What's on in London this week: 8 – 14 May 2023

Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 8 - 14 May 2023.

Explore London 

Image: Wimbledon Pub in The Park

Wimbledon Pub in the Park

Pub in the Park returns to Wimbledon Park with popular musicians like Bananarama, Clean Bandit, and DJ Spoony, as well as celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriott, Simon Rimmer, and Anna Haugh hosting exclusive Q&As and demos. The festival features additional chefs, Danny Jones from McFly, and legendary chef Tom Kerridge, plus new restaurants like Hoppers, Tapas Brindisa, and Cubitt House Pubs bringing bold new flavours. Date: 12 - 14 May 2023. Time: 7.00pm. Location: Wimbledon Park, Home Park Road, SW19 8AU. Price: from £45.40. Book now. 

Out-Spoken

Don't miss Out-Spoken's biggest event of the year in May! Held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre, this monthly poetry and music night features renowned poets Kae Tempest, Travis Alabanza, and Daljit Nagra, with live music by Mysie. Hosted by award-winning poet Joelle Taylor and Sam 'Junior' Bromfield, the evening promises to showcase the best of UK poetry alongside world-class musicians. Date: 11 May 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £12.Book now.

Image: The Spectator

Coffee House Live: Coronation special

The Spectator is hosting a special edition of Coffee House Live, which will include a panel discussion on the coronation of Charles III and its potential impact on the United Kingdom. The panel will also explore whether the coronation may distract voters from the Tories' predicted heavy losses in local elections, as well as whether Rishi Sunak can turn his party's fortunes around for the general election. The panel discussion will feature The Spectator's Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls, as well as special guests Camilla Tominey from the Daily Telegraph and Matthew Goodwin, a British academic and professor of politics.

Date: 10 May 2023. Time: 7:00 pm. Location: Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London, England, SW1P 3DW. Price: from £25. Book now.

Image: Deathbed © Orpheas Emirzas and Maggie the Cat by Tristram Kenton

Trajal Harrell: Porca Miseria Triple Bill

Trajal Harrell is an American choreographer known for his unique style that draws inspiration from various genres, such as voguing, butoh, ancient Greek theatre, performance art, and contemporary dance. His latest work is a trilogy that explores the stories of three different, yet equally strong women: Maggie from Tennessee's Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the African-American choreographer and activist Katherine Dunham, and the Greek mythological Medea. The work delves into issues of identity, gender, sexuality, and power, breaking down the boundaries between dance, theatre, cinema, and the visual arts. Porca Miseria, the first part of the trilogy, premiered at the Holland Festival in June 2022 to critical acclaim, and Harrell is set to return to the Barbican following his previous work Hoochie Koochie in 2017.

Date: 12 - 14 May 2023. Location: The barbican centre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £35. Book now.

The Leo Green Experience

Legendary saxophonist Leo Green brings his ultimate feel-good show, "The Leo Green Experience," to London's QT in Covent Garden every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday throughout May. The show features Leo and his explosive band and singers taking audiences through hits from the last 30 years with a funky, jazzy, and soulful twist. The show is unlike any other and features an incredible array of musicians. Table service is available, and audiences can enjoy an array of small plates and cocktails while dancing to Leo and the band's versions of the classics. The residency show takes place twice a night.

Date: every Thursday, every Friday and Saturday. Location: QT, Middle Eight Hotel, 66 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5BX, UK. Price: from £25. Book now.

Image: Jenan Younis, Weapons of Mass Hilarity

Weapons of Mass Hilarity Comedy presents: Stand up for Turkey & Syria!

Get ready for a unique comedy experience at Weapons of Mass Hilarity Comedy! This event showcases Middle Eastern and North African performers, giving you a diverse and hilarious night of stand-up comedy. All profits will be donated to earthquake relief charities in Turkey and Syria. Don't miss the talented lineup, featuring British Iraqi comedian Mariam Fakhir, Iranian comedian Amir Khoshokhan, British-Algerian storyteller Roann Hassani McCloskey, Assyrian comedian and founder of Weapons of Mass Hilarity, Jenan Younis, and award-winning Iraqi drag artist Maxy Black. Laugh for a good cause and enjoy an unforgettable evening of comedy and entertainment.

