What's on in London this week: 6 - 12 November 2023
Discover our pick of events in London this week: 6 - 12 November 2023.
Skate West End
Skate West End, London's new festive ice rink at Hanover Square, has opened for the season. Enjoy skating in a historic setting and the seasonal bar. A portion of every ticket supports the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, aiding brain tumour research. Whether for after-work fun, a romantic date, or a break from holiday shopping, make Skate West End your Christmas highlight!
Date: 4 November 2023 - 1 January 2024. Location: Hanover Square, London, W1S 1JA. Price: from £12.50. Book now.
Image: Skate West End opens at Hanover Square this week.
Guildhall Opera Double Bill: Respighi
Explore the lives of two iconic female figures in this double bill of operatic works by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi. Maria egiziaca follows the spiritual journey of the Christian saint Mary, while La bella dormente nel bosco presents Respighi's take on Sleeping Beauty. This production offers a rare fully staged rendition of Maria egiziaca, originally designed as a 'concert triptych,' and follows a digital version of La bella dormente nel bosco presented during the pandemic lockdown by Guildhall School three years ago.
Date: 6 —13 November 2023. Location: Silk Street Theatre,Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DT. Price: £30 + £4 booking fee. Book now.
EFG London Jazz Festival 2023 kicks off in London this week. Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil.
EFG London Jazz Festival 2023
The 15th EFG London Jazz Festival begins this week with an exceptional lineup. It opens with Jazz Voice, a star-studded event, and features the EFG Elements Series with performances by artists such as Marcus Miller and Sérgio Mendes. The 2023 program showcases jazz legends like Norah Jones and Ron Carter, along with up-and-coming talents.
Date: 10 - 19 November 2023. Location: events across the city. Click here for the programme of events.
Pitchfork Festival 2023 starts in London this week. Photo by Anthony DELANOIX.
Pitchfork Festival 2023
The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to London this week, offering a six-day extravaganza of special multi-artist bills, and uniquely curated one-off events. Organised by the team behind the Pitchfork website, this festival spans more than 15 venues over seven nights, featuring headline performances by artists like Slauson Malone, Joanna Sternberg, and Fucked Up. The lineup also includes talented acts such as Dawn Richard, Black Belt Eagle Scout, RVG, Squirrel Flower, Kelly Moran, Aime Simone, Annahstasia, and Hotline TNT. Click here for events and locations.
Date: 7 November—13 November 2023. Location: Various.Website: pitchforkmusicfestival.co.uk.
Darren Walker - Outside the lines: how art fuels social justice
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, discusses the transformative power of art in promoting social justice at the Royal Academy of Arts. He emphasises the importance of supporting diversity in the arts to amplify historically marginalised voices and foster positive global change. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation issued a groundbreaking $1 billion social bond to assist non-profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walker's influence extends to various boards and cultural honours, including recognition from France and an appointment by Queen Elizabeth II in 2023 for his contributions to UK/US relations.
Date: 7 November 2023. Location: The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: £20/£12. Book now.
The Witches
Get read for a journey down memory lane this week as the National Theatre presents an exciting adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved classic, The Witches. Join young Luke and his ailing grandmother as they work to thwart sinister plans. This play is complemented by the enchanting music and lyrics of Dave Malloy.
Date: from 7 November 2023.Location: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX. Price: from £20. Book now.
Image: Roald Dahl The Witches at The National Theatre.
Nutcracker at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club
Experience the world premiere of a new Nutcracker, a playful and mischievous take on the classic, directed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie. Set in the wonderful Tuff Nutt Jazz Club at the Southbank Centre, the timeless story comes to life with a live jazz band and dynamic choreography. The show features a talented cast and is followed by a live music sessions at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club.
Date: 28 October 2023 - 6 January 2024 Location: The Tuff Nutt Club, Royal Festival Hall - Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £15—£150. Book now.
Hauschka+Dobrawa Czocher
Don't miss BAFTA and Academy Award-winning composer Hauschka's performance at Milton Court, showcasing his 14th solo studio album, Philanthropy. This acclaimed pianist and composer, also known as Volker Bertelmann, will demonstrate his latest experimental compositions. The concert will also feature support from Polish cellist Dobrawa Czocher.
Date: 6 November 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Milton Court, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £25 plus booking fee. Book now.
Image: Composer Hauschka (aka Volker Bertelmann) performs his latest compositions.
