We’re into May – the month of the double Bank Holiday, local elections and some relatively good weather. Maybe. We’re not counting our chickens on that, but instead we’re listing some genuinely zeitgeist capturing activity taking place here in E2. We’re very fortunate to live and work in an area that is pushing forward our thinking around some of today’s more pertinent and divisive topics – our health, our environment and the issues surrounding international terrorism in the 21st century. Get to know…
‘Scars’ – NR Project – until May 24th
NR Project has been running its exhibition ‘Scars’, from artist jbecerra since April – but it runs until 24th May so you’ve still got time. ‘Scars’ is a charity exhibition of 25 artworks by jbecerra dealing with the threat of international terrorism in the 21st century. Proceeds will go to individuals affected by recent terrorist attacks. Each artwork is based on a section of Khalil Gibran’s 1923 poem, ‘The Prophet’, a series of meditations on a wide-range of topics from everyday life.
NR Project, Minerva Street, E2 9EH
Kidneys on Strike, Gene Editing, Getting to the Heart of the Matter, BG Working Men’s Club, May 14 – 16
Pint of Science is a non-profit organisation that brings some of the most brilliant scientists to your local pub to discuss their latest research and findings with you. You don’t need any prior knowledge, and this is your chance to meet the people responsible for the future of science (and have a pint with them). Our festival runs over a few days in May every year, but we occasionally run events during other months. BG Working Men’s Club continues to programme the intriguing in partnership with UCL for this one.
BG Working Men’s Club, 42-44 Pollard Row, 42-44, E2 6NB
Phytology Launch at Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, May 19th, 5pm-10pm
Bethnal Green Nature Reserve has to be seen to be believed. Fruit, veg, herbs, newts, bats, all under the welcoming if not often misunderstood banner of public art. The project is seasonal, and launches this month with previews of new works from last year’s resident artists DJ Simpson, Kathrin Böhm & Ellie Doney, plus live music from The Nest Collective.
New resident artists for 2018 include Lu Williams, Ruth Ewan, Vanessa Kisuule, The Alternative School of Economics, Sheaf & Barley + Rya. Not to be missed or undervalued. This place will understatedly blow your minds.
Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, Middleton St, London E2 9RR.
‘THE GREEN’ – Tuesday 22 May – Oxford House – 6pm
Come and take part in our monthly ‘The Green’ meeting to see how the re-generation plan is developing. If you are a business owner, come and represent your business at the meeting and share your ideas with us and members of the council. If you’re a resident, come and have your say on the issues that are important to you.
To get involved in the meeting and to add an agenda point you feel needs addressing please email: bethnal.green@oxfordhouse.org.uk
The strength of these meetings is in the guest list, so please do share this opportunity far and wide; businesses, residents, organisations – all welcome.
Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
The Star of Bethnal Green Street Party 2018, 28th May, 12pm – 2am
As part of the 10th Birthday, the team at the Star lay on a family-friendly day, with lots of kids activities. Face painting, a bouncy castle and children’s entertainers will be on hand and you can get the whole family together in the photo booth and capture the moment. Delicious street food stalls will be serving up treats until late on, with Smokey Tails, the cult ‘Beats & Eats’ pop-up, well-known worldwide for its rich, authentic home-style BBQ flavours and vegan treats from SoVegan. There will be an outdoor bar serving craft beer, cocktails and soft drinks, of course, and the party heads indoors for further knees up from 9pm.
Star of Bethnal Green, 359 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6LG
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Lead image is some silently inflamed kidneys captured by Professor Frederick Tam
Very dope poster above is by Lu Williams for Phytology
