Reimagined | Where Old Forms Ignite

Quote of the Week - “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”- Milton Berle

Good Afternoon, London. In this edition of The London Palette, ordinary spaces spark extraordinary reinvention. You can enter libraries that have morphed into clay-filled living rooms. Or, stroll along the docks to witness the glow of a dreamscape gallery. As Chinese New Year approaches, head to Kew Gardens to hear the whispers of Orchid dragons. After your eyes have feasted on the tribute to Chinese biodiversity, take the tube to Barcelona via Soho to sample Medittarean flavours of fast casual dining. And, as winter slowly loosens its grip, this week's English word Shantung celebrates textured elegance in fabric and life.

Snatched highlights from this edition:

1. Royal Academy Art Call | Beat the 18K Deadline

2. Dock of Dreams | Canary Wharf's Light Show Turns 10

3. Living Room Libraries | Richmond's Radical Experiment

4. Live Music - Daniel Thomas, Selina Albright & lots more!

Let’s dive in.

—Bybreen Samuels

COUNCIL CANVAS

Living Room Libraries | Richmond's Radical Experiment

Wander into Orleans House Gallery this month and you'll encounter clay structures, ball pits, and makeshift archives. The collection amounts to the tangible results of Richmond Council's partnership with RESOLVE Collective, featuring Tending to the Centres. At the heart of it lies the question, what if libraries became living community archives instead of book repositories? An engaging question given society’s pulse towards connection.

The joint exhibition emerges from Library Logs workshops at Ham, East Sheen, and Whitton Libraries, where RESOLVE invited locals to imagine themselves as libraries. They were asked, what memories and experiences would you lend? To help answer these questions curators installed mini ball pits, mapped inspiration sources, and excavated institutional memory. By no means are these whimsical exercises. Instead they're policy labs testing how councils transform libraries into cultural hubs that connect communities and change lives.

This is a pressing undertaking because our libraries face existential crisis. Funding for the arts plummeted 18% between 2010-2023. Havering closed three libraries in March 2025, Birmingham reduced hours by 30%, and Newham faceda 50% cuts. Yet Richmond secured £117,354 from the Arts Council England's Museum Renewal Fund in October 2025. It’s one of 75 civic museums that are bolstering stability. Councillor John Coombs' Cultural Commissioning Fund adds another grant of £3,000, allowing libraries to become experimental spaces.

The law says councils must provide good libraries, but most councils are running out of money. Instead of seeing libraries as just buildings with limits, Richmond is trying to see them as hubs that connect people. The Tending the Centres initiative argues that we shouldn't just let libraries close; we should transform them into welcoming living rooms for the whole neighbourhood. This experimental exhibition ends on May 6 2026. Head to Richmond to sample what’s on offer.

CITY PALETTE

Kew's Orchid Dragons | China's Biodiversity Blooms

If you’re looking to escape the grey chill of winter, then head into the Princess of Wales Conservatory this month. From February 7 to March 8, you’ll find yourself transported into a vibrant tribute to Chinese biodiversity as Kew Gardens celebrates three decades of its iconic Orchid Festival. Your journey begins under a snake archway, which is a final nod to the departing zodiac of 2025. You’ll weave through a landscape of horticultural wonders like giant dragons sculpted from lotus seeds and floral pandas tucked among the greenery. They’re joined by shimmering koi carp, crafted from golden gingko leaves.

At the heart of the display, you'll encounter over 1,700 orchid species. The ideas for many of them have traveled from Yunnan, China’s hugely diverse epicentre. It’s a region that holds nearly 10% of the world’s plant species. As you admire the breathtaking sight of delicate blooms, you’re also witnessing what Kew calls "scientific diplomacy." While it’s easy to get lost in the beauty and the scents, you’ll soon realise this isn't just a show, it’s more of a rescue mission. Kew diligently works alongside Chinese institutes to protect these plants from illegal poaching.

