Your Friday morning essential read. Five local highlights you really need to know, researched and presented with enthusiasm by the team at Camdenist

 EAT: Stretchy ice cream debuts locally 

With the sun shining, we reckon it's time to make the most of Camden's innovative ice cream scene. New kids on the (ice) block Soho Creamery have found a home at Hawley Wharf. Their 'stretchy' ice cream combines traditional Turkish methods with unusual flavours (eg milky orchid, lavender and oatmeal biscuit) to create something truly unique. Salep, which is the ground root of wild orchid, is what gives the ice cream its distinctive stretchy texture and also stops it melting quickly. You can buy loads  of flavours - including vegan options - in bars too, which are ideal for cooling down on the move. We can't not give a nod to Europe's pioneering liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour Chin Chin, with locations in Camden Town and Soho, who've just launched their newest flavour: tahini halva. And Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream on Kentish Town Rd (and now also in Chinatown too) are well worth a visit for their Filipino-inspired flavours including the purple yam-based Ube, MiLO and Calamansi - get them as a filling in The Bilog, a sweet sandwich bun.

 EXPLORE: Update on the Camden Highline 

As of yesterday, plans for London's newest park, the Camden Highline, have finally been submitted. The disused railway viaduct will be turned into a park in the sky, linking Camden Town to King's Cross, via Camley Street. The practice behind New York's Highline, James Corner Field Operations, is working alongside Camden-based vPPR Architects to build gardens, walkways, children's play areas, cafés, arts initiatives and charity spaces into the 1.2km long design. Though the first phase is not set to open until 2025, there are already several new attractions popping up en-route. Explore them in this handy guide, featuring the new Italian hotspot Casa Tua Delizie, spooky independent brewery Werewolf and Pritchard and Ure's alfresco terrace in Camden Garden Centre. 

 RELAX: The Zen Project pulls in at Euston 

Reach the pinnacle of a zen mind state this Thursday, all from on board an old American school bus. The Zen Project will be making a stop at Regent's Place, as part of their monthly urban festival appearances, offering free sessions. Try everything from breathwork to sound healing, guided meditation to tarot readings. Craft activities and massages are also happening as part of this all-day celebration of wellbeing.

 MUSIC: Free music in Covent Garden 

Looking for some impressive and totally free lunchtime entertainment? The Royal Opera House is currently hosting an intriguing programme of live performances inspired by its heritage, in their foyer every Friday. The Live at Lunch recitals are around 45 minutes long, and a much more fulfilling way to spend your lunch break than shoving in a quick sandwich at your desk. Performances aren't ticketed and entry is free, though subject to capacity. 

 THEATRE: Greek myths in Kilburn 

If you've yet to venture to the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn since lockdown, now's the time to do it. On Thursday, Marina Carr's Girl on an Altar opens in partnership with Dublin's Abbey Theatre. The play is a mesmerising re-telling of the Greek myth of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, interrogating the limits of forgiveness and justice and reimagining the voices behind the well-known story. Performances run until 25th June.

 MORE: from Camdenist 

• VIDEO: Meet Giuseppe of Casa Tua Delize (& get 20% off all his wines too!)

• FOOD: Explore Hawley Wharf - your local guide

• AWARDS REVISITED: Environmental Heroes: Food For All

• MUSIC: Roundhouse CEO Marcus Davey on the power of music 

• THINKING: As HowTheLightGetsIn returns to Hay: our Güneş Taylor Interview

THIS WEEK'S ONE-CLICK POLL

As wellbeing initiatives like The Zen Project become increasingly widespread, we're curious to know how our readers relax... 

LAST WEEK WE ASKED:

With Somers Town 'people's' Museum popping up as part of the LFA, how much did you know about the role of this often-neglected part of Camden in the history of UK social housing and radical activism?Lots of Somers Town history newbies revealed themselves this week, though a solid quarter are well acquainted with the area's past. With plenty more Somers Town events coming up over the next few months, there'll be plenty of opportunities for the curious among you to find out more...

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