Date: 13 May 2023 Time: 7.30pm - 10.15pm. Location: The Rose & Crown 71-73 Torriano Avenue London NW5 2SG. Price: £13.70. Book now.

Eurovision 2023 screening

The annual Eurovision Song Contest is back this weekend, bringing with it the usual mix of fierce competition and entertainment. This year, the competition is being hosted in Liverpool, with Mae Muller representing the UK. For those who were not able to secure tickets, London is set to be a hub of activity with many pubs and bars hosting Eurovision 2023 parties and screenings. Here is our pick of places to watch the Eurovision 2023 in London. 

Image: Eurovision 2023

Eurovision: The Grand Final Live 2023

Experience the excitement of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final at the Barbican Cinema. Watch the show on the big screen with fellow fans and enjoy a special preview of BBC Three’s new show I Kissed a Boy, hosted by Dannii Minogue. Dress up in your best Eurovision-themed costumes and indulge in a selection of European beers and a one-night-only Eurovision cocktail at the Cinema 1 Bar.

Date: 13 May 2023. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Cinema 1,Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £15. Book now. 

The Grand's Eurovision Party 2023

The Clapham Grand is partnering with Eurovision enthusiast DJ Lady Lloyd to host the biggest Eurovision viewing party in London. Described as "South London's cathedral of camp," The Grand is the perfect destination to watch this year's event. Join hundreds of fellow Eurovision fans for a night of incredible performances, themed cocktails, hot food, and stunning decor. The event will feature a 25ft cinema screen showing the full event, epic euro-themed DJ sets, the Grand's Dream Team, and an INSANELY good line-up of drag acts and performers.

Date: 13 - 14 May 2023. Time: 6pm-11pm. Location: The Clapham Grand, 21-25, St John's Hill, London SW11 1TT. Price: from £12.24. Book now. 

  
Eurovision watch party with Massaoke

Get ready for the ultimate party as Massaoke, the masters of mass singalongs, host an unforgettable Eurovision watch party at Big Penny Social. Witness some of the UK's most iconic Eurovision entrants such as Joe and Jake, Scooch, and Daz Sampson on the big screen while singing your hearts out to classic tunes with Massaoke. Join in the fun with Eurovision bingo, and embrace the spirit of Euro-fashion in celebration of the greatest music contest in the world.

Date: 13 May 2023. Time: 6pm – 1am. Location: 1 Priestley Way, London, E17 6AL. Price: £12. Book now.

Click here to uncover more of our pick of places to watch Eurovision 2023 in London.

Art & Culture

OPENING THIS WEEK  

Campbell Addy: I ❤ Campbell

180 Studios is hosting the first solo exhibition of fashion photographer Campbell Addy, who has gained international acclaim over the past eight years. The exhibition showcases a new series of iconic images and a short film, shot in Ghana, which reflects on the artist's roots and inspirations. Addy, who founded Nii Journal and Nii Agency after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016, is known for his alternative perspective on beauty and style in the fashion industry. He has photographed influential figures such as Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Meghan Markle for publications like Vogue, Harpers, Wall Street Journal, Dazed and i-D.

Date: 11 May - 4 June 2023. Location: 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA. Price: £10. Concessions available. Book now.

Image: Unmasked: Real Stories of Nursing in COVID-19

Unmasked: Real Stories of Nursing in COVID-19

This week, in celebration of International Nurses’ Day, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will open its new exhibition ‘Unmasked’, showcasing real nursing stories during the Covid-19 pandemic. The exhibition will be held at the RCN Library and Heritage Centre in London and will until 21 October. It will explore the important role nursing staff played in caring for people during the Covid-19 pandemic and in past pandemics, recognising the personal and professional challenges nurses and other healthcare workers faced every day. Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public.

Date: 11 May 2023. Time: 5:30pm - 8pm. Location: Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square London W1G 0RN. Price: Free.

