Three big nights of widespread anarchy and strangeness dominate this week— Halloween, Guy Fawkes Night, and Election Night. In between are bits of more cerebral repose to help you keep a grip on reality.
Friday: Halloween is an occasion for overpriced costume parties, but there is a very intriguing alternative: the Haunted Park Walk in the Kyoto garden, Holland Park. This will be a recreation of a Kaidan gathering, in which players blow out 100 candles one by one as they share ghost stories. And the Japanese conquest of all things creepy continues apace. Book immediately.Saturday: If you happen to dabble in classical guitar at any skill level, take your instrument to Kings Place today for expert guidance from a Trinity Guildhall teacher. Part of the London Guitar Festival in the Fall, which also extends to a range of not-free-but-still-cheap performances and workshops including lessons for the more Hendrix-inclined.Sunday: Serena Korda's Wonder Book Lectures is a series of anarchic talks at Camden Arts Centre inspired by the tone of the 1930s-40s Wonder Books. Today the artist asks a question we're no longer taking for granted: what is money?Monday: A punk rock artist, a critic, and a Catholic priest walk into a gallery... The gallery is Halcyon, the topic up for discussion is Contemporary Art and Christianity: Friends or Enemies?, and the artist is Billy Childish. RSVP now to find out the punchline.Tuesday: US Election Live! It may be a monumentally important night, but take all the coverage too seriously and you'll tear your hair out by morning. Best to watch it with tongue half in cheek at Camberwell's Sun & Doves, where the media circus will be prefaced with a screening of Brokeback Mountain and accompanied by cheese fries.
Or, you could stay in and stockpile your candy and fireworks.
Image courtesy of Matt from London via the Londonist flickrpool.
Check out London is Free for more ideas of things to do for nowt. Check the websites for more information.
