Hidden in Plain Sight

Quote of the Week - “Eyes are useless when the mind is blind.”- Mark Venturini

Good Afternoon, London. As winter creeps in, settle down with this edition of The London Palette. You’re invited to discover things that are hiding in plain sight. There’s a two century old theatre quietly reinventing itself as a skills engine, pay a visit, you’ll be impressed! Head to Chesea to enjoy the sea of glowing roses to help you turn remembrance into ritual. Celebrate London’s latest viral cheerleader who will put a smile on your face. And, finish up with a tasty and edible coffee cup! This week’s Palette is your guide to where small spaces spark big shifts.

Snatched highlights from this edition:

1. Palestine via the Cinematic Lens

2. Roses of Light Turn Grief into Glow

3. House of MOBO Offers Pints of Culture

4. Live Music - Nubya Garcia, Jools Holland & lots more!

Let’s dive in.

—Bybreen Samuels

COUNCIL CANVAS

Old Vic Backstage | From Stage Door to Skills Hub

Lambeth doesn’t just talk about adopting a culture-based regeneration strategy. Instead, it has quietly built a multi-storey proof of concept behind one of London’s most famous stages. The Old Vic’s new Backstage building in Waterloo is the theatre’s first major expansion in over 200 years. It has turned the previously overlooked rear plot into a public living room, education hub and creative workspace. The venue is open from morning coffee to late-night performance. For a borough wrestling with growth, inequality and the future of its cultural sector, Backstage is effectively a live policy experiment.

At its core, the idea was to invest in infrastructure that makes world-class culture genuinely accessible to local residents. Based on this premise, the wider economy will expand. Backstage was funded with a mix of a loan and a £585,000 grant from Lambeth Council’s £3.3m Future Workspace Fund, It has unlocked approximately £17m in total project finance and will deliver over 9,000 square feet of affordable workspace. In addition to supporting 125 businesses a year and will create 44 new jobs. In return, The Old Vic has committed £1.9m of in‑kind community benefits over the next decade. They include discounted tickets, Matinee Idols for people 60, school access, and space for groups like Streetwise Opera to work with people who’ve experienced homelessness. Policy wise, the Private Finance Initiative has been reversed. Public money is being used to buy long term social value, instead of short term naming rights.

Light floods into Backstage and flows into its welcoming and informal environment. It feels more like a community lounge than a pretentious arts venue. Visitors can wander through and use the cafe, free script library, writers’ room, rehearsal studios. the Clore Learning Centre and a flexible events space with a planted roof terrace. Crucially, an access group informed everything from circulation routes to balcony sightlines, producing the Old Vic’s first fully step‑free stage door, daylight in dressing rooms, a dedicated accessible dressing room and a generous, social green room overlooking Waterloo Millennium Green.

For officers and members, the project also shows how a culture policy can be used as a workforce and skills lever rather than a discretionary nice to have. Each year, paid placements on Old Vic productions will be offered to young people aged between 18 to 30 year olds from underrepresented backgrounds. They’ll also receive mentoring, employability training and peer‑learning pathways that feed into the wider creative industries. Lambeth Council estimates its Future Workspace Fund has so far unlocked £21m of match funding, supported 1,600 jobs, 665 businesses and delivered 77,000 square feet of workspace across organisations like 198 Gallery, ASC, Rambert and now The Old Vic. Taken together, we can see how culture is a primary delivery tool for the borough’s Growth Plan.

Backstage is being framed by Lambeth Council and City Hall as a “landmark moment.” In essence they see it as a template for people‑centred, community‑led and environmentally sustainable growth that other boroughs could adapt. If the model works, it strengthens the case for similar council‑backed cultural workspaces. In a climate of tight budgets and contested priorities, Backstage offers a quiet, yet radical proposition namely that an extension to a 200‑year‑old theatre can double as front‑line infrastructure for skills, inclusion and green growth.

Find out more here - https://www.oldvictheatre.com/backstage

CITY PALETTE

Palestine | Through the Cinematic Lens

Until November 28, you have a rare opportunity to step beyond the headlines and into the heart of Palestinian life, as the London Palestine Film Festival is in town. Screenings are taking place across iconic venues like the Barbican, ICA, and Curzon Soho. They offer vibrant, urgent conversations about culture, identity, and resilience. You’re invited to immerse yourself in stories that challenge, enlighten, and ultimately, connect us. Through this we can take a cinematic journey that is as much about art as it is about activism.

Prepare to be moved by a programme pulsing with purpose. The Festival offers the powerfully blended documentary-drama, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which chronicles the last conversation of a six-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza. Her story reverberated right around the world. You can also catch The Mission, a harrowing documentary following a British-Iraqi surgeon on a humanitarian mission to Gaza. Or, you can delve into the archives with Kamal Aljafari's With Hasan in Gaza, which takes you on a search for a prison mate from 1989 that becomes a meditation on memory and erasure. This year's selection is a testament to the power of film to bear witness via a deeply human lens on harsh political realities.

