London On The Cheap

By Kira Last edited 189 months ago
London On The Cheap
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It was a gorgeous weekend, and even though some of us may have been rather brutally shoved into some flower pots in the maddeningly crowded midst of Columbia Flower Market (random lady, you know who you are), we’ve got a bronzed (if bruised) glow and we’re feeling good. Carry on with the summery joy with this week’s roundup of affordable activities.

Monday: Get down to the Lamb Tavern by 7 pm to witness both established and green comics test out new material at PBH’s Free Comedy Fringe night in a warm-up for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Free entry. Tuesday: Who likes Marc Jacobs? Chloé? Anyone care to mourn the passing of a fashion icon by indulging in some 80% discounted YSL goods? Head over to the London Accessory Sale today and tomorrow at Chelsea Old Town Hall on King’s Road. Wednesday: Maybe you carry your cigarettes in a silver Art Deco case, bemoan the bygone days of watch fobs and waistcoats, and prefer your films silent and in grayscale. In that case, 1) you’re awesome 2) take your free al fresco seat at the Scoop amphitheatre by 9.15 this evening to catch Buster Keaton star in the 1926 classic The General. Live piano accompaniment by Neil Brand.Thursday: Head down to Rough Trade East to see a free live performance by gritty-sexy rock duo The Kills. Starts at 7, but only the first 250 people that show up get in, so queue early...Friday: Get ye to the Designer Warehouse Sale, where the likes of Missoni and Vivienne Westwood (swoon) are crazy enough to offer you up to 70% off their goods. All weekend at 5-6 Islington Studios, Thane Villas. Saturday: This...might not be pretty. The 5th annual London Naked Bike Ride is wheelin’ and dealin’ today in Hyde Park. Riders encouraged to decorate their bodies with slogans of protest against global dependency on oil. In 2004 the event started off with just 58 intrepid exhibitionists, with the ranks swelling (har har...) to 1,000 last year. As an exhibitionist or an exhibition-goer, not to be missed. Pedals off at 3 pm, from Hyde Park Corner. Join the ride here.In the evening, head over to the Tate Modern to bear witness to extraordinary minimalist Tony Conrad’s new live performance specially conceived for the scale and sound of Turbine Hall. Featuring an amplified string quartet, electric drill adn motors, phonograph arms, film projection and shadows. Tickets are free, but need to be booked online in advance. here.Sunday: On Saturday and Sunday, Blackheath comes alive with the sounds of...kiddies squealing in delight. The Blackheath Bike and Kite Festival will decorate the skies and grounds between 11 and 4, replete with stunt teams, kite displays, and a special children’s fair.Or, you could stay in and nurse the blistering sunburn you accrued when you went a little hog-wild sans-SPF in the beer garden.

Image courtesy of buckaroo kid's flickrstream

Last Updated 09 June 2008