7 Things To Do In London Dec 9 - 11
Mermen mixologists, magic doors and Santas en masse: your weekend starts here, says Charlotte Cox
EXHIBITION: Martyrs & Matryoshkas
You know how, amid the madness and stress and repeated hearing of Slade that comes with Christmas, sometimes you just think, 'Man, I wish I could escape and look at some cutting-edge Russian art'? Us too. Which is why we're heading over to the Old Truman Brewery to see this new exhibition by the London-based Karina Akopyan. Comparing and contrasting the Russian Orthodox traditions of her heritage with the escapism of the London fetish scene, the results are paintings, photography, sculptures, installations and costume pieces full of bold colour and dark symbolism. It's beautiful, thought-provoking and truly absorbing stuff; so much so you'll forget that Noddy Holder ever existed. Promise.
8-18 Dec; free
Martyrs and Matryoshkas, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL
ART: The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from The Sir Elton John Collection
We used to think that our love of Elton John could be summed up in two words: Tiny. Dancer. However, now we're going to have to broaden this out to include the words 'photography' and 'collection', too – because somehow, in amongst spectacle-shopping, tiara-polishing and writing classic pop tunes, Sir Elt found the time to amass more than 7,000 modernist prints. And the good news is, they're on display right now at the Tate Modern. Ranging from fashion shots from the great Irving Penn to radical innovations by Man Ray, to surreal compositions by Josef Breitenbach, it really it staggering, beautiful stuff. In fact, we hope you don't mind – we hope you don't mind – that we put down in words, how wonderful life is with these in the world.
(PS. Know someone who'll love this? Why not gift them a membership card to all four Tate museums – a whole year for £70. Cultural Christmas, sorted.)
Until 17 May 2017; £15
Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
NIGHTLIFE: Magic Door
When a party is billed as a cross between Elrow, Alice In Wonderland and Twin Peaks, you know that 1) this is not going to be your average night down the local discotheque, and 2) this is going to be GOOD. Especially when said party is being thrown by Birmingham's immersive club crew Magic Door, who are making their long-awaited return to London this weekend. Taking The Brewhouse in London Fields and turning it into a world of – we quote – 'genuine escapism, intimate partying and liberating celebrations of the senses' (blimey), it's worth noting that previous nights have involved LED waterfalls, real trees, gigantic mushrooms and Bowie/Labyrinth-inspired chandeliers. Oh, and a REAL magic door. Which brings us back to point 1)…
10 Dec; £15
Magic Door, The Brewhouse, 370 Helmsley Place, E8 3SB
POP-UP: Beyond the Waterfall with Bompas & Parr
'Don't go chasing waterfalls' TLC warned us back in the '90s. Well, we're here to tell you that, actually, that's exactly what you SHOULD be doing. Especially when said waterfall leads to an immersive drinking adventure (yep, immersive drinking adventure), that involves you boating on an actual lagoon to a hidden cocktail bar (uh huh), where drinks are served by mermen mixologists (yes, you read that right). And where can you find such a bizarrely brilliant waterfall? Er, at Westfield Shopping Centre, obviously. It's all the handiwork of foodie pop-up wizards Bompas & Parr, whose latest aquatic-themed installation promises to be their most whimsically wonderful yet. Go, chase.
9-23 Dec; £15 including two cocktails
Beyond the Waterfall, Westfield, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, London W12 7GF
NIGHTLIFE: Secretsundaze
OK, people, we're nearing mid-December: time to start taking party season seriously. And here, we would heartily suggest, is the place to do it. Because after firmly establishing themselves as London's premier underground Sunday party, Secretsundaze are taking over Saturday night. And we do mean ALL of Saturday night. Bringing their distinctive mix of disco, house and techno to The Pickle House in Hackney, residents and co-founders Giles Smith and James Priestley are taking to the decks for a huge eight-hour set. Which means you can expect the music to be on-point, the beats to be on tap and the crowd to be on for a big one. As we said: SERIOUS.
10 Dec; £14.50
Secret Sundaze, The Pickle House, 13-14 The Oval, London E2 9DU
FOOD: Queens Skate-Dine-Bowl
When you were a kid, birthday treats typically involved three options: ten-pin bowling, ice skating, burgers. So in many ways, the newly reopened Queens Skate- Dine-Bowl is all your birthdays come at once. Only a darned sight more stylish. The classic multitasking West London venue has had a major revamp and been given the full hipster treatment, with 12 fancy bowling lanes, skating year-round, a retro games room (oh hello, Pac-Man) and kitsch styling throughout. And the food? Well that's laid on by pop-up supremo Jimmy Garcia, whose quintessentially British diner serves up gourmet build-your-own burgers, sticky bangers, honey-and-mustard-glazed pork... and cocktails. Because, happily, we're not kids any more.
Open from 8 Dec
Queens Ice and Bowl, 17 Queensway, Bayswater, London W2 4QP
EVENT: SantaCon
It's the most wonderful time of the year… If only because wearing red-and-white co-ords, a pointy bobble hat and (quite possibly) a fluffy white beard is suddenly considered a good look. Not least this Saturday, when SantaCon returns to town. A flashmob-style gathering where thousands of be-hatted St Nicks parade the streets (and pubs) of London in increasingly merry style (that'll be the pubs, then). Simply register to find out the route, grab your Santa garb and join in the silliness. Expect singing, swigging and much deciding of who's naughty and nice. See, you just couldn't do that in January, now, could you?
10 Dec; free
To find out the route and timings, registerhere
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