The Cultural Agenda: October EditBy Angelica Malin
There’s so much going on in the capital this month, we thought we’d compile the best events into one handy guide. How thoughtful. There’s everything from a Diwali party to a two-day festival dedicated to veg. Time to plan:
Cultural Agenda: One-Off Events
What: On Sunday (15th October), Dishoom will be throwing their annual Diwali party this year at the Camden Centre from 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Diwali is the hindu festival of light, and Dishoom invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to join them in coming together and celebrating the occasion.
Why: As well as tasty Dishoom dishes and refreshments including Pau Bhaji, Bhel and Far Far, Dishoom will celebrate with a variety of activities and performances, including a 90 minute re-telling of the story of Diwali by the brilliant Sujata Banerjee Dance Company, with a performance by Shammi Pithia. Throughout the day there will be different activity stations such as henna, face painting and Rangoli (colourful floor art).
Price: Tickets here
Where: Camden Centre, Judd St, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9JE
2. For a Murder Mystery Event: Tower Bridge
What: Don your Bridge Master’s cap and whistle on Friday (27th October) for a chance to explore the Tower Bridge Exhibition for a special after hours event. Hosted in the historic Victorian Engine Rooms located deep at the heart of the Bridge, London’s most iconic attraction will open its doors to host its first ever Museum Mystery event.
Why: As part of the UK-wide Museums at Night initiative, Raising Suspicions: A Fiendish Mystery Inside Tower Bridge Engine Rooms will follow the mysterious disappearance of Leslie the Bridge Master. With just over an hour to solve the puzzle, guests will be enlisted to help track down the villain responsible to find out what really happened to the missing Bridge Master. With four key characters at the Bridge in the frame for the crime, guests can investigate the surroundings, interrogate the suspects and follow the trail of suspicion to discover exactly whodunit.
Price: Tickets for the evening cost £15.
Where: Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
Cultural Agenda: Art and Exhibitions
What: If you haven’t managed to see the amazing Soul of a Nation exhibition at the Tate Modern – time is running out. The weekend of the 20th October is your last chance to catch a glimpse of these iconic pieces. And to celebrate, the Tate Modern is hosting a 3-day closing party; a jam packed weekend of US craft beer, food, music and hip hop karaoke.
Why: Kicking off with a Tate Tap Takeover in collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery on Thursday 19th, the US, Soul theme will continue on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st with evenings of Brooklyn Beer and hip hop karaoke. The UK’s original hip hop karaoke is a true London and national fixture, and for the last decade DJ Rob Pursey, host Bobby Champagne Jr. and the HHK team have helped thousands of people live out their rap fantasies live on stage.
Price: For more details and tickets, see here.
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside London SE1 9TG
4. For Jamacian Rum and Eats: Wray And Nephew
What: For three days only (19th-21st October) the legendary Wray And Nephew White Overproof Rum will bring a taste of Jamaica to East London with Wray’s Yard Shop. Taking place in Shoreditch, the pop-up will be a true celebration of all things ‘Straight from Yard’ with jerk chicken and patties from JJC, DJ sets from dancehall DJ and 1Xtra regular Kenny Allstar, plus Caribbean talent across Wray’s Yard Shop market including Knot & Vibes and New Maroons.
Why: The name Wray’s Yard is simply a play on words for a Caribbean takeaway shop. Radar Radio DJ Kenny Allstar is onboard to provide the soundtrack along with BORN N BREAD’s Afrocheeks. Wray’s Yard Shop’s market will showcase wares from crochet and dancehall queens Knots & Vibes; Caribbean greeting cards from New Maroon; Belly Full from Riaz Phillips who has documented the best Caribbean food across the UK; and Original Flava, a recipe book created by South London brothers Shaun and Craig McAnuff, who make Caribbean cooking easy with recipes inspired by their Jamaican grandmother.
Price: Free entry
Where: Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EY
5. For Vino: Laithwaite’s LIVE
What: Laithwaite’s LIVE is launching in London ahead of its first ever nationwide tour across the country. Set in the stunning Royal Horticultural Halls, Westminster, the flagship tasting event in London from Laithwaite’s Wine will give the Great British public the chance to travel the world from a glass and discover new and exciting drinks styles from a host of talented producers.
Why: Event attendees can make their way around a range of tasting zones, sampling everything from ‘Wonderful Bubbles and Artisan Beers’ to ‘Irresistible Old World’ with unlimited drinks included in the ticket price. This year for the first time Laithwaite’s LIVE is giving customers the chance to enjoy ‘The Gin Emporium’ where they’ll be able to try meticulously matched craft gins and flavoured FeverTree tonics. Another new addition for 2017, Laithwaite’s LIVE will host a sensory experience like no other: Palate MOT. Guests are invited to test their palate with the team of specialist palate mechanics from the Ministry of Taste and identify exactly how adept their wine tasting capabilities really are.
Price: £30 per person available here.
