Copies of the reinvented and relaunched The Wick have just landed, and we must say, they do look mighty fine. To be among the very first to get your hands on a copy, join us tonight, Wed 20th May, at The Lord Napier for a little drink on the roof terrace.

We’ll be there from 6pm, and with temperatures about to make a welcome, (if climate-concerning) leap towards 30 degrees, we’re hoping for balmy scenes like those in the main photo, borrowed from the pub’s own website 😉

Inside the new 32-page magazine, you’ll find:

Look out for copies in all the usual outlets this week, but be quick, they’re expected to be picked up fast…

🎨 Two More Years is launching London-born oil painter Katie Olsen’s exhibition The Weight of Gestures today Wed 20th May, with a PV at 7pm. Olsen’s work explores the relationship behind token gestures and overconsumption. The artwork is heavily influenced by her late grandma Maisie, a collector of trinkets, tokens, and tat who saw alluring beauty in the journey of everyday objects.

🏳️‍🌈 Head to UCL East Cinema tonight, Wed 20th May, for a Film Screening of 'Pride' and Community Networking event with the screening at 7pm, followed by a student-led discussion. It promises an evening of LGBTQ+ community, creativity and celebration, hosted with UCL’s Social Impact Team and LGBTQ+ Network. Centred on the theme Queer Joy as Resistance, the event features pre-film activities including a badge-making workshop run by Badge Cafe, networking with local charities to explore exciting volunteering opportunities, and free craft beers and snacks.

🗿 Artists Maxim (The Prodigy), Dan Pearce, and Takiro explore how digital culture is reshaping human connection at Club Unity, Shoreditch Arts Club on Thu 21st May. The installation brings together sculpture, film, sound, and immersive space to reflect on presence and disconnection in the digital age. Rumour has it Maxim will be joining for the launch…

🎂 It’s My Birthday at Stratford UEL’s The Source Theatre on Sat 23rd May explores self-worth, visibility, and the emotional residue of being othered within structures that reward conformity. The piece subverts birthdays - traditionally moments of celebration - into complex emotional landscapes where joy, anxiety, shame, and grief all coexist.

🎭 It’s the final week of Lynn Nottage's critically acclaimed, sandwich shop comedy-drama Clyde's over at Stokey’s Tower Theatre. Set in a truck-stop kitchen staffed by former prisoners, the narrative simmers with tension, dark humour, and a search for redemption via perfect sandwich. Running to Sat 23rd May.

🧥 If your shelves are looking a bit sparse, The Giant London Flea Market is back at Hackney Bridge this Sun 24th May - bringing together over a hundred traders offering London’s biggest treasure trove of furniture, textiles, and industrial salvage.

🩰 Over at Hackney Empire there’s a stellar opportunity to see some top-tier contemporary movement from Thu 21st - Sat 23rd May as Ballet Black marks a quarter-century of their distinctive storytelling and dance interpretations. This double bill features Ingoma (2019), Mthuthuzeli November’s Oliver and Black British Theatre Award-winning debut, and is joined by a new creation from Bessie Award-winning choreographer Hope Boykin.

💧Ready for lift-off at the Community Sauna Baths, The Saunaverse Festival (main pic above) returns for its fifth edition to bring a 12-hour marathon of sweat, steam and tunes. Tickets include unlimited sauna sessions, cold plunges, and aromatherapy rituals. There’ll also be a bar (with gentle nudges to wait until after the sauna before cracking open your beers), live bands, workshops, and a courtyard DJ set from Rob da Bank.

🏺 There’s a chance to get mucky with some hands-on making at Homerton Library on Sat 23rd May. Make Clay Animals is a sustainable workshop that’s inviting locals, young and old, to come grab some clay and make your favourite critter.

🕺Tuesday night brings a treat for the jazz heads over at Sadler's Wells East as the 21st Century Miles Davis project lands in the Park. Featuring saxophonist David Kayode, The National Jazz Archive will present a line-up of young London jazz talent, all playing tribute to the iconic trumpeter.

🎂 Grow is hosting a birthday milestone on Fri 22nd May with Rook Records 10 Year Anniversary. Soundtracked by Norsicaa, Jay Rook, Tall Nico and Alfie Panaiotis, the night promises to be a love letter to soulful grooves, disco, and deep house.

