AMIT BHALLA
“I just made a show called Hello Tomorrow!, a new episode released every Friday on AppleTV+. Billy Crudup gives an Earth-shaking performance as Jack Billings, a lunar-timeshare salesman who believes in a better tomorrow for all of us. The show’s about that gap between those dreams and the realities of today’s despair. That’s a little like March I guess, sure spring’s around the corner, summer's on the horizon, but you look outside and it’s still grey and rainy. Great writing weather, though.
The show’s a moon-shot, a strange, other-worldly endeavor with tremendous acting and brilliant designers. We all poured our souls into it. Hope you enjoy the ride.”
Amit Bhalla, Writer
RESTAURANT: Kapara
Kapara in Soho is a brand new Israeli food destination in Ilona Rose House from the Head Chef from Bala Baya, Eran Tibi. Kapara means “darling” in Hebrew and they will be serving up a delectable darling menu of Tel-Aviv-inspired all-day/night dining in their venue with 70 indoor covers, an alfresco terrace for 50 as well as more sociable counter spaces. There is even a raised stage for live music in the restaurant meaning we have guaranteed atmosphere on the menu too. Tibi’s style of cooking brings modern Israeli influences along with skills honed at Le Cordon Bleu and Ottolenghi’s kitchens and the menu will feature treats such as ‘Romano Carpaccio - charcoal marinated peppers, house goat's cheese, almonds, basil, rose’, ‘Quince of Hearts - OX heart tartare, celeriac fondue, spiced quince, mustard, quince, cured blue hen’ and ‘Wasted?-Squid ink and took pasta, prawn bisque, saffron and cod's head fillets. The drinks menu features Israeli wine and a dedicated gazoz menu. If you aren’t in the know then gazoz is sodas infused with botanical herbs and fresh fruit. Delish. See you there darling!
Bar: Mama Funki
Camberwell is a hot spot for the young and trendy and offers a great variety of venues for some eating and drinking. So it’s no big surprise when we hear new and exciting places have chosen Camberwell as their home. The latest being Mama Funki- the sister bar to Funkidory, one of the best in neighbouring Peckham. Mama Funki is a basement cocktail bar based on Camberwell Church Street. Like her predecessor, Mama Funki manages to strike that impressive combination of top-tier drinks with a neighbourhood feel – thanks, in part, to a no bookings policy, which ensures a lively local crowd most nights. In terms of aesthetic, once you’ve descended into the space through the entrance door with a subtle eye icon signifying its presence, you’ll find the lively dive bar filled with Persian rugs, leather studded banquettes and a cluster of stools lining the bar. Dark red walls boost a debauched but exciting atmosphere. The space allows enough room for live gigs and DJ nights as well as the chance to rebel into the weekend with pals. There is a plethora of adventurous cocktails to work though including the “Camberwell Green”. Ask for something bespoke if you don’t find the one you want and the expert bar staff will always be happy to create a concoction of your own.
Dance: Soul City
Calling all disco diva’s. Get yourselves down to the Jazz Cafe for Soul City Saturday’s and move your body to the rhythm of soul, disco, house and more. The Jazz Cafe in the heart of Camden is a live music venue and restaurant known for the best music nights for jazz, soul, reggae and more from homegrown and international stars. Soul City is just one of the many nights they offer in their events calendar and it's one that will guarantee bringing a smile to your face as well as ensuring you cut some serious shapes on the dance floor. You can buy your tickets in advance from as little as £5 but there are also a limited number of tickets on the door from 10.30 when it opens, for the enhanced price of £15. Make a night of it and dine at the restaurant before entry to ensure you’re fuelled up for all the dancing.
Activity: Royal Coronation Guided Walk
To mark King Charles III’s Coronation, this new guided walk explores the history behind Britain’s coronations. Led by qualified Westminster Guide Dr Stephen King it explores some of the quirkier and more surprising stories associated with the coronation. The walk starts from near Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation since William the Conqueror. You will hear about the unexpected accession of the Queen’s father and grandfather, the fight behind the Windsor name and the audacious robbery of a central part of the coronation ceremony from the very heart of the Abbey. From Beefeaters with pistols to Bishops hiding sandwiches under their hats learn about some of the more unusual stories behind the Queen’s coronation. This gentle 90 minute walk through the heart of beautiful royal London will visit the key sites and memorials associated with the young Queen and the tour finishes at the iconic Buckingham Palace. 2023 is a big year for the Royal Family so why not swot up on its history and enjoy all that London has to offer at the same time. Tickets are priced from £12 and the route is entirely step free. Well behaved dogs are also welcome on the tour.
