Congratulations, you made it to the end of January! Well, almost.
Whether it is your last week of alcohol-free sparkling wine or you failed Dry January on day 2, you can still pat yourself on the back for getting through this year’s January Blues.
2022 began with Covid cases still worryingly high and many of us in self-isolation. Yet, only two weeks after experts said the UK had overcome yet another “peak of infections”, the Prime Minister announced that Covid restrictions would soon come to an end.
Was it a political move or one motivated by scientific data? Was it too soon for another “Freedom Day”? Were Covid restrictions what we were really hoping to get rid of?
While urging everyone to remain cautious and not to forget safety measures so quickly, Eastlondonlines has put together a list of things to do to celebrate the end of a very long month.
Amateur Boxing Show
Fancy a bit of sport? Do you want to witness the emergence of your local Muhammad Ali? The Croydon Boxing Academy is hosting an amateur boxing show featuring 15+ fights. What to expect? Food, drinks, boxing and good vibes! Tickets available here.
When: Friday 28 January, 7-11 p.m.
Where: Church Street, Croydon CR0 1RN
Cost: £27
Soullife
Soullife is back at the Crown pub in Shirley for a night of RnB, disco, house, and “soulful vibes”. Saturday from 5 p.m. the pub will host three DJs from South London for their very first event of the year. Tickets are available here.
When: Saturday 29 January, 5-11 p.m.
Where: The Crown Shirley, Croydon CR0 8BA
Cost: £8
Free Art Exhibition
The Emerging Exhibition features artworks produced during the pandemic. From oil paintings to ceramics, to glass artwork, clay works, and Ink Wash, this exhibition hosts a variety of emerging artists. Curator and organiser Paul Hall will be available throughout the night to answer any of your questions.
When: Saturday 29, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Where: Croydon Art Space Gallery, 41 Lower Addiscombe Road, CRO 6PQ
Cost: Free!
We are Lewisham
We are Lewisham will launch this Friday at 7 a.m. with music, art, workshops, debates and a lot of dancing. It is part of the Mayor of London borough of culture initiative. Eastlondonlines be following the events live. You can read our story here.
When: Friday 28 January, 7 a.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free!
Hometown Sessions at the Fox and Firkin
Scottish reggae sound system Hometown teamed up with three of the best artists in the rub and dub scene for a night of dance hall sound entertainment. The Fox and Firkin will provide homemade pizzas to go with some of the best underground music South East London has to offer!
When: Friday 28 January, from 9 p.m.
Where: The Fox and Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street SE13 6JZ
Cost: £5
Urban Opera
The MTFA, a charity promoting Music and Theatre for All is inviting all Lewisham residents to take part in the borough’s very first urban opera. Participants will be able to give their contribution during all stages of production, from music composition, to storytelling and performance. The event is free and the group will be invited for recurring sessions after this to complete the project. More information here.
When: Saturday 29 January, 11 a.m.
Where: The Green Man, 355 Bromley Rd SE6 2RP
Cost: Free!
Street Art Walking Tour
From Stik to Busk, from Mick Jones to Ray Walker, Hackney is home to some of the most notorious street artists in the UK. This free walking tour, leaving from outside Shoreditch High Street Overground station at 2 p.m. every Thursday will take visitors on a journey to discover the rebellious character of one of the biggest artistic movements of our century. Tickets available here.
When: Thursday 27 January, 2 p.m.
Where: Shoreditch High Street Overground station
Cost: Free!
Live Jazz at Grow
Jazz music, mulled wine and Middle Eastern food will liven up the atmosphere at Grow this coming Thursday from 7.30 p.m. The evening will see Mercury Prize-nominated Rio Kai with his band, The Stratos, on Grow’s stage for a nightlong jam session. Grow expects customers to take a lateral flow test before attending the event and wear a face covering while on the premises.
When: Thursday 27 January, 7.30-10 p.m.
Where: Grow, Hackney Wick, E9 5LN
Cost: £5
Vintage clothing ‘kilo sale‘
Preloved Kilo, the UK’s largest independent vintage retailer, will be at Round Chapel on Sunday with a huge stock of retro and vintage clothes and accessories from the 1950s to the 1990s. How does it work? For a small entrance fee (£1.50), you will be able to browse through tonnes of vintage clothing and buy them at £15 per kilo.
When: Sunday 30 January, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Round Chapel, Lower Clapham, E5 0LY
Cost: £1.50
Life drawing club
All skills and levels are welcomed to this life drawing class at the Brady Arts and Community Centre on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. A live model will pose for two hours. Artists are encouraged to bring their own material and classes are untutored but advice and supervision from a senior artist are available to beginners. Tickets available here.
When: Thursday 27 January, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street E1 5HU
Cost: £15
Keep on Dancing
A celebratory night dedicated to the incredible Ronnie Spector and other Motown legends will take place at the Sebright Arms on Coate Street on Saturday. A hidden gem just outside Hackney, the pub is famous for its live music events, hip vibes and hot dogs. Entrance is free.
When: Saturday 29 January, 10 p.m.
Where: Sebright Arms, 31-35 Coate St, Bethnal Green, London E2 9AG
Cost: Free!
Silent Voices of Whitechapel walking tour
The East End is often reduced to one of the darkest chapters of its history and the serial killer behind it: Jack the Ripper. This tour aims at exploring the stories that are often forgotten: those of the victims and the resilient people of the East End. More information on Rebeltour here.
When: Sunday 30 January, 6.30 p.m.
Where: Starts from: Aldgate Station, EC3N 1AH
Cost: £13
