The Everyday Makes History

Quote of the Week - “There was such relief in the ordinary.” - Jeff Vander Meer

Good Afternoon London, In this edition of The London Palette, everyday matters are making history. From Bermondsey's award-winning social housing shattering architectural conventions to street art's most secretive icons finally revealing their faces in South Kensington. Across the four main regions of the capital, rules we thought were set in stone are being rewritten. Take Newham, residents are controlling £1.6 million of the council’s budget. Is this the new face of democracy? Browse through vintage treasures in Kensington to see how it’s redefining retail. And, head to Somerset House to explore hip-hop's visual archive. Read on to see where the overlooked becomes unforgettable and the ordinary reshapes the city's future.

Snatched highlights from this edition:

1. Democracy Gets Real in Newham

2. Social Housing Made Architectural History

3. Top Scientists Are Keen to Meet You Over a Pint

4. Live Music - Liane Carroll, BASSNote Collective & lots more!

Let’s dive in.

—Bybreen Samuels

COUNCIL CANVAS

Newham Gave People the Money - Democracy Got Real

You might think council spending decisions are made in fluorescent lit backrooms, buried under mountains of paperwork. But what if the power to decide where millions of pounds go was put directly into your hands? In Newham, that’s not a hypothetical question. The council's People Powered Places programme is a radical experiment in local democracy. Newham is handing over a £1.6 million budget and asking residents to decide exactly how it’s spent in their own neighbourhoods. This could be a positive example of the old Labour Government mantra of “Joined up thinking, problems and solutions.” In that it's a fundamental rewiring of the relationship between a council and its citizens. By turning top-down governance on its head, the council is betting that the people who walk the streets every day are in the best position to decide what their community needs.

The model, known as Participatory Budgeting, is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Here’s how it works. The £1.6 million pot, sourced from a levy on new developments, is divided into £200,000 chunks for each of the borough’s community neighbourhoods. Residents first vote on local priorities on things like improving green spaces, tackling anti-social behaviour, or creating more youth activities. Then, community groups, local organisations, and even individual residents can apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 to bring those priorities to life. The process culminates in The Big Vote, where everyone in the neighbourhood gets to choose which of the shortlisted projects get the green light.

And people are showing up. In the most recent cycle, over 10,000 residents cast their votes. And more than 13,000 have registered on the Newham Co-Create digital platform. This level of engagement is so high that the platform's developer, CitizenLab, hailed it as a world-leading example of participatory democracy, outperforming its 500 other clients globally. The 119 winning projects from the last round reflect the real, on the ground needs of the community. Ranging from mental health peer support groups and community gardens to a Young Entrepreneur's Book Club designed to empower local 15 to 25 year olds.

This initiative doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's a cornerstone of the council’s wider Building a Fairer Newham agenda, which also includes large residentled regeneration schemes like the Carpenters Estate masterplan. By putting residents at the heart of decision-making, Newham is creating a blueprint for how urban development can feel like it’s being done by a community, not just to it. It fosters a sense of ownership and civic pride that traditional consultation processes often fail to achieve. All of this proves that when you give people real power, they use it responsibly and creatively.

Ultimately, the success of People Powered Places isn't just measured in the 300 projects it has funded to date. Its true value lies in the social fabric it weaves. The conversations started between neighbours, the trust rebuilt between residents and the town hall. An affirming message that it sends is about where power truly belongs. It’s a bold declaration that the most valuable asset in any borough isn't its property portfolio, but the collective wisdom of its people.

CITY PALETTE

Street Art's Anonymous Icons Finally Show Their Faces

Street artists have spent decades cultivating anonymity by working under cover of darkness. Or, hiding behind masks and pseudonyms. Now, Danish photographer Søren Solkær is pulling back the curtain with SURFACE, an exhibition opening October 24 at Sussex Mansions. It transforms over 80 of the world's most influential street artists into cinematic subjects. After over 20 years of photographing music icons like Amy Winehouse and Björk, Søren spent three years capturing the elusive makers behind one of the most important contemporary art movements of the 21st century.

