Join us for the neighbourhood's monthly meetup

It’s the final Cultural Interest Group (CIG) meeting of the year this Friday, with a diverse agenda (see box below) which gives you the chance to interact with some of the area’s key stakeholders, and hear what’s in store across culture, commerce and construction locally in 2025.

You can join the meeting online, although the most benefit comes from being in the room, where contacts are made and serendipitous alliances forged, as everyone from independent local artists to global property developers get an equal platform to present ideas, challenge and be challenged, all in the process of making Hackney Wick and the wider area a better place for all.

Now in it’s 15th year, the CIG has been instrumental in some big success stories, many of which we’ve covered in The Wick newspaper - see the current edition for news of how developers are working closely with the local community on some groundbreaking new ideas on The Wick Hotel and 119 Wallis Rd (pictured above) on a permanent home for circular economy hub The Loop.

In fact, the CIG operates as the ‘live editorial meeting’ for many of our future stories, so if you’ve never been, why not come and say hi this Friday morning?

📚 Sunday 15th Dec sees the launch mixer in celebration of the third print issue of Sanxtuary Magazine, which is a fashion, beauty and culture title featuring the work of BIPOC and Queer creatives, being held at Indra Gallery. Expect DJs, drinks and a range of BIPOC and queer-owned stalls including tooth gemming, tarot readings, jewelry, accessories, henna and nails - plus you can pick up the new mag, too.

👗 Indra Gallery is also the the spot for Threads of Tomorrow: Sustainable Fashion in London this Friday 13th Dec, hosted by forward-thinking fashion platform Factian. Across an evening of guest speakers, networking and free pizza, you’ll find out how exactly London is leading the way in eco-friendly and ethical clothing. From innovative designs to eco-conscious materials, this event aims to inspire you to make more sustainable choices in your wardrobe.

💧 There’s a private view of Abstract Vernacular Continuing Conversations at Hypha Gallery Sugar House Island this Thurs 12th Dec, an exhibition of abstract sculpture and painting by nine multigenerational women and non-binary contemporary artists from London, the North and Ireland. Then on Friday (13th) there’s another PV for Gateway to the World a group show from eight artists engaging archivally with the history of the immediate Stratford-Bow area, and examining the socio-spatial restructuring that has accompanied deindustrialisation.

✝️ God Willing is a new group show opening at Mainyard’s Shipton Gallery exploring the pursuit of the divine in the digital age, with art from Chelsey Zi Wang, Daddy Bears, Ariane Heloise Hughes, Lily Bloom, Ronnie Danaher, Dyke Viagra, M Lissoni, Georgia Somerville, and Marta Burhan. Until 6th Jan.

🔋Head a little further afield this month to find the three winners hailing from the Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Enterprise Zone who made it onto this year’s prestigious London Made Me Retail Development programme, at the official pop-up shop now open in Battersea Power Station throughout the festive period until 29th Dec.

🎉 New Year’s Eve is coming towards us fast, so it’s time to start planning your celebratory maneuvers. Trusty party boozer The Lord Napier Star have DJs El Conchitas and Sassy Wild seeing in 2025 with tickets from only £8.

🍻 Meanwhile over at Crate Brewery they are opening up their warehouse-style Loft space again, following its debut at the Queen’s Yard Summer Party, running alongside the downstairs Studio, too. Headlining the night is acclaimed DJ Alexander Nut, playing house, soul, jazz, and afrobeat alongside Sticky Dub, GRACE, Oscillation, Jimmy Smith, Babylon.fox and Ché.

🎅 Before all that, the irrepressible DJ Normski is playing at the Lord Napier tomorrow Thurs 12th Dec for their festive Big Pub Xmas Party.

🏳️‍🌈 It’s the Big Queer Xmas Party on Fri 13th Dec, as East London party crews Queer Edge, Lez Meet, Lucky Dip, Happy Endings, The Club Kid and Muse join forces for a big end of year bash, taking over the big Block C space at Hackney Bridge.

🍺 The Beer Merchants Tap annual Christmas Charity Party runs from today until Sun 15th Dec. Expect a lucky dip, a food pop-up and £2 donations on selected beer pours going to Hackney Foodbank.

🎚️ It’s what they’re billing as a ‘cold-crushing Christmas party set’ from DJ Dom at Grow this Fri 13th Dec, as regular Dom Benjamin drops the Neo Soul, Hiop Hop and House.

🧷 It’s a triple-header of shows from South London’s Fat White Family at Colour Factory from Wed 11th - Fri 13th Dec, as the acclaimed post-punk 7-piece combine garage rock, disco and mediaeval chants for three wild, livid, smutty and loud nights.

🎶 Academy Breakin' Convention, the Hip Hop theatre school based at the brand 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.

📢 Book now to get your New Year started right at the free 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.

🍯 Design and paint your own festive ornaments at the Cone8 Ceramics Jingle All The Clay pottery workshops, taking place this Friday, 13th Dec and every Friday until Xmas.

🚲 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.

⚠️ The Hackney Wick Town Hall Christmas community get together at Trowbridge Seniors Hall on Friday has unfortunately been cancelled due to a double booking of the hall.

✨ The CoSTAR Foresight Lab based at the Loughborough University London campus at Here East are looking for a part time Research Administrator. It’s an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to gain skills and experience in the world of policy, creative industries and creative technologies. Apply by 12th Dec.