By Charlotte Cox
Partying away Prohibition, raving with Roadrunner, eating rhyming chicken. This weekend, we're keeping it surreal
NIGHTLIFE: Elrow – Far West Weekend
Remember when dance music was about – well, dancing around? Like a bit of a loon? With a goofy grin on your face? Well then, our EDM-weary friend, let us introduce you to Elrow. This Barcelona crew throw hilarious house/techno nights that combine costumes with street theatre with high-concept décor – and this weekend, they’re taking us to the Wild West. Filling Village Underground with can-can dancers, lawless partying, cowboy games and, er, Roadrunners (really) – not to mention DJs of the finest order – for three whole days, this is one not to be missed. Yee-haw, indeed.
1-3 Apr; from £15, Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3PQ Elrow.uk
DRINK: The London Whisky Weekender
Some things in life are inevitable. Night follows day. Summer follows spring. And a hangover must surely follow the Whisky Weekender. But boy, will it be worth it – because at this gathering of 20-plus craft distillers at Hackney’s Oval Space, your ticket price includes a tasting glass and all sample whiskies. To reiterate: all sample whiskies. This means you can cruise around sampling delicious drams, finding out more from the makers and dancing to the on-site DJs (pretty likely after a dram or four). Just don’t plan too much for the next day, OK?
1-3 April; from £30, 29-32 The Oval, E2 9DU
POP-UP: The Prohibition Party
Prohibition – the 1920s period when alcohol was outlawed across the US – is probably best remembered for the wildly boozy bootleg parties. And they say Americans can't do irony. Of course, it's also notable for the amazing swing music and downright decadent flapper style, which is why this chance to relive it all should not be missed. Turning a secret East London location into an underground speakeasy, cocktail supremos Bourne & Hollingsworth are disguising drinks in teacups, hiding menus in books and laying on a live jazz band, gramophone DJs and gambling tables. Throw in tassels, tuxes and Charleston dance moves, and you have yourself the funnest alcohol ban yet.
2 April; from £35 Secret east London location
ART: David Shrigley: Drawings and Paintings
Big, clever AND very funny. It's not often you can describe an art exhibition as all three – but then, this is David Shrigley we're talking about. Master of the irreverent and satirical, he can take a seemingly simple doodle and make it something special. And this new show is true to form – full of bold acrylics and deadpan drawings. An almost Van Gogh-referencing cartoon chair reads ‘I was here’. Oh, ho. A red scribbled picture is labelled ‘Picture’. Ta for that. And a vivid green spirograph (maybe) says ‘Look at this’. So we do. And so should you.
Until 20 April; free. Stephen Friedman Gallery, Gallery One, 25-28 Old Burlington Street, W1S 3AN
SHOPPING: The Crafty Fox Market
This, to coin a phrase, is craftier than a fox who has been appointed Professor of Craftiness at Oxford University. Because London's hippest makers' market is back, filling Peckham's Bussey Building with 50 carefully curated craft stalls, plus DJs, street food and general jollity. Expect to find unique handmade jewellery, accessories, gifts, stationery, artworks – plus workshops so you can have a go at getting crafty yourself.
2-3 April; free. The Crafty Fox Market, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST
FOOD: Absurd Bird
We know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, and we’re pretty sure the same thing applies to restaurants and names. But come on, Absurd Bird? It RHYMES. We’ll eat anywhere that rhymes. And this is before we’ve even gotten to the menu at Spitalfields’ new Deep South-inspired joint. Yes, there’s chicken (free-range, corn-fed and additive-free, of course), but it comes smoked or marinated overnight in buttermilk, and served with jalapeno cheese biscuits, hurricane popcorn and sweet potato marshmallow bake. Nope, we’ve no clue either what any of those things are either, but we damn well want to find out. Just call us bird nerds.
Now open Absurd Bird, 54 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6LT
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