Camden – The Cultural Exposé

Somewhere you should go… The Blues Kitchen Rib Festival

The Cultural Exposé — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:00:05 +0000

You might think that BBQs aren’t something to book into the diary for the next few months – but you couldn’t be more wrong. Camden’s Blues Kitchen is giving reason enough to block out the next four Mondays, as some of London’s greatest BBQ chefs arrive for the first-ever Rib Festival. The guest chefs will fire up the many in-house smokers to cook up their own unique takes on the iconic BBQ dish. The front of house will feature live music from the London Bluesmen and Sam Hare & Oliver to accompany your meaty meal.

First up tonight is the Prairie Fire BBQ, cooking up traditionally slow-cooked Kansas City style BBQ (for you BBQ newbies, that means the meat is slowly smoked and then covered in a sweet, tomato-based sauce). Prairie Fire BBQ’s sauce is handmade weekly and comes from a recipe passed down through the generations.
The 27th January session will showcase London’s own The Rib Man, famous for his spicy “Holy F##k!” sauce and high-quality meats. On 3rd February, Grillstock from Bristol will bring its hickory wood-smoked meats to the Kitchen. Then on the 10th, DJ BBQ will be cooking up Carolina-style(smoked low and slow with vinegar and spices) pulled pork. For further info, visit: www.theblueskitchen.com/whats-on (Words: Barbara Cole)

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Something you should see… Film in Space at the Camden Arts Centre

Eri Otite — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:00:53 +0000

Imagine multi-screen mixed media presentations fused with music and set in the dark – this is not the latest VJing event but a new exhibition on expanded cinema. This film movement, which came to prominence in Britain in the early 1970s, was conceived as an alternative to mainstream cinema. Expanded cinema films were experimental works that encompassed film, video, sound and performance. They were made as live projection events, often using 16mm projectors and almost always performed in the dark. Through these films, artists sought to challenge the conventions of spectatorship and the filmmaking process. On at the Camden Arts Centre, this group show has been curated by artist-filmmaker Guy Sherwin and includes both seminal works from the 1970s and more contemporary pieces.

Anyone fortunate enough to have seen and experienced Filmaktion at Tate Modern recently will be familiar with the work of Malcolm Le Grice. Recognised as a major figure in the development of experimental film in the UK, Le Grice’s Castle 1 (1966) or ‘the light bulb film’ is a must-see at this show. Le Grice has said his ‘main interest is in creating experiences rather than concepts’ and this collaged film is just one of a number of works seeking to bring the cinematic experience consciously into the space of the audience. Le Grice’s unconventional use of sound in the editing process of this film cannot go without a mention. William Raban, Gill Eatherley and Annabel Nicolson – Le Grice’s Filmaktion contemporaries – are also represented in this exhibition not only by film but by text and images.

Original expanded cinema works were never produced for a gallery, in keeping with the movement’s radical intent they were shown in more unusual spaces – so several of the earlier films on view have been modified. An expanded cinema exhibition without any live performances possibly misses the point, so a programme of live events does feature throughout its run. There are those who’d argue that expanded cinema is all around us – we are quite used to seeing moving images in a gallery setting but these flicks really are pictures of a different kind. (Words: Eri Otite)

Film in Space is on at the Camden Arts Centre until February 24 2013. For more info, visit www.camdenartscentre.org

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Somewhere you should go… Poetry Slam at The Roundhouse

Laura Thornley — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:00:20 +0000

If you think that poetry belongs in the days of Wordsworth, then prepare for a re-education. The Roundhouse‘s event returns to air the UK’s hottest contemporary talent in spoken word. There is a cash prize up for grabs, as well as the accolade of being crowned poetry slam champion – and stars of the art will be present to judge the young newcomers, including Inua Ellams, Kat Francois and the mighty grammar-man, Polarbear (pictured below).

