April signifies the long awaited start of spring and a new season of binge-worthy television shows, art exhibitions and outdoor dining.
Team Refinery29 has a few cinematic gems on our radar for April, including the second season of Empire award nominated series The Handmaid's Tale and Westworld. And if you fancy some time away from Netflix and chill, there's an excellent fundraiser for refugee women at The Oval that promises good food, dancing, art and laughs from some of the best female talent in the city.
Click through to see the gigs, events, films and shows we're looking forward to in April...
Jess Commons, Health & Living Editor
Thoroughbreds, in cinemas Friday 6th April
This dark comedy has more than a few touches of Heathers about it. Two teenage girls (Anna Taylor Joy) Lily and (Olivia Cooke) Amanda, conspire to murder Lily's truly awful stepfather. Amanda isn't joking though. She's a real life psychopath. It stars Anton Yelchin in one of his very last roles.
Ordeal By Innocence, starts Sunday April 1st, BBCOne
Is there anything better than an Agatha Christie BBC drama? Of course not. After being reshot (it originally starred Ed Westwick, who has been accused of sexual assault), it now starts Christian Cooke, Bill Nighy, Alice Eve and Anna Chancellor.
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Westworld, Season 2 on Sky Atlantic, 22nd April
I was completely taken with the season one of the dystopian Western, and subscribed to several fan-made podcasts to keep up with its various twists and turns. The mysterious (but weirdly sexy?) Man in Black, incredible costumes (very SS18), and the mind-bending timelines? Bring on Season 2’s wild ride.
Rodin and the art of ancient Greece, The British Museum, 26th April
I fell in love with Rodin at the sculptor’s Parisian museum - walking around the shadow-casting and engulfing works in the beautiful garden is quite magical. Now that Rodin’s works are coming to London, with an exhibition looking at his Grecian influences, I plan on getting lost in them again.
Casey Bird, Creative Lead, Branded Content
MAM SHAM: Girl on Girl, starts 12th April
They promise an evening of good food, lols and the best female talent in comedy, food, art & music. Which sounds like a great combo to me. This particular event is also a Refugee Women's Centre Fundraiser (if you needed even more reason to grab a ticket).
Power Suit Podcast Launch, starts 5th April
A friend of mine runs brilliant creative led panel discussions called Power Suit Social. There are always killer lines ups & '80s style snacks. She's launching a podcast that's all about how we stay employable in the creative industries while the goalposts keep changing. I'll be heading along to celebrate and meet other creative types.
Nina Joyce, PR Director Europe
Forza Win lunch menu, launches mid April
Forza Win is hands down my favourite neighbourhood restaurant and you'll often see me here stuffing my face with pasta, drinking delicious natural wine and laughing my head off with the insanely lovely staff. They're launching a seasonal lunch menu this month, as if I needed any more excuses to hang out here, which brings the kind of quality you'd usually expect from somewhere like the The River Cafe to SE London.
Cry Me a River, 7th April
Karaoke doesn't just have to be something you do when you're blind drunk in the basement of a Chinese restaurant (just me?), it can be something that does some good too. This sing-along night is raising funds for Bloody Good Period - who provide sanitary products for refugees and those who can't afford them - and all the songs will have something to do with surfing the crimson wave. Legit funny lady/CEO of Chicken Shop Date Amelia Dimoldenberg is hosting and it's only £4. Rude not to.
Tamar Riley, Director, Marketing & Audience Development
XHIBIT, Art Bermondsey Project Space, 19th April – 12th May 2018
For the second year running we are partnering with UAL on XHIBIT - a celebration of pure creativity. Any UAL student can enter, with no set brief the entries allow exploration of medium and subject. Out of the 32 selected for the exhibition Refinery29 will select one winner for the R29 Vision Award. Check out last year's winner here.
Kylie Minogue - Golden, Out 6th April
This year marks 30 years since Kylie released her eponymous debut album and the diva from Down Under is celebrating with 14th album Golden. (Technically 30 years marks a pearl anniversary, not golden, but we won't hold it against her). The singles "Dancing" and "Stop Me From Falling" represent a huge departure from her previous sound and reflect her time spent making the record in country music mecca of Nashville.
Sian O'Flaherty, Senior Branded Content Manager
Isle of Dogs, in cinemas from 30th March
Who doesn't love Wes Anderson and... dogs. This is pretty much my dream combo and it's been a long time coming since his last film, The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014. Isle of Dogs boasts a stellar line up including Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray (natch) and Greta Gerwig. If you're a Wes superfan The Store at 180 The Strand are hosting an exhibition showcasing the puppets and sets from the film until 5th April.
Tortilleria El Pastor, opening 13th April
I went to Mexico City at Christmas and ever since returning back to London I've been hungry for tacos. The guys at El Pastor make killer guac, quesadillas and fish tacos so I'm mega excited for their latest spot Tortilleria El Pastor which opens on 13th April in Maltby Street Market. They'll be making fresh tacos onsite and even their own mezcal. Salud!
Sass Webber, Senior Project Manager
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein performing the music of Stranger Things, Barbican Hall, 7th April
Combining two of my fav things to do in my spare time, watching Netflix and listening to live music, this is a dreamy way to spend a Saturday night. I can’t wait to go upside down and hear Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein bring their cult Stranger Things soundtrack to life.
Summer and Smoke, Almeida Theatre, until 7th April
I just love anything written by Tennessee Williams, especially his female characters who hover at the precipice of their demise so beautifully and hauntingly as each play unfolds. Summer and Smoke is no different, set in Mississippi, we watch as an impassioned, hedonistic young doctor and the staid, anxiety ridden girl across the lawn fight for and against their undeniable attraction in turn. Tissues at the ready.
Natalie Gil, News & Feature Writer
Lotto Boyz, at Koko, 18th April
“Bim Bam” is one of the most joyful songs I’ve heard this year, so naturally I’ve had it on loop for about five days, but pretty much every song from this Birmingham duo is a hit. Just one listen of “No Don”, “Bad Vibe” or, of course, “FaceTime Me", is guaranteed to improve my mood.
East End Film Festival, Rich Mix London, 11th-29th April
I can be quite lazy when it comes to culture, so it helps to have a film festival virtually on my doorstep – the EEFF, which claims to be the capital’s biggest alternative indy film showcase. I’m hoping to catch High Fantasy, In The Fade and, as a Timothée Chalamet superfan, Call Me By Your Name for approximately the 10th time.
Kara Kia, Editorial Intern
The Handmaid's Tale, Season 2
The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favourite series of all time, right next to Big Little Lies. I'm a sucker for a thriller-drama with a strong female lead. Season 2 is confirmed in the US for April 25th, and the UK release on Channel 4 is expected soon too. Here's the trailer in the meantime.
Juno Calypso: The Salon, Galeria Melissa, until 15th April
I've been following Juno Calypso's work for a few years and I was so excited to see that she was the debut event at London Fashion Week. I didn't get a chance to go to the opening at Galeria Melissa, but I will definitely be seeing The Salon before it closes. If you like art, fashion and feminism then I totally recommend this (free) show, she is one of the best female visual artists of our time (in my humble opinion).
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