This afternoon sees a bumper Wick Wednesday for you (Wed 26th Aug) as we gather some of the area’s most important nightlife figures to discuss their latest successes and challenges, and discuss what the future holds, as part of The Wick’s ongoing Nightlife Campaign editorial series.

Join us from 4pm aboard The Milk Float, followed by the social drinks outside in the garden from 5.30pm (full details below). Meanwhile, Moo Canoes Canal Clean-up & Community Paddle is starting from midday, with a free pint reward for all volunteers.

Thanks to the latest crop of readers who’ve taken up the free invite to join The Wick Community platform. If you can’t make the CIG this - or any other - month, there’s now a dedicated post in the #CIG channel where you can pose questions to the speakers or discuss any of the topics that are going to be raised.

The Community is now open to all readers, and feedback on CIG topics is just one of the various ways it can help you become more involved with the many projects we cover in the pages of The Wick.

Check our story about the ongoing hearing to decide the fate of some of Hackney Wick’s last remaining warehouse-based creative workspaces and multi-use venues. It’s taking place all this week, and you can still get involved, and also livestream the proceedings every day.

🌙Starting tomorrow, Thurs 27th Aug, V&A East is unveiling a new Thursday Late-Night Programme, running until the end of Sept - bringing together DJ residencies, pop-up bars, after-hours exhibition access and sweeping city views from their roof terrace. This week’s DJ set will be led by BBC Introducing’s DJ Karen Nyame KG, a pioneer of the UK funky movement and dubbed the “Goddess of Rhythm”. Also joining is acclaimed artist, photographer and film maker Gabriel Moses, in conversation with a V&A East curator.

🎪In The Neighbourhood festival continues today Wed 26th to Thurs 27th Aug, with heaps of free events all day in Victoria Park. The festival, put on in the midweek of All Points East, features live music, DJs, fitness sessions, family theatre, street food, bars, cinema and more! Today’s events include popups from the East End Women’s Museum and Orchestra of Objects, and tomorrow’s schedule includes a community dance session, Plant City diggers and tractors available to try and a set from the excellent DJ Yoda in the evening. Check out the full schedule here.

🖼️Love With No Love Hearts exhibition is at 83 Smeed Rd from Fri 29th - Sat 30th Aug, bringing together 30 international artists exploring the theme of love and its paradigms. Ticket holders for the exhibition can also attend the Afterparty at a TBC Wick warehouse location, with local and Berlin DJs on the decks.

✂️Arbeit Studios are running their monthly free Creative Reuse Community Event again this Sat 29th Aug, with a reclaimed material popup sale, and an art and craft material swap - eat your heart out on fabric, leather, yarn, paper, wood and other mixed materials.

🌿There’s a Botany Field Meeting being held in Olympic Park on Sat 29th Aug, hosted jointly by the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland and the London Natural History Society. Meet at Hackney Wick overground, and be guided through an afternoon of general recording and studying of wild plants. Reserve a space by contacting Mark Spencer at [email protected].

🎨Open Art session Art for the Sake of Art will be at Rift Studios on Sat 29th Aug. It’s a place to unwind and let off some steam, whether you fancy your hand at some watercolour painting, messing around with oil pastels, or some drawing. All materials provided - the goal is just to have fun and be creative, without worrying if it’s any good!

🍹The chance to grab a free drink in the evening sunshine every Wednesday continues tonight Wed 26th Aug, as The Lord Napier Star continues its summer season of 100 on the roof. This week’s gratis tipple? From 6pm you can grab yourself a free Ocho Tequila + Three Cents cocktail – Frozen Margaritas, Spicy Margaritas & Palomas…

Check out local culture reviews, features & interviews every week on thisisthewick.com

🎸Kicking off the bank holiday weekend early, head over to Fabwick tomorrow Thurs 27th Aug, for another edition of Fabwick Live - this week featuring indie pop duo Joel & Eleanor alongside guest performer band Fast Trains.

🎂Colour Factory is celebrating its 5th Birthday Party on Sat 29th Aug with a massive all-nighter packed with DJs including FAUZIA, Kahn, Neek, Roska, and Bushbby - delivering an energetic mix of jungle, dancehall, and heavy bass.

🌴The Open Air Weekender is at Hackney Bridge on Sat 29th Aug, hosted by headliner Habibi Funk, alongside Jamz Supernova and DAR DISKU - playing a groovy blend of global funk, soul, and Arabic tunes outdoors.

🪩French house and disco icon Dimitri from Paris takes over No. 90 on Sun 30th Aug as Part 2 of BBE Music’s 30th anniversary celebration - a chance to catch a dance music legend up close.

🔊Vital Fest is on Sun 30th Aug, a free party at LVLS. The theme will be Carnival Countdown, so get ready for some heavy bass and Caribbean energy to see you through to Monday.

⛳Calling all golfers, Teego Golf has officially opened its doors, bringing its high tech TrackMan simulators to the Wick. Practice your swing, get feedback on your data, or play through over 400 world-class courses. Visit the website to book now for discounted opening sessions.

🗣️Got a question about local issues, safety, or planned changes in the area? Head down to the Lee Conservancy Road Contact point this Fri 29th Aug at 7pm. Officers and reps from the local ward team will be on hand to chat with residents, take feedback, and listen to any community concerns.

🏃‍♂️A community run is taking place at Hopkins Meadow in the Park this Sun 30th Aug. Register to run here, with 1K, 5K or 10K options available. Note for non-runners that some areas of the Meadow will be restricted access all day.

💁🏼‍♂️ All grassroots community organisations based in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest are invited to partner with Students’ Union UCL to strengthen your organisation through skilled student volunteering. From one-off projects to year-long partnerships including group volunteering, co-created research and volunteering events, the Students' Union's Social Impact Team connect local charities and community organisations with passionate UCL students to support your goals. Fill out the referral form to speak to the team and find out more about the opportunities.

🌱Hackney Green Futures - Jobs, Skills & Sustainable Careers will take place on Wed 26th Aug at Teesside University London, Here East. The free event will bring together employers, apprenticeship providers, colleges, universities and training organisations to showcase opportunities in the green economy, including live vacancies, apprenticeships, training, careers advice, demonstrations, workshops and free LinkedIn/CV headshots. The event is aimed at 16 to 30-year-olds, but everyone is welcome.

🚀Discover Creative Careers has launched a fresh chapter as an expanded UK-wide initiative designed to make creative careers accessible to all young people (ages 11–24), particularly those from underrepresented communities. Delivered by the Creative Careers Collective, the updated platform connects students, educators, and industry leaders with hands-on work experience opportunities, career resources, and pathways into the UK's creative economy.

📕 The Wick Book is a limited edition 160-page hardback historic record, looking at 15 years of culture, community and change in the neighbourhood through the pages of The Wick. We’re now down to the last 40+ copies.

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