Originating in the US back in the 80s, the poetry slam event draws on a variety of influences and styles. It may have all begun in a Jazz club in Chicago but performances range from Hip-Hip rap deliveries to dub poetry and unrhyming narrative formulas. The content of the performances can be anything from politicised verse to current events (could there be some olympic references in there too?). Last year Zia Ahmed took the prize and it’s not hard to see why. Since the performers will be aged between 16 and 25 the subject are likely to be more politicised than ever, just like the days of Alan Ginsberg and the beat poets. So it’s sure to be a great event at the Roundhouse – a place that always concerns itself with pushing the boundaries – and we just can’t resist that! (Words: Laura Thornley)

The Poetry Slam kicks off on August 15th. For more info, visit http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/roundhouse-poetry-slam-2012

Words: Laura Thornley

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Somewhere you should go… Roots Manuva, The Roundhouse

Laura Thornley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:44 +0000

The unmistakeable voice of Mr Rodney Smith has been gracing the British Hip-Hop scene for over a decade now and here’s your chance to bear witness to his greatness at the Roundhouse in Camden on February 4th. His musical style has developed and matured over the years but there is something so genuinely British and remarkable about this artist, he’s practically a national treasure. Bearing more resemblance to the dark cloud bass of Tricky or the provincial working class lyrics of MC Pitman than any Hip-Hop you would hear of across the pond – it may not surprise you to hear that Rodney now spends most of his time in steel town Sheffield, rather than his hometown of London. Perhaps he finds more inspiration in Henderson’s relish than busy tubes? (and why not, we say.)

His talent, of course has not gone unnoticed, with the MOBOs awarding him breakthrough artist when he first came on the scene in 1998, followed by a steady stream of albums and collaborations since then. Word has it he’s even started writing an opera (let’s hope he hasn’t sought inspiration from R Kelly!) and he’s continuing to push boundaries by promoting ‘Dub College’ events that feature the likes of London-based producer The Bug and reggae legend Dawn Penn. So expect to be taken on a roller coaster ride of hip-hop, bass culture and strictly vibes to kick start your February rather brilliantly. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info, visit www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/roots-manuva.

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Something you should see…Ron Arad’s Curtain Call, Roundhouse

Aoife Moriarty — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:00:44 +0000

From chairs made out of Rover car seats, curving ‘Bookworm’ shelves to chandeliers displaying text messages, industrial designer Ron Arad has always enjoyed taking a physical concept and turning it entirely on its head.

His latest project at the Roundhouse, Camden is no exception. It completely reimagines the idea of a cinema screen as a 360-degree curtain made up of 5,600 transparent silicon rods hanging from an 18 metre diameter ring. Viewers can move directly through the 8 metre high curtain so that they are standing right in the centre of the moving cylindrical images: A rather novel experience, to say the least.

The innovative installation is on display until August 29th, featuring projected works from firmly established artists including Mat Collishaw, Hussein Chalayan, Greenaway & Greenaway and selected RCA alumni. Special events are also taking place within the large-scale construction, including a performance from renowned cellist Steven Isserlis with accompanying visuals from SDNA and Berlin-based electro label Innervisions performing a DJ set as well as a live score to the 1920s classic The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.

So make sure you check out Arad’s latest kooky invention out; truly head-spinning stuff! (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

On until August 29th. For more info, visit: www.roundhouse.org.uk

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Something you should see…Laura Mugridge’s Running On Air

Laura Thornley — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:00:42 +0000

The new flick Bridesmaids has created quite a stir of late, particularly for the alpha males out there. You can hear them now: “Women?? Funny?? Do me a favour!”. Well, I can tell you that a) I am female and b) I have more knock-knock jokes up my sleeve than you can shake a stick at, so put that in your pipe and smoke it!

But if you still teetering on the fence and maybe need more convincing that the fairer sex can make you chortle, then comedienne Laura Mugridge’s unusual site-specific show could tip the scales. Performed in the back of a VW van called Joni to an audience of just 5 (!), Mugridge takes us on an inventive journey through her life experiences. She is literally driving the bright yellow V Dub around the country to do the performances and is making a stop down in Camden for us Londoners. She has been on the road since April, racking up quite a few stories along the way – and not only has she received rave reviews so far, she also won the Fringe First Award in 2010 – s0, who runs the world? GIRLS! (Words: Laura Thornley)

The show runs from 1 -7 July 2011 at Camden People’s Theatre. For more info, click here to visit the website.

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