What's on in London this week: 4 – 10 September 2023
Discover our pick of things to do in London this week: 4 – 10 September 2023.
Colourscape Music Festival
Colourscape returns to Clapham Common this week, offering the chance to navigate through vibrant inflatable tunnels, don colourful cloaks, and enjoy live music as you explore. Engage in hour-long sessions to capture photos and completely engage in this distinct journey. Colourscape is an immersive labyrinth of light and colour, featuring interconnected chambers that participants can explore. Since 1989, the annual Colourscape Music Festival at Clapham Common combines contemporary music with sculptural surroundings for a unique experience.
Date: 9 – 17 September 2023. Location: Clapham Common (by the Windmill Pub). Price: from £7. Book now.
Image: Colourscape Music Festival. September 2023. © MTotoe
Wineyard Independent Wine Market
Discover Wineyard, the new one-day wine event launching this weekend at Round Chapel, Clapton. Wineyard will celebrate London's independent wine market, bringing together premier importers and producers. For £15, your ticket will include a tote bag, GoVino glass, and five tasting tokens. Explore wines while enjoying fantastic live music and food, along with a selection of kids' entertainment. Additionally, throughout the day, a series of masterclasses will be held, covering a range of topics about wine. Featuring renowned suppliers like Shrine to the Vine and Renegade Urban Winery, Wineyard promises a wholesome day out.
Date: 10 September 2023.Time: Noon – 7pm. Location: Round Chapel, 1D Glenarm Road London E5 0LY. Price: £15. Book now.
Bartholomew Fair
The historic Bartholomew Fair in London is back, running until 16 September. It features over 250 free events and performances by UK and international artists celebrating contemporary culture and the City's history. Highlights include last week's world premiere of RESURGAM, a vertical dance performance at St. Paul's Cathedral, Dinner for All, an immersive circus experience, Carnesky’s Showwomen Spectacular, and much more. It's currently in its second week; check out the lineup here.
Date: until 16 September 2023. Location: various locations in the city of London. Website: thecityofldn.com
Image: Delightful wine. © Cup of Couple.
Camden Music Festival
The Camden Music Festival, taking place this weekend in Camden Town, will feature renowned artists such as Billy Bragg, The Buzzcocks, and Jazzie B. It coincides with the unveiling of 11 new Music Walk Of Fame stones honouring legends like The Kinks and Eddy Grant. The festival, organised by Lee Bennett, celebrates Camden's musical impact with live performances and aims to become an annual event showcasing local and international talent.
Date: 9 September 2023. Location: Camden. Price: Free. Website: themusicwalkoffame.com.
Succession: An evening with the Writers
Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession, recently had a conversation with Adam Buxton about the release of the show's scripts. Succession delves into the power dynamics within the Roy family, headed by media mogul Logan Roy. During the discussion, Armstrong and the show's writers provided insights into character development, alternate dialogue options, and key moments in the storyline, offering fans a deeper look into the creative process behind the series.
Date:13 September 2023. Time: 8pm.Location: Royal Festival Hall.Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £15 – £35. Book now.
Image: Raspberry Pie. © Asya Vlasova.
Pie Workshop at Miel
Miel, the charming Fitzrovia bakery, is hosting a unique workshop in collaboration with ceramist Alice Guillaume, where the worlds of ceramics and baking come together. Participants will use bespoke pie dishes created by Alice to craft their pies and take one home as part of the workshop. Attendees will learn how to make flaky pie dough, assemble a fruit pie (peach and strawberry), and witness demonstrations of crème anglaise and jam-making. Alice will also share her insights into crafting the exquisite pie dishes, drawing parallels between the art of hand-building ceramics and pie-making. Pie lovers, this workshop is a must-attend!
Date: 9 September 2023. Time: 4pm – 7pm. Location: 60-61 Warren St, London W1T 5NU. Price: £125. Book now.
Isaac Julien on the Art of Film
Isaac Julien RA, a renowned artist and filmmaker, is hosting an event that explores the convergence of filmmaking and art. This live event discusses how merging different art forms can create compelling narratives in film, featuring Julien's expertise. It's part of the Artists on Art series, celebrating art's role in the 21st century at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Date: Wednesday 6 September 2023. Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm.Location: The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre | Burlington Gardens or digital livestream. Price: £20/£12 conc in person or £10/£8 conc online. Book now.