Søren stages each photograph with dramatic lighting, props, and masks, positioning artists directly alongside their own work. The transformation of urban walls into hyperreal, narrative-rich scenes, blurs the line between photography, painting, and cinema. You'll encounter legendary UK artists like Sweet Toof and Lucy McLauchlan alongside international icons including Shepard Fairey creator of the Obama "Hope" poster, Invader known for mosaic tile works, Blek le Rat, D*Face, and Lady Aiko. Each large scale portrait reveals the faces and personalities of artists who've deliberately stayed in the shadows while their work reshaped cityscapes across the world.

Following successful global runs, SURFACE makes its London debut at the same Sussex Mansions venue that hosts Banksy's acclaimed exhibition. The experience is accessible to all ages and wheelchair users, with tickets starting at £10 and early bird pricing offering 30% off. Søren's cinematic approach elevates street art from rebellious subculture to fine art photography. Also, it creates a dialogue between artist and environment that celebrates the creativity and influence of a movement that thrives on secrecy.

Our current cultural landscape shows that street art has moved from vandalism to auction houses. SURFACE arrives at the perfect moment to document the pioneers who made that transformation possible. This is your chance to step into a world where urban spaces become film sets that allow anonymity to meet revelation. And where the faces behind the spray cans finally get the cinematic treatment they've long deserved.

Book tickets here - https://feverup.com

When the Camera Becomes a Cultural Archive

Before Instagram made everyone a photographer, Jennie Baptiste was already documenting one of the most influential cultural movements in British history. Rhythm & Roots, now open at Somerset House through to January 4 2026, marks the first major solo exhibition for this pioneering Black British photographer. Her three-decade archive reads like a who's who of hip-hop royalty. It includes The Notorious B.I.G., NAS, Roots Manuva, Ms Dynamite, Estelle, alongside street portraits of everyday icons from 1990s Brixton. Born in London to St. Lucian parents, Jennie turned her lens toward the vibrant music cultures that shaped her, namely dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B. As a result, she’s created a vital visual record that's finally getting the institutional recognition it deserves.

Spanning across the Terrace Rooms, the exhibition traces fashion, music, and youth culture of London's Black British diaspora from the early 1990s to today. You'll encounter Brixton Boyz, Jennie's late 1990s street portraits Dancehall, and her ongoing documentation since 1993. Also, you can view her depiction of Black Chains of Icon, which explores Black identity through layered symbolism. A major highlight is Revolutions @33 1/3 rpm. This is her seminal documentation of London's hip-hop DJ scene, shown for the first time since 1999, complete with original mixes from the DJs she photographed.

Commissioned as part of Somerset House's 25th birthday programme, Rhythm & Roots features an ambitious public programme. There's an exhibition tour with Jennie and curator Kinnari Saraiya on November 6, a free Upgrade Yourself takeover for aspiring creatives aged 18-30 on November 13 featuring zine workshops and DJ sets. Plus a relaxed session on November 28. Entry is pay-what-you-can, so this allows everyone into this crucial conversation about whose stories get archived, celebrated, and remembered.

In an era when Black British culture dominates global fashion, music, and style, Jennie's exhibition arrives as both a celebration and documentation. It’s proof that the culture wasn't imported, but born and innovated right here in London's streets, sound systems, and studios. This is where photography becomes testimony. Where style becomes history. And where three decades of images affirm that the everyday icons Jennie captured weren't just living culture, they were creating it.

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

UNDISCOVERED GEMS

Forget Museums - This Pub Brings Top Scientists to You

While the cultural elite queue for £150 theatre tickets, a different kind of intellectual feast is happening upstairs at the Old King's Head Pub, in Borough. This feast runs on pocket change and curiosity. PubSci, the science-in-the-pub series running since 2011, brings top-tier researchers out of lecture halls and into one of London's most democratic venue, the local pub. You don’t need any specialist knowledge to participate. Just bring yourself and an appetite for discovery.

