven's Late Sonatas

Mitsuko Uchida, a renowned Beethoven interpreter, will perform Beethoven's final trilogy of piano sonatas at the Southbank Centre Royal Festival Hall this Wednesday. These sonatas showcase Beethoven's late style in its full intensity and range of emotions, from humour to despair to sublime transcendence. The three sonatas, designed to be a cycle, are contained in concise and original structures and are considered a pianistic Mount Everest. 

Date: 5 April 2023. Time:7.30pm. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15 ⁠–⁠ £65. Book now.

Image: Crossness Engine Tour, 2020, © MTotoe

Crossness Engines Guided Tour

Experience a unique opportunity to explore London's Victorian sewer system and site with Crossness Engines. Immerse yourself in the history of the capital's sewer system and witness the impressive buildings and engines on a guided tour. While the engine Prince Consort will not be in steam during the event, the tour will offer a fascinating insight into this engineering marvel that continues to serve the city.

Date: Tuesday 4 April 2023 (more dates available until September). Location: The Old Works, Crossness Sewage Treatment Works Bazalgette Way (formerly Belvedere Road) London SE2 9AQ. Price: £19.97. Book now.

Easter Activities

The much-awaited Easter is nearly upon us, with only a few days remaining until the long-awaited holiday weekend! This year's festivities commence on Friday, April 7th, with Good Friday, culminating in the grand celebrations on Sunday, April 9th. The weekend promises a plethora of exciting events and activities. To simplify your planning, we've listed our top picks for the weekend festivities.

Image: Tim Gouw

Easter Trail at Chelsea Physic Garden

The Chelsea Physic Garden is celebrating its 350th anniversary and is inviting visitors to spend time in its garden with loved ones while following a self-led trail. The Easter trail will take place on Friday 7, Sunday 9, and Monday 10 April. The trail will cover the garden's 4-acre area and will enable visitors to become Planet Heroes by answering questions about our planet and how we can take better care of it.

Date: 7- 10 April 2023. Location: 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS. Book now.

Spring Fair at Horniman Museum

Celebrate Easter at the Horniman Museum's Spring Fair, where a plethora of exciting activities awaits. Live music, craft workshops, and tours are just a few of the highlights you can expect. To add to the fun, comedian Jasmin Gleeson will be the host, providing entertaining commentary and overseeing the Easter bonnet parade. Additionally, there are free activities, such as a Spring Trail, craft workshop, and bubble performances. Fuel your appetite at the food stalls, get your face painted, and enjoy a game of Urban Crazy Golf. Moreover, you can take advantage of discounted entry to the Butterfly House!

Date: 8 April 2023. Time: 10.30 am - 4.30pm. Location: 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ. Price: Adult £5. Child £2.50. Book now.

The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace

Join the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace this Easter! Discover fascinating stories of past palace residents and visitors while searching for the hidden Lindt Gold Bunny statues in the sprawling 60-acre gardens of Henry VIII. Each statue has a red ribbon that matches the name of an important palace character on the trail, and you'll uncover a fascinating story with every bunny you find. Finish the hunt and receive a scrumptious 10g Lindt Gold Bunny chocolate treat!

Date: 1 April -16 April 2023. Location: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU. Price: Adults from £26.30 , Childen: from £13.30 , under 5s go free. Included in palace admission (members go free). Book now.

Image: Kenwood House, courtesy of Kenwood House

 Easter Adventure Quest at Kenwood

Visit Kenwood House this Easter and enjoy an exciting adventure quest! Explore the stunning grounds, hunt for clues, and take on challenges like egg rolling and the egg and spoon race. Find all the Easter eggs and receive a certificate and delicious chocolate from Love Cocoa.

The quest costs just £2 per child and is available every day of the school holidays. Simply pay upon arrival and book your free ticket to the house in advance. But that's not all! You can also marvel at paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, and Constable, stroll through parkland designed by Humphry Repton, follow Mac's family trail, discover historical figures like Dido Belle, and enjoy family activities in the Housekeeper's Room. Don't miss out on an unforgettable Easter adventure at Kenwood House! 

Date: 1 – 16 April 2023. Location: Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, NW3 7JR. Price: £2 for the quest. Admission to Kenwoood is free. Book now.

Arts & Culture

Opening this week

Image: © Gabriel Moses

Gabriel Moses: Regina

Gabriel Moses, a London-based photographer and filmmaker, will debut his first exhibition, Regina, at 180 Studios this week. The exhibition will feature around 50 photographs from his career, including never-before-seen images, and two new short films. Moses' works are emotionally resonant and draw inspiration from his South London roots and Nigerian heritage. He is a self-taught photographer and has collaborated with numerous brands and designers, including Nike, Dazed, Adidas, Dior, and Burberry. His works have been featured in several publications, such as Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, and The New York Times.

