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Something For The Weekend: 21-23 Oct
How to win at London this weekend by Charlotte Cox
THEATRE: Lazarus
Big news for Bowie fans (so that'll be everyone, then): Lazarus, the musical he co-wrote with playwright Enda Walsh, and one of his last works, is coming to London for the first time after breaking box-office records in New York. Based on the novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, it stars Michael C Hall (of Dexter fame) as the titular stranded spaceman, and features soundtrack of Bowie classics as well as new compositions. Consider it one last transmission from the real-life starman.
25 Oct-22 Jan; from £15
Lazarus, King's Cross Theatre, King's Boulevard, London, N1C 4BU
FOOD: The Lodge
There is nothing that is not good about fondue. It's MELTED CHEESE, for goodness sake. With bread, meat and deliciousness on sticks to cover with said melted cheese, all the while wearing our cosiest knitwear (which may also get covered with melted cheese, but hey). And with this in mind, may we direct you to new pop-up supper club The Lodge. Clapham's answer to an Alpine ski cabin, here you'll snuggle up amid heavy checked blankets, sip mulled cider and hot cocktails, and dine on… wait for it… MELTED CHEESE. Yep, the Neal's Yard fondue is the star of the show, prepared by Michelin-level chefs and alongside gourmet small plates such as gin-cured salmon and wild boar apple sausages. Diet friendly? Probably not. But frankly, we don't give edam.
21 Oct-29 Feb
The Lodge, 409 Clapham Road, SW9 9BT
POP-UP: Maiyet Concept Store
We love a concept store. Especially when the concept is to make us look amazing while supporting ethical fashion and global artisans. Enter Maiyet, the American sustainable luxury brand, who have set up shop in Mayfair for three months full of fashion, food, art and design. So what's in store (literally)? Well, there's the debut pop-up cafe by Jasmine Hemsley, bespoke flower arrangements by The TukTuk Flower Studio, furnishings from Tom Dixon, plus performance art, screenings, chef's tastings, book launches and magic shows. In fact, almost enough to let us forget about the gorgeous new-season Maiyet fashion on sale. ALMOST.
Now open
Maiyet, 41 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2YF
POP-UP: Dom Pérignon presents Transformation
OK people, try to remain calm as you read the rest of this sentence: from now until Sunday, you can sample vintage Dom Pérignon – for free. Just breathe, breathe… back with us? Good. Then you'll be eager to know that its part of a super-stylish pop-up experience on South Molton Street, where you'll enter a sleek black cube and be transported into the world of DP. Starting with a tasting of the 2006 vintage (yes!), you'll then be taken on a 15-minute multi-sensory journey of sight, sound and taste charting the evolution of the champagne. And should that give you a taste for it (which it will), you can also book a DP gastronomy experience at Claridge's, for tastings and menus matched to your fizz. Sign. Us. Up.
20 Oct-23 Oct; Transformation pop-up, free (slots must be pre-booked); Claridge's experiences from £120
South Molton St, London W1K 5QP
EXHIBITION: The Boosh Club
Come with us now on a journey through time and space… To the world of the Book Club in Shoreditch. For here you shall find a Mighty celebration of all things Boosh. Marking 10 years of the cult comedy show's live tour, this new exhibition features props, unseen photography by Dave Brown (aka taciturn gorilla Bollo) as well as illustrations by Noel Fielding. Plus there'll be a Boosh-themed artist lock-in and a Boosh Halloween party… although rumours of a kangaroo boxing match remain unconfirmed. Happy birthday, Howard and Vince.
20 Oct-29 Jan; free
The Book Club, 100-106, Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4RH
MUSIC: Deco at The Garage
We know how you like to be ahead of the game when it comes to new music. Especially infectious indie-synth pop that's set to go huge. That's why we heartily suggest you get down to the Garage in Highbury this Friday, to check out Nottingham four-piece Deco. Think early Foals meets Everything Everything – with the odd Duran Duran cameo thrown in – and you're in the right ballpark; stream new single ITIWY here to see what we mean. See 'em now, brag you were there at the start in years to come.
21 Oct; £8.25
The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, N5 1RD
EVENT: Hoxtoberfest
Oktoberfest is many things. Boozy, yes. Sausagey, yes. An excellent opportunity to wear a dirndl, most certainly. But one thing that it has never been is trendy. Until now. Because this this weekend, this most Bavarian of beer festivals arrives in Hoxton, which means we're in for an altogether hipper experience. Taking over a canalside warehouse, yes there will be bratwurst, steins and oompah bands, but these will come courtesy of Herman ze German, Erdinger and a band named – quite marvellously – the Old Dirty Brasstards. Start working out a cooler way to wear that dirndl now.
20-22 Oct; £30 including 1L stein and snack
Hoxtoberfest, Hoxton Docks, 55 Laburnum Street, London, E2 8BD
NIGHTLIFE: Spectral Sound / Electric Minds
To quote your mum: 'Oooh, the nights are drawing in, aren't they?' Not to quote your mum: 'Time to make good use of them by heading to an uber-cool house/tech night.' Yep, autumn party season is in full swing, and this Saturday The Hydra is filling the long, dark nights with beat-laden goodness at not one, but two venues. Rhythmic techno reigns at Village Underground, where Spectral Sound sees Audion and Matrixxman behind the decks; while things get soulful over at Electric Minds at Studio Spaces, as legendary DJ Theo Parrish brings his Detroit brand of house to E1. The choice is yours, friend.
22 Oct; from £15
Spectral Sound, Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch EC2A 3PQ
Electric Minds, Studio Spaces, 110 Pennington Street, Wapping E1W 2BB
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