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Pic: Ryoko Uyama

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Throughout the night, we spot waiters dressed as teachers,  order drinks from menus printed on ruled paper, watch classical “assembly” performances and  notice other wry references to those wonder years – yet the school setting is a minor novelty. The “dinner”, for instance,  is a fancy four courser featuring modest yet delicious dishes like salmon tartare and beetroot, (the starter) and chicken with elderberry glaze served with squash puree, kale and sorrell (the main).  Even the green apple sorbet ice-pop cleanser was a worthy prelude to the  chocolate brownie and plantain ice-cream that finished off the meal – so on the food front, School Dinners was delightful.

The entertainment had its highlights too.  Run Dem Crew’s Charlie Dark was a brilliantly sharp host,  prepping the stage for engaging performances from guests such as poet Mark Grist and singer-songwriter Eska.  However, ‘Bad Pharma’ author Ben Goldacre’s rapid fire monologue on the subject of drug trials might have been 10 minutes longer than necessary, while Sophie Heawood’s celebrity interview anecdotes – as funny as they were –  might have worked better at a dinner party for likeminded peers. Still,  all this is forgivable for a debut event which is not only a great concept, but with a few tweaks, might be in line to becoming the next best night in the capital.

The next School Dinners takes place on November 30th.  For more info, visit: www.schooldinners.info

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For more info, visit: billetto.co.uk/events/speedlisteningforbeginners

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The film’s major strength is the realism with which it depicts those turbulent teenage years. The screenwriting duo of Scott Neustadter and Michael H Webber ( 500 Days of Summer) has written a script that opts for sincerity rather than quirkiness and easy laughs, giving us characters that talk refreshingly  like normal teenagers. The two young actors are both excellent in the roles, deservingly receiving a Special Jury Prize for acting at Sundance. This should be the breakthrough role for Miles Teller who makes us care about an immature hard-partying high-school senior who seems to have no plans for his future and earns our wholehearted sympathy when he finds out the difficult way that he cannot always live for the moment. As for Shailene Woodley, who first caught our eyes as the rebellious daughter of George Clooney in The Descendants, she excels in a very different role, oozing sweetness and vulnerability.
In fact Woodley is so good that you wish that the film could spend a little more time with her character’s journey towards self-confidence instead of focusing primarily on the male character’s hopes and fears (500 Days of Summer can also be criticised for paying more attention to the male than the female character). This is however a minor quibble for a film that reminds us that despite what hollow stylistic exercises like Spring Breakers and The Bling Ring shout about, teenagers are complicated people who are starting to realise how messy life can be and try their best to cope with it. (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)
The Spectacular Now will have its UK premiere at the 57th BFI London Film Festival tonight.  It shows at selected UK cinemas later this month. 

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The event is being hosted in the Sadler’s Wells, and offers a new and interactive way of experience dance with frequent opportunities for the audience to get involved in post-performance classes and learn about the vast variety of dance styles put on show.

The festival’s remarkable line-up includes pieces from some of the best modern choreographers around, notability world-renowned Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s romantic duet ‘Faun’ and contemporary dance pioneer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s ‘Drumming’, danced by the choreographer’s own company, Rosas, and the revolutionary and evocative ‘Political Mother’ by British dance star Hofesh Shechter.

In my mind, the best thing about Sadler’s Sampled it that you don’t have to be a huge dance fan to find something that will interest you. In fact, thanks to the incredible amounts of creativity on display, it would be impossible not to find something to either watch or join in with – or both. (Words: Conori Bell-Bhuiyan)

From June 22nd to July 7th.  For more information visit: www.sadlerssampled.com

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Highlights of the festival include the masters of cabaret, The Double R Club, creators of dark and edgy burlesque-inspired performances, Piff The Magic Dragon, renowned juggler Matt Ricardo – half comedian, half circus performer and all showman, and the (literally) unbelievable Cluen Family Dynasty – a completely fictional family of circus performers brought to life by London based artist Flora Bradwell.

However, this isn’t a festival that’s all about big names. Jackson Lane keeps true to its passion for supporting emerging artists, with Postcards including up-and-coming artists such as contemporary circus acts Inverted and Bike & Rabbits, whose double-billed performances will shatter your conceptions of what ‘circus’ truly means.

This year’s Postcards Festival is a more condensed version of its predecessors. But while the programme may be shorter, there is by no means any shortage of talent on display. As artistic director Adrian Berry says, the festival matches the name ‘Postcards’, “short, international, summery, colourful… even a little bit saucy.”

Whether or not circus and cabaret is “your thing”, I challenge anyone to say that the Postcards Festival is anything less than a luminous display of the surreal, innovative and completely unique. (Words: Conori Bell-Bhuiyan)

For more info visit: www.jacksonslane.org.uk/whats-on/festival/postcards-2013

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 Music

Ali Shaheed Muhammad at Jazz Cafe, February 1st – The former member of  the pioneering A Tribe Called Quest drops into Camden for a Friday night party for lovers of hip-hop, R&B and soul.

Alternative

Meet Mutsa danceathon, February 9th  – This fun and quirky social activist has been doing her part in London to raise awareness of the HIV pandemic in sub-saharan Africa through educational projects, and her latest event sees her organise an international danceathon fundraiser in London and New York City.  One of the teachers who’ll be putting participants through their paces is Zoo Nation choreographer Kate Prince (Into the Hoods, Some Like It Hip-Hop), so you’ll know this will be brilliant (and all for a good cause!).

 Cinema

Future Cinema presents Casablanca, February 14th – March 3th –  The creators of Secret Cinema will be presenting the iconic Casablanca, where you’ll step into the world of Rick’s American Café at the Troxy which will be transformed into the famous, exclusive and romantic nightclub. Immersive cinema at its finest.

Alternative

Teen Dreams Prom at The Book Club, February 14 – Ever wondered what it’d be like to go to prom? Wonder no more on Valentine’s Day as The Book Club are throwing a fancy dress knees-up for couples and friends to experience prom first hand. There will be games, American food and even a final crowning of Prom King and Queen.

Arts & Culture

 Lichtenstein: A Retrospective at Tate Modern, February 21st – May 27th – Roy Lichtenstein is one of the leading figures of American Pop art, and this show brings together 125 of his most definitive paintings and sculptures.

Best bits from last month

Something You Should See… Light Show, Hayward Gallery

What we’ve been up to… Patty & Bun

Something you should see… 35 mm: A Musical Exhibition

Send us your “selfies” and win places on a Culture Club Photography Workshop!

Something you should see… Feast at the Young Vic

Something you should see… One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show

Somewhere you should eat… The Shed

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Arts & Culture

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show at Tricycle Theatre, January 16th – February 9th – Originally written by a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show is restored by Sheffield’s Eclipse Theatre Company. Having received critical acclaim in its earlier tours, its visit to London in January promises to be side-splittingly funny.

Alternative

Totally Serialised: TV Series Festival at Cine Lumiere, January 16-20th 2013 – The only TV series festival in the country returns for an entertaining weekend of favourite shows and never-before-seen exclusives.

Eat & Drink

BRGR.Co, 187 Wardour Street – Diet, schmiet – this month, we’re indulging in even more burgers at this new gourmet Soho haunt that’s come over from Lebanon and has been enjoying a roaring trade for the past month.

Arts & Culture

London International Mime Festival at the Royal Opera House, January 16-26 2013 –  Since 1977, this fest has been honouring the remarkable circus art of miming through innovative puppetry and theatre – expect this and more mid-January, where 15 international productions descend onto the ROH.

 Alternative

In the Beginning Was The End at Somerset House, January 20th – March 30th 2013 –  This special blend of film, installation and live performance explores a world either on the verge of collapse – or the brink of rebirth. With their new gargantuan production, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci and The Book of Revelation and utilising some avant-garde stage production, Dreamthinkspeak promise a journey through underground passages, the undiscovered nooks and crannies of Somerset House and require you take your life into your hand.

Best bits from last month

• Something you should see.. Halstead & Kerr: Harmattan Cluster at Anarch Gallery
•  Something you should see… Fourth Plinth: Contemporary Monument exhibition
•  Something you should see… Film in Space at the Camden Arts Centre
• Something you should eat… ramen

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