We bring you our guide to living well in the world’s capitals, from exhibitions to cinema, food, drink, fashion, music and beyond. Just call it culture and take it, it’s yours.

LONDON, FRIDAY 23rd MAY – MONDAY 26th MAY 2014

Death and deceit in Byzantinum
Why not start this bank holiday with a spot of cinematic escapism and nail biting tension? The Two Faces of January is a cracking new thriller starring Viggo Mortensen (who appeared in Bruce Weber and Paul Jasmin’s archive story from HERO 10) and Kirsten Dunst, based upon a riveting 1964 novel by Patricia Highsmith. 

The film centres around the exploits of a con artist, his wife and a complete stranger, all of whom flee from Athens after the murder of a police officer. Affable exteriors, slick dialogue and the pleasingly old-fashioned, unhysterical 1960s-set constantly hint at darker secrets, giving way to an increasingly claustrophobic plot which turns dramatically on border hopping, international police chases and paranoia.

Just think of The Talented Mr.Ripley but with a sweaty faced drunken Viggo Mortensen. Campari, anyone?

The Two Faces of January, 1hr 36mins,  in cinemas now

Gimme O.C.D.
Over at the Copperfield Gallery artists Alastair Mackie, David Rickard, Oscar Santillan, Tom Dale, Yun-Kyung Jeong have combined efforts and artworks presenting a show which cleverly reminds us of the repetitions, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours which form the basis of many of our daily lives – often without us even being aware of them.

The show highlight has to be Santillan’s All the Blinks filmic collage series which includes endless screenshots of James Dean taken whenever the actor was shown blinking.  These seemly infinite tessellated works are a feast for the eyes.

(Detail) Oscar Santillan, All the Blinks (2010-2014), inkjet print

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, until June 5th
Copperfield Gallery, 6 Copperfield Street, London, SE1 0EP

What you see is what you get
If you’re up for more colour and visual stimulation this weekend then look no further than to the dazzlingly works of Bernard Frize at the Simon Lee Gallery.

While the art world turned their backs on painting at the height of its supposed obsolescence in the 1970s, Frize concentrated unwaveringly on his chosen practice. The works in his recent show, inspired by a 1986 commission, incorporate the beautiful labyrinthine qualities of his signature, with interweaving psychedelic lines that snake around the canvas. Trippy, dreamy and most importantly legally mood-uplifting.

Bernard Frize: Colour Divides, until 24th June
Simon Lee Gallery, 12 Berkeley St London, W1J 8DT

Come back summer, all is forgiven
It may not be summer quite yet but it hasn’t stopped a plethora of roof level watering holes and eateries cropping up over the past month. Considering the fact there is no Monday morning dread to deal with you could quite safely enjoy a right royal knees up on any given night this weekend. Or afternoon for that matter.

If 360 degree views of London and sunset tunes are your thing then grab a jug of Pimms and settle on top of E8 hideaway Netil House. The unparallelled views won’t be spoiled by swarms of boozers either as doors close at 8pm.

Rockwell House in Shoreditch also offers up incredible city scape panorama views but get there early – it’s a favourite for those in the know especially because of its tented canopy for those humid drizzly nights. Give it a miss if it starts thundering again though…

Netil360, Netil House, London, E8 3RL
Rockwell Rooftop, Rockwell House, 10-14 Hewett Street, London, EC2A 3NN

Monkeys on the loose in Finsbury Park
Get your skates on if you want to grab a last-minute ticket to Arctic Monkeys’ mammoth gig inside North London’s Finsbury Park. They’re being supported by none other than Miles Kane, Tame Impala and newcomers Royal Blood. With 40,000 person capacity it’s sure to be memorable. No luck nabbing a ticket? It’ll be played on XFM at 7pm on Monday (26th May). Or you could stand outside and hope the wind blows the right way.

Arctic Monkeys live at Finsbury Park, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th May
Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road,  London, N4 2DH

Gloves, hammers and bibs are provided
Now for Farrs in Dalston, a major foodie tip-off from the owners of East End favourites The Robin Hood and The Clapton Heart.. This refurbished ex-dance school brings similar culinary delights as its sibling gastropubs – but will delight patrons with something unique, a Hammer & Claw crab feast in the style of a traditional Maryland boil, this Saturday. Expect sacks of steamed potatoes, corn on the cob and crabs dumped onto communal, paper-covered tables. Life’s a feast so go stuff your face.

Farrs, 17-19 Dalston Lane, London, E8 3DF