From International Women’s Day celebrations to some of the most exciting artistic events in London, there is something for everyone in Hackney this week.
There’s a whole host of ways to mark International Women’s Day this Saturday. Author Susan Doe is giving a talk at Shoreditch Town Hall on some of the prominent women of Hackney’s history, while The Friends of Hackney Archives will also be on-site if you fancy finding out more about the borough’s past.
Alternatively, you can celebrate during the early hours at Oslo’s ‘Iconic Women’ club night (Friday 7) while Bar Dona is throwing a special ‘poptastic, diva-led’ party later tonight (Thursday 6).
There’s an array of exhibitions on offer across the borough – pop down to Shoreditch’s Autograph Gallery for a captivating photography exhibition exploring black queer self-expression. Closes 22 March. It’s also your last chance to check out multidisciplinary artist Anita Agarwal’s Let’s Be Eco-Logical exhibition at Arbeit Studios – the sustainability-focused installation, which features an insect hotel, closes on Sunday 9 March.
If you are musically inclined, the acclaimed Laefer Saxophone Quartet is performing at The Old Church in Stoke Newington on Thursday 20. For fans of indie-rock, Belgian artist Tamino is coming to Hackney Church on Thursday 13, while if you’re in the mood for some live Latin jazz, the Dom Hall Trio is making an appearance at The Old Blue Last this Friday.
Hackney’s theatrical prowess is also on show across the borough. Award-winning dance company Ballet Black are bringing their new show Shadows to the Hackney Empire theatre next week; choreographed by Chanel DaSilva, the production promises an evening of thrillingly subversive ballet championing dancers of Black and Asian descent. Tennessee Williams’ classic The Glass Menagerie opened last week at The Yard Theatre; cheaper tickets are available if you are under 28, over 65, a student or unemployed. Winner of The Scotsman’s Fringe First award 2024, A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here is making its way from the Edinburgh Fringe to Shoreditch Town Hall – helmed by Josie Dale-Jones, the one-woman play will be playing 11-15 March.
Elise Barry is a beat reporter for Hoxton East and Shoreditch and a student Journalist at City University.