What To Book In London This October

GET IMMERSIVE HERE: Aladdin & The Feast of Wonders

Following the sell-out success of 2018’s Beauty and The Feast, Darling & Edge has whipped up another theatrical adult pantomime Aladdin and The Feast of Wonders will roll a five-course banquet and party into one hedonistic night out. In this unexpected reimagining, the classic tale has been turned on its head: guests will arrive dressed as urchins to fit in on the streets or dressed in glittering finery to mix with royalty for a journey through Scrubbers Lane and the widow’s laundrette towards a banquet in the Sultan’s Palace and a late-night street party. They will feast on distant delicacies such as coffee infusions, boxes of exotic street food and jewel-themed cocktails, while a cast of drag artists and cabaret performers bring the adventures of Agrabah straight to the dinner table.

The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN; 1st October 2019-14th January 2020

Visit TheVaults.London

SEE A NEW FILM HERE: BFI London Film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival celebrates the most innovative new films from across the world. Visitors can discover the Oscar winners of the future, new talent and beautifully restored treasures from the archives. Every screening is hand-picked by a trusted team of programmers, and all features are being shown in the UK for the first – and sometimes only – time. Hundreds of leading directors, writers and actors will also take to the stage to introduce their films and take part in audience Q&As. Head down to the social hub at BFI Southbank for free events or discover films at the pop-up Embankment Garden Cinema. This year’s headline films include Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield, Rian Johnson’s Knives Out and Tom Harper’s The Aeronauts, which reunites Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne.
 Various locations across London; 2nd-13th October
 Visit WhatsOn.BFI.org.uk

DO YOUR BIT FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH HERE: She London

This exhibition brings together 25 female creatives who have explored the diversity and their experience of the female form through paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics and conceptual jewellery. Presented by Art for Cure, the show will be held in London’s Bankside Gallery, raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now’s research. Renowned artists such as Maggi Hambling, Henrietta Dubrey, Carol Peace, Claudia Legge and Alexandria Coe will be joined by vibrant new talents such as Laura Pannock, Joy BC, Edith Dormandy and Jelly Green for this unique show. A great way to support Breast Cancer Awareness month.

 48 Hopton Street, Bankside, SE1 9JH; 2nd-6th October
Visit ArtForCure.org.uk

SEE SOMETHING NEW HERE: London East Asia Film Festival

London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) is the capital’s most celebrated champion of East Asian cinema and culture. Back for a fourth year, its 2019 programme includes films from 11 countries focusing on crisis, chaos and survival. The films consider the future of those in East Asia and in London, opening up vital and thought-provoking dialogues around youth, human interaction, development, and cultural and social issues. Highlights include: Midi Z’s Nina Wu; Dian Yinan’s The Wild Goose Lake; Pema Tseden’s Balloon; Yosep Anggi Noen’s The Science of Fictions and Thai thriller The Pool of the Year. 
 

Various venues across London; 24th October-4th November

Visit LEAFF.com

GET ARTY HERE: Frieze London 2019

Frieze London is an art fair featuring more than 160 of the world’s leading galleries. Visitors can view and buy art from more than 1,000 artists, while enjoying the fair’s critically acclaimed curated sections and talks programme. This year, Shezad Dawood takes inspiration from modernist architect Muzharul Islam for an intriguing performative work. The geometry in Islam’s drawings comes to life for ten minutes every hour when activated by dancers. Green Art Gallery offers up a multidisciplinary group presentation, including a collaboration between artist Seher Shah and photographer Randhir Singh, whose print series looks at overlapping ideas in architecture, photography, drawing and printmaking. In the same section, Tiwani Contemporary will show new works by emerging artist Joy Labinjo, who explores architectural features, decorative patterns and the domestic space of black lives.
 

Regent’s Park, NW1 4HA; 3rd-6th October

Visit Frieze.com

FEEL AUTUMNAL HERE: Heritage

Recently opened Soho restaurant Heritage gives Swiss food a modern makeover through head chef Aarik Persaud’s use of luxury ingredients – think lobster fondue and raclette with wagyu bresaola. As autumn approaches, its bar will take centre stage, with discerning drinkers invited to relax on leather-luxe high stools and watch skilled mixologists at work. Groups can also get hands-on at interactive cocktail workshops, which include an ice-carving demonstration (the bar team are pros at carving extravagant ice diamonds with hand saws) and three cocktails. Look out for a selection of new bar bites such as mini crispy rostis and raclette with Cobble Lane charcuterie – or just settle in with the house fondue.

18-20 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 6DE
 Visit HeritageRestaurant.com

EAT ACROSS THE CAPITAL HERE: London Restaurant Festival

London Restaurant Festival (LRF) returns for an 11th year with an array of exclusive culinary events and chef-hosted dinners. Top chefs from around the world will arrive in the capital to cook and converse, welcoming 50,000 people into more than 400 restaurants throughout the month. Among a series of ‘One Night Only’ events, we like the sound of ‘London’s Longest Lunch’, which sees Brindisa and Estrella Galicia host an indulgent six-course Spanish feast that runs the length of the Thames from London Bridge to Battersea (via a Clipper). Look out too for a special night with a celebrated author at newly opened Robin Gill restaurant Darby’s in Embassy Gardens. ‘Top Ten Cuisines’ will return with a star-studded lineup including Anne-Sophie Pic, Andrew Wong, Richard Corrigan, Moshiko Gamlieli, Mark Hix, Theo Randall and Nieves Barragan Mohacho. Elsewhere, exclusive tasting menus will be available at Palomar, Barrafina, Kin + Deum, Wild Honey St James and Jack Stein in Barnes. 
Various venues across London; 1st-31st October
 Visit LondonRestaurantFestival.com

DO YOUR BIT FOR HOMELESSNESS HERE: Massaoke

For ten days in October, New Horizon Youth Centre and a number of King’s Cross businesses, community organisations and residents are coming together to take on youth homelessness. This will culminate on 10th October, when a night of music, food and drink will mark World Homeless Day and help fund vital support for local young people experiencing homelessness. For the event, West Handyside Canopy will be taken over by Massaoke, a live sing-along band: think karaoke, but a lot bigger and less scary. The band will be sure to play some of the greatest anthems of all time, while big-screen lyrics help everyone sing along en masse – and all for a good cause. 

Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ; 10th October

Visit Eventbrite.co.uk