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11th March 2010
A free weekly ezine featuring the best events in London

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Illustration by Julie Khan

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Cultural Quality Control: a free, weekly ezine featuring the best gigs, theatre, art, clubbing and comedy in London.

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Animal Collective

24th March 2009
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Promised Land

28th March 2009
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Russell Brand

17th April 2009
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Barry Fantoni

22nd April 2009
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Friday 27th

Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire

With the Olympics coming to change London forever, interest in the affected areas of Hackney has never been higher. The concept of psychogeography is something that Iain Sinclair has been exploring for years, but - in part thanks to the Olympics - the subject has seen a resurgence of late, as highlighted by Laura Oldfield Ford's exhibitions at M... read on

where:
Danielle Arnaud
123 Kennington Road
SE11 6SF
who:
Iain Sinclair, Stephen Gill
+ more
when:
2pm - 6pm
what:
Art, Gallery, Media, Photography
cost:
Free
 

The Good, The Bad, The Belle

The sinister and the trashy combine at Spring Projects this month with works by kitsch snapper Alice Hawkins alongside ceramic sculpture and film, courtesy of Barnaby Barford. Whilst Barford's work is ostensibly the darker - his works draw upon a kind of Tim Burton-esque gothic - there is also something slightly troubling about Hawkins' posey read on

where:
Spring Projects
Spring House
10 Spring Place
NW5 3BH
who:
Barnaby Barford, Alice Hawkins
when:
12pm - 7pm
what:
Art, Gallery, Sculpture, Photography
cost:
Free
 

Russell Kane

This show got Russell Kane nominated for the 'Best Newcomer' award at last year's fringe and garnered him stacks of 5 star reviews across the board. Observational is what Kane does best and this show demonstrates his skill in finding the comedy hidden in the most mundane of topics. The premise is about human flaws and why ultimately, we reject read on

where:
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street
W1D 3NE
who:
Russell Kane
when:
8pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£12, £10 Concessions

Saturday 28th

The Rain Emperor

This sounds like one of those things that could either be a tangled-up and over-ambitious mess, or a ground-breaking 'I was there'  kind of event. Here's rooting for the latter. The Rain Emperor is a project by visual arts company Beggars Velvet that takes its inspiration from a series of rare scores by composer and musician Robert Jacob. read on

where:
Village Underground
54 Holywell Lane
EC2A 3PQ
when:
8pm
what:
Performance Art
cost:
£15
 

Yucatan

The brainchild of Welsh sorcerer Dilwyd Llwyd, Yucatan has managed to come up with an expansive, psychdelic shoegaze sound that almost beats Sigur Rós at their own game (in fact it was recorded at Sigur Rós' studio in Iceland). Playing on the eve of St David's Day, if you own at least one Explosions in the Sky record and half a distant Welsh read on

where:
Slaughtered Lamb
34-35 Great Sutton Street
EC1V 0DX
who:
Yucatan, Thee Single Spy + more
when:
8pm
what:
Indie
cost:
£5
 

Circuit

Resident Enzo Siragusa keeps the house warm and deep at this weekly party, which has now moved to Sosho. The Circuit crowd is a committed, bang-up-for-it one, and when you take a look at their guests, you'll see why. Taking the bull by the horns and launching his monthly Circuit residency is Circo Loco hotshot Clive Henry. He will be joined by read on

where:
Sosho
2 Tabernacle Street
EC2A 4LU
who:
Clive Henry, Enzo Siragusa + more
when:
9pm - 6am
what:
House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£12, £10 Concessions
 

Saved

House, house and more house is on the menu at yet another mouthwatering line up at Matter. If you haven't been to Fabric's new sister venue yet then now is the time, with huge names such as Green Velvet and Francois Kevorkian making exclusive appearances. Also playing are residents Nic Fanciulli and Andy Chatterley, who are joined by The read on

where:
Matter
Peninsula Square
SE10 0DY
who:
Francois K, Nic Fanciulli + more
when:
10pm - 7am
what:
House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£15

Sunday 1st

Rootikal

The legendary reggae and dancehall radio DJ David Rodigan curates Rootikal - every first Sunday of the month. Tonight he is joined by reggae soundsystem Channel One. Anyone who has attended Notting Hill Carnival in the last 25 years will be familiar with the Channel One sound and selector Mikey Dread. Mikey's father, a soundman from the '50s read on

where:
East Village
89 Great Eastern Street
EC2A 3HX
who:
Stuart Patterson, David Rodigan + more
when:
2pm - 1am
what:
Reggae, Dancehall
cost:
£5
 

