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7th September 2010
A free weekly ezine featuring the best events in London

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Illustration by Julie Khan

Willing to Sacrifice

Winter in London brings with it many joys – puddles, parties, pantomimes, probably lots of other things beginning with p that we can’t think of right now... But one thing that says “winter!” as much as anything is ice-skating.

If you’re the new Torvill and Dean then ice-skating is obviously the best way to show off quite how cool you are. But even if you’re not, it’s still a good way to get cold, embarrassed and covered in bruises. In fact, it’s probably the best way – apart from getting beaten up by Ronnie Corbett, and left in the frozen food section of Lidl.  

Either way, why not check out our guide to London Ice-Skating. And if you don’t like that, then just scroll down to see all the cool things going on next week.

Upcoming

A-R-T

10th December 2009
More info >>

The Cat in the Hat

11th December 2009
More info >>

Just the Tonic NYE

31st December 2009
More info >>

Murmur presents

1st January 2010
More info >>

Friday 27th

Gentlemen of Bacongo

The phenomenal worldwide reception for the publication of the recent Sartorialist book was possibly unsurprising - after all, it did feature a rather splendid picture of Spoonfed's Arts Editor... Now Trolley Books are publishing something that in a way has some similarities, in that they're both about fashion and style in the real world. Gentlemen read on

where:
Londonnewcastle Project Space
28 Redchurch Street
E2 7DP
who:
Daniel Tamagni
when:
12pm - 8pm
what:
Photography, Fashion
cost:
Free
 

Polari

The last show ever at the ever-wonderful Vegas Gallery on Redhcurch Street. But fret ye not, the gallery's not closing for good; they're just moving a little further east, to Vyner Street in fact, right next door to Fred. The last exhibition at the original space consists of a themed group show curated by young Russian curator Anny Baranova. read on

where:
Vegas Gallery
64-66 Redchurch Street
E2 7DP

who:
Will Tuck, Kate Mayne
+ more
when:
12pm - 6pm
what:
Painting
cost:
Free
 

Bibulous - Pop-Up World of Drinks

A wicked two-day event incorporating two of the best things in the world - shopping and boozing. Taking place in Vinopolis, the world of wine just near to Borough Market, Bibulous features all manner of different alcohols, making it cheaper than an evening in one of London's many overpriced cocktail bars. There's tequila courtesy of Green & read on

where:
Vinopolis
1 Bank End
SE1 9BU

when:
Times vary
what:
Shopping
cost:
£16
 

Stephen and the Sexy Partridge

Cal McCrystal, longtime Mighty Boosh and Sacha Baron Cohen collaborator, directs a surreal festive offering about a love affair between a man and his bird, with an ensemble cast of faces you'll recognise from British sketch comedy. This show was a big hit at the Old Red Lion last year; it's totally surreal, strangely sexy and has a good dose of read on

where:
Trafalgar Studios
14 Whitehall
SW1A 2DY

when:
9pm
what:
Comedy
cost:
£19

Saturday 28th

Musiq Concrete

Musiq Concrete presents a forward-thinking night of tech-house, bassline and electro held conjunctively at sister venues Fire and Lightbox. All four rooms have monster line-ups that include progressive tech-head Nathan Fake, 'batty bass' queen Hannah Holland, bomb dropper L-Vis 1990, bleepy techno pusher James Harcourt, and breaks master Casper C read on

where:
Fire
South Lambeth Road
SW8 1UQ
who:
Nathan Fake, Casper C
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Electro, Breaks, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£10
 

Vitalic presents Flashmob

Vitalic launches new album 'Flashmob' tonight at matter. It's his only live date of 2009 and is likely to be superb. His slick beats will be crisp as fresh celery on matter's beefy subs. And room two looks reliably chubby as well with one of the finest DJs around chief wrong 'un Tim Sheridan flying his Veryverywrong flag and welcoming German read on

where:
Matter
Peninsular Square
SE10 0DY

who:
Vitalic, Tim Sheridan
+ more
when:
10pm - 7am
what:
House, Electro, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£15
 

Get Physical

New kid in town Cable keeps upping the ante with stellar line-ups. Tonight, legendary label Get Physical celebrate their 7th birthday (100 singles and counting!) with rocking sets from minimal don Patrick Bodmer (one half of acclaimed duo M.A.N.D.Y.) and the haunting Thomas Schumacher. Room Two is hosted by Phonica Records, who are nearly read on

where:
Cable
33a Bermondsey Street
SE1 2EG

who:
M.A.N.D.Y, Hector
+ more
when:
11pm - 7am
what:
Electro, House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£15
 

mulletover Xmas Party

The recurringly brilliant mulletover touch down at a brand new venue (as yet undisclosed) to welcome in the Christmas season (a touch early I would say but that's evidently how it goes at the front line of rave planning in London.) They have another treat of a line up - with the very much in favour Berlin resident Prosumer dropping in with his read on

where:
Secret Location
who:
Geddes, DJ Buck
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
From £8 to £14

