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Get transported back in time this month, from The Blitz, to the Prohibition, to the golden era of the romantic poets, and Victorian magic lantern worlds of story-telling, in this month’s events, edited by Alexander James.
Throughout May, The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900. Victoria & Albert Museum.
See the art inspired by romantic poetry. The V&A will showcase the most comprehensive exhibition ever staged on the Aesthetic Movement in Britain, conveying the importance of art and the pleasure of all things beautiful. The Cult of Beauty will display the greatest masterpieces in painting together with sculpture, design, furniture and architecture as well as fashion and literature of the era. The exhibition will also explore the personalities in the group including William Morris, James McNeill Whistler, Frederic Leighton, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and Oscar Wilde.
7th May, The Orphanage Masked Ball – 9 Adam Street London WC2N 6AA – From 10pm to 3am.
Early bird tickets now available at £20 each OR £25 with a Dance Lesson. Taking the ball back to its decadent heyday of bowers, top hats, dancing and story-telling, an event for the discerning literati. See The Last Tuesday Society.
7th May, Prohibition The Grand Hall, The Town Hall, Euston Road, London, 8pm to 2am…or earlier if the police arrive.
Prepare to step back in time as we revisit the roaring twenties. Swigging cunningly concealed cocktails and contraband liquor from teacups is the order of the day as we strive to evade the ever-beady eye of the law and indulge in a spot of illegal drinking, gambling and Charleston dancing, and maybe even some poetry. Live bands and cabaret acts are at hand to entertain even the most particular of cads and good time girls. See Prohibition 1920s.
15th May, The Little Theatre of Dolls, 11 Mare Street, E8., 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Magical puppet shows for children and adults alike. With their creations, they invite the viewer into fantastical worlds where anything is possible. In beautifully crafted sceneries the audience get to experience magical realities and stories acted by exquisite hand made puppets that have all been created by the artists.
18th May, Whisky and Lit. The Book Club, Leonard Street.
What have Hunter S. Thompson, John Steinbeck, Charles Bukowski and Michael Jackson all got in common? They have all waxed lyrical about Whisky in their writings. Come and join Colin Dunn as he guides you through a evening of Whisky appreciation, sampling different expressions of Fine Malt Whisky interspersed with the reading of some of the world’s great writers. Learn how to appreciate Whisky by smell and taste and have a stab at writing your own review, to be read out on the evening. See We Are TBC.
14th May, The Blitz Party, Venue Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch.
Bunker opens at 8pm, Floorshows & entertainment from 9pm. Blackout till late (2am).
The Blitz Party gives party goers the opportunity to step back in time at our 1940’s East End air raid shelter, where drinks, dancing and neighbourly spirit are the order of the evening. Sip classic cocktails and dance the night away to the UK’s finest live swing bands, performers and 1940s DJs.
14th May, Brave And The Bold Festival, 3.30pm onwards, £10, Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH.
Made from Scratch Theatre Company presents new work by new companies. The Brave And The Bold festival aims to celebrate those choosing to make their own work. With the aims of collaboration, support and developing future relationships this one day festival or readings and performances looks towards a brighter future led by a new generation of theatre makers. See Cockpit Theatre.
19th to 25th May, Lord of the Flies, Regent’s Park, Open Air Theatre.
See the opening performance at the New Shakespeare Company home theatre. After a group of schoolboys survive
a massive plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly becomes a struggle for survival as superstition and immorality sees the community slide into a darkly sinister world. Created by the same team as last season’s The Crucible, the production will rediscover this gripping drama in the unconfined and unparalleled atmosphere of theatre in the open air. See Open Air Theatre.
20th May, SCROOBIUS PIP PRESENTS WE.ARE.LIZARDS, £6, The Book Club, Leonard Street.
DJs: Scroobius Pip, FNORD, Buddy Peace, Destruction, PUSH Music, Darcy, Redshift Rebels, Midnite Socialite,
Andy Hepburn. The beat poet is back for the fourth instalment of his WE.ARE.LIZARDS party with another massive line up over both floors. Headliners come in the shape of FNORD who will be blowing your minds with a mix of electro, new wave and post punk. Buddy Peace will also be joining in the fun and picking some weird and wonderful tracks for his special set.
20th May to October. Pirates: The Captain Kidd Story, Museum of London Docklands.
From Treasure Island to Pirates of the Caribbean, discover the truth about the real pirates who ruled our seas over 300 years ago. Through maps, letters and illustrations, follow the true story of the infamous Captain Kidd in this family-friendly exhibition and learn how Kidd’s legend still shapes our idea of pirates today.
24th to 28th May, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea.
There’s even a literary-themed garden this year. Come and experience the greatest flower show in the world at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea. Every year the grounds of the Royal Hospital are transformed into show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays that make up the world’s most famous flower show. For more information visit rhs.org.uk.
26th May, Reward, Hoxton Pony.
The new monthly club night curated by New Young Pony Club and Brian Smith of Silver Music. See poetry come to
music in the latest showcase of upcoming band and poets from all over the world. Expect to hear nothing but exciting inspiring music and poetry from the dawn of the electric era to the modern idealists making us move and shout today. See The Hoxton Pony.