When the doors open at 6:30pm enjoy happy hour pricing. Then at 7pm sharp you're hearing about everything from the uncertain science of certainty to Shakespearean mathematics. Or, motor neurone disease breakthroughs, to the links between art and particle physics. All of these talks are delivered by actual experts who've left their ivory towers at home. Hosted by science communicator Richard Marshall, each 45 minute talk is followed by Q&A where you can grill the speaker while nursing your pint. or a glass of red. The format is deliberately informal, designed by and for SciComm enthusiasts who wanted events they'd actually want to go to themselves.

Don’t think this is some watered down TED Talk. There’s no affiliation to it. Rather it’s independent and fiercely committed to making STEM accessible without dumbing it down. The Old King's Head is located near London Bridge tube and couldn't be more convenient. And the kitchen serves excellent pub nosh to fuel your intellectual curiosity. Since returning to live events after the pandemic in April 2023, PubSci has built a loyal following of Londoners who've discovered that learning doesn't need museum quality acoustics or theatre seating. Sometimes it just needs a good speaker, engaged listeners, and the warm chaos of a proper pub.

These free events happen on the third Wednesday of each month upstairs at the Old King's Head. However, PubSci operates on a Pay What You Can Afford model with a cash whip-round or optional Eventbrite donation to cover speakers' expenses. Follow their Eventbrite page or sign up to their mailing list to catch the next session, and consider this your invitation to join the Londoners who've realised the best education sometimes comes with a side of chips with vinegar.

Find out more here - https://www.theoldkingshead.uk.com

LONDON BUZZ

Social Housing Just Made Architectural History

Forget the cranes and glass towers because this year's RIBA Stirling Prize just crowned something extraordinary. It’s a vibrant housing complex in Bermondsey designed exclusively for people over 65. Appleby Blue Almshouse proves you don't need soaring heights or sculptural drama to make architectural history. All that’s required is terracotta hallways, a sun-drenched courtyard garden, and what architects call "social corridors" engineered for laughter, conversation, and connection. This triumph marks the first time a social housing scheme has claimed Britain's most prestigious architectural prize in its 29 year history, and the message couldn't be clearer. Exceptional design celebrates people, not just aesthetics.

Built on the site of an abandoned care home by Witherford Watson Mann Architects for United St Saviour's Charity, the award-winning development contains 59 rent capped flats arranged in an elegant U-shape around a sunlit garden with a gentle water feature that creates a woodland oasis in the heart of London. The light-flooded hallways are pure design genius that are fitted with customisable planters and benches. Plus, there are cleverly automated vents that collect warmth in winter to create cosy winter gardens and release it in summer to stay nice and cool. Generous kitchen windows frame uninterrupted views of the courtyard below. While a colourful roof terrace with raised planting beds gracefully accommodates accessibility without sacrificing style or joy. Every thoughtful detail works to banish isolation and keep older people thriving in the communities they love, rather than being pushed to the city's edge.

The judges celebrated it as "a provision of pure delight" and "a clarion call for a new form of housing at a pivotal moment," brilliantly responding to both an acute housing shortage and a growing loneliness epidemic. By reimagining the centuries old almshouse typology with shared spaces at its beating heart, Appleby Blue delivers what jury chair Ingrid Schroder praised as "a hopeful and imaginative response, where residents and the surrounding community are brought together through the transformative nature of the design." The welcoming ground floor community centre opens its doors to non-residents, including young mothers and their children. They can enjoy meetings, classes, and yoga, sparking engaging and fun intergenerational connections that enrich both the building and the broader Southwark neighbourhood.

​We’re living through a time when Britain's demographics are shifting and conversations around ageing too often feel limiting. However, Appleby Blue shatters expectations by making social housing genuinely aspirational and proving that design infused with deep care can transform lives in meaningful, lasting ways. This is architecture that champions connection over isolation and community over institutions. This approach beautifully demonstrates that the best buildings don't just shelter people, they bring them together and help them flourish.

LONDON SOUNDSCAPE

Crazy Coqs - October 30

Claire Martin OBE, hailed by The Times as "world class" and "jazz royalty" by UK Jazz News, returns to her favourite London venue, for the opening night of the Jazz Diva Series. This is a moment to celebrate Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, and Shirley Horn. Claire is joined by pianist Rob Barron's rich stream of musicality. You’ll be treated to Claire’s impeccable technique and emotive storytelling honed through decades performing at Ronnie Scott's, Lincoln Center, and the Algonquin Hotel. Her 2024 album Almost in Your Arms made Jazzwise's Albums of the Year.

