Pinboard Jan 24: Reader Offers, Burns Night – and who is Hope?

1. Reader Offer – Another Packed Week at Zabludowicz. NW5’s atmospheric contemporary arts space is pulling out all the stops this month. Tomorrow night from 7-9pm there’s a bash to celebrate Art Licks Magazine’s 10th issue, with experimental band Das Hund performing live. Then don’t miss the final weekend of Disappearing Into One, the curatorial collaboration between students on the MFA Curating courses at Goldsmiths College and Chelsea College of Art (we particularly liked Laura Buckley’s projections in the back room). It closes on Sunday 27 January when, at 3pm, artist David Blandy presents a scratch video montage. That’s free too.

Phew. And if that’s not enough, next week the gallery launches its Master Class lecture series for emerging artists. Tickets are £7 and include drinks, but the gallery are offering Kentishtowner readers 2 pairs of tickets each night. Artists include Saskia Olde-Wolbers (31 January), Brian Griffiths (1 February), Dexter Dalwood (2 February) and Omer Fast (3 February) 7pm start. Send them an email here. First come, first served.

2. Now Lighten Up. The Laugh and a Half comedy night returns to The Pineapple on Sunday the 27th. This time you can giggle with (or at) the likes of Josh Widdicombe, Ava Vidal and Katherine Ryan, who all have appeared on Mock the Week, along with others. So if you fancy a guffaw or two, there’s surely no better place than in your own #1 boozer. And all for a snip (£5).

3. Thoughts On The Ponds? Work is needed on some of the pond dams on Hampstead Heath to satisfy reservoir legislation safety requirements, and the City of London Corporation is determined that this work will cause minimum disruption. So they are inviting readers for feedback on these questions: 1. What aspects of Hampstead Heath are most precious to you and need to be protected throughout and after this project? and 2. What aspects of the ponds would you like to see enhanced? Send them an email.

4. Find HOPE. Our interview with Kentish Town legend Mr P last week, and the accompanying video footage of the brave one updating his own graffiti was a smash hit, viewing figures-wise. But who or what is Hope? So far, our limited investigations have yielded little response, but if you have any idea, why not let us know who the enigmatic tags are by. So far we’ve spotted two instances round the manor – the station, of course, and on Athlone Street in West Kentish Town. Has anyone seen it anywhere else?

5. A Dozen Free Coffees at The Fields Beneath. Yes, Gavin and Sibylle at NW5’s cutest artisan wotsit have a simple little on-going competition for locals. Pop your business card in the box (or fill out a slip if you prefer), and await to see if the gods of the fortnightly draw favour you and up to 12 friends or colleagues. Sounds good to us: we tried both a flat white (not our normal choice) and a double macchiato the other day and were whooping over those beans’ rich caramel sweetness, not to mention the cute shot glasses.

6. Burns Night in Kentish Town. There’s not exactly a craze to celebrate the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns this year in the manor. But a few pubs will be doing the honours. You could try the Lion and Unicorn, who have a ‘focus’ (their word) on haggis and Scotch whiskies, whilst The Grafton inevitably have trumped them with the promise of ‘delicious traditional Scottish treats and meals plus a Ceilidh band.’ Or why not just sit quietly at home, empty bottle on the floor, mouthing the words his most famous work, ‘Auld Lang Syne.’

7. Finally, Enjoy Our Awards Pics. Last week, fingers numb from the bitter cold, we hand-delivered our certificates up and down the high street to all the winners and runners-up for last year’s Reader Awards. From Phoenicia to The Pineapple to Chicken Shop, check out the gallery of images here. And isn’t (nearly) everyone smiling nicely?

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