Creative Energy Shapes The City

Quote of the Week - “Creativity is energy. Protect it” - Ava DuVernay

Good Evening, London. In this edition of The London Palette take a trip down memory lane to refresh your style guide. Infuse your creativity with the latest trends at the Clerkenwell Design Festival. Take a look at how Korean Dance can inspire you to move your body. Then book tickets to chill out at Hampton Court’s wellness retreat. And allow the Korean word of the week to lift your spirits.

Snatched highlights from this edition:

1. Croydon’s £6m Prescription for Change

2. Have Your Portrait Taken alongside The Face

3. Discover the Magnificient Seven Neighbourhoods

4. Live Music - Goldie, Ed Sheeran, Coldpay & lots more!

Let’s dive in.

—Bybreen Samuels

COUNCIL CANVAS

Croydon’s £6m Health Centre’s Prescription for Change

Croydon’s healthcare landscape is about to get a major upgrade. After years of campaigning and community advocacy, the NHS has secured £6 million to build a brand new primary care medical centre in Coulsdon. It’s due to open in 2026. This purpose-built hub is designed to deliver over 35,000 extra GP appointments for residents in the south of the borough. It will finally address a long-standing gap in accessing local healthcare.

For too many years, Coulsdon residents have faced the frustration of limited local options. Often traveling to other areas for GP appointments and routine care. The new centre, based on the former CALAT site on Malcolm Road, will offer a full suite of primary care services. Residents can look forward to GP consults, vaccinations, treatments, prescriptions, referrals, and health initiatives, all under one roof. The facility is also designed for convenience and accessibility, thereby reflecting the community’s needs. In addition to Croydon Council’s commitment to health and wellbeing.

But this project almost didn’t happen. The site was nearly lost to private developers. However, they were thwarted by a united front of local councillors, residents’ groups, Mayor Jason Perry, and MP Chris Philp. Collectively, they pushed hard to ensure the land stayed in public hands and the NHS secured the funding it needed.

Their efforts underscore a wider pattern in London of community-driven advocacy. It’s often the difference between losing vital public assets and investing in the city’s future. The centre’s development is also part of Croydon’s broader push to integrate health and social care, with recent investments in local hospitals and community care networks.

Croydon’s new medical centre is a blueprint for how local voices, political will, and public investment can come together to deliver real change. For Coulsdon, it’s a promise kept and a new chapter in the story of community-led healthcare. As the diggers move in this summer, the message is clear, when Croydon comes together, everyone stands to benefit.

CITY PALETTE

Shakespeare and Rock Collide During Korean Dance

Ever wondered what happens when traditional Korean movement meets Shakespearean tragedy and rock music? You're about to find out at the Festival of Korean Dance 2025. It’s returning in May for its eighth spectacular year. You'll witness five leading South Korean dance companies transform your understanding of contemporary movement. Performances blend primal energy, digital innovation, and cultural fusion in ways you've never imagined.

Your festival journey begins with Jungle, where the 17-strong Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will dunk you in a raw, vibrant depiction of primal survival through instinctive movements. Then prepare to see the daily activity of walking, in an entirely new light. Ji-hye Chung's Shinsegae, is a mesmerising performance that uses video imagery to compare the human body to a computer game. The aim is to create a fascinating dialogue between the natural and artificial.

The festival reaches its climactic finale with Ham:beth. The all-male Modern Table dance troupe combines traditional Korean songs with live rock music to reimagine Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth. You'll be transfixed as powerful choreography explores madness, identity, and desire. Dancers will portray characters caught between individualism and conformity. As Dr. Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK notes, this festival offers "a wide variety of contemporary Korean dance performances" that continue to "enrich the cultural connections between Korea and the UK."

Beyond just watching, you'll be participating in a growing cultural dialogue that has been building since the festival's creation in 2018. This isn't just about dance, it's a window into contemporary Korean culture, that offers you fresh perspectives on the human condition through ritual, resistance, and experimentation. The Festival of Korean Dance provides a rare opportunity to experience how South Korea's vibrant contemporary dance scene is pushing artistic boundaries while honouring traditions. Don't miss your chance to be part of this cultural conversation.

Book tickets here - https://kccuk.org.uk 

Wellness Meets Wonder at Hampton Court Festival

A Tudor palace swaps its crown for a yoga mat. Sounds crazy? Not until you experience Hampton Court’s Feel Good Festival between May 16–18. The Festival transforms centuries-old grandeur into a playground for wellbeing, creativity, and community. Imagine wandering through the palace gardens, jazz wafting through the air, kids building LEGO castles, and wellness gurus leading meditation beneath ancient trees. It truly is a festival where history meets happiness, and every corner is designed to lift your spirits.

This is a big deal because we live in a city that rarely pauses, and Londoners are hungry for moments that feed both body and soul. The Feel Good Festival answers with a vibrant mix of hands-on workshops in reflexology, journaling, and meditation. Alongside, inspiring talks and drop-in clinics and the Joyfulness Stage, where experts share practical tips on living colourfully and mindfully. The Artisan Market is a treasure trove for those of you seeking serenity. You’ll find everything from crystal art to herbal elixirs and plant-based skincare.

The Festival is designed to accommodate adults who want to escape and families who want shire horse carriage rides, They’ve also included Bluey-themed arts and crafts, a LEGO creation station, and even the Palace’s world-famous maze. The Pause Lounge offers one-to-one wellbeing advice and goody bags. While the Bandstand keeps the energy high with swing jazz, silent discos, and lots more. Even the food scene gets a wellness upgrade. Think Latin-Japanese fusion, Lebanese wraps, and no or low-alcohol pop-up bars.

Hampton Court is redefining what a cultural landmark can be. They’re inviting everyone to experience wellness as a shared ritual, not a luxury. With festival activities included in palace admission or free for members, the event puts accessibility and community at its heart. Now that winter is firmly behind us, the Feel Good Festival is a timely reminder. Joy, connection, and self-care belong to all of us and sometimes, the best place to find them is where you least expect.

Book tickets here - https://www.hrp.org.uk

UNDISCOVERED GEMS

Style History Gets Personal with The Face Culture Shift

You think you know British style, wait until you step into the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition, The Face Magazine: Culture Shift. Here’s your chance to swap the Instagram scroll for the real thing. On display you’ll find over 200 iconic photographs, magazine covers, and fashion editorials. Together, they turned a glossy monthly into the bible of cool from the 1980s through the early 2000s. It’s a backstage pass to the moments, models, and music legends that defined and defied London’s cultural landscape.

The Face was a launchpad for the likes of Kate Moss, Neneh Cherry, and David Beckham. And, it was the creative playground for photographers like Corinne Day and David Sims. The exhibition runs until May 18 and brings together more than 80 photographers’ work with many images shown for the first time off the printed page. You can dive into a visual time capsule that captures the boldness, rebellion, and raw creativity that still ripple through our streets and style today.

What’s striking as you wander the gallery is how The Face blurred the lines between fashion, music, and art. You’ll find yourself face-to-face with portraits of Bowie, the Spice Girls, and street-style shots that feel as fresh as anything in today’s feeds. The show is cleverly curated both thematically and chronologically, so you can trace the evolution of British youth culture. Also, you may spot the moment when style became a statement of identity, not just a look.

Here’s the real gem, in a newly revitalised National Portrait Gallery that’s buzzing with energy, you’re not just looking at history, you’re stepping into it. Whether you lived through the era or you’re discovering it for the first time, The Face Magazine: Culture Shift is more than nostalgia. It’s a reminder that London’s creative pulse has always come from the outsiders, the risk-takers, and the faces bold enough to change the game.

