
Gloom Aid & 4 More Ways to Cheer Up London
Well January couldn’t get much gloomier in the AB (after Bowie) days and Blue Monday coming up on Monday 18 January. Sadness is healthy but why not have a break with Gloom Aid & 4 more picks to brighten your January in London a little.
1. Gloom Aid – In aid of CALM | 100 Club Oxford St | Mon 18 Jan | £12 adv
A mixture of music, comedy and anything else anyone fancies doing via a set of top comedians, music makers and misfits in aid of C.A.L.M. The gloomiest day of the year is brought to life with a heavenly line up including Nish Kumar, John Shuttleworth (pictured above). All profits raised will go to CALM who do sterling work trying working trying to prevent sale suicide.
Gloom Aid is brought to you by Feeling Gloomy, the world’s first club night devoted to sad music which has been running over 10 years, which has been involved in helping mental health charities since it started. They have been abetted in this endeavour by the Phoenix Fringe.
2. Le Patin Libre | Somerset House, Aldwych | Tues 12-Sat 16 Jan | £15/£12.50
Join contemporary Canadian ice dance sensation at the jaw-dropping environs of Somerset House.
Our highlight of 2016 London International Mime Festival, Nautilus looks to be a madcap, sinful joyride into the world of mime-comedy. Don’t miss!
4. Sex Appeal 5 | Conway Hall | Sat 16 Jan | £20 + bkg fee
This FUN-raiser is in aid of Brooke, the charity that helps young people with issues around sexual health. The massive programme includes Abigoliah Schamaun, David Baddiel, David Mills, Nish Kumar, Richard Herring, Robin Ince, Sara Pascoe, and Shazia Mirza.
5. Cuncrete | Camden People’s Theatre, Euston | Sat 30-Sun 31 Jan | 5.30pm/8.30pm | £12/10
‘A satirical drag eulogy for a world past its use-by-date.’ certainly got our attention and we can’t wait to see what Rachael Clerke has come up with.
Got any more suggestions to beat the gloom? Leave a comment below with your suggestion and we’ll share…

I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.