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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

God Rest Ye Already

Ahh Christmas. Christmas is undoubtedly a good thing – what with holidays, presents, parties and mulled wine – and it's now nearly upon us. But one thing that tends to divide opinion at this splendid, festive time of year is carol singers. To some, they're the embodiment of all that is good and right about Christmas – celebrating the birth of Jesus, rejoicing in the glory of God, and singing out a few classic tunes that even the least accomplished singer can still feel able to take part in.

And that last bit is perhaps the objection held by others. Not all carol singers are good carol singers. Some of them are even downright terrible. But hey, get over it. For those of us who aren’t particularly religious, carols provide a pleasant reminder of what Christmas used to be about – its origins and its history. Plus, few things can beat a mass singalong to Adeste Fideles.

Upcoming

Jihad! The Musical

8th January 2010
More info >>

John Hegley

9th January 2010
More info >>

Chris Ofili

27th January 2010
More info >>

Depeche Mode

20th February 2010
More info >>

Friday 11th

51 Gifts for the Person Who Lost Eveything

You wouldn't expect just the normal kind of Christmas events at maverick booksellers (yes, it is kind of an oxymoron) Amuti 23 now would you? Good. Because this isn't the usual Christmas show. The clue comes in the full title - 51 Gifts of Meaning and Value for a Post-Crisis Culture to Welcome in an Era of Neo-Decadent Revolt. Bizarre huh? But read on

where:
Amuti 23
23 Cecil Court
WC2N wEZ
when:
10am - 9pm
what:
Shopping
cost:
Free
 

Treasure Island

A spectacular production of the piratical panto, which has been a family favourite for centuries, in an acclaimed new adaptation by Karen Louise Hebden. This Christmas, the entire Rose Theatre will be transformed into a piratical wonderland, with a ship, an island and all manner of hidden treasures. The show is a boisterous, sing-along adventure read on

where:
Rose Theatre
24-26 Kingston High Street
KT1 1HL

when:
Times vary
what:
Family, Pantomime
cost:
From £7 to £30
 

Phil Kay

Multi-award winning Scotsman Phil Kay brings his special brand of no hands, no stabilisers comedy to the Soho Theatre. You never know what you're going to get with a Kay set due to his incredible improvisation skills and boundless energy. It might be a song about someone's salmon pink jumper or he might read you something funny from the Metro that
read on

where:
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street
W1D 3NE

who:
Phil Kay
when:
9.45pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£12

Saturday 12th

The Forest

Fevered Sleep, the acclaimed production company specialising in dance pieces for younger audiences, bring a touch of festive magic to the Young Vic with a blend of storytelling, adventure and dance for kids aged 5 to 7. The show is a promenade performance that invites children and their families to actually enter the enchanted forest. These read on

where:
Young Vic
66 The Cut
SE1 8LZ
when:
Times vary
what:
Family, Dance
cost:
£8
 

Secret Garden Party Winter Voyage

'Best medium sized festival' of 2008, The Secret Garden Party cordially demands your presence aboard the wildest ocean liner ever to set sail. The HMS Ulysses (aka The Troxy) will tonight play host to a wild party with a nautical twist. Crewed by your indomitable Head Gardeners, first class passengers will be collected from an impromptu port read on

where:
Troxy
490 Commercial Road
E1 0HX

who:
Head of State, Your Niece
+ more
when:
8pm - 4am
what:
Funk/Soul, Jazz
cost:
 

Swap-A-Rama Christmas Special

Swap-a-Rama is a genius idea. Come wearing the most bizarre clothes you can find, go home wearing a mix of the wardrobes of the random strangers you met, got pissed with and stripped in front of. The rules are simple. Whenever the klaxon sounds, you must swap clothes with the person next to you. Spend your evening cross-dressing, skirt-slinging read on

where:
The Book Club
100-106 Leonard Street
EC2A 4RH

when:
8pm - 3am
what:
Disco, Funk/Soul
cost:
£7
 

Halo

Halo are back! They've been scouring the city for the perfect place and they think they may have found it in the dazzling Vauxhall club Lightbox. The have a killer line up headed up by sleazy disco house outfit Crazy P. They are playing live as well as hitting the decks. They're joined by Scottish tech house impresarios Sandeman and Mr Dickie read on

where:
Lightbox
6a South Lambeth Place
SW8 1SP

who:
Crazy P, Oli Colins
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Electro, House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£15

Sunday 13th

Stewart Lee

It feels like ages since we last saw Stewart Lee. Which is a good thing because it was getting unhealthy and we felt a bit like stalkers. Recently, he's been touring the country with his new show If You Prefer A Milder Comedian Please Ask For One and he's finishing up with a lengthy London run at the Leicester Square Theatre. Phew! Just as we were read on

where:
Leicester Square Theatre
Leicester Square
WC2H 7BP
who:
Stewart Lee
when:
4.30pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
From £15 to £20
 

