Spring has sprung!
by Jen (follow Jen on Twitter: @JenBarnes207)
British Summer Time has arrived- hallelujah for daylight savings! The days are longer so you’ve got all the time in the world for this month’s roundup. I’ve included some beer, some art, some festivals, some record- a bit of everything across London.
As always, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 Craft 100 Beer Festival | 2nd – 5th April
Image: Craft Beer Co Facebook
Do you love beer? Then you need to get to Clapham for the Craft 100 Beer Festival. The beer isn’t free, but entry is and you are guaranteed to find a pint or two that you are willing to spend your hard earned cash on. Besides- it’s bank holiday weekend so it’s worth it! The festival mainly includes good ole British brews, but there will be a few international guests as well.
When: 2nd-5th April
Where: The Craft Beer Co Clapham, 128 Clapham Manor Street, London SW4 6ED
#2 Hackney Record Fair| 12th April
Photo by Lola Rojo
I think one of my fellow writers said it best- On April 12th, Hackney Record Fair at Epic Dalston will open its doors to celebrate the extraordinary independent music scene, the DIY disc dealers, and rare underground records in an extravaganza of unusual records, vintage hi-fi, and music ephemera. On the day entry will be free, + DJs, a bakery, not to mention craft beer, so you can have a drink with a pastry as you admire the hidden treasures you’ve unearthed.
When: Sunday 12th April 2015
Where: Epic Dalston. 13 – 15 Stoke Newington High St. Dalston. N16 8BH
#3 Easter Chair Lifting | 6th April
Image: Calendar Customs
Head south to experience an unusual Easter tradition that has disappeared over the ages: chair lifting. Start at the Hood pub and traveling around Greenwich, the Greenwich Morris Men will take a flower bedecked chair from pub to marketplace, lifting women in the air. It’s free- but you might have to pay with a kiss if you find yourself lifted into the air!
When: 6th April, starting at 12pm
Where: Cutty Sark Gardens, Cutty Sark
#4 Leon Golub: Bite Your Tongue | All Month
Image: Serpentine
“Oppression, violence and the misuse of power” – that’s the theme of this survey exhibition: Leon Golub-Bite Your Tongue. Leon Golub was an American figurative painter who wanted his art to have relevance. Painted between the years of 1950 and 2004, the works on exhibition still resonate today. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Hyde Park- you can sit on the lawn in the sunshine to make yourself feel better afterwards.
When: All Month
Where: Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA
#5 Queens Parade | 23rd April
A Parade of Hits Poster
Queens Parade: this corner of Willesden Green has been an active community hub full of independent businesses since 2012 and they would like to celebrate their birthday with you! It will be an evening of experimental art, live music, inspiring stories, drinks, pizza and good people. The party also acts as a launch for a new short film about Queens Parade. You can even get a free cartoon portrait by a local artist!
When: Thursday 23rd April, 6pm – 10pm
Where: 1-12 Queens Parade, Walm Lane, NW2 5HT, London
#6 The Passion of Joan of Arc (with live score) | 3rd April
Image: Union Chapel – photo by Andrew Firth
It’s a movie- it’s a concert- it’s everything. If you’re a film buff you’ll know that the Passion of Joan of Arc is considered to be one of the best films of all time. If you’re like me- you had no idea. Regardless, this showing at the Union Chapel will include a live score by electronic musician and composer Irene Buckley for soprano, organ and electronics- sounds pretty cool to me.
When: Friday 3rd April, 630pm
Where: Union Chapel, 18 Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
#7 A Month of Cohen Brothers at Vans Cinema| Daily Wedensday-Sunday
Image: South Bank
Whether you’re an avid skateboarder, you had a skating phase during school, or maybe you just really like cinema and the Cohen brothers- whatever your reason, this seems like a good excuse to watch some free films at the House of Vans Cinema. The cinema is underneath Waterloo Station, screening things daily from Wednesday to Sunday. For a full line-up check out the House of Vans website.
When: Daily, Wednesday to Sunday
Where: Vans Cinema, underneath Waterloo Station
#8 All of This Belongs to You| Opens 1st April
Image V&A
You might have noticed that it’s election season (at least- we hope you noticed!) and the V&A wanted to take advantage of that democratic process by analysing their role in your life. Regardless of your political leanings, you’ll find something to get excited about at All of This Belongs to You at the V&A a quirky exhibition examining the role of a public institution in contemporary life
When: All Month
Where: V&A, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
#9 Oxford V Cambridge Boat Race | 11th April
Image: Facebook: Timeout © Getty Images
It’s that time of year again- that time when muscly sweaty people take to the water and race each other down the Thames while bystanders wearing different shades of blue flock to the pubs to watch. That’s right- it’s the Oxford V Cambridge boat race! It’s a London tradition and you have to experience it at least once! The men’s race starts at 550pm, and this year, for the first time ever, the women’s race starts at 450pm! Head down to the water or to a riverside pub to watch.
When: 11th April, 450pm (Women’s Race), 550pm (Men’s Race)
Where: Down the Thames. Route available here.
#10 Renegade Craft Fair | 11th – 12th April
Image: Renegade Craft Fair
Renegade Craft Fair is a massive craft fair of the UK (and the world’s) finest independent makers. Entrance to the fair is free and it’s the perfect place to find a gift for the person who has everything (and for yourself as well). Even if you’re skint, you’ll be surround by beautiful things- which isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon!
When: 11th April, All Day
Where: Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
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You may also want to check out the free film screenings in London in April 2015.
