Pic: Ellie Slee
Wine, beer and hot tubs herald the arrival of the festive season in east London, with Hackney residents in particular being well served for boozy warmth. Indie music and locally inspired short stories will also be bringing people together in Tower Hamlets and Lewisham, while an event in Croydon reminds us that not everyone is so lucky. Tweet us what you’re up to @ell_events, and have a great week!
Hackney
December 1, 1-11pm
77 Curtain Road, EC2A
A down and dirty meat fest rib eating competition, plus Andrea Montague on the bar. Eat as many ribs as you can in five minutes. The winner gets a wet shave at Murdock, a bottle of Gentleman Jack, six Gentleman Jack tumblers, brunch for two at Beard to Tail and bragging rights for one year.
Rule #1 You must have a moustache
Rule #2 Minimum £15 donation
Nov 28 – Dec 16
White Rabbit Theatre, 125 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH
A new adaptation of psychological thriller The Exorcism by a local playwright is being staged in the basement of the White Rabbit Cocktail Club. The inherent terror of isolation and the unknown are explored in this production by Second Skin Theatre, as a lavish Christmas gathering is disturbed by the collapse of reality and a voice from the past.
Pigs Ear Beer & Cider Festival
December 4-8, Tue-Thu Noon-10.30pm; Fri-Sat Noon-11pm
Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, E5 0PU
Over 200 different beers, including brews created specially for the event, in a magnificent English Heritage-restored venue. There will be food stalls alongside offerings from nine new local micro-breweries as well as renowned cider and bars serving bottled and foreign beers.
December 3-9, (Shows usually start around 6:30pm)
Factory 7, 13 Hearn St, EC2A 3LS
Ever wanted to wear your swimsuit to the cinema? Now you can. Hot Tub Cinema gives you the opportunity to watch films on a cold winter’s night while steeping away in a steamy tub with a bunch of your mates (or strangers). The approaching holidays have seen them move to Shoreditch for thematic surroundings, added extras and things that go bump in the night.
Hot Tub Cinema have no problem with bikini-clad or onesie-wearing customers propping up at the bar, but you can arrive wearing your swimwear under your clothes for a last minute strip off if you prefer.
Tower Hamlets
1-2 December, 10am-6pm
159 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG
Espacio Gallery is holding its first arts and crafts fair, showcasing collectable and affordable works by some of the UK’s leading artists and artisans. There will be paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, glass, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and unique cards.
November 29, 7:30pm
Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley (off Ensign St), E1 8JB
Have you ever wondered if you can really tell a fine wine from a budget bargain? This is a ‘drink while you think’ competition – pitting your wits and wine-tasting prowess against the panel of carefully selected wine experts. Listen to the panel who will each tell you what every wine is and how they discovered it, then you’ll guess who’s telling the truth to win. The winning team will get a bottle of each wine tasted and everyone who takes part will receive official tasting notes at the end of the night.
December 1–2, Old Spitalfields Market, EC1 6EW
As much a social event as a retail experience, the Independent Label Market is returning to Spitalfields for a two day Christmas special. 50 of the UK’s most recognisable independent music labels will be plying their wares, acting as a valuable reminder that as the industry embraces MP3s and digital downloads, there is still a place for record-buying community.
Lewisham
Gourmandizing London : Brockspace Exhibition and Workshop
December 1 and 8, 1-2:30pm
Brockspace At Brockley, 91A Tressillian Road, SE4 1XZ
What are we hungry for? That is the question. Gourmandizing is the exploration of that question and the development of a community around a celebration of what we hunger for, and how we are inclined to get it.
As part of W I T H (OUT), the artists from Gourmandizing are hosting two sessions of food and storytelling about personal histories and migration at Brockspace. The workshops will consist of an interactive cooking demo featuring recipes collected prior to the exhibit by the WITH (OUT) community. Spaces are limited so book your place in advance. £12 or £15 for a limited edition screen-printed tea towel.
STATIONS : Short stories inspired by the Overground line
November 29, 7pm
Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, Deptford, London, SE8 4RJ
A literary launch inspired by settings local commuters know all too well. In partnership with Arachne Press, Deptford Lounge is hosting the launch of a fiction anthology inspired by and entitled ‘Stations’. All the featured stations are on the new overground line, which has been a shot in the arm for southeast Londoners. Tickets are free but booking is essential.
Croydon
Youth Homelessness Awareness Event
November 29, 7-9:30pm
Scream Lounge Croydon, 20 South End, CRO 1DN
Over 75,000 young people in the UK experience homelessness every year.
Homelessness isn’t just about rough sleeping though, it is about not having a place to call home where you can be comfortable, safe and supported.
Team V South Croydon believes that everyone deserves a safe space and invites you to a showcase of the hopes and dreams of young people that have been affected by homelessness. Free entry.
