Nick Levine

Comedies are the omelettes of the movie world: they seem easy to do, so you get very little credit when they come off – and definitely no awards – but people sure as heck notice when they’re a sticky, shell-filled mess. But we’re giving that misconception a slapstick boot to the backside, because nothing could be further from the truth. A good comedy – and definitely a great one – is a work of alchemy dependent on perfect comic timing, performances, storytelling and, obviously, a LOL-filled script all have to come together to produce gold. And a comedy that endures and appeals across different language and cultural barriers? That’s called a miracle.This may be why you’d have to be all funny bone to call this a vintage year for big-screen comedy. But things are ramping up, with Hit Man, The Fall Guy and the more PG-funny IF all delivering mid-year mirth, and the anarchic Deadpool & Wolverine and Hundreds of Beavers topping up the feelgood vibes later in 2024. Here’s where to find the uplift, silliness and pratfalls amid all the worthy Oscars fare and grown-up dramas. RECOMMENDED:  The 50 best movies of 2024The 100 best comedy movies of all timeThe greatest romantic comedies of all time

Sink a cocktail in one of London's finest LGBTQ+ bars and pubs and you'll be drinking in more than just some watered down booze: these spots are LGBTQ+ landmarks in their own right, places where you can find community, kinship, and drag-fuelled mayhem. Beats billiards in your local. Once upon a time, having a gay old time in London meant hotfooting it straight to Soho. But now, the city's queer centre of gravity has shifted east, with edgier spots pulling crowds to Dalston when night falls, while some of the city's most storied LGBTQ+ venues have taken up residence in Vauxhall. So whether you're after a drag brunch, a burlesque show or just a quiet pint, here's a comprehensive list of the capital's gay and queer-friendly bars and pubs, from the legendary G-A-Y to lesbian-centric She Soho to sing-yer-heart-out special The Karaoke Hole. RECOMMENDED: Keep the party going at London's best LGBTQ+ clubs.

There are few nicer things to do at the weekend than browsing one of London's stellar array of markets, with a coffee in hand and a packed-to-bursting tote bag over one arm. From foodie paradises that heave with visitors snaffling up artisan samples to small, local bazaars loaded with gifts and household essentials, locals and visitors alike flock to London's best markets. And there's a formidable range to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a farmers’ market, a fashion market, or want to eat up street food or search for antique gems, here’s our pick of the best markets worth making a beeline for, from foodie Borough Market to flower-filled Columbia Road. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London.

You can’t talk about the best songs of all time without talking about the Beatles. In fact, they’ll likely come up again and again and again. We know them for screaming girls, shaggy hair and psychedelia, but we mostly know them for making bangers. Lots of them.  So, choosing the best from the fab four is no easy feat. But not all Beatles tunes are created equal, and it’s worth cutting out the duds to experience them at their very best. We’ve polled the biggest Beatlemaniacs on our team to bring you this ultimate list, from the gruffer Hamburg days to their Ravi Shankar era. If your favourite isn’t on there, fight us. Here are our top Beatles songs ever recorded.  RECOMMENDED:❤️ The best love songs🎸 The best rock songs🎶 The best cover songs🎤 The best karaoke songs

Don’t get us wrong—we really love city life. But sometimes day-tripping to a nearby summer music festival doesn’t quite satiate our need for escape, and that’s where these classic road trip songs come in. When the urge strikes, it’s time to hit the highway/motorway/whatever for a good, old-fashioned road trip. Of course, you can’t drive in complete silence—well, you can, but the very thought is giving us a flat tyre—so we’ve compiled our list of the best road trip songs to get your motors running and propel your journey into fifth gear. Crank up classics from the Boss, the Dead and Prince, and even some Whitesnake, as you cruise along the open road, forgetting every care in the world. RECOMMENDED:🤝 The best songs about friendship🎉 The best birthday songs of all time🎶 The best ’80s songs🎤 The best karaoke songs🕺 The best pop songs of all time

