Things to do in Mumbai this week

A counter-institution has set up shop in Kala Ghoda’s favourite art gallery, Method. What is it exactly? It refuses to be labelled. A record store, an art repository, library and culture lab. This is perfect for the culture vultures, you’ve got all your niche interests in one place. Oh, and there’s coffee too. Makes for a perfect solo/date afternoon or evening. 

Date: Wed-Sun, 12pm - 8pm 

Address: Method Art Gallery, 86, Nagindas Master Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Price: Free entry

Is India’s beloved comedian Kanan Gill approaching a mid-life crisis? Possibly. Is he touring while in the throes of it? Absolutely. The man just knows how to make existential crises funny and we can thank being in your mid-30s for that. It’s wit with a sharp edge. Deep. Hard hitting and hilarious. Your cynicism is more than welcome here. Get tickets for his Mumbai shows on BookMyShow. 

Date: May 

Address: Various

Price:  ₹799 onwards 

A confluence of two deeply revered and long-standing art forms: opera and Rajasthani folk music. With an ensemble of 30+ musicians and Italian opera powerhouse Natalie Di Luccio, this is musical fusion like we’ve never seen before. Tickets are selling fast on the official NMACC website. 

Date: Saturday, May 16, 7.30pm 

Address: NMACC Grand Theatre Jio World Centre, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051

Price: ₹1,250 onwards 

Art Night Thursdays are an art lover’s dream. This event by the Mumbai Gallery Association invites the public after hours to meet curators, gallerists and the artists behind exhibitions at the city’s most renowned galleries. The event is hosted on the second Thursday of every month, taking place at 30+ of the city’s best galleries like Method, The Stranger’s House, 47A and more. Expect a night of discovering art, conversation and likeminded people, for free of course!

Date: Thursday, May 14, 6-9PM

Address: Various, see here 

Price: Free entry 

Otoki has quickly and firmly cemented itself as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city – a bold claim considering it’s just under a year old and in competition with dozens of revered Japanese joints in the city. However, what makes them special is their ability to constantly level up, and that’s exactly what they're doing in May. Head Chef Mohit Singh is hosting a visionary 14-course, 6-seater omakase experience every Wednesday. No menu, just a celebration of the art of Japanese cooking that literally translates to 'I’ll leave it up to you'. Book your seats in advance on District. 

Date: Every Wednesday, 7.30pm 

Address: Otoki, Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, 5, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

Price: ₹9,500 onwards 

In my opinion, museum larping is the best summer activity to avoid the intense heatwaves we’ve got coming this month. You get your 10k steps in, easily spend half a day sauntering around, and also feed your brain big time. The best museums and galleries in the city seem to have caught on to this strategy and are rewarding us with some super cool exhibits. Here’s a few examples:

• CSMVS has a fascinating exhibit on Waste Archives as Landscapes. It’s Navjot Altaf’s ode to debris and an exploration of human relationships with their environment 

• Ticket, Tika, Chaap at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum walks you through the surprising significance of Indian textile labels or tikats. An illuminating exhibit that shows you the deep historical context behind what ‘Made in India’ really symbolises. 

Date: All month 

Address: Various

Price: Varies   

It’s an exciting new venture from the makers of the Mumbai Comedy Festival and That Comedy Club. The Ranipur Theatre Company is celebrating the opening of a new independent arts combined space in Bandra. Post opening weekend, the new space has a number of events lined up for the month of May – there’s very late night comedy which may or may not be headlined by mysterious very famous comedians. There’s also famous comedians Sumukhi Suresh and Masoom Rajwani doing a guaranteed series of solo shows at the theatre. It’s always fun to be the guinea pigs for a new space, or victims of comedians trying new bits. Either way, get your tickets on BookMyShow. 

Date: All month 

Address:  Shop No 3 & 4, 1st Floor, Dheeraj Swapna Building, Pali Naka, Pali Hill, next to Woodside Inn, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050

Price: ₹499 onwards 

May wouldn’t feel right without a party so elrow returns to give you exactly that with Kaos Garden – quite literally a carnival that just happens to feature some internationally acclaimed DJs. If you’re looking for a chaotic night out with confetti to enable you, this is your chance. Tickets are available on BookMyShow. 

Date:  Sunday, May 17, 6pm

Address:  Dome, SVP Stadium,  Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Lotus Colony, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018

Price: ₹2,500 onwards