Discover our pick of events in London this week: 10 - 16 March 2025.

Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival

The Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival opens this week in London, offering a four-week celebration of contemporary dance. Performances will take place at four major venues: Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Ballet and Opera, Tate Modern, and the Southbank Centre. The festival will showcase a diverse lineup of international dance companies, including the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Ballet National de Marseille, Lyon Opera Ballet, and the Royal Ballet. It presents a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of contemporary dance performances across London’s most esteemed cultural institutions. Click here for the full programme of events.

Date: 12 March - 8 April 2025. Location: four major venues: Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Ballet and Opera, Tate Modern, and the Southbank Centre.

Click here for our top picks of events not to miss at the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival.

Ute Kanngießer Series

Ute Kanngießer presents the first day of her series at Cafe Oto this week. The evening will feature a solo performance, followed by a duo with percussionist Bo-Sung Kim and a trio with Paul Abbott and Evie Ward. This event marks a significant moment in Kanngießer’s career, as she collaborates with influential musicians who have shaped her work. If you miss the first day, a second day of performances will take place on 30 April 2025.

Date: 12 March 2025. Time: 7.30pm.Location: Cafe Oto, Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL. Price: £10 / £8 (Advance) / £5 (Members). Book now.

Dear England

The Olivier Award-winning play Dear England returns to the National Theatre from 10 March 2025. Written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, the play tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s time as England manager, his efforts to change the culture of the national team, and the emotional highs and lows of international football. The production has been updated to reflect Southgate’s final chapter in charge. Gwilym Lee stars will star as Southgate, with Liz White as sports psychologist Pippa Grange, alongside a strong ensemble cast. The play, which premiered at the National Theatre in 2023 before a record-breaking West End run, was later screened in cinemas and is being adapted into a BBC drama.

Date: 10 March – 24 May 2025. Duration: approx 2 hours and 50 minutes including interval. Location: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX. Price: from £20. UK residents between 16-25 years old can unlock £5 and £10 tickets for this show. Proof of age required. Book now.

Battersea Power Station 'Fitness and Wellness: Where Do I Start?'

As part of the Good Fit event series, Battersea Power Station will host Fitness and Wellness: Where Do I Start? on Thursday —a panel talk featuring top health and wellness experts. Hosted by Women’s Health Fitness Director Bridie Wilkins, the discussion will explore how to kickstart a balanced fitness and wellness journey while debunking common myths. Expert speakers from Be Military Fit, Biowell Health, Holland & Barrett, Kiehl’s, and The Salad Project will cover topics such as bio-stacking, the role of protein and supplements, and the importance of SPF for active lifestyles. Running from 10 March to 6 April 2025, Good Fit is a new fitness and wellness series designed to help Londoners move, recharge, and embrace wellbeing across Battersea’s riverside neighbourhood.

Date: 13 March 2025. Time: 5:30 - 7:00pm. Location: The Cinema in the Power Station, Battersea Power Station 3rd Floor, Turbine Hall B, SW11 8DD. Price: from £16.58 .Book now.

London Symphony Orchestra/Barbara Hannigan Roussel, Ravel, Britten & Haydn

The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Barbara Hannigan, performs at the Barbican this week with a programme of vivid musical storytelling. Roussel’s Le festin de L’araignée depicts a dramatic world of insect life, while Ravel’s Histoires naturelles brings a cast of eccentric animals to life, from a vain peacock to a restless cricket. Britten’s Les Illuminations, featuring a soprano soloist, conjures a dreamlike ‘savage parade’, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 captures the bustling energy of London, ending with a lively, folk-inspired finale.

Date: 13 March 2025. Time: 7pm. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London,EC2Y 8DS. Price: £18-£70 + BF. Book now.

Super Tuscan Wine Lunch

Petersham Nurseries will be hosting the Super Tuscan Wine Lunch on 12 March. The event will feature a four-course lunch, paired with a selection of exceptional Super-Tuscan wines. Set in the charming greenhouse, this experience highlights the bold wines of Tuscany, including varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese, which have helped shape the Super-Tuscan style.

Date: 12 March 2025. Time: 12 - 3pm. Location: Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane Off Petersham Road Richmond TW10 7AB. Price: £120. Book now.

Gr1n present Hysteria

ICA and Gr1n present Hysteria, an intense and chaotic performance exploring the physicality of surrender through movement. Bodies convulse, thrash, and writhe together in a frenzy, initially without music, before the beats arrive. The work features interactive elements that may result in accidental splashes, so attendees are advised to dress accordingly. The lineup includes performances by Noah Griffin, Bj Holy, Pentu, Willow Swan, Ellis Berwick, Charlie Osborne, and Miedo Total, with dancers such as Keira Johnson, Johana Wich, Søren Müller, and many more, creating a powerful and immersive experience. Gr1n, a creative collective, uses raving and performance to delve into the concept of contemporary surrender.

Date: 13 March 2025. Location: ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts). The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Price: £12 - £21 (inc dice fees + £1.50 venue levy). Book now.