Yet again, this Festival is essential because it takes the role as a cultural meeting point. Beyond the screenings, you can dive into masterclasses, Q&As with directors, book launches, and workshops that bridge the gap between watching a film and taking part in a movement. For the first time, the Festival is also expanding beyond London, with screenings in Liverpool. This is a sign of its growing importance in the UK's cultural landscape. Use this space to engage, learn, and connect with the stories and the storytellers shaping the narrative of Palestine today.

Our world is saturated with fleeting and distracting digital content. If you want to have a more meaningful experience, the London Palestine Film Festival offers something more profound. Take this chance to sit in a darkened room and share a collective experience of cinema that matters. It’s an invitation to listen, to feel, and to see Palestine through the eyes of its most creative minds. This is a cinematic event you won't want to miss.

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

Roses of Light | Grief into Glow

Amidst the festive frenzy of flashing lights and Christmas markets, there’s a quiet corner of Chelsea that offers you a different kind of glow. For the next month until December 16, the Duke of York Square has been transformed into the Ever After Garden, a breathtaking sea of over 30,000 illuminated white roses. This beautifully curated space is a sanctuary for reflection that feels both magical and profoundly moving. For the first time, this beloved installation has moved from Mayfair to light up Chelsea. This is a peaceful space where you can pause, remember, and feel connected to something truly special.

As you spend time here you’ll see the beauty of this art installation and how it’s a garden with a heart. Conceived by designer Anya Hindmarch and fashion writer Camilla Morton, the Garden was born from a desire to create a stunning space to remember lost loved ones. Each of the thousands of glowing roses can be dedicated to someone special, with all donations supporting the life-saving work of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Since its debut in 2019, this incredible project has raised over £1.2 million. The money has been used to fund vital cancer research and care that has an impact far beyond the hospital's doors.

Visiting the Ever After Garden is an experience in itself. It’s open daily from 3 pm to 9 pm, however, the garden truly comes alive as night falls. The delicate white roses cast a soft, ethereal light across the Square. It’s completely free to enter and you can wander through the glowing pathways. If you feel moved you can dedicate a rose while you’re there or do it online. There’s an inviting shared sense of purpose here, visitors have a quiet understanding that they are there to honour a memory. This sentiment creates a powerful feeling of community and hope.

Instead of trying to craft a peaceful moment in our city that nevers stops, the Ever After Garden offers you a soothing solution. Take time to explore this precious find. Step away from the holiday rush and your daily pressures to find a moment of quiet contemplation. At the same time, you’re contributing to a cause that touches so many lives. The Garden is a beacon of love and remembrance that shines brightly in the winter darkness. Make sure to visit before it disappears on December 16, it’s an experience that will stay with you long after the roses have faded.

Find out more here - https://www.royalmarsden.org

UNDISCOVERED GEMS

Eat Your Coffee Cup

You know that feeling when you finish a great coffee and wish there was just a little something more? Well, tucked away near Tottenham Court Road, a stylish Cypriot-born café called Ovis has answered your prayers with a creation that’s currently breaking the internet, the Cookie Cloud Cup. For just £6, you can get your hands on a dessert that’s not only delicious but entirely edible. This offering turns your daily caffeine hit into a zero-waste, Instagrammable experience that’s as smart as it is sweet.

This magical treat is a crunchy wafer cup, which is reminiscent of the perfect ice cream cone. It’s filled to the brim with luscious layers of creamy mascarpone, a splash of rich coffee, and your choice of indulgent flavour. The current menu features dreamy options like classic tiramisu, nutty pistachio, autumnal pumpkin, and the vibrant, purple-hued ube. Each cup is then crowned with a swirl of whipped cream and a final flavourful drizzle, making it a feast for the eyes before it even reaches your lips.

Beyond being a feast for the eyes, the real genius here is in the experience. You can scoop out the decadent, coffee-infused cream before enjoying the satisfying crunch of the cup itself. There’s no paper, no plastic, just pure, unadulterated enjoyment. It’s a concept that feels both very playful and thoughtfully sustainable. Together, this rare combination creates much more than just a viral trend. Here’s your little moment of joy, freshly made to order, that perfectly captures the innovative spirit of our food scene.

If you’re ready to taste the future of dessert, make your way to Ovis and prepare to be charmed. While the pistachio and tiramisu are fan favourites, you really can’t go wrong with any of these delightful creations. London is full of culinary wonders, yet the Cookie Cloud Cup stands out as a true undiscovered gem. A simple idea, executed perfectly, that will have you wondering why all cups can't be this delicious.

