How are those New Years Resolutions going? If you’re anything like us, they’ve already been resigned to the bin with thoughts to revisit them in 2021. With the festive fun and frolics now well and truly over, and all of us back to work with bank accounts as empty as the self-help section of the bookstore this time of year, you might be wondering where the next bit of joy is coming from? Well, fear not we’ve got loads of ideas (many of them free) for the best things to do, hear and watch over the next seven days. On your marks, get set, it’s The Weekly EDIT.
Winter Lights Festival (Canary Wharf, 16th – 25th)
The Christmas decorations may be locked away in the attic for another year, but it looks like London’s Canary Wharf didn’t get the memo. For the sixth year, their mid-January winter lights spectacular returns to brighten up our lives with 20 installations filling the site. And best of all it’s completely free.
The Adventure Travel Show (Olympia, 18th – 19th)
If you have a case of wanderlust this January then we’ve got the perfect place to plan that trip of a lifetime. The Adventure Travel Show is packed with stalls hosted by travel companies ready to help you on your journey. Here you’ll also find some serious doses of inspiration from guest speakers such as the greatest living explorer (and recent MALESTROM interviewee) Sir Ranulph Fiennes. You’ll also find brilliant seminars stuffed with expert advice for all of your travel needs.
The Anti-Diet Riot Fest (Colours Hoxton, 19th)
If you’re sick of all the diets shoved down our collective throats this time of year then this mini-festival might be just up your street. The event is campaigning against restrictive, weight-loss focused plans which so many people take up every time Jan comes around. Visitors can expect guest speakers, and a whole day of activities including laughter yoga workshops, political art making and loads of other stuff.
RuPaul’s DragCon (Olympia, 18th/19th)
Fans of the popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race that’s just hit the BBC with a UK version can now enjoy the kind of convention once reserved for those in the States. At DragCon visitors can drop in on the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and US Queens, shop at the tons of stalls and enjoy some of your favorite panels and performances on the main stage.
Visual Rights (Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, 17th – March 22nd)
Open Eye Gallery’s new exhibition Visual Rights looks at how images can expose uneven distributions of power, and shape the way we understand a place’s geography. There’s a particular focus on areas of conflict, with work from artists in Israel, Palestine along with those from the UK. The perspectives of different everyday life show areas that have their electricity supply cut off at night, and birds-eye views from drones – a viewpoint that’s become synonymous with modern conflict.
Vinyl Market (Old Spitalfields Market, London, 17th)
If you’re a committed crate digger, then this Friday vinyl market in Spitalfields is for you. Considered the best market in the South for rare and collectable vintage vinyl, as well as some of the new stuff, your sure to find some proper hidden gems if you decide to have a root around here.
Manchester Open Exhibition 2020 (Home, Manchester, 18th – March 29th)
Whether you’re an artist or an enthusiastic amateur, all are welcome at this new major open-entry art show taking place in Manchester this week. The HOME Gallery walls will be filled with work from 500+ Greater Manchester residents, selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives. The show brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, digital and mixed media, spoken word, and more.
London Short Film Festival (Various, London, now until 19th)
The 17th edition of the annual London Short Film Festival continues this week, screening the best domestic and international shorts at venues in the capital. As you’d expect there’s something for everyone here with over 500 films showing such as the Lena Headey directed The Trap about a car mechanic whose peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of a homeless man and international short Surge.
Gigs
Tyler Childers (Manchester/Glasgow, 18th/19th)
We’ve been fans of Kentucky bred singer-songwriter, Tyler Childers, for a good while now. Since his breakthrough album, Purgatory was released in 2017, he’s gone from strength to strength, making fans wherever he goes with his emotive mix of folk and bluegrass. He’s currently on a tour of our isles with dates in Manchester and Glasgow this week before a massive gig at Shepherds Bush a couple of days later.
Coastal Connections: Festival in a Day (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 18th)
This one-off, one day ‘festival within a festival’ inside Glasgow’s iconic concert hall celebrates roots music by bringing together some of Scotland’s greatest ‘Coastal’ bands and emerging artists along with a few International surprises. Throughout the day there will be a packed programme of talks, film, story-telling and workshops in a unique opportunity to discover the rich heritage and diverse culture of the coasts and waters of Scotland.