So if you want to see the conservatory in a different light, book your timed entry directly with Kew Gardens before March 8. These evening sessions allow you to grab a drink, enjoy the atmosphere, and confront the reality behind the beauty. There’s an urgent need to protect more than 30,000 native plants currently facing environmental threats. Also, if tranquility is what you’re after then book for one of the Quiet Sessions that take place on Monday. Enjoy the orchids in a more peaceful and accessible environment.

As you finish your walk, you’ll exit through the Horse Gate, a symbol of officially welcoming the Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse on February 17. This new year sets the tone for bold momentum and optimism. As you step back out into the London streets, you’ll carry a final thought from the orchids. True prosperity isn't found in a perfect Instagram post, but in our commitment to tending the wild world that remains.

Book tickets here - https://www.kew.org

Dock of Dreams | Canary Wharf's Light Show Turns 10

Carrying the weight of the January blues? To lighten the load you can head to the docks between January 20–31. Canary Wharf marks its tenth anniversary of transforming its steel and glass financial district into a kaleidoscopic outdoor gallery. Under this year’s theme, Dreamscape, you can stroll through 16 surreal installations that turn corporate towers into portals and mirages, every night between 5–10 pm.

The 2 hour trail from Westferry Circus to the newly opened Eden Dock, provides the gateway into a 20 metre illuminated crater designed to stop you in your tracks. With world class art like Janis Petersons' "Sol," the financial heartland proves this isn't just decoration, it’s the UK’s largest free outdoor art collection.

While you’re enjoying the glow, you’re also standing in the middle of a massive economic experiment. Since the beginning of this initiative, Canary Wharf has used public art to boost the local economy. The Canary Wharf Group now houses over 70 pieces, making it the UK's largest free outdoor collection. For a borough like Tower Hamlets, these festivals aren't just frivolity, they are part of a regeneration story that has turned a previously declining dockland into a hub for 120,000 jobs.

Ready to light up your January? If so, you don’t need a ticket to take in this slice of city art, just show up. Once you come out of Canary Wharf station, you’ll see the trail is fully accessible, and stewards are on hand to point you toward the most picturesque spots you can capture to feed social media. To avoid the larger crowds try to visit on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. And take advantage of the 20% dining discounts offered by local restaurants. For those of who want the stories behind the art, join a guided tour on either January 21 or 26 at 6pm at the Information Point, outside the Jubilee Line entrance.

Find out more here - https://canarywharf.com/winter-lights

2026's Real Issue? Not Ambition It's Timing

You don’t lack ideas.
You don’t lack discipline.
You lack clarity on when to move.

Most people charge into January because “new year, new you” says it’s time. But if you’ve ever launched something that stalled, don’t take it personally. You were probably acting in a prep season, not a peak one.

Zodiacal Releasing is an ancient astrological timing technique that divides your year into prep, peak and completion phases based on your birth chart. Suddenly, past years make sense. The heavy ones were mistimed, and the effortless ones were true peak periods.

In the 2026 Astrology Peak Period Power Hour, we use your chart to map launches, career pivots or reinventions onto your personal timing windows. So you stop guessing and start moving with precision.

No more launching on vibes. Just intentional timing for your smartest year yet.

Book your 2026 Astrology Peak Period Power Hour here:
stan.store/BybreenSamuels

UNDISCOVERED GEMS

Uber Sunday Ritual Returns as News Becomes Theatre

Forget scrolling through news on your phone, you're about to sink into plush Chesterfields and witness journalism transform into living theatre at Sunday Papers Live's. The next edition is February 1. B&H Buildings in Clerkenwell becomes the city's cosiest living room for this sell-out sensation, where every broadsheet section springs off the page through podcast style talks, live music, and witty banter. All of this is led by Observer journalists, poets, comedians and cultural critics. Jon Snow calls it "lively, engaging, provoking," while Mos Def deems it "smart, cool, just beautiful." This is high praise for an event reimagining Sunday's sacred rituals as communal joy.​

​You'll experience eight newspaper sections embodied through eclectic performances. Think deep dives into politics colliding with raucous pub quizzes, interactive crosswords acted out in charades, and craft sessions for hands on creativity. The lineup remains a closely guarded secret until a few days before. Expect Bloody Marys courtesy of Bourne & Hollingsworth flowing freely, with a legendary Sunday roast carvery fueling conversations. The house band weaves in music between all of the talks. All of this is designed to replicate that perfect lazy, Sunday at home feeling, minus the guilt.

