Hello! Here’s your weekly newsletter edition of The Wick, revealing loads of reasons to love life around here over the days ahead.

Revealing is indeed the right word, as the mighty annual World Naked Bike Ride returns this weekend, and - perhaps surprisingly - this year marks the first time Hackney Wick is going to be one of the official meeting points.

Everyone is welcome to gather at Thingy Cafe from 9.30am onwards this Saturday, 8th June, where there will be socialising and body painting, plus food, drink and all-important toilets on offer before riders prepare to disrobe and depart at 13.30.

The idea is to bare as much as you dare, highlighting issues around the continued vulnerability of cyclists on our streets and protesting against the global dependency on oil, all while celebrating body freedom alongside thousands of others, who’ll be converging from various other points across the capital over a 12 mile ride.

Just remember to liberally slap on the sunscreen 😲

🎭 It’s the last chance to catch Multiple Casualty Incident at The Yard Theatre (run finishes Sat 8th), which has just been rated by the Evening Standard as top pick of the theatre to go out and see in London this month. It’s a play that questions the world’s inequalities through the eyes of a group of medical staff training to work in war zones.

🧑‍🎨 Indra Gallery x Art Sect present Le Paradis Continue... experience to their Algha Works gallery space this Saturday night (June 8th). It’s free entry all night for a line-up bringing French art and music to Fish Island including DJ sets from 6B and Badgaltimtim.

📺 The GROW crowdfunder, in aid of helping Hackney Wick’s most iconic venue to ‘keep the lights on, the music playing and to continue leading the way on sustainability’ as they enter their 11th year has already pulled in nearly £7k - but they still need more ensure their future. Watch the video (below) to hear directly from founder and director Jordanna Greaves about various ways you can support them to continue to thrive at a crucial time.

🪴Emerging artist supporters @zeitgeistartuk are presenting What I Have Taken, I Now Give Back, a captivating journey into the creative process of Jozefína Fujašová, a female artist navigating the delicate balance between natural landscapes and urban environments. It runs from 15th June to 27 September 2024 and is free to get in at Brunswick East, Dalston, N16 8JH.

🌉 Have you taken a wander down to see artist Helen Cammock’s brand new installation, On WindTides which now spans the River Lea near Cody Dock? It’s the latest piece of public art to join The Line, the free art trail that leads all the way up from North Greenwich into the Olympic Park. Also worth a visit is the exhibition to coincide with the unveiling, Swirling Eddies, Tender Breeze, which showcases the work of local community groups in conversation with the artist. Until 30th June at The House Mill, Three Mill Lane, E3 3DU

☕ Monday June 10th (10am-midday) sees the next of Trowbridge Gardens monthly parents and carers coffee mornings, 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.

💻 Last chance to register for Monday’s (June 10th) jobs and skills marketplace, plus expert panel discussion as part of London Tech Week 2024, Power to create your own Pathway at Plexel. It’s a free day where you can learn from inspiring role models about their routes into digital tech, hear from expert panelists about tackling barriers, connect with employers and educators and discover which pathway might be right for you, regardless of your background or experience.

🧶 There’s the chance to Learn how to Crochet from scratch - with all the materials also provided - at Mainyard Studios on Thursday 13th June. Your hosts Rachel and Rhi will guide you through the basics to go on to create beautiful handmade pieces, while enjoying a creative evening learning a new craft with like-minded individuals.

🪩 Ahead of their monthly bash this Friday (June 6th) at 2 More Years, local party-turned-movement Queer Edge have just launched Queer Edge Give, a platform to support LGBTQ+ locals in their extended community and from elsewhere around the world, too. It’s a partnership with charitable organisations Galop and Give Out, offering financial and peer support to those that need it most, so do get in contact with them if that sounds like you.

🎚️ Tomorrow night (7th June) sees Nigerian-British Afrobeat ambassador, Dele Sosimi (pictured above), play live at a Sounds of West Africa special, the latest event in the Around the World with Nico’s series at Hackney Bridge cocktail bar Nico’s. Dele is live from 8pm, with a DJ set from natureboi after 10am.

💪 Lee Valley VeloPark has just opened a brand £500k new state-of-the-art gym, featuring the latest TechnoGym machines, Pure Strength resistance equipment, free weights and a wide range of classes, from group cycling to Pilates and Zumba. Sign up this month (before 30th June) and you can take advantage of their Early Bird Offer, which means no joining fee, and membership at just £44 for adults and £28 for juniors.

📢 A series of free weekly wellbeing workshops on menstrual cycles for women aged 16-25 begins mid-June and is currently accepting applications. The sessions, run by yoga and qigong teacher Linda Steda just across Victoria Park at Alpine Grove Community Hub, will explore new perspectives on periods and ways to deepen understanding about the importance of food, movement and daily habits on womens’ cycles.

👚 Newham-based fashion and creative arts charity Caramel Rock is offering an after school programme with Rights and Equalities Newham (REIN) that includes hands-on workshops and opportunities for young minds to discover their creative expression. Reach out to them for more info. They are also partnering with Hackney Learning Trust to introduce a new year-long project for young people and adults to gain BTEC qualifications in in fashion and digital media skills. Find out more about the courses available.

🍖 Popular local streetfood pop-up Uncle Hon's BBQ is back for a summer-long residency at All My Friends. You can order classic dishes like the 6-hour smoked Sichuan peppercorn beef short ribs plus some new ones, hot for summer ‘24.

💃 Studio Wayne McGregor is looking for a brilliant and motivated Archivist, to manage and oversee our dynamic archive with over 30 years’ worth of materials. The right candidate will make a significant contribution to the Studio’s history and current activity, raising the profile of McGregor’s work as well as acquiring and disseminating materials to appropriate stakeholders internally and externally. Deadline to apply June 26th.