Queen's Yard Summer Party returns 😎

Enjoy the long bank holiday this weekend with plenty of things to see and do in Hackney Wick. Immerse yourself in the wild world of Rachel and Ray Atfield at their upcoming exhibition, trade your unwanted clothes for treasure at UIIBA Club’s clothes swap, or party in style as the Queen’s Yard Summer Party makes it’s return - there’s something for everyone!

🌳 Arbeit Studios is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, You Can’t Make Trees, by the 2nd ReRooted Residency artists, Rachel and Ray Atfield from May 3 to June 2, 2024, at Trowbridge Gardens Gallery. Rachel and Ray create art using locally foraged natural materials, blending traditional craft and architectural skills. Join them on May 7th for the opening night.

🍕 This May, Unlock, the canal-side pizza restaurant, cocktail bar and art collective space set in Hackney Wick, will welcome its second artist in residence, Sicilian illustrator Jess Ardizzone with her exhibition ‘Balcone Mediterraneo’. Unlock will kick off Jess’s residency on the 7th of May with a Sicilian-inspired evening of art and food. Available for one night only, the set menu will feature Sicilian-inspired dishes that pay homage to the rich heritage of the island. Book your table now!

♻️ The Westfield Good Festival celebrates a commitment to sustainability, showcasing initiatives from Westfield, partner brands and the community, all striving for a more sustainable future. See what’s on and join us on this journey at the Westfield Good Festival, where you’ll find inspiring activations and installations suitable for all ages. May 3rd until May 19th.

👗 Fashion My Metaverse is a platform for musicians, artists and designers to showcase their work under the philosophy of building a sustainable future. Head over to ArtSect Gallery tonight from 5pm and get involved!

🫶 A Balanced Life is supporting mental health by providing low cost therapy to all. From counselling, alternative therapies, they have something for everyone. Explore what’s on offer and reach out to the team!

👚 Join the UIIBA Club at Barge East next week as they celebrate slower fashion. Support local artisans and swap your no longer wanted items for new treasures to cherish on Monday May 6th, at a Clothes Swap and Creative Market hangout! Head back on Tuesday May 7th and elevate your wardrobe at their patch making workshop.

👜 Head over to Coal Studios (based at The Cave, Algha Works) for their Make Your Own Totebag Workshop. Tickets are £50, with all supplies included. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot! 6-8:30pm, May 16th.

🀄️ Ease yourself into the May Bank Holiday weekend with some wholesome, lighthearted fun over at The Bath House on Thursday, May 2nd. Something 2 Chew on is a passion project bringing people together in the spirit of creative playtime to give your mind, body, and soul. Get crafty and make giant game tile sets out of various art materials (all provided). No need to be a Picasso, this event is all about letting your imagination run wild in a no-pressure way! Whether you're a crafting pro, an enthusiast, or just here for the vibes, everyone is welcome to get involved!

🌞 Queen’s Yard Summer Party, AKA the first festival of the year, returns on the 4th of May! With over 20 venues across Hackney Wick hosting leading artists spanning the UK underground, this is set to be their biggest year yet. Don’t miss out, grab tickets now!

🍷 Join us in Bow's Living Room & Creative Social Space at the Nunnery Cafe next Thursday, May 2nd for their launch event featuring live music, great vibes, and pints for only £4.50. Expect hand selected wines, a new draft beer line, seasonal cocktails and some fabby live tunes for local folks! After the launch, the Nunnery Café will be open every Thursday until 10pm for artists, neighbours, and friends to hang out and enjoy the space.

 Book your table now for any England group game: Sunday June 16 : Serbia v England - 8pm / Thursday June 20 Denmark v England - 5pm / Tuesday June 25 England v Slovenia - 8pm

🎓 University of the Arts London is offering a PhD studentships in Artisan, Agency, Place: Making Local Fashion. The research will sit between the London College of Fashion at UAL East and the collaborative partner organisation Creative Wick, the latter which has had a significant creative impact on the shape of London East’s Cultural Zone at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, and the former seeking to educate future generations of creatives. Check out the all studentships on offer and apply before May 20th 2024.

🌸 The much loved garden centre Growing Concerns is back (under new management) and better than ever! They will be reopening their doors on 4th May 2024, at a new, temporary location at 119 Wallis Road, E9 5LN. Head over this bank holiday weekend to stock up on all your gardening needs.

🎬 Each year, the American Cinema Editors Internship Committee selects two interns and provides them with the opportunity to shadow multiple departments for four weeks in their choice of LA, New York or London! Applications are now open and will close June 30th, good luck!

🏆 The Mick Bateman Memorial Award is a new award set up with specific intention to support and encourage emerging artists working in metal. Each award offers: Two years of financial support towards the whole cost of a professional artist studio at Bow Arts. The award is up to a maximum of £2,000 in any one year, and; up to £1,000 (equivalent to 8 days) access to courses and/or workshop time in the London Sculpture Workshop. Applications are welcome from all artists until 12:00pm, Monday 3rd June.

🤝 Loughborough University London are excited to invite you to their Collaborative Project Show 2024 on Tuesday 25 June 5-8pm at Plexal! This evening is an excellent opportunity to engage with our brilliant network of academics, partner organisations, students and alumni.

👩‍🌾 Get closer to nature with the Mobile Garden, a ​​community growing space where local residents, schools and community groups can come connect with nature at Hackney Bridge. Interested in getting involved? If you would like to make use of a shared allotment bed, use the garden as an outdoor space to run your own community activities, or become a garden rep, reach out to Adele on [email protected]

• Peppermint Events are looking for food servers at their brand-new Venue, Riverside East in Queen Elizabeth Park, London. (London Living Wage)