The Vault

Find articles from previous issues in our archives

The Soloist depicts the unlikely relationship between Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Fox), a tramp who happens to be an exceptionally gifted musician and Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr), a L.A. columnist in need of a good story. Lopez is at first self-interested, feeding off Ayers struggles with mental illness and his past as a [...]

Catch a Vibe caught up with Portobello Nu-Jazz Festival organiser, Leroy Smith, ahead of this year’s edition, which has exceptionally shrunk into a one-night-only but still very promising event.

FairEssential aims to take African & Caribbean food out of the markets and corner shops to bring it to lovers of fine food. Joanne Crossley, founder and director of FairEssentials tells us more about her thriving business.

CAV: Can you give the readers some background information about yourself?
Joanne Crossley of FairEssentials: I was born in [...]

Debut novelist Brian Chikwava has an approach to the complex issues around Zimbabwe that is grittier, nuanced, and ultimately more honest and brave than many writers tackling the subject of political exile.

As season five of the Untold Collective reaches its climax at London Fashion Week 2009, Catch a Vibe explores a story steeped in diversity.

‘Untold gives up and coming designers and creatives an opportunity to be visible in the fashion arena,’ claims founder and designer Maame Baryeh. It offers them a platform with which to step their fashion-savvy feet through the door – onto the other side.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, the BFI have put together a season of films which influenced, or were influenced by, this often overlooked masterpiece. Lee is perhaps the best-known black film director, and in a career full of controversy, his 1989 feature remains one of the most controversial [...]

In the midst of bustling Islington lies the Barrio North. Self-described as a ‘ghetto street bar’, this oasis of cool remains a hideout for an eclectic number of people – artists, the after work crew and those that enjoy the laid back vibe and Mexican street food-inspired bites like the tasty Dips n Tings. Lounge [...]

Rex Obano is the playwright and actor who over the next few months will be frequently appearing on the London stage. As an actor he is part of the cast for Death and the Kings Horseman which opens at the National Theatre on the 1st April and as a playwright, his play The Day After [...]

A Brazilian favela with a Hoxton make over. Imagine random objects hanging from the ceiling, coupled with wooden boarding covered  with graffiti art and a cool mix of skaters, graffers and hip-hop heads, and you have Favela Chic. This popular bar combines the  energy of a club with a menu to rival any Brazilian restaurant [...]

Taking up a space alongside the shadow of The White Cube Gallery on Hoxton Square, Bluu bar isn’t attention grabbing like its surrounding neighbours, but once inside it’s the laid back vibe and cosy atmosphere that warm to you. The clientele of after work couples cosy up in sofas under the dim lighting while small [...]

If the Rio de Janeiro carnival escaped you this year, never fear, its spirit is embodied in perhaps the best late night Brazilian venue in London. Whether it’s a catch up with a group of work mates midweek or a full on Saturday night, Guanabara delivers all that we love about Brazil. At the bar [...]

St John’s Hill is a slice of village life a mere 200m from the onslaught of commuter hell that is Clapham Junction station. Nestled along a neat row of independent shops and restaurants, ACE brings a melange of African, Caribbean and English fare to an area representing cuisine from across the globe. It’s cute and [...]

A slice of 1950s American Harlem in London, Harlem is a small bar beneath a restaurant sharing the same name serving American soul food. You descend into a dark cove-like bar with a scattering of soft chairs against walls covered in old skool era  posters of bands and singers. The drinks are expensive but varied, [...]

It was with great expectations that I made the bookings to Iroko Gastro-pub & grill: the venue looked quite glam and the menu, with its mix of Nigerian, Ghanaian and Portuguese food, was rather appealing.
Pushing the doors of the venue, my friends and I were pleasantly surprised. Spread on  2 floors Iroko is decorated with [...]

The ongoing docklands development seems to have bypassed Canning Town; it’s still the grimy, industrial town most people associate it with. Along the Barking road lies Club Afrique, unassuming from the outside. The venue opens on a small bar area, which is nothing more than a drinking den for the locals. A small kitchen beyond [...]

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