Thursday: The Dig @ The Nest, Stoke Newington Road
Friday: Future Stars of 2011 @ East Village, Great Eastern Street
Saturday: Supatronix @ Rhythm Factory, Whitechapel Rd and London Rockin’ Rollers @ York Hall, 5 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
Sunday: Six Million Steps @ East Village, Great Eastern Street
Monday: Deptford Project @ Deptford High St
Tuesday: New Act of the Year Auditions @ Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road
Wednesday: John Stezaker Exhibition @ White Chapel Gallery, White Chapel High St
Thursday
Photo by: The Nest
Alternative is in and mainstream is out. The Nest, formerly known as Bardens Boudoir, plays host to an array of dark delights. The Dig’s Late Night Lock-in brings all things a ‘deviant bohemian’ could want. Inspired by the underground speakeasies of the Prohibition-era and with a special Seven Deadly Sins twist, the night will boast performances from all types of artists ranging from musicians, burlesque dancers and many more. The Border Surrender and Polystyrene Hats will be performing live, whilst DJ’s keep the energy high with a mix from ‘60s pop and rock ‘n roll to cult indie. If you fancy a night out with a twist then here you are.
£6, The Nest, 8pm – Late, 36-44 Stoke Newington Rd, N16
Friday
Photo by: Time Out Live
Time Out presents its bi-monthly deluge into the up and comers on the party scene, bringing a mêlée of future beats, post-dubstep and techy drum ‘n’ bass which are sure to leave anyone gasping for breath. Some of the biggest new artists around will test the thumping sound system of East Village to its limits. BBC Sound of 2011 nominee Nero will be making an appearance along minimalist D&B duo Instra:Mental. With advance tickets at only £7, there are no excuses.
£7 Adv/ £10 Door, East Village, 9pm – 3.30am, 89 Great Eastern St, EC2A
Saturday
Photo by: Rhythm Factory
On Saturday, Rhythm Factory is going big. With the first Supatronix of 2011, get ready to be tired, very tired, on Sunday. With names like Warrior One and The Freestylers gracing the stage, expect enough break beats, jungle and post-dubstep to make your ears bleed. Rhythm Factory is a no frills venue for those who are looking for good music with no pretention. This one is not for the faint hearted, running till 6am it’s what the weekend was made for.
£8, Rhythm Factory, 10pm – 6am, 16-18 Whitechapel Rd, E1
Photo: Jemma Ridley
And for those who fancy something just as fun but slightly lighter on the liver… The London Rockin’ Rollers are hosting their first roller derby bout of the New Year, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green. For those of you who are un-ware of roller derby, be prepared for a pack of scantily clad, tattooed, ferocious females skating round a ring whilst beating the living day lights out of each other. Interested? Thought so, well on Saturday ‘The Goldie Looking Chain Gang’ will face ‘The Voodoo Skull Krushers’ for what is sure to be a vicious and entertaining battle, let the carnage commence…
£10, York Hall, Doors open at 5pm, 5-15 Old Ford Road, E2
See video
Sunday
Photo by: East Village
I know it’s been a heavy weekend and going out again seems like the last thing you want to do, but bear with me. Six Million Steps boast the finest in soul, funk, jazz, soul house and boogie. Ian Dewhirst, Alan Champ, David Copper and Andrew Pamphlett return to bring the ‘busy all-dayer’ a new lease of life and you the perfect Sunday afternoon/evening. What better way to shake off the weekend hangover with ‘the hair of the dog’ whilst aboard the soul train. Enjoy…
Free, East Village, 4pm – 11.30pm, 89 Great Eastern St, EC2A
Monday
Photo by: Deptford Project
Right, imagine the Orient Express. Now imagine it covered in spray-paint murals and serving sustainably sourced food and coffee. The Deptford Project uses a 1960s train carriage as a café and venue for a number of events. Open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday the cheap and ethically sound establishment serves a variety of tasty treats. The food, which comprises bruschettas of sundry toppings (smashed cannellini beans and spinach on our visit); sandwiches, from the humble fried egg to the stand-out salmon with rocket; and full breakfasts at weekends, not to mention a plethora of homemade cakes, wholesome, good food is the currency here. If the weekend was a big one then the Deptford project is sure to cure any ills.
Main Course £3.50 – £4.75, The Deptford Project, 121-123 Deptford High St, SE8
Tuesday
Photo by: Rick Mix
The “legendary” ‘New Act of The Year’, hosted by the one and only Arthur Smith, will be taking public auditions at Rich Mix on Tuesday night. Performers from all over the British comedy circuit will compete for a place in this prestigious competition. With up to 15 acts per night and no admission fee, great value is an understatement. Previous finalists of the ‘New Act of The Year’ include Russell Brand, Catherine Tate, Rhod Gilbert and Frisky and Mannish. With a reputation for “unearthing the finest rookie comedians in London” this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Free, Rich Mix, 7pm, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1
Wednesday
Photo by: Whitechapel Gallery
John Stezaker’s first major exhibition includes over 90 pieces spanning over 40 years of work. Stezaker was in the first wave of British conceptual artists reacting against the dominant pop art culture. Stezaker’s work has found new life in the current generation as he is being hailed as “a major influence on the Young British Art movement”. The exhibition, at The Whitechapel Gallery, illustrates Stezaker’s fascination with the lure of images and “the power involved in the act of looking”. Using vintage postcards, book illustrations and classic movie stills, the ‘Mask’, ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Third Person Archive’ series give new meaning to old images; “the artist reveals the subversive force of images, reflecting on how visual language can create new meaning.” The Exhibition is running till 18 March.
Free, Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1