Philharmonia Big Band
Stay up late and immerse yourself in the Philharmonia Big Band's debut performance, a part of their Let Freedom Ring celebration of American music. Whether you've already enjoyed the 7.30 pm concert featuring Marsalis, Ellington, and Gershwin or not, this free late-night show is an absolute must-see. The evening kicks off with the vibrant swing of Roll 'Em by Mary Lou Williams, followed by the timeless Kansas City classic Swinging the Blues, where Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali displays his drumming prowess. It promises to be an evening of delightful free music that's simply unmissable.
Date: 9 November 2023 Time: 10 pm. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Royal Festival Hall - Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: Free. Book now.
Joshua Redman Group featuring Gabrielle Cavassa
Globally acclaimed saxophonist Joshua Redman returns to the Hall at the Barbican, leading a remarkable new group for an evening of jazz. Following the success of MoodSwing in 2022, Redman introduces his latest project, Where Are We, an album that delves into specific places in the USA, celebrating and critiquing America while offering a diverse mix of ballads, standards, romance, social reflection, melodic invention, improvisation, and tribute.
Date: 12 November 2023 Time: 7.30pm Location: Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS Price: £25. Book now.
Image: Joshua Redman Group featuring Gabrielle Cavassa will prefrom at the Barbican this week as part EFG London Jazz Festival.
Tawiah & Friends
Tawiah is hosting a special event where friendship and artistry come together, featuring soulful melodies from her repertoire and unreleased songs. The lineup includes guest appearances by Julianknxx, Karim Kamar, Ego Ella May, Sheila Maurice Grey, The Vernon Spring, Vula, Terri Walker, and Still Greedy. Tawiah's band includes Sam Crowe, Ideophone, Ben Jones, and Jodi Milliner, with vocals by Ertha Voices. This performance, designed for the EFG London Jazz Festival, is a unique opportunity to witness Tawiah's talents and collaborations, reflecting her impressive career and diverse influences.
Date: 11 November 2023. Location: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £22.50. Book now.
An evening with BBC Gardener’s World, Monty Don will take place on 7 November 2023. Photo by Ignacio Correia.
An Evening with Monty Don
Calling all garden lovers! Join Monty Don, BBC Gardeners' World presenter, for a special event benefiting mental health charity Mind. Monty shares his gardening journey, favorite gardens, and the magic of nature. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, don't miss this celebration of nature's inspiring and comforting role in our lives.
Date: 7 November 2023. Location: Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Book now.
UK Jewish Film Festival 2023
The 2023 UK Jewish Film Festival starts this week in London, before embarking on a national tour. Explore Jewish and Israeli life and culture through a diverse range of films from around the world. The festival covers various genres, including drama, comedy, and documentary, with in-person screenings from 9- 19 November and online screenings the following week.
Date: 9 November—27 November 2023. Location: various. Click here for the festival progamme.
The 2023 UK Jewish Film Festival takes place in London this week. Photo by Jake Hill.
The Brand New Heavies Live with the London Concert Orchestra
The Brand New Heavies, are back with a not-to-be-missed greatest hits performance with the London Concert Orchestra. They shaped the Acid Jazz scene in the '90s, and now, after 35 years, they're touring with Never Stop…The Best Of. Praised by Mark Ronson, their pitch-perfect jazz-funk revival has earned platinum sales.
Date: 9 November 2023 Time: 7.30pm. Location: Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £22.50—£54. Book now.
Start your morning with movement meditation at teh Babrbican Conservatory. Photo by Taylor Xu.
Wellness
Movement Meditation at the Barbican Conservatory
Start your week with a rejuvenating experience at the iconic Barbican Conservatory led by Jessica Green. This session encourages movement, mindfulness, and self-connection to enhance your relationship with the environment. The program involves 30 minutes of movement, 15 minutes of meditation, and 15 minutes of rest, offering both guided and freestyle options with music to inspire you. There is also a chair-based alternative. Afterward, take a self-guided tour to explore Ranjani Shettar's unique sculptures in the conservatory.
Date: 6 November 2023 Time: 8:30pm. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: Free. Book now.
London Christmas Markets
London's Christmas markets are making a comeback this month, promising a delightful mix of shopping and memorable experiences. From mulled wine to mince pies, fairground rides to Santa's enchanting grotto, these markets offer a wide array of festive fun.
Click here for our guide to 14 Christmas markets to visit in London this holiday season.
Christmas markets return to London this month. Photo by Sebi Pintilie.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
Women in Revolt!
