What's On
BLACK VENUS
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Somerset House is hosting Black Venus, an exhibition curated by Aindrea Emelife that examines the representation and legacy of Black women in visual culture, through the lens of the Hottentot Venus, the Sable Venus and the Jezebel. The work of 18 Black female and non-binary artists, including Carrie Mae Weems, Zanele Muholi, Renee Cox, Lorna Simpson, Kara Walker, Sonia Boyce, Ayana V Jackson and Delphine Diallo, will be on display, showcasing the many ways Black femininity can be expressed and reclaiming Black womanhood from fetishisation and objectification.
Hanya Yanagihara’s bestselling book A Little Life, which hit the London stage with an adaptation directed by Ivo Van Hove, is transferring to the Savoy Theatre for a second run in the capital. The epic story follows four college friends in NYC – aspiring actor Willem (played by Luke Thompson), architect Malcom (played by Zach Wyatt), struggling artist JB (played by Omari Douglas) and lawyer Jude (played by James Norton) – as they navigate ambition, addiction, pride and the mysteries and secrets of Jude’s past. The book is beloved by people who’ve read it, and it’s a tearjerker too, so buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster.
AI | WHO'S LOOKING AFTER ME?
- Monday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Artificial Intelligence is on most (if not all) of our minds at the moment, but Science Gallery London is looking at the technological phenomenon from a different perspective with its new exhibition, AI: Who’s Looking After Me?. Looking to avoid the more fatalistic language typically used when covering AI, the show will explore the ways in which it’s already shaping our lives and the near future through its implementation in healthcare, the justice system, daily commutes, and more. Some highlights include James Bridle’s film about self-driving cars and their projected agency; a robotic arm that looks after a group of house cats and learns from their behaviours; Wesley Goatley’s graveyard of defunct Alexa voice assistants; an interactive romance experiment that uses an AI trained on everything the internet knows about love; and a multimedia project by Sarah Selby that highlights the power of algorithms within the UK’s immigration systems.
ANYA HINDMARCH'S ICE CREAM PROJECT
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Just like last year, Anya Hindmarch’s playful spirit is out in full force this summer with the return of her Ice Cream Project concept store, which is serving up scoops of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Warbutons Crumpets. Bird’s Eye Petit Pois, Branston Pickle and Kikkoman Soy Sauce and Heinz Mayo flavoured ice creams. Yes really. The idea behind what is surely the wackiest ice cream parlour in town is to celebrate Anya Hindmarch’s fave brands (a nice tie-in to her latest accessories collection) by taking products that would typically be found in the pantry and putting them in the freezer instead. And if you’re not feeling so adventurous, you can get scoops of Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, Ambrosia Rice Pudding, Ribena, KP Salted Peanuts, McVitie’s Digestives and Tiptree Lemon Curd flavoured ice creams instead.
The Summer Screen is back at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens this July, screening free movies every Tuesday at 7pm throughout the month. The programme includes Frozen, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Grease, so there’s something for all the fam to enjoy. There are deckchairs and blankets available but you’re encouraged to bring your own, and you can also BYO snacks and drinks too – though there will be food and drink traders on-site if you want to buy anything extra. It’s totally free to attend but if you want to be sure of a spot, you can sign up to reserve one, and you’ll also be entered into weekly giveaways too.
SPACE TO HAVE A BALL
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM
For Pride, four ballroom performances will be displayed at Outernet, each filmed at a different heritage site conserved by the National Trust. The digital exhibition, Space to Have a Ball, has been inspired by the queer histories behind these buildings, such as the story of William John Bankes who owned the 17th-century Italianate country house Kingston Lacy, as well as ballroom and vogue dance culture. The films have been directed by Adi Alfa and Eric Myers and feature exceptional talent from the LGBTQIA+ community against the dazzling background of grand and centuries-old interiors – catch them outside Tottenham Court Road station before the end of June.
DIVA
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
The V&A is celebrating some of the biggest divas of our time with major exhibition DIVA. The show will dive into the origins of the diva, explore how some of the best-known performers shaped popular culture, and celebrate how the divas of past and present express their power and creativity. Over 60 outfits will be on display, (some for the very first time), including Marilyn Monroe’s fringed dress from Some Like It Hot, Bob Mackie designs for Cher and Tina Turner, and Sandy Powell’s 50th birthday ensemble for Elton John, alongside lyrics, photographs, sketches and other personal items.
LUSH X ASTEROID CITY GIFT SHOP
- Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
To celebrate the release of Wes Anderson’s new Americana adventure, Asteroid City, Lush have brought a pop-up to town inspired by the highly anticipated movie. The pop-up cafe and gift shop mimics the legendary filmmaker’s signature style, with plenty of pastel colours and nostalgic features. Inside, you’ll get to shop the new exclusive Lush x Asteroid City (which includes a themed bath bomb, soap, shower gel and shower jelly) collection before it hits the stores, take plenty of pics and grab a FREE slushie. Wes fans definitely don’t wanna miss this one.
GABRIELLE CHANEL | FASHION MANIFESTO
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
Based on a show of the same name held in Paris, Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto at the V&A exhibition will feature over 180 looks (including pieces from the V&A’s own archive plus outfits worn by Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich) as well as perfume, cosmetics, jewellery and accessories, and cover Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s career from the opening of her first millinery boutique in 1910 to her final collection in 1971. The exhibition will explore Chanel’s approach to dressing women and the way that she redefined fashion – she created clothes for the modern woman, with tweed jackets and trousers offering a chic and practical alternative to the traditional corseted silhouettes of the day – as well as looking at her personal style and her legacy..
A pop-up urban farm created in partnership with Square Mile Farms, one of our Local Heroes, has opened at 109 Fleet Street providing over 1000 salad bags of fresh greens for free. The farm, the first Square Mile Farm open to the public, uses hydroponic technology to grow the produce, using 90% less water than traditional farming, making the greens super sustainable as well as local. The farm will be open until the end of June but you can head down on 14th and 21st June to harvest parsley, kale, sage and basil.
The cult pop-up shop by eco-friendly fashion campaign Love Not Landfill is back this summer and stacked with fashion picks curated by some of the most style-savvy influencers and charity shops. Each influencer has teamed up with a charity to select up to 500 pieces from donations to add to their collection: Char Ellesse has teamed up with Shelter, Demi Colleen with FARA, Lina Mar with Cancer Research UK and Nantida Intajak with Hurr Collective. At the limited-time store, you’ll be able to shop fashion-forward charity shop gems and ‘retired’ designer pieces, saving them from landfill and donating vital funds to partner charities as you refresh your wardrobe.
A free, audio-visual ‘living portraits’ exhibition featuring spoken stories from 15 LGBTQIA+ people exploring what proud means to them is taking over Old Quebec Street during Pride. Proud West End will feature portraits accompanied by candid spoken stories accessible by QR code, from a range of individuals including drag queen Divina de Campo, founder of Queer Brewing Company Lily, Graysen from the Mosaic Trust, and Jason from Swingers Oxford Street.