What’s on in London this week: 12 - 18 August 2024
National Prosecco Weekend
National Prosecco Weekend will take place on 17 - 18 August at the Garden Pavilion in Chiswick House & Gardens. Over the two days, there will be opportunities to attend masterclasses led by Prosecco DOC experts, including Neil Phillips, Sonia Elia, and Angelo Coassin, covering the origins, production, and versatility of Prosecco DOC wines. Chilled Prosecco DOC, available by the glass or bottle, can also be enjoyed alongside Italian charcuterie and cheese. Tickets for the masterclasses must be booked in advance, and the event is for those aged 18 and over.
Date: 17 - 18 August 2024. Location: The Garden Pavilion, Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London ,W4 2RP. Price: Free. Booking in advance required. Book now.
Prosecco Weekend at Chiswick House and Gardens. 17 - 18 August 2024. Photo by MTotoe.
Fiddler on the Roof
Jordan Fein directs a new adaptation of the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof, now showing at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park. This vibrant celebration of love, life, and tradition is set in 1905 Tsarist Russia and follows Tevye, a dairy farmer, as he tries to uphold Jewish customs while finding suitable husbands for his daughters in a rapidly changing world. Since its 1964 Broadway premiere, the musical has gained fans worldwide, winning nine Tony Awards and inspiring an Oscar-winning film.
Click here for our review of Fiddler on the Roof.
Date: 27 July - 21 September 2024. Location: Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NU. Price: from £15/12.50 child/adult. openairtheatre.com.
Hospitality In The Wood
Hospitality In The Woods, the globally renowned drum & bass festival, returns to Beckenham Place Park this Saturday. This one-day event features top artists like Pendulum, LTJ Bukem, High Contrast, and many more, showcasing the full spectrum of drum & bass across five bespoke stages. The festival promises an unforgettable day of music, immersive stage decor, world-class sound systems, and a vibrant atmosphere in the picturesque park.
Date: 17 August. 2024. Location: Beckenham Place Park, London. Price: from £65. Book now.
Hospitality In The Woods. Photo by Jake Davis.
All Points East Festival
All Points East returns this weekend, bringing ten days of music and community events to Victoria Park in Hackney. The festival will feature major performances by artists such as Beabadoobee, Nas, André 3000, and Mitski, along with four days of free activities known as "In the Neighbourhood." On 24 August, Field Day will also be part of All Points East, with an exciting lineup including PinkPantheress, Charlotte DeWitte, Shygirl, and Hudson Mohawke.
Date: 16 - 25 August 2024. Location: Victoria Park, Grove Road, E3 5PE. allpointseastfestival.com; fielddayfestivals.com.
Hogart’s House, Chiswick. Photo by MTotoe.
Hogarth’s House
Hogarth's House, located in Chiswick, has been open to the public since 1904 and showcases the works of William Hogarth, a renowned 18th-century painter, engraver, and satirist. The house features a collection of Hogarth's prints and provides an opportunity to explore his former home. Visitors can also enjoy the reinterpreted garden, which highlights historic planting themes and is an excellent place for a stroll on a sunny day. The house reflects Hogarth's life and artistic legacy, offering insights into his contributions to art and social reform. Location: Hogarth Lane Great West Road. London, W4 2QN. Price: Free. hogarthshouse.org.
Click here for more small museums to visit in London this summer.
Afternoon Tea at Number Sixteen. Kensington.
Afternoon Tea Week 2024
Afternoon Tea Week 2024, celebrating the great British tradition of afternoon tea, will take place from 12 - 18 August, with many venues offering 25% off their afternoon tea throughout August. Numerous venues will also host special events in honour of the occasion. Visit afternoontea.co.uk to discover more about what to expect for this year’s Afternoon Tea Week.
Palm House Kew Gardens. Photo by MTotoe.
Wellness
Wellness in Nature
This summer, Kew Gardens offers a variety of wellness activities, including yoga, tai chi, Pilates, cycling, forest bathing, and sound baths. Experience these rejuvenating sessions throughout Kew Gardens in unique settings, including the Temperate House, which provides a tranquil escape in nature.