Given its waning cultural profile, all rock’n’roll is rapidly becoming classic – as in, an antique. But for the time being, when we use the phrase ‘classic rock’, it conjures a few distinct images. Hippies in tie-dye. Fender Stratocaster guitars. Bandanas and beards and aviators. It’s the music your parents listened to that you probably spent much of your youth attempting to reject, before giving in and admitting that it’s awesome. Not all classic rock is created equal, though. Just because something’s from the ‘60s or ‘70s and gets played on the radio doesn’t mean it endures as an all-time jam. Here, we’ve separated the biggest gems from the large pile of rock’n’roll antiquities to create a list of the most classic of classic rock tracks – the ones that kids just picking up guitars will forever be trying to learn…as long as guitars still exist.   Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED: 🎶 The best ’80s songs🏋 The best workout songs🎤 The best karaoke songs🚗 The best road trip songs💪 The best motivational songs

The best movie locations aren’t just backdrops, but evocative visual signifiers of a film’s mood, USP and overarching purpose. It’s little wonder, then, that many movie locations have become pilgrimage sites for fans of superhero movies and classic comedy flicks alike. Here are 10 of the best and most accessible movie locations you can visit for a killer Instagram pic, including settings familair from Avengers: Endgame and When Harry Met Sally. And if you like the idea of a whole holiday built around an iconic film location, why not take a look into set-jetting?

When it comes to music, is there a decade more varied (and stand-out) than the 90s? You’ve got Britney Spears’s girly pop tunes on one end and punky grunge on the other, but then you’ve got the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Bruce Springsteen and all those other guys somewhere along the spectrum too.  So how does one go about summing up the best tunes from the ’90s? Well, you need a long enough list, for starters (check!), and tunes encompassing a load of different genres (check!). You need to hit the classics, and include a few of the tunes we all forgot about. You might see where we’re going with this, but we’ve got it all right here. Here are the best tunes from the ’90s, picked by our editors. Happy nostalgic listening! RECOMMENDED:🍒 The best pop songs🎤 The best karaoke songs🎉 The best party songs❤️ The best love songs

The idea of joining a life drawing class can be intimidating, especially if you’re not the most-trained artist. But broadening your creative horizons doesn’t have to be scary, and you’ll find a bunch of welcoming classes across the capital, from more casual drop-ins with an emphasis on socialising to ones dedicated to really honing your skills and your artistic eye. Give it a go, and you might end up creating your finest body of work yet – maybe one day your drawings could end up in our list of London's top ten art exhibitions or even the 100 best paintings in London. And if not, don't worry – just keep on sketchin' those bodies. RECOMMENDED: London's weird and wonderful workshops and courses

What is set-jetting? If you find yourself Googling shooting locations while watching a movie or TV show, you’re definitely interested in set-jetting. That’s because it’s the growing trend of travelling to destinations familiar from buzzy and/or iconic pop culture properties. Think the Sicilian hotel in The White Lotus, the grand Oxford buildings Timotheé Chalamet frequented in Wonka, the Edinburgh college where Emma and Dexter meet in One Day. Why is set-jetting such a hot trend? The term ‘set-jetting’ was first coined by New York Post journalist Gretchen Wilson in 2008, but its popularity has grown exponentially since then. In the streaming era, we have more amazing movies and TV shows at our fingertips than ever before – and we can always pause while we search ‘where was The Grand Budapest Hotel filmed?’  Just last year, ‘set-jetting’ was picked as a key travel trend by Expedia. ‘We found it hard to believe people were actually booking trips to places they saw on a show. We commissioned research and sure enough, movies and streaming shows are now the top inspiration for travel,’ the brand’s chief trend tracker, Melanie Fish, said at the time. What are the best TV and movie locations to visit? That’s very much a matter of personal preference – not everyone loved The White Lotus, you know. But if you’re looking for set-jetting inspiration, check out our guide to some of the big-hitters below.

London’s LGBTQ+ scene has long been full of vibrant venues offering safe spaces to be yourself. Its heartland is still very much located in its traditional home of Soho, but you’ll find brilliant gay bars and clubs dedicated to serving the community south of the river and in the East End too. There’s plenty of diversity in what they offer, from super cool and edgy club nights to events showcasing the best in the city’s cabaret performers and London’s incredible drag stars too.   Are you more in the market for a drink and a sit down? Check out these LGBTQ+ pubs and bars.

