If last weekend was all about spoiling your your mum, this weekend is all about me-time. For starters try finding inspiration in literature or in nature, getting wild at one of FIVE big parties, losing yourself in the deep groove of Warpaint and checking out Mommy, a new film from acclaimed young director Xavier Dolan.
The festival to find some inspiration…
Folio Fiction Festival @ the British Library, London
from Fri Mar 20
The British Library and incredibly grand sounding Folio Society host the second edition of their festival dedicated to the art of telling a good story. As well as awarding the Folio Prize (nominees include Mariam Toews, Jenny Offill and Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor) there's a weekend of panels on Desire, Conflict, Wit, Inheritence, Betrayal and Endings featuring nominees and a featured lecture from the inspiring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Enjoy the story telling or take notes for your own work.
**The community minded event that will get you outside… **
*Big Dig Day @ Multiple Cities, UK *
Sat Mar 21
If you're more at home outside than buried in a book then The Big Dig weekend is out in cities across the UK this weekend, attempting to get local residents out into their gardens and community spaces . Now taking place in over 40 cities this weekend, they also organise local allotments and community gardens all year round in Birmingham, Brighton, Coventry, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Sheffield and Totnes. Strong boots and fingers that can withstand the cold a must for this one.
**The weekend’s best parties… **
*Jamie xx @ Rainbow Venues, Birmingham *
*Fri Mar 20 *
Kaytranada @ Brixton Academy
*Fri Mar 20 *
***Rustie @ The Arches, Glasgow ***
*Fri Mar 20 *
Bigger than Barry featuring Mistajam, Stormzy & The Square @ The Warehouse Leeds
Sat Mar 21
***Snake Hips @ The Marble Factory, Bristol ***
*Fri Mar 20 *
Although we don’t advocate gardening on a hangover, you may have to as there are so many good clubs going on this Friday (and one on Saturday) wherever you are. Jamie xx (fresh off recording a new essential mix with Four Tet) visits the Rainbow Rooms in Birmingham for the first time, Kaytranada (still gets us) plays the huge Brixton Academy despite mainly making his career on Soundcloud and Rustie plays a bombastic hometown show in support of ‘Green Language’. For those in Leeds, Mistajam presents MOBO and R1 favourite Stormzy (expect this to be in the tracks of the year come December) and in Bristol, Disclosure types Snake Hips headline.
**The film that killed it at festivals…
Mommy
In UK Cinemas from Mar 20
**
A friend who regularly attends film festivals (and therefore ruins cinema hang-outs for the following six months) informed The Debrief in the middle of last year that this new film from the much-praised Canadian director Xavier Dolan is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. Anne Dorval, the Mommy of the title, is a widow taking care of Steve, son with ADHD so extreme he can't remain in institutional care. Suzanne Clement, as a neighbour with a mysterious past completes the story – striking up a sweet, comical (if strange) relationship with them both.
**The band who will bring the summer early… **
Warpaint @ The Institute, Birmingham
Fri Mar 20
*Warpaint @ Albert Hall, Manchester *
Fri Mar 22
Jealous that you're not at SXSW, adorning yourself with the first festival wristbands of the year while enjoying new bands and the Texan sun? Firstly, don't be because all the best people are saying it's not worth going anymore. And secondly, bring some warmth into your life (via LA) and the heady, glowing Warpaint who arrive in the UK with two albums and two languid and beautiful new songs 'No Way Out' and 'I'll Start Believing'. They continue touring into next week visiting, Glasgow (Mar 24), Gateshead (Mar 25) and Hammersmith Apollo in London (Mar 26).
**The place to get a mental spring clean… **
Wax Lyrical, Healthy Body and Mind @ The Brink, Liverpool
Sat Mar 21
Liverpool's first 'dry bar' (no, don’t stop reading) with fresh pressed juices and booze free cocktails, presents a day dedicated to mental well being for people who may be feeling frazzled before spring has even sprung. 'Wax Lyrical' is a market place for health, featuring demonstrations and talks on different aspects of looking after yourself. If you really don't care about your stress levels, they'll also be showing the Man Utd vs Liverpool game on Sunday.
**
**Things To Buy If You're Struggling To Live Between Your House And Your Boyfriend's Houses
How Not To Be A Gym Dick If You're Relatively New To The Whole Thing
Follow Sian on Twitter @SianRowe_
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.