Urban Junkies London | Weekend Guide December 4

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NIGHTLIFE

Weather warnings in Britain, sunshiney goodness in Miami – complete with serious artistic endeavours courtesy of Art Basel’s show this weekend. So, if you’re still wondering what on earth you’re doing here, like digital guardian inbox-angels we’ve come to remind you: deck out your laptop, have Chamonix in Shoreditch, drink out of a giant punchbowl, and find out what makes Christmas evil – plus the Turner Prize gets announced on Monday, so you don’t have to wait too long for your own, local, art fix. At least you’re not Tiger Woods – now there’s someone who probably wishes he were anywhere but in Florida.


• FRI Christmas Lunch • SAT Evil Xmas Fayre • SUN The Modern Gentry

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
Thosten van Elten 12 Days of Christmas

The only item on that ruddy 12 Days of Christmas list we’re interested in is the rings. What anyone would do with a partridge and a troop of drummers God only knows. Which is probably why design studio Thorsten Van Elten has revamped the song to coincide with a lovely shop, offering special discounts each day alongside a selection of cool gift options, including the Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter, Antlers by Alexander Taylor, Plant Cup by Gitta Gschwendtner and Taz Ah by Attua Aparicio. If your ‘True Love’ really means it, they’ll stop with the menagerie and head here instead.

2nd–13th December,
Mon–Sat: 10:30am–6:30pm, Thurs: 10:30am-8pm, Sun: 12pm–5pm. The Garage, 1 North Terrace (off Brompton Road), SW3 2BA

TODAY
Sample Sale Special

Seems Santa’s doing a bit of pre-Christmas stocking stuffing this season courtesy of the yummiest sample sales we’ve seen all year. The big guns kick off this weekend, including Alexander McQueen, Osman, Preen and Christopher Kane, as well as the Rainbow Wave showroom’s selection of Marios Schwab, Hannah Marshall and Peter Pilotto goodies.

FRIDAY

II Disco
IIDISCO return this weekend for another future disco get down with Andy Blake, the owner of legendary UK disco label DISSIDENT presiding with the proverbial italo. The night also features a rare appearance from the amazing Bear Funk cohort and one half of SOIREE with Steve Kotey, Max Essa, who'll be playing his idiosyncratic wonky disco, supported by residents J. Saintil and Fast Eddie. There'll be an extra special guest appearance by Das Volt! straight from remixing Clock Opera and his chart topping release 'Gestures' on Late Night Audio.

Time:		7pm-4am
Place:		The Camp, 70-72 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ
Cost:		Free.
Info:		II Disco

Christmas Lunch with Marco Pierre White
If you’re secretly dreading Mum’s Christmas concoctions and are already having nightmares about Uncle Bart’s hideous nut roast, here’s the solution: get in on a gastro-proper experience, early. ‘Enfant terrible’, Chef Marco Pierre White will be hosting a series of gourmet lunches and dinners at his restaurant Frankie’s, with champagne reception, three course meal and as much wine as you can manage, followed by a Q&A with the man himself. Whether he’ll be able to address any of those hideous family secrets that you’ll let slip after the 5th glass, remains to be seen.

Time:		12pm-5pm
Place:		Frankie’s Restaurant, 3 Yeomans Rows, Off Brompton Road, SW3 2AL
Cost:		£259
Info:		Christmas Lunch with Marco Pierre White

SHOP
Mulberry for Apple

There has been much lusting after these products by the Apple-bearing contingent of the UJ office, rendering poor PC users feeling a bit, well, sad. Because let’s face it, until now there were precious few chic ways to lug about that laptop. Thanks to Mulberry’s collab though, there are classic styles updated to fit our tech – think glossy pink Daria sleeves for your 13 incher, Bayswaters and Brynmores for the 15s, and gorgeous mini-messengers for iPhone owners. Take a bite – it sure is juicy.

COMPETITION
Win tickets for Towards a Fluid State

The spirited (geddit) gals behind the inimitable Tasting Sessions are unleashing a tasting experience (and we stress the experience) like no other this Saturday, and we have 5 pairs of tickets to give away. Imagine a futuristic farmers' market getting hit by a science lab and a truck full of the sexiest booze and food on Earth; then imagine yourself in the thick of it. To be in with a chance of winning simply tell us the name of one of the artists or producers Towards a Fluid State will be profiling.