Women in Revolt! is a groundbreaking exhibition showcasing over 100 British women artists from 1970 -1990. It spans diverse mediums, exploring pivotal moments such as the Women's Liberation movement, legal changes, cultural movements, and more. The exhibition celebrates the contributions of often marginalised women in British culture and their lasting legacy.
Date: 8 November 2023 - 7 April 2024. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG. Price: from £17. Concessions available. Book now.
Women in Revolt! to open at Tate Britain from 8 November 2023. Image: Jill Westwood Potent Female c. 1983 © Jill Westwood.
Michael Pemberton: The Age of Water
JC Gallery presents The Age of Water, a solo exhibition by UK artist Michael Pemberton, featuring five works that explore the connection between human narratives, the environment, and global themes. Pemberton's art combines historical and post-modern elements with vibrant colours and loose brushwork.
Date: 10 November – 22 December 2023. Location: JC Gallery Mayfair,14A Hay Hill, London W1J 8NZ. Price: Free.
#FLOFAVOURITES: THIS WEEK
Vincenzo de Cotiis: Archaeology of Consciousness
Renowned artist Vincenzo De Cotiis challenges traditional archway symbolism in Archaeology of Consciousness at Carpenters Workshop Gallery London. Using unique materials like rare stones, recycled fibreglass, and Murano glass, he reimagines archways as gateways to fresh perspectives and ancestral transitions.
Date: 11 October 2023 - 28 January 2024. Location: Ladbroke Hall, 79 Barlby Road W10. Price: Free.
Image: Vincenzo de Cotiis Archaeology of Consciousness at Carpenters Workshop Gallery. October 2023. © MTotoe.
Filling in the Pieces in Black
Presented by Maruani Mercier and curated by June Sarpong OBE, this exhibition at Saatchi Gallery addresses the distortion of Black history by colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. It features contemporary artists connected to the African Diaspora who use visual storytelling to redefine the past, refocus the present, and reshape the future.
Date: 31 October – 26 November 2023. Location: Galleries 3 & 4, Saatchi Gallery Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY. Price: Free. Website: saatchigallery.com
Image: Ballerafro 2022, Emmaunuel Taku. Filling in the Pieces in Black at Saatchi Gallery. October 2023. © MTotoe.
Koestler Arts: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
An exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall featuring artworks from individuals in the criminal justice system, curated by poet Joelle Taylor. The exhibition, titled IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, showcases creativity and resourcefulness, highlighting the power of art in diverse forms.
Date: 2 November – 17 December 2023. Location: Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: Free. Website: southbankcentre.co.uk.
Image: Antonio Pichillá, Pathway,2022. Handcrafted textile, mercerised threads and sedalina, 120 x 80 cm.Courtesy the Artist and Elizabeth Xi Bauer Gallery, London.
Antonio Pichillá: In front of the lake
Don't miss Antonio Pichillá's first solo exhibition in Europe at the Elizabeth Xi Bauer Gallery in London. Pichillá's art bridges Western contemporary art and Tz’utujil heritage, using natural materials and Mayan influences. His works explore the connections between bodies, memory, fabric, and identity.
Date: 29 September - 11 November 2023. Location: Elizabeth Xi Bauer Gallery, Fuel Tank 8-12, Creekside, London SE8 3DX. Price: Free.
Image: © Standing with Giants 2022 all rights reserved.
Standing with Giants at Hampton Court Palace
An art installation at Hampton Court Palace's East Front Gardens commemorates those lost in World Wars and present-day conflicts. It features 125 commissioned soldier silhouettes and 79 poppy wreaths marking each year since D-Day.
Date: 1 - 25 November 2023. Location: Hampton Court Palace's East Front Gardens, Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU. Price: Included in palace admission. Book now.
Image: Celia, Carennac, August 1971 by David Hockney, Coloured pencil on paper, © David Hockney, Photo Credit: Richard Schmidt, Collection The David Hockney Foundation.
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
The National Portrait Gallery's autumn program brings back the David Hockney: Drawing from Life exhibition, which closed in March 2020 due to Covid. It explores Hockney's six-decade career, featuring intimate portraits of five subjects, including himself. Hockney uses various mediums, from traditional to modern techniques, like photographic collage and iPad art. The 2023 exhibit will include over thirty new portraits created between 2021 and 2022, capturing friends and visitors at Hockney's Normandy studio.
Date: 2 November 2023 - 21 January 2024. Location: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE. Price: from £21 / £23.50. Book now.