Eonnagata

A stellar production based around a fascinating story at Sadler's Wells this springtime sees dancer Sylvie Guillem, choreographer Russell Maliphant and theatre director Robert LePage team up to tell the story of Charles de Beaumont, the Chevalier d'Eon. This extraordinary figure was a diplomat, author, warrior and spy in the court of Louis XV
read on

where:
Sadler's Wells
Roseberry Avenue
EC1R 4TN
when:
7.30pm
what:
Dance, Ballet
cost:
From £10 to £40

Monday 2nd

Frank Skinner

Frank Skinner's Credit Crunch Cabaret is a variety show on a budget, offering a selection of top class comedians, West End stars and musical acts for a pocket pleasing £10.  Perfect for these cash-stricken times. Hosted by the infamous TV comic (star of Fantasy Football, Baddiel & Skinner Unplanned and The Frank Skinner Show) every Monday even... read on

where:
Lyric Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Avenue
W1D 7EG
who:
Frank Skinner, Russell Howard
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£10
 

Vampires Rock

Created by and Starring Steve Steinman, this vampire musical about Baron von Rockula trying to persuade a virgin to hook up with him for eternal life, is an underground sensation that shows every sign of being a cult musical for years to come. Based around a succession of rock anthems from the likes of Meat Loaf, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, the Stones, ... read on

where:
Shaw Theatre
100-110 Euston Road
NW1 2AJ
who:

when:
7.30pm
what:
Musicals
cost:
£35

Tuesday 3rd

Abel Auer

New paintings and works on paper by contemporary artist Abel Auer at Corvi-Mora this month. Auer does mysterious landscape images that somehow combine the colour-palette of the Fauvists with the occultist symbolism of Joan Miró. Little cottages stand isolated in darkened woods, fairytale towers stretch into the sky, and what is that behind those tr... read on

where:
Corvi-Mora
1a Kempsford Road
SE11 4NU
who:
Abel Auer
when:
11am - 6pm
what:
Art, Gallery, Painting
cost:
Free
 

Stovepipe

A mercenary goes missing in Ammam, the traditional decompression pit-stop in the middle east for private contractors profiting from war in Iraq. His only friend goes after him.

An innovative promenade performance that plunges the audience right into some very uncomfortable action. Dress warm and wear proper shoes. read on

where:
Bush Theatre
Shepherds Bush Green
W12 8QD
when:
7.30pm
what:
Thriller
cost:
£15, £10 Concessions

Wednesday 4th

Victory

Howard Barker is one of Britain's most acclaimed living playwrights and this new show at the Arcola promises to be a linguistic feast, a richly coloured thriller set in the court of Charles II against a backdrop of fornication, intrigue and the threat of war. Brutality and poetry rub shoulders in this energetic show which blends farce, satirical para... read on

where:
Arcola Theatre
27 Arcola Street
E8 2DJ
when:
8pm
what:
Comedy, Thriller
cost:
£18, £10 Concessions
 

The Bronx

Shred Yr Face returns for a second go, and let's face it Fucked Up and Rolo Tomassi have way more chance of shredding some faces than Los Campasinos!

Headlining is The Bronx, who basically sound like the entire DC hardcore scene falling on you all at once. They also have the best artist photo on the website. read on

where:
Electric Ballroom
184 Camden High Street
NW1 8QP
who:
The Bronx, Fucked Up
+ more
when:
7pm
what:
Punk
cost:
£14

Thursday 5th

The Penny Dreadfuls

Brilliant sketch trio The Penny Dreadfuls put their award-winning play Aeneas Faversham Forever to bed in February and are now holding a few 'scratch' gigs to try out ideas for their latest show.

Expect sketches full of imaginative wit and whimsy based in the world of Victoriana. read on

where:
Battersea Arts Centre
Old Town Hall
SW11 5TN
who:
The Penny Dreadfuls
when:
7.30pm
what:
Sketches
cost:
£5, £3 Concessions
 

Eslam Jawaad

Have you been feeling let down by your gangsta rappers lately? Do you feel that most now are spoiled brats rather than proper street thugs? Yeah, us too. Fortunately we've found this guy - According to his Myspace Eslam Jawaad is the last of the famous international playboys. A rapper who found music after being a member of the Lebanese militi... read on

where:
The Fly
36-38 New Oxford Street
WC1A 1EP
who:
Eslam Jawaad
when:
7pm
what:
Hip Hop
cost:
£3

Friday 6th

Five Female Stuckists

The Stuckists take over the Islington Arts Factory this March with an exhibition of work by five female members of their group. Stuckist art is characterised by figurative paintings produced in a kind of faux-naive style, so expect more of the same to be on display here. Ella Guru focuses on the sordid elements of popular culture - fetish clubs, transvest... read on

where:
Islington Arts Factory
2 Parkhurst Rd
N7 0SF
who:
Ella Guru, Elsa Dax
+ more
when:
10am - 6.45pm
what:
Art, Gallery, Painting
cost:
Free
 

Suzy & Los Quattro

Ha ha, this is probably the most apt name for a band ever.

