FRIDAY 15th July – SUNDAY 17th July

How not to find love
The ultimate student film choice to impress a date, Buffalo 66, written and directed by Vincent Gallo is pure 90s cult classic. Starring as convict Billy Brown, Gallo’s protagonist dreads leaving prison so much he’d quite like to go back. In a desperate move, he kidnaps Layla, played by Christina Ricci, from a tap dancing class and begs her to impersonate his wife in an attempt to please his parents who are unaware of his time behind bars. Layla not only agrees but falls in love with him – hmmm. Worth watching for Gallo’s incredible red boots and that awkward dinner scene at his parents’ house alone.

Buffalo 66 is screening at Prince Charles cinema on July 17th, more info here. 

Male-on-male action
Over in W1, The Artist Room is in the middle of an exhibition exploring the male-on-male gaze through the lens of an intergenerational group of artists from across Europe and the USA. Including works from genre-defining names such as Kenneth Bergfeld, Jimmy DeSana, and Leon Pozniakow, it’s also the first time Larry Stanton’s work has been exhibited in the UK.

Stanton’s intimate and colourful portraiture documented bohemian life in New York City and beyond between the 60s and 80s, and his influence has remained steadfast on his predecessors. A gay man, his work artfully caught the liberating period of time post-Stonewall and pre-AIDS in the queer scene, capturing the beauty and sensuality of the characters that surrounded him. The showcase not only delves beneath the surface of masculinity, it is also a poignant exploration of queer love.

The Male Gaze: From Larry Stanton to Now runs at The Artist Room until July 30th, more info here.

A Chicago chapel in London
Now in its 21st year, the annual Serpentine Pavillion commission has seen the likes of Olafur Elison and Zaha Hadid take over the lawns of Kensington Gardens every summer. This year it’s Theaster Gates‘ turn. Black Chapel will take the form of an almost entirely wooden Pavillion; a singular light source from an oculus will sit as the centrepiece of the structure while an operating bell from the demolished St. Laurence Church in Gates’ hometown of Chicago will ring at the entrance. The space is set to create an environment reminiscent of the ambience created in a small chapel, offering up a slice of peace and quiet in the city.

The Serpentine Pavilion by Theaster Gates will run until October 16th, more info here. 

Dance in a field
We love a festival and luckily the city has a stellar offering of one-dayers marked on the calendar this season. It’s also meant to be glorious this weekend and if your ideal way to enjoy it is in the midst of a sweaty crowd, fear not, because we’ve got the perfect fix for you. Next on the agenda is Community Festival in Finsbury Park, since it started in 2017 it’s become a must for indie lovers. This year’s line-up includes Circa Waves, Pale Waves, Molly Burman and Police Car Collective. Waves seem to be on trend.

Community Festival will be held at Finsbury Park on July 16th, more info here. 

Making the past present
Winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, Emma Talbot is questioning positions of power, governance, attitudes to nature and representations of women in her latest show at Whitechapel Gallery. Taking its starting point from Gustav Klimt’s painting The Three Ages of Woman, the British artist offers a contemporary twist on the past as she reconstructs society through an intimately personal lens. The multi-media show combines free-hanging silk paintings, life-sized sculptural figures, drawings and animation to showcase Talbot’s distinctive style within an exploration of captivating subject matter.

Emma Talbot runs at The Whitechapel Gallery until 4th September, more info here. 

Sun, sea and mosquito repellents
You’ve heard it enough, we’ve heard it enough, but it’s true: this weekend is going to be HOT. So naturally, an al-fresco location is essential. Located along Hackney Wick, Crate Brewery crafts some of the best beer in the city as well as offering up some mouthwateringly good pizza – a tried and tested fail-proof combo. Housed in an old factory along the river, the waterside tables catch just the right amount of rays and their boat Alfred Le Roy is often moored outside with plenty of tables to grab. Slap on the factor 50 and sun yourself silly. 

Crate Brewery is located at  Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN, more info here.