Qype Does London 31: Big Ears, Bizarre Balls, and Conkers

YOU SHALL GO TO THE (SHOREDITCH) BALL

Brrrr. Yes, as you can tell from our banner pic of Primrose Hill (thanks Luke, see the original here) autumn is well and truly here. But don't worry because we're here to warm your cockles and put fire in your belly with our guide to the perfect weekend.

As well as all the usual inspiration we have a couple of great prizes to give away this week. First up, we have a pair of tickets (worth £100 each!) to the glittering affair that is Friday's Shoreditch Ball. To find out how to win click right here. Or if you fancy something a bit more retro then take a look at our blog to see how you can win tickets to this Saturday's fabulous Blitz Party.

And continuing the glam theme, our next Qype event will be a spot of drinking and drawing in the company of the delectable Dr Sketchy. All the details are on the blog, and you can sign up to take part right here in this group.

FRIDAY

Why do elephants have big ears? Because Noddy (pictured) won’t pay the ransom. Boom boom! Fear not, there is a far higher calibre of family entertainment than that at New Wimbledon Theatre as they present three days of Noddy in Toyland in this "brand-new, anniversary show".

Object Retrieval, you'll be relieved to hear, is not an embarrassingly intimate medical procedure, but rather a "mass participation art project that will take place on a converted Routemaster bus," that is parked up near UCL until Wednesday 21st.

By far the most glittering event of the week has to be the star-studded Shoreditch Ball at the Town Hall. Featuring fine wine, celebrity chefs, top DJs and a charity art auction there's only one place to be this Friday night. And we have a pair of tickets to give away! For a chance to win check out the details on this page.

SATURDAY

For those of you that just can’t get enough of Depeche Mode, it’s well worth dragging yourselves out of bed on Saturday morning to go to the Prince Charles screening of The Posters Came From The Walls. It includes brunch and an introduction from the documentary’s directors: Nick Abrahams and Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller.

Saturday's Bizarre Ball (pictured), hosted by Bizarre Magazine and the fantastic Lucha Brittania, is not for the faint-hearted as "the most crazed cabaret of music, performance and freak show frippery ever" hits SeOne.

Also on Saturday, The Blitz Party returns to The Arches, which "will be transformed into a wartime East End air shelter" for another storming night "of the finest 1940s music and dancing". We've got an interview with the organisers and a chance to win tickets over on our blog.

AND BEYOND

Over at Hackney’s Shop of Horrors, this weekend and next, The Last Tuesday Society continue "leading the world in hiding ugly people" with Viktor Wynd's Academy of Mask Making. Great for preparing your Halloween apparel under the watchful eye of "a RADA-trained professional prop maker".

Everyone loves Slutty Fringe. And you'll love them even more after their 1st Annual Conker Tournament, which sees the Queen of Hoxton transformed into a gladitorial arena of "skill, determination, stampsies and probably a fair bit of cheating".

Also on Tuesday, The Avalon "will showcase an exclusive five-course gastronomic feast" and take you on a tour of Italy’s Top Wineries, without setting foot outside of Balham. Impressive, but if that doesn’t quench your thirst, or you’re just a bunch of winos, The Wine Show kicks off on Thursday night at Islington’s Business Design Centre giving you an "excuse to have fun discovering wine in a fun, sociable and relaxed environment".

QYPER OF THE WEEK

THE BEST OF LONDON

"Great flavours, combinations and textures," plus, "a welcoming atmosphere and high-end, modern design," go to making Caponata in Camden (pictured) one of London's best Italian eateries.

"A yummylicious haven of retro sweetie delights," Mr Humbug in Greenwich will, "take you back in time to your childhood". Just don't forget to brush your teeth when you're done!

If you're craving the taste of the Caribbean, then get yourself to Dalston and find Peppers and Spice. It's "like having Jamaica on your doorstep," thanks to the, "fresh, tasty and unbelievably cheap," dishes like, "ackee and salt fish, curry goat and rice and peas."

Be the first to review: Pizza East, the latest offering from the Soho House group, which opens in Shoreditch this Friday.