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The dawn of 2025 marks the next real ‘moment’ in the ongoing storytelling epic that is this part of the capital.

It’s a year that will see the opening of major new East London outposts for some UK cultural behemoths right on our doorsteps.

The full impact of all this is truly difficult to predict.

The hope is that having more performances spaces, museums and innovative cultural experiences here supercharges the success of the already considerable wealth of talent and creativity embedded here, and stimulates lots more, too.

The reality is likely to be more nuanced - and messy - but one thing is for sure: The Wick is going to be doing whatever it takes to promote culture and creativity around here, from the grassroots up to the big institutions.

We’re the local media resource that can help promote your event (whether the capacity is living room, or stadium), with free listings and/or engaging packages that include content creation, advertising, social and more. Here’s more about what we can do - please get in touch if you’d like to work with us. Our next print deadline is end of January 😉

Meanwhile, make sure all your listings info, and any suggestions of things you may have seen that you’d like to feature in this newsletter, always go to news@thisisthewick.com for consideration.

The CIG meets again this Friday - all welcome

🥫 Catch the current show at Two More Years from artist Adam Chibba, who presents Aerosol Expressions, (pictured above) featuring a selection of canvases, skateboard decks and merch, alongside music from DJs Akwa and Markellos.

💧 Abstract Vernacular Continuing Conversations at Hypha Gallery Sugar House Island is an exhibition of abstract sculpture and painting by nine multigenerational women and non-binary contemporary artists from London, the North and Ireland. Runs to 18th Jan.

🕺 Two More Years start their, er, fourth year on Fish Island exactly as they mean to go on - with a cracking early January all-dayer on Sat 11th Jan, playing 80s and 90s house and classic disco from lunchtime until 1am, and it’s totally free to get in.

🤼‍♂️ A heady mix of wrestling, drag, comedy and cabaret(!), Fist Club - The Fist & The Furious lands heavily and dramatically at Colour Factory early doors this Saturday, 11th Jan, getting you warmed up from 6pm-8.30pm, with food, too.

🍹 There are select drinks for just £4.99 (all day until 10pm Mon-Fri) plus 50% off karaoke rooms at The Lord Napier Star’s big January Sale. The offer includes pints of Camden Hells or Pale Ale, single house spirits with mixers and all glasses of house wine (175ml).

🍺 Crate Brewery ran an Instagram poll that revealed over half the voters attempting a Dry (or semi dry) January. If you're booze-free right now (or always) they’ve got a range of ‘low and no’ drinks on right now including Lucky Saint unfiltered Lager and Hazy IPA, the Northern Monk Holy Faith Hazy Pale and the Big Drop Brewing Co. Pine Trail Pale, each at 0.5%.

🧘‍♀️ It’s the first anniversary of resident consciousness community Om Being at The Bath House this Fri 10th Jan, and they are celebrating with a New Year Sauna Melt, including yoga, free pizza, sauna and an anniversary drinks after all that running until midnight.

🎶 Wellness centre Akasa hosts the launch of the London Handpan School, run by local resident and handpan-maker Hannah Aiyana. It starts with a beginners workshop this Sat 11th Jan and then a weekend course on Jan 25th-26th over in Dalston. The plan is to build a supportive community of enthusiasts and collaborators over the months ahead.

🍼 The first monthly parents and carers coffee morning of 2025 at Trowbridge Gardens is on Mon 13th Jan. It’s a casual and friendly event with lots of toys and ample buggy parking, where you can meet other local parents and get free support from experts. Your hosts are Dina of Vitamin Dina Nutrition and Esther of Hackney Nappy Network.

🍯 What they’re call ‘Pottery Resolutions’ are the order of the day at Cone8 Ceramics where you can discover a taster of Nerikomi, an ancient Japanese pottery technique characterised by intricate patterns and vibrant colours. Next class is this Friday 10th Jan.

🎶 Academy Breakin' Convention, the Hip Hop theatre school based at the new Sadler's Wells East, is looking for students to join its 2025 programme. If you are 16-19 you could be part of the UK’s first free Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performance and Production Arts specific to Hip Hop Theatre, learning skills from MCing and music production to popping and breaking. People up to 24-years-old can apply and be assessed on an individual basis too. Watch the video for more info, and apply here. There’s an open day on 18th Jan and you’ll need to apply by Fri 31st Jan.

📢 The last few free spaces are available to get your New Year started right at an event from Hackney Impact and Social Founders for locally-based entrepreneurs: Get the most out of your Governance. It’s a morning session on Wed 15th Jan with expert speakers and a networking lunch.

📝 Ahead of thee grand opening of the V&A Storehouse this spring, they are holding a free to attend careers open day on Wed 15th and Sat 18th Jan. On the day, you’ll meet the team and find out more about vacancies including Floor Assistant, V&A East Storehouse and Collection Access Officer. You can also speak to the team about volunteering opportunities and find out more about ways to get involved in this exciting new cultural centre now or in the future.

🦋 Pangaea Sculptor Centre is looking for a freelance graphic designer to produce marketing and pitch documents. You should be able to create stylish, clear and attention-grabbing layouts that integrate case studies alongside the main narratives, have a keen eye-for-detail and create cool info-graphics and make data 'pop'. Experience in the Visual Arts sector useful but not essential. Email admin@pangaeasculptorscentre.com.

🚲 If you’re not already using it, check out the pilot of MOSA app-operated bike parking that’s running in various locations across the Olympic Park until 17th Jan. It’s a collaboration with innovation catalyst SHIFT, and aims to make urban cycling more secure and seamless.

📈 If you live in Tower Hamlets and have a business idea, but don't know where to start, the Council and Allia Impact are offering support through structured training and a grant of £2500 to start a new venture. You need to be a first-time entrepreneur and full time resident. Open until end of March 2025.

👩‍🎨 Applications are open to take part in Arbor 2: a programme aiming to create meaningful collaborations between artists, researchers, and communities with interest in or experience of dementia. UCL are looking for 20 artists to take part in the initial stage of the knowledge exchange programme, which starts with a mixer event giving artists and researchers a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and spark a future collaboration. Apply by 17th Jan.