About Contact
10th March 2010
A free weekly ezine featuring the best events in London

Subscribe to CQC


Hot links

Popular tags

Illustration by Julie Khan

Old Pop in an Oak

At Spoonfed we like to educate our readers from time to time with little titbits of obscure (and largely pointless) information. So this week we’re reminding everybody that May 29th is Oak Apple Day. Oak Apple Day was (and still is in our offices at least) a day set aside to celebrate the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. So out went boring old Oliver Cromwell, and in came long curly hair, sex scandals and the ever-hilarious Earl of Rochester.

The day is named after the oak apple, an oak leaf mutated by the larvae of certain kinds of gall wasps so that it looks a bit like an apple. Apparently people used to wear them round their necks on May 29th – we’re sure old Charlie would have been delighted.

But back to matters at hand, and it’s a big week in South London: there's some experimental indie, a club night with a punning title and even a spot of Foucault-influenced art stuff. Splendid.

Upcoming

Poor. Old. Tired. Horse

17th June 2009
More info >>

Dave Gorman

19th June 2009
More info >>

Hard Rock Calling

26th June 2009
More info >>

Death of Long Pig

7th July 2009
More info >>

Friday 22nd

Frontiers by Off Modern

Many ideologies have at root sought world domination - Christianity, capitalism, democracy... - and so far, thankfully, all have failed. in the wake of all this, a new emphasis on the importance of locality is currently emerging in London, and elsewhere. But this is not just about food provenance and designer gastro nonsense, this is also about read on

where:
The Elephant Rooms
Elephant & Castle
Shopping Centre
SE1 6TE
who:
Sam Craven, Will Jarvis
+ more
when:
12pm - 6pm
what:
Art, Video, Installation
cost:
Free
 

Darren Johnstone - Underdrome

Underdrome is an all-new multimedia experience designed and choreographed by Darren Johnstone, the Roundhouse's artist-in-residence. Set to the music of Warp stalwarts Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Autechre, Leila, Harmonic 33 and a clutch of new artists including Vladislav Delay, Murcof and Seaming, the night promises to be a sonic, visual delight read on

where:
The Roundhouse
110a Chalk Farm Road
NW1 8EH

when:
8pm
what:
Dance
cost:
£20, £18 Concessions
 

Plex Bank Holiday Bash

We love Plex because they book off-centre, subversive artists who do something different and don't tow any kind of line.

They don't mold themselves to please a crowd, and - in this line up at least - much of the material will be absolutely rinsing.

I can't think of many better places to dance away the bank holiday. read on

where:
Corsica Studios
Farrell Court
SE17 1LB

who:
Jerome Hill, Kanji Kinetic
+ more
when:
10pm - 7am
what:
Techno/Minimal, Electro
cost:
£12

Saturday 23rd

Vieux Farka Toure

Vieux Farka Touré is a Malian singer and guitarist, and son of one of the African continent’s most internationally renowned musicians Ali Farka Touré.

Tonight he's at the Jazz Cafe to kick off four days of African music with his incredible blend of Saharan blues and Malian folk.
read on

where:
Jazz Cafe
5 Parkway
NW1 7PG
who:
Vieux Farka Toure
when:
7pm
what:
Blues, Folk
cost:
£18
 

Among Friends

April De Angelis' new comedy is a pitch dark social satire about a quartet of yuppies sitting down to a posh takeaway in a gated community. Suddenly, the security system fails and the delivery boy marches right in to their flat and makes himself at home. Paranoia, middle-class angst and straightforward fear rub shoulders in this acerbic comedy read on

where:
Hampstead Theatre
Swiss Cottage Centre
NW3 3EX
when:
7.30pm
what:
Comedy
cost:
£15
 

Join the Dots

Join The Dots Number One tonight - and they kick off their series of parties with a line-up guaranteed to cause a stirring in the pants of even the coolest cats. Mr James Lavelle (UNKLE) needs no introduction. A seminal DJ and producer who united diverse artists from far and wide on his self-named debut album. As a DJ he's eclectic and excellent read on

where:
Jamm
261 Brixton Road
SW9 6LH

who:
James Lavelle, Ralph Lawson
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Electro, House, Techno/Minimal

cost:
£10

Sunday 24th

Warm

Warm blow out the candles on their 10th birthday cake with a bank holiday special. They started off as a mid-week student bash in Bournemouth and have blossomed into a DJ agency and seminal night in London. Headlining tonight's shenanigans are DFA stalwarts Mock n Toof, Jacques Renault jetting in from NYC plus Running Back head honcho Gerd Janson read on

where:
Queen of Hoxton
1 Curtain Road
EC2A 3JX
who:
Ali Tillett, Skull Juice
+ more
when:
6pm - late
what:
House, Disco
cost:
£7
 

