21.07.17: Ten Unmissable Events in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
From the UK’s first rosé festival to a weekend dedicated to Italian food and music – here’s 10 unmissable events taking place in London this weekend. Go wild:
Weekend Guide: Friday 21st July
1. For Vino: The Rosé Festival
What: The Rosé Festival is hitting L Town on Friday (21st June) for three days. The UK’s first and only festival dedicated to rosé wine will be held against the picturesque backdrop of The Geffrye Museum’s front lawn. The event will welcome over 3,000 visitors to share in a celebration of food, entertainment and an abundance of rosé wine.
Why: The festival will offer visitors the chance to sample 30 different varieties of the wine from expert producers who will be on hand to share their knowledge around the techniques used to produce the unique characteristics of rosé. The festival will focus on both rosé champagne and wine, however producers will also display a range of their other products including ciders, vermouths, prosecco and other sparkling wines. Bob’s Lobster, Bubbledogs and others will be in charge of food, in addition to live entertainment.
Price: Tickets cost £15. Buy here
Where: 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
2. For an Italian Festival: Street Feast
What: Running from Friday 21st until Sunday (23rd July), Street Feast are launching a new festival with big Italian feels. Introducing Martini Weekender: three days celebrating the best of Italian food, drink, lifestyle and culture in the capital.
Price: Tickets are £5 each and include a tall glass of Martini Rubino and Tonic. Buy here
Where: Hawker House, Canada Street, London SE16 7PJ
Weekend Guide: Saturday 22nd July
3. For Booze: The Peckham Craft Beer Festival
What: The Peckham Craft Beer Festival is a one day free event on Saturday (22nd July) taking place at Copeland Park in Peckham, from midday till 11pm. Organised by The London Beer Factory, the aim is to showcase the best beer south London has to offer and put the area’s brightest stars firmly on the map.
Why: The London Beer Factory is inviting everyone to come together and celebrate the humble pint. There will be over 20 breweries in attendance along with a DJ, cocktails and a special gin bar. Don’t miss the food from kebab kings, the Babek Brothers.
Price: Free entry
Where: 133 Copeland Rd, Peckham, London SE15 3SN
4. For a Trip to Cuba: Randy’s Wing Bar
What: Randy’s Wing Bar is set to host a Cuban themed shindig like no other on Saturday (22nd) and (23rd July) from 12pm – 11:30pm. For two days only, London’s first and finest chicken wing restaurant has partnered up with Havana Rum, to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the Daiquiri. Havana is officially coming to Hackney Wick.
Why: There’s going to be palm trees, hammocks, free cigars and host of guest tipples including Strawberry Daiquiris and Hemmingway Daiquiris, Mojitos, and Papa Dobles. As well as a fine range of wings, there will also be a special “Tony Montana” burger on the menu boasting brioche, Randy’s special mayo mix and a half oz of something special. Renowned Cuban Band Sambroso Sambroso will also on hand supplying the beats to get the party started on Saturday from 4pm.
Price: Free entry
Where: Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS
5. For a Country Music Festival: Nashville Meets London
What: Don your Stetson and your cowboy boots as sounds of the south will once again fill the air at Canary Wharf this summer with the return of the highly anticipated Nashville Meets London – a free two-day country music festival (22nd-23rd July).
Why: Headline act, US singer-songwriter Russell Dickerson, will take centre stage on Saturday evening. The Nashville native is best-known for his single Yours, which debuted at #2 in the iTunes country store. He will be joined by the plucky sounds of Devon trio Wildwood Kin and Scottish band Raintown. UK artist Lucie Silvas will headline the Sunday evening. With a career spanning over two decades, she has worked and toured with legendary artists, including the likes of Elton John, Tom Jones and James Bay. Also performing on Sunday will be Ashley Campbell, daughter of legendary Country star Glen Campbell, as well as Angaleena Presley and Sam Outlaw, amongst others.