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

Pizza Express Jazz Club - October 24, 26 and 31

When a vocalist can command Ronnie Scott's, the Royal Albert Hall, and Glastonbury with equal ease, you know you're witnessing rare talent. British jazz icon Liane Carroll brings her celebrated trio to Pizza Express on Friday, October 24. She joins forces with bassist Liz Garrett and drummer Russell Field for an evening of passionate soul, breathtaking rhythmic intensity, and that infectious good humour. This combination ensures that every one of her performances feels like catching up with an old friend. As a winner of British Jazz and Parliamentary Jazz Awards plus others, Liane blends standards with heartfelt improvisation that showcase her powerful voice and virtuosic piano playing. Don’t miss this captivating show.

Sunday brunch hits differently when gospel harmonies are the main course. On October 26 at 1pm, The BASSnote Collective returns to Pizza Express Live Holborn for their signature gospel brunch as part of Black History Month. They’ll infuse the richness of gospel traditions with a contemporary soulful twist that'll have you singing, dancing, and in your feelings. Enjoy London's freshest gospel choir as they deliver powerhouse renditions of everything from Joyful Joyful and Oh Happy Day to Kirk Franklin's Love Theory. Whether you're there for the food, the vibe, or the soul-stirring vocals, prepare for an uplifting time.

There's something deeply romantic about a duo stripped down to just a voice and guitar. When this happens you experience raw intimacy. On Friday, October 31, Brazilian songstress Daniela Soledade, the queen of classic samba and bossa nova, teams up with nylon-stringed virtuoso Nate Najar for Love & Bossa Nova. You can expect lush, delicate interpretations sung in English and Portuguese that sway between tender beauty and syncopated samba rhythms. These sounds will take you straight to tropical Rio.

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

Southwark Cathedral - October 25

Pop music under vaulted ceilings? Yes, that's exactly the kind of unexpected alchemy that makes Candlelight concerts so irresistible. Southwark Cathedral transforms into an intimate, candlelit sanctuary where the London Sessions Quartet reimagines Justin Timberlake's greatest hits. They’ll take you from Cry Me a River and SexyBack to Mirrors and Can't Stop the Feeling, with their elegant string arrangements. This hour-long multi-sensory experience pairs medieval architecture with modern pop in a way that feels both reverent and joyful. And proves that Justin's melodies have the timeless quality to thrive in an ancient setting.

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

Soul Mama - October 31

National pride meets musical mastery when Dominica's Princess of Song takes the stage. Michele Henderson returns to Soul Mama to celebrate Dominica's 47th Independence Day during Creole Month. She performs alongside a High Commission speech, cultural dance performances, traditional delicacies, and authentic Dominican music. This award-winning vocalist has shared stages with Green Day, Foo Fighters, Chick Corea has and composed CARICOM's official anthem. After selling out last summer's shows, Michelle brings her kaleidoscopic fusion of jazz, zouk, reggae, and calypso for an immersive evening celebrating Caribbean culture. Come dressed in traditional wear.

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

Theatre Royal Stratford - October 25

The 1972 film that brought reggae to the world just got reimagined for the stage. This is your last chance to see The Harder They Come as it closes this Saturday, October 25. You’ll witness the transformation of this cult Jamaican classic into a joyous, vibrant musical adapted by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks. With hits from Jimmy Cliff like You Can Get It If You Really Want and Many Rivers to Cross, this UK premiere follows Ivan's journey from aspiring singer to chart-topping outlaw. Critics call it "An absolute treat with pitch perfect musical numbers.”

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

Toulouse Lautrec - October 25

When the violin starts channeling Havana's streets, you know you're in for something special. Violin virtuoso Omar Puente returns to his Cuban roots with his Charanga Jazz Sextet, bringing fiery Cuban rhythms and smooth Latin-jazz energy to South London. This Sextet with dance in mind, blends original compositions with fresh arrangements of traditional Cuban favourites. The outcome is a fusion of African grooves and modern jazz sophistication. With two shows at 7pm and 9:30pm, you can choose your moment to let the groove transport you straight to the Malecón without leaving Kennington.

