What To Do This November: A 1980's Mixtape
Written by: Sophie Taylor
Make this month a mixtape of activities and create the ultimate soundtrack to November. This could be an eventful 30 days with fireworks on the 5th preempting the inevitable demise of the Western civilisation on the 8th. Can 2016 take any more drama and surrealism? Good job it’s finally time to get back on the sauce. Stoptober has come to a close and we’re going to need our music and our vices to get through now.
ROCK OUT, 1st November
Rock n Roll Tour, Camden
Starting outside the Electric Ballroom, let notorious DJ Alison Wise (anglophilic American expat) take you on a walking tour of the famous and infamous sights of Camden’s Rock n Roll history. Always wanted to know where the Clash lived and rehearsed? Ever wondered where Madness liked to sink a pint or four? How about why Prince loved Camden so much? Prance about the performance venues frequented by The Doors, Amy Winehouse and Sid Vicious and the exact location where Britpop was birthed in the nineties. I imagine it’s a boozy rock crawl so line those tummies in one of Camden’s many notorious street food eateries. Tickets available here. Questions? Email the host herself at [email protected]
SPARKLE, 5th November
Bonfire Night, Clissold Park and Alexandra Palace
The time has come to celebrate a gunpowder fetishist, burn his effigy on a pile of open flames, eat burnt gelatine on a stick and stand dangerously close to exploding missiles of fire. Remember, remember we are all eccentric tossers clinging to outmoded tradition and American sugar on sticks. So excited for Guy Fawkes Night! Clissold Park and Alexandra Palace are both holding their annual spectacles in the sky this November 5th, so dust off your thickest gloves and choose one Bonfire to stand around. *Spoiler alert* you could probably do both.
Clissold Park has a theme and this year its animals. You are encouraged to dress up as your favourite non-human mammal and let your face paint melt next to the bonfire and prance to the sights/sounds of the Clissold 2016 pyro musical. Yes, the fireworks are synchronised to music. There will be kids fun fair rides, street performers and food/drink stalls open from 5:30pm. The display is suitable for all ages, beginning at 7pm and lasting approximately 20 minutes. Book tickets here.
Ally Pally Fireworks. Technically you could go to both displays. Ally Pally are hosting two fireworks shows on Friday 4th at 9pm and Saturday 5th at 8pm. On both days you can expect over forty of London’s finest street food vendors to rock up and even more onsite bars than last year boasting the finest ales, ciders, mulled wines, winter cocktails and more. But what about the beer?
Don’t forget they have the annual and mighty German Bier Festival too, kicking off at 4pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday. An army of Bavarian waitresses will be serving the finest German Bier accompanied by live bands and DJs as well as music from their traditional Oompah band and DJs from the legendary Club de Fromage. Tickets run out fast, so quickly go and book yourself merry.
ELECTION DAY, 8th November
Make Your Own Neon Light, Drink Shop Do
If you want to take your mind off the US elections but don’t want to stay in twiddling your thumbs, put those idle hands to use and make your own neon light! London Craft Club are throwing a workshop at Drink, Shop, Do on Tuesday 8th November where you’ll be positively encouraged to shine bright like the star that you are. Beginner friendly, this workshop uses electro-luminescent wire which is a safer alternative to the traditional glass and gas neon lights. You’ll have complete creative control from design to shape to glow style. You can choose to run your sign from the mains or a battery pack (all included) and whether you want it mounted to canvas, hung from the wall or dangling from the ceiling. Expert Becci Mai Ford will be ready to help throughout and answer all of your questions, however inane. A perfect antidote to impending election night darkness and horror. The future’s bright, the future’s neon.
Get your tickets here!
TATTOO YOU, 9th November
Temporary Tattoo Workshop, Drink, Shop, Do
Seven years ago, school friends Kirstie Bishop and Coralie Sleap decided to open a pop-up shop in a bath house in Kings Cross, December 2009. By the following August, cafe/bar/activities venue, Drink Shop Do was official. From bottomless brunches to dance classes to more quirky workshops involving lego robots and Jenga dating, Kirstie and Coralie are continuously coming up with new ideas to keep you busy and entertained.
This November, amongst an exciting list of experiences and workshops, there is a free temporary tattoo designing and creating event. So after a cocktail or two, you can finally pretend you’ve inked yourself with your bezzie’s face and post photos of it all over their Facebook like a true overbearing stalker chum.
