It’s August this weekend, meaning we’re into the height of summer – if someone could let the weather know, that would be great. The Olympics are in full swing and Team GB are really raking in those medals. In between all the events you can go to a street party, explore an immersive art exhibition, eat at a zero-waste supper club and check out what else is happening this weekend.
1. On Redchurch Presents StreetFest
We love a good street party, especially when it’s in one of our fave bits of Shoreditch – this weekend Redchurch Street is being taken over by StreetFest, celebrating all the food, fashion and style that makes up this part of E2. There’ll be lots to get involved with, including an art trail hosted by Rich Mix, a free open-air ping pong tournament, wood-fired pizza from Cecconi’s, a spesh collab coffee ice cream sandwich from Happy Endings and Allpress, chai and kulfi from Dishoom, and festival hairstyles from Boone and Last. The street will be pedestrianised too meaning the likes of Owl & Pussycat, Franze & Evans, Burro e Salvia and Albion will have even more al fresco tables set up should you need somewhere for a pit-stop.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
Redchurch Street, London, E2
onredchurch.com
2. GALA Festival 2021
They had to cancel last year’s fest but the GALA crew is back for 2021 and their fifth anniversary with a big ol’ knees up at Peckham Rye Park. They’ve drafted in the likes of Motor City Drum Ensemble, Joy Orbison, Midland, Marcellus Pittman, Jayda G, Horse Meat Disco, Job Jobse, Gerd Janson, Gilles Peterson, Bradley Zero, Nightmares on Wax, DJ Paulette, Jeremy Underground, Moxie, Chaos in the CBD, Poppy Ajudha, and more to provide the soundtrack.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
Peckham Rye Park, Straker’s Rd, London SE15 3UA
thisisgala.co.uk
3. The Beehive x Zero Supper Clubs
Zero Restaurants, a network of restaurants and cafes committed to reducing waste and to serving weekly meals sourced from surplus food, is hosting a supper club at The Beehive in Bethnal Green this month. The meals will be made from surplus food from the likes of Gail’s Bakery, Ted’s Veg, Plan Zheroes and Neal’s Yard Dairy, and it’ll be offered on a ‘pay-what-you-can’ basis ensuring it’s super affordable too. You can book tables via email and it’s all for a good cause so get involved.
Sat 31st July 2021, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
305 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9LH
zerorestaurants.com
4. Amy In The Light Exhibition
It’s been ten years since Amy Winehouse passed away and to honour the anniversary, as well as celebrate her life, Phil Griffin is showing never-before-seen artworks of the singer-songwriter at the Brownsword Hepworth Gallery. Amy In The Light features re-imagined photos of Amy taken by Griffin, from the time he started working with her as a creative on her Back to Black album in 2006.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
15 – 17 Walton Street, London, SW3 2HX
brownswordhepworth.co.uk
5. Eat at Jiji
Israel and Japan don’t seem like obvious partners food-wise but restaurateur and Sumosan founder Janina Wolkow, Executive Chef Buber Belkhit and Head Chef Jeremy Borrow are here proving that the two belong together with new restaurant Jiji. It’s open just off Upper Street in the Islington Square development and it’s all very luxe with a shiny open kitchen in the corner, marble tables and jewel-tone velvet seating. You won’t find many menus that take you from spicy tuna rolls to aubergine with Israeli salad and feta but if you like the flavours of Tokyo and Tel Aviv, you’ll find a lot to love at Jiji.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
6G Esther Anne Place, London N1 1WL
jijirestaurants.com
6. Check Out The Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Two years and £60 million later, Andrew Lloyd-Webber has re-opened Theatre Royal Drury Lane (which is the oldest theatre site in continuous use in the world) with the addition of four new food and drink spaces. The auditorium itself has been given a makeover but if you don’t have a ticket to see a show there’s lots for you to do at The Lane. There’s all-day dining in The Garden, and later in the year there’ll be Regency-inspired afternoon tea on offer in the Grand Saloon. If you’re after a drink, there’s champagne at The Rotunda Bar, with its preserved Regency public interiors, and cocktails at Cecil Beaton, a second bar named after the photographer and costume designer.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF
thelane.co.uk
7. Cockapoo Cafe
It’s been a while since dog-themed cafes came to London but now that lockdown is lifting, the pooches are back for a series of paw-ties. A cockapoo cafe is taking over Devonshire Terrace in Liverpool Street, with plenty of indoor and outdoor (and weatherproof space) for lots of off-lead doggo cuddles. The cafes will be open to dog owners and dog fans alike, so you can pet the pooches to your heart’s content even if you don’t have one of your own.
Sun 1st August 2021
Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4WY
pugcafe.com
8. Shotengai Market at Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard is teaming up with BEAMS & CO to host a Shotengai Japanese Market in celebration of the Tokyo Olympics. The market will feature ten stalls from London-based Japanese businesses, including homeware from Native & Co, posters from Problem Press, artisan breads from Rise bakery and Bar, bikes and accessories from Tokyo Bike, and okonomiyaki from Okan. Once you’ve checked out the traders, be sure to have a look at the Beauty and Power exhibition from fashion photographer and director Mika Ninagawa too.
Sat 31st July & Sun 1st August 2021, 12pm – 6pm
108 Lower Stable Street, London, N1C 4DR
kioskn1c.com
9. Van Gogh | The Immersive Experience
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has been a hit in the States in the US and Europe and now it’s coming to Spitalfields.The exhibition will see more than 300 of Van Gogh’s works projected across a floor-to-ceiling two-storey space so you’ll be able to soak up the art from all angles. There’ll also be a drawing studio and a VR experience that takes you through a day in the life of the artist and explores the inspiration behind some of his most iconic paintings. Expect to see a whole lotta Van Gogh flooding the ‘gram.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
106 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LZ
vangoghexpo.com
10. Free Noodles at Marugame Udon
To celebrate its opening and the arrival of the Tokyo Olympics Marugame Udon is giving away 5000 FREE bowls of udon noodles. Sadly travel to the games is impossible this year so Marugame Udon has taken it upon themselves to apply some soothing broth to the wound. You can bag bowls of Kama Age, the most traditional and purest way to eat udon; Beef Nikutama with sweet short-rib beef and a soft poached ‘onsen’ egg; Two Pork Tonkotsu with chashu and spicy miso pork; Chicken Katsu Curry Udon; and more.
Sat 31st July – Sun 1st August 2021
114 Middlesex St, London E1 7JH
marugame.co.uk