Solomon Garçon: Arms
Solomon Garçon's new UK exhibition at Studio Voltaire combines sound, sculpture, and performance. Garçon explores the 'digital' and the 'underground,' creating narratives and simulations of imaginative spaces. His work plays with scale, materiality, and sound, drawing inspiration from shape-shifting figures in reality TV and horror genres. Visitors encounter enigmatic sculptures hidden under shrouds, evoking questions of protection and latent violence. Chairs represent absent or potential onlookers, and reverb techniques explore the 'territorial.'
Date: 4 October 2023 –14 January 2024. Location: Studio Voltaire, 1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR. Price: Free. Website: studiovoltaire.org.
Image: Arms by Solomon Garçon at Studio Voltaire. October 2023. © MTotoe.
Affinities: An exhibition by Margaret Thompson and Jo Pethybridge
An exhibition at the Barbican Library showcasing the artistic synergy between ceramicist Jo Pethybridge and mixed media artist Margaret Thompson. Their art explores the creative power of colour and blurs the boundaries between abstraction and representation.
Date: 1 - 27 November 2023. Location: Barbican Library, Level 2, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Website: barbican.org.uk.
CINEMA
Imagine The Sound + Introduction by Stewart Lee
Imagine the Sound is a documentary that delves into the lives and artistry of four iconic figures in the free jazz movement - Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon, and Paul Bley. Directed by Ron Mann, the film explores their creative processes, philosophies, and groundbreaking work through candid interviews, rare footage, and performances.
Date:11 November 2023. Time: 3.45pm. Location:Cinema 2, Barbican Centre, Beech Street London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £13 + £1.50 booking fee. Book now.
Image: Imagine the Sound by Ron Mann, 1981.
Pop-ups & Venues
Wapping Docklands Market
The Wapping Docklands Market, situated along the River Thames at Brussels Wharf, is a lively culinary hotspot that beautifully showcases London's diverse food culture. Offering a delightful selection of international cuisine, artisanal products, and fresh local goods, it has become a thriving hub for food enthusiasts. With live entertainment and a strong sense of community, this market is a must-visit destination for all!
Date: every Saturday. Time: 10 am - 4 pm. Location: Brussels Wharf, Glamis Rd, London E1W 3TD. Instagram: @wappingdocklandsmarket.
Image: Wapping Docklands Market.
Raye the Store
Raye the Store, a travelling pop-up concept, presents its 7th edition in Seven Dials. This unique store offers a discovery space for conscious consumers looking for innovative and emerging products in the realms of food, drink, wellness, and beauty, with a focus on supporting small brands.
Date: until 19 November 2023. Location: 56 Neal St, London WC2H 9PA. Instagram: @weareraye.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the Week
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
How to Build a Low-Carbon Home at the Design Museum
Architects are revolutionising traditional materials like wood, stone, and straw to create eco-friendly homes that combat the climate crisis. This exhibition features innovative designs by architects and engineers, exploring the use of these materials in sustainable building practices. Given that a significant portion of global carbon emissions comes from construction and operation, rethinking these materials is essential. The exhibit includes full-scale installations and encourages conversation emphasising the importance of eco-conscious design and materials in addressing the climate emergency.
Date: until 10 March 2024. Location: The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG. Website: designmuseum.org.
How to Build a Low-Carbon Home at the Design Museum until March 2024. Photo by Jude Infantini.
Food of the Week
Layla Bakery
This neighborhood artisan bakery and coffee shop in Ladbroke Grove specialises in sourdough and scrumptions pastieres, using seasonal ingredients and wild grains to create hand-crafted bread. They offer a cosy indoor seating area and outdoor seating, along with stylish tote bags and great coffee. Be sure to try our top pick, their delightful Earl Grey and Lemon bun – it's a must-try!
Location: 332 Portobello Road, London, United Kingdom W10 5SA. Website: laylabakery.com. Instagram: @layla_w10.
Image: Layla Bakery Ladbroke Grove. October 2023. © MTotoe.
Cause of the week
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is dedicated to delivering crucial medical aid within Gaza, ensuring access to vital healthcare resources for the population.
Website: map.org.uk
Doctors Without Borders is an international NGO known for providing essential medical aid to conflict zones worldwide, including Palestine, where they deliver life-saving support.
Website: msf.org.uk
The Palestine Children's Fund focuses on offering medical care to Gaza's 1.1 million children, ensuring their health and well-being are prioritised.
Website: pcrf.net
