From Superbowl Sunday to servings of soup from a mageirio (i.e. a Greek cookshop), you can eat, drink and jive your way through this week. Pop up rum bars, greek meze, discos for folks with kids, and swing dances are all on offer for your pleasure.
January 31 & February 1, Times vary
Hackney Cypriot Association, 5 Ball's Pond Road, N1 4AX, London
As a little winter warmer, they are making a small diversion from meze to bring you something from the mageirio (i.e. the cookshop). Mr. Dimitris is renowned for his chickpea soup. It’s a beautifully simple but rich vegetable broth with a delicate balance of olive oil and lemon and deliciously soft chickpeas. He has been serving this up to market traders for the past 50 years.
Opens February 1, Wednesday-Friday (5pm-late), Saturday-Sunday (1pm-late)
Portside Parlour, 63 - 65 Broadway Market, London, E8 4PH
This is east London's first pop-up rum bar. So head over and enjoy some killer cocktails whilst lounging in their plush basement and listen to the backtrack of rock 'n' roll blues.
Friday, February 1, 7:30pm
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
Kat B, from MTV Base, hosts an entertainment spectacular featuring top guest artists including headliners Krept & Konan, Paigey Cakey with some surprise special guests. Judges include Hackney Empire's very own Susie McKenna (writer/director of their world famous panto), BBC 1Xtra's TWIN B and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli and more. You can see Hackney's young singers, dancers, rappers, actors and comedians all competing for the title Alter Ego 2013.
Check out ELL's video snippet here.
Saturday, February 2, 12-5pm
Netil House, 1 Westgate Street, Hackney, E8 3RL
Head down for a FREE Super Bowl party this Sunday. Tuck into classic American diner food as you wash down your dinner with draught beers. Build up for the game starts at 10pm and the bar will be open until the game finishes in the wee hours of the morning.
TINA, DIANA, WHITNEY!
Friday, February 1, 9pm-3am
The George Tavern, 373 Commercial Road, E1 0LA London
A girl soul dance party - go and celebrate the soul grooves from Tina Turner, The Supremes, and 80s pop of good old Whitters. Dedicated DJs spinning the hits, old rarities, and inspired artists. Watch rare footage and get free entry into a memorabilia raffle. Your dress inspiration for the evening: BIG HAIR, mini skirts, fishnets, sixties, beehives, twinsets and shoulder pads. Head on to the dancefloor (with somebody who loves you).
Sunday, February 3, 3-6pm
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 42-46 Pollard Row, London E2 6NB
Hailed as the "rave for folks with kids," Disco Loco is a non-profit community event, run by dedicated organisers and artists who are committed to offering an affordable and friendly cultural activity for families with young children in East London. Making sure everyone can enjoy the music, dancing, eating, drinking, and playing together.
The Dash Café: Music and Film from Pop-Up Circus
Wednesday, February 6, 7:30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London, E1 6LA
The evening will be a mix of contemporary and traditional music and short films from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, and other former Soviet Union states. This new collective unites four highly regarded London-based musicians, two from the contemporary classical idiom and two improvising musicians. Music will vary from Russian folk ballads to group arrangements of virtuosic solo violin repertoire.
Hoppin' on the Hill presents a SWING DANCE
Thursday, January 31, 7pm
The Hill Station, Kitto Road, London SE14 5TY
For swing dancers of any skill level - head to the Hill Station for a swingin' good time. Don your best sock hop ensembles and take on the Lindy Hop, an American jazzy dance from the 1920s and 30s. For those of you a bit more advanced, try a lesson with Ronnie Slide.
SNAKEBITESMILE, FRASIER BANKS, LESJOU, and MIKEY FITZ
Monday, February 4, 7pm
New Cross Inn, 323A New Cross Road, London SE14 6AS
Four live performances from London bands with a spot from Australian Mikey Fitz. Genres range from punk to jazz to acoustic folk - so people of all tastes have something to enjoy.
Live music, free entry and 50 per cent off all food. Plus two-for-one cocktails - so why not get a little rowdy this Monday night?