Image: Golden Lane Estate. 2019. Photo by Steve Lavers.
Open House Festival
Open House Festival kicks off this week, a two-week celebration of London's architecture and neighbourhoods. Led by local enthusiasts, it offers open days, tours, and events to explore the city's history, and iconic landmarks. Don't miss exclusive visits to sites like the West India Dock Impounding Station, Winscombe Street 1960s Terrace, Sun Rain Rooms, Markfield Beam Engine and House, and Paxton Locher House.
Date: 6 – 17 September 2023. Location: Various locations in London. Website: openhouse.org.uk.
DNA VR
Explore an immersive Virtual Reality world at DNA VR, which has a diverse collection of over 70 games, including creative adventures and challenging survival scenarios. DNA VR is perfect for solo sessions or group games. Whether you're planning a casual outing, a date, or a team-building activity, DNA VR is an ideal destination that caters to both experienced gamers and newcomers.
Locations: Battersea, Camden and Hammersmith. Price: from £24 per person and vary according to experience and day of booking. Book now.
Image: DNA VR. Image courtesy of DNA VR.
Arlo Parks: The Magic Border
The Southbank Centre will host a special evening with Arlo Parks, the Mercury Prize-winning musician and poet, as she launches her first book, The Magic Border. This collection features 20 original poems, lyrics from her album My Soft Machine, and an unpublished artist's statement, all accompanied by striking images by photographer Daniyel Lowden. Arlo Parks will read from and discuss the book, as well as participate in a Q+A session. With a Grammy-nominated debut album and a highly acclaimed sophomore release, Arlo Parks is an incredible voice of her generation.
Date: 10 September 2023. Time: 8pm. Location: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: from £30. Book now.
London Podcast Festival
The London Podcast Festival is back this week at Kings Place, showcasing top podcast talent from the UK and the US. Experience the excitement of live podcast recordings from favourites like No Such Thing As a Fish, Drunk Women Solving Crime, Dope Black Mums and Dads, and the Two Twos podcast.
Date: 7 -17 September 2023. Location: Kings Place Music Foundation, 90 York Way, London N1 9GE. Price: From £9.50 + booking fee. Book now.
Image: London Podcast Festival.
Last Night of the Proms
The Last Night of the Proms is the finale of the BBC Proms, a renowned classical music festival held annually at London's Royal Albert Hall. With millions worldwide tuning in, it unites classical music enthusiasts and fulfills founder-conductor Henry Wood's 1895 vision of making classical music accessible. This year's event, led by conductor Marin Alsop, features celebrated musicians like cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and soprano Lise Davidsen, accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, closing eight weeks of outstanding music in the city.
Date: 9 September 2023. Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP. Website: royalalberthall.com.
The Honey Dijon Experience
The Honey Dijon Experience is a world premiere event featuring the renowned DJ Honey Dijon performing songs, remixed live with the Radiant Baby Orchestra. This unique experience combines electronic music with a live orchestra and marks the opening of the Honeyverse takeover. Honey Dijon, a multi-talented DJ and producer known for collaborations with artists like Beyoncé and Eve, has curated this musical journey, reimagining iconic tracks. The event is a collaborative effort involving Honey Dijon, the Southbank Centre, Luke Solomon, Tommy Evans (Outlook Orchestra), and Noah Ball (Outlook and Dimensions Festival).
Date: 9 September 2023. Time: 8pm. Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Price: £25 – £55. Book now.
Food Spotlight
13 best bakeries in London
We asked FLO London readers to reveal their favourite bakeries in the city. Click here to discover your selection of the finest bakeries in London.
Image: Delicious cinnomon swirls. Photo by Otto Norin.
Arts & Culture
Opening this week
We Are For The Dark
Kate McDonnell and Nicola Turner explore forgotten memories and darker aspects of humanity through sculptures and installations at 195 Mare Street in Hackney.
Date: 8 - 10 September 2023. Location: 195 Mare Street, London E8 3QE. Price: Free. Website:195marestreet.co.uk.