Want to really show your love for your besty-friendy-wendy? Got the feeling they’re probably sick of you buying them tickets for stuff? Get them a Drink, Shop, Do gift voucher to use in the shop, food, drink and gift experiences. That way they can really spoil themselves and don’t feel obliged to hang out with you. When you love someone, let them go.
BEATBOX, 19th November
UK Championships, Scala Kings Cross
Does anyone remember when Piers Morgan did a beatboxing competition? Go on, have a watch here, then have a long shower and a strong cup of tea. We’ll recover from this together.
Scala are entertaining a slightly different calibre of beatbox hopefuls this November, with Too Many T’s and Natty Speaks hosting a night of beatbox competitions. 28 talented finalists are currently warming up their lips to become the new star of the UK beatbox scene.
Last year, all-female team BURD (Bellatrix x Grace Savage) wiped the floor with the male-dominated field to be crowned UK Team Champions. ‘Whether you are a beatbox newbie or a seasoned veteran, this is an audience experience like no other. A true celebration of the human voice and underground live music culture.’
From 6pm til 3am, expect live performances amongst the battles from the likes of The Beatbox Collective, international sensation Tom Thum as well as last year’s Looping winner and groundbreaking drum n bass producer, Alix Perez. Now cleanse your Piers Morgan riddled browser history and click on Tom Thum’s TED talk here.
Tickets available here.
ROLLER DISCO, 26th November
Fromage on Ice, Alexandra Palace
What’s more awkward than slipping about like a newly born deer on ice in front of people you barely know? Doing so to naughties cheese, of course. Alexandra Palace has teamed up with Club de Fromage to bring you the ripest of 00’s tracks under their beautiful canopy. Shuffle along the perimeter of the rink to top pop, disco, rock, indie and old skool hip-hop giggling nervously. Try to remain upbeat when you realise your arse has started to resemble that mushed up peach dying at the bottom of your bag.
If that doesn’t sound like enough musical brie for you, prise your skates off, grab a joint discount ticket and continue the pop train down to Club de Fromage, Islington. The cheese doesn’t end that easily I’m afraid. These fermented tunes are made of stronger stuff.
Book tickets here.
Posh Nosh: Date Night at Sutton and Sons
This family run restaurant has been sourcing the best of date night seafood the for the last twenty years, sourcing the finest and freshest fish from their very own fishmongers in Stoke Newington. But not only are they super sustainable, these guys are also super on trend with a signature lobster sub. So you can feel posh and down to earth all at once, stroke your beard then passionately get off with an avocado once you’ve finished cycling home on your fixie.
Neon Naked: Ultra Violet Life Drawing
Have you ever sat in the pub with ol Vick and Charlie and whatsherchops and thought, I’d love to draw a nude right now? No? Well what about a neon nude? Yeeah, now you’re keen!
Well luckily that tasty Duke of Wellington pub happens to have just the right set up for a life drawing class. Not to mention a fluorescent one. So that is exactly what they do now. Every other Monday Jylle leaves her superb gin and tonic pouring duties to host Neon Naked.
Top Six “Have You Heard Them Live Though” Music Nights
The last time I checked it was March 18th and I was watching someone drink green beer in a big hat and wondering whatever happened to Boxing Day. But someone has informed me that it is August and we need some kind of plan for the month because all logic has flown out the window and nobody knows what anything means anymore and I can’t remember if I had breakfast yesterday no but thanks for asking. Time for some live music to zone out to and tap along blankly while we gather our thoughts.
Haunting Melodies and Soundscapes at The Waiting Room
Haunting melodies, rich ambience and devilish lyrics: indie folk singer Hazel Iris comes to Stokey all the way from California. Joining her is musician Mally Harpaz on accordion, cello, guitar and even percussion to create a pretty special double bill of musical awesomeness together.
Small Toon Girl: London, Where All The Jobs Are
I’m Emmie, I'm 24 and from Newcastle. J'adore le foot. Ou est les piscine? I moved to London 6 months ago because 'it's where all the jobs are'. The above new-life-motto was a graffiti tag I saw in my first few days of London life. Capital R and all. I certainly followed through when, that night, I went to a gig and nipped to the loo... Sitting on the uncomfortably warm seat I looked up to see a club night poster advertising: '4 Jägerbombs for £20!'