Love ’em or hate ’em, no one on earth can deny how many bangers Disney movies have churned out over the years. From singing cats to wicked witches, these tunes stay with us forever – and are now loved by the children of today.  Of course, picking the absolute best is no easy feat. On our list we’ve included the golden oldies alongside the newer Disney jingles, from 1970’s ‘Aristocats’ to 2023’s ‘Wish’. From dramatic ballads to tear-jerking soul tunes, here are the best Disney songs ever made.  Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED:🍿 The best Disney movies🕺 The best pop songs of all time😊 The best happy songs👨‍👩‍👧 The best songs about family

Broadway Market continues to thrive following its clever makeover nearly 15 years ago. This compact Hackney street, which neatly connects London Fields to the Regent’s Canal, has had a traditional fruit and veg market since the 1890s. But it went into steep decline in the ‘80s, and trade had all but petered out before the community relaunched it in 2004. Now taking place on Saturdays from 9am-5pm (with a pared back edition on Sundays from 10am-5pm) Broadway Market is a bustling hub for the Hackney hipsters and East End creatives who have settled down and started families. It now welcomes around 135 stalls selling a fabulous array of fresh produce, vintage clothes, flowers, coffee, books and groceries. There’s also plenty of delectable street food, including Deeney’s toasted sandwiches, Crosstown’s vegan doughnits, Fin and Flounder’s crab-cake burgers, Floris Bakery’s chocolate eclairs and fried chicken from Lord of the Wings. Although there are no stalls during the week, Broadway Market is still worth visiting for its cute coffee shops, one-off restaurants and chic boutiques. Gentrification has more than crept in, but it still feels like a local high street complete with a kebab shop, post office, Costcutter, old-school barber shop and excellent hardware store. Even outside market day, you’ll find it buzzing with people pottering about, nattering over coffee and doing their weekly shop. Top Tip: Broadway Market can get very busy, especially when the weather’s good, so it’s be

This Hackney Wick club night celebrates queer, trans and nonbinary ESEA (East and South East Asian) artists making waves in electronic music. Performances on the night will come from gendertranscendent witch YaYa Bones and electronic musician ZAH, while Lindrum, Clarity and LARASATI will deliver DJ sets. According to the organisers, ‘Everyone is welcome, with the understanding that this is a space that centres and celebrates queer and trans ESEA identities’. Let the rave begin!

As its title suggests, this drag night is based on a popular challenge from, ahem, a certain TV drag competition. This time around, six up-and-coming performers will impersonate iconic Disney villains in a bid to be crowned the ‘snatchiest’ of them all. Just don’t expect their takes on these classic characters to be quite as PG as Walt originally envisaged...  On the night, there will also be a special halftime performance from Shar Cooterie, winner of the last Disney Snatch Game, and an auction raising funds for local HIV charity Wandsworth Oasis. Book early to avoid disappointment and feeling like one of Ursula’s ‘poor unfortunate souls’. 

Did you know that James I was given the nickname ‘Queen James’ because of his intimate relationships with several male courtiers? I didn’t. Not until I went on Queer Lives at the Tower, a new tour of the Tower of London that shines the spotlight on the lives, loves and experiences of LGBTQ+ figures linked with the landmark. It begins with a kind of disclaimer: because history has been documented predominantly through the eyes and actions of men, this hour-long tour won’t offer as much of an insight into the lives of queer women. That’s a shame, and one that will hopefully be rectified in future LGBTQ+ tours of London’s palaces planned for later this year. Still, the queer stories that the tour does explore are vividly brought to life with ‘creative storytelling’ by actors and a ‘drag raven’. The wingless – but still very fabulous – raven acts as our primary tour guide as we move between rooms watching imagined interactions between several kings and their same-sex lovers. The tour is fascinating and often funny but ends poignantly with a mini-candlelight vigil for Roger Casement. A key figure in Ireland’s fight for independence and in the Easter Rising of 1916, Casement’s homosexual activities were used by the British government to undermine his case for clemency when he was convicted and executed for high treason. That this happened just over a century ago is a crushing reminder that the push for greater LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance has been a long, hard (and ongoing) battl

