Culture
Social Fabric: threads of colonialism laid bare
If an antidote were needed to MP Diane Abbott’s notoriously clumsy tweets on the legacy of colonialism, it can be found at a subtle new exhibition which uses the textile trade to unpick the history and impact of the colonial past
Horrible Histories at the Hackney Empire: don’t spare the blood and gore
With a stage version of his Horrible Histories soon to open at the Hackney Empire, Terry Deary explains why blood curdling accounts of historical events and newspapers can be good for kids
Sense and Sensibility – review
A new stage production of Sense and Sensibility at the Rosemary Branch liberates its characters from distracting period trappings to reveal the wit and soul of the original novel
How To Re-Establish a Vodka Empire
A chance find in a Ukrainian attic set filmmaker Dan Edelstyn on an extraordinary journey which was to change his life and provide inspiration for his latest movie
Beowulf – The Panto! – review
This humorous adaptation of Beowulf, the epic Anglo-Saxon poem, is showing at the Rosemary Branch Theatre until 8 January 2012
East End histories: Cable Street books – review
These three Cable Street histories provide excellent accounts of East End politics in 1936
The Animalympics – review
Julia Griffin and Hendrik Wittkopf’s new children’s book, The Animalympics, is a lively and refreshing take on the 2012 Games
Design Den at Barbican Centre
The Curve Gallery is host to this festive pop-up shop selling by works by a number of Hackney-based artists and designers
BBC to mark 2012 Olympics with ‘biggest ever free live music event’
Elbow commissioned to write BBC Olympic theme tune as plans for Proms, Shakespeare season and Radio 1 event revealed
Channel 4’s Top Boy lands second series
East London gang drama starring Ashley Walters will return next year
Top Boy gets a mixed reception from Hackney’s youth
A panel of locals enjoys a preview of the Channel 4 drama’s first episode, but finds plenty of flaws in Ronan Bennett’s supposedly realistic portrayal of life in the borough
Labrinth is SyCo’s latest signing but he doesn’t need a popstar bootcamp
Hard work and big tunes are all the Hackney producer cares about, but what if sleeping in the studio leads to a hobo beard?