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

 FOOD + DRINK: Kentish Town's new gastro destination 

With the promise of two chefs formerly of Michelin-starred BRAT and being run by the same owners at the Jazz Café, this week we've had fun putting together a load of curious historical facts alongside exciting future plans that will whet your appetites for the imminent arrival of

The Parakeet

to the heart of NW5.

Read this to discover

what the kitchen promises to produce, why locals - and jazz fans - will be very happy, what on earth Richard Branson was planning to do with the place back in the 90s, why the new name is ruffling a few feathers, plus plenty more...

 EXHIBITION: Would you edit your DNA?  

Cut + Paste, the latest totally free exhibition that's just opened at The Francis Crick Institute, is all about genome editing. Do you fancy cutting and pasting the very building blocks of life, your DNA? We dropped by The Crick this week to ask resident expert

Güneş Taylor about this remarkable new technology, and what it means - good, bad and ugly -  for humans, animals, plants and the future of our world.

 VISIT: Buck Street Market goes late night tonight 

The eco-market housed in shipping containers next to Camden Town tube station is throwing a late night shopping and eating bash tonight until 9pm. It's a good chance to check out the latest streetfood traders like

Stack & Dome's

juicy burgers or

Keto Street's

low carb/high protein dishes, plus vintage fashion pieces at Min's Retro, jewellery by Mahsa and homeware from Sunshine Glass Art plus plenty more. Meanwhile, if you want to catch some live music, head up to Hawley Wharf for the latest in the series of these free events, also running tonight. 

 MUSIC: Five live local gigs for this week 

– listings in association with –

 CLASSICAL 

⏩

 MUSIC FOR THE MOMENT 

at Wigmore Hall

This free informal concert by musicians from the Royal Academy of Music is for people living with dementia and their friends, family and carers. Enjoy tea and coffee afterwards.   Fri 24 Feb

 JAZZ ⏩ Harry Evans Trio at The Piano Bar SohoFrom inside a secret townhouse in the heart of Soho, trumpeter Harry Evans is joined by his trio, playing a mix of bebop and swing.   Fri 24 Feb

 SOUL ⏩ P.P ARNOLD at Jazz Cafe 

(pictured above, c/o BBC)

Known both for her memorable solo work and features on tracks by Stevie Wonder, Nick Drake and Ike & Tina Turner, London's first lady of soul comes to the Jazz Cafe with what promises to be a stirring performance.  

  Sat 25 Feb 

 COMEDY, OPERA, RAP ⏩ DAWN AGAIN: A RAP OPERA at King's Head Theatre

Government special advisor Elliot has a problem: his two girlfriends are giving birth on the same day, at the same hospital... with every line rapped, this hip hopera is a theatrical experience unlike any other.   Sun 26 Feb

 POLISH 

⏩ POLISH FESTIVAL

at Hope & Anchor

Enjoy Polish music? Or want to hear it for the first time? Head over to Upper Street N1 to hear Karola, Island Bonita and DJ F4NCY in action.

 Weds 01 March 

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

&

 ALSO...  further local tips, stories & gossip from Camdenist  

Local runner

Krushaal Patel

is tackling the London Marathon in April in support of the charity Blind Aid, and has enlisted the help of some brilliant local businesses to support his fundraising efforts. From wine at Half Cut Market and Kentish Town Stores, to a tour and tasting at Camden Town Brewery, a bee revival kit from Beevive and coffee and cake for two at Break By Bike, every

pledge of support

enters you into the raffle to win these prizes and help Krush hit his target. ⏩ Looking for ways to get the skills you need to start or further your career?

Volunteer Fest 

is a free event from St Pancras Community Association where you can 

broaden your horizons

 at at 67 Plender St. and enjoy a free lunch too. ⏩ The much-loved

Sir Richard Steele's

boozer on Haverstock Hill reopens tonight with a bash to celebrate the return of manager Jimmy McGrath, who ran the place in the 80s. He's more recently known from the King William IV up the hill in Hampstead, so expect a loyal band of part people celebrating his 20-year lease on a pub that was threatened with permanent closure not so long ago. ⏩ 

Remember -

spread the word

if you want to bring £25 special nights out to Holborn, Belsize Park and Kentish Town and support your local high street. Pledge

just £2 or more

and we'll be in touch if you'd like us to support your own cause or business, as it's all about mutual benefit 🙂

Camdenist is collaborative and transparent by design. We invite all locals to participate, so we've built a form where you can send us ideas, propose features, and even contribute your own work.

 Well worth following...