Gloria Estefan’s life story is worth celebrating: it’s a stirring immigrant-to-riches tale which saw her defy record industry prejudice and potential paralysis to become the ‘Queen of Latin Pop’. And if ‘80s hits like ‘Dr Beat’ – released when she was lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine – and ‘Get on Your Feet’ can’t make you dance, then, to paraphrase another Gloria banger, no rhythm is gonna get you. Even at its cheesiest, this jukebox musical – written by Oscar-winning ‘Birdman’ writer Alexander Dinelaris Jr – does a decent job of turning her creative and romantic partnership with hubbie Emilio into satisfying West End entertainment.Jerry Mitchell’s production, which ran on Broadway in 2015, cha-chas through Gloria’s early life briskly. Reprising the role she originated, a vocally impressive Christie Prades shows how the shy, Miami-raised daughter of Cuban immigrants thrives after she joins a local band led by encouraging and ambitious Emilio (George Ioannides). Her disapproving mother (Madalena Alberto), whose own thwarted ambitions power a poignant flashback sequence, provides one obstacle to success. The other: a bigoted record exec who says they should stick to singing in Spanish. When Emilio claps back by saying that, despite his thick Cuban accent, the bigwig is definitely ‘looking at the face of an American’, it’s an already-powerful moment intensified in 2019 by current US immigration policy. But whether you enjoy the gimmicky decision to bring a conga into the

Smithfield Market is the UK’s largest meat market – in the literal rather than figurative sense. Every weekday morning from 2am, its floors are lined with experienced traders selling red meat, white meat, rare meat, sausage meat and any other kind of meat you can imagine. Housed in a surprisingly grand building between Farringdon and Barbican, the market is open to all, although you’ll need to arrive before 7am to check out the full range of stands. It’s now surrounded by trendy eateries and the world-famous Fabric nightclub, but Smithfield Market remains staunchly traditional. In fact, it’s probably the only place in London that remains impervious to the unstoppable vegan trend. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

Exmouth Market is such a central London gem that it’s hard to believe it was considered seedy and run-down as recently as the ‘90s. Now comprehensively regenerated, this pedestrianised street within walking distance of Farringdon, Clerkenwell and the bustling City of London is a lunchtime hub for nearby office workers and a vibrant spot for after-work drinks. There’s a weekday market featuring an impressive array of street food vendors. Spinach & Agushi’s hearty Ghanaian stews and Freebird’s bulging burritos are firm favourites with City slickers looking to refuel before closing their next deal. Because the market is so food-focused, it tends to wind down soon after lunchtime, so try to arrive before 2pm to check out every option. But Exmouth Market is also worth visiting after twilight or on weekends to soak up its lively and convivial ambience. Because the majority of cafés, pubs and bars lining the street have outside seating and cover, it’s one of the rare London thoroughfares that offers a proper, continental Europe-style ‘sidewalk café’ vibe. Especially popular spots include Mediterranean fusion restaurant Moro, versatile all-day hangout Caravan, and Café Kick, where you can drink while honing your table football skills. Top tip: Don’t forget to take a selfie outside the punningly named Barber Streisand hair salon. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

Located in increasingly lively Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market is a bit like a calmer, more curated version of Borough Market. It’s only been going since 2010, doesn’t open during the week, and the tourists haven’t quite cottoned on yet. So, if you can’t face the masses, this is the place to come when you’re having a Nigella moment and want to stock your kitchen cupboards with high-end condiments and tipples you can’t get at Tesco. Nestled in and around the atmospheric Victorian rail arches of the Ropewalk you’ll find around 30 artisan food and drink traders selling everything from craft beer to Mozambique-style peri-peri meats. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Bad Brownie’s gourmet chocolate brownies are definitely recommended. If you’re on a health kick, grab a green juice from the good folks at Bumpin’ Rinds. If you don’t fancy snacking on the hoof, you can tuck into classy comfort food at St John Maltby, a bright and airy restaurant that gets pretty busy and doesn’t take bookings. And if your stomach’s still not fully satisfied, just saunter half a mile down the road to Spa Terminus, where around 25 food producers sell top-notch cheese, wine, ice cream, honey and coffee – we’re talking Monmouth, obviously. Top tip:  Don’t leave it too late to visit. Maltby Street Market is open 9am-5pm on Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sundays. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

Crystal Palace Food Market has impeccable green credentials, championing local and sustainable produce wherever possible. Since launching in 2012, this not-for-profit Saturday market has attracted a loyal band of south Londoners who come weekly for fresh fish from award-winning Veasey & Sons, biodynamic fruit and veg from Brockman’s Farm in Kent, local honey from Croydon and Bromley, and lots, lots more. Open from 10am-3pm, this is a market with a real community feel: the managers support local artists, businesses and buskers and all profits go to Crystal Palace’s Patchwork Farm and other good causes. Once you’ve filled up your tote bags, you can take a breather at the cute on-site café. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

