6th February 2012

gigs clubbing art comedy theatre blog competitions

Illustration by Julie Khan

Karma Chameleon?

So it's St George's Day tomorrow. Not Boy George you dolt; St George. Slayer of dragons, rescuer of damsels, and, of course, the patron saint of England. And Germany. And Portugal, and Cyprus, and Greece. Oh, and Georgia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Macedonia, as well as countless other cities across the world. Nothing like loyalty huh?

Well unlike George, one thing that has stayed rather closer to its roots is the good old Camden Crawl. We've got all the info on our dedicated page, so if you're confused about who to see and what wristband to buy, then check it out.

In other news, Guru has died, a volcano has erupted (we're keeping everyone updated with the impact on London's live music), P Diddy is teaming up with Skepta (yes, really) and soon, very soon you could be able to sleep inside an Antony Gormley sculpture. What a weird week.

Thursday 22nd

Fortnum & Mason - esteemed inventors of the Scotch Egg - are putting on an exhibition of contemporary British crafts on the first floor of their Piccadilly flagship store. Featuring glassware, silver, textiles and porcelain by a range of contemporary makers, Handmade is a welcome new innovation from the ever-wonderful peeps at Fortnum's. We're

Friday 23rd

In 2008, Rhod Gilbert punched a shop assistant over the duvet tog-rating system and went berserk over a mince pie. In 2009 he gave his show a ridiculous title just to annoy someone in Canterbury. Is he a visionary in a sea of closed minds, or has he got anger-management problems? Another chance to catch the exuberant Welsh stand-up and if.comedy

Chris Cunningham heads up this show for the Southbank's Ether Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. Support comes from Geoff Barrow's (Portishead) Beak> and a post-show DJ performance from Squarepusher. Chris Cunningham is the now legendary film-maker behind such music videos as Bjork's 'All is Full of Love' and Aphex Twin's 'Windowlicker'.

Disco System hits Brixton Jamm the same night as LCD Soundsystem play Brixton Academy - and that is handy if you were lucky enough to get tickets. Tonight is THE perfect carry on after sweating to the awesomeness of LCD. Mock and Toof and two London based producers who have releases on DFA. They are low end and high class - and tonight share a

Saturday 24th

A series of delicately evocative little drawings on display this April and May at Transition Gallery.

The works on show - by contemporary artist Emma Talbot - constitute the artist's reaction to the death of her husband, Paul. Naturally, there's great sadness here, but there's always hope in beauty, and these really are rather wonderful works.

Sunday 25th

As part of Royal Court Theatre's rough cuts mini-season, we get to a little taster of what happens when you combine stellar playwright Mark Ravenhill, composer Conor Mtichell and singer Marc Almond. A rather dark yet musical celebration of humankind's capacity for survival. We are taken through that horrific episode in 1665 when the city was in

Monday 26th

Upset the Rhythm take over Cargo for a show that includes Calfornian psych outfit Crystal Antlers, Talk Normal and the DIY Dalston 3-piece Teeth!!!

It was some time in 2008 when Crystal Antlers began turning heads in their native Long Beach. Peddling an album produced by Ikie Owens (who has worked closely with the likes of the Mars Volta), their blend of psychedelia, garage rock and prog leanings won over many a fan, and they've been wowing them ever since.

Tuesday 27th

Ella Hickson is a bright new theatrical talent whose first show (which this is) took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm, winning awards, praise and sell-out crowds.

The idea is simple. On entering the theatre, every member of the audience is given a menu of eight characters, aged between 20 and 35, and asked which they would like to hear from. An ex-soldier perhaps? A single mum? A survivor from a terrorist bomb? After the votes are counted, the four most popular characters present 15-minute monologues, producing a gripping and constantly varied portrait of British youth.

Wednesday 28th

A first London solo show for Berlin-based contemporary artist Volker Hueller in the Viewing Room of Timothy Taylor this April and May.

On display are a series of hand-etched portraits full of worry and anxiety in hues of stale tobacco. In addition, a range of large-scale abstract paintings are also on show.

Almost completely unknown until 2005, the work of Czech photographer Miroslav Tichy is suddenly the toast of the art world.

Tichy used to wander around his hometown of Brno dressed in rags taking photos of passing women with a camera he'd made out of tin cans, kids' glasses and rubber bands.

Following the Communist takeover in 1948, Tichy was in and out of prisons and mental asylums because he was considered subversive and he was often in trouble with the police for photographing people without their permission.

His work contains an obvious element of voyeurism but is also beautifully melancholic. It kind of makes you wonder whether that wino on the corner isn't also some neglected artistic genius.

Thursday 29th

Filmmaker Gerry Fox's innovative works promise to be oil in high definition. Redefining the genre of impressionistic painting, Fox set out to recreate the Venetian gondola scenes of Old Master paintings by Turner, Sargent, Manet, Monet and Renoir.

His cinematic tableaux have been digitally manipulated so that the original painterliness shines through and old and new combine to extraordinary and unusual effect.

Inspired by the layered, surreality of the human psyche, Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The 7 Fingers) presents Psy.

A range of characters conquer their neuroses by drawing on the liberating forces of circus skills. They swing and juggle their way to sanity. Using Chinese poles, German wheels and aerial ropes, they present audiences with graceful metaphors for overcoming psychological restrictions and celebrate healing.

