Like our European counterparts, we’re taking August as a month to chill TF out and enjoy some bloody good culture. Lap it up. 

A classic revisited
First released in 1983, Bette Gordon’s Variety is getting a high-res makeover at the BFI. A neo-noir at its core, the story follows Christine as she gets a job at the ticket desk of a porno movie theatre and becomes obsessed with its patrons. As a result, the women become the leering presence who follow these men along the neon-lit streets of downtown New York. Before heading to the cinema to catch the 80s cult classic in 2K, check out our interview with Gordon herself.

Variety is screening at BFI Southbank, more info here. 

The show must go on
For just one month, Sotheby’s will open its galleries to the public for a glimpse into the life of Queen frontman and cultural icon Freddie Mercury. Taking over the entirety of the auction house’s 16,000 square-foot space, instruments, song lyrics, archival clothing, art, jewellery and the beloved piano he wrote Bohemian Rhapsody on will be on display in an immersive insight into one of the world’s most famous musicians. In addition, more than 1,200 items from Mercury’s Kensington home, Garden Lodge, take us into the musician’s private passions. Titled, Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own, items from the rock legend’s estate will go up for auction once the exhibition ends at the end of the month.

Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own runs at Sotheby’s until September 5th, more info here. 

Fried chicken gone posh
South London’s most beloved chicken shop, Morley’s, has teamed up with Heinz for a summer pop-up at The Standard. A far cry from the street corner joint you’re a regular at in the small hours of a Saturday morning, the residency has given Morley’s signature dishes a glitzy, saucy makeover. A menu of glazed hot wings, popcorn chicken, drumsticks with caviar, chicken and waffles with a hot honey glaze and a 20-chicken wing tower, is accompanied by an array of Heinz dipping sauces – namely the limited-edition Fried Chicken Sauce created specially for The Standard. Caramelised apple donuts, a Mirinda ice cream and a chocolate sundae sprinkled with ketchup sherbet round proceedings off with a sweet treat.

Morely’s x Heinz pop-up will run at The Standard until September 3rd, more info here. 

Let’s get rowdy
Italia 90 bring the noise at Hackney’s Oslo this weekend. School-mates, the band have known each other for around fifteen years, and translate this tight bond into frenzied punk: lyrics addressing societal and political issues set to riffs that bludgeon and blast. Plus, they have the best stage names in town: Les Miserable, J Dangerous, Bobby Portrait and Captain ACAB.

Italia 90 play at Oslo on Friday 11th August.

A bissel of everything!
Ready for the best salt beef of your life? Currently on residency at South London Gallery, Wilde’s deli offers up delicious modern Jewish grub. The star of the show is the Reuben: salt beef piled high with Russian dressing, sauerkraut and Swiss on rye. Chow down with some homemade latkes served with apple sauce, sour cream and caviar. Elsewhere on the menu, there’s a chock-a-block breakfast bagel, smoked salmon with schmear, pickles and peppers, and a PB & J bagel for those with a sweet tooth.

Wilde’s will be at South London Gallery every weekend in August.

Spend your whole day here
Opened just a couple of weeks ago, Battersea Power Station’s Arcade Food Hall is a whistle-stop tour of the city’s best eateries. Comprised of thirteen cuisines, 5oo seats, two bars and three stand-alone restaurants in the form of Manna, BAO and Solis. Visitors can taste test Nepali street food from Tipan Tapin, Cantonese comfort cuisine from Siu Siu, and authentic Italian gelato from Leccami Gelato. Plus, it’s all set in a Baz Luhrmann-esque arcade space with Art Deco details. Yum.

Arcade Food Hall is located at Battersea Power Station, more info here.