Monday, Monday – typically feels like an uphill battle. However, the month of April brings with it sunny days and a variety of exciting events designed to shake off our winter lethargy.
In addition to this week’s recommendations, we also suggest exploring the Mauritshuis museum’s display of 60 compelling interpretations.
Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’
, and Centre Pompidou’s
celebration of Black artists
in Paris.
After hearing the unfortunate news of
Val Kilmer’s passing
There has never been a more opportune moment to watch (or revisit) some of his timeless masterpieces.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
At number one. By the way, regarding movies, remember that this Thursday brings the reveal of this year’s lineup for the Cannes Film Festival… It’s shaping up to be quite exciting. Stay tuned for our comprehensive coverage.
See you soon, and have a fantastic week ahead!
Exhibitions
José María Velasco: An Perspective on Mexico
Where:
National Gallery (London, UK)
When:
Until 17 August 2025
Viewing a José María Velasco painting is like falling in love with Mexico, as each stroke captures the nation’s breathtaking landscapes and dynamic transformation. This 19th-century Renaissance man gained fame through his landscape art, blending interests in geology, archaeology, and botany (among others) with reflections on burgeoning industrialization. His creations were intensely personal, richly intellectual, and exquisitely detailed explorations of a land that many hadn’t seen before.
truly
Have you ever witnessed such changes, experiencing moments that range from subtle to profound shifts?
In conjunction with the bicentennial celebration of diplomatic ties between Mexico and the United Kingdom, this marks the first exhibit at the National Gallery focusing on a historic Latin American artist.
Inner child
Where:
Opera Gallery (London, UK)
When:
Until 5 May 2025
The growing openness on social media combined with the diminishing stigma surrounding mental health has sparked more conversations about the notion of the inner child—a means for individuals to revisit and address their formative years’ impacts. This concept originated from Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung’s ‘child archetype,’ which celebrates what would be his 150th birthday this year. Two prominent artists delve into this theme in Opera Gallery’s newest exhibit: Yayoi Kusama and the late Niki de Saint Phalle.
In all, 41 pieces of artwork illustrate the lighthearted and quirky nature of childhood, often challenging this innocence. They capture how embracing our inner child exposes a fresh perspective that is simultaneously freeing and complex, with fragmented memories coming back to life. This fusion of creative expression and psychological insight serves as an energetic visual testament to how art aids in self-discovery and healing.
War Child’s Secret 7″ Exhibition in 2025
Where:
NOW Gallery (London, UK)
When:
11 April to 1 June 2025
In preparation for their 2025 exhibit, the charitable organization War Child plans to showcase 700 uniquely crafted record jackets scheduled for auction on June 1, 2025. Notable contributors such as The Cure, Gregory Porter, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Jessie Ware have teamed up with artists like Yinka Ilori, Sir Paul Smith, and Antony Gormley. This exclusive vinyl sale offers enthusiasts a chance to acquire truly singular items while supporting a noble initiative. Adding an intriguing twist, purchasers won’t discover who created their particular album artwork until they make their purchase.
after
the auction ends.
For those who wish merely to observe, the exhibit features a designated section for appreciation.
listening space
Visitors have access to listen to all seven albums along with the complete Secret 7″ collection.
Events
Milan Design Week
Where:
Milan, Italy
When:
7 to 13 April 2025
This year, the globe’s largest design extravaganza seems larger than ever, showcasing a wide array of creations such as eye-catching modular lighting designs by Michael Anastassiades, an exhibit curated by film director Paolo Sorrentino, and a series of sophisticated vases crafted by renowned architects and designers including David Chipperfield and Audrey Large. Although the central focus remains on the Salone del Mobile furniture show, numerous varied happenings are scattered throughout the city, encompassing theater performances, panel discussions, and an interactive display allowing attendees to reside within the gallery space—a welcome idea since we’ll surely require some rest after navigating through all these exhibits.
Barcelona Beer Festival
Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
April 11 – April 13, 2025
Stunning Barcelona and abundant ale? Do we really need to say more?! Conceived by four buddies back in 2012, the BBF has grown into Spain’s biggest craft beer festival. Over 100 breweries worldwide participate in this frothy extravaganza featuring tastings, workshops, discussions, and a camaraderie driven by a collective passion for enjoying fresh drinks during the vibrant springtime atmosphere. Let’s not forget—there are upwards of 600 draft options available (with some rare editions thrown in). To that we toast—and remember to imbibe with care, naturally!
Movies
Drop
Where:
European cinemas
When:
11 April 2025
Have you ever found yourself on a train only to have someone send you an image of a cat wearing sunglasses, making you feel both disturbed and faintly entertained at the same time? Seems like we’re alone here. Now picture this: You’re actually out on a first date, and these messages turn eerily threatening, urging you to harm the person across from you under threat of harming your child and sibling instead. Suddenly, laughter isn’t really part of the equation anymore. That’s the premise behind director Christopher Landon’s newest thriller movie.
Drop
It features Meghann Fahy as Violet, who is out on an elegant date with Henry (Brandon Sklenar) after becoming a widow. However, unsettling and disturbing occurrences begin to happen. This serves as a cautionary tale suggesting you should turn off your phone during viewing—and perhaps be wary of going on dates?
Death of a Unicorn
Where:
European cinemas
When:
Out now
Stay clear of unicorns—especially those with impressively large horns. In this newest offering from A24, Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega play a dad and his daughter who aim to mend their strained bond after inadvertently hitting and killing a unicorn during an accident. It turns out that this creature possesses magical powers capable of curing cancer—a secret known to Rudd’s character’s superior (played by Richard E. Grant in typical form).
Saltburn
The mode) is eager to take advantage of this situation, resulting in horrific outcomes when the creatures fight back. Our critic David Mouriquand commented, “Just from the concept itself, there’s a lot to appreciate about
Death Of A Unicorn
Caricatures of pharmaceutical executives meeting bloody ends while a strained father-daughter relationship mends in the process. It seems like something Roger Corman would have approved of.” However, his liking for it diminished after that.
Check out the complete review here
.
Television
The Last of Us
Where:
HBO
When:
13 April 2025
Following an excruciatingly long two-year gap, the much-anticipated return for young female fans has arrived. In the climactic ending we witnessed previously, members of the rebellious Fireflies group were falling left and right, quite literally like flies. This series is based on the iconic post-apocalyptic video game universe created by Naughty Dog. It unfolds in a desolate world devastated by a fungal infection known as Cordyceps, which turns humans into zombie-like creatures; however, Ellie possesses exceptional resistance to this pathogen. Set four years after the first season’s conclusion, our focus shifts to Ellie embarking on a quest for vengeance along with her partner, Dina (played by Shannon Woodward). Prepare yourself for intense suspense throughout.
heartbreak
and shouting “holy shiitake” at the screen (we hope the book of puns makes a comeback as well).
Music
Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE
When:
11 April 2025
Bon Iver has consistently portrayed transitional phases—those pauses between thoughts, instants, and identities—as we evolve from our past selves into future versions. Coinciding with the arrival of spring, this moment seems serendipitously aligned for their latest release. As gentler revelations emerge from the introspective chill of winter, ‘SABLE, fABLE’ arrives recorded in Justin Vernon’s birthplace of Wisconsin towards the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
last year’s EP release
, which we described as “a painfully beautiful clash of anxiety and transformation.” By employing his signature techniques such as repetitive motifs, resonant echoes, and intricate harmonies, Vernon calmed the turbulent feelings of an era—evident from the previously shared singles like ‘If Only I Could Wait,’ indicating that we’re poised for collective healing once more.
