On The Agenda: Pop artist Gerald Laing; Animated Exeter festival; chef Nuno Mendes; Topshop; Stephen Sondheim; Hosking Houses Trust
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Pop Artist Gerald Laing is probably best known for his seminal 1962 portrait of Brigitte Bardot – but his image is set for an update. Morton Metropolis, a contemporary-art gallery set up by modern-art maven Serena Morton and Amy Winehouse's manager, Raye Cosbert, is launching with an exhibition of the painter's latest works, including prints of Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Winehouse herself, alongside his vintage material. And just as our obsession with celebrity hasn't changed, Laing's work is as of-the-moment as ever. mortonmetropolis.com
Adam Jacques
Kids
If the reception afforded to Disney's delightfully old-fashioned The Princess and the Frog is anything to go by, hand-drawn animation is as popular now as ever – so it's as good a time as any to let your little ones have a go for themselves at this year's Animated Exeter festival. Alongside more than 140 films to see (including the première of The Secret of Kells, from the Belleville Rendezvous team), 11 different classes promise to get the kids involved, from a two-day introduction to the hand-drawn art, to a mini tutorial in stop-motion animation. Until Saturday, animatedexeter.co.uk
AJ
Food
Last year, El Bulli-trained Nuno Mendes invited people into his Dalston flat for a 10-course extravaganza that he used as a "personal test kitchen" for ideas for his next restaurant. New year, new idea: now his pop-up restaurant has become a permanent concern, The Loft Project in east London, and he's inviting a series of guest chefs (including Swedish chef Ola Rudin and his molecular cuisine) to cater to 16 guests at a time. Most of February is sold out, so book now for a supper club sure to challenge the tastebuds. £100 per person, nunomendes.co.uk/loft.html
AJ
Fashion
Put your best fashion-forward foot forward with these fierce stilettos by London's finest, Louise Goldin, for Topshop. They hit stores tomorrow and, judging by the success of Goldin's previous high-street collaborations, are sure to sell out instantly. The spiky-heeled and studded pumps are near-perfect renderings of the shoes that featured in Goldin's autumn/ winter show last September, and she recently won the prestigious Fashion Forward prize, making her one of the hottest properties on the British fashion scene. £150, topshop.com
Harriet Walker
Culture
He's won an Oscar, a boxful of Grammys, a Pulitzer and more Tonys than anyone – and now he's over here. This Wednesday at London's National Theatre, musical-theatre legend Stephen Sondheim will be giving a talk about his illustrious career, covering everything from West Side Story to Sweeney Todd. It's no surprise that advance tickets have sold out – but 20 tickets are being held in reserve for fervent fans who turn up early Wednesday morning. nationaltheatre.org.uk
AJ
Books
Working on a first novel full-time can be a tough financial undertaking – JK Rowling struggled through hers on benefits. Which makes the prospect of becoming artist- in-residence at Stratford-upon-Avon's Hosking Houses Trust more than enticing. Women over 40 can apply for the post, whose perks include a small cottage (all bills taken care of) for a year and a bursary of £750 a month – and all for a measly credit on publication of your magnum opus. Applications close 12 April, hoskinghouses.co.uk
AJ
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