Find out more here - https://www.npg.org.uk

LONDON BUZZ

Seven Magnificent Areas are Setting the Gold Standard

Deep down, many Londoner may secretly believe that their neighbourhood is the city’s best-kept secret. But this year, the Sunday Times has settled the debate and has crowned seven standout neighbourhoods as the UK’s best places to live in 2025. Forget postcode envy from the leafy lanes of Walthamstow to the creative corners of Stoke Newington, London’s local gems are officially the envy of the nation.

Why does this matter? Because in a year when the cost of living, urban stress, and the search for community are top of mind, these places are rewriting what it means to thrive in the capital. Walthamstow, the overall winner, is praised for being “diverse, vibrant and cool without being frosty,” with the longest street market in Europe. There’s a new Soho Theatre and community saunas on the horizon. Meanwhile, Bloomsbury’s “brainiest” vibe is getting a £400m facelift, East Dulwich is balancing gentrification with genuine neighbourhood spirit. And Stoke Newington is proving you can be both funky and family-friendly.

These neighbourhoods aren’t just surviving, they’re evolving. Telegraph Hill’s bohemian conservation area is building a tight-knit creative community. Twickenham’s riverside charm is drawing families with its royal parks and redbrick houses. And Wembley’s two-decade, £2.8 billion transformation is turning it into a brunch-lover’s paradise. Each area is finding ways to blend heritage with innovation, local pride with global ambition. A pattern that’s making London more liveable, even as the city’s challenges mount.

Our neighbourhoods are leading a quiet revolution in urban living. Green spaces, culture, and community aren’t luxuries, they’re the new essentials. As the rest of the UK looks on, the capital’s Magnificent Seven, remind us that the future of city life is being painted, one glowing postcode at a time. So whether you’re a lifelong Londoner or a newcomer, it might be time to see your neighbourhood with fresh eyes. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll fall in love with London all over again.

Find out more here - https://www.thetimes.com/best-places-to-live

LONDON SOUNDSCAPE

Banquet Records - April 26

Emma-Jean Thackray is set to turn Banquet Records into her personal playground when she celebrates the release of her much-anticipated second album, Weirdo. And, if her recent output is any indication, this is one you don’t want to miss. The South London producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist wrote, performed and produced the album alone, in her flat. Weirdo is a colourful journey through grunge, pop, soul, p-funk, and jazz. Emma-Jean blends raw honesty about grief and survival with genre-defying experimentation. Expect standout singles like It’s Okay and Black Hole, which showcases her fearless approach.

Book tickets here - https://www.banquetrecords.com

Crazy Coqs Cabaret - May 3

Let Crazy Coqs Cabaret whisk you away with Carroll Thompson and The Jamaican Jazz Quintet, to enjoy a night of jazz, reggae, blues, and soul. Carroll, the Queen of Lovers Rock, brings her velvety vocals to a set that fuses jazz standards and originals, all rooted in her Jamaican heritage. You’ll sway to jazz classics reimagined with reggae flair, then find yourself moved by the heartfelt storytelling in her ballads, delivered with effortless charm. Critics and fans alike rave about her ability to make every song fresh and personal. Whether it’s turning Perfidia into a singalong or delivering the soulful beauty of September. 

Book tickets here - https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs

Indigo 02 London Arena - April 26

If you’re longing for the velvet touch of Luther Vandross’s timeless voice, Luther Live promises a night of pure soul nostalgia. Fronted by the outstanding Harry Cambridge and his powerhouse 10-piece band, this acclaimed tribute brings all the magic of Luther’s greatest hits. He brings Never Too Much, Here and Now, Dance with My Father, and So Amazing, back to the stage, celebrating a career that sold over 40 million albums and earned eight Grammys. Harry channels Luther’s signature warmth and charisma, delivering both the dancefloor anthems and love ballads that made Luther an icon.