Hawkwind

You'd probably have to be older than 20 to remember this, but way back when the ZX Spectrum was the only computer you could buy, there was this game called Barbarian. Boiled down to its constituent parts, this game basically involved a muscled warrior wearing nothing but a pair of fur pants and chopping people's heads off with a massive sword. read on

where:
Shepherds Bush Empire
Shepherds Bush Green
W12 8TT

who:
Hawkwind
when:
7pm
what:
Rock
cost:
£20
 

Christmas Stories in Hyde Park

Spoken Ink bring you another festive feast of atmospheric twenty-first century story-telling - all occurring in a yurt in Hyde Park. It's Lewis Carrol Christmas this time, with mulled wine, mince pies, sheepskin rugs and stories to delight and inspire. Expect a massive Medieval harp, a giant beaver, and an angry bellman on a desperate hunt for a read on

where:
Hyde Park
W2 2UK

when:
3pm - 8pm
what:
Poetry
cost:
£10

Monday 14th

The All of Everything

The jury is very much still out when it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of Crossrail. As well as the much-publicised demolition of the Astoria, another great loss is that of the Arts Gallery - a space on Davies Street that has exhibited work by the likes of Peter Doig, Gavin Turk, Tom Hunter and Sarah Lucas as well as emerging artists from a... read on

where:
The Arts Gallery
65 Davies Street
W1K 5DA
who:
Mike Ballard
when:
10am - 6pm
what:
Installation
cost:
Free
 

Sunn 0)))

One of our all time favourite bands, Sunn O))) return to the UK to play from their new album 'Monoliths and Dimensions',  supported by the equally excellent OM.

Simply pronounced Sun, this drone metal act incorporate ambient rock, black metal and white-noise to make some of the scariest music since Goblin.

Read Dom's interview with Sun O))). read on

where:
KOKO
1a Camden High Street
NW1 7JE

who:
Sunn 0)))
when:
7pm
what:
Metal
cost:
£16

Tuesday 15th

Kim Noble Will Die

Is it art, is it comedy, is it theatre? You decide as the Perrier-winner and BAFTA-nominated artist/comedian Kim Noble takes you on a journey towards his death. Over several dates in December and January, Noble will guide audiences through his plans for departing Planet Earth, ensuring that his legacy is looked after by writing audience members ... read on

where:
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street
W1D 3NE
who:
Kim Noble
when:
7.30pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£15
 

Kurt Vile and the Violators

Philadelphian singer songwriter Kurt Vile and his band the Violators take the stage at the Lexington tonight to celebrate the release of his new album 'Childish Prodigy'.

With a sound that has been compared to Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, this is a must for anyone who at least owns one flannel shirt.
read on

where:
The Lexington
96-98 Pentonville Road
N1 9JB

who:
Kurt Vile
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Indie
cost:
£8

Wednesday 16th

Knock2Bag Christmas Party

Tonight is a very special Knock2Bag Christmas show with gorgeous ventriloquist Nina Conti (Christopher Guest approved) Angelos Epithemiou from Vic and Bob's Shooting Stars, the wondrous mute Boy With Tape On His Face, Writers Guild award winner Colin Hoult, up-and-coming new stand-up Joe Lycett, the one and only Barry from Watford and a top secret spec... read on

where:
Bar FM
184 Uxbridge Road
W12 7JP
who:
Brian Gittins, Nina Conti
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Stand Up, Sketches
cost:
£8
 

Wet 'n' Mild

Surf's up psych fiends! It may be the season of good will and everything, but that doesn't mean you can't party like it's high summer at this night of freaky, surfed-up hi-jinks that costs exactly no pounds to enjoy. Headlined by the incredible You're Smiling Now But We'll All Turn Into Demons who have to be one of the best bands no-one's heard... read on

where:
The Stag's Head
55 Orsman Road
N1 5RA

who:
The Spivs, French Kissing
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Rock
cost:
Free

Thursday 17th

Comedy on the Hill Christmas Special

Comedy On The Hill is a shabby chic comedy night held in the Humble Theatre beneath the Prince Edward pub in Bayswater. Held every last Thursday of the month, it puts on all kinds of comedy from stand-up to sketch, musical and dance acts, combining both well-known and new comedians on the circuit. Tonight is an extra special Christmas show for no e... read on

where:
Prince Edward
73 Princes Square
W2 4NY
who:
Stephen Merchant
+ more
when:
8.15pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£6
 