Location: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE. kew.org.
Arts & Culture
Homelessness: Reframed
Homelessness: Reframed is an exhibition in collaboration with Prince William, The Royal Foundation's Homewards programme, and Eleven Eleven Foundation. It examines the complexities of homelessness in the UK through works by UK and international artists, as well as contributions from children and young people in Homewards locations. The exhibition features diverse perspectives and includes artists such as Alexandria Julouis, Dave Martin, David Tovey, Simone Brewster and Marc Quinn. Click here for our review of Homelessness: Reframed.
Date: 7 August - 20 September 2024. Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY. Date: Free.
Home, 2013, Dave Tovey.
Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent
Archive of Dissent at Whitechapel Gallery presents a detailed exploration of Peter Kennard's oeuvre, spanning five decades of political and social critique. This expansive exhibition occupies three galleries and acts as a dynamic archive, featuring Kennard’s iconic photomontages and other visual forms that address a spectrum of issues from the Vietnam War to contemporary conflicts and environmental activism. Kennard’s work emerges from his profound outrage at the dominance of financial profit in shaping societal conditions, which he believes obscures pressing issues such as poverty, racism, war, and climate catastrophe.
Date: 23 July - 19 January 2025. Location: Galleries 5, 6 & 7, Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX. Price: Free.
Hockney and Piero: A Longer Look
An exhibition featuring two masterpieces by David Hockney alongside Piero della Francesca’s The Baptism of Christ are on display at the National Gallery. Titled Hockney and Piero: A Longer Look, the exhibition will highlight Hockney's lifelong admiration for the National Gallery and its collection, particularly his fascination with Piero's work. It will showcase Hockney's paintings My Parents (1977) and Looking at Pictures on a Screen (1977), both incorporating reproductions of The Baptism of Christ. The display aims to encourage "slow looking" and will celebrate the Gallery's 200-year tradition of engaging contemporary artists.
Date: 8 August – 27 October 2024. Location: Room 46, The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN. Price: Free.
Swinging Monkey's by Banksy in Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Hackney. Photo by MTotoe.
Banksy in London
This week, the famed street artist Banksy has unveiled what many are dubbing a ‘London Zoo’ series, with seven new animal-themed artworks appearing across the city. Banksy confirmed these works as his own through a series of Instagram posts. Click here for our guide to help you find his latest creations.
POoR Collective: Together We Rise
Battersea Power Station has partnered with POoR Collective to present Together We Rise, an artwork displayed in Turbine Hall A and B. This installation features over 100 flags suspended in the historic turbine halls, representing the sun’s movement with vibrant pop art colours. Sunrise Flags in Turbine Hall A showcase warm morning tones, while Sunset Flags in Turbine Hall B display evening hues. A rotating motif across the flags symbolises the sun’s daily cycle. The artwork will be complemented by another POoR Collective installation, Together In Battersea, during the London Design Festival from 20 September - 20 October 2024.
Date: until 13 October 2024. Location: Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W Nine Elms London SW8 5BN. Price: Free.
Click here for more public art in London this summer.
Battersea Power Station has collaborated with POoR Collective to create a new summer artwork inside the Grade II* listed Power Station, now on display until 13th October 2024. Photo by Charlie Round-Turner.
Last chance
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2024
This week marks the final opportunity to see the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, now in its 256th year, which opened in June with the theme ‘Making Space,’ curated by Ann Christopher RA. The exhibition showcases sculptures, paintings, and textiles by invited artists and Academicians, and features Architecture Rooms curated by Assemble RA that highlight innovations in workspaces, including work by notable architects and industrial prototypes. Click here for our review of the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2024.
Date: 18 June – 18 August 2024. Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: £22 - £24.50. Book now.
Click here for more exhibitions to see in London in August.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2024. Photo by MTotoe.
Museum Late: South Asian Stories
Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month at the London Transport Museum on Friday with lively talks, performances, workshops, and music. Highlights include poetry by Jaspreet Kaur, roti-making, moquette design, an Odissi dance performance, and music from DJ Ritu MBE. Enjoy the museum after hours with great food and drink.
