Little Miss Random Recommends – Week Ending 12/08/2012

Hello, beautiful people! If you’re an Olympic sceptic, look away now, as I’m about to become moderately gushy.

Have you looked away yet? Okay, I’ll start.

I’ve been to two events so far, and, despite the fact that it ends on Sunday, am keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll still be able to get a last-minute ticket to another event. Why? It’s not just because I simply love big events. It’s because the atmosphere at the event venues I’ve been to has been amazing. Everyone’s happy and friendly, including the army and police, and... it’s amazingly refreshing. Such a contrast to central London, especially on a Friday night.

I’m almost loath for it be over, except that, obviously, it’s been having a bit of an impact on my productivity, as you have no doubt noticed. Without further ado, here’s a list of events you can look forward to this week.

School Nights

1. Ever wanted to wield control over London’s skyline? Well, if you’re not a billionaire or a politician, this is the closest you’ll come for a long time. The EDF Energy London Eye Mood Conductor is an interactive installation which allows a single user at a time to influence the colour the London Eye will be, through gestures and their heart rate. There are two sessions available each night. Until Aug 12th, London Eye, 9.30 pm – 10.00 pm / 10.30 pm – 11.30 pm, free
2. Moniker Projects, in collaboration with Crane.TV, hosts a screening of cinematic entertainment for your viewing pleasure. Kicking off with a series of short films on artists and curators from the cutting edge of the contemporary world, including Aaron Rose (which reminds me of Gossip Girl for some reason), followed by the UK premiere for Joey Garfield’s A Love Letter For You, a documentary on graffiti legend Stephen “ESPO” Powers as he returns to Philadelphia to paint a series of murals on 50 rooftops along the Market train line. This is followed by a short panel discussion and Q&A with author Cedar Lewishon, Joey Garfield and Steve Powers himself. Aug 8th, secret location, 7.00 pm (drinks) / 8.00 pm (films), free but RSVP to info@monikerprojects.com for invitation
3. Are you a couch potato? Be your TV geekery to good use while simultaneously contributing to charity at CORE Blimey! GuiltyPleasures TV karaoke, a fundraiser to help the UK CORE art project get to Burning Man. There will be a list of TV episodes from Ab Fab, Basil Fawlty, Spaced, Brass Eye, Creature Comforts, Sex and the City and more! Aug 9th, Hackney Attic, 7.30 pm, £5
4. Bask in the last few days of the Olympics by taking in Games Night on board a beautiful, wooden ship. Artificial grass will be laid on the Main Deck should you wish to take part in a game of Boules, while other games will include giant battleships, skittles, cards and other board games. There will also be a licensed bar and TV screens showing the Games if you just wish to relax. Aug 9th, The Golden Hinde, 7.00 pm, £3 (registration is encouraged)
5. Bea’s Crawfish Boil, a Louisana-style feast featuring spiced crawfish, potatoes, sweetcorn, sausage and garlic bread, is still going strong, having sold out its June and July runs. There will be no plates and cutlery, just lots of butcher paper and lemon wedges. Come dressed appropriately (i.e. in your worst clothes). Aug 9th (and every Thurs and Fri thereafter), Maltby Street, 6.30 pm, £24 (purchase in advance)

Weekend

1. If you’ve been watching the Games and feeling a tad depressed because the athletes seem to be getting younger and younger while you’re moving on, then why not make the time to catch Ping Pong, the inspiring documentary about eight veteran – and I do mean veteran – ping pong champions? There’ll be free table tennis tables should you wish to show off your prowess. Aug 10th, Portobello Pop-Up, 6.00 pm (doors) / 8.30 pm (film), donation on door
2. Indulge in a truly immersive theatre experience with Theatre Delicatessan’s Bush Bazaar, a production which gives audiences the opportunity to enter into a world filled with an eclectic variety of performers. Audience members choose which performers get their cash. Till Aug 18th, Bush Theatre, 2.30 pm (Sat only) / 7.00 pm / 8.30 pm, £10
3. Check out Part 1 of the epic Smirnoff Weekender featuring none other than Felix Da Housecat, house maestro extraordinaire. Support is ably provided by Scarlett Etienne who was named ‘Breakthrough DJ of 2008’ by the legend that is Sasha. Jodie Harsh headlines Room 2, while Itch Records take on Room 3. Aug 10th, Egg, 10.00 pm (doors), £16.80 (including fees)
4. The Brixton Windmill opens its doors to the public this weekend. The windmill, which was built in 1816 and in operation till 1934, reopened in 2011 following a £600,000 restoration. Explore the windmill with one of the tour guides, or just drop in for a short tour and take in the internal workings on the first floor. The full tour lasts approximately 40 minutes and last entry is 15 minutes before closing. Aug 11th and 12th, Brixton Windmill, 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm, free (booking essential for full tours)
5. London Fields Brewery turns one year old and, to commemorate this momentous occasion, have created a special beer, Celebration Rye Saison (6.5%) which will be served at their pop-up bar, The Brewhouse. There have only been four kegs made, so get on down to The Brewhouse on Saturday before it runs out! For the first time, you will also get to try their best-selling ales including Hackney Hopster and Love Not War on keg. The Dead Dolls Club will be serving up a special birthday menu and there will be live music provided. Aug 11th, 370 Helmsely Place E8 3RR, 12 noon (doors), free entry
6. Enjoy a night of fine music, drinks and dancing inspired by New Orleans at Bar Nightjar’s Storyville. Storyville recreates the precocious and hot-blooded culture borne out of those bordellos by transforming a disused factory site into a Belle Epoque vision of the past. Entertainment will be provided by Nightjar’s regular musicians, dancers from Swing Patrol and a series of performing and interactive artists from Les Enfants Terrible. A range of cocktails have been created for the occasion, while guests will also be able to sample a range of traditional serves from the dedicated Enigma Absinthe Bar. Finally, traditional New Orleans gumbo and jambalaya will be served. Aug 11th, 13 Hearn Street EC2A 3LS, 7.00 pm (doors), £25 (tickets to be purchased in advance)
7. Daytime partying is all the rage – particularly when you’re my age and really need that eight hours of sleep – so this rooftop party in Sarf London is right up my alley. Southcity’s second party at this venue features X-Press 2 as the headliner for the smashing price of a tenner. Aug 12th, The Bussey Building, 2.00 pm (doors) till 12 mn, £11 (including fees) 
8. Listen to Tales From The Bridge, a production composed Human League’s Martyn Ware and artistic director David Bickerstaff which takes you through a sonic journey through London’s past, present and future. At the start of every hour, a virtual choir formed by individual singers from 73 countries performs ‘Water Night’ written by Eric Whitacre and based on a short poem by Octavia Paz. Till Sept 9th, Millennium Bridge, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm, free