This Week August 14-20

14 August 2017 Will Rathbone

With two weeks to go till the Bank Holiday weekend, the best way to prepare for the celebrations is by partaking in wholesome activities this week: leaving you refreshed and ready to embrace the three-day weekend. Talks, healthy street food, jazz, theatre and a doodle marathon: it’s the perfect recipe for mind, body and soul.

KERB “Livin’ on the Veg” Vegan Food Festival
 
Eight street food traders are battling it out in King’s Cross to win the ultimate vegan rumble in KERB’s weekend-long Livin’ on the Veg food festival. This is serious food: deep fried jackfruit wings, red Thai curry pots, Korean BBQ Bahn Mi baguettes and peanut butter mud pie brownies are among the dishes on offer. A ticket includes all eight portions of food and a complimentary cocktail – sample each stall and vote for the winner. Our bellies are rumbling already.
 
Livin’ on the Veg: The Ultimate Vegan Rumble takes place at the West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross, from August 18-19. Tickets from £25.


Jackfruit Buffalo Wings © KERB
 
Knives in Hens – Donmar Warehouse
 
Yaël Farber is one of the most in-demand directors working in the UK today, making her debut at the prestigious Donmar Warehouse very welcome indeed. David Harrower’s brooding play Knives in Hens made waves when it premiered at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre back in 1995, and the pre-industrial setting mixed with Farber’s distinctive, powerful directing style is a recipe for success. The story sees a ploughman and his wife’s simple existence disrupted by a power struggle with the hated local miller.
 
Knives in Hens runs at the Donmar Warehouse, WC2H 9LX, from August 17 – October 7. Tickets from £10.


Judith Roddy in Knives in Hens at The Donmar Warehouse, Photo Daniel Ken
 
Live Jazz Fridays at the Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Pavilion
 
The Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Summer Pavilion opened in June and, if you haven’t visited already, it’s well worth stopping by to see local architecture practice IF_DO’s winning design. The lightweight structure has a timber roof supported by a blend of transparent and reflective panels and is a delight to spend time in. Every Friday throughout August they stay open late and host top jazz musicians. It’s an extremely pleasant way to assuage that Friday feeling.
 
Live Jazz Fridays run at the Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Pavilion every Friday throughout August from 6-10pm. Entry is free, but booking is recommended.


Dulwich Pavilion © Agnese Sanvino
 
London Doodle Marathon
 
Carnaby Street’s artist-led souvenir store We Built This City is hosting a 50-hour Doodle Marathon carried out by acclaimed doodler Mr Doodle in association with urban art supplier Moosey Art. Over the course of three days, Mr Doodle will draw a live, unplanned design onto the storefront before moving into the paper-covered interior and continuing the marathon. Passers-by can drop in to watch his progress, before the paper is auctioned off at the end of the event.
 
The London Doodle Marathon runs at We Built This City, Carnaby Street, from August 18-20. Entry is free.


Mr. Doodle
 
LDN Talks –The Science of Psychedelics
 
LDN Talks @ Night curate a wide range of talks hosted by fascinating individuals from all walks of life. The Science of Psychedelics sees Dr David Luke – who teaches an undergraduate course on the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience at the University of Greenwich – discuss his research into the traditional use of psychoactive plants and fungi for spiritual and shamanic rituals, and different techniques of consciousness alteration from South America to India. A truly mind-expanding talk we’re sure you’ll agree.  
 
The Science of Psychedelics LDN Talk takes place at The Battersea Barge, SW8, on August 16 at 7:30pm. Tickets are £12.


LDN Talks @ Night: The Science of Psychedelics. Image courtesy of Funzing