The Big Bite Size Show

After 18 successful years at Edinburgh Fringe, The Big Bite Size Show arrives in London for the first time. Each week features a curated selection of eight short plays, showcasing comedy, drama, and the unexpected—from a space crew returning home to a kidnapping with a twist. Across the run, 16 unique plays will be performed, offering a variety of experiences. Showing at the Pleasance in Islington, the experience can be enjoyed with drinks from the theatre bar or fresh Yard Sale Pizza delivered straight to your table.

Date:  5 - 15 March 2025 Time: 7.30pm/3pm/11am. Location: Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF. Price: from £15, Book 5 tickets and get the 6th free! Book now. Instagram: @thepleasance,  @bitesizeshortplays

Audaciously Big St. Paddy’s Bar Crawl

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with London’s biggest bar crawl! Join thousands of partygoers as you explore 10+ venues with fantastic drink deals and St. Paddy’s Super Happy Hours throughout the day. End the night with an exclusive after-party featuring non-stop fun.

Date: 15 & 17 March 2025 1pm Sat & 3pm. Location: Zoo Bar & Club 13-17 Bear St, London WC2H 7AQ. Price: £14 - £29. Book now.

Cinema

Akerman: Je tu il elle + L’Enfant aimé, ou Je joue à être une femme mariée

Chantal Akerman’s first narrative feature is a poignant exploration of the search for connection. In the film, Akerman plays a young woman who, after a self-imposed exile, embarks on a journey into the world and experiences two very different forms of intimacy. The screening is preceded by L’Enfant aimé, ou Je joue à être une femme mariée, one of Akerman’s rarely seen works. This intimate portrait follows a young mother as her daily routines are interspersed with her introspective reflections on family, sex, and her body.

Date: 12 March 2025. Time: 8.40pm. Location: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Price: from £14. Concessions available. Book now.

I Am Martin Parr

I Am Martin Parr offers an insightful look at British photographer Martin Parr, whose work humorously yet uneasily captures consumer society. Initially criticised for his portrayal of the working class, Parr’s photography has since revolutionised contemporary art with its unique political, humanist, and accessible language.

Date: 11 March 2025. Location: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA),The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Price: from £14. Concessions available. Book now.

Arts & Culture

Opening this week

Edvard Munch: Portraits

The Edvard Munch Portraits exhibition is opening this week at the National Portrait Gallery. This is the first UK exhibition dedicated to Munch’s portraiture, featuring over 40 works that showcase intimate depictions of his family, friends, and cultural peers, with many pieces making their UK debut. The exhibition offers a deeper understanding of Munch’s connections to his contemporaries and challenges the perception of him as a solitary figure. It includes celebrated works like The Sick Child and a newly rediscovered portrait of Thor Lütken, offering fresh insights into his creative process.

Date: 13 March - 15 June 2025. Location: National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE. Price: from £21. Concessions available. npg.org.uk.

Click here to discover more exhibitions opening at the National Portrait Gallery in 2025.

The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests

The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests at Japan House explores Japan’s rich carpentry culture, deeply tied to nature and the forests. The exhibition showcases daiku carpentry techniques, used to build resilient structures, including a full-scale model of the Sa-an tea house in the sukiya style. It highlights the spiritual connection between artisans and forest kami, with over 80 tools on display and an interactive area where visitors can experience traditional carpentry methods like kigumi joinery.

Date: 12 March – 6 July 2025. Location: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA. Price: Free.

Rose Finn-Kelcey: Suit of Lights

Kate MacGarry presents Suit of Lights, a solo exhibition by Rose Finn-Kelcey, featuring three key performance works: Suit of Lights (1986-1990), Bull’s Eye (1985), and One for Sorrow, Two for Joy (1976). These pieces examine power, gender, and identity, using symbols such as bullfighting, animal interaction, and ritual. Finn-Kelcey’s work reflects on control, transformation, and the dynamics between oppressor and oppressed, often through a feminist lens, challenging societal norms and roles.

Date: 7 March - 12 April 2025. Location: Kate MacGarry, 27 Old Nichol St, London E2 7HR. Price: Free.

Divine Southgate-Smith: Navigator

Navigator is the first solo exhibition by Togolese-British artist Southgate-Smith at NıCOLETTı, following their Frieze London 2024 presentation. The show combines photographic collage, sculpture, moving-image, and text to explore themes of oppression and empowerment through black, queer, and female experiences.

Date: 6 March - 12 April 2025. Location: NıCOLETTı, 91 Paul St, London EC2A 4NY. Price: Free.

Ruth Murray: Byron’s Pond

Byron’s Pond is a free exhibition by contemporary artist Ruth Murray, exploring the psychological impact of gardens and green spaces on our lives today. Drawing inspiration from the small patches of greenery in her urban environment, such as her neighbour’s potted plants and a peaceful corner by a nearby brook, Murray presents gardens as sanctuaries filled with emotion, reflection, and connection. The title Byron’s Pond references a secluded spot on the River Cam, famously visited by Lord Byron and Virginia Woolf.

