Like clockwork, January comes around and suddenly the gyms are at capacity and the alcohol-free drinks are flowing, sugar-free, naturally. The key to success during this annual cleansing ritual is to balance the downright fun with the somewhat healthy, and for that we are here to help. Whether your sights are set on bold new lifestyle choices, or you’re simply drying out after a soggy festive season; this list will help keep you on the straight and narrow. Happy new you!
Skate Lates at Somerset House
What: With Somerset house as the back drop, slip and slide into the final Skate Lates of the season with some of the world’s finest selectors. Thursday will feature dance-inducing Nigerian vibes, Gwo Ka rhythms and insatiable Latin beats as DJs from STRUT and SOFRITO take the decks. Expect to hear epic tunes by Ebo Taylor, Mulatu Astatke and SOFRITO’s outstanding Highlife compilations. Mr Jukes will do the honours of bringing Skate Lates to a close on Friday when the former frontman of Bombay Bicycle Club will get the rink grooving to afrobeat, South American vibes and plenty of disco. When you have skated to your hearts content, explore the pop-up record shop or sit back with a boozy bit of warmth at the Skate Lounge or Fortnum’s Lodge.
When: Thursday 11th - Friday 12th, from 8pm
Where: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA
Price: £20
Re:solution
What: Wellness worshippers rejoice; the monthlong festival celebrating health and wellbeing is here. Throughout January Re:solution will showcase the best of health and fitness at Juju’s Bar and Stage, at the Old Truman Brewery. Partake in classes such as Disco Barre, African Flow Yoga, meditation and many other fabulous ways to kick start your year. The Urban Temple workshops particularly took our fancy. Learn how to make your own organic skincare in an exclusive two-hour session giving you the know-how and material to produce your own facial oil. Find full timetable here.
When: Daily events until 31st January
Where: Juju’s Bar and Stage, 15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Price: From £10
Taste Not Waste
What: Start your year off thriftily by learning to get more bean for your buck; you’ll be doing both the planet and your wallet a favour. Pop Brixton is hosting free workshops, tastings and demonstrations, in collaboration with Hubbub and the Museum of London, exploring the issues of food sustainability. Smoke & Salt chefs will be on hand to give tips and demonstrate ways to reduce food waste, getting more out of your weekly shop and utilising leftovers and offal in delicious ways. Waste not want not is an idiom to live by, especially in the post-Christmas tightening of the purse strings.
When: Saturday 13th January, 12pm - 3pm
Where: Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, SW9 8PQ
Price: Free
StartUp 2018 Enterprise Nation
What: The biggest start-up show of the year has arrived featuring hundreds of speakers, such as the founders of Morning GloryVille, The Gym Group and Mo Bro’s. This all-day event is a must for anyone dreaming of getting their business of the ground, looking for advice on how to take it further or just wanting to shop around for inspiration. Entrepreneurs from the fashion, tech and food industries will hold talks and Q&As across 10 stages. Topics will be divvied into zones featuring subjects such as Show Me the Money, Business Essentials, Facebook and Instagram, Make Me Famous and many more. StartUp 2018 has collected everything needed to take your enterprise to the next level, all under one roof. Check out the full line-up here.
When: Saturday 13th January 9.30am – 4pm
Where: Queen Mary University, Mile End Road, E1 4NS
Price: £11 - 47
Empowerment Poetry with Yasmin Autwal
What: Yasmin Autwal is the founder of Stand for Humanity, has brought her motivational energy to the TEDx stage and performed at the likes of Sofar Sounds. As a life coach and poet, she is passionate about helping others unlock their full potential by exploring poetry and the spoken word. She is therefore hosting an intimate poetry workshop to ignite empowerment from within. Participants will try their hand at spoken word and powerful expression, all under the watchful eyes of a supportive pro.
When: Saturday 13th January, 1pm – 3.30pm
Where: Bohemia Place Pop Up, Unit 5 Bohemia Place, Hackney, E8 1DU
Price: £22
Xylem and Phloem
What: Every fortnight this ultimately zen Sunday comes around; full of yoga, meditation, brunch and flowers. Xylem and Phloem is the brain child of yogi Tash Richards and florist Freddy Owen, whom together have created a unique space for replenishing and creative workshops. Start the day off with an hour and a half of dynamic vinyasa yoga followed by a revitalising meditation. While you work up and appetite, a scrumptious brunch is put together by Sophie Gordon of Dust Granola; expect breakfast bowls, fruits and rich nut butters. Once you have had your fill, the two-hour florist workshop begins; this week’s focus being the creation of beautiful hanging flower balls. This event will cost you a pretty penny but, oh, how zen it sounds.
When: Sunday 14th January, 10am – 2pm
Where: Blank 100, De Beauvoir Rd, N1 4EN
Price: £70
Soda Sessions at Nine Lives
What: In collaboration with the Sweet & Chilli team, Nine Lives will host ‘Soda Sessions’ every Tuesday throughout the year. Starting off the year dry, at least on Tuesdays, is reasonable given the close succession of splurges past. Who needs booze to beat the January blues when you can have a banging 90’s hip-hop soundtrack, pizza by the slice and tasty mocktails? It is a school-dance blast from the past (there are even shuffleboard competitions) but the alcohol-free options have certainly improved. The world’s first non-alcoholic spirit, Seedlip, let’s us soberly sip on our favourite drinks all night. NOgroni anyone? When: Tuesdays, 5pm – 12am
Where: Nine Lives, 8 Holyrood St, SE1 2EL
Price: From £5
Disco Yoga
What: Sequin up, get stretching and let’s head South. Following its success in Shoreditch, selling out every class, Disco Yoga has set up a second outpost south of the river. Mirror balls, glitter, disco grooves and moves are now a guarantee at the Prince of Peckham. This disco styled flow yoga has been hot-listed as the potential fitness craze of 2018. Wriggle into some spandex, sing and sweat the work stress off in an exciting yoga class set to pulsing disco tunes; namaste.
When: Wednesdays, 7.15pm – 8.30pm
Where: Prince of Peckham, Upstairs Hall, 1 Clayton Rd, SE15 5JA
Price: £10 - 16
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