Something For The Weekend

exterminate Walthamstow...

As if East 17 weren't bad enough, now the dreaded Daleks are set to invade Walthamstow...

As part of the summer’s town centre festivities, The McGuffin Film Society are hosting their fourth annual Open Air Cinema event to be held in the town square and gardens.

As well as a screening of the film ‘Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.’ starring screen legend Peter Cushing, the event will feature a chance for kids to meet the Daleks themselves and competitions to win a bunch of prizes. There will also be a picnic area and licensed bar, plus live music courtesy of Motherfunk, a sensational 10-piece 60s soul band, (apparently).

Get yourselves down to Walthamstow Town Square and Gardens on Friday 18 August from 8pm. Admission is free. For full details click here

tournament at the tower...

Ever wanted a gallant knight to rescue you from a tower, climb up your gorgeous golden locks and sweep you into his arms, whispering words of love into your ear?

Well, we can't perform miracles, but we can let you know where to find a knight. The rest is up to you.

This Saturday and Sunday, we're stepping back to the summer of 1467 at the Tower of London.  Horses will be snorting, men will be armoured up to the nines and crowds of prospective pricesses will be watching in awe, intent on discovering a new hero.

As swords clash and painted shields reflect in the sunshine (hopefully!) will you be rooting for the home team, led by the Queen's brother Lord Scales, or the visiting Cavaliers of Burgundy?

Don't forget your smocks.

10.45 - 11.15 First performance
12.45 - 13.15 Second performance
15.45 - 16.15 Third Performance 

Shoot Clerkenwell...

Forget challenge Anneka, anyone who's anyone with a fetching jumpsuit and helicopter will be at Shoot Clerkenwell this Sunday - a photographic treasure hunt that'll see you zooming round town on foot, or on public transport or (as they suggest) bicycles - taking the most creative photos possible.

Armed with a treasure map you'll be ushered out into the wilderness, in charge of finding 10+ items and photographing them, and GUESS WHAT, there are prizes for the teams who take the best photos.

The shoot begins at T Bar with briefing at 11:15 (whistle blows at noon). After that you'll spend a furious five hours hunting for treasures and taking the most creative photos you can on your digital cameras. Back at T Bar, the judges will look at your pictures, they'll even give you a lovely drink and maybe a prize. Oooh, exciting eh?  Plus you get to meet some nice people and explore London. 

OK so you don't get to fly a helicopter but hey, those things are so 1983...

DIY Singapore Chilli Crabs...

Feeling a little crabby? You could do worse than to head East this weekend for the Singapore Chilli Crab festival.  Also taking place in NYC it's a great way to get your summer seafood fix while soaking up the brilliant vibe of Brick Lane and its surrounding restaurants and bars.

The first ever Singapore Chilli Crab was concocted by a great local cook by the name of Madam Cer Yam Tian in the 1950's. She and her husband (who probably did nothing - girl power!) set about selling the 'fresh-from-the-sea' specialties from a humble stall on the seashore, and everyone fell in love with her recipe. Aaaah, a beautiful tale.

This weekend, people-watch as the hipsters struggle to keep their cool while slurping soft crabmeat from the shell, sipping chilled beer, ogling at the Chinese magic displays and perhaps even lion dancing, whatever that may be.  Oh and excitingly, ladies, the usual market will be replaced by a more Singaporean affair. Get your saris in quick. Pssst, the Vibe Bar is where it's at, by the way... get there early for a decent bench outside.

When? Sat 5 & Sun 6 Aug (12pm)
Where? The Vibe Bar (Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1
Tube: Liverpool Street

If per chance you're a big cheap-skate, or can't be bothered to trek East for your crab feast, why not make your own with Chef Alvin Tan's easy to follow (?) recipe...

You need:
3 tablespoons fresh garlic
2 tablespoons fresh ginger
1 teaspoon fresh lemongrass
1/2 medium onion
8 tablespoons oil
2 fresh red chillies
3/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 cups water
4 fresh blue swimmer crab (cleaned & halved)
(or 2 x 800g mud crab, quartered & claws lightly smashed)
1 egg beaten
4 slices white bread, toasted

Method:
Blend the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, onion and chillies to a fine paste, using 1/2 cup of water to moisten the mix. Heat oil in large wok or pot. Add the blended ingredients and fry until fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, chilli sauce, salt, sugar and water. Stir, and when it comes to the boil, add the crab. Allow to simmer, cover and stir occasionally for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. (Mud crab will take an extra 5 minutes).