Activity: Why Women Grow Talk At Chelsea Physic Garden
Sitting on the Thames Embankment, and sheltered by high walls, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and most respected botanic gardens in Europe. It is the oldest in London, and only surpassed in age, in England, by Oxford Botanic Garden. They have grown medicinal plants for physicians, provided a centre of research for doctors and horticulturalists and today is a space of learning and wellbeing for our city. There is a full calendar of events and one that caught our eye is a talk from author Alice Vincent on her book ‘Why Women Grow this Friday 3rd March’- Women have always gardened, but stories have been buried with the work. Alice Vincent is on a quest to change that. To understand what encourages women to go out, work the soil, plant seeds and nurture them, even when so many other responsibilities sit upon their shoulders. To recover the histories that have been lost among the soil. Why Women Grow is a much-needed exploration of why women turn to the earth, as gardeners, growers and custodians. This book emerged from a deeply rooted desire to share the stories of women who are silenced and overlooked. In doing so, Alice fosters connections with gardeners that unfurl into a tender exploration of women's lives, their gardens and what the ground has offered them, with conversations spanning creation and loss, celebration and grief, power, protest, identity and renaissance. It is a curious, sensitive and incredible book and one well worth a read. To buy tickets to Alice’s talk head to the website.
Kids: The Little Prince
The Little Prince is an instantly recognisable literary character from the novella written and illustrated by French aristocrat, writer, and military pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. An enchanting story of love and friendship for children and grown-ups alike, we now have a chance to see the tale retold on stage by a pilot stranded in the desert. On the 31st March and 1st April at Woolwich Works Theatre in South East London, go and find out how the Little Prince leaves behind his own tiny asteroid to journey through the universe, coming face to face with the baffling world of grown-ups! Have you ever heard of a king who reigns over nothing? Or a businessman obsessively counting stars? Once on planet Earth, the Little Prince is welcomed by a mysterious snake and a truly wise and friendly fox before encountering the lone pilot. Together they discover the power and beauty of friendship and the complexity of love. The Little Prince is brought to life using Protein’s critically-acclaimed mix of dance, humour and spoken word. With an original score by Frank Moon and design by Yann Seabra, Protein returns to Woolwich Works with a specially adapted, intimate version for smaller venues, inviting us to look at the world through one’s heart and to reconnect with our inner child.
Event: One Track Minds
Step into a live storytelling event celebrating the power of music: think Desert Island Discs meets The Moth Radio and TED talks. One Track Minds returns to Wilton’s Music Hall on the 2nd and 3rd March with another vibrant selection of writers, thinkers and musicians, each presenting a thought-provoking story about that one song that changed their life, and is about to leave a lasting impact on yours. This is an inspiring, thought-provoking, life-affirming evening that everyone should go to. The cast for these sessions is yet to be announced but previous contributors have included Adam Kay, Deborah Frances-White, Jay Rayner, Katie Melua and Lemn Sissay amongst many others. Each will share their stories and what their chosen piece of music means to them, in an intimate and magical evening of storytelling. And you’ll leave with a head full of other people’s life experiences as well as a few new songs for your playlist.
Charity of the Month: Brain Tumour Research
March is brain tumour awareness month and so we wanted to highlight how you can learn more about this disease and how you can make a difference for those affected. Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours through campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK. This March, they will once again be leading the way with a programme of activities to raise vital awareness and funds to get closer to their vision of finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. The month culminates with the return of one of the UK’s most popular annual fundraisers – Wear A Hat Day, on Friday 31st March. Join in, look super for science and help research breakthroughs happen.
App of the month: Chip Investment
If you don’t work in the industry or have someone close to you who does, then financial investing can seem a little…baffling and tricky to break into. Luckily, apps like Chip Investment are making it all so much easier. Think of it as a holding hand through the journey to making better financial and investment decisions. The app aids your investments in diversified funds, savings accounts and real assets- simply streamlining and simplifying the process for us. With Chip you can build your very own diverse portfolio while they do all the hard work. The leadership team at Chip has a wealth of finance, tech and entrepreneurial experience, coming from successful startups and global corporations and the app currently boasts over 500,000 users looking to make smarter investments. Chip uses technology to break down the traditional barriers and allows you to invest like the super-rich and gives you one, simple space to manage your investments. Bring on the dosh!