Image: Kate McDonnell at Mare Street.
Matthew Hilton: Tough Moment
British furniture designer Matthew Hilton RDI presents Tough Moment, his debut sculpture collection at Paul Smith's Albermarle Street gallery. The exhibit showcases eighteen metal and stone artworks inspired by industry and craftsmanship.
Date: 7 September – 31 October 2023. Location: Paul Smith Gallery Space, 9 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BL. Price: Free. Website: paulsmith.com.
Christian Marclay: Doors
White Cube debuts Christian Marclay's video installation Doors (2022) and a new sculpture series. Explore the merging of visual and audio realms and the influence of technology on sound experiences.
Date: 6 – 30 September 2023. Location: White Cube Mason's Yard, 25 – 26 Mason's Yard, London SW1Y 6BU. Price: Free. Website: whitecube.com.
Ranjani Shettar: Cloud Songs on the Horizon
Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar's site-specific exhibition arrives at the Barbican Conservatory. Experience large suspended sculptures inspired by nature and Indian crafts.
Date: from 10 September 2023. Location: Barbican Conservatory, Barbican Centre Silk St London EC2Y 8DS. Price: Free. Book now.
#FLOFAVOURITES: THIS WEEK
Image: Gerald Chukwuma. In Our Image, After Our Likeness. © Gerald Chukwuma.
Gerald Chukwuma: Homeostasis
Gerald Chukwuma's exhibition at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery features textured wooden panel artworks exploring personal growth and art therapy.
Date: 2 – 30 September 2023. Location: Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, 2 Melior Place, London SE1 3SZ. Website: kristinhjellegjerde.com.
Detour London
Explore the transformative power of creativity with Moleskine notebooks turned into art by artists, designers, and change makers.
Date: 2 – 15 September 2023 Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke Of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4RY. Price: Free. Website: saatchigallery.com.
Image: Ra Tack. Crawling on the floor to be near you (2023) Oil on Belgian linen. Courtesy of IMT Gallery, London.
And As Always, the End Is Everything
Ra Tack and Florence Peake's exhibition explores the relationship between internal emotions and the external world using unconventional artworks.
Date: 1 September - 1 October 2023. Location: IMT Gallery,Unit 2, 210 Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9NQ. Website: imagemusictext.com.
Last chance
Tomás Saraceno: Web(s) of Life
Saraceno's exhibition explores life forms, technology, and energy amidst the climate crisis. Engage with interactive sculptures in Kensington Gardens.
Date: until 10 September 2023. Location: Serpentine South Gallery West Carriage Drive, London W2 2AR. Price: Free.
Image Installation view of Spider/Web Pavilion 7: Oracle Readings, Weaving Arachnomancy, Synanthropic Futures: At-ten(t)sion to invertebrate rights!, 2019, at the 58th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, titled May You Live In Interesting Times, curated by Ralph Rugoff. Courtesy the artist Photography by Studio Tomás Saraceno © Tomás Saraceno.
Andy Warhol: The Textiles
Discover Andy Warhol's textile designs with over 60 fabric lengths and garments. Explore his fascination with everyday objects and mass production.
Date: until 10 September 2023. Location: The Fashion and Textile Museum 83 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF. Price: from £12.65. Concession available. Book now.
Gabriel Chaile in collaboration with Laura Ojeda Bär: Usos y costumbres
Immerse yourself in a sculptural installation inspired by Argentina's history and indigenous artifacts.
Date: until 10 September 2023. Location: Studio Voltaire, 1A Nelsons Row London SW4 7JR. Price: Free. Website: studiovoltaire.org.
Berthe Morisot: Shaping Impressionism
Step into Berthe Morisot's world with over 30 of her most significant works. Explore her contributions to Impressionism and their connection to 18th-century culture.
Date: until 10 September 2023. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD. Price: from £16.50. Book now.
Image: Berthe Morisot, Eugène Manet on the Isle of Wight, 1885 © Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.
Anthony Caro: The Inspiration of Architecture
Witness Anthony Caro's breathtaking painted metal works. Explore his imaginative use of materials and their connection to architecture.
