9 Things To Do, Eat & Drink This Weekend

Book Ahead: The Other Art Fair 

This month sees The Other Art Fair return for another four-day event packed with exciting features, guest exhibitions, immersive installations, live poetry readings and DJs. 

Taking over The Truman Brewery on Thursday 13th – Sunday 16th, the event is celebrated for offering something a bit different to the traditional art fair – think artist-led, boundary-pushing and, most importantly, always affordable artworks available to buy, with prices starting from just £100. 

Presented by Saatchi Art, the London takeover will offer art lovers the chance to buy directly from over 150 emerging artists,  as well as have the opportunity to buy artworks from Instagram sensation Sara Shakeel for the first time ever; new works by Slaves guitarist Laurie Vincent featuring his iconic cheetahs; and even visit their tattoo parlour to get a real life tattoo. To enter the fair, there’ll be an immersive installation by Eve de Haan (@halfaroastchicken) that takes Nail ART to a whole new level. 

Artists include: Evelyn Morgan, Charlotte Greevan, Michelle Yap, Tim Muddiman, Brendan Kramp, Assia Bennani, Amy Gardener, Redbellyboy, Liz Whiteman Smith, Sara Shakeel and Nadia Attura.

When: 13.10.2022 – 16.10.2022
Where: The Truman Brewery 
Book your tickets

Explore this giant Thames-side installation

We’re pretty similar to chimps. In fact, it’s been proven that we share about 99% of our DNA with them, and yet despite this, humans are the biggest threat to these animals, with miles of their habitat being destroyed, constant city expansion, agriculture, road, logging, mining and so on. Which is where the Chimps Are Family project comes in, offering a chance to us to get to know these animals and all of their wonderful ways in a never-seen-before way. 

On display until October 22nd, a sculptural trail will be on offer across the London Bridge City area. Expect to find 28 chimps made out of bronze on show, with the hope of changing our understanding of our closest relatives. Each unique and different in its own way, the sculptures span a range of chimpanzee behaviours and ages, from newborn to elderly, as they swing, eat, dance and leap. It’s a brilliant one to explore with little ones and learn more about the animals.

WHEN: UNTIL 22.10.2022
WHERE: ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE CITY
WEBSITE: WWW.GILLIEANDMARC.ART

Catch the opening of the UK’s first permanent large scale exhibition

Who doesn’t love an all-immersive exhibition? This week sees the UK’s first permanent large scale exhibition open its doors. Located just off Marble Arch, ‘Frameless’ is a brand new entertainment experience, filled with four separate galleries housed inside. 

Become one of the first to experience this exhibition in all of its glory, strolling from room to room exploring blown-up versions of iconic paintings, from Edvard Munch’s ‘Scream’ to The Waterlily Pond: Green Harmony by Monet. 

When: Opens 07.10.2022
Where: 6 Marble Arch, W1H 7AP 
Website: www.frameless.com

Fall in love with this anime theatre production

There are plenty of brilliant theatre productions making their way onto the big stage this autumn, but our favourite has to be the stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1998 anime, My Neighbour Totoro. 

Brought to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the film’s composer, Joe Hisaishi, the production follows the loveable coming-of-age story that brings to life the power of the imagination. Featuring brilliant puppetry and an orchestral version of the score, expect to follow the adventures of two young girls and the friendly spirits they encounter in the woods.

When: 08.10.2022 – 21.01.2023
Where: www.barbican.org.uk
Website: WWW.BARBICAN.ORG.UK

Catch some culture at Kew’s Mexico experience

This month sees Kew Gardens celebrate the vibrancy of Mexican culture to the fullest. Spread throughout the Temperate House, expect to find colourful and horticultural installations designed by Mexican artist, Betsabeé Romero, designer Fernando Laposse and UK award winning garden designer Jon Wheatley. 

On display until Monday 31st October, each work symbolises the beauty and colourful culture of Mexico and its connection with plants and the natural world.

When: Until 31.10.2022 
Where: Temperate House, Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AE 
Website:www.kew.org

Watch a premier screening at the BFI Festival

BFI London Film Festival has returned to the capital with another exciting line-up of new releases and star-studded premieres of some of the most anticipated films of the year. 

Taking over venues across London until 15th October, look forward to a stellar line-up including Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, the new adaptation of Matilda, My Policeman starring Harry Styles, and the headline galas of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Park Chan-Wook’s Decision to Leave.

Find out more here.

When: 05.10.2022 – 15.10.2022
Where: Across London 
Website: www.bfi.org.uk

Take the kids to this empowering festival

We’ve all for empowering young girls from an early age, which is why we love Festival of the Girl’s ethos. It’s a festival that’s been created for girls aged 7-11 to inspire, engage and help to break down the harmful gender stereotypes often shifted onto girls. 

Taking place this Sunday 9th October at the Business Design Centre, the day is set to be packed with activities and workshops, from aerospace engineering to gaming, choreography to activism, and much more.

When: 09.10.2022 
Where: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0QH
Website: www.festivalofthegirl.com

Tuck into a pink themed tea

Shangri-La The Shard, London will be turning pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout October, the hotel will be transformed with pink blossoms, ribbons, pampas and neon pink art installations designed by McQueens Flowers. 

Head up to the 35th floor to Ting Restaurant and Lounge for an afternoon tea with a twinkle twist. Available until 6th November, you’ll be able to delight in peach-hued Very Berry welcome tea, finger sandwiches on pink beetroot, white and granary bread, and bite-sized savouries. 

The showstopper will be the pick spiced pear and vanilla pastry in the shape of the Shard. A true centrepiece, this is bound to leave you with a smile on your face. 

Over at Bar 31, expect to find dazzling cocktails in support too. A percentage of the proceeds from the afternoon tea and cocktails will be donated to Guy’s Cancer, a charity that offers life-saving treatment to more than 900 patients with breast cancer every year. 

When: Until 06.11.2022
Where: Level 35, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU 
Website: www.shangri-la.com

Grab a bargain at the Classic Car Boot

On the hunt for that one-of-a-kind vintage piece? Head over the Kings Cross this weekend to see the return of the Classic Car Boot. 

Taking over Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard this Saturday and Sunday, the two-day event will see a plethora of vintage cars lined up with goodies, from preloved fashion and memorabilia to homeware, vinyl and trinkets. All weekend there’ll be DJs pumping out the tunes on vinyl, ride-ins from mods and rockers, street food trucks and more. 

When: 08.10.2022 – 09.10.2022
Where: Granary Square, Kings Cross, N1C 4AA 
Website: www.classiccarbootsale.co.uk