Sunday 29th

The Stuckist Christmas Sale

It's Christmas time! And that means many things, one of which is that it's time for the annual Stuckist Christmas Sale. Charles Thomson and his figurative painting pals are putting on an exhibition at Matisonn Burgin Gallery in Shoreditch. Expect a broad range of different styles and subject matter, but all unified by the Stuckists' belief in the read on

where:
Matisson Burgin Gallery
30 Phipp Street
EC2A 4NR
who:
Charles Thomson, Ella Guru
+ more
when:
10am - 6pm
what:
Painting
cost:
Free
 

The Gruffalo

Based on the hugely sucessful picture book, this Christmas, the Apollo presents The Gruffalo. Join Mouse as he makes his way through the forest fending off the crazy characters trying to eat him by telling them about the terrifying Gruffalo. But Mouse doesn't bank on coming face to face with the monster himself... Guaranteed to be full of catchy read on

where:
Apollo Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
W1D 6AB

when:
Times vary
what:
Family
cost:
From £12 to £15

Monday 30th

Propagandhi

One of the best punk hardcore bands out there and they just keep getting better, Propaghandi swing by Koko with two great support bands.

One of the best punk shows you'll ever see.

Please note: This is an all ages gig. read on

where:
KOKO
1a Camden High Street
NW1 7JE
who:
Propagandhi
+ more
when:
7pm
what:
Punk
cost:
£13
 

Lady Garden and Friends

All-female sketch group Lady Garden have resumed their residency at the Wilmington Arms with some excellent line-ups on the cards.

Tonight's bill includes hilarious Geordie Will Andrews, character act Nick Mohammed, inventive sketch duo Cardinal Burns and a very special guest yet to be announced.
read on

where:
Wilmington Arms
69 Roseberry Avenue
EC1R 4RL

who:
Lady Garden, Will Andrews
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Sketches, Stand Up
cost:
£5

Tuesday 1st

Peter Pan

An awesome family spectacular in a specially designed space, the Neverland Pavilion at the O2 Arena, 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 Peter Pan an... read on

where:
O2 Arena
Milennium Way
SE10 0AX
when:
Times vary
what:
Family
cost:
From £20 to £53
 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

With all these pretenders to her throne emerging over the last year or so, the queen of indie, Miss Karen O, is back in the UK to reassert her authority as the leading lady of all things rock 'n' roll. Over a two night residency, Yeah Yeah Yeahs will perform all the old classics as well as material from their most recent album, 'It's Blitz!'. Hip... read on

where:
O2 Academy Brixton
211 Stockwell Road
SW9 9SL

who:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
when:
7pm
what:
Indie
cost:
£20

Wednesday 2nd

Charlotte Hodes - Silhouettes and Filigree

Contemporary artist Charlotte Hodes produces beautiful multi-patterned ceramics: there's something festive and perhaps triumphant about her works - as if they have been commissioned to celebrate a great victory or some kind of semi-religious carnival. After the sucess of her exhibition at the Wallace Collection (much better received than a certain... read on

where:
Marlborough Fine Art
6 Albemarle Street
W1S 4BY
who:
Charlotte Hodes
when:
10am - 5.30pm
what:
Ceramics
cost:
Free
 

1984

Blind Summit are one of our favourite theatre companies, combining puppets and models with heavy adult subject matter and this surreal, terrifying interpretation of the George Orwell classic 1984 is one of our must-sees for the Christmas season. Of course, it's not festive at all. It's relentlessly bleak, sometimes funny but mainly just upsetting... read on

where:
Battersea Arts Centre
Old Town Hall
SW11 5TN

when:
Times vary
what:
Tragedy
cost:
£16, £12 Concessions
 

Jason Byrne

If you haven't seen excitable Irish stand-up Jason Byrne yet, you really should. His hi-energy routine comprising of hilarious anecdotes, observations and razor-sharp improv never fails to have the audience in stitches. Following the release of his hugely successful DVD, The Byrne Identity, Byrne will be performing the show for one night only in Leices... read on

where:
Leicester Square Theatre
Leicester Square
WC2H 7BP

who:
Jason Byrne
when:
£15
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£15

Thursday 3rd

Earth - Art in a Changing World

The Royal Academy's contemporary art extravaganza in association with GlaxoSmithKline (ooh edgy) returns for a second season, and this time it looks brilliant. Whilst the first instalment was a slightly unfocusd attempt to bring the Royal Academy up-to-date, but this time, the show - subtitled Earth - Art in a Changing World - has a more defined ag... read on

where:
Royal Academy
Burlington House
W1J 0BD
who:
Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Sophie Calle
+ more
when:
10am - 6pm
what:
Art
cost:
From £3 to £7
 