Charmaine Watkiss, Delita Martin, Tessa Mars: Your Presence Does Not Escape Me

An upcoming group exhibition will feature three female artists: Charmaine Watkiss from the UK, Delita Martin from the US, and Tessa Mars from Haiti. Drawing is a central element of each artist's practice, which then extends into other forms such as painting, printmaking, and caste sculpture. The artists' bodies of work explore the representation of black women as real or fictional protagonists, whose presence prompts reflection on a short or recurring pictorial narrative.

Date: 10 May 2023 - June 3 2023. Location: Gallery 6, 4 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2JE. Price: Free. Book now.

Image: Veuve Clicquot “Solaire Culture” exhibition, Yayoi Kusama, Tokyo, 2022

SOLAIRE CULTURE

This week, Veuve Clicquot presents SOLAIRE CULTURE, an exhibition that pays homage to the brand's 250-year history, celebrating the pioneering Madame Clicquot and the iconic Yellow label. The exhibition features original works by acclaimed female artists, including Yayoi Kusama and Rosie McGuinness, and includes The Sunny Side Up Café curated by Andi Oliver, offering a menu infused with Veuve Clicquot's Yellow Label and Caribbean flavours.

Date: 12 May 2023 – 6 June 2023. Location: Piccadilly Circus, London, UK, Entrance at the corner of Piccadilly and Regent Street. Price: Free. Book now.

#FLOFAVOURITES THIS WEEK

Artist Talk with Charlotte Kidger: Reframing Material Values

London-based designer and maker Charlotte Kidger, known for her use of salvaged materials to create sculptures, furniture, and public artworks, will be hosting a workshop during Craft Week 2023 at NOW Gallery. The workshop will explore the possibilities of working with industrial by-products within sculpture, with visitors invited to assemble, collage, deconstruct, and make in response to the materials provided. All materials will be salvaged from local businesses, ranging from construction sites to a handmade sofa company, including rubberised hair, wool, springs, wood off-cuts, textile, foam, rope, pipe, tarpaulin, bricks, and stone. Visitors will have the opportunity to be photographed with their sculptural creations and receive the image by postcard after the event.

Date: 11 May 2023. Time: 7pm - 8.30pm. Location: NOW Gallery The Gateway Pavillions London SE10 0SQ.

Price: Free. Book now.

Image: Charlotte Kidger

Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Peter Doig 

The exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery features a captivating ensemble of paintings crafted by Peter Doig since his relocation from Trinidad to London in 2021. The works are deeply intertwined with the places where the artist has resided and created, including the UK, Canada, and Trinidad. The exhibition also includes a series of prints created by Doig in response to the poetry of his late friend and collaborator, Derek Walcott. Date: until 29 May 2023. Location: The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN. Price: from £14. Concessions available. Book now.

Alice Neel: Hot Off The Griddle

Alice Neel: Hot Off The Griddle is an exhibition that showcases a curated selection of works from the artist's 60-year career, sourced from international public and private collections. Alice Neel, who primarily worked in New York, broke away from artistic trends by painting figuratively and portraying a diverse range of individuals, including pregnant women, Black and Puerto Rican children, and civil rights activists, focusing on their humanity and dignity. The exhibition highlights Neel's unique perspective and features her only full-sized self-portrait, which she created at the age of 80. Date: until 21 May 2023. Location: Barbican Art Gallery, Barbican Centre,Silk Street, London,EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £18. Concessions available. Book now.

Last Chance

Image: Kenny Scharf. Closet #42 Bestest Ever. February 2023. Photo by MTotoe

Beyond the Streets London

This is the last chance to see the Saatchi Galleries huge exhibition, Beyond the Streets. The exhibition showcases the impact and influence of street art on cultural norms and trends, tracing the evolution of graffiti, hip-hop, punk rock, and more. It examines how the artists challenged authority through mark-making and social activism, with a focus on painting trains, fashion, and music. Beyond the Streets celebrates the rebellious spirit of graffiti and pays tribute to the monumental moments that shaped the public's perception of underground art.

Date: until 9 May 2023. Location: Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY. Price: from £15. Concessions available. Book now.