OUT OF TOWN
Chamonix Clubhouse Opens with a Pop-Up in Shoreditch

As if you needed any more inspiration for a Winter escape, now Jonathan Downey’s Clubhouse in Chamonix, complete with accommodation for up to 20 guests, clubhouse, bar, restaurant and treatment room, is open for the season. If you can’t make it to Mont Blanc but could manage a trek to Shoreditch, you can still experience the Alpine lodge warmth in The East Room’s rooftop pop-up clubhouse, complete with fireside dining, a woolly sock policy, and mini helicopter. Check out the non-memebers opening hours photos here.

SATURDAY

The Grand Anarcho Dandyist Ball
Those top-notch gents from The Chap are back, and throwing their most ambitious party yet. Entertainment will come from Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer, The Zen Hussies, The Bees Knees, Twin and Tonic and Mr. Flay, Victorian-style illusionist and bullet catcher. Musical shellac-spinning will rest in the immaculately gloved hands of Messrs Andrew Fletcher and El Nino, whilst Mao Tse-Tung’s Parlour will be hosted by the decadent, hookah-toting Miss Louise Quatorze. And if you happen to take a liking to a member of the opposite sex, head to The Chap Room, where your missive will be delivered by a liveried butler. Romance isn’t dead after all.

Time:		7pm-1am
Place:		Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL
Cost:		£20 in advance
Info:		The Grand Anarcho Dandyist Ball

Evil X-mas Fayre
Christmas? Evil? Ho ho huh? Arts Co and Pure Evil would like us to think so, as they take over The East Room and Sosho for three weeks of festive creativity and revelry commencing with the Evil Xmas Fayre. As well as a sales exhibition of original art and prints, there'll be a Christmas hell at Sosho, where the walls will be wheat-pasted by an army of Santa’s dark helpers (a mystery line up of London’s best street artists) and an Xmas Squat will be a credit crunch vision of seasonal cheer in fictional Grimesby. Next door at The East Room make your own snowglobe in the magical Snowglobe Lounge or wander amongst the FIRtive Forest. What to do – it’ll be the Easter Bunny going rogue next.

Time:		12pm-5pm
Place:		The East Room & Sosho, 2 Tabernacle Street, EC2A 4LU
Cost:		£1
Info:		Evil X-mas Fayre

PLAYLIST
Book Ahead & Get in the Mood with Jodie Harsh

Nobody gets the party started like Jodie Harsh – sure she may have started in drag, but there’s way more to this girl than a wig. DJ extraordinaire and club-night entrepreneur that she is, she’s got not one, but two major parties planned for the coming month. Make sure to book ahead for the Circus Christmas Ball at Paramount on the 20th, and pencil in Hed Kandi’s New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball to watch Miss Harsh take to the decks. To get you in the mood, check out this exclusive UJ mix from Jodie herself.

SUNDAY

East London Design Show
Recommended as ‘the place to pick up tomorrow’s products, today’, The East London Designer Show boasts contributions from the very best of Britain’s product, interior and fashion designers and this year, a slew of international names. Your best bet for unique Christmas presents, there’s all kinds of print work, t-shirts, jewellery and interior design up for grabs. We love Esther Coombs re-constructed tea sets, Glass Cathedral’s magical miniature picture boxes, and Miller Goodman’s creative wooden kids toys.

Time:		10am-6pm
Place:		Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT
Cost:		£4
Info:		East London Design Show

The Modern Gentry
Boys – this one’s for you. Bringing together three of London’s most respected menswear brands, The Modern Gentry is a beautifully appointed, week-long event ending tonight, offering luxurious, timeless pieces to discerning gentlemen. There’ll be jewellery from Hannah Martin, Lodger footwear, and E Tautz menswear, as well as bespoke light installations by Yorgo Lykouria, and specially built leather furniture by Alma Home. Brand reps will be on hand to help you pick out something really special and indulge in a little ‘conversation and consumption.’ Sounds just the ticket.

Time:		10am-6pm
Place:		Alma Showroom, 8 Vigo Street, W1S 3HJ
Cost:		Free
Info:		The Modern Gentry

BOOK NOW
Courvoisier Punch Bowl

When jelly architects Bompas & Parr teamed up with Courvoisier to launch a search for the ultimate cocktail to fill a giant punchbowl, we knew it was gonna be big; so big in fact, that you can row a boat across it. Tickets have now gone on sale, so pitch in for a ladle of the winning concoction.

8th-10th December, £6.50.
33 Portland Place, W1B 1QE

Weekend guide by MaM

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