in the mood for london

vintage films at pcc

2010-05-30T11:24:00.000+01:00

not sure what to do on rainy sundays? so here's an idea for the next ones...

a child from everywhere

2010-05-08T17:19:00.004+01:00

caroline irby spent one year interviewing and photographing children from all over the world who are now living in the uk.

the result is this exhibition representing children from 182 nations who share their life experiences when leaving their countries and how they have adapted to life in the uk.

at the museum of childhood until 30 august.

terracotta

2010-05-07T15:23:00.001+01:00

Double-billed with Yakuza Eiga on 8 May.

For a change, the camera is turned on award-winning cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

This documentary follows Doyle, most notably the director of photography for many of Wong Kar-wai's films, for over a year to capture his dedication to his art.

Doyle also takes us back to Bangkok and the specific locations where In the Mood for Love was shot, for some new behind-the-scenes insights. Next, he heads for Hollywood, where Doyle was the director of photography for M Night Shyamalan's The Lady in the Water.

A wonderful look at a colourful and well-respected character in the Hong Kong film industry.

Followed straight after by Yakuza Eiga, the second part of the Yves Montmayeur Far East documentary double-bill, and then completed with a Q&A with the director.

turned on

2010-05-05T12:56:00.002+01:00

sublime and enchanting. those would be the words to describe last night's gig at the union chapel by cocorosie. some of the songs made me float... i especially like 'grey oceans'.

their performance was brilliant and the union chapel is the perfect venue for their music.

the new album - 'grey oceans' will be out next week and this was the first show of the new tour.

new wave at the bfi

2010-04-30T21:47:00.001+01:00

from today until 31 may, the bfi will be showing films from agnès varda.

Agnès Varda's role as true pioneer of the New Wave with La Pointe Courte (1954) is now acknowledged. Her compelling features – Cleo from 5 to 7 (1963) and Vagabond (1985) – and documentaries such as The Gleaners and I (2000) and The Beaches of Agnès (2009), place her firmly among the major post-war French filmmakers.

graphic art

2010-04-23T10:58:00.000+01:00

from 23 april to 3 may the print club will be at sommerset house.
the fair will bring together artists and will give you the opportunity to buy affordable graphic art. at the same time, there are loads of workshops and other events, including an open studio by rob ryan.

tickets are £5.

grace kelly : style icon

2010-04-17T15:30:00.001+01:00

starting today at the v&a
featuring dresses from on one of the most glamorous hollywood stars ever this exhibition promises to be truly inspiring for the ladies who love the 50s and princess dresses.

record store day

2010-04-15T16:09:00.008+01:00

check out what happening in london here.
lots of free events, including ash at rough trade east!

vintage goes south

2010-04-11T14:47:00.003+01:00

a new heaven for vintage lovers launches today in bermondsey. the land of pash is the new pop up vintage fair with authentic vintage and vintage inspired clothes for girls and boys.

roa solo at pure evil

2010-04-08T19:49:00.002+01:00

ROA’s eagerly anticipated UK solo debut opens in London this spring to exhibit his unique portrayal of large scale urban wildlife, disquietly cohabiting city streets, hand painted in his distinctive black and white style.

circa

2010-03-10T11:33:00.002Z

this australian nu circus company are more than just acrobatics and jumps. they create really amazing sketches combining dance and music that work like short stories with human emotions. always defying gravity.

the movements they make and the way they play with their bodies make me think how misused my body is.

i especially enjoyed the woman in scarlet stilettos walking all over her partner. literally all over. with leonard cohen singing in the background. a feast for thought i would say and an image i will hardly forget.

new parlour in town

2010-03-05T09:50:00.003Z

want to get away from social frenzy you've been emerged into, just because you have an email and a mobile phone and receive dozens of emails everyday and just can't stop or avoid it? then you should be heading to the parlour.

Using the site of an historic Clerkenwell shop, a pop up space will be transformed into an eclectic parlour where friends and family can gather to engage, think, express, play games, and – most importantly – relax and enjoy a unique old-world experience.