​This multi-storey Clerkenwell townhouse transforms into your personal Sunday sanctuary, complete with open fires, oversized pillows and mountains of actual newspapers. You can even bring your slippers or pets. The partnership with The Observer means complimentary tickets for subscribers, while general admission runs between 12:30pm-6:00pm. This gives you enough time to graze, lounge, debate and discover at your own pace. Time Out crowned it "100 percent quality, Grade-A downtime," and Jon Ronson praised its "mix of traditional Britishness and non-traditional oddness that London does so well."

Sunday Papers Lives proves the best Sundays aren't spent alone with newsprint, but gathered in velvet-draped public living rooms with curious strangers. A place where ideas ignite and roast dinners cement new friendships. Will you trade your couch for their chesterfields this February?

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

LONDON BUZZ

Royal Academy Art Call | Submit Before 18K Lockout

The Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition is calling you to submit your art. The clock's ticking faster than you think. Ryan Gander RA launched the open call on January 7, and while February 11 feels like breathing room, it's really not. Here's the thing, The RA caps submissions at 18,000 artists, and once that portal fills up, it’s closed. Forever. If 18,000 artists submit before the closing date, you're locked out. It's a brilliant, yet brutal scarcity move for the world's oldest open submission show, running since 1769. This year’s theme is Interconnectedness. Particularly, unexpected connections between disparate things. Think beyond pretty and quaint. Instead, find ways to showcase intriguing concepts.

In terms of your odds, last year, 11,204 submissions fought for roughly 1,000 gallery spots. That's less than 10% acceptance rate. Digital judges whittle 18,000 down to 4,000 shortlisted, then a committee trims it down even further. Competition is tight, however, Ryan is deliberately courting degree students, recent graduates, and emerging voices. He's democratising access to Europe's last free postgraduate programme, RA Schools, which is entirely funded by accepted artists' prize money. Artist Alison Aye's 21 consecutive rejections since 1993? She wears them proudly now. Accepted artists share whispered wisdom. They suggest you go smaller, bolder, study past exhibitions to absorb the RA's actual DNA.

Interconnectedness isn't code for anything complicated. Ryan’s looking for work that mixes media without apology, and prioritises cognitive punch over gloss. His entire career's been about world-building through absence. He’s looking for work that speaks to what's not there that sparks imagination. In 2026's fractured cultural moment with works like Gilbert & George's Taboos, and the Barbican's Decay, Ryan's betting your work proves "our outputs hold more commonality than separation." That's the real invitation. Submit JPEGs that have a cognitive feel. Don’t forget to copyright your work before submission. Good luck!

Find out more here - https://summer.royalacademy.org.uk

LONDON SOUNDSCAPE

Central Hall Westminster - January 24

Under flickering candlelight, Fleetwood Mac's timeless anthems like Landslide, Rhiannon, and The Chain weave through the air via the masterful Tryst Quartet on January 24. You'll sink into the historic dome's grandeur as strings transform rock riffs into haunting, multi-sensory magic. Experience raw emotion stripped bare without vocals, that have earned Tryst rave reviews for their intimate brilliance and skilled execution.

Book tickets here - https://www.bois

Jamboree - January 17

Surrender to Moroccan Gnawa's hypnotic grooves and sacred trance rhythms at Jamboree on January 17. Gnawa Blues All Stars led by UK Ambassador Simo Lagnawi, a Glastonbury and BBC Proms veteran, fuses West African beats from Mali to India into a global dance sound that ignites your soul. Opener Tilda Gebhardt weaves poetic Lancashire tales into Joni Mitchell-esque piano melodies from her fresh debut Come the Afternoon, priming your heart for the ecstatic fusion. After the show, you'll emerge buzzing from this intimate basement ritual.

