Little Miss Random Recommends – Week ending 29/04/2012

Back, bigger and bolder than before!

Just a quick word on ticketed events. I check that each event I list still has tickets available at the time of posting, as I know just how frustrating it can be for people to publicise tickets which are already sold out.

School Nights

1. Continuing on from last week’s espionage theme, check out “Hiding In Plain Site,” one of the events in the Café Scientifique series. In this talk, Dr. Andrew Ker of Oxford University will discuss how messages can be hidden online without arousing suspicion, and why it can be useful to do so. The Royal Society, Apr 23, 6.30 pm (doors 5.45 pm), free
2. Marvel at Professor Vanessa’s Wondershow, a showcase which recreates the circus experience of yore, featuring stalls and sideshows from the 1930s to 1950s. Tickets are selling quickly so get your skates on! The Roundhouse, Apr 23rd/24th, £12, Apr 25th to 29th, £20, 7.30 pm (and 2.30 pm on Sat/Sun)
3. Catch Belgian street artist Roa’s show, Hypnagogia, featuring his trademark large-scale animal drawings. Yes, he’s the creator of the beloved Hackney Rabbit which locals fought so hard to save. He’s easily one of my favourite street artists and I absolutely love how he transforms each of his drawings to fit the space around it. The exhibition is held in two locations, just across from each other. Stolen Space and The Stone Masons, till May 6th, Tues to Sun 11 am to 7 pm, free
4. Indie geniuses Of Montreal return with “tantalisingly complex” new album Paralytic Stalks. ‘Nuff said. Koko, Apr 25th, doors 7.00 pm, £14.50
5. Scott Capuro brings Scott Capuro’s Position, his live comedy chat show, to Soho this week, along with second banana David Mills. There’ll be special guests each night, but you can’t go wrong with the delicious guest line-up that is PR guru and Ab Fab inspiration Lynne Franks, Pub Landlord Al Murray and John Oates of Hall & Oates on Wednesday. Soho Theatre, Apr 24th to 29th, 7.45 pm, £15
6. Laugh your cares away at Sketchercise, an evening devoted to sketch and character comedy. Sketchercise celebrates its second birthday this week with an impressive line-up of acts. Ginglik, Club on the Green, Apr 25th, 8 pm (doors 7 pm), £5 (adv) / £7 (door)
7. Get ready to be bask in the wonder that is the Antlers. Expect to hear music from the Brooklyn-based indie’s haunting debut, Hospice, as well as their second album, Burst Apart, released in 2011. Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Apr 26th, doors 7.00 pm, £15
8. Don’t miss your chance to watch Glen or Glenda, Ed Wood’s first feature ever at a free screening presented by Encounters with the Obscure at the small but perfectly formed Lumiere in Clapton. The film, a fictional documentary about the world’s first successful sex change operation, is considered to be one of the worst films ever. Lumiere, 88 Chatsworth Road, London E5 0LS, Apr 26th, 8.30 pm, free
9. Hot Blood, the guys behind the Lovebox festival, bring their brand of disco to dance floor while French Post Punk Disco purveyors Folie Ordinarie perform live. Floripa, Apr 26th, bands on at 9.30 pm, free

Weekend

1. I am a coffee nut, so I can’t let this week pass without mentioning the London Coffee Festival. Join professional baristas, coffee shop owners and industry experts and learn more about the black stuff. There’ll be live music and food too, because, try as you might, man simply cannot live on coffee alone. Old Truman Brewery, Apr 27th to 29th, 10 am to 7 pm, £12.50
2. If you love Elmo, then you’ll definitely want to catch Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey Review, a film which traces Kevin Clash’s story, beginning from his time growing up in Baltimore to his current success as the man behind Elmo. In addition to this, Kevin produces and directs Sesame Street and travels around the world training other puppeteers. Prince Charles Cinema, Apr 27th to 29th, check website for times, £10 / £7.50 (members)
3. Cocktails with Zorokovich 1917 vodka at the awesomely decorated Tina, We Salute You in Dalston. Get there early for some of the best coffee in London, and stay for the cocktails and beers. While you’ll there, compliment their Twitter photo. Heh. You know you want to. Tina, We Salute You, Apr 27th to 28th, open till midnight
4. Enjoy an eclectic night of soul and funk with Soulbrew Karaoke, karaoke backed by a five-piece funk band. Alternatively, if that all gets a bit much, check out the DownTheDitch DJs on the other floor. Or simply escape to the rooftop for a bit of fresh air and drinks. Queen of Hoxton, Apr 27th, doors 7.00 pm, £5 
5. Get In It to Swing It! at the Hackney Attic. The Shirt-tail Stompers provide the big band soundtrack to this night of swing dancing, while Swing Patrol provide you with the moves with which to enjoy yourself with a class beforehand. Best of all, no dress code (though feel free to if you want to). Hackney Attic at the Hackney Picturehouse, Apr 28th, hour-long class 7.30 pm, music 8.30 pm, £8 (includes class)/£6/£4 (members)
6. The always-awesome We, Like You promise another fun-filled night of funk with Maxi Jazz of Faithless on the decks. Book a bowling lane in advance to double your fun! Word of warning though: the last time I saw Maxi Jazz perform solo, let’s just say he seemed a little foggy and played an hour shorter than he was meant to. Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, Apr 28th, doors 8.00 pm, £5 (adv) / £8 (door)
7. Heave brunch with a twist with Zum, musicians who’ve merged music from Buenos Aires and the backstreets of Eastern Europe to create Gypsy-Tango. Cafe Consort, Royal Albert Hall, Apr 29th, 12 noon (doors 11.30 am), £28.50 (includes drink, main course, dessert and tea/coffee)
8. Go all out and party like the Brazilians before starting the week all over again. Learn Forro and get the chance to shake and shimmy to authentic Forro music right after. Guanabara, Apr 29th, lessons at 7.00 pm, DJ and live music from 7.30 pm onwards, free before 8.00 pm / £5 after