London On The Cheap

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 196 months ago
London On The Cheap
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Four weeks till Christmas! Argh. Funds are all focused on present buying and getting through the party season but we still want to go out and about because the heating isn't working properly at home. We can't afford to go and see Gandalf drop his trousers in King Lear but, thankfully, there's lots of cheap and interesting stuff about as usual.

Monday: Start the week with an event truly in the spirit of London on the Cheap - get free soup, bands and poetry in Stepney. Jorge will feature bands busking at The George Tavern, E1 in the style of indie rock, Slovakian alt rock and experimental electro pop and poetic respites. Free entry and free soup for all from 7.30pm. Don't begrudge being asked for spare change between bands.


Tuesday: If you're not working this afternoon, get along to Birkbeck College Cinema, Gordon Square, WC1 to catch the Robert Carlyle gangster film Face in the London After Dark film season. Entry is free but you can ring ahead to reserve your place. BYO popcorn.

Wednesday: And now for a special comedy night offer: go to the 99 Club at the Camden Head, Islington and mention our friends, The London Freelist, and get one of their "5% for free" tickets to an evening of giggles in the upstairs room. If you miss the boat, it'll cost you £7 instead so get there early; doors at 8pm. Thursday: If you missed the Tuesday afternoon film, satisfy yourself this evening by taking advantage of Film 4 free screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square. Tickets are released 20 mins before showtime on a first come, first served basis so be prepared for a queue. Mike Leigh's brilliant "Secrets and Lies" is on at 6.20pm followed by the classic "Trainspotting" at 9.15pm.Friday: Club Sensible urges you not to come to its geekynice club at The Vauxhall Griffin between 8pm - 2am. If you do go, be nice and polite and please tuck your shirts in. Playing "moderately muso friendly indie, mannered pop, deferent motown, polite punk, respectful rap, sensible ska, and a smidgin of nonsense" it sounds frankly smashing. Plus, half the proceeds from the bar go to a community charity working with London's homeless. Saturday: Explore City Hall! Open all day to the public and free for you to wander round the normally private bits like London's Living Room and the helter skelter stairway. Then hit the West End for shopping and street entertainment with Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street closed to traffic for Very Important Pedestrian day. Sunday: After the dazzle of the West End, head south to Open Studios at Pullens Yards and Iliffe Yard between Elephant & Castle and Kennington for a day meeting and exploring the work of over 60 London artists, craftsmen and designers. Pick up some unusual gems for Christmas and marvel at the historic workshops from the 1850s. Look out for Londonist's friend, Chris Roberts of One Eye Grey in Peacock's Yard. We guarantee he'll have a yarn or two for you. Or, you could stay in and apply to be the new England Football Manager.


Photo from Jason Rogers' flickr stream.

With many thanks to the London Freelist. Check the websites for more information.

Last Updated 25 November 2007