Like their namesake, cute-as-a-button Spanish kids Suzy & los Quattro make good-time garage rock about riding about on motorbikes and kissing boys and stuff.
read on

where:
The Boston Arms
178 Junction Road
N19 5QQ
who:
Suzy & los Quattro, My Drug Hell
+ more
when:
8.30pm
what:
Punk, Pop
cost:
£6
 

We Fear Silence

Two ex-programmers from late and sorely missed nightclub The End save the day by taking over Friday nights at top notch newly cool venue The Arches.

Electrifying line-ups will make your mouth water - including James Holden's Border Community, Ben Watt's Buzzin' Fly, Warp Records, Chew The Fat! and Eat Your Own Ears. read on

where:
Arches
53 Southwark Street
SE1 1TE
who:
Ben Watt, Chris Woodward
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
House, Electro, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£15, £12 Concessions

Saturday 7th

Fiona's Shoe

An evening of '60s counter-cultural shenanigans at the South London Gallery this Saturday. In association with Flat Time House, they're hosting a restaging of John Latham's 1965 performance piece Juliet and Romeo, that involves a male and a female character in costumes made out of hardback and paperback books. In addition, writer and artist Stewar... read on

where:
South London Gallery
65 Peckham Road
SE5 8UH
who:
Stewart Home
+ more
when:
7.30pm
what:
Gallery, Video, Performance Art
cost:
£5
 

This is Music

It seems slightly unbelievable but it's been almost two years since we put This Is Music's first London show up on these pages, and here they are with their biggest show ever. Although we can't tell you who the headliner is yet ( but believe us they are massive), we can tell you that this show has two of the best bands in the UK playing for your enjo... read on

where:
Corsica Studios
Farrell Court
SE17 1LB
who:
Male Bonding, Lovvers
+ more
when:
7pm - 3am
what:
Punk, Rock
cost:
£5, £4 Concessions
 

Scenario

Scenario is the new hip hop party at Cargo. The policy is to combine new talent with prolific, established artists. If you still need convincing then recognize that it's by the crew that bought you Soundcrash, Loose Change and Red Alert. Tonight it's the remarkable Peanut Butter Wolf (founder of Stones Throw Records) performing one of his massive aud... read on

where:
Cargo
83 Rivington Street
EC2A 3AY
who:
James Pants, Peanut Butter Wolf
+ more
when:
8pm - 3am
what:
Hip Hop, Funk/Soul
cost:
£12
 

Positronic

James Zabiela - one of the most highly regarded DJs in the world - lands at Matter for another Positronic party, this time with Christian Smith and Joey Beltram, with Spektre and Mooj heading up room two.

If you like your house techy and clever, then this is the night for you. read on

where:
Matter
Peninsula Square
SE10 0DY
who:
James Zabiela, John Selway
+ more
when:
10pm - 7am
what:
House
cost:
£16

Sunday 8th

Fabrik

Infused with elements of Nordic and Yiddish folklore, this piece of puppet theatre 'for grown ups' is a historical tale about a shrewd Jewish factory owner making a fortune and dedicating his life to fighting anti-Semitism. By the time the Nazis invaded Norway, they had already marked him down as the 'leader of Jewish resistance' in that count... read on

where:
Little Angel Theatre
14 Dagmar Passage
N1 2DN
who:
Fabrik
when:
8pm
what:
Performance Art
cost:
£13, £10 Concessions
 

Vavamuffin

Poland does a lot of things well - sausages, beer, revolutions - the list goes on and on. One thing they have been keeping secret, however, is that our Polish neighbours are building the new home of European reggae. It would seem that whilst the rest of the Warsaw Pact was busy listening to Russian Opera, the Poles were manning their tanks and subma... read on

where:
Cargo
83 Rivington Street
EC2A 3AY
who:
Vavamuffin
when:
7pm
what:
Reggae
cost:
£15
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