Launch Email 13

A whiskey den + Ricky Gervais live in Kentish Town

October 09, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

 Friday 9 October 2020  Camdenist brings you a carefully curated selection of local highlights each week. 

   Whiskey is go go  

Cast your mind back to the beginning of March. London was in an uneasy state of denial about what was coming, while the really rather exciting Goods Way had just launched; comprising live music venue Lafayette, late night cocktail haunt Sweetwater, and The Courtyard, a food hall evocative of New Orleans' vibrant street scene. After barely a fortnight trading, lockdown put the entire party on hold. Thankfully, they've dusted themselves off to reopen with the Whisky House - just in time for London Cocktail Week. The venue will be hosting tableside whisky experiences and live events courtesy of Crucible London, alongside the food traders. They're ready and itching to bring back live music as soon as the Covid situation allows, too. Stay tuned.

 The Comedy Store, NW5 

Legendary West End standup spot The Comedy Store is bringing the laughter back in a big way, announcing a Covid-safe residency at the sizable Forum in Kentish Town. Tickets go on sale at 10am this very morning for a raft of gigs this month from the very top names in the game, including Eddie Izzard, Sara Pascoe, Jason Manford and Ricky Gervais', who will be warming-up for his latest live show, SuperNature.

 Free Frieze in Regent's Park 

The mammoth Frieze Week marquees that usually descend upon Regent’s Park each autumn might be absent this year, but the art fair's annual free sculpture exhibition is happily still going ahead. Take a stroll around the English Gardens to see 12 works by leading artists, including Turner Prize winner Labaina Himid and original YBA Sarah Lucas, whilst plugging in to the curator's interpretive audio guide. Now until Sunday 18 October.

A Wellcome return 

After 205 days of closed doors, the Wellcome Collection is open once more. Euston’s fascinating pubilc space is dedicated to exploring concepts we've all been grappling with this year: health and the human experience. Their free exhibition Being Human investigates what it means to exist in the 21st century with a plethora of thought-provoking pieces, from a refugee astronaut to an epidemic jukebox. Their online programme also continues with the Take Care festival, exploring strategies for mental health care and wellbeing emerging from the pandemic.

 Pinter for the Covid age 

Hampstead Theatre is another cherished Camden institution that's emerging from prolonged lockdown. The autumn sees a limited run of its 60th anniversary production of The Dumb Waiter. Telling the story of two men stuck in an empty room, with all the inevitable humour, ennui and tension you'd expect, the stage was set for this particularly apt Pinter play back in the spring, but it wasn't to be. Now gearing  up for a second, socially distanced attempt, tickets go on sale next week.

  • Black History Month is currently being celebrated throughout Camden with live and digital events. Adopting the theme Back to the Future, the packed programme acknowledges the past whilst looking forward. Highlights include Library Lates storytelling, podcasts, cook-a-longs, guided history walks, a virtual book club, and an exhibition presenting the creative power of black filmmakers.

  • Camden Giving Week kicks off on Monday (12 October), giving both individuals and businesses the chance to show a bit of love to local people who are experiencing poverty by fundraising to support the services that matter most, from baby banks to winter night shelters. 

  • Camden's innovative dance space The Place is to host Splayed Festival next week - presenting new work in both online and offline performances by a collection of artists inspired by queerness as an approach to creativity.

  • Camden Town Brewery kept summer alive by continuing to serve fresh pints outside on the lovely Wilkin St Mews cobbles during the hotter months, but from today they will also be reopening the indoor bar and beer shop, plus running more brewery tours, as well as serving pizza from Wood Fired Wonders. 

  • The Zabludowicz Collection reopened yesterday with a newly commissioned exhibition by American artist, Trulee Hall. The former theme park technician has transformed the stunning chapel into a spectacle of sexuality and feminist thought.

  • After-school volunteer sessions with Heath Hands have resumed for young people in the borough. Anyone under the age of 18 can get in touch to find out about the numerous nature volunteering opportunities available up on Hampstead Heath.

  • A new series of the Rock 'n' Roll Politics podcast with political commentator Steve Richards will be presented live at Kings Place this autumn. Grab a ticket for your behind-the-scenes guide to all the latest Westminster dramas.

  • For those who prefer to travel London on foot, Kentish Town's Owl Bookshop are stocking a lovely free walking map, courtesy of Central London Footways. Created to get more people taking to the streets, it highlights the quietest, most interesting pavements to explore.

  • Due to our seemingly insatiable demand for a good food offer, Kentish Town Road's Lady Hamilton pub is extending their Eat Out to Help Out scheme yet again - throughout October. The discount now includes alcohol on top of tasty Southeast Asian bao from resident chefs at Yuu Kitchen.

  • Pacify your frustrated 2020 wanderlust and journey the world at The Travel Photographer of the Year open-air exhibition in Coal Drops Yard this month. Open until Sunday 25 October, it showcases over 170 awe-inspiring images that celebrate the beauty of planet earth.

Camdenist is collaborative and transparent by design. We want all locals to participate, so we've built a form where you can send us ideas, propose features, even contribute your own work. What should be in next week's email?

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