Newsletter - 17 March 23

Grab a coffee, here's your Friday morning essential read, from Camdenist.

 CULTURE: Update on Kentish Town's cinema saga 

There's been over a decade of highs and lows in this particularly epic local battle - firstly to save Kentish Town Rd's iconic former polytechnic assembly hall from demolition, and then to ensure a series of developers abide by the conditions of planning to open the neighbourhood's first cinema since 1975. But with the space still standing empty, what's really going on? We've been speaking to the building's owners for the latest scoop, and propose some ways locals can finally help turn this long-standing dream into a technicolour big-screen reality.🍿📽️

 SUCCESS! 3 crowdfunded Secret Feasts coming  

Fantastic news for Camden's high streets this week, as our first ever crowdfunding campaign hit it's target, successfully raising a total of £15,350 which allows us to support independent restaurants and pubs in three more neighbourhoods. Huge thanks to all the sponsors, including the Council via their Love Your Camden High Street Fund, and special thanks to those readers of this email who took up the call to arms last week and really helped to get it over the line. We'll bring you news of when event tickets go on sale soon with 100% of revenues going directly to the restaurants, and we're still offering incentives for local businesses to get in involved and make the upcoming Feasts (plus a special free print magazine) an even bigger and better celebration of our brilliant local high streets.

 DRINK: New cafe and tap room with a concience  

Good Company

is supercharging social impacts while minimizing environmental ones, all via delicious cups of coffee and pints of beer.

Want to know how?

It's a new café-by-day, taproom-by-night collaboration that's just opened in Euston from visionary operators Change Please and Toast Ale, plus they've brought along a load of equally conscious friends too, making for a tasty destination well worth an almost completely guilt-free visit (except for all the caffeine and booze, pastries and pies, of course).

 MAGIC: Encounter the occult at Conway Hall  

Next Saturday (25th) there's a chance to immerse yourself in the dark arts as The Haunted Gallery: Untold Stories of Art & Magic appears at Holborn's Conway Hall.

 It's a chance to hear from artists, archivists, curators and authors as they delve into the world of the occult, and why it still has so many of us under its spell. Ahead of the event, we've been talking with some of the speakers for a fascinating insight into magic today.

 MUSIC: Our pick of the local gigs this week 

– listings in association with –

 FOLK, ROCK 

⏩

 ST PATRICK'S DAY 

at The Underworld

Featuring London Irish psycho-ceilidh band NECK, celebrate at this free concert with a Guinness. There's an afterparty too, then head to the Dublin Castle on Saturday for their Paddy's Day Hangover Cure Party with Clan of Celts.    Fri 17 March

 AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN ⏩ PANAFRIK 2023: I COME FROM at The Bloomsbury Theatre

UCL's African and Caribbean Society's (ACS) flagship event is back. Don't miss this celebration of dance, music, drama and fashion. 

  Sat 18 March 

 JAZZ ⏩ HEIDI VOGEL at The Assembly HouseHaving played with the likes of Roots Manuva, Isaac Hayes and Soweto Kinch, and opened for stars like Erykah Badu, on Monday night the enchanting singer will be serenading at the Assembly House.   Mon 20 March

 CLASSICAL 

⏩ STEPHEN HOSE

at 

Lauderdale House

Enjoy a musical break on Tuesday lunchtime thanks to this free concert series featuring resident pianist Stephen Hose. This time he'll be playing Hadyn, Schumann and Gershwinn.

 Tues 21 March 

 FOLK ⏩ SANDRAYATI at St Pancras Old Church (pictured)

Between her captivating voice and expansive musical and personal influences Sandrayati's performance promises to be magical.    Weds 22 March

Discover ALL the gigs across Camden (and the rest of London) on Halibuts.com. 

 GOSSIP: More juicy bits from Camdenist 

Locally-founded bakery empire Gail's is about to open a state-of-the-art new head office, bakery and barista training facility in Camden Market Hawley Wharf's currently underused square, Dockray Place.⏩ Celebrated architect of some of Camden's most iconic public housing, Peter Tábori, died last week aged 83. He was responsible for Archway's Highgate Newtown Estate and you can discover more about his fascinating history shaping our built environment here ⏩ The latest newcomer to join the enviable list of fitness studios in King's Cross is Ten Health & Fitness, now open in the Gasholders overlooking Regent's Canal. 

⏩ And finally.... 

Tonight sees the grand opening of

Lio London

, the Pacha Ibiza cabaret brand's new permanent local home at the legendary Cafe De Paris. Find out all you need to know about it from the elaborate shows planned to the venue's star-studded history.See you next Friday. 👋

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