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

 DISCOVER: Primrose Hill's secret portal 

Did you know that a trip see to the city views from the top of Primrose Hill once was not complete without descending to visit the famous

Primrose Hill Portal

 too? Let alone the 1000-capacity dancefloor and lively pleasure gardens of the nearby Chalk Farm Tavern, of course. And while the pub and its attractions are long gone, the now Grade II listed tourist attraction still exists today, if you know where to peer through the undergrowth. This week we take you on a trip back to 1837 to discover how the portal came to exist. Pay it a visit for an interesting addition to a lazy afternoon if you're headed to one of the popular top 10 brunches in Primrose Hill, as featured here on the Weekly C-Mail recently.  

 MUSIC: A one-hour Arch Sinfonia gig 

Revel in a taste of French classical music at Cecil Sharp House next Thursday. Designed to fit around demanding lifestyles, Arch Sinfonia's new 1-hour concert model is a great way to access live music, even if you've got a lot on your plate. Conductor Chloé Van Soeterstède's programme celebrates Bizet, Chabrier, Saint-Saëns and Ravel, with acclaimed cellist Nadède Rochat performing Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No.1. For a more immersive experience, some of the audience will be able to sit amongst the orchestra. 

 CELEBRATE: LGBTQ+ History Month 

forum+ is running a fantastic programme celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month in February. With exhibitions, workshops (cook with Chef Maurizio or make zines with artist Rachael House), comedy and cabaret, there's a huge selection of events to explore. Meanwhile, Queer Britain have announced they will be opening the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum at Granary Square this Spring. Keep an eye out for the next Camdenist Presents print magazine where we talk to forum+ and other local campaigners about safe spaces in the borough. 

 EAT: Camden restaurants reborn 

Just opened in the plant-curious month of January is a new 100% vegan Chinese restaurant on Parkway

.

Vegan Planet serves up tasty tofu, vegetables and faux-meat dishes, and is from the same people who previously ran the trailblazing Dou Dou buffet nearby. Meanwhile up in Kentish Town, Kantin Eatery has reopened after a break and pivoted into a neighbourhood pizza-by-the-slice joint.

 MOVE: Try a heavy metal yoga session 

Shake up your Saturday afternoon by joining the Heavy Metal Yoga class at The Black Heart in Greenland Place tomorrow. Run by yogi Selma Ra, the hour of Vinyasa Yoga is accompanied by a 'heavy metal musical landscape' to take you on a journey through breath, movement and uncompromising music. The session is open to all levels, and if/when you fancy/deserve a drink afterwards, the legendary pub has a great selection of craft beers to explore.

 THIS WEEK'S ONE-CLICK POLL Other than being the London borough where you variously might live, work or play, which enduring local adage most symbolises 'Camden' to you? 

LAST WEEK WE ASKED:

A fairly even spread of opinion here, (just as you'd expect if you've been thrashing it out on social media lately). Stay safe and enjoy getting back to a few more simple pleasures, one day at a time.

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