It may be located in a car park (Lewisham College’s, to be precise), but don't let this put you off. Award-winning Brockley Market is a terrific place to pick up some top-quality groceries. The focus is on locally-sourced seasonal food, whether that’s a joint for your Sunday lunch, fresh fish, your basic supply of fruit and veg, or cakes, artisan breads, cheese and charcuterie for a special occasion. Highlights include free-range poultry from Fosse Meadow, organic veg from Wild Country Organics and excellent Spanish cheeses and chorizo from Flavours of Spain. If all this makes your mouth water, which it probably will, there are loads of street food stalls to sate your hunger. Grab a porridge bowl, sourdough pizza or vegan Crosstown doughnut, and chow down on one of the benches. This is essentially a very good local farmers’ market, so the vibe is lively and friendly. There’s plenty of parking a short walk away, but it's advisable to arrive early. The stalls only open from 10am-2pm and popular items tend to sell out. Oh, and remember to stuff some carrier bags in your pockets for all the goodies you’ll be taking home. Top Tips:  Brockley Market is cash-only, so make sure you swing by an ATM first.  RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

Occupying the courtyard of Grade I-listed St James’s Church, one of Christopher Wren’s finest buildings, Piccadilly Market isn’t your average group of stalls. As befits its central location in elegant Piccadilly, close to Mayfair, this market is pretty, well, upmarket. It first became permanent in 1984, but has grown significantly since then, and now opens for trading six days a week. Come for bijou food items on Monday and Tuesday (when it’s open 11am-5pm), and arts and crafts Wednesday through Saturday (when it’s open 10am-6pm). This isn’t the market for bargain-hunters, but if you like picking up unique trinkets and gifts, it’s definitely worth a visit. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

The award-winning Herne Hill Market is a south London gem. Open Sundays from 11am-3pm, it takes pride in offering carefully sourced food products, plants, and arts and crafts, all from within 100 miles of Herne Hill. Spread over the pedestrianised street outside Herne Hill station, the market has swelled to include more than 50 stalls, but without losing its villagey vibe. Cure your Sunday hangover with a Pie Cart scotch egg or satisfy your sweet tooth with pasteis de nata from Galeta. Once you’re done, pick up a sourdough loaf and some fresh fruit and veg for the week ahead. Nick Levine RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

London’s LGBTQ+ scene has faced its fair share of challenges – among them: gentrification, a pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. But somehow, the city’s vibrant and defiant queer community always bounces back. In addition to some awesome LGBTQ+ clubs and bars, London has a pretty dazzling array of LGBTQ+ club nights. Here are 15 of the very best, from radical queer raves to ridiculously fun pop parties. 1. Feel It Held every Friday at London Bridge venue Omeara, this self-styled ‘queer super-party’ lives up to its billing. The genuinely diverse crowd includes plenty who like to dress up, and plenty who like to undress as the night progresses, especially in the sweaty main room. Banging house is the soundtrack there, while two other rooms are dedicated to chilled disco and pop. Brilliantly produced by London club legend Jodie Harsh and the Little Gay Brother crew, Feel It brings Berlin-style thrills and spills to south London. @feelitparty Photograph: Henri TButch, Please! 2. Butch, Please! Launched by Tabs Benjamin in 2016, this monthly club night at south London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern celebrates the butch identity and its place in queer culture. Each party has a different theme – from ‘kinky butch’ to ‘muscle butch’ – and prides itself on being fully ‘dyke-centric’ from the performers to the door policy. It’s a space for lesbian and bi women, as well as trans and non-binary people, so don’t bring your cis male mates. @butchpleaselondon 3. Horse Meat Disco Ther

What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that until recently was very rare in the UK. However, an outbreak is now escalating, with 2,367 cases confirmed across the country, of which 1,699 are in London. Anyone can contract monkeypox, but at present it’s spreading almost exclusively among MSM (men who have sex with men).  ‘The latest data shows that around 98 percent of confirmed monkeypox cases continue to be in gay and bisexual men in big cities and particularly in London,’ says Greg Owen of sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust. ‘That’s why it’s especially important for this group to be aware of the signs and symptoms, and to get tested if they have any concerns by calling ahead to their local sexual health clinic and making arrangements.’ With this in mind, here’s everything you need to know.  What are the symptoms of monkeypox? According to the NHS, if you’re infected with monkeypox, it normally takes between five and 21 days for the symptoms to show. The initial symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering/chills and exhaustion. Within five days of these initial symptoms, a rash usually appears, often beginning on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. Lesions can appear on the genitals and anus.  The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) updated its list of monkeypox symptoms this week (July 26) to emphasise that this rash may not be extensive, at least to begin with. Dr. Meera Cha

