October is always a great month for things to do in London, here is my guide of the best art, culture, film, food & drink and nightlife activities happening in this fair city over the next 2 weeks
ART
Brutal @ 180 The Strand
If you went to Bedlam last year in the Old Vic Tunnels then you know that Lazarides annual off site exhibitions are something to behold – it pushed the sensorial boundaries and broke the typical art exhibition norms as well as utilised digital technology, film, sculpture and soundscapes within the exhibition space. If Bedlam was anything to go by then Brutal will be something special
Brutal will explore the brutality of the times we live in, how this is reflected in the objects around us and our perception of the world. With a chilling new central London location for this year’s creative carnage, the roster of artists are set to produce their most brutal works to date, incorporating installation, sculpture and film bigger and bolder than ever before.
The exhibition will feature everything from the human condition, public behaviour and gang culture via dynamic installations in the cavernous space below 180 The Strand – it’s a sensory feast only suitable for the brave and forward thinking BRUTAL will explore the brutality of the times we live in and deliver a remorseless exhibition that will shock, move and surprise visitors.
The exhibition is free but pre-booking a slot is required. The show starts the 15th October and will be running until the 27th October. Get in there now and book your slot – they are likely to start going fast
Lazarides and The Vinyl Factory Present: BRUTAL
15– 27 October 2013
180 The Strand, London WC2R 1E
Free entry – ticket booking: http://www.lazinc.com/brutal/booking
FILM
BFI London Film Festival
The red carpet is out – my favourite event of the year is back!!! Featuring over 235 films and 134 shorts from over 57 different countries many of which you may never see again or won’t be released again for over a year. Highlights include the premiere of Gravity as well as the premiere of Captain Phillips the new Tom Hanks movies as well as a whole host of other greats under categories – love, debate, dare, laugh, trill, cult, journey, sonic, family, experimenta, and treasures
The festival starts 9th October and will span 12 days across many London cinemas. Many tickets have been sold in the mad rush (I’ll have a separate post about the films I got tickets for) but there are still many available and there will be additional showings made available for some films as well as returns to purchase which are all available to purchase through the BFI website
9 – 20 October
Various locations
http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff
FOOD & DRINK
Rumfest
Oh shit!!! Rumfest is back for its 7th outing where visitors will be invited to embark on a journey of rum discovery. This year’s UK RUMFEST willshowcase over 400 of the rarest and most diverse rums from across the globe as well as feature intimate seminars hosted by industry aficionados, an extended Tropical Food Market with mouth-watering food from all over the world, plus live music and main stage presentations and holiday giveaways
If you’ve never been before you’re in for a treat – it’s a celebration of culture & rum. Here is a video I took there last time I was there
It’s amazing rum, a celebration of culture, some great food – and did I mention the rum?
Rumfest
October 12th-13th, 12pm-5pm
ExCeL London, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL
Tickets £25
http://www.rumfest.co.uk
NIGHTLIFE
Dem Dayz 1st Birthday
This Saturday Dem Dayz is back at the Lockside Lounge for its first birthday party. For a year they have been bring you the best in 90s hip hop and r&b, new jack swing, party classics, soul, funk and disco, and this year to bring in that 1st birthday celebration we have special guests The London Disco Society. I’ll also be playing and new jack swing set (post Rumfest) alongside residents J Blakke (Spead Luv), Sai (Wobble Squad), Wonton Rhythm (Dim Sum), Mitee (One Glove) and Mr. Drew (The Gorgeous Party). It’s going to be huge
Lockside Lounge
Saturday 12th October
Upper Walkway, West Yard, Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
7pm – 3am
Free before 8pm, £3 between 8pm and 10pm, £5 from 10pm until 3am
http://www.locksidelounge.com
Jamais Vu
This Sunday Jamais Vu is back at the Horse & Groom, Shoreditch, bringing you that weekly lesson in funky, liquid drum n bass & jungle guaranteed to satisfy all of the discerning bass heads out there. This week will be DJ Bailey and the mighty Jumping Jack Frost alongside myself winding down the weekend the only we know how
The Horse & Groom
Sunday 13th October
28 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NZ
8pm – 2am
Free before 10 then £5
http://www.thehorseandgroom.net
By Tendai – Cognitive Space