May your days be full of free stuff
by Jen, who has recently decided to leave the Twittersphere
April has been a bit of a strange month – the weather has been totally mental and we’re all still bitter that Easter didn’t last longer. Luckily May is full to the brim with free stuff and bank holidays. You can enjoy free cheese festivals, films, fab art and maybe some free swag if you’re lucky! As always, if nothing on my list tickles your fancy, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 | The London Cheese Project | 6th-7th May
The Cheese Bar toastie ©The Cheese Truck
Cheese is having a moment in London right now – which is good news for all the cheese lovers out there. Camden Market is hosting the London Cheese Project festival over two days. You can chat up all the local vendors, listen to free music in the evenings and spend your hard earned cash on some fancy cheese, food from the likes of Mac To The Future, Voodoo Ray’s, Raclette Brothers and MORE. Full list of cheesemongers on the festival website.
When: 6th-7th May, Sat: 10am-10pm/Sun: 10am-8pm
Where: Camden Market, North Yard, London NW1 8AL
#2 | David Batchelor: PSYCHOGEOMETRY | All Month
Image: Matt’s Gallery
Do you like fluorescent colours? Drawings? Sculptures? David Bathchelor: Psychogeometry has them all. It’s his first exhibition at Matt’s Gallery but you may have seen his work at the Hayward Gallery’s Light Show in 2012. The larger sculptures derive from the paper works so make sure you’re paying close attention!
When: All Month, Wed–Sun 12–6pm
Where: Matt’s Gallery, 65 Decima Street, London, SE1 4QR
#3 | Shake London: Some Kinda ‘Art Fair’ | 20th May
Image: MOTH Club
Shake (Bristol) and Black Cat White Cat are throwing are taking over the Moth Club for Shake: Some Kinda ‘Art Fair’ – an illustration fair/live-music night. A full list of illustrators is on the facebook event page but they have yet to relase details about the bands so stay tuned! Head down for some browsing, maybe some illustrated treats for your room – and stay for the tunes.
When: 20th May 1pm – 10pm
Where: MOTH Club, Old Trades Hall, Valette St, London E9 6NU
#4 | Alchemy Festival | 19th – 29th May
Image: Southbank Centre
Alchemy Festival has become a fixture in the London event scene and the best part? LOADS of things are totally FREE. The festival showcases “the dynamic creativity and cultural connections between South Asia and the UK” – many of which we take for granted. Some highlights include: Master of Sitar: Ravi Shankar at Southbank Centre; Paracosm, a large-scale light installation and the Alchemy Film Series. KERB is always on site with delicious food stalls if you need a bite to eat.
When: 19th – 29th May
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
#5 | Wandsworth Fringe | 2nd April
Image: Wandsworth Fringe
The Wandsworth Arts Fringe takes over venues across Wandsworth each May presenting everything from music, film and theatre to art exhibitions and participatory events. The website lets you easily search free events to check out. Some things you might not want to miss: Potatoes are Immigrants at Pump House Gallery, Flagz Carnival Day and The Bicycle Ballet Co’s Blazing Saddles. If none of these tickle your fancy, check the listings and I’m sure you’ll find something you like!
When: 5th – 21st May
Where: Across Wandsworth
#6 | David Mach: Incoming | From 11th May
Image: Griffin Gallery
David Mach is having a solo exhibition at Griffin Gallery where he’s creating an installation from 20-tonnes of newspaper. Because – why not? You can watch the installation process on their livestream until it opens on the 11th. I promise it will be totally instagrammable and fantastic so watch it come to life and then go experience it in person.
When: From 11th May, Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, Saturday, 12 – 5pm
Where: Griffin Gallery, The Studio Building, 21 Evesham Street, London W11 4AJ
#7 | Herne Hill Free Film Festival | Until 29th May
Herne hill station outdoor screening – Image: Free Film Festivals
Who doesn’t love a free film festival!? This month there’s the Herne Hill Free Film Festival stepping in to screen some of your favourites and a few things you’ve probably never seen. On the list is: The Big Lebowski, Moonlight, Moana, La La Land, Little Shop of Horrors, and Easy Rider along with many others.
When: Until 29th May
Where: Locations across Herne Hill
#8 | Carnaby Style Night | 4th May
Image: TimeOut
Wear your best threads to the Carnaby Style Night and you might win a goodie bag worth £200! There’s live music and entertainment all night and if you’re feeling spendy you can get 20% off at many of the Carnaby shops. Follow Carnaby on social media to win prizes and if you register for a free ticket you’re entered to win a £500 shopping voucher. Not too bad, eh?
When: 4th May, 5pm – 9pm
Where: Carnaby Street, London W1F 9PB
#9 | Cerith Wyn Evans | All Month
Image: Tate
There’s a new light sculpture in Tate Britain and it’s pretty epic. Cerith Wyn Evans’ Forms in Space…by Light (in Time) is this year’s beautiful Tate Britain Commission made of a whopping 2km of neon lighting (like I said – epic). Stand underneath it and be swept away as you stare at the curving and swooping lines.
When: All month, Monday to Sunday 10.00-18.00
Where: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
#10 | Museums at Night | 17th – 20th May
Image: Visit London
Museums at Night takes place twice a year in May and October – it’s a great way to discover some of London’s smaller museums you probably haven’t heard of. This May there’s a number of free events you can enjoy after work. On the 20th May you can witness live taxidermy demonstrations at the Taxidermy Late at the Grant Museum of Zoology. Check the website listings for events near you!
When: 17th – 20th May
Where: Across London