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

Morocco Bound - January 23

Let João Gilberto's syncopated guitar whispers transport you to Rio's sunlit beaches. London based Brazilian virtuoso Mario Bakuna, who has been praised by Songlines for "virtuosic fluency" and "palpable feeling" delivers intimate acoustic tributes to Bossa Nova's father alongside originals blending samba jazz sophistication. Mario is fresh from sell-out gigs across Europe. His solo guitar and vocal ritual promises breezy chords, lush harmonies, and pure musical bliss.

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

Pizza Express Live Holborn - January 16 and 22

Ever laughed so hard at a show you forgot to breathe, only to catch your soul mid-note? That's what Daniel Thomas offers you on January 16. He’s ready to blend funk, gospel, and soul with scathing wit and self-deprecating tales from his 30 years of backing Luther Vandross, Cher, and Gregory Porter. You'll groove to his keys, choir mastery, and raw reflections proving music has the power to heal everyone.

Let Latin fire dance across soulful strings as Selina Albright pairs her velvet vocals with Bryan Lubeck's guitar wizardry. She’ll melt you with her Los Angeles sultriness that reminds you of Whitney's power laced with Ella's jazz finesse. While Bryan's flamenco flair, honed alongside Mindi Abair and Rick Braun, weaves urban grooves into romantic heat. Expect intimate ballads that pierce the heart and high-energy romps blending R&B warmth with Spanish passion.

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

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club - January 13

Steely Dan's sly jazz rock alchemy is reborn in a powerhouse 14 piece big band at Ronnie Scott's. Sink into the intimate Soho glow as Jeremy and Paul Stacey, veterans who've rocked with King Crimson, Noel Gallagher, Sheryl Crow unleash precise, note perfect takes on Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Reelin' In The Years, and deep cuts from Can't Buy A Thrill to Gaucho. Andy Caine's soulful vocals soar over razor sharp horns and Paul's Baxter style guitar excellence. Together, they blend reverence with electric flair that honours the originals' bebop edge and satirical bite.

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

Soul Mama - January 18

Feel the thunderous harmony of Europe's premier gospel voices wash over you like a soulful tidal wave at Soul Mama. London's Community Gospel Choir, the Guinness Book Record breakers who've lit up Glastonbury, Wembley, and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, deliver their signature wall of inspirational sound. Past crowds rave about the euphoric vibes and flawless acoustics. Get ready to be uplifted by Rev Bazil Meade's 40 year legacy.

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

Southwark Cathedral - January 17

Let Southwark Cathedral's ancient stones glow with Justin Timberlake's hits reimagined as London's Sessions Quartet transforms Cry Me a River, Mirrors, and SexyBack into candlelit string magic. Reviewers call them "goosebump-inducing" and "multi-sensory bliss." They’ll entertain you amongst 1,000 flickering flames in this historic riverside gem. You won’t be able to resist their intimate, immersive pop symphonies.

Book tickets here - https://feverup.com/en/london/candlelight

The Jazz Cafe - January 21 and 23

Step into the pulsating heart of Fela Kuti's revolutionary Afrobeat legacy at The Jazz Cafe on January 21. Groove to timeless anthems like Zombie, Beasts of No Nation, and Water No Get Enemy, revived by Fela's former bandmate Bukky Leo & Black Egypt, The Nigerian sax powerhouse mentored by Tony Allen, is now fusing Lagos fire with London's stellar musicians. Your spirit will soar as you honour Fela’s political heat in Camden.

Let Chicago's house heartbeat pulse through as Bassically resurrects Frankie Knuckles' visionary legacy on January 23. Allow yourself to get lost in 100% live renditions of Your Love, Tears, and Baby Wants to Ride. Backed by the Frankie Knuckles Foundation. Raz Olsher's multi-platinum crew earns rave reviews for bringing their old school flames that always packs out dance floors.