1972: The first Gay Pride Week takes place in London, culminating in a march from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park on Saturday, July 1. Time Out’s Gay News editor Denis Lemon reports on the week’s events, noting that plain-clothes police officers in Hyde Park ‘totally failed to look part of the happy crowd of gays’. 1976: After just a few years, Gay Pride Week has become an annual fixture. A listing posted by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality in Time Out’s AgitProp section reads: ‘We are coming together for a public demonstration, in various ways, that we are glad to be gay, and to demand our rights as citizens.’  1978: Time Out reports that an argument broke out in a Bloomsbury pub during Gay Pride Week after a customer made an anti-gay remark. Two women who reacted to the comments were arrested for allegedly using threatening language and obstructing the police. They plan to plead not guilty, but the Gay Activists Alliance says ‘the gay movement will pay their fines’ if they’re convicted. 1979: Time Out puts a pink triangle on the cover to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots (which are generally considered the wellspring of the modern-day LGBTQ+ rights movement). It's a powerful statement reflecting the fact that where once the pink triangle was ‘a mark of oppression’, it’s now been reclaimed as a ‘badge of Pride’. 1987: As London gears up for Gay Pride Week, Time Out staffer John Gill reports on what London can learn from San Francisco's response to the

As we kick off the month of June there's one huge block of days on the immediate horizon all ringed off with regal purple on our calendars – or more likely flagged as ‘OOF’ on our phone alerts. Like some seriously deep work of literature or art they have a level of meanings: that it's the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 and that it’s a bumper four-day bank holiday weekend  for us Londoners. Whether you’re a flag and bunting kinda monarchist or proud marxist, there’s no getting away from it, from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5 we’re getting time off for good behaviour to mark Elizabeth II’s historic 70 years on the throne.  Now, we know that there are still rumbles about a tube strike over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend (plus a possible dampener to our Monday commute), but fear not, not everything is centred around Buckingham Palace or the Queen's Royal residence(s) if you don't live next door (Imagine taking in the parcels). There are plenty of events big and small across the capital to liven up your local ends. You probably won’t get sent to the Tower if you don’t want to take part in the festivities, but if you do, there’s plenty going on that not only celebrates Her Maj's loooong reign, but highlights how gloriously bonkers we are when it comes to National Celebrations, from a  pop-up corgi café to a 1950s-style pub on the London Eye (yes, really). Here are 40 ways to celebrate Lizzie’s longevity, from the super-royal to the, well, really not very royal at all. 1. Get in

After two years of Covid-induced cancellations and live streams, Pride in London is coming back as an epic in-person event this year. And because it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, it’s made the entirely fitting decision to retrace the route of the historic inaugural 1972 Pride march.  Pride in London takes place this year on July 2 and the parade will begin at Hyde Park, where the first post-march picnic took place in 1972. From Hyde Park Corner, it will wend its way down Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, before turning south onto Haymarket and Trafalgar Square. The 1972 march ended at Trafalgar Square, but this year’s parade will continue just a little further to Whitehall Place. See a handy map of the 2022 route below. Pride in London Pride in London says the 2022 parade will welcome 40,000 marchers and more than 400 community groups. ‘For 50 years, Pride has been a visible cultural protest that brings the LGBT+ community and its allies together in solidarity,’ said Christopher Joell-Deshields, executive director of Pride in London. ‘It is important to recognise the activists who were brave enough to come out in 1972 to march for our liberation and pave the way for the rights we enjoy today. Early organisers took inspiration from the US civil rights group, the Black Panthers, a reminder that despite their differences there was a collective fight for the oppressed.’ ‘As we prepare for one of the most momentous LGBT+ pride events in the UK’s history, we are comm