This wistful pop up that will take place from March 5th to 10th will be hosted by Mistress of Manners, Dana Gornitzki, Editor of MIEN Magazine – a newly launched website dedicated to etiquette, culture and style.

east london mugs

2010-03-04T08:44:00.003Z

this new collection mugs inspired in 4 east london building and designed by architect saranotsarah are on sale here for £8.50 each or £30 for 4. my favorite is the rio cinema, but there's also the hackney empire, the museum of childhood or the gas towers.

london film map

2010-02-26T09:37:00.005Z

film london has started a london map where you can find sites where some memorable film moments where filmed.

i checked my hood and found:

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Highbury Fields

Islington's largest open space, with tennis courts, football pitch and children’s play area, is surrounded by elegant Georgian and Victorian townhouses.

Location:

Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell kiss in the rain at the end of Four Weddings and a Funeral.

alice in london

2010-02-23T09:50:00.000Z

this week it's all about alice in london. but at the old red lion theatre they are are showing a completely different approach to the subject...

from 23 feb to 13 march: alice's adventures in the new world.

a distances

2010-02-01T14:39:00.004Z

it was certainly the most ingenious and meticulous show i remember to have seen. all props on stage were somehow connected by invisible strings.
also of great courage, as everything had to happen exactly as planned. or the whole show could fall apart.

ssss

2010-01-30T09:51:00.000Z

it's the
social
suicide
sample
sale

and it's double! but just for this weekend...

read all about it here.

precious: charity screening

2010-01-29T10:48:00.003Z

future cinema + icon got together for this fundraising event with all profits going to fairbridge.
at the rio cinema tonight at 11.30pm.
book in advance to avoid disappointment.

need colour for gray days?

2010-01-28T16:27:00.005Z

william eggleston is well known for the colour his photography and his influential compositions.
he will be exhibiting in 2 cities simultaneously: london and ny.

in london it will be at victoria miro gallery until 27 february.

pimps and pinups

2010-01-27T14:30:00.002Z

finally... a hairdresser i can trust without feeling ripped off.
anita has now been officially nominated my personal hair stylist. she is amazing!

bingo!

2010-01-22T14:19:00.003Z

you love bingo, but you never really found the right crowd to play with? look no more...
the rebel bingo brings the game to a new level.
i've been there and done that and want more!

align

2010-01-22T11:48:00.002Z

today at the bridewell theatre in the city of london...

photo gathering

2010-01-21T09:42:00.004Z

i'm a photgrapher, not a terrorist! - mass photo gathering this saturday.
find out all details in their website.

limits of reason

2010-01-08T15:40:00.003Z

i'm still thinking and trying to understand why a jim jarmush film with great actors can be so void of meaning and so boring.

or maybe it's just me. and i hope that is the case. or maybe i shouldn't say anything.

Are you interested in films, by any chance? I like really old films. You can really see what the world looked like, thirty, fifty, a hundred years ago. You know the clothes, the telephones, the trains, the way people smoked cigarettes, the little details of life. The best films are like dreams you're never sure you've really had. I have this image in my head of a room full of sand. And a bird flies towards me, and dips its wing into the sand. And I honestly have no idea whether this image came from a dream, or a film. Sometimes I like it in films when people just sit there, not saying anything.

we like tea

2010-01-07T10:16:00.002Z

you might be more familiar with the pantone range from whitbread wilkinson, but the london transport products are also quite cool. i love this ceramic teapot that makes 6 cups of tea and doesn't drip... if you are really into it, you can also get the mugs and the tea cosy with the same theme.

with the snow falling out there, a tea is always a good way to warm up.

a christmas tale

2009-12-24T10:51:00.001Z

New from Criterion, Arnaud Desplechin’s lovely, novelistic drama captures the long holiday reunion of the crazy and royal Vuillard family.

Catherine Deneuve stars as the materfamilias who learns of her life-or-death need for a bone-marrow transplant. With doting husband Jean-Paul Roussillon, she assembles the tribe, including their adult children: sad-eyed eldest Annie Consigny, banished son Mathieu Amalric, and reformed youngest Melvil Poupaud.

With all the blood relatives roped into one house — as well as their neuroses, internecine feuds, and half-obscured amours — Desplechin creates a tale overflowing with poetry, tenderness (and its opposite), iris effects, and visual and verbal nods to everything from the New Wave to Emerson.

Delve into critic Philip Lopate’s new essay, view a scene from this opus, read an interview between Desplechin and one of his best-loved directors, Wes Anderson, and buy a copy of the film.

the london nobody knows

2009-12-20T13:09:00.002Z

20 - 23 Dec 2009, 2 - 3 Jan 2010

This highly entertaining, idiosyncratic documentary has become an ICA Christmas tradition. Join James Mason for a tour of 1960s London, in and around hidden (and now largely long-gone) basements, alleys, nooks and crannies.

dir Norman Cohen, 1967, 53 mins.

