In the first of a monthly series focusing on the wide range of artists bringing their work to the Sadler’s Wells East for the first time, The Wick caught up with Jasmin Vardimon, Artistic Director of the eponymous Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company.

They celebrate a quarter century of their unique dance history - that includes innovative shows like Park, Yesterday and ALiCE - right up to the present day with NOW, which opens tonight, Wed 5th Mar, at the new East Bank venue and runs to Sat 8th Mar.

“NOW started from reflection on the company’s 25 years of repertoire and the moments that left mark on my memory,” Jasmin tell us about the performance. “I chose moments that I wanted to revisit, using a current lens and a new perspective. Eventually, only one small moment remained exactly in its original form - the rest have taken on completely new interpretations and have become more relevant to our present ‘now’.”

 Having been an Associate Artist with Sadler’s Wells since 2006, the arrival of the 550 capacity purpose-build auditorium in East London is an exciting opportunity, something Jasmin and her company relish, especially for “the potential of reaching and inspiring new audiences.”

“It was designed to have a great view from every seat, with no visual restrictions,” she notes, “meaning the audience can feel very close to the action on stage, creating a sense of intimacy and a greater connection to the work being presented.”

This suits her unique choreographic voice, which has produced physical theatre that has become renowned for it’s beautifully detailed movement, insightful touches of humour, and engaging elements of drama.

Tonight’s show, NOW, “tells stories that belong to our time and tells them using imaginative and surprising means,” says Jasmin, “which can resonate with everyone in very personal ways.”

It marks 25 years of her company’s challenging British dance theatre, while pointing towards what might come next. “I’m most proud of creating work that continues to tour the globe,” she tells us of reaching the milestone, “but at the same time I’m also really proud of our charitable ethos and the work the company does to nurture a young generation of artists, by sharing artistic experiences and knowledge.”

Tickets to see now can be booked here from just £15

🎨 Four days of immersive installations, conceptual artworks, painting and printmaking, digital art, sculpture and performances kicks off on Tues 7th Mar at Indra Gallery for EIDOS: The Shape of Those Who Have No Shape. It runs through to Fri 14th, where closing event, The Contoured Crescendo, is a multisensory celebration of all the work

🖼️ OTHER Pt.1 Survival & The Stories of Others is an exhibition, led by Hackney Wick’s own Aida Wilde, in collaboration with Bathnal Green’s Nasty Gallery. It explores identity, belonging, and resilience through art, workshops, and performances and is presented during International Women's Day weekend, Fri 6th - Sun 9th Mar.

📦 Eighteen artists explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of accumulating Clutter, and investigate its impact on our lives and society at large in the latest exhibition at Hypha Gallery 1 Sugar House Island. The private view is tomorrow night, Thurs 6th Mar and it runs to 12th Apr.

🍽️ Meanwhile, Battlefield Bodies is a show addressing the theme of eating disorders. Through arworks and installations, it creatively explore the internal conflict to better understand its impact and effects at Hypha Gallery 2, on Sugar House Island, with a PV tomorrow and also running to 12th Apr.

👩🏻‍🎨 Art Space Art Fair London is a new globetrotting show that allows established and emerging talent to showcase their work. It includes mosaic artist David O'Brien unveiling his new Lewis Hamilton Ferrari-inspired F1 helmet, never-seen-before pieces and work by Michael Dargas, Nigel Cooke and Mr Brainwash, coming to East London at Dockside Vaults in St. Katharine Docks, 14th - 28th Mar. 

👯‍♂️ This Sat 7th of Mar, you are invited to an electrifying night of sensuality, subversion, and self-expression at Colour Factory, as HOWL Cabaret + Rave celebrates unapologetic, raw, and revolutionary pleasures from an iconic lineup of queer performers. Expect jaw-dropping artistry, body-positive celebration, and boundary-pushing acts that will make you howl.

🥾 The Giant Steps soundsystem residency at The Bath House continues this Sun 8th Mar when guest selector Coco Maria graces the turntables at this popular afternoon-into-evening weekend session.

🎟️ Grab the last remaining tickets for the return of the Faith 3-Room Special at Number 90 next Sat 15th Mar, with Simon Dunmore, now back behind the decks spinning classic disco, main room headliners, musclecars, plus all the usual Faith regulars spinning inside and on the Balearic Barge moored up along the waterfront terrace.

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📈 Register your interest in the Investec Beyond Business Programme to get start-up grant funding up to £24k, expert support and mentorship from the Bromley by Bow Centre and Investec. Whether you are starting out or expanding, this programme helps you make a lasting impact in East London as a social entrepreneur. Apply by 30 Mar.

🤖 Explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative industries for ethnically diverse creative businesses and freelancers at Everyday AI: how AI is shaping creative futures, to be held at UCL Base KX on Thurs 13th Mar.

🎥 The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC) host TNB XPO 2025, showcasing Black excellence and driving forward diversity in the UK and international screen industries with a three day programme of screenings, keynotes, panels, demos and a recruitment fair. It happens at Rich Mix Mon 24th - Fri 28th Mar.

🪓 Cone8 Ceramics Studio are running a special ceramic axe-making workshop on Fri Mar 14th where you’ll design, make and decorate personalized, one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by ancient weaponry.

🎶 If you’re aged 18-35, of black heritage and interested in producing big events, then the return of the Festival & Carnival Lab 2025 is for you. A weekly series of free training sessions based in the Olympic Park, you’ll learn from the biggest names in the business, from the likes of Notting Hill Carnival to Glastonbury, Download and Wilderness festivals. Only 10 places, so apply before 6th March.

👗 Caramel Rock is offering a 12-week Level 1 BTEC in Fashion for individuals aged 19+. The course is free and the start date is ongoing. To learn more or enroll, check out their website.

🍄 The new East London Mushroom Growing Collective run a farm at New Spitalfields Market, harvesting fungi for London-area restaurants using locally sourced substrates and a zero-emissions distribution system. They’re currently on the lookout for a Mushroom Growing Assistant

🌃 Number 90 are looking for a new Junior Marketing Coordinator to work across their nightlife venues, food and drink offerings and venue hire services. You’ll be running on-the-ground marketing campaigns, social and community engagement and have a passion for music, food and club culture. Apply now for immediate start.

🥻 Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust is looking for an individual or organisation to become their new circular fashion hub and young makers programme partner. You’ll get a rent-free, high quality studio space for one year, and be expected to deliver the workshops and mentoring for the third year of the Sustainable Young Makers Programme in 2025.

💴 The East End Community Foundation (EECF) is offering Well-being Grants for Young People 2025. Non-profit organizations and community groups in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and City of London can apply for grants up to £25,000 to support activities for young people's mental and emotional health, and life skills development. Apply by Mar 17th.

⚖️ If you are an artist, writer, musician, actor, sculptor, web-designer or any other type of creative practitioner and have an issue relating to your work but can’t afford access to legal support, the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre offers free advice on areas including intellectual property, trademark and copyright. Fill in the form and they’ll get back to you. Deadline Fri 21st Mar.

🚢 Anyone who’d like to put on a cultural event to celebrate the Windrush Generation should contact Hackney Council, who have small grants of up to £2k now available to help make it a reality. Your event will need to be delivered in June 2025 and can also be part of a bigger project. Deadline for applications is 17th March.