Book tickets here - https://www.theo2.co.uk 

Notting Hill Arts Club - April 26

When it comes to UK soul, few artists have shaped the soundscape quite like Omar, and on Saturday, you get to experience his genre-blurring magic up close. Before taking the stage, the King of UK Soul sits down with Jazz FM’s Chris Phillips for a candid conversation. After that, then it’s all about the music, as Omar’s unmistakable voice and adventurous songwriting take you on a journey through R&B, hip-hop, jazz, funk, and more. With a career spanning four decades, collaborations with legends like Stevie Wonder, and an innovative and timeless catalogue, Omar’s refusal to be boxed in is exactly what makes his live shows so electric.

Book tickets here - https://nottinghillartsclub.com

Piano Bar Soho - May 2

Looking for a night where jazz feels both classic and refreshingly new? The Olly Mux Trio is your perfect Friday escape. Olly brings a charming blend of clarity, swing, and warmth to the stage, with a voice that nods to Nat King Cole while adding a modern twist that’s all his own. Backed by his talented band, you’ll be treated to performances that are melodic, inviting, and full of understated flair. It’s music that lands somewhere between timeless standards and fresh originals. Whether you’re winding down after work or kicking off your weekend in style, Olly’s set promises a relaxed, intimate vibe.

Book tickets here - https://info.soho.live/pianobarsoho

Ronnie Scott’s - May 3

Upgrade your Saturday midday brunch by soaking in the sounds of Gary Crosby OBE and Ian Shaw. They promise to deliver their Songs and Stories set with style. Gary’s fingerprints are all over the UK jazz scene from founding the trailblazing Jazz Warriors in the ’80s, to leading ensembles like Jazz Jamaica and Nu Troop. To shaping the next generation through Tomorrow’s Warriors. You can expect candid tales of behind the scene moments, boundary-pushing collaborations, and musical storytelling that’s earned him an OBE. With Ian at the piano and mic, this brunch promises stories that swing as hard as the tunes.

Book tickets here - https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/

Roundhouse - April 27

You’re in for something extraordinary at the Roundhouse when Corinne Bailey Rae takes the stage. She reinterprets her Mercury Prize-nominated album, Black Rainbows with the acclaimed Guildhall Session Orchestra. As you lean into the set, you’ll journey through themes of Black femininity, ancestral power, and transcendence. They’re all inspired by Chicago’s Stony Island Arts Bank and blending punk, soul, and experimental jazz. If you’ve seen Corinne live before, you know she brings each song’s story to life with warmth and candour. This will be an immersive celebration of Black culture and creative freedom.

Book tickets here - https://www.roundhouse.org.uk

Royal Albert Hall - April 28, 29, May 1 and 2

Gregory Porter returns to the Royal Albert Hall, a venue fit for his liquid gold voice and soulful presence. As one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of his generation, Gregory blends jazz, soul, and gospel in a way that feels both eternal and deeply personal. This blend has earned him two Grammy Awards and global acclaim. Whether you’re a forever fan or new to his music, you’ll be swept up by his emotionally rich performances, signature baritone, and songs that cut straight to the heart.

Book tickets here - https://www.royalalberthall.com

Southwark Cathedral - April 26

Pop anthems and classical elegance collide at the Candlelight Tribute to Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. You’ll enjoy a magical experience when chart toppers like Fix You, Shape of You, and Viva La Vida are turned into lush string arrangements under the soft glow of thousands of candles. Set in the awe-inspiring Gothic architecture of Southwark Cathedral, you’ll be swept away by the Morassi Quartet and City String Ensemble as they transform their greatest hits in a setting that feels equal parts concert and dreamscape. Enjoy this multi-sensory celebration that invites you to hear familiar songs in a stunning new light.

Book tickets here - https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org

The Jazz Cafe - April 27

If you’re looking for a night that pulses with history, spirit, and irresistible rhythm, The Hugh Masekela Songbook is your must-see celebration of South African Freedom Day. This special event honours the legendary father of South African jazz, whose trumpet and flugelhorn blended jazz with the vibrant sounds of South Africa and the wider African diaspora, all while standing as a musical force against apartheid. Joining the tribute is world-class percussionist Francis Fuster, who played alongside Hugh and on Paul Simon’s iconic Graceland. He’s leading a stellar band through a set that promises both soul-stirring classics and joyful improvisation. Expect a night where jazz, reggae, and Afrobeat flow together.

