Words Charlotte Cox
This weekend has the longest days of the summer. With food festivals, pop-up forests and giant slides (of course), this is how to use them well
EVENT: City Solstice at Shapes
This weekend marks the Summer Solstice, aka the longest day of the year. That’s a lot of time to fill. If only there were somewhere we could soak up all those hours of sun on a canalside terrace, knocking back cocktails and tucking into sizzling barbecue goodness, then maybe, say, party deep into the night soundtracked by riotous disco, house and techno DJs… *As if by magic, City Solstice at Shapes appears* That’s that sorted, then.
20 June, 2pm-6am, from £15 117 Wallis Road, Hackney E9 5LN residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?676014
ART: Carsten Höller: Decision at Hayward Gallery
Who said art is no fun? They’d obviously never come across Carsten Höller – because his art comes with GIANT SLIDES. Oh yes. Two huge spiralling shutes have been constructed down the side of the Hayward as part of the Belgian artist’s new interactive exhibition, which gets us to examine how we make our choices via a flying machine, remote-control beds and goggles that turn the world upside down. Should you take door A or B? The red pill or the white? Whatever you go for, it’ll get you thinking. Although one decision isn’t really a decision at all: we are TOTALLY having a go on those slides…
Until 7 Sept; £15 Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery
SHOPPING: Versace sample sale at RSPV
There is a time for waxing lyrical about the varied and fantastical places that we advise you to go to each weekend. But there is also a time when all we need say is: past-season Versace and Versus stock, up to 90% off, proceeds to the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital. Guess which time this is. Saturdays and Sundays until 28 June, with new stock each weekend.
RSPV, 34 Chiswick Lane, W4 2JQ rspvstore.com
FOOD: Taste of London
If you often find yourself torn between going to Duck & Waffle, SushiSamba or Pizarro Restaurant for dinner, then a) we want to be you, because you know how to live; and b) your dilemma has just been solved. Because this week you can eat at them all – plus many more top London restaurants such as Roka, Roux at Parliament Square and Bluebird – in one place: Regent’s Park. Which can only mean that foodie fest Taste of London is back for four days of dining (see above), demos (Nuno Mendes, Michel Roux, Monica Galletti) and drinking (craft beer, authentic Havana mojitos). Two words of advice: Elasticated. Waistband.
17-21 June; from £17 Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR London.tastefestivals.com Tickets from £17
THEATRE: Summer Shorts at Borough Market
Now, Shakespeare’s Hamlet is all well and good, but who REALLY gets through all four hours without getting uncomfy in their seat? (Something’s numb in the state of Denmark…) No such problems at this genius new theatre pop-up, which presents a series of 15-minute plays throughout the summer at Borough Market. And the length isn’t the only thing that’s compressed: you won’t be watching in some grand, impersonal theatre. No, these mini-plays are staged in… wait for it… a 10-person caravan!
Book now for this weekend’s look at life in the Ikea age, The Alan Key. £3, until 18 July Market Hall, Borough Market SE1 9AF robinlindeproductions.com
NIGHTLIFE: Magic Door
The first, and most important, thing to know about Magic Door is that there is an ACTUAL magic door. Behind this, outlandishly costumed partygoers are transported to an immersive world of underground beats, theatre, performance, glitter and all manner of flamboyant frolics from 10pm right through till 6am. But let’s face it: we had you at ‘actual magic door’. 19 June; £12 Bloc, 39 Autumn Street, Hackney Wick E3 2TT residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?717967
POP-UP: Kopparberg Urban Forest
If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a real surprise. Not least that there ARE woods at all in inner-city Hackney Wick – but that 's the beauty of this pine-scented pop-up, which brings a super-cool Scandi forest right here to grey old London town. And better yet: this forest has a live music stage welcoming the likes of Submotion Orchestra, DJ Yoda and – this Sunday – Mr Good Times himself, Norman Jay OBE. What's more, top-notch street eats come from Buffalo Joe's, Mama Jerk and Le Bun, and – going by this pop-up's name – we reckon maybe, just maybe, you might be able to get a cider, too.
Until 12 July; free 37-41 Whitepost Lane, Hackney Wick E9 5EN kopparbergurbanforest.com
FOOD: Forza Win Summer Project
Make no mistake, this is not just a foodie pop-up. This is a project. Which means it’s time to get serious, people – there is wood-fired spit-roast leg of lamb, grilled octopus and tagliatelle to be eaten. It’s all part of the set menu served up by street food stars Forza Win at their new summer residency, which brings Italian fine dining and high-end ingredients to a warehouse in Peckham. Yep, a warehouse. Of wood-fired meats. Told you this was serious stuff.
Until 26 Sept; £35 for three courses, plus an alcoholic drink 133 Copeland Rd, Peckham SE15 3SN forzawin.com
The Magic Of Marseille
24 Of The Best Restaurants In London
A First-Timers Guide To Visiting Jamaica
The Best Romantic Staycations To Visit