This weekend’s highlights include an Australian theatre premiere in London, our favourite new cocktail bar in New York and the latest by French electro duo Air.
1 THEATRE: LONDON
—Happy New
Australian triple threat (actor, author and playwright) Brendan Cowell is known for writing plays that prise open the hard man stereotype of Australian males – and this is true of his dark comedy, Happy New. Focusing on two boys abandoned for months in a chicken coop at an early age. Upon release we see life through their surreal journey as they attempt to negotiate the pecking order in a new world of freedom.
Happy New is now playing at the Old Red Lion Theatre. Until 25 February
redliontheatres.co.uk
2 EXHIBITION: TOKYO
—Cosmic Travelers – Toward the Unknown
This exhibit at Tokyo’s Espace Louis Vuitton celebrates the Japanese contemporary art scene. The exhibition looks at the cosmic aspects integral to the creative process and the enigmatic journey from darkness to light. With works from Noriyuki Haraguchi, Tomoko Shioyasu and Go Watanabe, expect to delve into the avant-garde through the mediums of oil, metal, ink and video.
Louis Vuitton Omotesando Bldg. 7F 5-7-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Open daily from 12.00-20.00. Until 6 May 2012
espacelouisvuittontokyo.com
3 BAR: NEW YORK
—Booker & Dax
Manhattan’s newly opened Booker & Dax is quickly proving itself as one of the city’s most innovative watering holes. Situated in the rear of Momofuku Ssäm bar, the cocktail lounge is the brainchild of restaurateur David Chang and Dave Arnold, who is director of culinary technology at the French Culinary Institute. Here you’ll find cocktail glasses chilled to perfection using liquid nitrogen and specialty cocktails heated using a roaring, industrial-looking flamers. Our pick – The Lady of the Night – is the bar’s own take on the Bloody Mary, combining the usual ingredients along with reposado tequila and Sriracha. Cheers!
207 Second Ave. Open Sunday to Thursday from 18.00–2.00; Friday and Saturday 18.00-3.00
momofuku.com/restaurants/booker-and-dax
4 EXHIBITION: LONDON
—Emma Richardson: Cruisin’ For A Brusin’
Emma Richardson is somewhat of a creative maverick. As the bassist and vocalist in Band of Skulls she’s proved her musical chops, the band will release their second album, Sweet Sour, later this month. Shifting her focus to the finer things in life, Richardson is also presenting her first exhibition in London. Ambitious as ever, her collection of large-scale abstract paintings draws inspiration from Cy Twombly and Lucian Freud.
Londonewcastle Project Space, 28 Redchurch Street. Open daily from 11.00-18.00. Until 8 February
londonewcastle.com
5 MUSIC: GLOBAL
—Air, Voyage dans la Lune
Better late than never, Air’s new record is the soundtrack to George Méliès’ 1902 sci-fi classic Voyage dans la Lune – the world’s first cinematic blockbuster and the first time a moon-landing was ever dreamt-up for public consideration. Well, 15 minutes of it is the soundtrack to the short, formerly-silent movie; the rest is the Parisian duo taking their old muse, the moon, for a stroll again. It’s quintessential Air: space, sex, wit and warm electro cosy up to prog-ish flourishes, John Barry strings and a gothic nod. No wonder Air love the moon, he’s very good to them.
Voyage dans la Lune is being released on 6 February
en.aircheology.com
