London Diary: The best of what's on in London October 8 - 14

Live at the Roof Gardens

The Kensington Roof Gardens kicks off its autumn and winter programme of al fresco gigs and shows this week.

Friday nights will see performances from the city’s rising, up-and-coming bands and solo stars in the making, who are battling it out X Factor-style to win a professional video shoot, the winner being decided at the end of the run in the new year.

Adding to the Gardens’ live music season are Smooth Saturdays, hosting the very best soul and jazz artists. Grab a cocktail and enjoy top tunes in one of the city’s finest venues.

Fri and Sat, Oct 12-Nov 24. Various times, £15
6th Floor, 99 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA 
Station | High Street Kensington 
roofgardens.virgin.com

Sink or Shpin

The most surreal spinning class you will ever be a part of, this Edinburgh debuting crowd-winner sees you join instructor Clement, a newly trained ‘shpinner’, who’s seeking refuge from his recent divorce and shambles of a life.

It’ll be your sides sore from laughing, not aching legs, at this class.

Oct 10-27. Various times, £10
Boom! Cycle, EC2A 4RT
Station | Shoreditch High Street
sinkorshpin.co.uk

Crazee Golf

Forget about windswept, rainy, dilapidated crazy golf courses, this ‘crazee golf’ exhibition celebrates the pastime in all its weird, wonderful, eccentric – and often naff – glory.

There are paintings, films, installations, and also William Cobbing’s photos of old courses that have been left to rot.

Until Oct 27. 10am-6pm, free
Tintype, EC1N 8UN
Station | Farringdon
tintypegallery.com

Aphex Twin: Remote Control

The man who made his name in the Nineties with boundary-pushing electronic music that scared the shite out of everyone – Google the video for Come To Daddy and see what we mean – takes on this project in which he conducts a fortypiece orchestra remotely.

It’s either inspired genius, or gimmicky nonsense. We’re not sure.

Oct 10. 7.30pm, £25
Barbican, EC2Y 8DS 
Tube | Barbican
barbican.org.uk

Chocolate Week

Fact fans: chocolate comes from an Aztec word meaning ‘bitter water’; it was first brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus, but first made into a bar by the British who added cocoa butter.

The syrupy, belly-busting, diet-quashing goodness is celebrated in this week-long festie of sugary gorging.

There are chocktails at Volupté, a chocolate tasting menu at Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden and a whole host of other tooth-rotting goings-on. Enjoy.

October 8-14. Various times. £8 - 35
chocolateweek.co.uk

London cocktail week

London celebrates cocktails with this week-long festival centred around Covent Garden’s Seven Dials. There will be pop-up bars, tastings, parties and master classes so you can hone your skills.

There’s also a cocktail tour (£4) taking you around the city with a wristband, which entitles you to discounted cocktails across town.

Oct 8-14. Various times, free
Tube | Covent Garden
 diffordsguide.com

City Showcase: London 2012

This annual music fest, celebrating its 10th anniversary, gives a platform to the stars of the future.

Previous artists to have played their first shows here include Laura Marling, Hot Chip and even Amy Winehouse, so their taste is spot on.

This year’s newbies include Ash Graham (winner of City Showcase NZ), Robert Vincent and Yellow Wire. 

Oct 9-13. Various times, £5
Various
cityshowcase.co.uk