The Revue, March 2021

Having pushed through snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures, we finally find ourselves in March, the official start of spring. With those seemingly endless walks around the block feeling that little bit brighter, we present a selection of treats to be enjoyed at home, for when the comfort of your sofa wins out over the daily trail. This month we stay close to home with a performance at the Barbican and a tour of a remarkable Islington home. Further afield, we get to grips with Tokyo’s food scene and catch a very special photography show in Chelsea, Manhattan. Jump in.

listen: Nubya Garcia Live at the Barbican

Jazz prodigy Nubya Garcia brings her 2020 release Source to the Barbican stage, part of a series of live performances streaming over at the cultural centre’s website. A sell out run at Ronnie Scott’s, numerous awards and a (sadly cancelled) Glastonbury slot have cemented this saxophonist/composer/producer’s position on the busy London jazz scene. An exploratory approach to her sound “Dub reggae, cumbia, afrobeat and neo-soul can all clearly be heard alongside more traditional jazz rhythms.” A very decent night in.

read: The Enduring Legacy of Cowgirl Creamery, The Guardian

“The rockstars of American cheese,” truly a title to be proud of, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith of Cowgirl Creamery are credited with kick-starting not only America’s artisan cheese market, but the farm-to-table movement itself.  Founded in 1997, the duo centred their business around the organic dairies of California’s scenic Marin and Sonoma counties. Spotlighting local, sustainable agriculture, their award-winning products were a universe away from the mass-produced, over-processed cheese that filled America’s supermarket shelves. Raising the bar for producers and sellers across the country, the now retired pair look back over 20 years of really, really good cheese. 

eat: Tokyo Eatrip, Yuri Nomura, Euphoria Factory

With far too much time on our hands, daydreaming about far-flung places has become a regular feature of our day: less a hobby and more a necessity at this point. A destination that sits firmly atop of our post-pandemic trip list is Tokyo. Food, of course, is an absolutely essential part of a visit to the Japanese capital, but with the city’s restaurant scene being quite possibly the best in the world, narrowing down the options can be a tricky task. Here, food coordinator and Tokyo local, Yuri Nomura, steps forward, selecting over 200 essential spots to create a neat overview of the city’s food culture. “From her favourite confectionary shops to Japanese soul food eateries near the Tsukiji market, the selection is as broad as it is extensive.”

visit: Inside Islington’s Straw Bale House, The Modern House

Architect Sarah Wigglesworth and head of Central Saint Martins, Jeremy Till, look back over 20 years in their self-designed, award-winning Islington home, an early experiment in sustainable living. Fresh from a major renovation, their living and work space merges hi-tech with lo, a mishmash of thoughtful elements that results in a softened, homely take on industrial design. With no intention of moving on, Wigglesworth comments: “If you don’t value your environment, you don’t have those relationships with your surroundings. In the summer when the leaves are dappling light into this place, it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s just a beautiful space to live in.”

tour: Gordon Parks: Half and the Whole, Jack Shainman Gallery

One of the very few upsides of culture’s pandemic shut down: virtual tours of faraway exhibitions. New York’s Jack Shainman gallery walks us through an incredible collection of work from legendary photographer, writer and director Gordon Parks. Spanning images from 1942-1970, Parks captures the everyday and the monumental, his incredible eye for composition demonstrating a deep sensitivity to both subject and moment. “Parks uniquely understood the importance of making visible both the triumphs and struggles of African American life.” Step inside. 

product focus: Japanese Bedford Corduroy Five-Pocket Trouser

For denim devotees after a bit of a change, the Bedford cord presents a perfect alternative to the usual blues. Equally versatile and deceptively robust, this five-pocket model mirrors the classic jean form: copper rivets, slanted front pockets and rear patch pockets lending a familiar feel. A slim, straight leg with a higher rise, you have a choice of three colours.