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

Union Chapel - October 29

Some saxophonists chase trends but Courtney Pine OBE follows heritage. The British jazz titan brings his award-winning House of Legends project for one night only, to Union Chapel. The Legends come from the Caribbean, Africa and Europe to unite for a multicultural sonic exchange. Listen out for merengue rhythms colliding with ska swagger, mento grooves meeting calypso joy, all filtered through Courtney's masterful saxophone and his proud African-Caribbean roots. You’re in for a night of storytelling through sound.

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

BUSINESS SCENE

Vintage Vendors are Rewriting the Retail Rulebook

What if the future of retail isn't about pristine showrooms and algorithmic recommendations? Then you can explore other options like weathered ceramics on a bustling street and the thrill of discovering a 1960s lampshade that no one else owns. The Big Kensington Vintage Flea Market has quietly become one of London's most intriguing retail experiments. It transforms Phillimore Walk into a monthly gathering of over 30 traders who've turned second-hand into a sophisticated business model. Running on the last Saturday of each month, this free entry street market is proving that consumers increasingly value provenance, sustainability, and the hunt over convenience and newness.

Just steps from Kensington High Street's familiar chain stores, traders arriving from across the UK curate an eclectic mix of mid-century homewares, vintage fashion, and furniture. Collectively, they challenge the throwaway culture that dominates modern retail. You'll find barware and kitchenalia, textiles and fabrics, cameras, record players, cocktail glasses, ceramics, vinyl, mirrors, and more. They’re all focused on quality and affordability rather than expensive replicas. Bring cash and credit cards as vendors accept both of them. This makes the whole idea of vintage accessible to both browsers and serious collectors. Each themed edition from Halloween-inspired cosy finds in October to seasonal transitions in November taps into your emotional and practical desires driving today's conscious consumers.

From a business perspective the market is interesting in its timining and positioning. As high streets struggle with rising costs and shifting consumer habits, The Big Kensington Vintage Flea Market operates with minimal overhead, zero rent burden for visitors, and a model that democratises access to design history. The traders themselves represent a new breed of entrepreneur. They’re curators who've built businesses around extending product lifecycles, and celebrating craftsmanship. By doing so, they offer customers something genuinely unique in an era of mass production. The fact that entry is completely free removes barriers and encourages spontaneous discovery. This turns casual browsers into loyal customers and transforms retail into a social, exploratory experience.

In a retail landscape obsessed with forecasting the next trend, The Big Kensington Vintage Flea Market offers a refreshing counter-narrative. The best business opportunities might lie not in creating something new, but in celebrating and circulating what already exists. If you're a vintage enthusiast, or simply someone who believes style shouldn't cost the earth, head to this month’s market. You’ll see the perfect flow of where commerce meets community. And where the past becomes the most forward-thinking purchase you can make.

Find out more here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk

LINGUISTIC TAPESTRY - WORDS OF THE WEEK 

English Word:
Vesicle
Pronunciation: /ˈvɛsɪkəl/
Definition:  A small fluid-filled sac or blister on the skin, typically less than 5 millimeters in diameter; in biology, a membranous pouch within cells that transports and stores substances.
Cultural Note: Vesicle has dual significance in medicine and cellular biology. In dermatology, vesicles signal conditions ranging from chickenpox and herpes to contact dermatitis. They’re those tiny, telltale blisters that have shaped medical diagnosis for centuries. Inside our cells, vesicles are the unsung heroes of life itself, shuttling proteins, enzymes, and neurotransmitters where they're needed.

Ethiopian Word:
Tera be tera (ተራ በተራ)
Pronunciation: /TEH-rah beh TEH-rah/
Definition:  Step by step, gradually, one thing at a time. Taking things in proper sequence.
Cultural Note: This quintessentially Ethiopian phrase embodies a philosophy of patience and methodical progress deeply embedded in Amharic-speaking communities.

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