Mint Gun Club: Exciting Little Gimlets in Stokey
Who’s Richard Hunt and what are exciting little gimlets when they’re at home? Take a walk down Stoke Newington High Street this month and you’ll find out. An intriguing new cocktail bar and teahouse has opened, calling itself The Mint Gun Club and offering up a three fold menu of teas, cocktails and pantry style food.
Bring Your Bedroom to the Club at VFD
If only there was a club night that could tap into that special pre night out time. Or at least play your taste in music, sometimes on repeat. Imagine! Lucky for you musical homebirds, bi-monthly club night Mammory Tapes intent to do just that at VFD in Stokey. All night long you can expect an all girl playlist and the best of your bedroom beats on the dance floor. So get ready to finally showcase your once unseen pyjama/half ready outfit based choreography.
Kerb’s Guiltiest Pleasures, All Weekend
“He said, I know It’s only arctic roll but I like it like it yes I dooooo” Those are the lyrics right? Well this weekend they certainly are, at Kerb’s Guiltiest Pleasure in Kings Cross featuring an arctic roll of pure indulgence. Over Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd July, the street food collective from your wildest dreams are hosting the most indulgent hits from all their pop ups at Granary Square.
Theatre of Choice: Stick and Twisted by Hivemind
Hivemind are coming to the Hen and Chickens Theatre this Summer with a cracker of an innovative show. Three directors try to win over the audience with improvised stories acted out by the rest of the Hivemind cast on the spur of the moment. As each scene ends you decide whether to “stick” and see where the story goes or “twist” and let the next director take over. The director who ends up with the least scenes acted out has to pay a ‘terrible forfeit’. Told you it was harsh.
Hidden Culinary Gem: The Lacy Nook
We have been wondering whether or not to share this secret gem with you for a while now. Having walked past Cazenove Road on many a drunken occasion, we’d spotted The Lacy Nook A Board luring us inwards with a siren’s call of cocktails and beer garden. But unfortunately we’d get the timing all wrong and they’d rarely be open. “Closed at 4am! How ludicrous?” we’d holler, slurring and swaying up the road. Until now. Opening last year, The Lacy Nook is a collaboration between two friends who turned to Kickstarter to help them achieve this culinary dream . Think small and large plates of fusion Balkan BBQ, salads and carpaccio alongside
Playing Up: New NYT Show, Three
This year, Playing Up have commissioned a new play by Sophie Ellerby (HighTide First Commissions Writer and NYT REP Company 2013), Three, which will be staged at the Arcola Theatre from 20th to 22nd July. The urban and domestic drama, directed by NYT Associate Director Anna Niland follows three sisters who fight to keep track of reality as their world is turned upside down.
Laughable Acts at Backyard Comedy Club
Tonight, on this dull yet sweaty Monday, what you may well need is to show your confectionary based fillings to the ceiling and let it all out with a huge bellowing guffaw about nothing in particular. Let the likes of quick witted Josie Long, surreal twosome Max and Ivan and the downright uproarious Tom Parry help you escape the chocolate lacking reality of 2017.
Fur Dates: Lottie is Looking for Love
Registered charity, All Dogs Matter are a dog rehoming centre based in Archway. They use a mixture of foster homes and kennel spaces to house their dogs, who are each looking to be fostered or adopted. Occasionally we look through their profiles of beautiful singletons looking for love and feature one at random. We interviewed one newly single lady in particular called Lottie. A fun spirited character with smooth hair and a huge grin, Lottie was a right laugh.
Get Involved: Cally Road Jumble Trail
Next Sunday it’s the Cally Road Jumble Trail, run by the community. Think a car boot sale but on the street with vintage clothing, accessories, toys, original creations and cakes if you’re lucky. The whole of the trail is set up online over at jumbletrail.com where visitors get a colour coded map to explore and discover all the hidden treasures on offer from your neighbourhood.
Top Four ‘What the Deuce!’ Wimbledon Screening Spots
You’ve got your socks pulled up but no Cliff Richard in sight. You’re all white shorted up with nowhere to go. It’s time to find out where your white headbanded self will fit in. Here's our top four Wimbledon screening hang outs to try this Summer.
Midsummer Fizz Masterclass at Yield N16
Until five minutes ago I would’ve believed Pet Nat was a holistic dog food brand / veterinary business in Wood Green. I’m half right actually*, but in the boozios world it’s a fizzy wine. Pétillant Naturel is light and fizzy, usually pretty low on the alcohol scale and rather sweet. Think the opposite of a dry red wine.