Wed 2 September, 2015 The Culturist London’s cultural highlights this SEPTEMBER Aside from the usual September happenings (London Fashion Week and London Design Week), we’ve got a calendar full of cultural highlights. From checking out political and pop art exhibitions to drinking tiki cocktails and juleps and trying English-style tapas, September is, as always, packed. Enjoy! SEE I: Ai Weiwei Artist and political dissident Ai Weiwei has finally been granted a passport – and he’s heading to London for his landmark exhibition at the Royal Academy. Although his talk has now sold out, wander the main galleries for a retrospective spanning two decades of his work. Expect everything from large-scale installations to pieces showcasing marble and steel, tea and glass. September 19 - December 13 Royal Academy of Arts Burlington House, W1J 0BD DO I: Hindmarch’s Highway Car parks are the new fashion hotspots. Apart from LFW being held in one, Anya Hindmarch is remodelling the Selfridges car park into her own ‘gas station’ – with London’s M25 motorway as the inspo. Apart from being able to shop the collection, there’ll also be a car wash themed photo booth and a kiosk selling everything from air fresheners and bumper stickers to snacks – just follow the roads signs. Open September 11 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB DRINK: Oriole Finally, Edmund and Rosie Weil of Nightjar are opening a second bar – but don’t expect them to rest on their laurels. Instead of opening a carbon-copy speakeasy, the Smithfield outpost will be bigger (120 covers), serve weekend brunch and be “colonial tiki” themed. As for the cocktails, we’re told to expect flavours from Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. It’s tiki time, people. Opens end of September 4 London Wall, EC1A 9LH DO II: Kansas Smitty’s Basement Tapes Tour   Now, let’s talk about sax. The newly opened but already much loved jazz bar, Kansas Smitty’s, is taking its weekly in-house event, Basement Tapes, on tour. Celebrating the release of their debut album, the house band will be doing their sour mash of jazz genres every Tuesday in some of London’s best subterranean cocktail bars, including Oriole. And they’re taking their juleps with them, asking each bar to make their own versions of the southern libation. September 23 - November 24 Various locations BUY: YazBukey by Linda Farrow Gallery   Just when we had stopped lusting after the lips, our eyes have found another pair to well, eye up. Available in store and online, £180 EAT: POCO After four successful years in Bristol, it’s now London’s turn to go loco over Poco, the tapas restaurant by Tom Hunt, author of The Natural Cook. Expect courgette fritters topped with soured raw cream and deep-fried oysters with kelp aioli among the menu of dishes, all done using seasonal and local British ingredients. English tapas… we’re intrigued. Opens September 7 129A Prichards Road, E2 9AP DO III: Red Bull Studios Future Underground   If you missed Skepta’s last-minute gig a couple of months ago, listen up: Red Bull is once again set to take over the capital. Think three nights, three parties with only 24 hours notice. Tickets to gigs will be released via their social channels so start following now. For more information click here. September 9,10,11 SEE II: The World Goes Pop Moving past Warhol soup cans and Lichtenstein comic strips, the Tate is set to deliver a new take on pop art with its latest exhibition, The World Goes Pop. Visit to see the story of the art movement told from a global perspective, from Latin America to Asia, and from Europe to the Middle East, and how each responded to the era of ad men, consumer culture and Monroe. September 17 – January 24 Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG NONCLASSICAL Club Night SPONSORED LISTING Join us for an immersive club night curated by Gabriel Prokofiev’s Nonclassical label at the Royal Opera House as part of Deloitte Ignite. Over the last few years ‘classical club nights’ have started to creep onto the London nightlife scene – thanks to classical performers and composers who are redefining the rules, and breaking out of the constraints of the traditional concert hall. And this Saturday, the Royal Opera House will be hosting a classical club night curated by Nonclassical, featuring performances from The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet alongside guest artists, including Klavikon and DJ Mr Switch. Expect innovative and virtuosic classical musicians with a pint in your hand, and rediscover the relevance of classical music. Nonclassical Club Night at the Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD Saturday 5 September at 8pm. Tickets are £10. Strictly over 18s only. Find out more at www.roh.org.uk by CS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2015 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free weekly mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.