☀️ Dreamland: The Carnival Playground is the weekend’s big daytime gathering on Sat 23rd May celebrating a decade of community parties with a mix of soca, dancehall, and bouyon rhythms. Riverside East is the place for this open-air celebration of global sound and culture, along with authentic food stalls and sunny bank hol vibes.

𖤓 Bar 90 will be taken over by the collective Brama & Friends on Sat 23rd May - a line-up featuring Hamish & Toby, Maybe Laura, Jade Seatle, Shy One, Seb Odyssey, and Lazy Susan for an all-nighter of electronic music.

🪩Head over to Colour Factory on Sun 24th May for The Bank Holiday Day Party with Psyked & Profound Sound. With a line-up including Cottam, Tuff Trax, Milzy, and Sam Deeley, expect a day filled with feel-good garage and house - go to get your feet moving before the long weekend wraps up.

🍹 Our favourite graffiti clad landmark The Lord Napier Star is running a weekly pub quiz every Tuesday, with a tasty rollover cash prize. Catch their new 2-4-£14 Cocktail deal every Thursday too.

Last year, our competition to win access to all the SXSW London music showcases was wildly popular with you lot - so we thought we’d do it all over again for 2026 😃

Taking place every night from Tues 2nd - Fri 5th Jun, the SXSW London 2026 music festival takes over multiple venues and stages across Shoreditch, to showcase of over 150 emerging artists, future headliners, and international collectives.

Starting from just £25 for a one night wristband, tiered up to conference level passes for those making music their career, there’s something that everyone can enjoy. If you love discovering new music, the £79 music week wristband includes access performances including Earl Sweatshirt, Fraser T Smith and Sega Bodega on the Tuesday, Circa Waves, Infinity Song, Rachel Chinouriri on the Wed, Amaria BB, Odumodublvck, Tiwa Savage on Thurs and Shame on the Friday, plus masses more.

And we’ve still got 2 pairs of those music week wristbands up for grabs this week on The Wick.

Click here to enter the competition. Good luck!

We’ll draw 2 x winners for a pair of wristbands at random on Mon 25th May and notify them by email. Over 18s only. Prize is non-transferable, has no cash alternative, and does not include travel or accommodation.

📹 The Good Growth Hub have teamed up with East Bank Academy to open up a fresh round of paid freelance roles for local East London creative talent aged 18 to 30. Ten roles are being recruited initially across videography, photography editing, production assistant, sound/lighting. Deadline to apply is Fri 22nd May. 

🪴Green Gardening Skills East are recruiting for a 6 week-long training programme for women to grow a career in green spaces. Based in Olympic Park, trainees will get hands-on experience in the garden, as well as employability coaching and support from mentors. At the end you’ll receive a Level 1 certificate in Horticulture. For more information and to apply email [email protected]. Apply before Sun 31st May.

🌏 Hackney Council's Climate Team has launched the second year of the Repair Cafe Grants Programme 2026/27, offering up to £1,500 to help local community groups set up repair events for electronics, bikes, and clothing. Applications are open to Hackney-based not-for-profit organisations, unregistered community groups, and schools with an annual turnover of no more than £15,000. The funding is designed to cover essential costs like venue hire, fixer fees, and equipment for at least two community events. Apply by 5th July, with funded events run between July 2026 - June 2027. For more info/to submit your application, email [email protected].

👥 Hackney Council are hiring a Youth Support & Development Worker. If you’ve got a background in community building, this is a chance to work on the frontline of the borough’s social development. Deadline for applications is Thurs 21st May.

🛩️ London City Airport Community Fund has open funding application for projects that build stronger, greener communities or create pathways into employment. Get funding for up to £3000. Deadline 26th June.

⚽ World Cup bookings at The Lord Napier Star are officially open. They’re showing every England game across their projector and five screens so get your table booked now to get the best views.

Fish Island stand-up night Don’t Tell Dave brings impressively big name comics to LVLS, including Insta and podcast stars and real life couple Patrick Spicer and Micky Overman on the bill on Thurs 4th Jun. Read our interview with the local and founder on the website now:

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📕 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 100 copies.

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