Cinema

Sambizanga

Experience the gripping tale of Angola's independence movement and the pivotal role of women in the struggle for liberation with the screening of Sambizanga at Raven Row's lower gallery space. Directed by Sarah Maldoror, this powerful film is based on a true story and features subtitles for easy viewing. Don't miss the chance to gain insight into this important historical moment, with an introduction by the esteemed Professor Lindiwe Dovey.

Date: 13 May 2023 Time: 6.30pm – 8.30 pm. Location: Raven Row 56 Artillery Lane London E1 7LS. Price: Free. Book now.

Image: Sambizanga

Pop-ups & Venues

Blue Patch's Sustainable Arts & Crafts Showcase

Image: Dulwich Picture Gallery

Blue Patch, an organisation promoting sustainable living, is hosting a Sustainable Arts & Crafts Showcase at Dulwich Picture Gallery as part of the Dulwich Festival's 30-year celebration. The exhibition, curated by Blue Patch's founder, Jane Langley, features sustainable artists, crafters, and designers in the Linbury Room and Cloisters, with exhibits for sale. Visitors can see the works of artists such as Katie Walker, Abdollah Nafisi, Carolyn Blake, Janet Tod, and more. Additionally, attendees can meet Blue Patch members and makers and watch films of them at work. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see and buy beautiful, eco-friendly creations while enjoying free entry to the Berthe Morisot exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Date: 13 -14 May. Time: 10am -5pm. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD. Book now.

#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week

FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK 

Image: that_house_on_mare_street

Open House at 195 Mare Street

Discover the fascinating history of one of Hackney's oldest buildings at the open house event held at 195 Mare Street, a grand country house built in 1697. This remarkable house served as the Elizabeth Fry Refuge from 1860 to 1913, offering a safe haven for countless young women released from prison. In the 20th century, it was converted into the New Lansdowne Working Men's Club. The house is soon to be restored as a family home and community arts space, but before that happens, visitors have a unique opportunity to explore this piece of history and even share their own memories of the building.

Date: 13 May 2023. Time: 11am - 3pm.  Location: 195 Mare Street, London E8 3QE. Book now.

Food of the week

Image: Townsend Restaurant, May 2023, © MTotoe

Townsend Restaurant

Nestled within the iconic Whitechapel Gallery in Aldgate, Townsend is a culinary gem that boasts a modern British dining room and café. Led by acclaimed chef Nick Gilkinson, the kitchen showcases an ever-evolving menu of creatively constructed seasonal dishes. From fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to an impressive wine list, every aspect of Townsend is designed to deliver a truly memorable dining experience. So whether you're in the mood for an indulgent brunch, a leisurely lunch, or a decadent dinner, make sure to stop by Townsend and discover the best of modern British cuisine.

Location: 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX. Instagram: @townsend_restaurant

Interview of the week

We had a chat with Péjú Oshin.

Image: Péjú Oshin. Photography by Jake Green, courtesy of Gagosian

Péjú Oshin’s career as a gallery curator was unexpected. After graduating with a degree in architecture, she found herself in the art world through volunteering and working with young people. Péjú's commitment to community work and education led her to become a curator of Young People’s Programmes at Tate, landing her on Forbes 30 Under 30 shortlist for Arts & Culture in 2021. Now she is a university lecturer, poet, and the associate director of the commercial art gallery Gagosian.

Click here to read the full interview.

Upcoming events

Rachel Mars: FORGE

Image: JMA Photography

Artist Rachel Mars presents a durational installation titled FORGE that explores the purpose of memorials and the preservation of sites of collective trauma. Over four days, she welds together a replica of the 100kg iron gate that was stolen from Dachau concentration camp in 2014, raising questions about the significance of memorials. The performance is accompanied by a live soundtrack created by Sound Designer Dinah Mullen, featuring previously recorded metal work, bespoke compositions, and Memorial Silences. FORGE was developed through the Barbican Open Lab programme and showcases Rachel Mars' complex, personal reflection and universal questioning through her smart-witted and intricate performance work rooted in Queerness and complex Jewishness. Date: 17— 20 May 2023. Location: The Pit, Barbican Centre Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £12. Book now.