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack & the Beanstalk at Lyric Hammersmith provides a modern slant on the classic Chirstmas panto with a heroic if guileless Jack, magic beans, golden eggs, singing harps and a giant! They always do things in style at this well loved, adventurous theatre and the festive panto is no different. Expect some surprises along with the songs and aud... read on

where:
Lyric Theatre
King Street
W6 0QL

who:

when:
Times vary
what:
Family, Pantomime
cost:
From £10 to £25

Friday 18th

Dick Whittington

Ultra Panto at its best. From the people that brought you the rapping genie ('Aladdin' 2008) comes 'Dick Whittington'. Expect lots of audience participation, innuendo, singing and dancing. One of Spoonfed's favourite venues, for many reasons including the consistently great Christmas pantomimes, the Rosemary Branch Theatre is a great place to ... read on

where:
Rosemary Branch
2 Shepperton Road
N1 3DT
when:
Times vary
what:
Family, Pantomime
cost:
From £10 to £15
 

Gallows

Even though they're the band everyone loves to hate, like it or not Gallows have done more for the UK hardcore scene than your cut-and-paste straight edge fanzine could ever have. Playing tight-as-hell melodic hardcore, this London mob combine the big riffage of US stalwarts like Champion and Comeback Kid with booze, cups of tea and a uniquely Br... read on

where:
Scrutton Street Warehouse
73-75 Scrutton Street
EC2A 4PJ

who:
Gallows, Lovvers
when:
8pm
what:
Punk
cost:
£10
 

Deadly Rhythm with Skream & Joker

Deadly Rhythm presents a night of experimental dubstep, future garage and glitch-hoppy techno. Skream and Joker are huge right now, and for good reason: they've pioneered a forward-thinking approach to a genre that was on the verge of becoming repetitive and uninspired. Meanwhile, Ikonika stands out as one of the few (perhaps the only) female prod... read on

where:
Plan B
418 Brixton Road
SW9 7AY

who:
Skream, Joker
+ more
when:
8pm - 10am
what:
Dubstep, Breaks, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£10
 

Kitten Disco presents...Something Christmassy

A night of pop to sugar coat your sensibilities. The brains behind this tasty little bash wanted a setting where they could pogo to pop in a non-meat-market, vomit-inducing setting - so they created their own. It's Christmas themed (seeing as it's Christmas) and you get in for the bargain price of £4 if you're dressed as such. Santa will be in ... read on

where:
Canal 125
Caledonain Road
N1 9RG

who:
Mittens, Twisted Kitten
when:
7pm - 2am
what:
Pop, Cheese
cost:
From £3 to £5

Saturday 19th

I shake you by the hand Comrade Bacon

Haha, imagine old queeny Francis Bacon as a communist! Doesn't quite ring true does it? Well the title of this small exhibition comes from an entry in the visitors' book from a Bacon exhibition in Moscow in 1988, just as Russia was opening up to the outside world. From this starting point the show looks at the concept of British art abroad, oft... read on

where:
Whitechapel Gallery
80-82 Whitechapel High Street
E1 7QX
who:
Francis Bacon
+ more
when:
11am - 6pm
what:
Art
cost:
Free
 

Bearcat Christmas Party

The Bearcat is a popular comedy club held every Saturday night out in the Twickenham sticks. It always has quality controlled line-ups and a few big names pop their heads in every now and then too. 

Tonight is their Christmas party, meaning there is a special treat in store for you in the form of free-wheeling Superman Terry Alderton and guests. read on

where:
Turk's Head
28 Winchester Road
TW1 1LF
who:
Terry Alderton
+ more
when:
8.45pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£15
 

Spin Out v Drop Out v This is Not a Rave

It's a triple header of house at the Horse and Groom tonight with Spin Out Records, Dropout and This Is Not A Rave. All three labels are flying high after gigs at Ministry, flyaway shows at Ibiza and a host of names racking up the hits in the charts both mainstream and underground. The resident DJs from each one will be spinning some liquid house, ... read on

where:
Horse & Groom
26 Curtain Road
EC2A 3NZ

who:
Ben Coates, Not Shy
+ more
when:
8pm - 4am
what:
Breaks, Electro, House
cost:
£5

Sunday 20th

Josh Sutterby

Whilst much graffiti work can seem a little flat - concerned with bold impact rather than sustaining interest or emotional engagement - this new exhibition looks a little different. The Print House presents a solo show for contemporary graffiti artist Josh Sutterby, whose attention to character details sets him well apart from the massed. "... read on

where:
The Print House
18 Ashwin Street
E8 3DL
who:
Josh Sutterby
+ more
when:
11pm - 4pm
what:
Painting
cost:
Free
 

Male Bonding

If only we could live in the topsy-turvy world of Male Bonding. A three-piece from the flourishing Dalston DIY scene, they have become something of a fixture on the North London warehouse circuit ever since they ripped up that insane house party thing called Rage in 2008. Specialising in violently sprawling dance punk, Male Bonding sort of fit in ... read on

where:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road
N16 7XJ

who:
Male Bonding
+ more
when:
8pm
what:
Indie, Punk
cost:
£5
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