FRIDAY 19th November – SUNDAY 21st November 2021

To the bottom of the sea
Did you know that Wes Anderson’s Steve Zissou was based on a real person? The man in question is Jacques Yves Cousteau, the red-hatted ocean explorer who spanned the globe with a misfit crew of divers and filmmakers and a desire to go deeper and further than ever before: forever changing the way we see and know the undersea world while revolutionising underwater cinematography (Cousteau walked so Attenborough could run).

The Frenchman is now being celebrated via a new documentary by Liz Garbus. Titled Becoming Cousteau, the film splices incredible clips of the trailblazer as we dive deep into his incredible life and work.

Becoming Cousteau is out in cinemas now. 

No we’re not going to lower ourselves with an egg pun
The V&A are celebrating the work of legendary Russian goldsmith Carl Fabergé, proving that there’s more to the icon than just his gilded eggs. The first major exhibition to be devoted to Fabergé, the show will feature over 200 objects telling the Russian’s incredible work and those who loved it; from royalty to Maharajas, socialites and aristocrats. And the significance of holding this exhibition in London? The first Fabergé boutique outside Russia opened in London in 1903 and had great success with the city’s rich and famous.

As for those eggs, the exhibition boasts the largest collection to go on display together in a generation, including several never before shown in the UK including the largest, the Moscow Kremlin Egg, inspired by the architecture of the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow — and featuring a music box that plays Tsar Nicholas II’s favourite hymn.

Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution runs at V&A from 20 November 2021 – 8 May 2022

Hello Baby Dave
Slaves frontman Isaac Holman has a new project: Baby Dave. Formed after a serious mental health breakdown, Holman initially thought he’d never make music again and got a job as a gardener near his folks. But as the world went into lockdown, he began to find stability in writing again, and Baby Dave was born. Moving away from his blistering Slaves days, this new project veers towards wobbly, pop daydream jams – in a spot we didn’t quite know existed between Ian Dury and Spike Milligan.

His debut track is called Too Shy for Tennis, and is about the awkwardness of activity-based dating, catch it live at The Shacklewell Arms this Friday when Holman brings Baby Dave to the East London stage – bag tickets here.

Music to skate to
Dose yourself in some of that sparkly Christmas spirit – Somerset House’s annual skate rink is back after a two year ‘sebatical’. Transforming the iconic building’s courtyard into an icey wonderland, Uniqlo has come onboard for a series of late night DJ sets to liven things up, the second of which is this Friday and features Soho Radio’s Summer Pearl and Cherri V.

Book your ticket here (complimentary goodie bag included).

https://twitter.com/SomersetHouse/status/1460943341906976772

Nothing Can Stop Us
Back in September, iconic 90s trio Saint Etienne released their tenth studio record, I’ve Been Trying To Tell You, set to a cinematic vision by photographer (and major fanboy) Alasdair McLellan – read our interview with Alasdair here. Now, the British band bring the album to London’s Alexandra Palace for an unforgettable homecoming. Mix Saint Etienne’s euphoric beats with the recent return of live music and what’ve you got? A bloody good time, that’s what.

Saint Etienne play at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 20h November – tickets are available here.

Wholesome indulgence 
Finish the week off nicely with a trip to Mallow, a new restaurant by the team behind longstanding veggie eatery Mildreds. Located in Borough Market, the venue’s relaxed, modern interior offers a slice of calmness while the menu is 100 percent plant-based and centred around the most incredible seasonal fruit and veg.

Small plates include son dumplings with kimchi, porcini truffle croquettes dipped in aioli and a cauliflower chaat with coriander yoghurt, while large plates have us eyeing up the plum plant-chicken burger with chilli sesame mayo, banana blossom tacos with pistachio mole and pumpkin feta kibbeh. PS. there’s also a tasty breakfast menu that elevates your morning tea and two into the likes of maple baked beans with smoked cheeze, apple cinnamon pancakes with date butter and a porcini truffle croque monsieur.

Mallow is located at 1 Cathedral St, SE1 9DE.