Free events to help with January blues 12/01/12-18/01/12

Picture by Nicky Nicholls of Croydon Clocktower

It’s January, and the post holiday pinch is on everyone’s minds. But just because the pursestrings are getting tightened, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in. So this week all the events on our Pick of The Line are completely free. So head on out for some guilt-free fun!

Artists in Residence, Tower Hamlets, Thursday 12

Images of Protest, Tower Hamlets, Friday 13

London Ice Sculpting Festival, Tower Hamlets, Saturday 14

Badass Jumble Sale, Lewisham, Sunday 15

Middlesex University Jazz Ensembles, Hackney, Monday 16

An exhibition of work by Nicky Nicholls, Croydon, Tuesday 17

Words, Words, Words, Tower Hamlets, Wednesday 18

 

Artists in Residence

January 12 until February 26, Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 6pm, Thursday 11am to 9pm at Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX.

The Whitechapel gallery is open late to give everyone a chance to experience the great exhibitions they have on at the moment. Artists in Residence is by the group of artists DARTER, whose work was inspired by year-long residencies in east London schools. The work shows the results of “investigations into the social, physical and historical contexts of the schools and their communities”. To find out more visit the gallery’s website.

Neil Kenlock, the offical photographer for the Black Panthers in early 70s pic: Damian Walker

Images of Protest, January 13 until January 28, Monday to Friday 9am to 11pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to 11pm at Rich Mix, 35047 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA.

This particular exhibition looks at how protest posters and art from the 50s, 60s and 70s have been affected by and influenced youth culture. The exhibition also includes posters inspired by the work they were doing by young people involved in the project. All profits from Rich Mix go into their education, arts and community activities where they want to “nurture new and local talent”. One of their aims is to “deliver a world-class artistic programme that reflects, and is accessible to, the diverse communities who live in east London”. To find out more visit their website.

Ice Sculpting Festival 2011

London Ice Sculpting Festival, January 13 to 14, 10am to 6pm at Montgomery Square, Canada Square Park and Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, Canary Wharf, E14 5AH.

Winter’s not over yet and to get you back into the seasonal spirit is the London Ice Sculpting Festival. The main competition sees international teams interpret the theme of ‘ Winter Sports’. After that, one member of each team will take on a speed sculpting challenge on the theme of ‘Team Spirit’, the winner of which you can decide.  There is also the opportunity to take part in a free ice-carving master-class, play in a real snow pit, and visit the new frost fair for “seasonally inspired” hot winter food and drinks. Visit the website for more information.

Badass Jumble Sale, January 15, 12pm to 6pm at Utrophia Project Space: The High Street 120 Deptford High Street, Deptford, SE8 4NS.

It’s a new year and maybe time for a bit of a declutter as well. So, instead of spending money, make some! Bring a table along to the Utrophia jumble sale to sell all your unwanted records, books, clothes, CDs and anything you can think of. To sell your stuff you need to give Utrophia 10 per cent of what you sell but the rest belongs to you! Visit the website for more details.

Middlesex University Jazz Ensembles, January 16, 8.30pm start at The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ.

The perfect solution for a jazz-lover on a budget! World-renowned jazz club The Vortex will be hosting a set by students from the “excellent” jazz course at Middlesex University . They will play music by (amongst others) Mulgrew Miller, Paul Simon, Airto Moreira, Arto Tuncboyaci, Joyce, Julian Arguelles, Wayne Shorter, Huw Warren, Iain Ballamy, and Stuart Hall. For more details, visit the homepage.

Tigers Playing by Nicky Nicholls

An exhibition of work by Nicky Nicholls, January 17 to January 28, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm at Croydon Clocktower, Croydon Town Hall, Croydon, CR9 1ET.

The Clocktower cafe is currently exhibiting work by contemporary artist and local resident Nicky Nicholls. He creates vibrant and busy city scenes that have a “twinge of emptiness” evoked by the blank faces, which populate them. The exhibition is part of Click Clock, an organisation which champions local artistic talent.

Words, Words, Words, January 18, every week from 8pm to 11pm at 63-65 Broadway Market, E8 4PH.

Located in the cosy basement bar, this free comedy night showcases the freshest new talent in the stand-up scene. Off Broadway, a family-run business is modelled on a bar the owners often visited in the East Village, New York and apparently has excellent cocktails. “There’s always a good buzz in here” said the Evening Standard. For more information, visit the bar’s website.

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