Upcoming events in London 02.05.07

Big Brother 8 Auditions Reality tv hell that seems to go on forever. If you feel you have what it takes and could stand living 24/7 with some of the dumbest egomaniacs in Britain for a couple months, all to get 15 minutes of fame, here’s your chance to ‘impress’ the producers. It’ll help to get picked if you’re overly loud, completely self-centred and ready to argue at the drop of a hat. Auditions are on 10-11 February from 9am at ExCel London. Nearest station Custom House of the DLR.

Hot Fuzztival Two weeks of police action films to complement the opening of the new British film Hot Fuzz, which takes the guns blazing Hollywood cop movie genre and sets it in rural West Country England. The festival’s on from 3-18 February at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, on The Mall opposite St James’s Park near the Duke of York Steps. It features films that influenced and are referenced in Hot Fuzz such as Hard Boiled, Man on Fire, Electra Glide in Blue, Bad Boys II and The Super Cops(good film) as well as a preview of Hot Fuzz on 10 February with the director Edgar Wright and stars on hand. Edgar Wright will also introduce a lot of the other movies.

Hogarth An exhibition of the work of British satirical artist William Hogarth featuring most of his most important work from the 18th century. On from 7 February-29 April, 10am-5.50pm daily. Tickets are £10 and the nearest Tubes are Westminster and Pimlico.

Chelsea Physic Garden Special Winter Openings Established in 1673 to cultivate and demonstrate how to use plants in medicine, the gardens are open on 10-11 February allowing visitors to see areas that don’t usually open to the public until April. Its open from 11am-3.30pm both days with tickets £7. Chelsea Physic Garden is on Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea. Sloane Square is the closest Underground.

London Fashion Week The place to go for air kissing, stick thin models and clothes that look like they’ve been designed by blind monkeys. If you’re into it get down to the Natural History Museum from 11-16 February.

De La Soul One of rap’s most original groups plays eleven straight nights at the Jazz Cafe in Camden from 1-11 February. Tickets are £25-£27.50, Camden Town is the nearest Tube.