Date: until 10 September 2023. Location: Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ. Price: from £9.90. Book now.
we are a group of people composed of who we are
Explore the history of cooperative and collective work in Hackney from 1971 to 1986. Dive into the intersection of art, literature, and social and political commitments.
Date: until 9 September 2023. Location: Peer, 97–99 Hoxton Street London, N1 6QL. Price: Free. Website: peeruk.org.
Pop-ups & Venues
Lost Gaint Dinners at Outcrop
Outcrop and Marshmallow Laser Feast are presenting a guest chef trilogy called ‘Lost Giant Dinners’, inspired by ancient trees in Britain. The featured chefs include John Chantarasak, Brad Carter, Chantelle Nicholson, and Skye Gyngell. The project is influenced by a 9m high video installation of a Ceiba Pentandra tree from the Colombian Amazon. The creators of the installation and guest speakers will discuss the connection between food, ecology, and the restoration of the UK's ecosystems in talks leading up to each dinner event.
Location: 1 Surrey St, Temple, London, WC2R 2ND. Price: from £65pp. Book now. Instagram: @outcrop.social.
Image: Anglothai x Outcrop. Photo by Ben Broomfield.
#FLOFavourites: Pick of the week
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
Action For Kids Beach Volley Ball at Canary Wharf
Image: Volly ball at Canary Wharf. Action for Children.
After a hiatus of four years, AFK Beach Volleyball is coming back to Canary Wharf. This event, in partnership with Action for Kids, aims to transform Canary Wharf into a summer paradise by setting up two full-sized volleyball courts and bringing in 200 tonnes of sand. The primary goal is to raise funds for the remarkable charity, Action for Kids. The courts will be accessible to everyone, offering a range of events to participate in or simply providing an opportunity to show support for this great cause.
Date: 4 – 28 September 2023. Location: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London, E14. Website: canarywharf.com.
Food of the week
L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Image: Margherita and Truffle Mushroom Pizza combo. L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele Soho, London.© MTotoe.
This week's featured food is L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, a historic Naples pizzeria dating back to 1870, founded by Michele Condurro. Known for its unwavering commitment to traditional Neapolitan pizza-making, high-quality ingredients, and unique dough leavening method, it's a favourite among those seeking authentic pizza experience. The pizzeria gained fame thanks to author Elizabeth Gilbert's praise in Eat, Pray, Love, and Julia Roberts indulged in it in the movie adaptation.Click here to discover more.
Location: (Soho): 44 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4TY. (Baker St): 199 Baker Street, London NW1 6UY. Instagram: @pizzeriadamicheleuk. Website: anticapizzeriadamichele.co.uk
Interview of the week
In conversation with Kate Whitley
Image: Kate Whitley. Image courtesy of The Multi-Story Orchestra.
Kate Whitley, a versatile composer and pianist, co-founded The Multi-Story Orchestra, known for its unconventional performances in UK car parks. Her innovative music approach has earned acclaim, with The Times citing it as shaping the future of music. Whitley's compositions, spanning various styles and settings, have been featured on Radio 3 and highlighted at the BBC Proms.
Click here for the full interview.
Cause of the week
Action for Children
Image: Action for Kids
Action For Kids (AFK) was founded in 1992 by Sally Bishop to help disabled children and young people. They offer education, training, and mobility equipment not available through the NHS. AFK follows the social model of disability, addressing societal barriers to enable young people to succeed. Their core principles are person-centred, collaborative, and empowering. They believe in empowering individuals and challenging societal norms to help all young people with disabilities reach their full potential.
Click here to discover ways you can donate or volunteer with Action for Kids.
Website: afkcharity.org Instagram: @afkcharity.
Upcoming events
Nutcracker at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club
Image: Nutcracker. Sam Salter Photography.
Experience Nutcracker as never before! The McOnie Company presents a fresh, jazz-infused take on this classic, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, with Cassie Kinoshi reimagining Tchaikovsky's score. Starting this November at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Southbank Centre, enjoy a lively dance performance followed by live music sessions. Don't miss this cool adaptation!
Date: 4 November 2023 – 6 January 2024. Location: Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Southbank Centre. Website: nutcrackerldn.com.