6th February 2012

gigs clubbing art comedy theatre blog competitions

Illustration by Julie Khan

Clocks Away

Last time the clocks moved about, we tried to remember that old Hickery Dickery Dock rhyme. And failed miserably. So this time we're just pointing out that the clocks are going forward by an hour this Sunday. Hopefully we'll remember, or just be a bit late for everything until some kind soul reminds us.

But there's so much cool stuff next week that we'd hate to be late for any of it. There's an Alice in Wonderland-themed photography adventure, '80s arty fun things in Selfridges, a big old Easter Egg Hunt, and un peu de rock music Français, courtesy of the wonderful Phoenix. But probably the highlight of the week is the Channel 4 Comedy Gala featuring the likes of Noel Fielding, Jo Brand, James Corden AND Bill Bailey – what a belting line-up!

In other news, tickets for Russell Howard's 2011 (!!) tour are now on sale, Method Man is coming to London, and you can now register to try and get tickets for the 2012 Olympics. Plus we've chatted to Daniel Betts, star of Bedroom Farce, and brilliant artist/illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve, who has a beautiful new show at Liberty's next week.

Thursday 25th

Wow. Sad, calm, beautiful, melancholic, rain-bruised photo-blurs. Berlin town houses, blocks, trees, rivers, roads, boats blurring by. There's a sense of nostalgia in these images, of something missed - more perhaps about re-capturing than capturing. Vain attempts to return... Katia Liebmann's photographic works look incredible, and she has a solo

Friday 26th

A powerful theatrical experience inspired by the Russian submarine disaster of August 2000.

A submarine is on patrol in the arctic. The crew sleep, eat, drill, long for word from home, and silently shadow their target. Their lives, at once extraordinary and mundane, are shattered by a global crisis from which uniquely personal stories emerge.

Sandpit events are always bloody awesome! They consist of weird fun and games in public places and basically make you feel like a little kid again: a smart, scheming kid with a sense of adventure and no shame. This time the team take over the grand old V&A. As ever, there's loads of cool stuff to take part in like massive pass the parcel

Now in its second year, the Musical Comedy Awards continue to celebrate the best of the UK's emerging musical comedy talent and promote musical comedy as an art form in its own right. We've come a long way since Jasper Carrott. Last December, the cream of the crop were selected by Time Out comedy editor Tim Arthur and other judges from Avin a

Saturday 27th

Acclaimed magician and comedian Pete Firman, hailed 'the Tommy Cooper for the MySpace generation', brings his gruesome magic show to artsdepot.

Think Vegas, via Middlesbrough, with blood, sharp spiky things and a wood-chipper.

Renaissance are back in town albeit in a new home. Cable plays host to this night which will showcase talent from the across the electronica spectrum.

The eagerly anticipated return of long-standing favourites and techno giants Satoshi Tomiie and Paul Woolford will be one of the many highlights of the exceptional global clubbing brand's night of delicious lip-smacking beats and bleeps. Ably supported by Greg Lord, Roo and Marcus James, don't sleep on it, this will be another dream night at Cable.

The Frolik Collective throw unpretentious free parties at The Miller. Their resident DJs play everything from techno to dubstep, electro and hip hop to DnB. Their second party is a hair themed affair; with a hairdresser battle, a fringe-off, braisders, 'wigs and taches' pop-up photobooth, and more hair-related activity. The incomparable DJ

Sunday 28th

Every now and again you get sent a press release for something that actually sounds completely brilliant. This is definitely one of those occasions. There's a quite a lot going on, but we'll keep it brief. In short Kensginton Palace is being transformed into the Enchanted Palace by acclaimed theatre company WILDWORKS in collaboration with a

London's gone Alice crazy! And Shoot Experience are no exceptions as they arrive in Portobello for a day of photographic fun this March. To join in, all you have to do is form a team of between two and four, pay your £15 each, register, and turn up at The Tabernacle at 11.15am. As part of a treasure hunt, each team is given a series of clues and

Monday 29th

Ooh this looks pretty wicked! One of this country's finest and best-loved illustrators is having an exhibition on the fourth floor of ever-wonderful department store, Liberty's.

40 brand new pen and ink drawings are on show, displaying the artists's signature quirky charm - a perfect match for the only store in London that manages to be both elegant auntie and edgy young hipster at the same time.

In fact it's such a good match that Liberty's is also the first stockist for Daisy's new line in exquisitely scented candles.

