Black History Season is here
This is the fourth year that Camden Council has extended Black History Month into a whole three-month season with events running until December, including poetry readings, live musical performances, history walks, art exhibitions, supper clubs and more. One highlight is Three Camden Stories at Swiss Cottage Library on 26th October (see illustration above by Alex Mein), in which researcher Shaun Wallace delves into local Black and LGBTQ+ history, by exploring the lives of three Social Activist Pioneers: Patrick Nelson, Ivor Cummings and Cecil Belfield Clarke. Black History Season runs until early December. Peruse the full schedule here.
Konbini Kids at Gipsy Queen
We always love Gospel Oak’s only craft beer pub, although don’t visit as much as we’d like. Their current kitchen is run ‘izakaya’-style by Japenese chefs Konbini Kids, who serve sandos, rice balls, donburis and more: “un-Japanese Japanese food inspired by our unique but shared Japanese heritage,” they say. Swing by the pub for its unpretentious, affordable take on Japanese cuisine. And excellent range of craft beers, of course (plus cute secret garden). 166 Malden Road NW5, follow @gipsyqueennw5 and @konbinikids_ldn for more.
Rapsa Play Archway
Have you been to Rapsa yet? It’s a Filipino fusion joint whose pavement terrace at 141 Junction Road N19 is often rammed, even midweek. There’s karaoke, gigs, and now a new chicken-focused menu by @cheffrancispuyat: try house fries topped with chef’s chicken thighs, garnished with fresh chilli & spring onion & served with gravy. Sounds good once the autumnal weather inevitably sweeps in. Follow @rapsalondon
Zabludowicz: new autumn shows
This long-running NW5 contemporary art gallery always provides thought-provoking arty diversion for the weekend. Its major new exhibition All Crescendo, No Reward is structured around three striking moving-image installations by Matt Copson, Oliver Laric and Frances Stark which share themes of birth, death and the passing of time. The works are connected by captivating animation, music and staging devices. Also on display are sculptures by artists including Nikita Gale, Isa Genzken, and Mike Nelson. And as usual it’s free entry; plus the coffee is really good in the cafe, too. Prince of Wales Road NW5, follow @zabludowicz_collection
The Good Egg
Finally, Stoke Newington’s excellent Good Egg is now in Camden Market – we can’t wait to try their Middle-Eastern inspired next-level brunches locally. We’re a little partial to the bacon and date pitta, as well as the one stuffed with fried aubergine and “fudgey eggs”. Not to mention the salt beef bagel – with house-cured alt beef brisket, smoked cheddar, mustard, Russian dressing, garlic and dill kraut. Camden Stables Market North Yard, Follow @thegoodegg_
Main illustration: Alex Mein
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