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

Subscribe to CQC


Hot links

Popular tags

Illustration by Julie Khan

Treemendous Tidings

Twas the week before Christmas and all thoughout London,
The weather was frightful and people were wonderin'
What events to attend on this holiday week
Parties fun and festive and local and cheap.

When into their inbox there came with a clatter,
Cultural Quality Control to solve the whole matter.
With the week, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day planned,
A wonderful holiday soon was at hand.

So from the Spoonfed team with the greatest of cheer,
Merry Christmas to all, and a happy New Year!
                                                                                                                          

Upcoming

Doctor Faustus

12th January 2010
More info >>

Jerry Sadowitz

21st January 2010
More info >>

X Factor Live

20th March 2010
More info >>

Slayer

8th March 2010
More info >>

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
 

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:
11am - 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

Monday 21st

A Frisky & Mannish Christmas

Pop comedy duo Frisky & Mannish are putting on a special festive cabaret show at the Lyric tonight, making their West End debut with a line up of top comedy, music and circus acts.Featuring Angelos Epithemiou from BBC2's Shooting Stars, swing-punk trio The Puppini Sisters and the amazing feats of Kalki Hula Girl and Bruce Airhead (half man, h... read on

where:
Lyric Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury Avenue
Soho
W1D 7EG 
who:
Frisky and Mannish, Angelos Epithemiou, The Puppini Sisters + more
when:
7.30pm
what:
Comedy, Music
cost:
£16
 

The Fix Un-Royal Variety Performance

Strike a light! The Fix team sure are pulling out their best comedians past and present for this special 'Save The Fix' Christmas benefit. 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Tim Key will be joined by Shooting Stars' Angelos Epithemiou, the record-breaking Mark Watson, top sketch troupe Pappy's, actor Kevin Eldon (Brass Eye, Big Train, Alan Partridge... read on

where:
Bloomsbury Theatre
15 Gordon Street
Kings Cross
WC1H 0AH
who:
Mark Watson, Tim Key
+ more
when:
8.30pm
what:
Stand Up
cost:
£20

Tuesday 22nd

What a Wonderful World

Go on a whirlwind adventure with Mr Armstrong who'll lead you through space and time aboard his sleeper train. Stretch your imagination and meet Necessity- the mother of invention, sail through the Sea of Tranquility and create your own wonderland. 

A very musical, highly interactive 40 minutes of fun. read on

where:
Unicorn Theatre
Tooley Street
Tower Bridge
SE1 2HZ
when:
Times vary
what:
Family, Theatre
cost:
£10, £8 (concessions)
 

Comanechi

Avant-garde noise-punk duo Comanechi bring their bowel loosening racket to Pure Groove, playing the last in-store of the year.

Think of this one as an alternative to the usual season of yule cheese - 'Rock Around the Christmas Tree' this ain't... read on

where:
Pure Groove Records
6-7 West Smithfield
City
EC1A 9JX
who:
Comanechi
when:
9pm
what:
Indie, Metal, Punk
cost:
Free

Wednesday 23rd

Slade

A night of nostalgia at the Indigo2, as immortal pop-rockers Slade bring the Christmas cheer, headlining the Merry Xmas Everybody Tour. More than able support comes from tribute act T-Rextacy and the remaining members of 70s glam-rockers Mud, now touring as Mud II. As the season of Yule gets into full swing, what better time to see Slade play ... read on

where:
Indigo2
Millennium Way
Greenwich
SE10 0AX
who:
Slade + more
when:
6.45pm
what:
Pop, Rock
cost:
£29
 

Carols and Classics

This concert of glorious seasonal and traditional music for all the family perfectly captures the true spirit of Christmas, including a few classical Christmas favourites performed by the revered London Concert Orchestra. read on

where:
The Barbican
Silk Street
City
EC2Y 8DS
who:
James Edwards, London Concert Orchestra
+ more
when:
7.30pm
what:
Classical
cost:
£17 - £37
 

Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas

The Star's resident DJ's lay down some Christmassy treats for those venturing to the Bethnal Green pub. Expect the signature styles of funky house and soulful reggae amongst others. Food and festive frivolities in store for all who come forth. read on

where:
The Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Green Road
Bethnal Green
E2 6LG
when:
11.30am - midnight
what:
Electro, Funk/Soul, House, Latin, Pop, Reggae, RnB
cost:
Free

Thursday 24th

Ginglik's Christmas Eve Get Together

The boys from Size Doesn't Matter spin a range of party tunes to get you all warmed up for the big day! After Christmas day isn't Christmas day without a massive stinking hang over. read on

where:
Ginglik
1 Shepherds Bush Green
Shepherds Bush
W12 8PH
who:
Size Doesn't Matter
when:
8pm
what:
Electro, Pop
cost:
Free
 

Whack It Xmas Mixtape Spectacular

Renowned mix-tape maestro Chris Read will deliver a trademark performance at Vibe Bar this Christmas Eve. Of course there'll be some rummaging through those festive records for this one - the good ones. read on

where:
Vibe Bar
91 Brick Lane
Whitechapel
E1 6QL
who:
Chris Read, Marc Hype
when:
7.30pm
what:
Funk/Soul, Hip Hop, Pop
cost:
Free

Saturday 26th

Boxing Day Amnesty International Fundraiser

Boxing Day might well be the most boring holiday of the year. After all, there's nothing to do but recover from the previous day's excesses and watch reruns on the telly.But boo to that - spice things up this year at G-A-Y Bar, where there's enough festive cheer to make any overstuffed, jaded Scrooge crack a smile.Not to mention, your indulgen... read on

where:
G-A-Y Bar
5 Goslett Yard
Leicester Square
WC2H 0EA
when:
2pm - 3.30am
what:
Pop, RnB
cost:
Free
 

Balance Boxing Day Party

Three promoters unite to bring you another edition of Balance: Split, Wang and Base - stalwarts of London's dirty underside.

Tonight they throw down another tasting menu of techno greats for their Christmas party. read on

where:
Rhythm Factory
16-18 Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel
E1 1EW
who:
Ben Sims, Colin Dale, James Ruskin
+ more
when:
10pm - 6am
what:
Electro, House, Techno/Minimal
cost:
£6
 

Eight Legs

Indie rockers Eight Legs provide some much needed time away from the family after to Christmas to wallow in a bit of melancholy pop to counteract all the bonhomie of the season. read on

where:
Proud Camden
Chalk Farm Road
Camden
NW1 8AH
who:
Eight Legs
+ more
when:
7.30pm
what:
Indie
cost:
£10
 

The Misanthrope

Shunning the superficial world in which he works, Alceste pours his disillusionment into his work and becomes a successful playwright, convinced he is above the vanity and shallowness everyone else seems to revel in. His world is shaken when he falls for an unattainable, ambitious American actress (Keira Knightly). If you can bear Knightly, (wit... read on

where:
Comedy Theatre
Panton Street
Piccadilly
SW1Y 4DN
when:
7.30pm
what:
Comedy, Theatre
cost:
£25 - £50

Sunday 27th

Naked Zoo

Bank Holiday Winter bash from Naked Zoo populates the ground between Christmas and New Year should you have the desire to dress up and get involved rather than binge on leftovers and watch movies. read on

where:
Egg
Vale Royal
Holloway
N7 9AP
who:
Lady Bianca, DJ Rokk
+ more
when:
10pm
what:
Electro, House
cost:
£10
 

Prince Alla and the Positive Vibes Band

As an important figure in Jamaica's Rastafarian camp community, Prince Alla has been recording since the late 60s, with many of his releases now being regarded as roots reggae classics. Tonight Hootananny offers a rare chance to see the legend in an intimate setting. read on

where:
Hootananny
95 Effra Road
Brixton
SW2 1DF
who:
Prince Alla and the Positive Vibes Band + more
when:
8pm
what:
Reggae
cost:
£10
Previous issues: