Monday 4/8
13.00 – Organic at The Russet
Hyper-organic with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and amazing sourdough bread. You’ll be fighting for a table with graphic designers, filmmakers, photographers and the hip mothers with their dogs. Well worth it.
15.15 – Exhibition: Return of the Rude Boy
Photographer/filmmaker Dean Chalkley and creative director Harris Elliott showcase the return of the urban sartorial subculture ‘Rudeboy’ to the UK in the 21st century. A study in impeccable style, and the modern interpretation of the influence of American Jazz and RnB musicians on sharply dressed young rebels.
18.50 – Dusk tour with The Floating Cinema
A floating cinema on board a converted canal boat – brilliant! This evening it’s time for the Dusk tour through the canals of London. Perfect rewinding after finishing a long first day of the week.
Towpath near Rembrandt Gardens.
21.00 –Dinner at Farr’s School of Dancing
Local vintage-style pub offering amazing southern US influenced, Louisiana-style grub with locally produced brewed beverages. Reasonably priced, and far off from the touristic beaten path of central London. The décor is splendid!
Farr’s School of Dancing, 17-19 Dalston Ln, London
Tuesday 5/8
09.00 – Quick Breakfast at Leila’s Shop
Wholesome easy-going food, hidden from the crowds. The environment is the key – breakfast here is easeful, with the best eggs found in London yet.
Leila’s Shop,15-17 Calvert Avenue, Shoreditch, London
10.30 – Maria Abramovic´: 512 Hours,
When the grandmother of performance art is coming to London, missing out would be a crime. 512 Hours encourages the visitors to literally and metaphorically leave their baggage behind, stepping into the role of performing body. In other words, a marvellous way to start a Tuesday.
Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London and https://www.artsy.net/artist/marina-abramovic-1
20.30 – Filmageddon – A Film Quiz
The film quiz of all film quizzes. Taking place at London’s ‘Home of Cult Film’, this quiz is likely to be two things: a success, and an unprecedented gathering of semi-pretentious cineastes. Would not miss it for the world.
Wednesday 6/8
12.30 – Lunch at Bubbledogs,
Gourmet hot dogs served with champagne. What can go wrong in this equation?
Bubbledogs, 70 Charlotte Street, London
16.30 – Camden Beach
What better way to celebrate making it through mid-week than with a drink and some good food at the beach? Too bad the Thames isn’t exactly known for its rad beach life. But don’t despair – being in central London doesn’t necessarily rule this option out. Head for Camden Beach, safely tucked away on top of Roundhouse sunny terrace. This place hosts all you need for a proper city-beach hangout: drinks, a swimming pool, a pop-up fish restaurant, and ping pong. Enjoy yourself shamelessly.
The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London
20.00 – Concert: Owl John at Oslo Hackney
Sounding like a mixture of orchestral timbre and The Black Keys, the solo-project of former vocalist of Frightened Rabbit, Scott Hutchison, is bound to be interesting. It’s dark, its poetic, and its beautiful. Besides, the fact that Oslo Hackney is a redeveloped railway station with great atmosphere, good beer, and interesting people makes it well worth a visit.
Thursday 7/8
11.15 – Visit to the Hannah Barry Gallery
Being named one of 15 people who will define the future of arts in Britain at the age of 25 is quite an achievement. Entrepreneur Hannah Barry’s gallery opened in 2013 inside a former meatpacking factory, and is the perfect way to spend a Thursday morning discovering the urban talent and charm of East London.
Hanna Barry Gallery, 4 Holly Grove, Peckham, London
15.30 – Exhibition Close and Far: Russian Photography Now
It’s Russian Art Week in London and this is too good to miss out on. This display of Russian contentious photography is intriguing, comparing contemporary works with re-discovered works of pioneer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky. This shows more than ever the difficulty of finding a common Russian identity.
Calvert Gallery, 22 Calvert Avenue, London
20.50 – Backyard Cinema
Outdoor cinemas are THE thing in London this summer. This place is intimate, personal, and neat with the most comfortable seats ever experienced in the history of cinema. The drinks are great too.
23.50 – Frank’s Café
Peckham has been crowned the new Dalston in terms of nightlife. For a night out the open-air venue Frank’s café, located on top of a multi-storey car park, is perfect for enjoying an alternative view of the London skyline with a peppy sea of sweaty twenty- and thirtysomethings.
Frank’s café, 10th floor Peckham multi-storey car park, 95A Rye Lane, Peckham, London
Friday 8/8
All day: Wilderness Festival 2014 (7/8-10/8)
Although being located in neighbouring Oxford, this year’s Wildnerness Festival is well worth the short ride. This festival has it all: outdoor theatre, debates, a pop-up lakeside spa, long table banquets in the wild with leading chefs, and not least: a spectacular line-up! Enjoy top class food in a glammed-up forest environment to the tunes of Burt Bacharach, London Grammar and Metronomy.
Saturday 9/8
11.00 – Brunch at Bistrotheque
Good place for people watching and praiseworthy brunch. With live music even during brunch, this is a good way to kick-start a Saturday.
13.45 – Secret Street Art Tour and Workshop
No matter if you’re a newbie or an ingrained Londoner, there are always new things to discover throughout this town. This tour and subsequent workshop allows for indulging in East London’s street art culture through both viewing and creating own street art with overview of professionals. This is perfect to find out whether there’s even the slightest chance of you ever being the new Banksy.
Organised by Alternative London, secret location decided upon booking
20.30 – Tapas at The Mockingbird
Tapas and cocktails – simple yet fantastic. Good vibe, proper tapas and delicious drinks. That’s all you need to know.
23.20 – And drinks at Shacklewell Arms
Although Peckham is the new place to be, this cult place is well worth a visit. Scruffy and raw atmosphere, where the 1970’s seems to still be dominating with white sneakers, chain smoking of rollies, and proper Disco. This evening its time for Boogie Down Dalston – a study in pulsating groove of the best 80’s Boogie and Afro Beat.
Sunday 10/8
11.00 – Village Green Market
Hackney Down Studios is a creative hub in East London, gathering a mixture of small local businesses such as record labels, florists, vintage bicycles and the like in a venue holding a secret garden, rooftops, and railway arches (sounds pretty amazing doesn’t it?). Pop by the Village Green Market on Sundays for some free morning yoga, before strolling around the stalls showcasing local talent featuring vintage home ware, prints, herbs, and plenty more.
15.30 – Mint Vintage
Browse through well-sorted and trend driven vintage with focus on high quality. Fair prices, and exceptional sections for both men and women. Focus especially on shoes, bags, and sunglasses. Word of warning: visits here tends to be time consuming.
16.15 – Crate Craft Beer Brewery
Sunday afternoons are best spent by the canal at Crate Brewery’s beer garden. Besides great craft beer (which naturally is the most vital part), their Street Food Sunday’s offer all you need to cure those last lingering remains of Saturday. Grab some beer, a chorizo, and enjoy the good vibes.
