Is it just us or was January rubbish? Nice then that February, with its special extra day this year, commences with Brazilian Carnival, yummy pancakes and Chinese New Year... it's like a whole new start for 2008 and lots of it totally FREE!
Monday: Get some Monday Love at the Inspiral Lounge, Camden Lock as
UK Indymedia host their radical film, talk, and music night.
Free entry for all those who still believe in something more than money or fear. DJs from 7pm and a screening of
SOCPA - the movie at 9pm.
Tuesday: It's Shrove Tuesday. If you can get out of work for a bit at lunchtime, you can either catch the Great Pancake Race opposite the Tower of London or the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race. Then go home and make and flip pancakes until they stick to your ceiling. Eat some too. If you don't like pancakes you might like werewolves, in which case consider joining Werewolf night at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street for a a quiet game of kill the villagers.
Wednesday: The first week of February is CARNIVAL week in Brazil. If you're missing out on
Samba Dance Club at Sadlers tomorrow get down to
Guanabara, Parker Street WC2 before 9pm, get a free Samba class then party the night away to acid-samba, hip hop, pop and funk. Oh, and dress it up! Best fancy dress wins 2 return train tickets to Eurodisney.
Thursday: Get high brow in a science and arty fashion with the free premiere of artist, Catherine Yass's, latest work: a film which documents waking moments and dream recall (remember
Sleeping and Dreaming? It's still on). Book your place on 020 7611 2222 or
online.
Friday: There are 2 places you can get free music for Chinese New Year tonight. The
National Portrait Gallery has the Silk and Bamboo Quartet Traditional Chinese instrumentalists performing from 6.30pm whilst the Clore Ballroom in the Southbank Centre hosts the
Silk String Quartet from 6.15pm. But it's also the
4th Londonist Walk tonight meeting at Green Park tube at 7.30pm. Not only is this marvellous event completely free but you get to meet some lovely Londonistas and might walk away from it with a small Londonist badge of honour.
Saturday: It's all about the Year of the Rat this weekend. The
V&A and
British Museum both have loads of stuff going on (the latter including music from Damon Albarn's reincarnation of Monkey!).
Sunday: Chinese New Year celebrations should keep you busy again today with a parade that converges on Trafalgar Square and entertainment all afternoon.
Xin Nian Kuai Le and Gung Hay Fat Choy!Or, you could stay in and wipe down those windows.
Image of a pancake racer in Brick Lane last year courtesy of noisehead's Flickrstream.
With many thanks to the London Freelist. Check the websites for more information.
