What To Book, Watch & Listen To This Autumn
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THE MUSIC EVENT:
EFG London Jazz Festival
EFG London Jazz Festival celebrates its 31st year this November. Taking place at various venues in and around the capital, visitors can hear from up-and-coming artists and big names in the jazz world, including Marcus Miller, Norah Jones and Emile Sandé. You can also drop into events celebrating the capital’s most famous jazz clubs, as well as homegrown talent and voices from around the world. Highlights include a performance from saxophonist and Grammy winner Roxy Cross (Friday 10th November), a headline show at Royal Festival Hall from Emile Sandé (Saturday 11th November) and a show by jazz pianists Gabriela Kozyra and Luiz Morais (Sunday 12th November).
Various sites; Friday 10th-Sunday 19th November
THE BOOK:
Style and Substance: Why What We Wear Matters by Bay Garnett
One of the most revered names in fashion, sustainability pioneer Bay Garnett has styled, edited and creatively directed some of the biggest names in the industry. Her new book, Style and Substance, is a collection of essays and memos written by fashion experts, celebrities and trailblazers from the past. Each one outlines the ways in which clothes and style shape their everyday lives. Zadie Smith's wardrobe differs depending on whether she's in London or New York, while Joan Didion always followed the same packing list. Beau Brummell and Luke Edward Hall consider colour in an outfit like an artist does a painting; and Nora Ephron knows that “everything matches black, especially black”. Other names in the book include Bella Freud, Harris Reed, Chloe Sevigny, Sienna Miller, Davinia McCall, Rachel Weisz and Bernadine Evaristo.
Visit Waterstones.com
THE PRE-BOOK:
The Plaza Suite
After a sell-out run on Broadway, husband and wife duo Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will take to the West End stage for the first time in Neil Simon’s comedy, Plaza Suite. Opening at the Savoy Theatre in January, tickets have just gone on sale – and they’re expected to sell out quickly. The play tells the story of Karen and Sam, a married couple whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay. And Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughter’s nuptials, if only they can get her out of the bathroom…
Savoy Theatre; 17th January-31st March
Visit TheSavoyTheatre.com
THE COURSE:
A Definitive Guide to Decorating with Nina Campbell
As one of Britain’s best known interior designers, Nina Campbell has had a five decade-long career in design, establishing a star-studded client list featuring the likes of Rod Stewart, Ringo Star and the Duke and Duchess of York. She is known for her stylish interiors and her collections of fabrics, wallpapers and accessories. Now, Nina has created an eight-hour online interior design course for Create Academy, where you can learn from the pro herself. In 40 short videos, you can learn Nina’s approach to making a room sing and how to achieve the ‘comfortable luxury’ look that guides her style. You will be taken step by step through Nina’s creative process – from building colour palettes and planning layouts to mastering proportion and perspective, and her go-to lighting techniques. The course costs £147.
Visit CreateAcademy.com
THE PERFORMANCE:
Lang Lang at The Royal Albert Hall
Classical pianist Lang Lang starred in Channel 4’s show The Piano earlier this year. Next month, he will perform at the Royal Albert Hall for two headline concerts to spotlight the work of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. He will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform two Saint-Saëns works: the composer’s second piano concerto and his ‘Carnival of the Animals’. The latter piece will also feature a second soloist: Lang Lang’s wife, fellow pianist Gina Alice. An unmissable opportunity to see one of our generation’s greatest pianists in concert, tickets start from £40.
Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP
Visit RoyalAlbertHall.com
THE COOKBOOK:
The Irish Bakery
Cherie Denham is an Irish baker who is about to publish her debut cookbook, The Irish Bakery. In the book, the island’s culinary heritage is brought together through over 80 recipes, including both traditional bakes and new ideas. It also includes complementary spotlights on the best producers and artisans working in Ireland and Northern Ireland today. Learn how to cook soda breads, batch loaves and farls baked over turf fires, as well as unique regional specialties like Irish scones and traybakes for the tea table. We like the sound of the apple and blackberry shortcake with maple cream.
Visit MontgomeryPress.co.uk
THE EVENING:
Hamnet Ticket & Dining Package at Covent Garden Hotel
This new production of Hamnet had a sell-out run at the RSC, breaking box office records at the Swan Theatre, and opened to the biggest box office advance in the Garrick Theatre’s history last month. Set in Warwickshire in 1582, natural healer Agnes Hathaway meets Latin tutor William Shakespeare and, drawn together by powerful but hidden impulses, they create a life together and start a family. Firmdale’s Covent Garden Hotel has created an evening package in which visitors can watch the show, and dine at the hotel before or afterwards. You’ll enjoy a two-course meal with a glass of wine at Brasserie Max. Tickets cost £99.50pp.
10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9HB; 30th October-9th February 2024
Visit FirmdaleHotels.com
THE TV SHOW:
The Pigeon Tunnel
This documentary pulls back the curtain on the life and career of former British spy David Cornwell – better known as John le Carré, author of classic espionage novels like The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatised vignettes. The Pigeon Tunnel is an engaging exploration of le Carré's extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.
Stream from 20th October.
Visit TV.Apple.com
THE EXHIBITION:
Fashion City at Museum of London Docklands
This newly opened exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands explores the contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city. Visitors will learn about the stories behind the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries, founded retail chains still on the high street today, and dressed the likes of David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger. It highlights key figures, including renowned wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, master milliner Otto Lucas, the epitome of British flamboyance Mr Fish and living legend David Sassoon.
No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Road, E14 4AL
Visit MuseumofLondon.org.uk
THE LITERATURE EVENT:
Black Book Festival
The Black British Book Festival is the largest of its kind in Europe. It was created to celebrate new and emerging Black British authors across all genres, from crime writing and non-fiction books to thrillers and children’s novels. Now in its third year, the festival takes place across the Southbank Centre later this month. Festival highlights include a talk on love, relationships and self-empowerment with author and podcaster Candice Brathwaite; a publishing talk on the world of crime writing; and an interactive event with Strictly Come Dancing champion and CBeebies’ host Oti Mabuse on her new children’s picture book.
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX; from Saturday 27th-Sunday 28th October
Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk
THE COUNTRY HOUSE:
Bishopstrow, Wiltshire
Whether you’re looking for a holiday home for an autumn staycation or somewhere to take your family over the Christmas break, Bishopstrow is one property to have on your radar this season. The newly renovated country house has 34 individually designed rooms that pay homage to the building’s Georgian features. Most have views of the surrounding rolling views, as well as roll-top baths and private outside spaces – with a handful including hot tubs. There are also family-friendly rooms for multi-generational guests. The property has a no-dig kitchen garden that supplies produce for the on-site restaurant, The Garden Grill. With a focus on farm-to-table dining, guests can try dishes likes scallops with chicory, apple, fennel and hazelnut butter; Wiltshire lamb riblets with coriander and black pepper; and honey tart with clotted cream ice cream. There’s also a spa with an outdoor pool.
Boreham Road, Warminster, BA12 9HH
Visit BishopstrowHotel.com
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