Hello October – a month that always remind us it’s time to wrap up warm and vaguely consider what you might like for Christmas – but it’s also when the city crams in the last of the exciting events before the steady wind down towards December 25^th.  So without fail, we’ve got the return of the massive music fest Ether, an intriguing film fest devoted to bicycles, a school-themed Late Night at the National Portrait Gallery, awesome art shows and the arrival of some mighty fine burgers in the West End, for your weekend pleasure.

FRIDAY

ARTS & CULTURE: Streetfest exhibition at Boxpark, 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London E1 6GY

How much: FREE

They say: “The exhibition will tell the story of StreetFest since its 2008 inception through a selection of striking images. The photographs will pay homage to the creative community that comes together every year at StreetFest, showing the world what raw and ground level artistic talent really is. The photographs come courtesy of Wayne Mosser, Takahiro Nakayama, Yoshitaka Kono, Rickford Compton, Ollie Adeboye and Olivia Frayman (The exhibition launch party takes place Thursday night at Boxpark from 6-9pm and is free to attend. Click here to RSVP)

Info: www.facebook.com/boxparkshoreditch

ARTS & CULTURE: Late Shift Extra: Back To The Drawing Board, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE (6-10pm)

How much: FREE

They say: As autumn arrives it’s time to head back to school, collect your timetable and enroll for lessons with a Late Shift twist! The Art curriculum includes life-drawing, painting and tutorials with illustrators Marion Deuchars, Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy. You can also take a Drama class, brush up on your French, have a History lesson or get creative in a Textiles workshop. Plus bring along your smart phone or ipad to take part in the IT class. Pick up a Late Shift tour sketchbook and be inspired by Late Shift Extra’s head boy, artist Stuart Pearson Wright. Hang out in the Tuck Shop for a drink with fellow students, or skip class and head for a gig with The Tiger’s Bride…” National Portrait Gallery

Info: www.npg.org.uk

SATURDAY

MUSIC: Ether Festival, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX

How much: Some free events, others from £12

They say: “Southbank Centre’s annual music festival of innovation, art, technology and cross-arts experimentation, Ether, returns this autumn with one-off collaborations and groundbreaking work”. Ghostpoet (pictured) performs on Saturday, October 6th with producers Soap & Skin.

Info: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk

ARTS & CULTURE: Zeke Clough exhibition + Local Authority with Adam X, Bill Kouligas & Skirt at Rhythm Factory, 16-18 Whitechapel Road  London, Greater London E1 1EW

How much: FREE entry to exhibition (7-9pm), £10 for after party (9-6am)

We say: A revamped Rhythm Factory plays host to a new exhibition from the acclaimed Zeke Clough, whose volatile and psychedelic artwork perfectly compliments the techno after party that follows. But if head-pounding beats aren’t your thing, you can just take a peek at Clough’s new show by e-mailing info@rhythmfactory.co.uk beforehand with ‘Zeke Clough’ in the subject line and the names of people attending.

Info: www.rhythmfactory.co.uk

SUNDAY

ALTERNATIVE: Bicycle Film Festival, Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

How much: From £10.50

They say: “The upward trend of urban cycling across the globe is highlighted in a festival that captures all things cultural about two wheels, including the best in film, music and art” Barbican

Info: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com

EAT & DRINK: Burger Breakout at the Old Crown, 33 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BH

How much: Various

We say: It’d seem the capital’s love affair with American food is far from over, with a former burger pop-up collaborating with a West End gastropub to revamp their menu – and we’ve gotta say, it looks fabulous. Inventive offerings include the Whiskey Beast, the Baa-Baa Bab and the I Don’t Need Your Bull – a burger for veggies that apparently looks, tastes and feels like beef without the, er, bull.

Info: gourmetguy.wordpress.com

For more things to do and see in London, visit The Cultural Exposé at www.theculturalexpose.co.uk

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• stonecold90

  anything going on outside london?

• http://www.facebook.com/melwynfurtado Melwyn Furtado

  Bike festival looks interesting…