Dear Hampsteadians,
I hope you’ve had a great week. I’ve put together a list of all the notable happenings for this week coming. The Hampstead Jazz club is opening up for the year with it’s first gig on Fri & Sat, HSLI gallery is opening it’s first exhibition of the year with a pioneering and Hampsteadian artist, and a Noel Coward play is opening in Highgate.
Blithe Spirit (theatre) — Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate (N6) A spirited revival of Noël Coward’s classic comedy. This production by the Garden Suburb Theatre brings the supernatural chaos of Charles Condomine’s household to our favourite "theatre in a pub."
Thu 05 Feb – Sun 08 Feb (Various times). LINK
Alfie Packham: Stand-up Special Recording — Circle & Star Theatre, Hampstead (NW3) Catch a rising star of the UK comedy circuit as he records his new stand-up special in the intimate 50-seat setting of the Circle & Star. Known for his sharp writing and distinctive voice, this is a chance to be part of a live recording in one of Hampstead’s newest cultural hubs. Fri 6 Feb (20:00–22:00). LINK
Tufnell Park Film Club: Rififi (1955) — The Vine, Highgate Road (NW5) Widely considered one of the greatest crime movies ever made. This legendary French noir heist film is famous for its tense, near-silent 30-minute robbery sequence that has been imitated but never bettered. Essential viewing for local film lovers.
Tue 03 Feb (20:00). LINK
Joan Hodes: Paintings, Drawings and Prints — Highgate Gallery, HLSI (N6) A celebration of the life and work of the late painter Joan Hodes. This retrospective includes oils, pastels, and prints, tracing her development from sketch to completed canvas.
Fri 06 Feb – Thu 19 Feb (Closed Mon/Tue). LINK
Dorothea Magonet: De-Composition — Burgh House, Hampstead (NW3) Final days to catch this exhibition exploring beauty on the edge of nothingness in the heart of Hampstead.
Ends Sun 08 Feb. LINK
Nat Faulkner: Strong water — Camden Art Centre, Finchley Road area (NW3) Large-scale painting and material-heavy work exploring the properties of water and light.
Ongoing until 22 Mar (Free entry). LINK
A look at the weather for the week ahead - Not looking pretty but what do they know!? https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2647553
The Brazilian Guitar of Mario Bakuna — Hampstead Jazz Club, Hampstead (NW3) A poetic celebration of Brazil’s rich musical heritage. In this intimate solo performance, renowned guitarist and vocalist Mario Bakuna explores the heart of the Brazilian guitar tradition
Fri 06 Feb & Sat 07 Feb (20:00). LINK
Pretty Green: A Tribute to The Jam — The Fiddler’s Elbow, Kentish Town (NW5) A high-energy tribute night for fans of Paul Weller and 70s mod-revival. Expect all the classics in an intimate venue.
Fri 06 Feb (19:00). LINK
Irish Folk Night — The Old White Bear, Hampstead (NW3) The first Friday of the month means traditional Irish tunes in the main bar. An informal, lively evening and a true local favourite.
Fri 06 Feb (20:00). LINK
Piano Sing Along — The King William IV (Hampstead, NW3) Classic pub piano singalong night—a very local, friendly evening where tunes are shared and sung together.
Thu 05 Feb (20:00). LINK
Interesting fact of the week
The famous "Highgate Vampire" sensation of the 1970s actually began in the letters pages of our local papers. Residents reported seeing a "tall grey figure" in Highgate Cemetery, which eventually drew hundreds of self-proclaimed vampire hunters to the village on Friday the 13th in 1970!
Local Markets
Parliament Hill Farmers’ Market — Gospel Oak / Parliament Hill (NW5) The Saturday morning essential for local produce, seasonal veg, and fresh coffee by the Heath.
Sat 07 Feb (10:00–14:00). LINK
Swiss Cottage Farmers' Market — Eton Avenue (NW3) A handy mid-week stop for artisanal bread and local cheeses right by the station.
Wed 04 Feb (10:00–15:00). LINK
Queen’s Crescent Market — Kentish Town (NW5) One of London’s oldest traditional markets—great for household staples and local atmosphere.
Thu 05 Feb & Sat 07 Feb (10:00–16:30). LINK
Last Unicorn Airways (Family Theatre) — Jacksons Lane, Highgate (N6) An "exquisitely whimsical" immersive journey that turns everyday travel into a magical adventure. Aimed at ages 5-10.
Sun 08 Feb (11:00 & 14:00). LINK
Wildlife Interpreters: Winter Life — Hampstead Heath (Parliament Hill area) A free, drop-in session near the Hive. Learn how the birds and mammals of the Heath survive the coldest months.
Sun 08 Feb (13:00–15:00). LINK
Hampstead Heath Bryophytes Walk — Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground (NW3) A family-friendly guided walk discovering the "hidden forest" of mosses and liverworts across the Heath.
Sat 07 Feb (10:30). LINK
OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS
French Adventure: Walk and Talk — Hampstead Heath Station (NW3) Improve your language skills while taking in the views. This social walking group meets at the station for a stroll up to Kenwood House, with the entire conversation conducted in French. Open to all levels, it’s a perfect mix of exercise and cultural exchange. Sun 8 Feb (13:15–16:15). LINK
Coffee AM at the Highgate Society — 10A South Grove (N6) A weekly Saturday morning staple for Highgate residents. It’s an informal drop-in where you can meet neighbours over coffee and find out what’s happening locally. Members of the planning committee are often on hand if you have specific queries about the neighbourhood. Sat 7 Feb (10:30–12:00). LINK
Learn to Meditate: 10-Week Course — Friends Meeting House (NW3) For those looking to start a new habit for the year, this free 10-week introductory course kicks off this week. Held in the peaceful surroundings of the Friends Meeting House, it focuses on simple techniques to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Fri 6 Feb (19:30). LINK
That’s all for this week. Thank you so much for reading, I hope you’ve found something you’re interested in exploring. Have a great week and I’ll be back same time next week with an update of what’s coming up.
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