It’s not love at first sight. Well, maybe for first-time visitors. The time you walk into an exhibition at Tate Britain or Modern, the instant you discover hidden jazz clubs of Soho, the walk alongside the canal from Borough Market to Southbank, the first encounter with St Paul’s Cathedral from Millenium Bridge, the moment you realize the grandeur of The British Museum columns, the nanosecond you get mesmerized by Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Kensington. For anyone who set foot in London these are rememberings, flashbacks of London.
Jimmy Page at Tower House
Photograph Alex Telfer, The Observer
But for the ones who choose to reside in this city, it’s a long run. You fall in love with Tower House on Melbury Road (a building you just passed by so many times) when one tells you the story of its inhabitants from 1881: the poet, writer, and broadcaster John Betjeman; actor Richard Harris; the guitarist and founder of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page. 'Robbie Williams is living next door,' he adds. You fall out of love when the trains are canceled and your only option is to wait two hours in line for the bus at Stansted. Another friend calls on a Saturday asking if you would like to go to Royal Observatory Greenwich. You fall in love. A quick bite at the market? Crowds, people taking selfies. You fall out. A sunset at the Hammersmith, looking at the bridge. Cars are missing because it's only open to pedestrians and cyclists. Falling in love. Waiting for the overground, time unknown due to delays. Falling out.
In London, sometimes it’s an apple or pomegranate or even better, a quince tree that grows, other times it’s the queues, and waiting times. London with a little bit of resilience grows on you, and you grow with it.
The tune this week is Balthazar - Bunker
Hazal
In the twelfth AKA "☎️ London calling, are you there?" issue
Hopping (What’s going on in London: Hand-picked and unmissable events): Nubiyan Twist is playing some jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, Latin, soul, reggae and dance tunes. Christmas is at Kew Gardens. Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’ is on stage.
Water Cooler Talk (Local news that you need to know to survive or just to speak of): 17 more structures added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
What’s Cooking (Selected places to eat, drink, cafés, food markets): A deli with bluffalo notzarella -once upon a time known as mozzarella- sandwiches.
Londoner (A talk with a creative inhabitant): Meet Yasemin. She is an actor, scriptwriter and singer living part-time in London and Istanbul.
Last chance
Nubiyan Twist
Nubiyan Twist & Guests
What it is? Live gig. Leeds-born, London-based musical collective, orchestrated by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, Nubiyan Twist is on stage to play some jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, Latin, soul, reggae and dance music.
Where? Koko
When? 17 November
Why should you go? To get to dance to the rhythms of a band who played in festivals Glastonbury to Shambala, Boomtown to Edinburgh Jazz Festival.
Duly noted: On the 16th, Bob Moses is going to occupy the same stage at Koko, the tickets are sold out but you might get lucky at the door. Who is Bob Moses you say, here is a hint.
Tolga Böyük (Islandman), VEYasin (ModeXL, Hey Douglas)
Air Anatolia
What it is? Concert. Air Anotolia is a journey into the future of Turkish psychedelia.
Where? Southbank Center, Royal Festival Hall
When? 18 November
Why should you go? To witness a great new project with members of Moğollar, Islandman and Hey! Douglas meeting UK talent led by Al MacSween (Maisha, Kefaya).
Duly noted: Air Anatolia is produced by EFG London Jazz Festival
Walk-in
Hetain Patel Trinity, 2021 (film still)
Moving Bodies, Moving Images
What it is? Exhibition. Moving Bodies, Moving Images is a selection of short films made in the last decade by contemporary artists exploring the intersection of dance, choreography and moving images.
Where? Whitechapel Gallery
When? Until 8 January 2023
Why should you go? To discover the works of artists from different backgrounds, living in diverse cities around the world.
Duly noted: While at Whitechapel do not miss out on Tayyabs samosas and pakoras.
Palm House displays, Kew Garden
Christmas at Kew
What it is? After dark festival. Tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
Where? Kew Gardens
When? 16 November 2022 - 8 January 2023
Why should you go? To walk in a dream-like state until you make your way to Palm House light display.
Duly noted: The prices are £21.50 off-peak, and £28.00 peak. You can visit from 4:20 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. but the last entry will be at 8:00 p.m.
Vintage market organised by We are
Notting Hill Vintage Second Life Fashion Pop-Up
What it is? Vintage market. Thousands of pre-loved, quality designer vintage garments for you to give a second life to.
Where? St Peter's Church, W11 2PN
When? 26 November
Why should you go? For affordable prices for good quality garments. It’s roughly £6-8 for denim, £6 for a dress and £4 for a t-shirt.
Duly noted: This event is organised by We are. Check this website for vintage markets around town. There is one at Lambeth Town Hall on 19 November.
Plan ahead
Emma Corrin, Orlando
Orlando
What it is? Play. Neil Bartlett’s new stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’ is directed by Tony and Olivier winner Michael Grandage.
