The PM in the Park

The Prime Minister was the unannounced VIP speaker at UCL Marshgate on Monday, launching the government’s big commitment to AI, and waxing lyrical about the opportunities and benefits the technology will (hopefully) bring to all of us.

Of course, there’s as much fear at the great unknowns of the robots taking over as there is wide-eyed optimism, particularly in the creative sector, where most of the tools so far seem specifically designed to replace the work of actual artists, writers, photographers and the jobs that support them.

What is certain though, is that having the kind of research, education, arts and innovation cluster that we are seeing bloom in and around the Olympic Park puts people in this part of London at a huge advantage as the AI era ramps up.

As well as telling you what’s on and where to go in this email each week, The Wick regularly delves beneath the surface of the neighbourhood with in-depth features that reveal the mass of opportunities, collaborations and learning potential right on our doorstep. If you’ve not seen it, check our recent guide to creative industries careers and pick up the paper every quarter for much more.

🥫 Opening tonight at 2 More Years is the first artist in residence exhibition of the new year from Dave ‘Enos’ Hotton (Evolved Meaning of Self), pictured above. He’s harnessed his passions for street art, graffiti, skating and breaking culture across canvas for a series of artworks that he hopes will resonate with the space. Runs for a month.

🌱 The latest ReRooted Residency artist at Trowbridge Gardens Gallery, Anita Agarwal, opens her show, Let’s Be Eco-Logical on Thurs 30th Jan, 5–8pm where you can see her playful yet powerful exploration of sustainability and cultural intersections through installations like an insect hotel, wind chimes made from single-use plastics, and flags inspired by Buddhist prayer traditions.

💧 Abstract Vernacular Continuing Conversations at Hypha Gallery Sugar House Island is an exhibition of abstract sculpture and painting by nine multigenerational women and non-binary contemporary artists from London, the North and Ireland. Runs to 18th Jan.

🎭 Chaotic Jewish heist comedy Revenge: After The Levoyah pairs two twins with an 80-year-old gangster for a caper that tears through antisemitism in the diaspora, now showing at The Yard Theatre until 25th Jan.

📔 The work of South African author Bessie Head is celebrated at a new immersive exhibition, Summer Flowers - Wolff Architects Exhibition opening 30th Jan with a special film screening and talk on the night. The installation includes sound, drawings, plant pressings, and texts and runs at UCL Urban Room at Pool St until the end of May.

🪩 Reformed hellraiser turned meme-powered national treasure Fat Tony finally gets to play his headline gig at No90 on Sat 25th Jan. Last month’s original date had to be postponed after Tony was shockingly attacked by another DJ in the booth at a party in Margate, his facial injuries plastered all over the socials, so this is a triumphant return, too.

🔴 The mezzanine at Colour Factory is the place this Sat 18th Jan where Bubbledee take over, bringing house and dubby techno from Larry Cadge and Andrea Giudice, under their signature red ambient lighting and immersive visuals.

💃 Victoria Park’s new restaurant and cocktail bar Carbobar plays host to chaotic sing-along drag show Miss Aisles hot mess express on Fri 31st Jan for a night of mayhem alongside your meal.

🍺 Discover the secrets behind some great beers at The Kernel Brewery tasting at the Lord Napier on Thurs 23rd Jan. You’ll be guided through a free tasting of the Kernel’s fantastic craft brews and have the chance to connect with fellow beer enthusiasts.

🎬 Movie night is back at Crate Brewery this Sun 19th Jan, as Love Express: The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk explores the rise and fall of the legendary cult filmmaker. Remember their January-friendly range of ‘low and no’ beers, too, including Lucky Saint unfiltered Lager and Hazy IPA, the Northern Monk Holy Faith Hazy Pale and the Big Drop Brewing Co. Pine Trail Pale.

🥕 Growing Communities provide organic fruit and veg boxes that you can pick up from 30 locations across Hackney and Haringey each week. Their latest collection point has just started in Hackney Wick, too, located at at Grow. To celebrate and kickstart a healthy 2025 they are offering The Wick readers 10% off all boxes in Jan and Feb if you use the code Healthy2025 at the checkout on their website.

🕺 Ecstatic Dance UK Evening Sessions are on again tonight and every Wednesday at The Bath House, with DJ Anahata soundtracking this week’s journey into non-verbal freeform dancing.

♀️ Femake Entrepreneurship is an all-day female business exhibition showcasing the work and the women behind everything from handmade crafts to tech startups. You’ll meet the founders of 16 female-led businesses and 7 artists, offering inspiration and networking plus food and drinks, all at Indra Gallery on Sun 2nd Feb. 

🍯 If you’re serious about learning pottery, Cone8 Ceramics now offer memberships, just like you’d get for a gym or yoga studio, but for regular classes on their throwing wheels instead. Find out more about the offer which gives discounts and you’ll join a thriving local ceramic community, too.

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

📝 TODAY! Ahead of the grand opening of the V&A Storehouse this spring, they are holding a free to attend two careers open days today and this Sat 18th Jan where you’ll meet the team and find out more about vacancies including Floor Assistant, V&A East Storehouse and Collection Access Officer. You can also speak to them about volunteering opportunities and find out more about ways to get involved in this exciting new cultural centre.

📌 Culture Within Newham are looking for a Creative Community Builder to start as soon as possible on a fixed term basis. The role includes building relationships with locals, organising and delivering cultural events and inspiring local people to take ownership of Newham’s cultural offerings. Deadline 23rd Jan.

🦋 Pangaea Sculptor Centre is looking for a workshop facilitator for an event they will be holding locally on Sat 1st March. Email [email protected].

🧵 UCL Culture Lab are looking for eight participants of South Asian descent from East London to take part in a project on phulkari at the UCL East campus. Workshops will be led by artist and poet Suman Gujral where you will explore this embroidery technique from the Punjab region and experiment with collage and block printing. You will be paid for your time at three workshops between Feb and April.

📈 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 this Friday 17th Jan.