Pie Making
”Britain was a nation of great pie makers, somehow we’ve lost the art – let’s put Britain on the map again,” says Delia-approved chef Marika, and with these monthly classes that’s exactly what she’s doing.
And not just any old pie either, but a “proper pie” (pastry on the bottom, double crust, apparently – lazy casseroles with a pastry lid are not tolerated).
Each four-hour class has no more than 16 people so you get plenty of attention, and you’ll come away with some great new skills to take home and perfect, a recipe book to get you going and, of course, pies to share (or not) with your housemates.
£60, Jan 20, 11am-3pm Central Street Kitchen, EC1V 8AJ
pie-club-london.co.uk
Tube | Old Street
The London Art Fair
The UK’s largest fair for contemporary British art turns 25 this year with a bumper show.
Galleries from across the UK show work of the early 20th century onwards in the main hall, while Art Projects casts its eye over current Brit art and Photo50 showcases photography’s diversity from photojournalism to portraits.
£12+, Jan 16-20. Times vary Business Design Centre, N1 0QH
londonartfair.co.uk
Tube | Angel
Free and Funny in Angel
Beat away those post-holiday blues with some January jokes at this free comedy night. The weekly chucklefest always includes a headliner, up-and-coming talent and a host of first timers.
This Thursday James Acaster toplines, with Meryl O’Rourke, Brenda Gilhooly, Jacob Hawley and Simon Weekes. Free And Funny also runs Sundays.
Jan 17. 8pm Camden Head, N1 8DY
freeandfunny.co.uk
Tube | Angel
Iain Stirling
Stand-up Stirling confesses to being “one of those comedian/presenters you get nowadays” – he’s been presenting on CBBC.
Modest maybe, but debut solo show, Happy To Be The Clown? sold out at Edinburgh and makes its London premiere.
His dad is still not “sure about the whole thing”, he says. You will be, though.
£12.50, Jan 17-19. 9.45pm Soho Theatre, W1D 3NE
sohotheatre.com
Tube | Tott Ct Road
London International Mime Festival
A festival of theatre without words that subverts your expectations of what mime is and, more importantly, can be.
Rather than white-faced clowns as the stereotype suggests, all manner of art-circus, aerial acrobats, illusionists and psychedelic puppetry are set to storm London.
Don’t miss British aerial theatre compay Ockham’s Razor and Italian Simone Riccio’s ‘wheel solo’, Nothing Moves If I Don’t Push It.
£8+, until Jan 27. Times vary
Various
mimelondon.com
Dover Street Market Sale
One of London’s more secretive markets is slashing prices for January by as much as 30 per cent, with many cutting-edge designers and fashion items ready to be snaffled up by the plucky.
You best hurry, though, as there are bound to be others out there keen to fill their wardrobes with some mega bargains.
Until Jan 22. Times vary W1S 4LT
Tube | Green Park
doverstreetmarket.com
Raiders of the Last Tube
If you prefer not looking a wreck at work the morning after, or don’t want to commit fully to a dry-and-no-action Jan, then this monthly dinner, drinks and dancing night from The Secret Garden Party folks is for you.
There’s top grub, bands and DJs, and an 11.30pm curfew so you get to bed at a reasonable time on a school night.
£5, Jan 17. 6.30pm-11.30pm
The Lexington, N1 9JB the
lexington.co.uk
Tube | Angel
Photos: Heiko Kalmbach