An alternative indie rock band hailing from the land of foie gras and striking lorry drivers, Phoenix consist of Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Laurent Brancowitz and Christian Mazzalai.

Despite having been around for some years now - their début album 'United' was released in 2000 - Phoenix only really hit the big time in the UK with the release of 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' last year.

Tuesday 30th

Dubbed 'the biggest live stand-up event in UK history', Channel 4's Comedy Gala (in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital) takes place at the O2 Arena at the end of this month.

The gob-smacking line-up features both international and local comedic talents, including Black Books star Bill Bailey, TV and radio personality Alan Carr, Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones, James Corden and Rob Brydon, Peep Show's David Mitchell, The Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding, the ubiquitous Michael McIntyre, Jonathan Ross, Lee Evans, Jack Dee and many, many more. Blimey.

Wednesday 31st

48 'new' books go on display this April at Kaleid Editions. We say 'new' because each one in fact consists of pages from 48 other books dating from 2001 to present day.

The books are the work of the renowned Fraser Muggeridge Studio, who over the years have produced a wide range of artists' books, monographs, catalogues, posters, maps and invitations.

Some of these publications have been painstakingly taken apart by co-producer Samantha Huang and then reassembled to create something that is both retrospective anthology and work of art in itself.

Gary, a British soldier, and Hafizullah, his Afghan colleague, have been given charge of a young an injured prisoner Zia.

Battling mostly the heat of Summer, Gary demands answers, Hafizullah wants to get through the day and Zia is adamant there's been a big mistake.

Thursday 1st

The Fix club presents a one-off evening of quirky comedy at Leicester Square Theatre tonight to celebrate April Fool's Day.

On the bill is surrealist songwriter Boothby Graffoe, excellent comedy actor Kevin Eldon (Big Train, Brass Eye), bonkers improv genius Phil Kay and a secret special guest. It's a rare chance to catch some of the circuit's cult favourites, so don't miss out.

A clash of the electro-driven titans lands at The Macbeth tonight as The Count and Sinden's Mega Mega Mega team up with Andy George and Jaymo's Moda massive.

Add DJ Zinc to the mix - the guy who has rebranded himself from drum 'n' bass king to bassline badman - and remember that it's Easter so you're obligated to throw caution to the wind.

This is also the last Moda at The Macbeth - so bring your A-Game and dress to dance.

Friday 2nd

Selfridges Ultralounge + The Photographers' Gallery = innovative creatuve fun-times. That's the equation Spoonfed have come up with, and we totally rock at maths.

For those of you not so up on your Calculus and all that, art duo The Girls (comprising Andrea Blood and Zoe Sinclair) are creating a kind of photo-story magazine that incorporates Selfridges staff, customers and those bits of the department store that you never get to see unless you're super-important (or the janitor).

Not only can you pick up a copy of the mag but you can also chat to the editorial team, have a wee dance and even a make-over. Told you maths was cool...

Razor-sharp as ever, punk outfit Goldblade continue their inexhaustible touring cycle, stopping off at The Borderline this month.

Saturday 3rd

Professional festival mentalists and funsters de jour Bearded Kitten create games and well organised chaos at events, festivals and parties.

They have teamed up with Go Game - the team building adventure game specialists - to create the ultimate Easter egg hunt for adults.

Teams of 3-8 will compete to solve puzzles, demonstrate their creativity and flex their wits in this treasure hunt to end all treaure hunts.

You can sign up here. The game will begin and end at The Mad Hatter, 3-7 Stamford Street SE1 9NY.

Billed as The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, this production seems to have that ultra-hopeful vibe coming from The States and travelling across the pond back in November 2008 when Obama was making his way to office and the world was set to change.

It's been around in one form or another since the 1960's when it captured the sexual, counter-culture revolution and caused controversy over its depiction of illegal drug use and sexuality. Its music rang true with a generation and many of the songs became anthems to Anti-Vietnam War protests.

Sunday 4th

You Are We turn one tonight with a big Easter bash which also happens to be delightfully free.

They welcome Session Victim - the production duo from Germany who dish a range of styles from disco to Detroit. They make their UK debut with upfront Scottish duo Sandeman and Mr Dickie and Playset.

Easter Sunday means Monday off - so seize this rare opportunity for an all-nighter and party like you know you want to.

Yasmin has been dubbed the female Tim Westwood. A rudegirl with excessive talents, she spins hip hop, RnB and other upfront flavours alongside DJ Motive, Kish Kash, Acyde and other hip hoppers.

Dress to sweat. Happy Easter!