Blimey. I certainly hope you’re enjoying the first day of sun we’ve had in a while outdoors. Me? I’m slaving away, compiling a list of London events so that you don’t have to lift a finger (well, beyond clicking on your mouse).
I’ve been asked why some unmissable events haven’t appeared in my lists so far. That’s a simple question to answer. If they’re sold out, I’d rather not list them here, as you won’t be able to get tickets. It’s just plain frustrating and mean to do that. It’s not because I’m not aware of them, but I’d rather offer you something that you can actually go to.
Enough talk. Here’s this week’s list.
School Nights
- Learn about life, happiness and the Action For Happiness movement from Tony Hawks, author of Round Ireland with a Fridge and Playing The Moldovans At Tennis, among others. All funds go to Action for Happiness. Conway Hall, Apr 30th, 7.00 pm, £15 (or as little or as much as you’re able to donate)
- Follow Frank McGuinness’ tribute to the power of the human spirit in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, a play which traces the journey of three people through their experience as hostages in Lebanon. This play received the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play in 1993 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. Southwark Playhouse, till May 12th (except Sunday), 7.45 pm (and 3.15 pm on Saturdays), £14 to £18
- Be prepared to be blown away by Ballet Revolucion featuring talented dancers from Cuba dancing a fusion of ballet, contemporary and hip hop, accompanied by an energetic live band. Peacock Theatre, till May 19th, 7.30 pm (additional 2.30 pm on Saturdays), £15 to £48
- Catch Uninvited Guests’ new production Make Better Please, a daring new political show which draws upon the events of the day by calling upon audience members to read the day’s papers and pick out stories which excite and upset them. Part town hall, part public protest, part radio broadcast. Go. Speak. Listen. Battersea Arts Centre, till May 12th (except May 6th and 7th), 7.30 pm, £15
- Enrich yourself at First Thursdays, the monthly event at which East London galleries opens its doors to one and all till late, with many holding events after hours. Suggested galleries include The Whitechapel Gallery where Gillian Wearing is currently exhibiting. You could also choose to fill both mind and belly simultaneously at a secret location with The Spork Club Presents: At The Table, an exploration of the concept of family dinners and how we communicate, whether with strangers, or with people who know us well. East London, May 3rd, prices vary depending on location
- Go a little loco at Circus Party with special guest artists Urban and Wild from Circolombia. Also includes DJs, Latin music, Colombian food and drinks and more. Proceeds go towards the Macbeth a Circo Para Todos project coming out in Autumn. The Old Vic Tunnels, May 3rd, 7.30 pm, £8 (adv) / £12 (door)
- Find out what it means to party the African way at Kiss My Teeth, programmed by Dizzietron. Expect to hear anything from baile funk, afrobeat, dancehall to soca from the line-up featuring AJ Holmes and the Hackney Empire, Fuse ODG, Hipsters Don’t Dance, CanYouFelix, MC T-Dot, and, of course, Dizzietron herself. Roundhouse, May 3rd, 7.30 pm, £5
Weekend
- The Land of Kings art and music two-day festival commences on Friday, featuring a line-up of musicians, interactive art shows and even speed-dating. My music picks would be New Zealander Connan Mockasin and English indie darlings Slow Club. In terms of art, don’t miss out on the Austerity Games and BestCleo’s Diet Coke Is Illegal in the Philippines. Dalston, May 4th to 5th, £20 (one day) / £30 (two days)
- Celebrate the power of song and sing a long to the film Oliver!, the culmination of the weekend-long Chorus Festival. Practise during the week at one or all of the three after-work Choral Clubs held over Monday to Wednesday. Dress up to be in with a chance for winning best fancy dressed. Royal Festival Hall, May 5th, 7.00 pm, £15
- Return to the halcyon days of your youth with Spring Fling Teen Scream American High School Prom, hosted by the incredible Midnight Steakout. This isn’t any old supperclub; this will be the best supperclub experience of 2012, if not your life. With an incredible menu of surf and turf (oysters, lobster and plenty of steak) and mouthwatering desserts served up by waitresses dressed up as cheerleaders, live music and DJs and a dance-off, what’s not to like? Secret East London location, May 5th, 7.00 pm (after-party at 11.00 pm), £69 (dinner and dancing) / £8 (after-party) [ticket page password is ‘schoolspirit’ without the quotation marks]
- Laugh yourself silly with Osombie, premiering at Sci-Fi-London. Osombie follows the story of yoga instructor Dusty, on a desperate mission to save her conspiracy theorist brother Derek, who’s convinced that Osama bin Landen is still alive. As it turns out, he’s not crazy, and Osama has, in fact, returned from the dead to gather together an army of zombie jihadists. If I didn’t have a prior engagement, I would be so there. Apollo Piccadilly Circus, May 5th, 9.00 pm, £10 (check out Sci-Fi-London for other films showing at the event)
- Watch Pass The Spoon, a sort-of-opera created by David Shrigley in collaboration with composer David Fennessy and directed by Nicholas Bone. It’s a show with actors, music and food, and someone gets eaten. Sounds supremely silly and just right up, well, anyone’s alley, really. Queen Elizabeth Hall, May 6th, 7.30 pm, £15 (also on May 5th)
- It wouldn’t be a bank holiday weekend if there weren’t some crazy warehouse party to go to. This weekend, celebrate Watergate’s 10th anniversary with none other than queen of techno and BPitch head honcho Ellen Allien herself. The infamous Berlin club turns 10 years old and is growing old disgracefully with a line-up combining legends with up-and-coming DJs. Great Suffolk Street Warehouse, May 6th, 10.00 pm, £15
- Put on your best tracksuit and head to Tayo’s Tracksuit Party where you can groove to the best of classic hip hop, disco house, reggae and garage. You know, back when music was good. This instalment welcomes superb guests in the form of Rob Da Bank, founder of Bestival, and Hip Hop Karaoke. Paradise By Way of Kensal Green, May 6th, 7.00 pm, £5
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