February should be footloose and fancy free. Starting off the Lunar Year, Tom (Gourmet Guy) is celebrating Chinese New Year with his 7 London restaurants for Chinese New Year. With this and so much more, let’s roll into our February 2022 Super Seven:
America in Crisis at The Saatchi Gallery: in collaboration with Magnum Photos, the gallery has created a powerful visual story of America. Examining America across two critical moments in its history, 1968 and 2020. It is really worth seeing. Closes 3 April. Open daily from 2nd February.
Bob Marley | One Love Experience at Saatchi Gallery: another coup for the Saatchi Gallery, this exclusive exhibition will run for 10 weeks only. Showcasing unseen Bob Marley photos and memorabilia in association with his family.
It ties in with what would have been Bob Marley’s 75th birthday and the Get Up StandUp musical currently playing in the West End. Chelsea was Marley’s home for a while, so it seems fitting that the world premiere of this exhibition should be begin in London. Opens 2 February until 18 April.
Stonehenge at The British Museum: take a step back in time with this exciting new exhibition opening this month. Learn the secrets of these ancient monuments and the human story behind them.
City Lights London : Walk around the City of London between 11 – 20 Feb, and enjoy 5 light installations. you don’t have to be small to enjoy the beauty of them as they light up buildings and pavements. Guildhall is not operating on certain evenings, so check before travelling to avoid disappointment.
Battersea Light Festival: at Battersea Power Station. Our featured image is the stunning Run Beyond by artist Angelo Bonello. There are six installations to discover around Battersea Power Station from a range of international artists.
Beyond the Roar at The National Archives: I’d never been to the National Archives but can tell you it is worth the trip out to Kew. The current exhibition is based on the 1921 Census for England and Wales which reveals that it wasn’t all glamour and parties. Read the LLW Beyond the Roar blog post here.
Exhibitions to see in London right now: The Beano at Somerset House. I just loved this exhibition. It is full of nostalgia, but also great fun to learn about the process and history of this iconic comic. Van Gogh Portraits across at the new Courthauld Gallery is breathtaking. Not only the exhibition, but this gallery space is gorgeous, with a shop to die for. Booking necessary for both.
Surrealism Beyond Borders at Tate Modern: Surrealism is not a style but a state of mind… with this in mind, book tickets for this exciting new exhibition. Opens 24 February.
Ascension Day 7 February 2022: head to Green Park and watch the gun salute starting the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It is going to be quite a year for pageantry.
Royal Opera House: back to work? Escape the office and head to one of the free Live at Lunch concerts at the Royal Opera House until 25 February. Alternatively, they have Lunchtime Recitals for £16 that are equally, if not more, magical. It is up close and personal and utterly fantastic.
Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature opens at the V&A showcasing her original drawings and the inspiration behind her characters in this new exhibition. Opens 9 February.
NT Live: Leopoldstadt was released for National Holocaust Day. This Tom Stoppard masterpiece is one of the most incredible plays I’ve seen. Catch it if you can, you won’t be disappointed. Until 13 February you can also see Seven Portraits : Surviving the Holocaust at The Queen’s Gallery.
Budding filmmakers should check out the BFI’s 4-day Future Film Festival. Workshops, programmes, talks – everything to help start a career in the film industry. Aimed at 16-25 yr olds. 17-20 February.