For anyone who has already had their fill of food-fueled events this June, fret no more. From a range of Pride events and exhibitions to a glut of talks and shows, there is plenty else on in London to keep your mind busy between bites.
This brief guide outlines a few of the other big things to do this month, from a specially-curated season of events from Chaka Khan at Southbank to the Barbican’s highly anticipated cinema series. Enjoy.
Chaka Khan’s Meltdown at the Southbank Centre
Southbank’s annual Meltdown festival has a long history of exemplary curation, and this year’s legendary curator is no different. Chaka Khan’s undeniable creative lens sees her put together this exciting line up of more than 30 events at Southbank, spanning musical genres from country to classical. Artists performing include Emili Sande and Judi Jackson.
June 14 until June 23, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, southbankcentre.co.uk
Queer 80s Cinema at the Barbican
In an artistic nod to pride month celebrations, the Barbican is laying on a series of cinema showcases throughout June. Featuring short films, features, talks and Q&A sessions, the line-up aims to capture the spirit of change in queer culture in the Eighties and how that affected the cinema of the time.
June 5 until June 26, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS, barbican.org.uk
Beyond Fashion at the Saatchi Gallery
On at the Saatchi throughout June, Beyond Fashion showcases the work of some of the world’s most acclaimed fashion photographers. These unique works demonstrate fashion photography’s development from presentations of product lines and forms to pushing the boundaries of artistic and photographic creativity. Featuring work by Nick Knight, Viviane Sassen and Ellen von Unwerth, the exhibition celebrates these visionary image-makers, documenting the evolution of fashion photography as a new kind of visual language.
Until September 8, The Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's square, SW3 4RY, saatchigallery.com
The Lore of LOVERBOY at Somerset House
Fashion house Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY gets a thorough going over at Somerset House in this unique retrospective, exploring the brand’s early club-house roots to the world of high fashion and celebrity. With close ties to Somerset House — LOVERBOY was one of the Somerset House Studios original residents — the label is credited with reimagining fashion norms, making it a darling of the celebrity world (worn by the likes of Harry Styles and Tilda Swinton). The show will celebrate this transcending of disciplines across art, design and music with a range of photography alongside talks and artist tours.
June 8 until September 1, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, somersethouse.org.uk
West End Live at Trafalgar Square
West End Live returns at the end of the month to celebrate the best of the big-hitting headlining show-stoppers. Tunes from Les Miserables, the Lion King, the Book of Mormon, Mean Girls and plenty more will be blasted from a pop-up stage at Trafalgar Square. It’s a big, live, lovely (and importantly, free) summertime bash which, despite being held in an area usually reserved for tourists, is highly worth a visit for Londoners who love musical theatre.
