Your Friday morning essential read. Five local feel-good highlights, including exclusive special offers and events. Prepared with love by the team at Camdenist

 READ: Robert Elms on Camden's musical attraction 

This week we've been talking with familiar local face and BBC Radio London voice Robert Elms about his enduring love for the live music scene in Camden, and why he thinks it manages to reinvented itself time and again. His fascinating personal stories include the New Romantic movement, going to one of The Pogues early gigs in a local backstreet bar in the 80s, and hosting first ever radio performance by Amy Winehouse on his show. Having written for the like of The Face and NME, Elms is no stranger to commenting on youth culture, music and fashion, and joins the ongoing Music in Camden series as we look at the future for the area's venues, promoters and artists after Covid.

COMING SOON

Camdenist presents 'the night', a special print magazine and online series championing the culture, businesses and communities that shine after dark. 

Email us to find out more about partnership and editorial opportunities.

 EAT: Four options at 3 Henrietta St 

Nestled within this recently renovated listed Covent Garden townhouse, you'll find two new restaurants and two cafés across three storeys. Up on the first floor, chef Mark Greenaway offers a six-course modern British concept menu at his restaurant Pivot. There's an open kitchen to watch what's going on, and the whole menu change monthly. Down in the basement you'll find Hawaiian street food and tiki-inspired cocktails from El Ta'Koy, a high energy bar and kitchen from Cuban chef Luis Pous that's already been making a name for itself in Miami and New York. Then the ground floor sees the fast-expanding Gentlemen Baristas serving what they term 'well mannered coffee' with a view onto the piazza, and  Lilly's Café, founded by world-class pastry chef Kimberly Lin, serving all-day brunch. Inspired by astrologer William Lilly, the interiour is influenced by the zodiac, and you can also eat outside on a rather swish front terrace, too.

 SHOP: NW5 makers market 

This weekend, local creatives from

Minerva Workshop

are running a market inside their Victorian warehouse on

Bartholomew Road

.

As Kentishtowner reports

, you'll have the chance to explore a colourful treasure trove of ready-to-buy and commissionable pieces from woven stools to homemade lampshades, customisable fabrics, stationary and even passementarie and tassels. It's 

an opportunity to pick up a thoughtful gift (festive or otherwise) whilst supporting the creativity here on our doorstep.

 VISIT: The art of breathing 

Beginning with the body, this artistic exploration of breath features work from 17 artists who have been inspired by the vital element that underpins life. Respiro is showing at Camden Image Gallery from this Saturday until the 23rd. Meanwhile at October Gallery in Bloomsbury, artist Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga's exhibition Ghost of the Present also looks at portrayals of the body, investigating the impact of colonialism on the Democratic Republic of Congo and the cost to humans and the environment.  

 FREE: DJ gigs at Camden Market's new hangout 

Every Wednesday to Sunday for the rest of the year, a succession of top DJs each with a Camden connection are playing free sets at Hawley Wharf. It's a chance to grab some food, drink and even some Xmas shopping while the likes of Jazzie B, Fat Tony, Judge Jules and loads more bring the grooves. Find out about Camden Crossfade in this essential guide to the new shops, food halls, a boxing club and arthouse cinema, all now open in NW1.

 THIS WEEK'S ONE-CLICK POLL As live venues continue to welcome us back to their club nights and concerts, how enthusiastic are you today about going out after dark? 

LAST WEEK WE ASKED:

Covid lockdown saw a flourishing of community spirit and neighbourliness, but where do you feel things are at today?Somewhat inevitably in such polarised times, the jury is out over just how much people have been changed by their recent experiences of being stuck at home... 

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