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London Sci Fi fans beam down to King's Cross
Including a wild new graphic novel set in the neighbourhood
Tom Kihl
June 02, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
👋 This week, we’re jumping into a comic book experience of the area…
The Panharmonion Chronicles is a brand new graphic novel trilogy, inside which you’ll spot loads of beautifully drawn local settings.
The first book, Part 1: Times of London, is published this week, and it’s author Henry Chebaane is a long-time fan of deep-diving into the curious and unique history of King’s Cross.
He came up with his expansive ‘speculative fiction’ narrative, set all around the neighbourhood while working on a series of equally mind-bending hotel renovations in the area.
He launches the book this Sunday at the Sci Fi London Film Festival (more about that below), and encourages readers to take a trip around the locations featured in the novel.
📔 Discover more about The Panharmonion Chronicles, the background to the stories and locations in the books (including the only physical place you can buy them - hint, it’s in King’s Cross).
📚 Join the free launch event at Rich Mix in Shoreditch this Sunday (4th) with a discussion on The Art of Comics, Movies & Games, plus a first chance to get signed copies of the book.
FILM
London’s Sci Fi Film Festival kicked off in Camden last night
King’s Cross Italian gastro-diner Spagnoletti hosted the official launch party of Sci Fi London this week, and we were there to report back on the premiere of the first movie, UFO Sweden, plus the big bash itself.
The restaurant is a suitably striking cyber-influenced space, with a design from the mind of Panharmonion Chronicles author Henry (see above) that you really need to see to believe.
🎞️ Discover what went on at the Sci Fi London Film Festival premiere and launch party, and our highlights of the films coming up
🎟️ Here’s a list and ticket links for all the screenings, panels and events taking place at the Festival, which runs until 6th June
FOOD + DRINK
100+ free pints of beer at rebooted KX bar The Drop
The Drop is the secret little wine bar tucked into the arches at Coal Drops Yard that’s always been good for a pre/post dinner boozing and impressing dates.
Having served up wine in the evenings since the area first opened in 2018, they’ve decided to expand the offering to include draft beers and a selection of proper sarnis, while now opening for lunch, too.
From a posh Ploughman’s to braised short rib with horseradish, a fish goujon, with tartare sauce, slow roast veg with melted cheese, or confit pork with apple sauce, the baps sound like they pack a decent punch.
Meanwhile the new beer taps offer Guinness, Estrella Galicia lager and regularly changing IPAs - cheers 🍻
🍺 To celebrate all this, The Drop are dishing out 50 free lunchtime pints on Wednesday (7 June), and 20 more per day for the rest of the week - first come, first served, from 12pm.
📍 More info about The Drop can be found on their website
SECRET FEASTS in BELSIZE PARK
2 weeks to go before our roving food festival in support of Camden’s best indie high street restaurants returns. Have you got a tickets yet?
Videos: where will you’ll eat for just £25?
Or try delightful all day bistro Greenberry Hill
MUSIC
Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B plays a free outdoor DJ set this weekend
Gig highlights in association with the fabulous Halibuts.com
🎧Head to the banks of Regent’s Canal at Hawley Wharf tomorrow (Sat 3rd June) to enjoy a totally free DJ set from the legendary founder of Soul II Soul, Jazzie B. He’ll be dropping soulful house, jazz funk and classics from 2pm - 4pm.
💻Norway’s FastLoaders are playing at Underworld tonight (June 2), launching their triple LP ‘C64 Rocks’, which contains stunning live rock renditions of classic tracks from the iconic gaming computer, the Commodore 64.
🎤 Check out the debut headline show from hotly tipped local songstress Carmy Love, who sings live at Water Rats on Monday night.
WINDRUSH 75: Celebration of Sound System Culture
Remember, Camdenist readers have a limited allocation of £10 tickets for this very special music event, featuring the legendary Aswad in 3D sound, DJ Ashley Beedle and loads more, at EartH Hackney on June 23rd. Hurry!
MORE UNMISSABLE EVENTS & GOSSIP
➡️ Colors Festival is the new ‘immersive street art experience’ just opened in Camden Market courtesy of Fever, the ‘data-led entertainment and experience company’. We have no idea yet if it’s any good, or if Camden’s many local street artists are benefiting meaningfully from the show, but it’s already apparently been a ‘hit’ in various other cities. The lack of a ‘u’ in the name does make us feel a little suspicious…
➡️ PUB DEAL OF THE WEEK: The Black Lion in West Hampstead can get deliciously rowdy, particularly on Wednesday nights, where it plays host to a big karaoke night with a live band. You can grab the mic and explore those pop star dreams while the Rye-Tones provide full live accompaniment, and if you need a drop of courage, it’s 2 cocktails for £12 all night long.
➡️ After some lengthy apparent delay, Caribbean food and drink chain Turtle Bay look set to finally open on Jamestown Rd later this summer, with what will be their 50th outlet, no less. Here’s hoping they embrace a local touch or two, a bit like Shake Shake just did, or perhaps even raise the local integration game a bit further? We’re watching…
➡️ The latest batch of 50 photos to grace the totally free Outside Art Project benches, which run from King’s Cross station through Pancras Square and into Granary Square is the Queer Joy Exhibition. The striking work of 10 emerging LGBTQIA+ photographers from the UK and abroad shines a light on unfiltered self-expression and fabulousness.
➡️ Drinking wine and eating cheese is the latest way to support Kentish Town’s famous MAP Café. Wednesday (7th) sees French Bubbles launch the first of their tasting events, with plentiful food and drinks included in the £45 ticket. Book via [email protected] or pay on the door.
WEEKLY POLL
This week, this Evening Standard video featured some very positive local thoughts on the closure of Savernake Rd in Gospel Oak. But a casual glance at Twitter (if you dare) shows this to be a ferocious argument for other people. So. we pose the question…
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are here to stay, but what do you really think of them? |
Collaboration is essential, so your feedback, suggestions and requests are always welcome. Reach out to us: [email protected]
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