FOCUS Favourites October 2018
If you like art, October is your month! London fills up with art fairs where the most important galleries from all over the world exhibit works by famous and emerging artists. Frieze, The Other Art Fair, PAD London, 1-54 London and Moniker are some of them.
Nevertheless, there is so much more going on, just check what we have selected for you.
28th October
The Festival of Lights is celebrated in Trafalgar Square with heaps of food, music, activities and fun. There will be traditional religious performances and contemporary Asian music and dance. Market stalls will offer arts, crafts and vegetarian Southeast Asian food and there'll be workshops and activities for all ages.
4th - 7th October
London’s best known contemporary art fair, Frieze, returns to Regent's Park with over 160 contemporary art galleries.
During the art fair visitors are able to enjoy exceptional sculptures in the beautiful English Gardens by 25 artists from all over the world. Selected and placed by Clare Lilley, Frieze Sculpture is London’s largest display of outdoor artwork and turns Regent's Park into a huge sculpture garden.
The highlights include flags by Larry Achiampong, a 14-metre-high needle woman tower by Kimsooja and a work by Tracey Emin, as well as works by John Chamberlain, Urs Fisher and many more.
theatre: The sweet science of bruising
3rd - 27th October
Based on historical research into 19th century women’s boxing, The Sweet Science of Bruising, is a fascinating new play by Joy Wilkinson at the Southwark Playhouse. Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the play is an epic tale of passion, politics and pugilism. It is about four very different Victorian woman, who are dawn into the dark underground world of female boxing.
Controlled by men and constrained by corsets, each finds an unexpected freedom in the boxing ring. As their lives begin to intertwine their journey takes us through grand drawing rooms, bustling theatres and rowdy Southwark pubs where the women fight inequality as well as each other. But with the final showdown approaching, only one can become the Lady Boxing Champion of the World.
dance: Porgy and Bess
Coliseum 11th October -17th November
Set in 1920s South Carolina, George Gershwin, who composed Porgy and Bess, explores the relationship between members of a close-knit community. The powerful story of love and betrayal infuses an operatic score with jazz, gospel and blues influence. Written for a large cast and full orchestra, Porgy and Bess contains many unforgettable melodies, including the well-known "Summertime". Leading the cast are Eric Greene and Nicole Cabell in the title roles, and Latonia Moore as Serena in a return to the ENO following her memorable performance as Aida.
music: O Duo
13th October
Oliver Cox and Owen Gunell formed "O Duo" in 2000 while studying at the Royal College of Music. With their show "Bongo Fury“ in 2002 they played to sell out crowds and critical acclaim. Twice winning 'Best Music Act of the Fringe' at the Edinburgh Festival, "O Duo" joined the Young Concert Artists Trust in 2005-2007. O Duo is a mixture of classics arranged for tuned percussion, vibrant drumming from across the globe, and accessible contemporary works. Saturday 13th of October is organised by Holmes Chapel Music Society.
On the official website you can download an audio guide and find out more about the artworks.
festival: London restaurant festival
1st-31st October
Over 350 restaurants across the city take part in the London Restaurant Festival. Try one of 60 events in the capital’s best restaurants throughout the month including Tasting Menus, Restaurant-Hopping Tours, Gourmet Odysseys, Chef-Hosted events and Ultimate Gastronomic Weekends. Weather you like family-friendly dining, a special local favourite, or a spectacular Michelin-starred venue. With over 250 festival menus to choose from, there is something for every budget. Browse the Festival Menus and find what you like.
day trip: Liverpool Biennial 2018
until 28th October
Liverpool Biennial is the largest celebration of contemporary art in the UK with free exhibitions across the city’s public spaces, galleries, hidden gems and museums. The Biennial curatorial, lead by Kitty Scott and Sally Tallant, has commissioned more than 40 international artists to reflect on a world in social, political and economic turmoil. The 10th edition is inspired by a 230-year-old poem by Friedrich Schiller, "Beautiful world, where are you?“ Artists have worked closely with people from the city, including school children, to create projects such as Time Moves Quickly – a set of public sculptures and artworks at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Bluecoat.
not to be missed: Museums at Night
25th -27th October
Explore museums and galleries across London during the three day festival after the usual closing hours and enjoy the late night celebration. It’s a chance to go behind the scenes and see London’s best museums in a very different way with Halloween-themed events, specialist talks, torchlit tours, concerts and immersive workshops. More than 30 London venues taking part this year in this after-hours event. Check out the official website and add some events to your calendar.
sport: Ski and Snowboard Show
25th - 28th October
A must-attend event for the avid skier, those new to skiing or snowboarding or for a fun family day out.
A climbing wall, some of the UK’s best ski and snowboard athletes to perform and compete in gnarly competitions and demos, dog sledding, ski boot fitting clinic, ice skating, avalanche training and, of course, food and muscic! Immerse yourself in all things Alpine!
children: Halloween at London Bridge
31st October
Fancy dress, face paint, pumpkins and lots and lots of treats are part of Halloween. There is a child friendly tour available that features all the scares without the actual horror. Become part of London’s gruesome history, uncovering the dark secrets that lie beneath the world’s most haunted bridge. Kids and families will have a good time at "The London Bridge experience“. It is an immersive theatrical experience bringing together history and horror, education and fun.
booked in advance: Nitto ATP Finals
11th - 18th November
The Nitto ATP Finals is the year-end climax to the ATP World Tour season. Rafael Nadal, five-time former titlist Novak Djokovic and six-time former champion Roger Federer have all booked their spot at the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 11-18 November. Don’t miss the opportunity to book your tickets and enjoy the game.
hidden gems: Neasden Temple
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple in north west London is Europe’s first traditional Hindu Temple. Known as the Neasden Temple it is the biggest temple outside of India and a treasure you can’t miss. It was built by Pramukh Swami, a 92-year-old Indian sadhu, and is made of over 5,000 tonnes of stone, which was first shipped to India to be carved by a team of 1,526 sculptors. Since it’s opening in 1995 the stunning Neasden temple has attracted close to half a million visitors annually. Its cycle of daily ceremonies, weekly assemblies and year-round festivals make it a place of vibrant and joyous devotion, learning and celebration for the whole community. Request the Audio Tour Guide to listen to the fascinating story of how the Mandir was built, learn about the importance of a Hindu mandir, the significance of Hindu rituals, such as the arti, and much more.