Eats & Drinks
Mindful Drinking Festival (Old Truman Brewery, East London, 18th – 19th)
If you’re all aboard the Dry January train then you might want to investigate a free fest at the Old Truman Brewery this weekend. The Mindful Drinking Festival will showcase over 60 of the world’s most innovative low and no-alcohol drinks brands along with cocktail masterclasses, tastings, inspirational panels and talks.
Cub’s Dry January Fermentation MasterClass with Everleaf (CUB, Hoxton, 15th/16th)
In another celebration of Dry January, restaurant Cub & non-alcoholic aperitif Everleaf have teamed up to host a special edition of their fermentation masterclasses with expert Dr Johnny Drain. This hands-on, three-hour class will focus on how to use some of the key botanicals featured in Everleaf and teach the basics of fermentation, making 3 different types of ferments to take away with you.
New Podcast
All Hail Kale (BBC 5Live, Out now)
This podcast from award-winning journalist Tim Samuels is a treasure trove of wellness knowledge for this reflective time of year. In the series he examines what’s good for our minds and bodies, taking a close look at what our diets do to us. The latest episode asks the question is exercise insanity?
New Music
Bombay Bicycle Club – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong (MMM Record, 17th)
It’s fifth LP time for the North London indie band, after nearly six years away. Singles ‘Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)’ and ‘Everything Else Has Gone Wrong’ show this lot haven’t lost a step musically. And after you’ve listened to the album on repeat you can catch the group on tour around the UK later this month.
Algiers – There Is No Year (Matador Records, 17th)
Furious post-punk rockers Algiers return with their third studio album. The new record from the US group solidifies and expands upon the doom-laden soul of their foundation. The eleven tracks found here signal an even more epic sound than we’ve heard from them before. Not a record for shrinking violets.
New TV
The New Pope (Sky Atlantic, 12th)
2017’s The Young Pope, about Jude Law’s fascinating holy man Pius XIII, was one of the best telly shows to come out in recent memory. This retitled second season focuses on John Malkovich’s Cardinal John Brannox, Law’s presumed replacement after he (massive spoiler alert) suffered a heart attack at the climax of season one and here lies in a coma. It’s as brilliant and beautiful as the first series. And if that’s not enough for you, the show even brings you guest roles for Sharon Stone and Marilyn Manson.
Sex Education: Season 2 (Netflix, 17th)
Asa Butterfield returns for a second season of this massive Netflix hit as 16-year-old Otis, who has become a hero in his British school after dishing out the bedroom advice of his sex therapist mum Jean (Gillian Anderson). In this season we get to meet Otis’ estranged dad (James Purefoy), and the will they/won’t they relationship he has with Ola heads in a surprising direction.
New Movies
Bad Boys For Life (Cinemas, 17th)
Whether the world really needs a third Bad Boys movie is up for debate, but the charm of its two leads Will Smith and Martin Lawrence make it a cop-buddy comedy worth a watch. Here detectives Lowrey and Burnett reunite once again when a Romanian mob boss exacts revenge on the duo just as they are about to officially retire. Always the way right?
Darkest Hour (Netflix, 17th)
In what’s surely unarguably the finest screen incarnation of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Darkest Hour sees Gary Oldman go full method, winning Best Actor Oscar in 2018 for his portrayal of the great statesman. This pitch-perfect political thriller follows Churchill during his wartime greatness, as he struggles with appeasers and the Nazi threat. The film drops on Netflix this Friday.
Competition Time
WIN a top of the range Chrome Industries ‘Bravo’ bag worth £180.
We’ve teamed up with our friends over at Chrome Industries to offer one of their amazing bags. The Bravo is part of Chrome’s brand new SS20 Collection.
The Bravo (RRP £180), is a commuter’s dream with its sleek, distinctive aesthetics and amazing fit and functionality. This versatile rolltop features an ergonomic strap with a cross vent molded back panel to increase airflow and regulate heat for superior carry comfort.
For the chance of winning this great prize simply head to The MALESTROM on Facebook then ‘FOLLOW’ The MALESTROM & ‘LIKE’ & ‘SHARE’ the Chrome competition post.
For more information about Chrome Industries visit: https://www.chromeindustries.com/
Best of luck!
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