🎨 Seth Bastian is a ‘mesmerising’ Bahamian artist based in London, who's new show at Indra Gallery, WONDERSIDE displays a visual progression of his growth as an artist. In these sensory, cerebral “one-shot” paintings, Bastian melodically, enacts form into visual language a synthesis of texture form and composition that engages the art- historical through a contemporary context. They embrace introspection, the love of painting, and open possibilities. Opens Friday 30th August, until Monday 2nd Sept.

🏗️ The much-visited narratives of change in East London, in particular Hackney Wick, are those of redevelopment; who is involved in creating the new image of the area, and who is left behind. Wicked Changes IV, the next edition in Felstead Arts exhibition series exploring how East London artists respond to current social and urban challenges. The exhibition at The Trampery has a private view this Friday 30th August and runs through to November 30th.

🌏 Sugar House Island’s Hypha Gallery 2 hosts an evocative collection of installations, film, painting, photography, and mixed-media works by 20 emerging artists from the Royal College of Art at new show Ripples. The exhibition challenges conventional narratives around decoloniality, and how it can be analysed in contemporary times through both personal and communal lenses. The final artist talk is also this Friday 30th August, 7-8 pm).

Colour Factory has another all-dayer this Saturday 31st August with the They Queer Day Party, open air daytime event with artists spanning rave, tech house, hyper-pop, techno and more, including Michelle Manetti.

Then in the evening it’s The Soulstice Festival Collective taking over from 10pm-4am for their next big afterhours.

🗣️ Tuesday 3rd September sees host Ovyuki back with Hidden Literature presents MY WORD! poetry and music open mic night at GROW. Poets, singers, rappers, and musicians are all welcome, bringing different genders, races, ages, creative styles, and all walks of life together.

📲 Do you work at night in London? You could earn up to £100 if you work from 6pm-6am simply by taking part in a research workshop run by University College London’s UCL Urban Lab. Take the Voices of Nightworkers survey 

As one of the pioneers of abstract art, Wassily Kandinsky is one of the most important figures in 20th century painting. A workshop at Barge East on Monday September 2nd.explore the many stages and facets of his oeuvre; taking in his representational beginnings, the formation of Der Blaue Reiter, his time teaching at the Bauhaus, his writings on art theory and, of course, his glorious abstracts. You will then have a choice of options and approaches (inspired by the great man himself) to construct your own abstract piece of work. It’s a fully tutored class so no previous experience is required.

🪑 Ælfred, London’s largest vintage mid-century furniture warehouse, have teamed up with a sustainable fashion brand Round Retail to run a five-day popup at their warehouse in Hackney Wick to raise money for the fantastic Hackney Baby bank. Expect workshops and a panel discussion around ‘underconsumption core’ with an exciting panel of speakers tonight, August 28th. Then open daily until Sunday 1st September.

🎪 Sustainable Wallis Road business hub The Loop is participating in the Open House Festival 2024, throwing its doors wide to the general public for the first time to come and discover all the phenomenal circular economy businesses working inside. Thursday 19th September, 5pm-9pm. The Loop also still has an offer of pop-up stall space out front for local entrepreneurs, and with the sun out, it’s a prime spot. It costs just £50 a day for the pitch, with no minimum period. Ethical and circular businesses are preferred, although all welcome. Email: [email protected] for info and bookings.

🧘🏻 The Community Yoga Project presents another three hour session of yoga, meditation, breath work, ecstatic dance and gong bath for the latest Mindfulness Day at Hackney Sauna Baths this Saturday morning August 31st with up to 70 others.

🧘🏻‍♀️ There’s another rejuvenating morning yoga session at Barge East this Sunday 1st September with a blend of energizing poses and calming stretches against the backdrop of the water. Maria Georgopoulou’s class is perfect for all levels, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out. Connect with nature and find your inner peace as you flow through the poses.

🌱 SEEDED is a five-month part time residency programme for East London-based creative practitioners and thinkers to explore ideas relating to their socially-engaged practice. UCL East and other East Bank partners work closely with the selected individuals, who also get £6k funding to support the residency. The focus themes this year will be social justice, inclusion and accessibility in the arts, the built and the natural environment, or community engagement. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 17th September.

🪴The Olympic Park’s SHIFT innovation catalyst is currently seeking London-based SMEs working on solutions to the sustainability challenges facing our food systems to join the next Future Industries Demonstrator challenge. If you are successful, you’ll have the chance to rapidly scale your innovation, with the opportunity of receiving up to £25,000 plus access to local co-working spaces and tailored support. Applications close on September 8th.

🫂 For nearly a decade, Wick Award has been creating opportunities for young people, building community connections and improving wellbeing for all in the area. Now they are planning to establish a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to continue this vital work for the future. To be as open and inclusive in the process as possible, everyone is invited to a meeting on Tuesday 24th September from 6.30pm-8pm at Gascoyne 2 Community Hall where you’ll have a chance to share your priorities for Wick Award's future initiatives, learn more about the CIO plans and connect with other locals and groups looking to address the community’s most pressing needs.