The sun is shining (just) and although it’s gonna be cold it’s shaping up to be a good couple of days of weather in south London. Chilly October sun, and the fact that there’s no Victoria Line all weekend, give you the perfect excuse to stay in Brixton and make the most of her delights this weekend, including bag painting, apple scrumping and even a brass monkeys swim in the lido.
Friday October 12
One of our favourite haunts on any day is Kaff, a gem of a bar on Atlantic Road. But it gets even better on a Friday night when owner Steve Ross rolls out two pints of Kronenberg, or two cocktails, for a fiver. As ever, it’s free entry and there are DJs until 2am.
If that doesn’t float (or sink) your boat then the Ritzy have a late night screening of the student cult classic Withnail and I at 11.15pm. Perhaps afterwards you’ll still have time afterwards to walk round to Kaff and yell I demand some booze before closing time.
I invented it in Camberwell, and it looks like a carrot” Danny, Withnail and IÂ
Saturday October 13
One sure-fire way to get rid of a Fiver Friday hangover is by diving into the icy depths of Brockwell Lido, which notched up and impressively chilly 13 celsius on the mercury scale today. This winter, the Olympic-sized pool will stay open throughout the season (sort of) for those brave/foolhardy enough to take a dip. It’s open from 8am until 6pm, so pack your speedos and jump in, before making a beeline for the steam room and jacuzzi in the gym next door.
Saturday also sees Station Road’s growing Makers Market from 10am for your normal cupcake/vintage/grub fix. And the lovely people from Brixton Society are running their genuinely fascinating tour of the old markets from 2.30pm. Meet in Station Road.
For something a little bit different in the evening, Ritzy Upstairs are putting on JuJu!. The night sees “boundary pushing” young Gnawa master Simo lagnawi who has been tearing up the London World music scene, weaving the ancient African musical form with Jazz, Electronic, Blues, Folk, Funk, Samba, African drums, and music from India, Japan, England and Latin America.
Sunday October 14
This Sunday is Apple Day at Brixton Farmers’ Market. We know that because a box of delicious apples from Perry Court Farm arrived a Blog and Bugle HQ yesterday (thanks guys). Expect apple bobbing, apple and spoon races, cider swilling and all things pomme related from 10am.
The term “hidden gem” is somewhat hackeneyed and over-used but the recently re-opened Cafe Cairo is probably one. Found at the wrong end of Landor Road, it is hosting the Come we Grow event for 2pm until 7pm on Sunday. There will be bag and t-shirt painting workshops and “living art” of all types in aid of the May Project Gardens, a community growing scheme down the Northern Line in Morden.
And while you’re on Landor Road, you can help the Edible Bus Stop gang with a dig and tidy event of their own community gardening project ahead of next week’s harvest celebration. 1pm – 5pm. Bring a spade if you have one.
And finally…
Up the road, the Herne Hill Music Festival got under way yesterday. It includes Jazz and the Prince Regent on Friday, and a string quartet in the impressive Carnegie Library on Saturday.
Now would also be a good chance to buy your cheaper tickets to the Brixton Oxjam Takeover next weekend, and sign yourself up to the Brixton Bolt race.
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Have a good one!