Merman at the Jermyn

Big lunged Broadway belter Ethel Merman would have been 100 this year* were she still alive. But, alas, she ain't. Or so we thought... Joyous Pie Productions present a kind of Merman tribute show at the Jermyn Street Theatre tonight that promises to bring the old girl back to life. Starring Dominic Mattos as the irrepressible Merman, and with the read on

where:
Jermyn Street Theatre
16b Jermyn Street
SW1Y 6ST

when:
8pm
what:
Musicals, Comedy
cost:
£14, £12 Concessions
 

Something about Techno

Strange Worlds and Mau Mau join forces to bring you Something About Techno - the first of their summer parties. In room one the devotion is to techno. Room two delves in to the glittery underworld of italo disco and house. Glitchy, tech-electronica outfit 65D Mavericks will be performing a live set, plus Universal Vibes' deep techno specialist read on

where:
Under the Westway
Acklam Road
W10 5JJ

who:
Mr Shiver, Paddy Freeform
+ more
when:
8pm - late
what:
Disco, House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£10
 

mulletover - summer close-down

mulletover peak at their summer finale tonight - before a break till October while they plan their assault on Glade and The Garden Festival in Croatia. Making their mulletover debuts are Robert Dietz - one of the main faces behind the Cecille label, Steve Bug favourite Burnski and Anthea - Phonica Records newest star. Joining these techno cats is read on

where:
Secret Location
who:
Robert Dietz, Burnski, Geddes
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Techno/Minimal, House
cost:
From £8 to £15

Monday 25th

Much Ado About Nothing

War weary heroes return triumphant to their home only to find their women have grown hard and cynical. A new battle commences, presided over by two brilliant, sharp-tongued friends who consider themselves above love. Much Ado... is a cynical romance, with the Bard at his wise-cracking, incisive best, and perfectly suited to outdoor performance. A pe... read on

where:
Open Air Theatre
Regents Park
NW1 4NR
when:
Times vary
what:
Classic, Romance
cost:
From £5 to £45
 

Sketchatron - Nano

The baby brother of the enormous showcase Sketchatron, the Nano is a development platform for sketch and narrative comedians working on new material, performing exclusive extended sets. This month, for the first time in Sketchatron history, the line-up features all musical acts: multi-award winning, all-singing troupe Pappy's Fun Club, deadpan duo G... read on

where:
Pleasance Theatre
41 Carpenter's Mews
N7 9DP

who:
Pappy's Fun Club
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Sketches
cost:
£6, £5 Concessions

Tuesday 26th

Cryptacize

An elliptical, experimental indie pop act, Cryptacize bring angelic 1960s female vocals into messy, enchanting psychedelic pop that is surprisingly accessible given that they count former Deerhoof guitarist Chris Cohen and playful sound artist Nedelle Torrisi as members.

Irresistable, charming and hideously fun - you have to see this. read on

where:
The Windmill
Blenheim Gardens
SW2 5BZ
who:
Cryptacize, Stagecoach
when:
7pm
what:
Indie, Pop
cost:
£6
 

Sarah Millican

Last year's if.comedy 'Best Newcomer' winner, Geordie lass Sarah Millican presents some new material as she prepares for her 2009 Edinburgh show. Millican's last show Sarah Millican's Not Nice, based on her recent divorce, was full of warm, witty and filthy anecdotes. Although little has been said about the content of the new show, it went down ... read on

where:
Hen and Chickens
109 St Paul's Road
N1 2NA

who:
Sarah Millican
when:
9.30pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£7

Wednesday 27th

Feel the Force

In his History of Sexuality, Michel Foucault wrote that: "Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society."  Interesting huh? Well, this May and June Cafe Gallery Projects is hosting an exhib... read on

where:
Cafe Gallery Projects
Southwark Park
SE16 2UA
when:
12pm - 6pm
what:
Installation, Video, Photography
cost:
Free
 

The Pantaloons - Romeo and Juliet

Anyone find that modern productions of Shakespeare can just be so dreadfully po-faced? There's humour there people - it's not all doom-and-gloom soliloquising, you know. Well, thankfully, some people are trying to inject the fun back into the Bard. Step forward The Pantaloons, who incorporate live music, audience participation and some silly hats... read on

where:
The Scoop
More London Riverside
SE1 2DB

who:

when:
6pm
what:
Comedy
cost:
Free
 

Bridget Christie - My Daily Mail Hell

In 2003 Bridget Christie began doing open spots on the comedy circuit and worked on the diary column of the Daily Mail. Whilst there, she was strangled by Gene Wilder, fed a fish by Peter Stringfellow, mistaken for someone else by Mel Brooks, hated by David Dimbleby, ignored by Cherie Blair and patronised by Jenny Eclair. This affectionate expos... read on

where:
Wheatsheaf
25 Rathbone Place
W1T 1JB

who:
Bridget Christie
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Sketches, Stand Up
cost:
£5

Thursday 28th

Press

Another chance to see this incredible one-hour masterpiece of contortion, escapism and dance. Pierre Rigal is the visionary choreographer and performance artist behind last year's Érection, described by La Nacion as 'an incredible experience'. His London debut combines escapology, contortion, dance and physical theatre, all beautifully staged withi... read on

where:
Lilian Baylis Theatre
Roseberry Avenue
EC1R 4TA
when:
8pm
what:
Dance
cost:
£15
 

Saddest Song in the World Competition

An international line up of singer/songwriters gather at the Bethnal Green Working Men's to battle for the the highest accolade a troubadour can attain - to be the owner of the saddest song in the world. Using just one song they will be trying to coax uncontrollable blubbing with tales of unrequited love, heartbreak, alcoholism and general misfo... read on

where:
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
42 Pollard Road
E2 6NB

who:

when:
8pm
what:
Indie, Folk
cost:
£5

Friday 29th

Tracey Emin - Those Who Suffer Love

Four years since her last solo show at the gallery, YBA enfant-terrible Tracey Emin returns to White Cube with an exhibition of drawings.

