10 Things To Do This Weekend, From Exhibitions To Flea Markets

Check out the opening weekend of David Hockney: Bigger & Closer 

Art lovers, this week saw the opening of the highly anticipated David Hockney: Bigger & Closer exhibition and it’s already been a hit. 

Guided through large-scale projection, David Hockey: Bigger & Closer takes its visitors on a journey through the influential sixty-year career of one of the greatest artists working today. Visitors are finally able to delve into the mind of this inspiring artist, with the show revealing ‘his life-long fascination with the possibilities of new media’.

The exhibition directly uses Lightroom’s new enthralling space to its advantage, utilising its gaping walls and high-tech sound system to allow Hockney’s world to really come into its own. The retrospective is split into six elements, each with its own unique theme, a specially composed score by Nico Muhly, and a commentary from Hockney himself. 

Looking for more exhibitions? Check out these exhibits opening this year.

Catch a live act at Vault Festival

Vault Festival has returned to the capital, bringing with it two months of live performances. Spread across eight weeks, there’s everything from theatre and comedy to cabaret and VR experiences on offer.

Opt for something a little different this weekend and book in for Edward Bourne’s show, filled with chaotic voiceover sessions, a tutor on trial, a horrifying haircut, medieval miss-steps in romantic courtship and more.

Explore a forest of towering woven sculptures

Tate Modern has welcomed an exciting exhibition that explores Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz’ radical sculpture work from the 1960/70s. A rare opportunity to see the work in person, these sculptures are overpowering, hanging from the ceiling for all to explore. 

The exhibition charts “this transformative period of Abakanowicz’s practice when her woven forms came off the wall and into three-dimensional space.”

Grab a pastry at London’s prettiest patisserie

London has a long string of Instagrammable cafés but here to pimp them all to the post is Claridge’s new ArtSpace Café. Paired to go alongside the hotel’s new exhibition space, the café opened earlier this week and focuses on breakfast and lunch delights. 

The space has been designed by British architectural designer John Pawson, featuring a patisserie counter, marble communal table and entry to the hotel’s new ArtSpace. 

The menu is rich and vibrant, with everything designed to for takeaway. Expect to chow through Claridge’s seafood cocktail crepes; croque monsieur and madames; open sandwiches filled with avocado, Merguez sausage and chilli; and BLT salad bowls.

Get prepared for next week’s giant wine festival

Make sure you’re ahead of the game and book in your tickets for the return of London’s biggest wine festival. Launching Thursday 2nd – Saturday 4th March, Eataly will be welcoming back its popular Wine Festival. 

A celebration of Italian wine, you can look forward to indulging in the best red, white and sparkling wines from iconic Italian vineyards. You’ll have the chance to sample over 50 different wines, learning from 26 Italian producers spread across two floors at Eataly. 

Book in for this bar takeover

If there’s one thing we love about London, it’s the abundance of restaurant and bar takeovers. This week’s iteration sees KOL Mezcaleria team up with Greek tequila bar Barro Negro for a special one-off evening. 

Athens’ first tequilaria, Barro Negro quickly rose to fame and now was added to the World’s 50 Best Bar list. This bar-takeover evening, created in collaboration with The Lost Explorer Mezcal, features three cocktails from both bars, centred around the mezcal brand’s expressions. Expect a few antojitos from KOL’s chef patron Santiago Lastra too.

Find a unique homeware item at The Big London Flea

North London’s largest flea market returns for its first 2023 iteration this weekend, and you can expect it to be as pumped full of goodies as always.

Over 50 handpicked traders will be on hand, selling a mix of salvaged finds, old-school objects and handmade items. Think 20th Century furniture, vintage vinyl, ceramics and glassware, handcrafted jewellery, French homeware finds and vintage clothing.

Sing-a-long at this secret concert

If you’re wondering where you can get your music fix in London, DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse is the place to head for intimate performances by leading musicians. This Saturday sees the latest in the events calendar, showcasing an exciting mix of genres and up-and-coming talent.

The event takes place on Saturday evening and it’s BYOB! So bring your own fizz or order in a round of sushi, gyoza and soft drinks to your table. 

Book Ahead: East London Earthquake Appeal Dinner at Berber & Q

Following the devastating ongoing crisis in Turkey and Syria, next Monday a group of East London chefs will be hosting a fundraising feast at Berber & Q in Haggerston. 

Taking place on Monday 27th, the incredible chef line-up includes Manteca’s Chris Leach, Bubala’s Helen Graham, Supa Ya Ramen’s Luke Findlay, Scully’s Ramael Scully and Berber & Q’s Josh Katz and Jeremy Borrow. Expect dishes such as tofu whip with caramelised hispi cabbage and smoked chicken butter; BBQ Tuvuk Sis (chicken kebab) with 4-chilli and pumpkin seed miso, apricot umeboshi and tabbouleh; and Adana kebab with ezme salad and pickles. 

All of the proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Choose Love, who are working hard on getting aid to those who need it right now.

Pamper yourself with a facial at Camden’s Laser Clinics

February is almost over and we think you’re overdue for a day of self-love and indulgence after all that hard work. Whether you’re looking to treat a specific issue or simply want a luxurious facial to pamper your skin, Camden’s Laser Clinics has it all.

From their popular HydraFacial that gives you an instant glow to dermal fillers and lip enhancements, we can assure you that Laser Clinics doesn’t do things by halves.