Your Chelsea Agenda

Your Chelsea Agenda | What’s On This August

They say that ignorance is bliss.

So if you don’t want to know that this month there’s going to be a giant illuminated replica of Mars hanging in a Gothic church; a bottomless brunch fuelled by delicious Languedoc wines; a series of al fresco supper clubs held in an ancient botanical garden; a rare exhibition of Ukrainian folk art and a rare opportunity to sip cocktails at an iconic poolside rooftop bar…

…then whatever you do, don’t read that last paragraph.

Behold your guide to everything going on in Chelsea this month…

The Saatchi Gallery‘s spoiling you for great art this month, with the continuation of their acclaimed photography show Civilization: The Way We Live Now, and the arrival of three new, totally free exhibitions. Beyond the Gaze: Reclaiming the Landscape (until 28th August) spotlights the work of female artists like Emma Bennett, Kiera Bennett and Kirsty Harris in a historically male field, while Want the World to Know by Michael Forbes (until 28th August) displays new works by the Nottingham-based artist exploring themes of racial politics. The last, Maria Prymachenko (until 31st August), isn’t so much an exhibition as a vital act of cultural protection. The 20th century folk artist is one of Ukraine’s most celebrated painters, and much of her work has sadly been destroyed as a result of the war. However, 23 of her paintings in the care of her family have survived, and are being protected and displayed here.

Maria Prymachenko at the Saatchi Gallery

Culture vultures should swoop on the Royal Court to catch Rabiah Hussain’s new work, Word-Play. It starts with the chaotic flurry of damage control following the unsanctioned ad-libbing of a prime minister on national TV (no idea where the inspiration for that came from), but what follows is an insightful and considered exploration of how language can both disguise and fuel prejudice.

Meanwhile the Kensington + Chelsea Festival is still in full swing, with highlights still to come including the Chelsea Carnival on the 4th, Confluence on the 25th (a genre-spanning show featuring Kathak dancers and harp-guitarists) and Say You’re With Me on the 9th – a piano concert accompanied by hypnotic visuals, generated in real-time by some high-falutin’ coding algorithms. And if you head a little further north into Notting Hill, you’ll be able to take in the awe-inspiring sight of a giant red planet suspended within the Gothic Victorian interiors of All Saints Church.

Dave Parry/Press Association

Edging over towards Belgravia, West London’s getting a new bottomless brunch spot this August over at Amie Wine Studio. They’ll be lavishing you with generous top-ups of their southern French wines, while a series of talented chefs take over the pans, starting with Liv Burt on 12th August. The former Claridge’s sous chef will be plating up a feast comprising Earl Grey breakfast buns, smoked salmon on sourdough, and glazed beetroots with labneh. And if you can’t make it along then, we’ll just leave a reminder here that Nudge Members can also enjoy a secret happy hour at Amie until 14th August, with 40% off drinks every evening – see details here.

Chelsea Physic Garden‘s summer series wraps up this month with more evenings of live music on the lawn; weekly after hours openings which allow you to stroll through the gardens at dusk; and supper clubs on Wednesday evenings where you can tuck into River Café recipes and Middle Eastern fare right among the flowers.

And finally, if you’re planning to take on Barbenheimer at the Everyman, hop across the road during intermission for a luminously pink Frozen Strawberry Margarita at The Cadogan Arms – they’re 2 for 1 on weekdays between 4-6pm. But if you want to take your al fresco drinking up a notch? Head to The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, which is opening its rooftop bar to non-hotel guests from 1st August. You won’t be able to take a dip in the pool, but you can kick back on a lounger and sip a couple of Campari, Chambord and strawberry spritzes.

After which you might end up in the pool regardless…

The Chelsea Agenda:

➊ Civilization: The Way We Live Now | Until 17th September | Saatchi Gallery

➋ Beyond the Gaze: Reclaiming the Landscape | Until 28th August | Saatchi Gallery

➌ Want the World to Know by Michael Forbes | Until 28th August | Saatchi Gallery

➍ Maria Prymachenko | Until 31st August | Saatchi Gallery

➎ Word-Play | Until 26th August | Royal Court

➏ Kensington + Chelsea Festival | Until 31st August | Across Chelsea

➐ Bottomless Brunch with Liv Burt | 12th August | Amie Wine Studio

➑ Summer Series | Dates throughout August | Chelsea Physic Garden

➒ Frozen Happy Hour at the Cadogan Arms | Weekdays 4-6pm

➓ The Berkeley Rooftop Bar | Open evenings from 1st August

Looking for more ideas? Check out The Nudge’s full monthly Agenda