Little Miss Random Recommends – Week Ending 01/07/2012

Right. What a weekend, eh? There was the Hackney Weekender where I was one of the lucky 50,000 who caught Jay-Z along with a whole host of guest stars including Rihanna, M.I.A. and Kanye West, and, following on from that, Dr. Peter Lovatt’s wonderful School of Life sermon on how we all shouldn’t be afraid to dance. How did you spend yours?

Now that England’s exited Euro 2012, I reckon the majority of you will be looking to fill your evenings again. Here are some fun things for you to consider doing this week.

1. Dr. Dee: An English Opera, about the life of John Dee, a renaissance man who was a political advisor, mathematician, scientist and magician all rolled into one, opens this week. The production, jointly created by theatre director Rupert Norris and musician Daman Albarn, was inspired by comic book author Alan Moore. Jun 25th to Jul 7th, London Coliseum, 2.30 pm (Jul 7th only) / 7.30 pm (all dates), £29 to £79 (Time Out is currently offering up to 50% off tickets. The offer ends on Jun 26th)
2. Neurobiologist Mo Costandi, who writes on issues in neurophilosophy for the Guardian, looks at issues including Body Dysmorphic Disorder and the paranormal in his talk on Alien Hands & Phantom Limbs for June’s edition of London Skeptics in the Pub. Jun 26th, Monarch Bar, 7.30 pm, free
3. It is said that research on sleep dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Yet, we still cannot fathom how it works, or its purpose. Jason Rihel, Senior Research Fellow at UCL, who investigates the mechanisms of sleep in zebrafish, a species thought to resemble humans more closely than any other species on earth (so an ex tells me), talks more about sleep in I’ll Sleep While I Live. Jun 26th, The Exmouth Arms, 7.00 pm, free
4. June’s Science Museum Lates is dedicated to maths and computing genius Alan T uring and his work. Events include Professor Tony Mann’s “mind-reading” act which demonstrate exciting algorithms with applications in computer science and robotics, the National Media Museum’s new website The Mirror which examines whether what you do online is a reflection of your true self, and, of course, the regular pub quiz, punk science and silent disco. Jun 27th, Science Museum, 6.45 pm, free (tickets may be required for exhibitions)
5. Combine comedy and dinner with Nick Helm and Gareth Richards preview their shows ahead of Edinburgh. Nick will be previewing “This Means War!” taking us on a journey through the carnage-filled battlefields of his love-life, while Gareth will be showcasing new jokes and songs about being an introvert stuck in an extrovert’s world in “Introvert - Never Been To Disneyland.” I can definitely relate to both. There will be a free barbecue on the terrace during the interval. Jun 27th,  The Invisible Dot, 7.00 pm (doors) / 7.45 pm (show), £7
6. Sebastian Barry’s The Only True History of Lizzie Finn premieres this week. The year is 1892. Lizzie Finn, a celebrated dancer is enchanted by a solder returning from the war and becomes entanbled in an intense and passionate affair. Critics’ Circle award-winner Blanche McIntyre directs this witty and tender play about how we survive, how we love and who we think we are. Jun 27th to Jul 21st, Southwark Playhouse, 3.15 pm (matinee) / 7.45 pm, £10/£14/£18
7. Enjoy the Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World. Take The Imagination Exam in the afternoon (no revision or cramming needed – just lots of cheating and daydreaming), followed by Magic Surrealism: A Night of Latin American Poetry, Music and Dance (a night of the finest poetry, music and dance from – where else? – Latin America) in the evening. Jun 28th, Southbank Centre, 1.30 pm for the former / 8.30 pm for the latter, free
8. Brazilian director Renato Rocha transforms the underground space beneath the Roundhouse into a dreamlike underworld drawing on the rich tapestry that is Brazil for The Dark Side of Love, an exploration of Shakespeare’s most painful and poignant moments. The production features scenes from Hamlet, Othello and Romeo and Juliet performed by a cast of London teenagers. The audience is encouraged to lose themselves in the action, while the characters lose themselves in the most extreme of emotions. Till Jul 8th, the Roundhouse, various times, £12.50

Weekend

1. Enjoy Lates at the Natural History Museum, featuring the museum’s first ever open-mic musical performance in the Central Hall, stand-up comedy from Tom Allen, and, the most exciting one for me, the late opening of the Dinosaur gallery! Jun 29th, Natural History Museum, till 10.30 pm, free (tickets may be required for exhibitions)
2. Sampled, Sadler’s Wells annual celebration of incredible dance, music and workshops returns for its sixth year. Sampled offers audiences the chance to experience everything from contemporary dance to flamenco to hip-hop in one evening, all for £12. This year’s line-up includes the Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, English National Ballet and Jonzi D. Jun 29th to 30th, Peacock Theatre, 7.30 pm, £12 (Note that workshops need to be booked separately from the performance)
3. The Found Footage Festival, founded in New York City in 2004, makes it UK debut on Friday. The FFF features footage from VHS tapes discovered at thrift shops and garage sales throughout North America. Joe Pickett (The Onion) and Nick Prueher (Late Show with David Letterman) host the screenings. The Brooklyn Brewery are offering every eligible ticket holder to FFF a free beer. Jun 29th to 30th, Soho Theatre, 7.30 pm (Fri) / 9.30 pm (both days), £15
4. Love Brunch, one of my favourite parties ever, heads east to Shoreditch. Love Brunch, a daytime party inspired by the likes of Bagatelle in New York, is an experience that any hedonist will enjoy. Be warned that you’ll most likely end up incredibly hammered well before it ends at 6.00 pm. Jun 30th, Beach Blanket Babylon, 12 noon, £21.85
5. Rockit Science Midsummer Madness presents a 12-hour musical journey taking punters through Balearic Disco, House and Electrofunk, culminating with a three-hour set from Mr. “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” himself, Bill Brewster. Bill, boss of club Low Life and DJ historian, brings his encyclopedic knowledge of music to Camden for a special set designed to make you dance till the early hours of the morning. Jun 30th, Lockside Lounge, 3.00 pm, free before 8.00 pm / £3 after
6. Watch two of the most satirical teen movies created in the ‘80s in Midnight Movies’ Nightcap presents Heathers / Society, complete with Cliquey Party and Late Bar! Dress code: Choose between ‘80s Geek, Goth, It-Girl or a Jock. Jun 30th, Roxy Bar & Screen, 10.00 pm to 4.00 am (films at midnight), £6.50
7. Catch the last Guilty Pleasures party before it goes on a summer hiatus. In its own inimitable fashion, GP will be hosting its English Summer Garden Party, presenting a fully fledged live spectacular with special guest performers including drag supertroupe Lipsinkers and the UK’s premier all-bear burslesque troupe Dreambears. Music ranges from pop to unabashed cheese. Jun 30th, Koko, 10.00 pm (doors), £10 adv
8. Peruse the Magnum on Set exhibition featuring up to 146 of some of the most recognised film images in the world, including photos from The Seven Year Itch, Rebel Without A Cause and Moby Dick, never before seen in the UK. There will also be exiting original artefacts including Eve Arnold’s original Nikon and Inge Morath’s Leica, not to mention original props, scrips and costumes. Till Sep 1st, London Film Museum, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (Mon – Sat) / 11.00 am to 6.00 pm (Sun), free entry