Coinciding with the launch of her book One Thousand Drawings this exhibition includes an animation of a woman masturbating and is probably likely to cause at least a it of a media splash. read on

where:
White Cube
25-26 Mason's Yard
SW1Y 6BU
who:
Tracey Emin
when:
10am - 6pm
what:
Art, Drawing
cost:
Free
 

WeAreLive

WeAreLive return to Scala with this simply astonishing line up. Bringing the raw energy straight back to the dance floor via the wealth of incredible live acts and DJs playing tonight, Tweak & Bleep and FarmFestival present a tableau of the finest tweaked up electro-tech, bleeped out breaks, upfront discoteque and turbo-charged greatness for ... read on

where:
Scala
275-277 Pentonville Road
N1 9NL
who:
Evil Nine, Noise Control
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Breaks, Electro, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£12
 

Z Shed

Z Shed lay their heavily loaded cards on the table and challenge you to a dance off. Supplying the bassy magic tonight is Kid 606's latest signing Bruce Stallion. He takes the spirit of 90s hardcore, Amiga music, hip hop and dubstep, adds a splash of tequila, a tonne or two of bass and dashes it right in your face. He's joined by absolute laser-... read on

where:
Hub Club
2 Goulston Street
E1 7TP

who:
Your Niece, Bruce Stallion
+ more
when:
10.30pm - 5am
what:
Dupstep, Electro, Hip Hop
cost:
£7, £5 before midnight
 

Balance

Three promoters unite to give you Balance - the brand new night at spanking new venue Cable in London Bridge. Wang, Base and Split between them have three decades of experience throwing underground parties. For their debut they bring together some of the most innovative artists in house, techno and electro. Detroit pioneers Aux 88 are jetting in... read on

where:
Secret Location
who:
A Guy Called Gerald, Billy Nasty
+ more
when:
11pm - 7am
what:
Electro, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£14, £12 Concessions

Saturday 30th

Bang! Bang! Eshce!

What? Is dance punk not over already? Well, if it is, nobody told New Zealand: those guys seem to be pumping it out like the Klaxons never happened.

Bang! Bang! Eche! are the latest bunch to find themselves washed up on our shores, and their synth-driven angular groove fest will have even the hardest hearts throwing shapes in no time. read on

where:
Proud Camden
Chalk Farm Road
NW1 8AH
who:
Bang! Bang! Esche!
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Indie, Pop, Rock
cost:
£10, £8 Concessions
 

Fleshpress

Seemingly riding a high-wire between mind-bending jams and ultra heavy, grinding sludge, Finland's Fleshpress are definitely not for those amongst us who still watch the Disney Channel on a regular basis.

Uncompromising, twisted and unashamably hostile, they'll be laying waste to the Grosvenor tonight. read on

where:
The Grosvenor
17 Sidney Road
SW9 0TP

who:
Fleshpress, Shift
when:
8pm
what:
Metal
cost:
£5
 

Don't Techno Sh!t

The Noisy Neighbours crew touch down at the Lightbox with their biggest line up yet. This underground techno night has been going from strength to strength and tonight they welcome back Cesare vs Disorder to slay you with his low slung beats. Frankfurt's Gregor Tresher (Cocoon) drops by to mezmerize with his acclaimed take on techno and Kindlich perf... read on

where:
Lightbox
6a South Lambeth Place
SW8 1SP

who:
Chris Stanford, Tred Benedict
+ more
when:
10pm - 7am
what:
Techno/Minimal
cost:
£10

Sunday 31st

Free Range 2009

Free Range is a huge exhibition dedicated to the cream of the UK's graduate art and design talent. With works by over 3000 graduates from 40 art colleges across the country this is one of the best opportunities to see and buy cutting edge new work. The only slight drawback is that, with the exhibition taking up 400,000 square foot, it might all b... read on

where:
Old Truman Brewery
Brick Lane
E1 6QL
when:
10am - 7pm
what:
Art, Design
cost:
Free
 

Peter Pan

An awesome family spectacular in a specially designed space, the Neverland Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, this production of the JM Barrie classic uses state-of-the-art effects to transport the audience to the magical kingdom of the boy who never grew up. Follow the Darling family on an adventure of a lifetime as they befriend the magical Pete... read on

where:
Kensington Gardens
W2 2UH

when:
Times vary
what:
Family
cost:
From £20 to £35
Previous issues: