A post shared by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Aug 12, 2017 at 5:07am PDT

Billy Smokes at The Institute of Light

Apparently, an Indian summer is on the way this month. If that doesn’t turn out to be fake news, pencil in brunch at the latest Billy Smokes residency. The grown-up BBQ experts have been serving up finger lickin’ charred meats at the mega cool The Institute of London since July. While the weather’s good, bag an outdoor seat and try their slow smoked Texas-meets-Brit specialties. billy-smokes.com

A post shared by Carmody Groarke (@carmodygroarke) on Aug 29, 2017 at 11:02am PDT

Basquiat: Boom For Real

I’ve been counting down the days until this incredible retrospective of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work finally arrived in London. Well, it’s only a few more weeks to go before we can delve into the world of the multi-talented artist from September 21st. For those unfamiliar with the name, Basquiat rolled with Warhol and took the 80s downtown New York art scene by storm until his untimely death in 1988, aged 27. Beloved by everyone from Jay-Z to Leonardo diCaprio, one of his pieces recently sold at auction for a record $110 million. barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2017/event/basquiat-boom-for-real

A post shared by Ayok’a (@ayokadeco) on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:01am PDT

Ayok’a

This new online platform gives emerging and established black artists a chance to share their work with the world. Founded by Alice Gbelia – who hails from the Ivory Coast -Ayok’a features gorgeous wall art, tees and accessories you can get your paws on when it opens for business in October. In the meantime, join the mailing list: ayokadeco.com

What are you looking forward to this autumn? Let me know in the comments! 

The post Three wonderful things you should check out this autumn appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Arts & Culture

Exhibitions on Film: Jiro Dreams of Sushi at Somerset House, September 5th – To mark the elBulli: Ferran Adrià and The Art of Food exhibit, the Gourmand will be hosting a final screening of food-related docs, this time resurrecting the charming Jiro Dreams of Sushi.  The 2011 film follows the life of a 85-year-old sushi master who runs an internationally-renowned, Michelin-starred restaurant  in a Tokyo subway station.

Alternative

Run to the Beat, September 8th –  Described as the capital’s “music half-marathon”, a selection of DJs and a headline act will be dotted along the 13.1 mile course which starts and finishes at Greenwich Park. So head over to cheer on your fellow Londoners and shake a leg!

Music

The Do-Over, September 8th – With the help of partystarters Boglewaltz, Adidas Originals has been these throwing these free US style block parties in the capital for the last couple of years (click here to see the 2011 edition). They’re back again for those who register quick enough to get on the guestlist, so with past surprise guests like  Questlove, Little Brother’s Phonte and Damian Marley,  you might not want to miss this…

Eat & Drink

Butler’s Wharf Blackout and Blackout Banquet, September 6th-15th  – As part of this year’s Mayor’s Thames Festival, four riverside restaurants at the Wharf will be flicking their switches from 8:30pm so you can enjoy dining in the dark (or at least at candlelight). There will also be a pop-up  banquet table serving a rotating menu of dishes from the  Le Pont de La Tour, Cantina del Ponte, Blueprint Café and Butler’s Wharf Chophouse.

Cinema 

Fashion Film Festival, September 15-17 – Silent Cinema are turning their head(phones) to London Fashion Week this month with an inspired mini-fest in St Martin’s Courtyard.  For three nights, they’ll be screening Zoolander, Grey Gardens and The September Issue and it won’t cost you a cent.

Arts & Culture

Under Her Skin at Atomica Gallery, Hackney Downs Studios, September 12-30th – This group show marks the first anniversary of Things&Ink magazine with an exhibition of the work of 12 female tattoo artists who’ve appeared in magazine.  The launch party takes place on September 12th – and there will be free cocktails!

Best bits from last month

• What we’ve been up to… W Does Brunch at W Hotel, Leicester Square
• Somewhere you should go… Portobello Film Festival 2013
• What we’ve been up to… Groove On Down The Road
• Somewhere you should go… the Cave of Sounds at Hack the Barbican Festival
• Something you should see… Siobhan Davies presents ROTOR

The post TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – September 2013 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Nightlife

The Love Below at Trailer Happiness, August 5th – There’s a new monthly Sunday lounge coming to Notting Hill for those cool Londoners who like their music hip, chilled and classic. It’s called The Love Below (and if you remember anything about its namesake album by Andre 3000, you’ll know you want to be here).

Nightlife

No Long Ting at The Brick Box, 354 Coldharbour Lane, August 10th – Illustrious London MC Ty curates a night of music, artwork, films, DJs, food (and cheap drinks) in Brixton – and whether this is the one-off or the start of something regular, it sounds BRILLIANT.

Activity

Street Photography Workshop, August 12th – Our sister site The Culture Club Photography Workshops wants to take you on a journey around Shoreditch where your photography skills will go up a few notches making you the envy of all your mates. One to book.

Bush Bazaar, Bush Theatre, until August 18th – Described as a “90 minute fantastical adventure” this pop-up theatre event brings together some of the capital’s most daring performers to perform a collection of shows that sound pretty intriguing…

Alternative

Midnight Run, August 18th – Poet Inua Ellams leads a creative, after-hours expedition around London to experience the capital in a unique way.  There’s food, games and “experiments” – and no running required – so  just try to hold out until 6am!

Cinema

Guilty Pleasures Cinema Party, August 24th and 25th –  This one’s for all the Madonna lovers out there, as the Troxy Cinema hosts a par-tay to top all partays, featuring a screening of Desperately Seeking Susan.  It’ll be a crazy, colourful  throwback to the 80s with DJs, dancers and bands (and we LOVE that).

Eat & Drink

Flat Iron pop-up steak and cocktail restaurant – this new foodie spot actually launched a few weeks back, but runs for six weeks only until August 28th (so thought it’d be worth a visit this month).  These guys are serving up some serious slabs of meat, so those with carnivorous tendencies should head to The Owl and Pussycat pub, pronto (Tuesday – Saturday, 6pm-10pm)

Special Event

Notting Hill Carnival, August 26th and 27th – there’s dozens of floats, good food and tunes, happy people (although a little overpacked – but meh); it’s Europe’s largest street festival and a brilliant way to spend the bank holiday weekend. See you there?

 Best bits from last month

• Something you should see… Salute
• TCé picks: Where to watch the Olympics in London
• Somewhere you should go… Basecamp at 100 Leonard Street
• Somewhere you should eat… Shrimpy’s at King’s Cross Filling Station
• Something you should do… attend a circus school 

The post TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – August 2012 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Alternative

Basecamp at The Book Club, July 27th t0 August 12th – TBC will be taking over a car park in honour of the forthcoming games with sporting revelry, film screenings, live art and plenty more quirky action.

Cinema

East End Film Festival, July 3rd to 8th – This annual fest on based around Londn’s  East side features a diverse range of thought-provoking flicks. This year’s programme includes an  insight into the dissident artist Ai Weiwei and unseen footage of Amy Winehouse in concert.

Arts & Culture

David Bailey’s East End, July 6th to August 5th – The legendary photographer – and Eastender – presents an insightful exhibition which focuses on the east London life during the 60s, 80s and recent years.  As part of the CREATE 2012 programme.

Music

Summer Series at Somerset House, July 7th to 19th – The neo-classical space hosts an innovative programme of gigs from the likes of Tim Minchin, Katy B, Jill Scott and DJ Abrantee amongst others.

Eat & Drink

Jimmy’s Supper Club at Annex East, from July 12th – From the founder of the sell-out success The Wild Food Kitchen comes a month-long Olympic-themed foodie experience, featuring nights such as Dodgeball and Dinner, Sunday Brunch Sports Club Day and screenings of Cool Runnings, Blade of Glory and Chariots Of Fire – all just mere metres away from the Olympic Village.

Theatre

En Route at Theatre Royal Stratford East, until July 21st –  This love song to London features MP3 players and mobile phones to present the back alleys of east London in a way never seen (or in this case heard) before. As part of the London 2012 festival.

 Best bits from last month

• Somewhere you should go… the Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party at Selfridges
• Something you should see… Tracey Emin’s She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea
• Somewhere you should go…The Genius of Hitchcock at BFI Southbank
• What we’ve been up to… Circuit driving at Silverstone
• What we’ve been up to… Checking out Wimbledon + learning the perfect serve

The post TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – July 2012 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.