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FRIDAY 3rd September – SUNDAY 5th September 2021

“Y’all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out?”
When posting a tweet most people don’t expect a lot. A few likes, or a retweet from your mate if you’re lucky. However, in 2015 when Aziah ‘Zola’ Wells tweeted ‘Y’all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It’s kind of long but full of suspense’, quite literally the whole world replied, ‘YES’. The resulting viral 148 message Twitter thread has inspired Janicza Bravo’s latest movie, Zola, an A24 production recounting the madcap story of stripper duo Zola (Taylour Paige) and Setfani’s (Riley Keough) meeting, friendship and following madness.

Having bonded when Stefani takes Zola’s order in a diner, she invites her on a roadtrip to Florida where chaos unfolds and the dream she was sold is shattered. The pole dancing career and chauffeur turn into prostitution and a pimp, promises of earning $5,000 a night are a downright lie and the seedy world of America’s sex trade is out in full force. 

Zola is out in cinemas now. 

Stories on canvas
Currently on show at Tate Britain is the largest and most comprehensive retrospective of Portuguese painter Paula Rego, with works dating back to 1950 when the artist was just fifteen years-old. Having re-defined figurative painting and fiercely opposed dictatorship in her native Portugal throughout the 60s and 70s, Rego is a hugely important contemporary figure with an extraordinary life story.

Tate’s exhibition features over 100 works, many of which are responsible for transforming the depiction of women in contemporary art and include many of her best-known works, including The Policeman’s Daughter, Brancaflor – The Devil and the Devil’s Wife in Bed and The Dance (below), Rego’s monumental and compelling canvas of smartly-dressed figures dancing on a moonlit beach.

Paula Rego is on at Tate Britain until 24th October. Book tickets here. 

Maybe it’s time to leave…
During a somewhat awkward dinner party with another couple, Jenny (played by Lily Allen) reveals she’s been hearing weeping and footsteps in her baby daughter’s room at exactly 2.22am, four nights running. Soon the foursome descend into debate about ghosts, ghouls and other bumps into the night, all the while, tension builds as the clock gradually makes its way towards the dreaded 2:22am.

Danny Robins’ debut West End play 2:22 is a ghost story for our times, full of unanticipated jumps, class critique and theatrical screams. While Lily Allen’s casting is a major selling point, you soon forget about the musician’s day job and are more likely to walk out screaming than singing. 

2:22 is currently running at the Noël Coward Theatre. More info here.

For one night only
As the last days of festival season near, brand new one-day festival Wide Awake offers a bolt of energy to see you right into next summer. Promising an amplified line-up mix of British music stalwarts and new kids on the block, the festival arrives with a certain level of prestige due to its founders being the original brains behind Field Day and some of London’s most loved music venues such as Moth Club.

Located in South London’s Brockwell Park, must-see musical acts include Black Country, New Road, Black Midi, Crack Cloud, Daniel Avery, Faux Real, Goat Girl, Idles, Kikagaku Moyo, Maripool, Shame and Tiña, while during moments of quiet pay a visit to the Hate Zine publishers fair, where you can flick through some of the hottest independent publications, participate in workshops and buy some lovely Hate Zine merch. Everything we love in one place, we can’t wait.

Wide Awake takes place on Friday 3rd September. More info and tickets here.

https://twitter.com/wideawakeldn/status/1430625679113166853

Pub on steroids
While you’re kicking about in South, you’ll need some pre – and post – grub to sort you out: we wholeheartedly recommend The Camberwell Arms. What may look like an everyday boozer from the outside is actually one of the best gourmet eateries in the city. While best known for its Sunday roast (one of the few London roasts worthy of its name), the menu offers up a range of tasty seasonal dishes. If you’re into fish, the grilled mackerel with carosello cucumber is delicious, or maybe you’re more tempted by the pork collar with pesto calabrese and roasted greens? Crispy pork belly with nectarine and sage is also a must, as are the deep-fried oyster mushrooms. Finish it all with a Rum baba and you’ll be utterly content. What’s more, they also do delivery and collections, so there’s really no excuse not to.

The Camberwell Arms is located at 65 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TR.