Friday 30th

This sounds pretty darned cool. Pioneering contemporary light artist Chris Levine - best known for that shimmering white portrait of the Queen - has teamed up with madcap singing sensation Grace Jones to present a series of portraits of the funky lady.

Taking place in the unique space that is the Vinyl Factory, this looks like one of the bet (and oddest) collaborations we've seen in ages.

"200 sketches. 60 minutes. 1 World Record. Heroic attempt, or spectacular folly?"

Award winning sketch group Pappy's bring their whirlwind sketch marathon to the Bloomsbury Theatre tonight.

A three-man troupe made up of Ben Clark, Matthew Crosby and Tom Parry, they received a nomination for the coveted if.comedy award (formerly the Perrier) in 2007 and have since recorded their own TV show for Channel 4, their own radio show for Radio 4 and appeared as part of Comedy Shuffle on BBC3 and Comedy Cuts on ITV2.

Oh man this sounds awesome. Not only is it a completely unique idea for a party, but it's also taking place about a five minute walk from Spoonfed Towers, which is always nice. To be honest though, even if this was happening in Twickenham we'd probably still be there.

Vivkie Hayward and Chrissie Abbott (aka Shula's Wigwam - the peeps behind The Old Shoreditch Station and Jaguar Shoes) are throwing a party, a party with a difference.

Guests wear white. And journey through a maze of different coloured rooms, absorbing, taking on, becoming one with all manner of sounds, visuals and hidden secret fun.

The whole thing has been made possible by the kind folks at Smirnoff who awarded Shula's Wigwam £5,000 to throw a party.

Basically, this sounds totally amazing.

The Paradise Show is bringing you something special this Friday night.

Mark Rae (Rae and Christian) is baaaaack! After three years in LA he has returned to London to rock your socks off at The Paradise show. He fuses classics, funk, ragga and the like in a delicious cocktail of vibe. You will find yourself stuck to the dance-floor all night long.

After 25 years of DJing, his 5 hour set promises to be chock-a-block full of tunes that reflect what his experience and talent bring to the decks.

Saturday 1st

A young Londoner runs into the wrong crowd and ends up another hoodie with a knife in his gut. His cries for his mother are instead heard by the long-dead Mali Desert Man.

From the urban rap scene in London to the slave songs of the 18th century, Desert Boy is a musical epic that transcends the ages.

Crikey. This line-up has us drooling.

Tiga - the man behind Turbo and DJ of the highest order - has teamed up with Bugged Out! and is taking his Turbo imprint on a world tour. He has handpicked the team who will be dishing out the beats.

Boys Noize is a force to be reckoned with. His remixes and productions are all, without exception, excellent. He joins Erol Alkan, Trevor Jackson, Matt Walsh, Thomas Von Party and DMX Krew for the UK date at The Coronet tonight.

"The tour is something of a Victory Lap celebrating its own inevitable triumph. We've run the numbers, and we've talked to people from Main Street to Sweat Boulevard. We know what our party people want, and they're going to get it - so good" says Tiga.

Two words: Hell yeah.

Six of London's biggest, baddest promoters unite, going head to head under one roof for the very first time.

Urban Nerds Vs Chew The Fat! caters for your bassline, electro and upfront rave needs with A1 Bassline, Mumdance and Raffertie.

Dirty Canvas Vs Vagabondz deal in heavy drum n bass and dubstep with Fabio and Grooverider playing a history set and the Heartless crew playing LIVE.

Deadly Rhythm Vs Hyp!Hyp!Hyp! bring a wealth of dubstep, 2 step, electro and just plain great DJs including dBridge and Instra:Mental and Untold.

Sunday 2nd

"The time has come," the Walrus said... for the Reggae Roast to chill us out once again. It's been a year, and we gratefully see the Bank Holiday BBQ return. Reggae Roast has been affiliated with legends of our time, and have been known to pack out a warehouse or two in East London.

This year the Reggae Roast DJs head up a host of very special artists who will be ripping some roots reggae, dancehall, steppers and dubstep on the dance-floor of vibe. When you feet tire and they yearn for a time of rest, head up to the Big Chill roof. Relaxing on a roof sound relatively mediocre? Never fear, you will find no roof, but a tropical wonderland instead, complete with a tiki bar, palm trees and an aromatic jerk chicken BBQ

Resident DJs Excel and Moodie are joined by some impressive guests, including a live PA from UK Reggae ambassador; Earl 16. He has been contributing to the international reggae scene for three decades and has always managed to find producers who complement his voice and style to a tee. He has worked with the likes of British electronic-dub/dance producers Dreadzone, and Mad Professor as well as producer and singer Mikey Dread. He is a respected and well-loved performer.

Damo Suzuki plays the first of three days of his experimental music festival at the Luminaire. Tonight he performs with REnDer PLaNt and The Atomic Crashdown.

Damo Suzuki has spent almost the last 50 years wandering Europe and making music. One of the driving forces behind Can's influential mid-'70s period. Fast forward 30-odd years and he is now revered by prog rock aficionados the world over thanks to his work the Damo Suzuki Network.

One of the hottest acts in dance music The Revenge joins Discovery & Warm for a very special May Bank Holiday session at the Horse & Groom, carrying on from their Balearic outdoor party and bbq at the Papermill (2 minutes down the road).

If you want a ticket for both these events it is a bargain £7 so why on earth not?! What a perfect excuse to do some May-time dancing outside in the sun then head inside at the Groom for an all nighter. See you there.