Date: 5 April – 30 April 2023. Location: 180 Studios, 180 The Strand, London, WC2R 1EA.  Price: from £10. Concessions available. Book now.

Aladdin Sane :  50 Years Exhibition

This week, the Southbank Centre is showcasing Aladdin Sane: 50 Years, an exhibition curated by Chris Duffy that explores the impact of David Bowie's iconic portrait and his relationship with photographer Brian Duffy. Additionally, the Southbank Centre Archive will display never-before-seen material, and visitors can enjoy live performances, talks, and poetry events. It's a must-see for Bowie fans and culture enthusiasts.Click here to read more.

Date: 6 April – 28 May 2023. Location: Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: from £5. Book now.

Image: Ai Weiwei, 2022 ©Rick Pushinsky for the Design Museum

Ai Weiwei: Making Sense

Ai Weiwei's highly anticipated exhibition opens at the Design Museum this week. The exhibition features a mix of recent and commissioned works exploring design themes such as value, humanity, art, and activism. Weiwei contrasts traditional Chinese craftsmanship with the history of demolition and urban development in China, commenting on the tension between past and present, hand and machine, precious and worthless, and construction and destruction.

Date: 7 April – 30 July 2023. Location: 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 6AG. Price: from £15. Conessions available. Book now.

#FLOFAVOURITES THIS WEEK

Image: Todd Gray, Green Green, 2023, Lehmann Maupin.

Todd Gray : On Point

Lehmann Maupin presents On Point, the first exhibition of Todd Gray. Gray's photo-based work challenges the assumptions about the authenticity of photography and examines the African diaspora, colonialism, societal power structures, and cultural beliefs. He creates lush photo assemblages using images of European gardens, Baroque architecture, Ghanian landscapes, rock icons, seascapes, and self-portraits. His collages utilise multiple frames, and he layers them to obscure certain elements of his photographs. The exhibition features images of the Atlantic Ocean, contemporary Ghanaian landscapes, symbols of imperial France, and views from Ghana's slave castles. The artist intertwines historical imagery with pictures of the present to transport the viewers through time.

Date: until May 6, 2023. Location: Lehmann Maupin First Floor, Cromwell Place, SW7 2JE. Price: Free. Book now.

Chisenhale Crit with Thomas J.Price

Chisenhale Crits is an event that brings artists and the public together to share their artwork and receive feedback from their peers and established artists from the Chisenhale Gallery Network. The event is facilitated by Peer Sessions, with Thomas J. Price as a guest contributor for the next event. Two artists will share their recent work, and those interested in participating can reserve a place and email their work to the organisers. The event aims to give artists outside of formal education an opportunity to receive feedback from peers.

Date: Wednesday 5 April 2023. Time: 7 - 8pm. Location: 64 Chisenhale Rd, Old Ford, London E3 5RG. Price: Free. Book now.

Image: Salah Elmur, Central Electricity and Water Administration, Gallery 1957, London

Salah Elmur Central Electricity and Water Administration

Gallery 1957 and Vigo Gallery are collaborating to showcase new paintings by Salah Elmur. Elmur's art is inspired by his childhood memories of water and electricity, which he sees as essential resources that symbolise Sudan's modern history and human potential. The exhibition, titled Central Electricity and Water Administration, is being held in both London galleries. Elmur's previous works have tackled socio-political issues and won awards in film festivals. He is known for his symbolic portraits of Sudanese life, which feature plants and animals and tilted perspectives.

Date: until 10 May 2023. Location: Gallery 1957 1 Hyde Park Gate London SW7 5EW. Vigo Gallery, 7/8 Masons Yard, St. James's, London SW1Y 6BU. Price: Free.

Last chance

WEIRD SENSATION FEELS GOOD: The World of ASMR

Have you ever heard a sound that has brought you a sense of calm? Or even made your skin tingle? Millions around the world are part of an online community who experience ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response): a physical sensation of euphoria or deep calm, sometimes tingling in the body, triggered through sound, touch, and movement.This is the first exhibition of its kind to lift the world of ASMR out from your screen and into physical space. This week is your last chance to step into this immersive environment of relaxation!

Date: until 10 April 2023 Location: 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6AG. Price: £10.90/£9.50 (Weekend/Weekday).Book now.

Image: Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa,Girls of Burriana (Falleras), 1910-11. Oil on canvas. 166 x 208 cm. On loan from The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY.

Spain and the Hispanic World

The Royal Academy of Arts presents Spain and the Hispanic World, showcasing the unparalleled collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York. The exhibition explores the rich history of Spanish culture through over 150 works of art, ranging from paintings and sculptures to textiles, ceramics, and manuscripts, spanning four millennia of diverse cultural and religious influences, from Celtic, Islamic, Christian, and Jewish, to American, African, and Asian.

Date: until 10 April 2023. Location: Main Galleries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price:£22-24. Book now.