Find out more here - https://www.oviscoffees.co.uk/about-us

LONDON BUZZ

The Nurse Who Went Viral by Simply Smiling at Buses

London is known for chasing the next big thing. However, the most talked about star right now is a woman who found magic in the mundane. Bemi Orojuogun, known to her legions of fans as Bus Aunty, just won TikTok's Video of the Year Award for doing something so simple, namely smiling in front of our iconic red buses. Her victory isn't just a win for a viral video, it's a celebration of the pure, unscripted joy that defines the spirit of our city. Bemi proves that sometimes the best cultural events aren't on a stage, but on a street corner.

Bemi’s presence is more than a fleeting internet moment. Bemi, who also works as a dedicated mental health nurse, began creating her videos as a love letter to the city and its bus drivers, who she credits for getting her to work during the pandemic. Her winning video, a silent, joyful clip, has been viewed nearly 50 million times, catapulting her to online stardom with almost 300,000 followers. This outpouring of affection has led to collaborations with global brands like Burberry and Ikea, proving that authenticity is a currency that even the biggest names in fashion and design want to be a part of.

We’re all familiar with the idea of content but her win signals a powerful shift. It’s a testament to the fact that you don't need a slick production team or a controversial gimmick to connect with millions of people. In our cynical digital world, her account is a vibrant hub of positivity. She reminds us that there's an enormous appetite for content that simply makes you feel good. Bemi is resetting culture. As a creator in her 50s, who shares moments of pure appreciation, she proves you can cut through the noise and become one of the UK's most beloved online personalities.

Ultimately, Bemi’s award feels like a collective win for London. We’re living through a time when we're all craving more connection. In between her shifts as a mental health nurse, Bemi has become our unofficial cheerleader, by dispensing doses of happiness to millions of screens. She set out to show London in a favourable light, and in doing so, she became the light herself. The "Bus Aunty" reminds us that the most profound cultural moments are often the ones that reflect our own everyday lives back at us, with a great big smile.

LONDON SOUNDSCAPE

Electric Brixton - November 23

Are 90s and 00s slow jams your love language? If so, this is your night. Grammy‑nominated R&B King, Eric Benét brings that honeyed tenor and grown up romance to an intimate, one night only London show. You can expect him to draw from classics like A Day in the Life plus newer duets and deep cuts. The night will be filled with silky ballads, mid‑tempo grooves and singalong favourites like Spend My Life With You in a room full of fellow soul lovers. This is a perfect Sunday date night.

Book tickets here - https://www.electricbrixton.uk.com

Green Note - November 23

Do you dream of slipping into Rio without leaving London? Mario Bakuna opens the door for you! In Green Note’s cosy Basement Bar, Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Mario pays intimate tribute to João Gilberto, the Father of Bossa Nova, with fluid guitar, soft swing and that gentle, off beat pulse that feels like warm air on your skin. For less than £15, you’ll get candlelit sophistication of samba, jazz and bossa classics reimagined. Be in the room made for lingering over a glass of wine and letting the rhythm wash over you.

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

HERE At Outernet - November 23

When a jazz night is billed as the finale of the EFG London Jazz Festival, you know you’re in for something special. At HERE at Outernet, London-born saxophonist and bandleader Nubya Garcia brings her luminous, Caribbean infused sound of dub, soul, broken beat and spiritual jazz, to a full scale live show. You’ll experience her sounds as both modern and timeless. Nubya will wrap you in deep grooves and soaring tenor lines. This is the type of show that will have you buzzing all the way home.

Book tickets here - https://hereldn.com

93 Feet East - November 26

If the opening chords of Brown Sugar still do something to your shoulders, this night is built for you. At 93 Feet East, ThisChord x Eddie’s House go deep into D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar and Voodoo era. Alongside a full live band, rich arrangements and a rotating cast of serious UK vocalists they’ll be honouring the groove, not copying it. You’ll get stories, improvisation and space to really listen in a room full of true neo‑soul heads. Soak in the communion.

Book tickets here - https://www.93feeteast.co.uk

Pizza Express Holborn - November 29

Is your idea of bliss a small room, a tight band and a groove that just won’t quit? Head to Pizza Express Live Holborn, as your prayers are answered. Brixton-born harmonica hero Errol Linton serves up blues with a reggae lilt and jazz twists. His style of Black British roots music slides effortlessly from Mississippi juke joint to Brixton shebeen. This is your need to be shaking your thing with a crowd who really listen to live music.

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

Royal Albert Hall - November 22

Step away from the tv and put yourself inside that Jools Holland New Year’s Eve feeling. He’s ready to entertain you at the Royal Albert Hall, with his full Rhythm & Blues Orchestra of all brass, swing and boogie. Jools will be joined by Imelda May who brings her smoky, soulful edge to the night. Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka add those spine tingling gospel and soul vocals that will lift the whole Hall. If you fancy a big, glamorous, singalong night out, this is your golden ticket.