Turn off the heat, add the beaten egg to sauce and mix well.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with triangles of toast to mop up the sauce.

(Recipe taken from www.abc.net.au/sydney/stories/s285632.htm)

Becky on: lending a hand...

Masturbate-a-Thon 2006

It might not come as a surprise to learn that this day of sexual silliness originated in America. Well, they're not exactly reknowned for being shy over there are they?  Now it's bodily fluids abound in Britain too as the wank-a-thon comes to London.  It's no hand job too small in Clerkenwell this Saturday as men and women "struggle" to beat the world record for the longest wank, which, in case you're wondering, currently stands at an undoubtedly painful eight and a half hours. Yeeeooow.

It's all perfectly safe.  It's not (so they say) the mighty orgy you might expect. Actually it's all in the name of charity.  Hmmm... ironic isn't it, that a truck load of (ahem) fluids, in one relatively small area is supposed to highlight the message of practicing safe-sex.  Well, what I mean is, it's not usually at its safest when your doing the unspeakables next to twenty nine other randoms you've never met before.Still, there's logic in there somewhere I'm sure, as well as one hefty load of lube.

No cheaters allowed, (tut, as if!). Seriously, if you're a bit of a faker you won't get away with it here - they've got 'experts' on hand (no pun intended) to make sure every orgasmic explosion is real. So no hiding frogspawn in your pockets lads, and ladies, no Harry Met Sally outbursts in the name of drama.  They'll be onto you like a Rampant Rabbit on Duracell.

The whole thing's being filmed for Channel 4 and they're planning to broadcast it later in the year. So if you're sick of that filty so and so bragging about his assets, get him to put his money where his, errrr, member is, and cough up the tenner to enter.  He might just be the next BIG thing.

The Masturbation Marathon London event takes place at Drop Studios, Clerkenwell on Saturday 5th August. The Channel 4 Wank-a-thon TV programme will be aired at a later date.

For further information contact [email protected]

Free entertainment at the National...

This week at Watch This Space

 

Tandem– Strangelings
Wednesday 2 August 1.15pm and 6.30pm and Thursday 3 August 6.30pm pm
Two men, a tandem, a trunk and some unfeasibly long shoes. Daredevil trick-cycling, achingly beautiful acrobalance and a never before attempted escape from a double straitjacket. Contains scenes of middle-aged semi-nudity.

Arquiem – Periplum
Thursday 3, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 August 10pm
Outdoor promenade performance. Night is falling. A medieval cart is wheeled through town. A young man is taken to his final judgement. Inspired by William Blake, featuring music, stilts, pyrotechnics and acrobatics to tell the tale of a sad hero’s demise.

Tommaso Starace Quartet
Friday 4 August 1pm
Talented Italian saxophonist performs beautifully melodic retro-jazz compositions.

Daby Balde
Friday 4 August 6.15pm
Strikingly rich and beautiful melodies, captivating vocals and a repertoire that ranges from euphoric to melancholic – Senegalese rising star.

A Day to Play
Saturday 5 August 1pm – 7.15pm
An afternoon of fantastic free family entertainment.

Bernie Bennett Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a superhero on the high wire! Robin Retired (or a Long day’s Journey into tights) – Markmark Productions’ lively and uproarious take on Nottingham’s finest. Dragon Heart Beats – Positive Productions’ percussive metallic dragon visits the Square. Look out for some special visitors as Comic Character Creations’ Spacemen boldly go where no man has been before. the Crazy Tramps bounce into the Square with high-flying trampoline antics. Pick up some fashion tips with a sartorial visit to Stuff and Thing’s Carpet Man & Lino Boy. Throughout the day, there’s a chance to pick up some circus skills with Dr Colin’s Circus Box, as well as craft workshops with Makendoo. And be sure to look in at Wunderkammer – miniature journeys of illusion within magical ‘Wonder Cabinets’.

Bring & Share at Late Lounge
The National’s late-night DJ bar is open Fridays and Saturdays 10pm – 1am. This Friday sees Letric Lady on the decks, with Rob Boy Right on Saturday.