For the Blind Man in the Dark Room Looking for the Black Cat That Isn't There

Charles Darwin, bless his cotton socks, apparently once said: "A mathematician is like a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there". Hence the rather unwieldy title of this exhibition at the ICA. Organised by the Contemporary Art Museum St Louis and curated by Anthony Huberman, the aim of this group show is to ex... read on

where:
ICA
The Mall
SW1Y 5AH

when:
12pm - 7pm
what:
Art
cost:
Free
 

Hawnay Troof

Oakland's Hawnay Troof has quite an impressive musical resume. He's handled lead vocals for xbxrx for quite some time now (as Vice Cooler), he mixed his most recent record Islands of Ayle in 2 days with Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, Peaches calls him "the world's greatest performer", he's friends with Drew Daniel of Matmos, he drummed in the Bor... read on

where:
Old Blue Last
39 Great Eastern Street
EC2A 3ES

who:
Hawnay Troof, Oh No Ono
when:
8pm
what:
Indie, Hip Hop
cost:
£6

Friday 4th

Pretty Baa-Lambs

Well, it's an exhibition with a funny title, on Vyner Street, but irony looks to play only a very small role in Pretty Baa-Lambs at contemporary art gallery Madder139. Which is rather refreshing. Four artists present works that display a rare reverence and respect for the traditions of landscape paintings. We particularly like the look of Sam Dougl... read on

where:
Madder 139
1 Vyner Street
E2 9DG
who:
Sam Douglas, Peter Jones
+ more
when:
12pm - 6pm
what:
Painting
cost:
Free
 

Aladdin

By far the best feature of this classic Christamas panto - and this is possibly a panto first - will be the four mystery guest stars set to play the Genie of the Lamp in this year's Aladdin. Pamela Anderson has signed up for two weeks of granting wishes and the much loved Paul O'Grady will also be making an appearance during the show's run, as... read on

where:
New Wimbledon Theatre
The Broadway
SW19 1QG

when:
Times vary
what:
Pantomime
cost:
From £15 to £27
 

Club Bollocks to Poverty

A party which is all about raving and waving goodbye to poverty. They want your spirit so get up, freak out, have a dance and shout bollocks to poverty! 

Assisting you on this voyage is the excellent Rogue Element, Magistrates, The Ruskins live and plenty more upfront acts designed to make you wiggle.
read on

where:
333
333 Old Street
EC1V 9LE

who:
The Thirst, Rogue Element
+ more
when:
8pm - 3am
what:
Indie, Breaks, Electro
cost:
£6

Saturday 5th

Shoot Dating

Brilliant! The ever-innovative souls at Shoot Experience have made a move into dating. These guys specialise in challenging interactive games where you have to go round London taking snaps. It's always fun and they've decided that the format is suited to meeting new people. Yes. Shoot Dating costs £20 but represents great value. For that, you ... read on

where:
The Bathhouse
8 Bishopsgate Churchyard
EC2M 3TJ
when:
2.30pm - 7pm
what:
Dating
cost:
£20
 

Legally Blonde The Musical

A stellar cast led by Sheridan Smith (The Royle Family, Little Shop of Horrors) and Duncan James (er, he was in boyband Blue) bring this Broadway sensation to the West End. Based on the winning Hollywood comedy with a fresh book by Heather Hach and some $13million expended on costumes, set changes and pop tunes, the show was a critical flop in New ... read on

where:
Savoy Theatre
Savoy Court Strand
WC2R 0ET

when:
Times vary
what:
Musicals, Comedy
cost:
From £20 to £65
 

Z Shed vs Coin Operated Warehouse Spesh

Something wicked this way comes... Z Shed vs Coin Operated in an East End warehouse. Get ready for some filthy business. Kanji Kinetic in the house. Serious. This guy wields his bass like a weapon. The Squire Of Gothos - two badbwoy producers from Sheffield who make ultra massive rave noise, plus Mustard Gunn, Pirate Soundsystem, Absnif and more -... read on

where:
Secret Location
who:
Kanji Kinetic, Squire of Gothos
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Dubstep, Electro, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£7
 

Simmer 1st Birthday

Bespoke party-starters Simmer celebrate a year of throwing delicious parties in unexpected venues and giving audio pleasure to the ravers of London. They showcase homegrown and international talent at their events; always upfront with a superb, intimate vibe. Tonight they touch down at the resplendent three-storey Brick Lane venue The Brickhouse. Joi... read on

where:
The Brickhouse
152c Brick Lane
E1 6RU

who:
Shonky, Richard Adam
+ more
when:
10.30pm
what:
House, Electronica, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£10

Sunday 6th

The Snowman

"We're walking in the air, we're walking in the aaaiiiir, oh yeah. We went to Toys R Us, or something something something." Who can forget the original cartoon (based on a comic) of The Snowman, with its beautiful Raymond Briggs drawings and Aled Jones warbling on the soundtrack? This stage musical version of the classic Christmas crowd plea... read on

where:
The Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street
WC2A 2HT
who:

when:
Times vary
what:
Musicals, Family
cost:
From £12 to £30
 

The Revenge

Playing alongside the fresh and funky resident duo of Neil Thornton and Dave Rose at the Horse & Groom tonight is some DJ royalty. Disco maestro Graeme Clark aka The Revenge has had a massive year playing from Athens to Zurich and everywhere in between including a rather special set at Fabric for their 10th birthday celebrations. Such skills ... read on

where:
Horse & Groom
26 Curtain Road
EC2A 3NZ

who:
The Revenge
+ more
when:
4pm - 2am
what:
Disco, House, Funk/Soul
cost:
Free
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