Constellations by Rewind Collective

Constellation Series is a collaboration between W1 Curates and Rewind Collective, aimed at celebrating Women's Month. The exhibition features original photographs of real and mythical women throughout history, including Frida Kahlo and Joan of Arc, which have been digitised into empowering constellations imagining leading women throughout the universe. Rewind Collective, a digital arts collective, created this series to address gender and minority imbalances in the art world. The exhibition seeks to shine a light on those who have been overlooked and challenge the patriarchy, misogyny, and segregation in the art world.

Date: Shown daily until 7 April 2023. Location: W1 Immersive (Flannels Basement), 161-167 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JP. Price: Free.

Pop-ups & Venues

Image: @blackeatsldn

Black-Owned Hackney Market - Opening Weekend
Black Eats LDN is holding a 3-day celebration of Black-owned businesses, street food, retail items, cocktails, and live music. The event will take place opposite Hackney Central station from 7-9 April and will feature vegan and non-vegan street food, sustainably-made clothing, gifts, and skincare products from Black artisans. Attendees can also enjoy cocktails, rum punch, craft beer, or other beverages of their choice while listening to live music from DJs inside and outside The Hackney Social. The event includes a night market on Good Friday and family-friendly stalls on Saturday and Easter Sunday, and it is free to attend. The event is an opportunity to support 60 Black-owned businesses, celebrate the vibrant culture and community of Hackney, and experience London's biggest Black-Owned Market.

Date: 7- 9 April 2023. Time: 6pm - 10pm. Location: Bohemia Place Markets, Bohemia Place London E8 1DU. Price: Free. Book now.

#FLOFavourite: Pick of the week

Interview of the week

We had a chat with Bettina Korek.

Image: Bettina Korek. © Dave Bennett, Serpentine Summer Evening 2022.

Bettina Korek, a champion of contemporary artists and a leader with over 15 years of experience, serves as the CEO of Serpentine. She has a track record of successfully expanding programmes, as demonstrated by her tenure as Executive Director of Frieze Los Angeles and her wide expertise in public art presentations and writing. In 2006 she founded ForYourArt, an organisation that has expanded the place of art in everyday life in Southern California through projects with institutions like The Getty, LACMA and the Hammer, brands as well as municipal governments and local artists, including legends like Barbara Kruger, Raymond Pettibon and the late John Baldessari. She served as a political appointee to the Los Angeles County Arts Commissioner from 2011-2020 and was the organisation’s President in 2016. Click here for the full interview.

Food of the week

Mina’s

Image: Mina’s

Mina's is a family-owned restaurant and cocktail bar located in the heart of Belgravia, London. It is an all-day dining place where customers can enjoy North Mediterranean plates served to share. The restaurant has a humble menu with a range of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including family favourites. Mina's also has a full bar serving selective wines and champagnes. The head mixologist, who previously worked at Maison Estelle, curated a delicious selection of cocktails to complement the Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant has a terrace facing Motcomb Street, allowing for laid-back dining and drinking both indoors and out. Overall, Mina's provides a warm and relaxing atmosphere where customers can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Location: 20 Motcomb Street London SW1X 8LB United Kingdom. Instagram: @minaslondon 

Cause of the Week

The Passage

Image: The Passage

The Passage is a homelessness charity located near Victoria station in Westminster, with over 40 years of experience in assisting and inspiring people to transform their lives. Their vision is to end street homelessness and ensure everyone has a place to call home. They aim to prevent street homelessness, provide innovative and tailor-made services with compassion and urgency, and advocate for those who feel unheard to bring about real systemic change. The charity was founded in 1980 and runs one of the largest Resource Centres for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Westminster.

They offer various accommodation projects and services and rely on Volunteers who play a crucial role in supporting The Passage's mission. With their help, the charity is able to deliver valuable services in a range of areas, such as food, health, street outreach, and community integration. Even giving just an hour of your time each week can make a significant difference to those they support.

If you're interested in volunteering, click here to find out more about how you can get involved.

Upcoming events

Islington Festival of Music and Art

Image: Islington Festival 2022, Marc Gascoigne

The Islington Festival of Music and Art is returning this summer from 13-22 July 2023. The festival will take place in five iconic venues around Islington and will feature a programme based on Van Gogh's Starry Night over the Rhône. Highlights include performances of Chopin's Complete Nocturnes, Schoenberg's Verklachte Nacht, five Mozart Masterpieces, solo Bach for violin and cello, a street photography workshop, live sketching during concerts, and a photography exhibition about Islington. Additionally, there will be a yoga session with live harp music and a Bastille Day celebration. They are offering good deals including early bird passes, bundles and young people can get free tickets.

Date: 13-22 July 2023. Location: Various locations in Islington. Click here for the full programme and to book events. Website: islingtonfestival.com