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

Soul Mama - November 22 and 25

Some nights are for sitting still but this one is for surrendering to the groove. At Stratford’s Soul Mama you’ll feel Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Orchestra turn the room into a joyful, horn filled, call and response dance floor. With deep Fela Kuti roots, punchy jazz horns, hypnotic Nigerian rhythms and Dele’s magnetic keys and vocals, this is Afrobeat at its most authentic and uplifting. If you love warm, feel good nights with serious musical pedigree, this is the one to dress up and dance for.

No doubt, Angie Stone’s voice has been part of your personal soundtrack, so this is the night to lean all the way in. Soul Mama’s longtime friend, co-writer and backing vocalist Juanita Wynn steps forward to tell the stories behind the songs as well as sing them. From studio memories to the faith and grit that powered Angie’s neo‑soul anthems, you’ll get a testimony. Enjoy this tribute and serious vocals in an intimate, supper club setting that feels like a love letter, not just a night out.

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

Southbank Centre - November 23

Some concerts promise a great show, however, this one promises to stay with you. At Queen Elizabeth Hall, you’ll hear Grammy-winning Malian icon Oumou Sangaré the legendary Songbird of Wassoulou. She’ll be wrapped in the lush power of the BBC Concert Orchestra, as West African rhythms meet sweeping orchestral colour in a signature EFG London Jazz Festival collaboration curated by the Aga Khan Music Awards. If you love soul, jazz, global sounds and big, emotional live moments, this is exactly the kind of show you book and savour.

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

BUSINESS SCENE

Culture on Tap | House of MOBO

For two years, the old Paxton pub in Gipsy Hill was just another boarded up ghost on the high street, a casualty of a struggling industry. But at the end of this month, it reopens as the House of MOBO. You can expect more than a new sign and white-washed walls. Think of it more as a calculated business experiment that asks, What if the most profitable thing a pub can sell isn't beer, but culture? Imagine that a key question like this could pivot an industry where nearly 400 pubs close, every year. MOBO Founder Kanya King CBE and the 200 year old pub giant Greene King are betting that a venue by and for the community isn’t just good PR. They see it as a smarter, more resilient economic model.

Greene King hasn't just handed over the keys, they've backed this venture with a major refurbishment investment. On the other hand, MOBO takes full creative and operational control. Together, they’ve established a creative partnership based on a multi-pronged revenue strategy. The House of MOBO will function as the year-long headquarters for the MOBO Awards' 30th anniversary, guaranteeing a pipeline of ticketed live gigs, exclusive events, and a dining experience that will draw crowds. More importantly, through the MOBOLISE career platform, the pub becomes a direct engine for local employment. This version of the Future of Work, creates a trained, invested workforce that reflects the 24% of Gipsy Hill residents who identify as Black African or Caribbean.

This is where the strategy gets really interesting because of its blend of community impact with financial return. Research from Pub is The Hub shows that for every £1 invested in community-focused pub services, it generates an estimated £8 in social value. That's an 800% return in local well-being, cohesion, and economic development. By creating a dedicated home for Black culture in a neighbourhood that was crying out for it, Greene King and MOBO are tapping into an underserved market. It’s a classic business principle. Find a gap in the market and create a product that speaks directly to it. Here, the product is a sense of belonging, and the profit is woven into the fabric of the community.

Does this innovative model have legs beyond the anniversary year? If the House of MOBO can sustain its buzz and balance cultural authenticity with commercial success, it offers a powerful blueprint for the future of British hospitality. It suggests that for a pub to survive, it needs to be more than just a place to drink, it needs to be a platform. This venture is a bold gamble that the most valuable real estate isn't just property, but the culture you build inside it. Now, we watch to see if the rest of the industry is taking notes.

Find out more here - https://houseofmobo.com

LINGUISTIC TAPESTRY - WORDS OF THE WEEK 

English Word:
Ignominy
Pronunciation: /IG-nuh-min-ee/
Definition:  A state of deep shame, humiliation or public disgrace, especially when someone’s reputation or good name has been badly damaged by their actions or by a humiliating situation.
Cultural Note: Used in formal and literary English, ignominy often describes falls from grace like a politician resigning in scandal, a team suffering a crushing, embarrassing defeat, or a public figure exposed in hypocrisy.

Igbo Word:
Ị́lụ (Ìlụ)
Pronunciation: /EE-loo/
Definition:  A layered concept meaning proverb on the surface, but more deeply it’s about compressed wisdom. A short, vivid saying that carries ancestral experience, ethical guidance, and social commentary in just a few words.
Cultural Note: In Igbo culture, ị́lụ are described as the “palm oil with which words are eaten,” signalling that eloquent speech is incomplete without them. They are used in councils, family meetings and everyday conversation to teach, correct, persuade and preserve memory. They turn ordinary dialogue into a vessel for philosophy and history.

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