Hollywood’s biggest night out, the Oscars, takes place on Sunday, bringing awards season to a glitzy climax. The Power of the Dog is the frontrunner with 12 nominations and is also favourite to take home Best Picture, but don’t bet against Coda causing an upset on the night. This touching comedy-drama about a deaf family and their gifted daughter has all the momentum right now. Among the acting nominees are some brilliant Brits – Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Judi Dench and Andrew Garfield – plus the West End’s ‘Cabaret’ darling Jessie Buckley. But whether they win or lose, they won’t be going home empty-handed on the night. For the 20th year, L.A.-based marketing company Distinctive Assets are offering all 25 acting and directing nominees an entirely unofficial goodie bag packed with fancy and frankly quite ridiculous items. According to Forbes, this year’s super-swag-bag is worth an eye-watering $140,000 (£106,000). Here’s just some of what it contains: A plot of land in the Highlands, which entitles each nominee to style themselves Lord or Lady of Glencoe A three-night takeover of an actual castle complete with a bagpiper welcome, a private gin tasting and fully-personalised concierge service A session with New York-based ‘self-love’ coach Nicola Fernandes worth $1,111 (£842) A liposuction treatment worth up to $15,000 from Florida-based Art Lipo A supply of HempHera CBD cosmetics worth more than $1,000 (£758) You can check out a full demo of the gift bag, which

As a season, spring symbolises rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. It’s when the days really get longer and the London weather becomes a little friendlier – at least in theory. So, this makes it a perfect time to expand your horizons and start saying yes to the things you passed on in January and February. With this in mind, here’s a guide to some unmissable events taking place in London this spring, from cool cultural happenings to tasty food festivals. Watch a huge star on stage or a high-profile revival After weathering another tricky winter, the London theatre scene is absolutely buzzing this spring with a mix of big-name debuts and feverishly anticipated revivals. Mark Rylance reprises his Olivier and Tony-winning turn in ‘Jerusalem’, Jez Butterworth’s wickedly funny modern classic. Jodie Comer makes her West End debut in ‘Prima Facie’, a hard-hitting monologue with music by recent Time Out cover star Self Esteem. Photograph: Jodie Comer in ‘Prima Facie’ by Helen Murray Amy Adams also makes her West End debut, in a revival of Tennessee Williams’ early masterpiece ‘The Glass Menagerie’.‘Six’ director Lucy Moss steers the first major revival of ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’, taking place at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.Dubbed ‘Sexy Oklahoma’, US director Daniel Fish’s radically inclusive take on the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical ‘Oklahoma!’ finally hits London. Tempt your tastebuds at a food fest or buzzy bar opening Now that the weather is warming up a bit, it’s

Some exceptionally good news for you this morning; after being thwarted by Covid for the last two years, Notting Hill Carnival is laying the groundwork for its return to the streets this August bank holiday weekend. In an Instagram post shared on Friday, Carnival’s official account announced this year’s lineup of Mas Bands and Dutty Mas Bands, whose colourful costumes and joyful dance routines are an absolutely integral component of the annual parade. It even used the hashtag #NottingHillCarnival2022, which we’ve got to say is a pretty heartening sight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Notting Hill Carnival (@nhcarnivalldn) Notting Hill Carnival has been celebrating Caribbean culture in the capital since 1966, becoming an iconic tentpole of the London summer calendar. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, though a series of free live-streamed events took place online, and the 2021 event was retooled into a series of ticketed fundraising events. It’s clearly too soon to know what summer 2022 in London will look like, but the simple fact that Notting Hill Carnival is preparing to return to the streets is definitely something to smile about. Watch this space for further news. Black historical figures are being turned into monuments across London. But there’s a twist The JAGS Foundation is making home-cooked Caribbean meals for deprived households

Having a night out at G-A-Y is a rite of passage for any Londoner, and even though she lives in LA now, Adele is clearly no exception. Last Thursday, after taping her appearance on ‘The Graham Norton Show’, the pop superstar paid a visit to G-A-Y at Heaven nightclub under Charing Cross station. Because it was a Thursday night, the club was hosting its weekly ‘Porn Idol’ contest, where brave punters can strip down and show off their dance moves for a chance at winning a cash prize. Now, if we know anything about Adele – other than the fact she drinks wine – it’s that she’s game for a laugh. So perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised that she ended up on stage showing off some pole-dancing moves of her own in front of the event’s host, Cheryl Hole of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ fame.  As footage shared on social media shows, fellow punters at G-A-Y went every bit as wild as you’d expect. Seriously, was anyone expecting this from February 2022? Now what is Adele doing pole dancing in my favourite gay club? pic.twitter.com/pJXJzA7bJE — Karolis 🍄 (@Karolis_G) February 11, 2022 During her big G-A-Y night out, Adele also posed for photos with fellow diva Cheryl Hole, who earlier in the week had been eliminated from ‘RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World’. To be fair, getting to party with actual Adele is quite the consolation prize. Confirmed: @Adele was devastated I was eliminated on Drag Race too. Love you divalina 💖 pic.twitter.com/GyY8U5sqtQ — Cheryl Hole (@CherylHo