Date: 29 January - 27 April 2025. Location: Garden Museum 5 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7LB. Price: Free. gardenmuseum.org.uk

Artist Talk

Marco Falcioni in Conversation

Marco Falcioni, SVP of Creative Direction at HUGO BOSS, will be in conversation with journalist Teo van den Broeke at the V&A this Wednesday. He will discuss his career highlights, creative inspirations, and recent collaborations with David Beckham and Aston Martin.

Date: 12 March 2025. Time: 7pm - 8.45pm. Location: Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Price: £15- £18. Includes wine reception. Book now.

Venues & pop-ups

Second Life Markets London

Second Life Markets London is back on Saturday at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, bringing you 80 carefully curated stalls of the finest vintage and preloved fashion. It’s the perfect chance to refresh your summer wardrobe with unique pieces as the weather warms up. The event runs from 10:30am to 6pm, with a range of ticket prices starting at £8 for VIP early bird access. With entry prices reducing throughout the day, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out—our last event sold out, so be sure to secure your spot. Free entry is available from 5:30pm to 6pm (limited tickets).

Date: 15 March 2025. Time: 10:30am - 6pm. Location: Protein Studios, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EY. Price: from £2. secondlifemarkets.com

#FLOFavourites: Pick of the Week

Free event of the week

Black Sound: The Story of British Black Music

Black Sound at the Barbican Library celebrates the influence of British Black music, showcasing genres from jazz and lovers’ rock to grime and drill. The exhibition highlights the DIY spirit of artists who built their own platforms and audiences without mainstream support, featuring vintage mixtapes, iconic magazine covers, and fly-posted walls. It also explores how movements like grime and lovers’ rock reshaped Britain’s musical landscape.

Date: 10 March - 19 July 2025. Location: Barbican Library, Level 2, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. barbican.org.uk.

Interview of the week 

In conversation with Darren Appiagyei

We spoke with London-based woodturner Darren Appiagyei ahead of Collect Art Fair 2025 at Somerset House, where he showcased What Grows in the Dark Comes to Light—a series of 10 vessels exploring texture and organic growth, inspired by the loss of his mother to fibroids. He shared the personal meaning behind his work and how his practice is evolving.

Click here for the full interview.

Food of the week: Saturday Brunch

The Cinnamon Club Saturday Brunch & Jazz

The Cinnamon Club is the sort of place that exudes quiet confidence. Housed in a stunning building – the Old Westminster Library is a short walk from either Westminster or St James Station. It is a sophisticated affair serving modern fine dining Indian cuisine from award-winning chef Vivek Singh. Set against the backdrop of the iconic book-lined shelves of the Old Westminster library you choose three courses from the brunch menu with a choice of five starters, six mains, three desserts or a cheese course all while soulful tunes fill the room.

Click here for our full review here.

Location: The Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street  London SW1P 3 BU. Price: £45pp. Time: Every Saturdays from 12pm to 2.30pm.Instagram:  @thecinnamoncollection   Website: cinnamonclub.com

All You Can Sip Brunch Sticks n Sushi Shoreditch

Sticks n Sushi Shoreditch has introduced an All You Can Sip Brunch every Saturday from noon to 4pm, offering excellent value. The share-style menu features starters like spicy edamame, beef tataki, chicken karaage, and gyoza, followed by a choice of eight maki rolls or a Beautiful Mess Chirashi bowl. The meal also includes two pieces of nigiri and two skewers from options like fried chicken thigh or salmon. For a special treat, Wagyu and black cod can be added for an extra cost. The food is fresh, generously portioned, and beautifully presented.

All of this is paired with 90 minutes of limitless drinks, including Kimchi Bloody Marys, Mio Sake, Asahi beer, wine, and a selection of no- and low-alcohol options. The brunch can end on a sweet note with a trio of sorbets—Alphonso mango, Chocolate & Avola almonds, and Blackcurrants from Denmark—served alongside eclectic beats from a resident DJ, making it a perfect way to celebrate the weekend with friends or a date.

Note: A fully vegan menu option available.

Location: Exclusively at Sticks n Sushi Shoreditch, 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ.  Price:  £70 per person inclusive of 90 minutes of limitless drinks. Upgrade to Collet Champagne for an additional £18pp. sticksnsushi.comshoreditch

Cause of the week 

KEEN London

KEEN London is a charity that offers free, one-to-one supported sports, games, and activities for children with additional needs and disabilities. Their mission is to ensure every child, regardless of disability, can enjoy fun and engaging activities. Volunteers, known as KEEN Coaches, are essential to this work, providing one-to-one support to children during sessions. No prior experience is required, and KEEN London helps transform volunteers into superheroes capable of inspiring and supporting children. Volunteering offers a chance to develop new skills, make a meaningful impact, and change lives. There are various opportunities, including coaching, assisting with play sessions, and supporting behind the scenes.

Click here for more information about volunteering.

Instagram: @keenlondon