Weekend Combo

Dance Craze at the BFI, Jason Manning’s nightclub photography and a Top Cuvée Easter egg hunt
7 April 2023
This article is part of Weekend Combo – What to do this weekend

That’s right, FOUR whole days off! We’re suckers for a bank holiday, so enjoy a bumper crop of things to fill it with and have one too many pints down the pub – you’ve got Monday to recover.

Exhibition

Sexy, sweaty, sleazy
If you don’t want to go on a major bender this bank holiday, but still want to feel like you’re in on the action, Jason Manning’s latest exhibition at Gallery 46 may just be the answer. Night by Night documents a bygone era of partying from clubs across the globe, capturing revellers on dance floors from London to Seoul. Exhibiting photographs taken over the course of a decade between the years 1997 and 2007, Manning paints a portrait of clubbing culture in its prime, transporting us to the last hurrah of hedonism before your mates started documenting it all on Instagram.

Night by Night runs at Gallery 46 until April 16th, more info here.

Film

Trouble on the Emerald Isle
A24’s latest psychological thriller God’s Creatures directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer tells the story of a mother’s tumultuous relationship between morality and maternal love. Set in rural Ireland, Paul Mescal and Emily Watson star as the mother-son duo whose relationship is tested once Paul’s character Brian returns to his hometown out of the blue after creating a new life in Australia. Followed by a questionable past and troubling accusations, Brian’s move home not only puts their relationship to the test but ignites a series of events surrounding questions of guilt, familial bonds and regret.

God’s Creatures is out in cinemas now. 

Documentary

Pick it up!
Joe Massot’s acclaimed 1981 concert film Dance Craze has been newly remastered to 4k from its original 70mm print and is back on the big screen. Capturing the very best of British 2Tone, the documentary encapsulates the UK music scene at the height of the ska revival across the late 70s and early 80s. Featuring bands such as Madness, The Specials, The Beat and Bad Manners, Massot’s work compiles live footage of the aforementioned bands to paint a portrait of one of Britain’s most iconic subcultures. Skank away!

Dance Craze is screening at BFI Southbank on Saturday, more info here

Easter Egg Hunt

Ready, set, go…
After the success of last year’s Easter extravaganza, Top Cuvée are back with another ‘egg’ hunt but instead of chocolate, you’re going to be on the hunt for bottles of lovely, lovely vino. Beginning at Shop Cuvée in North London and working its way across Clissold Park, the hunt’s prizes offer up goodie bags curated from London eateries such as Yard Sale, Finks, Patty & Bun and Coqfighter. The race is on, see ya there.

Top Cuvée’s Easter Egg hunt will take place on Sunday, beginning at 189 Blackstock Road, N5 2LL, more info here

Exhibition

First time retrospective
Gabriel Moses’ debut exhibition Regina has just opened at 180 The Strand and it’s a survey of the London-based photographer and filmmaker’s incredible body of work. Spanning fashion, music and sport, the exhibition brings together never before seen images along with the premiere of two short films commissioned by 180 which follow a group of young ballet dancers in Lagos, Nigeria. Focusing on the intersections of art, family and culture, the showcase is a testament to Moses’ power of storytelling as visitors are invited on a journey through his archive.

Gabriel Moses – Regina will run at 180 The Strand until April 30th, more info here

Gabriel Moses photographs Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria

Film

A necessary watch
Six months after Grenfell Tower caught fire in June 2017, just before it was shrouded in cladding, Steve McQueen captured a portrait of the building. Circling West London in a helicopter, the Oscar-winning director’s footage of Grenfell has now taken on greater poignancy, realised as a film in a response to the tragedy. Created to capture the startling effects of the event and most notably as a powerful symbol of grief, McQueen’s 24-minute long visual documentation forces viewers to open their eyes to the devastating aftermath and lack of justice that pervades.

Grenfell will be screening at Serpentine South until May 10th, more info here.

Food + Drink

Sunday dinner, but fancy
The Oxford Tavern on Kentish Town Road has now been transformed into The Parakeet – and having opened just last month, the gastropub promises an extensive seasonal menu. Foudned by ex-Brat chef Ben Allen and sous-chef Ed Jennings, dishes consist of sea bream, braised leeks in pecorino sauce, blood orange butternut squash and lamb chops with artichoke and hazelnuts. Sunday roasts offer a selection of either hay roast chicken, beef, lamb or celeriac wellington for the veggies, rounded off with sticky toffee pudding or cheese and crackers. Drinks-wise, the bar is stocked with a never-ending selection of ales and a wine list focusing on biodynamic and low-intervention bottles – a perfect new spot to try this bank holiday weekend.

The Parakeet is located at 256 Kentish Town Rd, NW5 2AA, more info here

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