Book tickets here - https://thejazzcafe.com

The Vortex Jazz Club - April 30

When you step into the Vortex you’ll discover the deeply personal sound world of North London pianist and composer Diarra Walcott-Ivanhoe. With a quintet that brings his original compositions to life, Diarra will take you on a journey through jazz, soul, R&B, and calypso. These are genres that shaped his musical upbringing and continue to inspire his work today. Diarra’s music explores themes of loss, memory, and belonging, weaving together the influences of jazz greats like Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Robert Glasper with the rhythms and melodies of his own story. Expect a set that’s both reflective and forward-looking, as the quintet channels the spirit of Black American jazz while infusing it with the vibrant sounds of London’s cultural mosaic.

Book tickets here - https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk

Village Underground - April 29

If you want to feel the pulse of London’s underground, Goldie’s live show is where you have to be. The pioneer of Drum’n’Bass and jungle is back with brand new music. He’s unleashing his signature energy and raw stage presence that have made him a legend on both sides of the Atlantic. Goldie’s gigs are more than concerts, they’re full-bodied, rollercoaster raves where you’re swept up in the breakbeats, basslines, and futuristic sounds that redefined UK club culture. Goldie is joined by a live band and he brings classics and new tracks to life..

Book tickets here - https://villageunderground.co.uk

BUSINESS SCENE

Clerkenwell Design Week Expands City’s Creative Heart

Clerkenwell Design Week returns next month as the UK’s leading independent design festival. It transforms London’s creative heart into a three-day playground for the design industry. If this is your world, dive into over 160 showrooms and a packed programme. Particularly, if you’re an architect, designer, and business leader who is eager to connect, collaborate, and get inspired. From hands-on workshops and product launches to topical talks, immersive installations, and after-hours parties, this event is where the boundaries of workplace, retail, and hospitality design are pushed. And where the next big ideas are born.

Why does this matter for London’s business scene? In a landscape where innovation and wellbeing are more than just buzzwords, Clerkenwell Design Week is a live laboratory for the trends shaping the future of work and commercial space. This year’s agenda is brimming with sessions on biophilic design, neuroinclusive spaces, and the circular economy. Alongside playful touches like retro gaming, candle making, and even puppy yoga. Showrooms double as networking hubs, offering everything from ergonomic deep-dives to sustainability panels, and the chance to sample the latest in smart materials, acoustic solutions, and AI-driven design. For businesses, it’s a chance to see how design thinking can boost productivity, foster creativity, and attract talent in a competitive market.

Clerkenwell Design Week combines aesthetics and the business of building better environments. As companies navigate hybrid work, wellbeing, and the demand for sustainable, flexible spaces, this design week offers a front-row seat to the ideas and products that will define the next chapter of London’s commercial landscape. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a start-up founder, this is the place to discover what’s next. You can fuel your imagination, and make connections that last long after the last canapé is served.

Find out more here - https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

LINGUISTIC TAPESTRY - WORDS OF THE WEEK 

English Word:
Roister
Pronunciation: /ROY-stər/
Definition:  To enjoy oneself or celebrate in a noisy, energetic, and boisterous way. To revel loudly and exuberantly.
Cultural Note: Roister carries echoes of London’s raucous taverns and festive streets from past centuries. To let loose in cheerful, uninhibited celebration, distinguishing itself from mere noise with a spirit of joy and camaraderie.

Korean Word:
희망 (Huimang)
Pronunciation: /hwi.maŋ/
Definition:  Hope, a feeling of expectation and desire for a positive future or outcome.
Cultural Note: Symbolising optimism and resilience even in challenging times. It’s commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and popular music to inspire perseverance and a forward-looking spirit.

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