Price: Free entry
Where: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London E14
6. For Mad Beats: AFROPUNK at Printworks
What: AFROPUNK brings its war chest of urban artists, slices of culture and fashion with a punk core to London for the second year running showcasing the best from urban sub-genres both sides of the Atlantic. Hip hop’s wacky talisman de jour, Danny Brown, one of the first sons of Grime, JME, the godfather of spoke word, Saul Williams and the freshest wordsmith form the streets of London, Little Sims will also be in attendance.
Why: If last year’s fiesta at Alexandra Palace was anything to go by, concluding with a stellar performance from Grace Jones, which illustrated why she is the coolest pensioner on the planet – this year’s two day instalment (22nd-23rd) in a brand new location with a beefed up line up will only build on AFROPUNK’s reputation as an event not to be missed.
Price: Tickets start from £45 per day and can be bought here
Where: Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7PJ
7. For a Film Screening: Paddington Central
What: Visitors to Paddington Central can watch a selection of the nations favourite films in the alfresco setting of Sheldon Square. Alongside this, themed activities will take place during the screenings, so that visitors can immerse themselves in the fictional worlds.
Why: From taking part in Rock n Roll dance classes with Grease, canoeing and kakamora pirates craft classes with Moana, recycled planters workshop with Wall-E and a retro ice-cream van with Back to the Future, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And taking place on Saturday 22nd July, watch UP! with a side of face painting, and a special ballon giveaway.
Price: Tickets here
Where: Sheldon Square, Paddington, London W2
8. For Bargain Booze: The New Zealand Wine Cellar
What: Saturday sees The New Zealand Cellar take over the event space at Pop Brixton to host its next Garage Sale, a day-long wine and craft beer party. The Garage Sale will showcase New Zealand’s finest wine exports, and for the first time ever, New Zealand craft beer will also get its moment in the spotlight.
Why: There will be plenty of experts present to guide enthusiasts through the entire selection, offering tips and advice on the intricacies of the NZ wine industry. Producers include Man O’War, Nautilus Estate, Seresin, Craggy Range and Dog Point amongst many others. The NZ Beer Collective will be opening Yeastie Boys’ Bigmouth (4.4%, UK), 8 Wired’s Hippy Berliner (4%, Warkworth) and Tuatura’s Sauvinova (5.3%, Wellington) amongst many others. All guests will be guided through the whole roster of samples and they’ll also be able to purchase bottles at knock-down prices for one day only. For the first time ever The New Zealand Cellar will sell a number of wines for under £10 a bottle. Take the Esk Valley Verdelho, 2015, usually sold at £14.40 and available for under £10 exclusively at this Garage Sale.
Price: Tickets cost £15 each and are available to buy now
Where: 49 Brixton Station Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8PQ
Weekend Guide: Sunday 23rd July
9. For a Sunday Deal: Skylight
What: Occupying the top three levels of a former car park in the heart of East London, Skylight, features multiple bars, croquet lawns, petanque courts and street food stalls, all set against some of the finest views in the city.
Why: Sundays at Skylight promise 2-4-1 Bloody Marys from 12pm – 2pm which, coupled with delicious sticky chicken wings from street food vendor Wingmans Chicken, will help ease even the most pernicious hangover.
Price: Free entry
Where: Tobacco Dock, Pennington St entrance, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 2SF
One for next week…
10. For National Tequila Day: Cartel
What: Monday 24th July marks National Tequila Day and where better to celebrate Mexico’s legendary tipple than Cartel, the new tequila bar and taqueria that in just a few short weeks has seen a veritable posse make a bee-line to Battersea for their tequila and taco fix.
Why: On the night, guests are in for a treat – a special taco and cocktail pairing menu plus a Patron tequila flight with expert commentary from Cartel’s Bar Manager Josh Rooms (ex El Camion) and Patron ambassadors Karine Tillard and Benji Ryde, all for £30 per person.
Price: £30 per person. See the website for more details.
Where: Cartel Battersea, 517-519 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 3BN