10 Fun Things To Do This Weekend

Uncover the art of printmaking

From Andy Warhol’s silk-screen prints to Banksy’s colourful numbers, Maddox Gallery’s latest exhibition explores the varying print techniques used by leading artists across the 20th and 21st centuries. 

On display until 18th July, the retrospective looks at the different mediums and ways artists have incorporated printmaking into their work, from pop to street art. Expect to uncover a huge catalogue of pieces from legendary names including Keith Haring, Banksy, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Bridget Riley, Terry O’Neill and more.

When: until 18.07.2023
Where: Maddox Gallery, 112 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU
Website: www.maddoxgallery.com

Watch the greatest book-to-stage adaptation of the year

Due to untouchable success at the Richmond Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre, A Little Life has been extended for yet another month, landing at the Savoy Theatre this week. 

A book-to-screen adaptation of the million-copy bestseller by Hanya Yanagihara, this production stars Happy Valley and McMafia star James Norton as Jude, a successful lawyer in the city who is troubled by his past traumas. It follows four college friends as they navigate life in New York City.

When: 03.07.2023 – 05.08.2023
Where: Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET 
Website: www.alittlelifeplay.com

One To Bookmark: Fashion District Festival

Landing next week is the Fashion District Festival. A celebration of sustainable fashion, its aim is to inspire Londoners to shop consciously with preloved, swapped, rented and upcycled brands. 

Known for supporting fashion and fash-tech start-ups year round, the Fashion District’s festival will boast over 40 events spread across four themes – Watch, Shop, Make and Grow. The five-day festival will kick off with a launch show curated by Lee Lapthorne, Creative Director at On | Off and AGRO Studio. Expect some of London’s up-and-coming designers to showcase physical and digital installations to create an unforgettable experience. Further showcases will take place throughout the week, including The Fabricant and Institute of Digital Fashion. 

Other festival highlights include a collaborative retail pop-up at Number 1 Lamb Street in Spitalfields, featuring planet-positive designers and start-ups. Think Depop, The Alterist, Loanhood, The Cirkel, Verte London, Circular Threads and The Seam, all hosting events and experiences across the week, from swap shops to styling masterclasses and upcycling workshops. There’ll be plenty of panel discussions and roundtables with leading industry names including UKFT, Fashion Innovation Industry and The WIP, as well as interactive repair, reuse and recycle-centred workshops. 

All events and workshops are free and available to book via the Fashion District website.

When: 11.07.2023 – 16.07.2023
Where: Across Spitalfields 
Website: www.fashion-district.co.uk

Catch unmissable gigs at the Somerset House Summer Series

Returning this weekend with an unbeatable line-up of big-name acts and intimate performances is the Somerset House Summer Series with American Express. 

Spread across 11 nights, these shows bring together musical artists from across the globe for a series of personal performances. This year’s line-up includes La Femme; Sam Quealy; Tinariwen; Bedouin Burger; The Comet is Coming; Daisy Dickinson; and Snapper Ankles.

When: 06.07.2023 – 16.07.2023
Where: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA 
Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk

Book in for this classical Pride performance

The first Classical Pride concert to be given by a major orchestra in Europe is set to take place at the Barbican Hall in July. Presented by conductor Oliver Zeffman and the CBSO, the performance will feature the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an LGBTQ+ community chorus and top international soloists. 

The evening will be presented by broadcaster and former Radio 1’s Breakfast Show DJ Nick Grimshaw and will showcase that LGBTQ+ people have always been at the heart of the music scene at its highest level.

WHEN: 07.07.2023 
WHERE: THE BARBICAN HALL, BARBICAN CENTRE, SILK STREET, EC2Y 8DS 
WEBSITE: WWW.BARBICAN.ORG.UK

Cool down with an ice cream

With the temperature still feeling a little balmier than we’re usually used to, there’s no better way to cool day in the capital than with a refreshing ice cream. At the top of our list, this summer is a poshed-up whippy from Happy Ending’s East London pop-up. 

The ice cream brand has pitched up at Pavilion Bakery’s Victoria Park branch and will be bringing its soft serves to East Londoners all summer long. Expect a wide range of flavours, including our favourite the white peach sorbet swirled into a classic milk soft serve. Fruity delicious goodness.

When: throughout the summer 
Where: Pavilion, Victoria Park, Old Ford Road, E9 7DE 
Website: www.happyendingsldn.com

Dance into the night at special performances

You know we’ve hit peak summertime when every weekend there’s a new festival-style experience you can book in for. This week’s edition comes in the form of the Greenwich Summer Sounds, a five-day series filled with live music and street food. 

Taking over the stage at the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, the experience kicked off with Nile Rodgers and CHIC. This week’s other headliners include Tom Jones, Kaiser Chiefs and Black Eyed Peas. Tickets are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. 

When: 04.07.2023 – 08.07.2023
Where: Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN 
Website: www.greenwichsummersounds.com

Book in for this woodland festival

Taking your theatre experience to the next level is Thorington Theatre, the new outdoor theatre in Suffolk. This weekend the venue will be hosting a new one-day festival, complete with live music, life drawing, wine tasting and songwriting sessions. 

Taking place on Sunday 8th, there’ll be plenty of food vendors to buy a spot of lunch from, as well as stalls, arts and trinkets to peruse.

When: 08.07.2023 
Where: Thorington Theatre, Nr. southwold, Suffolk, IP17 3RB 
Website: www.thoringtontheatre.co.uk

Fall back in love with classic seaside charm

Span England’s greatest coastal towns with Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft’s latest exhibition. From neon signs to painted shop fronts, the British seaside is renowned for its vibrant colour and iconic typography.

This new exhibit uncovers how the seaside’s typography has evolved over the years and its role in identifying our beloved coastal towns.

When: until 03.09.2023
Where: Ditchling museum of art & craft, lodge hill lane, ditchling, east sussex, bn6 8sp 
Website: www.ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk

Buy local art

On the hunt for new art for your living room? Spend your weekend spanning one of the UK’s largest open art exhibitions. Running until Sunday 8th, Holmfirth Artweek features more than 400 exhibitors and 2,000+ artworks. It’s a brilliant chance for local businesses and artists to share their work with a wider audience, offering exhibition goers the opportunity to peruse up-and-coming talent and purchase pieces.

When: until 08.07.2023
Where: Holmfirth Civic Hall, Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3AS
Website: www.holmfirthartweek.org.uk