Royal Mail has launched an investigation after video footage emerged purporting to show Clapham postal workers stoned on the job. The footage was first shared on someone’s Instagram Story, but inevitably made its way on to Twitter due to its high – pun definitely intended – comedy value. According to the original Instagram captions, several posties unwittingly tucked into a box of hash brownies when they first arrived at work. ‘We had a delivery of them with no return address and the house was empty and they were in our office for a month so we opened them and they got given out,’ the caption alleges. Seemingly, what they thought was a humble sweet treat turned out to have an unexpected extra ingredient: cannabis. The subsequent footage shows the Clapham posties carrying out their round very, very slowly. ‘One guy said he was walking to a door and thought he was walking forever,’ a caption says. There’s also a shot of an apparently spaced-out postie saying he had ‘no idea’ what he had eaten. 😂😂😂 Postman Pat was high as a kite pic.twitter.com/P7NqHAXhwa — Marc Smith (@Marc_Smi7h) February 2, 2022 Understandably, Royal Mail has found the footage rather less amusing than banter merchants on Twitter. ‘We have commenced an investigation, which will determine whether any further action, including disciplinary action, might be taken,’ a spokesperson told the BBC. ‘We are also reminding all staff at the delivery office of the correct procedures for dealing with item

Temple tube station’s grey concrete roof terrace has been given a kaleidoscopic makeover by London-based artist Lakwena Maciver. Titled ‘Back in the Air: A Meditation on Higher Ground,’ Maciver’s rooftop art installation features a series of interlocking geometric patterns inspired by her Ugandan heritage. One block of brilliant colour contains the unifying message: ‘Nothing can separate us’. As well as following the multicoloured lines of Maciver’s artwork, visitors can check out a brightly painted replica one of London’s famous cabmen shelters situated on the roof. The overall effect, as you can see below, is kind of mesmerising. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 180 The Strand (@180.studios) ‘They say that the Garden of Eden was the first temple — the story goes that we were cast out of the Garden, and ever since then we have been longing to find our way back,’ said Maciver. ‘This idea of a subconscious yearning for paradise sits in stark contrast to the highly colonised, concrete environment that now surrounds Temple Station. Yet it is this which has become the impetus for this public intervention.’ ‘Back in the Air’ is the first installation at The Artist’s Garden – a partnership with Westminster City Council and part of its Inside Out festival and WestminsterReveals campaign – and will be on show until April 30, 2022. It is co-commissioned with 180 Studios and supported by Vigo Gallery, WSP, Northbank BID and Transport for Lo

‘Harry Potter’ fans assemble! In Leicester Square, to be precise, where an installation of nine giant Wizarding World wands will arrive next week. The impressive 15 foot tall wands will light up to form an illuminated walkway through Leicester Square Gardens between 6pm and 8.35pm every day, from October 13 to October 25. The wands are exact replicas of those belonging to nine characters from the Harry Potter and ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films, so they’re authentic as well as awesomely Insta-worthy. The wands will join nine bronze statues – including one of Harry himself – currently on display in Leicester Square as part of the completely free ‘Scenes in the Square’ installation. And it’s no accident that the wands are going on display now: the first film based on JK Rowling’s beloved books, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, is being rereleased in cinemas on October 29 to mark its twentieth anniversary. ‘Leicester Square itself has played its part in the Wizarding World legacy by hosting premieres for the Harry Potter and “Fantastic Beasts” films over two decades,’ said Polly Cochrane of Warner Bros., makers of the movies. ‘So we are delighted to bring the wands here for fans to enjoy.’  Frankly, they sound like just the kind of light relief we all need right now. Which Hogwarts House are you? Find out with our Sorting Hat quiz. Need even more HP in your life? Check out our guide to ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ in the West End.