Date: 16 August 2024. Time: 6.30pm - 10pm. Location: London Transport Museum, 39 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7BB. Price: £18.50/£15.50 adult/concession. Book now.
Cinema
Radical
In Christopher Zalla's heartwarming drama, a new teacher at a struggling school in a Mexican border town uses an unconventional approach to inspire his apathetic students. Set against a backdrop of neglect, corruption, and violence, the film explores the impact of this radical teaching method. It won the Festival Favourite award at Sundance 2023.
Date: until 15 August 2024. Location: Barbican Cinema Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £13 +BF. Book now.
Christopher Zalla's heartwarming drama, Radical, on show at the Barbican Cinema this week. Photo by Peter Yang.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the Week
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
King’s Cross Summer Sounds
King’s Cross Summer Sounds is a free 12-day music festival which returns this week. Transforming Coal Drops Yard into a lively hub of music and dance, the festival offers live concerts every evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and on Family Sundays from 1 to 6 pm. Discover the full programme here.
Date: 15 - 26 August 2024. Location: Coal Drops Yard, Stable St, London N1C 4DQ.
Interview of the week
In conversation with LUAP
Artist LUAP and his Pink Bear Pavillion.
We had a chat with London-based multimedia artist Paul Robinson, also known as LUAP. Renowned for his Pink Bear character, which has travelled the globe, appearing in diverse and extreme environments. LUAP’s work spans painting, photography, and sculpture, often incorporating themes such as mental well-being, environmental awareness.
Click here for the full interview.
Food of the week
Sol’s Wine Bar
Sol’s, a new wine bar and delicatessen on Leinster Terrace in Bayswater, is the latest venture from the team behind London’s Foreign Exchange News—a stylish venue that doubles as a coffee shop, sells magazines, and serves classic pastries from St John’s, just a short walk away. Bringing their unique flair to this new location, Sol’s draws inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, offering a selection of sandwiches, salads, seasonal produce, and a curated range of wines during the day. In the evenings, the menu shifts to Mediterranean-inspired small plates that change regularly. With its chic interiors and relaxed seating, Sol’s is the perfect spot for a light lunch or a casual drink.
Location: Sol's Wine Bar, Deli, and Bottle Shop, 25 Leinster Terrace, London W2 3ET.
Sol's Wine Bar Bayswater. Photo by MTotoe.
Cause of the week
One Million Mentors
One Million Mentors
One Million Mentors (1MM) is a community-based initiative aimed at connecting one million young people with life-changing opportunities through one-to-one mentoring. The project seeks to enhance young people's career prospects, build their skills and confidence, and strengthen local communities. By providing access to trained mentors, 1MM aspires to help every young person reach their full potential and drive social change across the nation.
They are seeking volunteers in London to mentor young people aged 14-25. Volunteers will receive training and support, and will mentor their mentees for one hour, once a month, for up to a year. Mentoring can be done in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
Upcoming
Shifters
2) L-R Lynette Linton, Heather Agyepong, Idris Elba, Benedict Lombe and Tosin Cole. © Justine Matthew.
Idris Elba, Maya Jama, and Little Simz have been announced as producers for the West End show Shifters, a critically acclaimed romance by Benedict Lombe. Following a sold-out run at the Bush Theatre, the play will now be staged at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 12 August to 12 October, with previews beginning 12 August and the official opening on 21 August. Directed by Lynette Linton, Shifters explores themes of identity and love through the lives of its compelling characters.
Date: 12 August - 12 October 2024. Location: The Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4BG.Price: from £20. thedukeofyorks.com.
Hello, World!
As ski season kicks off, resorts like St. Moritz, Gstaad, Courchevel, Aspen, Whistler, and Verbier are becoming vibrant cultural destinations. Beyond world-class slopes, these hotspots offer a range of art exhibitions and outdoor sculptures. This guide highlights the must-see art exhibitions this winter across Europe, the US, and Japan…