Where: Royal Horticultural Halls – 80 Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PE
Cultural Agenda: Art and Exhibitions
6. For Immersive Art: Deep Trash
What: Deep Trash is back with a reincarnation of a to-die-for night of live art. Expect punk witches, cruising and cursing, afro-futurist Voodoo, leaky rituals, feminist sigil magick, queer zombies, camp vampires, anti-capitalist hell-raising, and many other supernatural experiences. Deep Trash is a one night only exhibition/performance/club night featuring live performances, installations, artworks, visuals and videos spread over 3 floors by 40 artists in east London’s Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club.
Why: On Saturday (21st October), the venue will be open from 8pm, with a 1 hour curated screening on loop, an exhibition area, interactive installations and all-night performances reflecting occult themes. Patricia MacCormack will be spinning some new romantic, traditional goth, industrial and dark pop gems from the 70s to the present day. Kasey Riot aka Cellardoor will end the night with dark techno mixes.
Price: Tickets here
Where: Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club 42-44 Pollard Row, London, E2 6NB
7. For a Photography Exhibition: Breaking Barriers
What: Refugee charity Breaking Barriers is back with their annual photography exhibition, this year held at Protein Studios in Shoreditch. Running from 10th-15th October, the theme of the exhibition is ‘Claiming A New Place on Earth’, featuring young adult refugees, some who have travelled to the UK as minors and come of age in this country, portraying the hopes and challenges they face.
Why: The portraits of young adult refugees from regions including Iran and Nigeria will highlight the tough living conditions they’ve faced, with personal accounts of their journeys. One such story is that of Emad Izadi, now aged 23, originally from Iran who arrived in the UK unaccompanied at the age of 16. Since arriving Emad has learnt English, supported himself through college and won a place to study biomedical science at Kingston University, however he was suspended last month as he couldn’t pay the full tuition, his end goal is to become a doctor. Breaking Barriers has been providing ongoing advice, guidance and employment support. In the last year the charity has supported in excess of 200 refugees.
Price: Free entry
Where: Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EY
Cultural Agenda: Food
8. For a Vegan Extravaganza: Vegfest
What: With a predicted 15,000 attendees showing up for this year’s festival to enjoy the vast selection of international vegan dining, Lifestyle products and ethical entertainments, VegfestUK 2017 (21st-22nd October) will set a new standard for those passionate or just curious about healthy living.
Why: Not only playing host to the likes of sushi maestros Happy Maki, cake connoisseurs Vegan Sweet Tooth and the robust delights of Jake’s Vegan Steaks, the two day extravaganza will also include the Vegan Comedy Corner, art exhibitions, a cinema, Teen Zone, the Environment and Food Sustainability Summit, as well as a collection of live cookery demos.
Price: Tickets here
Where: Olympia, London W14
9. For a Winter Re-Launch: Magic Roundabout
What: After being the talk of the town throughout summer, Magic Roundabout is transforming the site for winter into a tented, heated, ‘Decades’ inspired wonderland. Turning back time, the brand new themed areas include a slightly bonkers version of Woodstock with some serious flower power and a super sexy 1970s Playboy lounge, complete with sheepskins and log fire. The Main Bar will be an all out 80s disco with futuristic art and palm trees and finally, the VIP Area will take you right back to the early 90s; Jazzy Jeff aint’ got nothing on these guys.
Why: The winter relaunch also sees Smokin’ Lotus take the reins from White Men Cant Jerk who are off to pastures new. Smokin’ Lotus is the creation of Rosalind Chick who uses old family recipes as inspiration for her BBQ menu. The main ingredients are smoked in Rosalind’s home-built smokehouse and the 11 hour slow smoked beef brisket with hoisin sauce and Japanese-style creamy potato salad mash cannot be recommended highly enough. Smokin’ Lotus will complete the award winning street food offering for winter which already includes Skins and Burger Bear.
Price: Free entry until certain times
Where: Old Street Roundabout, London EC1Y 1BE
10. For a Pop-Up: Borough Wines & Beers x Oded Oren
What: Borough Wines & Beers will continue its Chef Development Series in October, with a Mediterranean-inspired pop-up from celebrated chef Oded Oren. The pop-up is the fourth event in Borough Wines & Beers’ Chef Development Series. It follows two Japanese-inspired pop-ups by YBFs 2015 winner Adam Rawson earlier this year and fodder, the foraging focussed pop-up from ex Fera at Claridges chefs, Michael Thompson and Ollie Downey.
Why: Bringing to the table a fresh touch and a light style of cooking, Oren’s food is modern Mediterranean with strong influences from the Middle East. Expect balanced flavours, with fresh herbs and olive oil used to complement the main ingredients. Highlight dishes on this five-course menu include warm crispy sea bass salad and smoked tomatoes; grilled squid pita with warm chickpeas and tahini; and cardamom panna cotta with spiced quince.
Price: Tickets start at £42 and are available from the here
Where: Brewery Below, Borough Wines and Beers, 344 Essex Road, London, N1 3PD
