6 Upbeat Events Happening in London this week
With worldwide health concerns building day-by-day, feeling overwhelmed and consumed by the accompanying air of anxiety is understandable. From a gorgeous and accessible art fair at Battersea Park, to a private Frame class and shopping experience with Astrid & Miyu, these six upbeat events should help to add a little pep to your step.
1. DRINK + DEBATE: International Wxmen’s Day w/Polyester Zine
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BOXPARK Croydon has teamed up with Polyester Zine for an upbeat evening celebrating International Womxn’s Day, and collective activism. The evening will kick off with a live recording of The Polyester Podcast, where Founding Editor in Chief, Ione Gamble, will be sitting down with artist and Queerty ‘Game Changer of 2020’, Wednesday Holmes, to chat about causes close to their heart, before an ‘all-womxn’ panel debate, made up of artists, activists and entrepreneurs. Tickets are free, but for just £10, secure yourself guaranteed entry, and a limited edition cocktail inspired by iconic women throughout British history.
When? 19:00 – 21:00, Tuesday 10 March
Where? BOXPARK Croydon, 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD
2. THE SCIENCE OF SNOOZING: Sleep Well Workshop
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With 67% of UK adults suffering from disrupted sleep, and 23% managing no more than five hours a night, it seems that many of us are in need of a bedtime refresh. In this 75-minute workshop at TheDrug.Store, Melike Hussein of Breathzone and Dr Julie Moltke will teach you the basics of sleep science, as well as some highly effective Yoga, breath-work, and meditation techniques that should help calm and relax the mind before sleep. Plus, you’ll walk away with a goodie bag of bedtime-friendly products!
When? 18:00 – 19:15, Wednesday 11 March
Where? TheDrug.Store City, 125 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5DF
3. MASTER THE TERRARIUM: Bottle Garden Masterclasses
An ideal opportunity to make a personal Mother’s Day gift, Squire’s Garden Centres are hosting hour-long Bottle Garden Masterclasses on Thursday and Friday this week. In the workshop, you’ll be guided through planting your succulents and cacti, and given expert tips on how best to look after your terrarium – so that you can look forward to enjoying it for many months to come. Tickets cost £30 per person, and include all the materials you’ll need – the bottle, tuition, compost, gravel, pebbles, moss and plants – as well as a voucher for a hot drink and slice of cake at Squire’s Café Bar, and 10% off any other plants purchased on the day!
When? 10:00 and 14:00 on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March
Where? Various locations
4. ART WITH HEART: Affordable Art Fair @ Battersea
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Carrying on in their plight to democratise art for all, the Affordable Art Fair are returning to Battersea Park with another upbeat and expertly curated affair. Expect the usual offering of thousands of contemporary artworks from over 110 galleries across the globe, as well as new additions to the fair that truly champion the belief of ‘art for all’. Try your hand at printmaking in the new Access section, celebrate art’s female frontline in an International Women’s Day programme backed by art historian heavyweight Katy Hessel, and even let the kids get creative in one of the many drop-in family sessions.
When? Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March
Where? Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, London, SW11 4NJ
5. SWEAT THEN SHOP: Astrid & Miyu’s International Women’s Week – Get Fit with Frame
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the jewellery experts at Astrid & Miyu are hosting a jam-packed week of female-led career, wellness and fitness events across their London stores – and 100% of the profits are going to Bloody Good Period, which is a charity initiative dedicated to eradicating period poverty across the UK. Do your part for period power by coming along to a super upbeat, 45-minute dance cardio class at the Frame studio in Shoreditch, followed by much-needed refreshments, a private shopping and piercing experience at the Astrid & Miyu store in nearby BOXPARK.
When? 18:30 – 20:30, Friday 13 March
Where? Frame Shoreditch, 29 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EY
6. DELICIOUS DEMOS: Vegan Life Live London 2020
Set to be an educational weekend of plant-based pleasure, Vegan Life Live is returning to Alexandra Palace for more tastebud-tingling fun. As always, expect live cooking demos with well-known herbivores like Gaz Oakley (@avantgardevegan) and Tomi Makanjuola (@vegannigerian), as well as powerful lectures, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with influential activists, charities and experts from the vegan community. And if all that talk about food leaves you feeling hungry, then head to the food court to snack on temaki, sushi burrito and bowls from @letsdotemaki, and amazing plant-based ice cream from @wearemoonji.
When? 10:00 – 17:00, Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 March
Where? Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London