What To Do This Weekend 21.09.23
Image: STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE FLOWER FESTIVAL
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What To Do This Weekend 21.09.23

Looking for things to do this weekend? Look no further – from creative workshops and sample sales to a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, our guide has plenty of options for everyone.
Image: STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE FLOWER FESTIVAL

GET A CULTURE FIX:

Take A Moment Exhibition At The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery now has the Take A Moment exhibition in its new Spotlight Space. The show features over 200 portraits of recognisable faces and each celeb has been photographed with their eyes closed, symbolising a moment of reflection to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day next month. Visitors can see portraits of Idris Elba, Kylie Minogue, Adjoa Andoh, Bimini Bon Boulash, Hannah Waddingham and Louis Theroux, to name a few. There are also portraits of everyday heroes, including the London Fire Brigade Soho Watch. Tickets are free.

St. Martin's Place, West End, WC2H 0HE

Visit TakeAMoment.uk

TRY SOMETHING NEW:

Sky Arts x David Hockney Workshops

According to a recent study, almost half of adults don’t have any art supplies in their home and one in five haven’t picked up a paintbrush other than to decorate. Sky Arts wants to change those stats with its free ‘Inspired by David Hockney’ workshops to help the nation get in touch with its artistic side. Over the next few weeks, numerous artists across the country will host workshops in a variety of unusual spaces, from a deserted medieval village to a seaside pier. On Sunday 24th September, illustrator Lizzie King will lead a class at Dalston Curve Garden on how to create bold and playful collages inspired by the Hockney palette. Designs will then be transferred to a t-shirt or tote bag to take home. On Saturday 30th September, painter Jade Connelly will experiment with mark making, using oil pastels and acrylic paints at Spitalfields City Farm.

13 Dalston Lane, Dalston, E8 3DF; Buxton Street, Spitalfields, E1 5AR

Visit SkyArtsCelebratingHockney.Eventbrite.co.uk

MEET THE GIRLS:

Eline

Eline is one of our favourite Hoxton restaurants, thanks to its ever-changing seasonal menu and adjoining bottle shop full of natural and low-intervention wines. Now it’s launched a Saturday afternoon set menu with three courses for just £35pp. Rotating dishes are inspired by a love of classic French cooking – look for dishes like barbecued chicken with sweetcorn and girolles, cod en croute with fennel and hollandaise, and roasted plums with vanilla ice-cream and nut crumble. You can add on a bottle of wine from the shop’s 100-strong list.

1C Rosewood Building, Cremer Street, Hoxton, E2 8GX

Visit RestaurantEline.co.uk

BOOK AHEAD:

Hurr Sample Sale

Next week, rental service Hurr will host its first ever sample sale in a Nine Elms warehouse. Book ahead to secure a slot on Friday 29th or Saturday 30th September to shop clothing and accessories at up to 80% OFF. Get ahead of party season and browse the selection of designer and high-end items from brands like Cult Gaia, Ganni, Asceno, Reformation, Rixo, Frankie Shop and Totême, to name a few. Shoppers can also enjoy complimentary drinks. Tickets cost £5, which will be donated to the Choose Love charity.

Havelock Terrace, Nine Elms, SW8 4AS

Visit Eventbrite.com

NAB A £2 NEGRONI:

Padella Shoreditch

For an affordable plate of pasta that hits the spot, few places rival Padella in Shoreditch. To celebrate Negroni Week, the Italian restaurant is offering £2 negronis with any plate of pasta until Sunday 24th September. The negroni has been created by master mixologist Mr Lyan, using a blend of three vermouths for the perfect balance of sweet, stiff and bitter notes. All that’s left is for you to choose your dish – we recommend the ricotta ravioli with butter and sage, or the ’nduja fettuccine.

1 Phipp Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4PS

Visit Padella.co

HEAR FROM THE PROS:

Fashion & Cinema Q&A at The Soho Hotel

On Sunday 24th September, The Soho Hotel will host the next event in its Fashion & Cinema series. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran and production designer Sarah Greenwood – who have worked on films like Atonement, Pride & Prejudice, Anna Karenina and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie – will share how stories are brought to life on the big screen. Hosted by writer and costume curator Keith Lodwick, the talk will take place in the hotel’s screening room and feature scenes and snippets from the designers’ career, followed by a Q&A. After the talk, guests can head upstairs to the hotel’s bar and restaurant to enjoy dinner and drinks. Tickets start from £35pp.

4 Richmond Mews, Soho, W1D 3DH; from 4.15pm

Visit DesignMyNight.com

REBECCA DICKSON

LEARN A NEW SKILL:

Seafood Masterclasses at The Sea, The Sea Hackney

The Sea, The Sea in Hackney is bringing back its seafood masterclasses on Saturday 23rd September. The monthly classes are a chance to learn how to prep, cook and plate seafood from the restaurant's exec chef Leandro Carriera. Classes will run from 11am to 2pm, including a welcome drink, hands-on demo and two practical sessions. You’ll then sit down to a three-course lunch with a couple of glasses of paired wine. If you can’t make it this weekend, the next class is on Saturday 14th October. Tickets cost £150.

337 Acton Mews, Hackney, E8 4EA

Visit ExploreTock.com

MARK ALLAN

CATCH A CLASSIC:

Mahler’s Resurrection At Royal Festival Hall

On Saturday 23rd September, conductor Edward Gardner will launch the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s new season with a performance of Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall. The famous piece of music starts with a funeral march and finishes with a hopeful quartet, symbolising a journey from dark times to a world reborn. The orchestra comprises 118 musicians, including 12 trumpet players who will add drama offstage, as well as 200 choir members. Tickets start from £10.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX

Visit LPO.org.uk

BE INSPIRED:

Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival

Richmond’s Strawberry Hill House is hosting its annual flower festival this weekend, showcasing the very best of British-grown flowers and sustainable floristry. From Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th September, guests can take part in floral demonstrations and curator-led tours to learn about some of the UK’s independent florists and horticultural trends. Highlights include masterclasses with Stuart Fenwick on how to create a hand-tied bouquet using homegrown flowers, and a talk and tour from Hampshire-based floral company Hortus Poeticus. Tickets start from £15.

268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST

Visit StrawberryHillHouse.org.uk

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