Book tickets here - https://thejazzcafelondon.com

BUSINESS SCENE

When Fast Casual Finally Grows Up | Hg Soho Arrives

Soho doesn’t need another salad bowl. It needs a reason to believe fast, casual dining can still evolve. I first came across Honest Greens in Barcelona in 2024, during a birthday treat. I went in for something light and tasty and I wasn’t disappointed. The food was bold, well cooked, with deep and delicious flavours. I definitely tasted the Mediterranean spirit, in every mouthful. It didn’t feel like wellness food. It felt like food that continually invites you to tuck in. That memorstuck. So when Hg Soho quietly opened at 21 St Anne’s Court just before Christmas, I paid attention.

This is Honest Greens’ London debut, bringing a Barcelona model that’s already built a loyal following across Spain and Portugal by doing something deceptively simple. Serving real, seasonal food that looks and tastes like a chef’s secret sauce. This isn’t plant-based theatre or beige wellness branding. Honest Greens is plant-based but not exclusively plants. The plates are packed with real food, costing from around £9 - £12 per bowl. The pricing is deliberate as London’s version of healthy, often means expensive and tasteless.

What makes Soho more than just another opening is who’s backing it. Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread and the investor behind Cava’s rise, has taken a strategic stake via Act III Holdings. Ron has built a career on one persistent question, can quality food be delivered at scale without losing its soul? Panera answered it once. Cava answered it again. Hg Soho is his latest test case. Operationally, the signals are telling. The focus is on having simple walk-in, then order independently via the app and there’s no heavy reliance on third party delivery platforms. In a neighbourhood packed with creatives, freelancers, and flexitarians, Soho offers exactly the kind of data rich environment brands use to refine systems before scaling.

And the timing matters. London’s fast casual dining sector is under pressure. Independent operators juggle tight margins, rising costs, and cautious consumers. At the same time, demand for transparency around sourcing, processing, and nutritional clarity, has shifted. It’s no longer a niche concern, it’s now a mainstream expectation. One in five UK diners actively seeks plant-based

options, even if they’re not giving up meat. That creates tension. Ethical sourcing, seasonal menus, and famous chefs sound great. But they’re harder to scale than marketing slogans. The uncomfortable business question isn’t whether diners want to eat well. It’s whether eating well can remain accessible once systems, rents, and labour costs are fully priced in.

Hg Soho doesn’t pretend to have all the answers yet. But its proposition is clear. Combine high quality food, operational discipline, and radical simplicity. By removing ultra-processing and wellness gimmicks, you don’t need to charge luxury prices to deliver trust. Soho is the test kitchen. 2026 will show whether this model can travel across London without losing its edge. Or, whether real food remains another premium experience dressed as progress. Either way, it’s a business worth watching.

Find out more here - https://www.hg.uk/restaurants/soho-en

LINGUISTIC TAPESTRY - WORDS OF THE WEEK 

English Word:
Shantung
Pronunciation: /shan-TUNG/
Definition: A lightweight, plain weave fabric with a distinctive irregular, nubby texture, traditionally made from wild silk. Shantung is characterised by its thick and thin sections, creating an uneven surface that catches light beautifully. Cultural Note: During the mid-20th century, shantung became beloved by Western designers for its tactile richness and casual elegance. It signals understated luxury rather than ostentatious shine.

Yoruba (Nigerian, Benin, Togo) Word:
Àṣẹ
Pronunciation: /AH-sheh/
Definition:  Literally means "vital force" or "spiritual power." Àṣẹ encompasses life energy, blessing, divine authority, and the transformative power that flows through all living things. Ancestors, deities, people, and nature alike. It's the invisible current animating existence.
Cultural Note: In Yoruba cosmology, àṣẹ isn't abstract philosophy. It's the lived experience of agency and blessing. When you greet someone with "Àṣẹ o!" meaning, May àṣẹ be with you!, you're invoking protection, prosperity, and the ancestral power backing their endeavours.

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