🎟️Tickets to the brand new local Everyman Cinema up for grabs

Shiny and brand spanking new (i.e. it just opened yesterday), the latest outpost in the much-loved Everyman Cinema chain has finally opened its plush doors at Stratford Cross - just in the nick of time for the holiday season.

Kicking things off with a very family-friendly programme of Xmas classics and in-demand new releases, the new three-screen destination brings the Everyman’s signature velvet sofas and premium snacks and drinks in your seat service to the neighbourhood for the first time.

For a limited time, you can sign up as a Founder Member of the cinema and receive a whole load of benefits including complimentary popcorn for the first year, special rates on food, drink and tickets, plus upgrades on two glasses of wine to the whole bottle.

Fancy 2 tickets to head there, see the facilities and check out the film of your choice? Simply recommend a friend (or two, or three!) to sign up to receive The Wick newsletter every Wednesday, just like you do, using your unique referral button or link below.

The more of your friends and family who subscribe, the more chances you’ve got to win a pair of tickets to the flicks. And we’d like to think they might enjoy getting these free newsletters as part of the deal, too 🙂

Here’s your referral link to share:

https://thisisthewick.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

Winners of the tickets will be picked at random from all those who refer 1 or more new subscribers between now and Fri 10th Jan 2025. Tickets are not transferable for cash and must be used at Everyman Stratford International within 6 months.

🥫 The new month-long show at Two More Years launches tonight as artist Adam Chibba presents Aerosol Expressions, (pictured above) featuring a selection of canvases, skateboard decks and merch, alongside music from DJs Akwa and Markellos.

💧 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.

✝️ 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.

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY ROUNDUP

🎺 Affordable revelry until 3am is on offer at Grow, who’ll be topping off their 10th year in the game with a celebration of Hackney Wick talent, including local DJ trio Petra’s Dream on the decks and Grow faves the eight-piece band Tumbaito, led by talented percussionist Williams Cumberbache, blending live Afro-Latin rhythms with exhilarating modern urban jazz.

🪩 Colour Factory are offering a night featuring 9 DJs across 3 dancefloors as they usher in 2025 with ‘the steamiest NYE session you’re likely to find’ featuring bass-heavy house and techno from Bambounou, DJ Spit, Dr Dubplate, LEXII., Lu.Re, Mya Mehmi, RONI, Teki Latex and Toma Kami.

🎉 Trusty party boozer The Lord Napier Star have DJs El Conchitas and Sassy Wild seeing in 2025 with tickets from only £8 and karaoke rooms for an exuberant way to sing in the new year.

🍻 Crate Brewery are opening up their warehouse-style Loft space again (following its debut at the Queen’s Yard Summer Party), alongside the downstairs Studio, with DJ Alexander Nut, playing house, soul, jazz, and afrobeat alongside Sticky Dub, GRACE, Oscillation, Jimmy Smith, Babylon.fox and Ché.

🍴 There’s a special Dinner & Dance happening at All My Friends in association with post-supper club food/party promoters Close Ties, where tickets include a cocktail and a decent main dish, plus DJs including headliner Jonny Rock through until 4am.

🚲 Epic party-starters Half Baked take over their home turf across all four spaces at Bar 90 on New Year’s Day (pictured above), for their traditional hedonistic party on the first day of the year, this time in collaboration with Art of Dark. There’s a monster DJ line-up through until midnight and a proper NYD after-afters carry-on to be announced, too.

🥳 And for something a little different, head to INIS on Fish Island on Mon 6th Jan for a special ‘Nollaig na mBan’ - an Irish tradition where historically the women-folk would get together to enjoy their very own Christmas celebration in the New Year to have a rest after the festive season, while their partners would stay home and look after the family and the chores.

MORE NIGHTLIFE

🛩️ DC-10 Ibiza original DJ Clive Henry plays all afternoon at Two More Years on Sat 21st Dec from 3-8pm dropping his blend of deep intimate grooves throughout the day.

🥊 It’s the big Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury boxing showdown rematch this Friday, 21st Dec, and if you want to watch all the action then the Leyton Star have a late license and (almost) ringside seats in front of the big screens until 1am.

🛼 Resolutions are not just for adults, so Wrap n Rolla’s 4-week roller skating course, which starts on 7th Jan at Hackney Bridge, is the ideal way to welcome in the new year by learning a brand new skill. Open to kids aged 6 and over, the classes include a free kids meal afterwards.

🎶 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.

📢 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.

🍯 What they’re call ‘Pottery Resolutions’ are the order of the day at Cone8 Ceramics from 5th Jan, with the first in a series of workshops on Troubleshooting Centering. Aimed at beginner and intermediate potters looking for hands-on guidance at getting their clay in the right spot, their experts will help your pieces gain balance and finesse.

🚲 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.