Providing a refreshing alternative to the overcrowded walkway of Broadway market and the hustle and bustle of Brick Lane, the food market was set up by a local resident back in February in order to promote local traders and businesses and bring the community together through some edible yummies from across the continent. It seems to be working out pretty well so far…

Accurately reflecting the diversity of its residents, the cuisine and produce on offer ranges from homemade cheeses, sausages and artisan breads through to wild game, duck eggs, katsu curry, burritos with an Indian twist and sweet cupcake treats from Hackney’s ‘Lush Mush’. Also featuring is a pop-up teashop from Haggerston Tearooms, where you can sit down and ‘chillax’ after you’ve been a little greedy guts, bought up all the homemade guacamole and chutney and stopped salivating for at least five minutes.

On the flip side of the coin, if you’re a foodie local whose been seriously contemplating peddling your own delectable delicacies, the organisers have tried to make the market as accessible as possible, running market trader training days and offering free stalls to local charities. So what are you waiting for: get involved!

Unlike the current economic state of affairs, this feels like a genuine win win situation for all. And those – as we know – are the very best kind. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more information, go to: http://www.hackneyhomemade.com/food

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Part of University College London and founded over 170 years ago, The Grant Museum of Zoology is the only remaining zoological museum in London. It was originally founded as a private teaching collection and is still used as one today, but recently became open to the public.

Despite being housed in a relatively small space, the dense collection still manages to cram in some 67,000 specimens  and contains some very exciting treasures of the animal worl

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Then you’re probably the type of person for who The Black Cotton Club – a swinging night of hot jazz from the ‘20s to the ‘40s – was created. It’s strictly a dress-up-and-dance-night, so ensure to don your best vintage clobber before you boogie on down to rare swing and rhythm’n’blues music, played on original 78 records. And not only that: if you attend the next monthly night, you’ll also witness retro jive band Sugar Floor Stomp honking their horns and plucking their cellos to their seedy swing sounds until the early hours.

In the age of depersonalised superstar DJ clubs, places such as The Black Cotton Club are a genuine breath of fresh air. So get down to Volupté burlesque club on the 17^th to soak up the fun and sleazy prohibition era atmosphere. Flapper dresses at the ready! (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more information, go to the Lady Luck website: www.ladyluckclub.co.uk

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And whilst many mainstream Bollywood films make it to London multiplexes, films from creative film talents in other parts of Asia and the Middle East more often than not don’t ever make it to these shores.

That’s why the Asia House Pan-Asia Film Festival – from March 9th – 18th  – will be showcasing award-winning films from countries including Iran, Kazakhstan, Tibet, Taiwan and South Korea. The lively programme features a diverse range of genres, from drama and comedy to romance and adventure, and there will be a number of Q&A sessions with cast and crew to coincide with the screenings.

Highlights of the fest include Starry Starry Night from Hong Kong (which visually, takes inspiration from  Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night),  The Tibetan The Sun Beaten Path which follows a young man’s journey from Lhasa to his home in a remote part of the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau and 11th Flower – a heart-warming, semi-autobiographical story set in the latter days of the Cultural Revolution and wraps up the festivities on March 18th.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to gain unique access and insight into life across the diverse cultures and countries of the Asian continent. Not to mention witness some exciting new filmmaking talent. (Words: Aoife Moriarty) 

For more info visit: http://asiahouse.org/arts-and-culture/pan-asia-film-festival/2012-festival-programme

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This year, Mother’s Day takes place on March 18th, a while it’s a somewhat cynical creation of card companies and florists, it’s also a chance to genuinely say ‘thank you’ to mummy dearest for all the long hours she’s put in turning us into the upstanding young characters we are today. Or if we’re not upstanding, for putting up with us just the same and making all those visits to the principal’s office and the jail cell. Thanks mumsies, we really do appreciate it.

If you’re feeling super organised this year, then you might like to attend Drink, Shop & Do’s Mother’s Day Card Making session on March 6th to make a fabulous shoddy handmade card for your own lovely mother ahead of schedule. A nice cocktail and a piece of yummy cake should help the creative juices flow. There’s no doubt she’ll love it – but just don’t blame us when she crowns you ‘the creative, thoughtful one’ and you become her new favourite. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more information, go to Drink, Shop & Do’s website: www.drinkshopdo.com

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