Where? Garrick Theater, 2 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0HH
When? 26 November 2022- 25 February 2023
Why should you go? To be mesmerized by Emma Corrin – aka Princess Diana from ‘The Crown’.
Duly noted: Garrick Theater opened in 1889 with The Profligate, a play by Arthur Wing Pinero, since then it specialised in the performance of melodrama.
Vegan deli, it exists.
A deli with bluffalo notzarella (once upon a time mozzarella) sandwiches.
London’s approach to vegan food is pretty simple: let’s subtract animal products, eggs, and honey from the tasty heaven of plants and elevate flavour, zest, and innovation. It’s not about what’s taken off but the vegan parmesan added on top of a three-hour slow-cooked mushroom and lentil bolognese; carrot lox in between bagel sheets, mayonnaise infused chickpeas mixed with shallot for a quick sandwich.
But even in this land of ‘London can make anything vegan, anything vegan can be made in London’, a crucial element was missing. A deli where the ingredients are layered between two slices of bread, and the toasties are crunchy on the outside and soft at the centre. I use the past tense because now, it's here.
The Third Culture Deli, counter
The artisan team who developed c’e dairy? (formerly known as cheddar), bluffalo notzarella (once upon a time mozzarella) and rigotta, known as I am Nut Ok opened a vegan deli in town. It’s called The Third Culture Deli. Just follow the fresh baked croissant smell, you will encounter them in the middle of Broadway Market. Either sit at the counter, feel like you are teleported to the 50s because of the American diner-inspired interior or take away a sandwich, a cookie, an item or more from the racks on the back. You might even find discount -needless to describe them with an adjective ('vegan')- cheeses.
What to order: In the morning, breakfast croissant sandwich with scrambled tofu. At noon, The Caprese is accompanied by sundried tomato pate and balsamic glaze. And the afternoons are for éclairs.
Where: 29, London E8 4PH
Heads up: The Third Culture Deli is open every day (!) from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friday, on Saturday the closing time is 8:30 p.m.
Bonus: There is always a new sandwich on the menu. I tried Reuben, toasted. It was yummy, mouth-watering, and delish.
• 17 more buildings added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. This is a list of unsafe buildings and landmarks decaying each year, meaning they could be demolished if no action is taken. There are 631 London sites, 421 are buildings or structural monuments, 101 are places of worship and 12 are parks and gardens.
Crystal Palace Subway
Photo James Balston
A 1930s former movie theatre in Wood Green now serving the community as a church, and a neglected drinking fountain at the centre of Brentford Market are among the sites. You can find a map of all of them here.
There is some good news too. 19 buildings are out of the list. The historic drinking fountain near the Ranger’s House in Greenwich Park, and the stunning Crystal Palace subway are among them. The former Granada Cinema in Walthamstow will reopen as the Soho Theatre Walthamstow in 2023.
Yasemin Bahloul Nirun
Meet Yasemin. She is an actor, scriptwriter and singer living part-time in London and Istanbul.
To know more about Yasemin and check out her guide about Istanbul performing arts & theatre scene subscribe to Aposto Istanbul and read the interview. We are waiting for you there.
ID
My nickname: Yaso, Bahlül or Yasmine (for all non-Turkish speakers)
I have recently discovered: Song Que, the best pho place in London
I live in: Istanbul and London, but my heart belongs to our village house at Milas.
I definitely want to see: Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman even though it’s coming next summer. Lily Allen will act in it so that makes it even more exciting.
For a play, this is the destination: I think the plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre are always a great catch.
My favourite daytime hangout: Music and Beans Shoreditch or One Hundred Hotel.
A Londoner you must meet: Joseph Charlton is of great interest to me because he is a former journalist and a playwright.
This theatre is a local gem: I am not sure about calling it a 'local' gem but I would definitely say Arcola Theatre.
Only a true Londoner would know: Not to press the button to open the tube door.
SHOOT THE BREEZE
How long have you been a Londoner? What attracted you to this city?
I wouldn’t dare to call myself a Londoner because it has only been six months but I have always been in love with London because when you are seeing the world through the lens of musical theatre as I do, there is no better place!
Yasemin in London
How does the city shape your profession? How do people and the culture of your hometown inspire you?
I love how London allows everyone to do their own thing without any judgement. As someone who constantly works in different fields, I find it easier to adapt to London. However, I will always carry my hometown wherever I go because my greatest goal is to tell our stories in a universal manner in one way or another.
London is described as a multicultural, multicoloured city, do you see indicators of that on the art scene, especially in performing arts?
Yes yes yes! The most truthful thing I have ever heard since I came here is that in London everyone is from somewhere and no one is from anywhere. It is truly as if everyone just blends with their individualities.
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A foggy London Monday walk
In London, it's customary to talk about the weather. How much rain is expected at what time; will the rainbow be visible today; how about the humidity? What is your favourite London weather, let us know @aposto.london
