Do You Like Scary Movies?
Shock! Horror! It’s back, the film that made stovetop popcorn horrifying and kept mask sellers in business worldwide: twenty-five years after the first killer committed a streak of cold-blooded murders across the unsuspecting town of Woodsboro, a new killer has returned to don the Ghostface and wreak more havoc. The fifth instalment of the US slasher franchise Scream sees a new killer target a new group of teenagers in an attempt to uncover secrets from the town’s past. Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette all return to their previous roles from the series alongside some new faces. It’s the first of the series not to be directed by the late Wes Craven, with director-duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett now stepping in to take the reins.

Scream 5 is in cinemas now.

Get stuck in
Ahead of Whitechapel Gallery’s anticipated exhibition A Century of the Artist’s Studio: 1920-2020 opening next month, the gallery are launching a live studio space this week just in case you fancy getting in on the action. The Living Studio is filled with inspirational objects, books and artistic materials to encourage visitors of all ages and abilities to create their own artwork while highlighting the importance of creative spaces. So, if you’ve ever fancied yourself as the next Tracey Emin – who has just been announced as the Whitechapel’s ninth Art Icon winner – it might be worth heading to East London and picking up a paintbrush.

The Living Studio runs at the Whitechapel Gallery until May, more info here.

Oh! You Pretty Things
Last weekend marked what would’ve been David Bowie’s 75th birthday, and what better way of paying tribute to the icon than with a night dedicated to his incredible musical oeuvre. Cue this month’s Cave Club – the brainchild of Rhys Webb (The Horrors, The Shadracks) – dedicated to all things Bowie, pulling classics from his catalogue alongside his friends, inspirations and collaborators. In the words of Bowie himself, let’s dance.

Cave Club: Bowie Special takes place on 14th January at Moth Club.

(Don’t forget about the BFI’s ongoing Bowie film season for a true Sound and Vision experience)

Hair-raising stuff
The Horniman is currently extremely hairy due to its ongoing hirsute exhibition exploring the wild world of hair. Untangling its significance, the exhibition asks us why we’re so emotionally attached to our locks while exploring the expectations associated with the stuff – through beauty, identity, age, gender and race. Alongside exhibits, there’s also a hair shop installation from producer and curator Korantema Anyimadu that delves into the experiences of Black women and non-binary people.

Hair: Untold Stories is running at the Horniman Gallery until 19th June. The exhibition is free to visit but tickets must be booked in advance.

INFRINGE's Cult Hair is a photography series which celebrates hair unrestrained by mainstream beauty standards.

The display is free, but you'll need a ticket to enter the Museum.

Nan, Cult Hair by INFRINGE Magazine. Photography: Panos Damaskinidishttps://t.co/8tVjdnzHyS pic.twitter.com/QgqyBChixE

— Horniman Museum and Gardens (@HornimanMuseum) December 20, 2021

Good things come in small packages
Kicking off this weekend is the 19th edition of London’s Short Film Festival, with a schedule full of British and international shorts as well as a host of talks and workshops. As a BAFTA qualifying festival, the event sheds light on unconventional and independent filmmakers, taking open submissions and narrowing it down to just 250-500 films, the line-up is carefully curated by a panel of industry experts. Special events are taken care of by the pioneering TAPE Collective with panel discussions covering topics such as female and non-binary filmmakers, a Q+A with Anna Maguire and live musical performances throughout.

London’s Short Film Festival runs from 14th January – 23rd January, more info here. 

Bright idea
The Light Festival at Battersea Power Station is returning to brighten up these dreary winter nights. Curated by the directors of the renowned Amsterdam Light Festival, London’s riverbanks are set to be glowing until the end of February. Compiling installations from six international light artists, including Run Beyond by Angelo Bonello, Greenhouse by Victor Engbers and Antenna Sud by Michela Bonzi. Danish designer Mads Vegas will also be returning to the festival with Eternal Sundown, a post-apocalyptic installation of 140 filtered fluorescent tubes covering the Grade II listed Coaling Jetty that’s set to be the star of the show.

The Light Festival runs at Battersea Power Station from until 27th February, more info here.

Erm, what’s a dry Jan?
The real challenge is finding Bistrotheque, but once you’ve discovered its non-descript entrance round the back of Bethnal Green, enter a wondrous place of white industrial furnishings, brilliant food, a stocked bar and a man playing crooner pop covers on piano – did they employ heaven’s (the spiritual afterlife, not the London club) interior designer?

Every weekend, the East London eatery opens early for a special brunch menu that acts as the ideal antidote to a bloody hard week. Alongside classy spins on a full English, eggs benedict and French toast, there’s a delicious farianata served with avocado and crispy chickpeas, a chicken schnitzel in garlic butter and a mushroom ragu with fried bread that gently glides you from breakfast into lunch, and beyond. What’s more, cocktails aren’t only offered, they’re encouraged – ask for a Shrimpy’s Crystal Rita and let the good times flow, you deserve it!

Bistrotheque is located at 23-27 Wadeson St, E2 9DR.