£5 all tickets

xmas 2009 jumper

2009-12-20T11:23:00.002Z

this is definetely the winner xmas jumper of 2009.

you can order here and if you do it today by end of play it will get to you before xmas with a free tacky badge.

posters for xmas

2009-12-18T12:02:00.001Z

winter wonderland at the berkeley

2009-12-17T11:48:00.005Z

it's a wonderful life is the film of the season, a must see every year.
but the place to see it this year is the berkeley. they have transformed their roof top into a pine filled forest cinema open until 31 january.

weekdays only, a special package for londoners is available at £35 per person, including 4 hour access to the movie theatre, heated pool and health club.

films are shown between 4.30 - 10pm.

devendra banhart

2009-12-16T14:29:00.002Z

it feels like ages ago and with xmas, new year and january blues this gig got lost, but not forgotten... so here's the only record i kept from the event.

quizmas

2009-12-14T11:00:00.001Z

the ica launches today their first film quiz.
for £2.5 and a max of 5 per team you can test your knowledge and win some prizes.

starts at 7pm.

london by adidas

2009-12-12T10:02:00.000Z

following the remake of the Adidas London in 2008, the latest model adidas x crooked tongues london trainers. the new version has been upgraded by the soho retailer with a different color scheme and a design ready for london's wet weather. there's also the british pint symbol on the dimpled tongue, along with tartan lining.

this will be a very limited edition, so you have to pre-order if you really want a pair. pre-orders start today at end clothing online store (an other places).

stranger in town...

2009-12-10T09:35:00.003Z

to finish the "trilogy of american films featuring the over-reaching and impulsive protagonists - out of place and quite possibly out of control" the barbican is showing the "midnight cowboy" today at 8.30. with a promising screen talk before the film.

2009-12-09T09:51:00.004Z

here's one more decoration for the xmas tree!
sold in boxes of 6, part of the profits will be donated for the fight against global conflict.
and there are a lot more at the chrismassy shop at the pussy home boutique.

money

2009-12-08T14:08:00.003Z

i've been wanting to go to a shunt show for quite a while, so i was really looking forward to see this new production properly entitled money.

set in a warehouse in bermondsey, the action takes place in a three story building. the public is guided from one store to the other and the action unfolds, sometimes with help from the audience.

the whole theme is quite appropriate and modern - although inspired in the novel by zola - as it depicts the rise and fall of a banking empire. a truly unique experience. i really enjoyed that bit when we get to throw balls at other people in the audience. and the valse by brel. always good to stimulate senses...

re found

2009-12-07T09:39:00.000Z

these xmas decorations are so cool, that you might want to keep them out all year round... and starting at £3.50 only it will be difficult to resist them. there are 3 sizes in each shape and loads of different colors. catch them here.

evil xmas fayre

2009-12-04T10:20:00.002Z

this the fayre to go!

art co and pure evil got together and are taking over the east room and sosho bar this weekend. there will be a sales exhibition with original arts and prints, the walls will be wheat-pasted by an army of santa's dark helpers (a mystery line up of london’s best street artists) and a xmas squat.

at the east room you can make your own snowglobe in the magical snowglobe lounge or wander amongst the FIRtive forest where you can also sample toffee vodka and cheese fondue from the rooftop pop-up alpine lodge. After feasting at the xmas bbq on the terrace, indulge in afternoon tea with cupcake sensations cherry on top and ATTIC tea.

the house of fairy tales’ band of artists, performers, writers, designers, musicians and film makers will explore the magic, myth and story of christmas by the east room fireplace and london’s newest cultural space the museum of everything will create a pitch of xmas absurdia – where anything and everything goes.

artists selling at the event will include beatrice brown, deadbeat donny, ged wells, hornhead, joanna imrie, ortiz, panik, pure evil and soozy lipsey. the art car boot fair will also host a section of the fayre with all manner of art works, art ware and services from regular art car booters, while other goodies will include 3D jigsaw cut christmas trees sprayed by a street artists and stockings packed with fayre art.

and all this for just £1 that will go to support street smart - support the homeless.

great xmas news!

2009-12-02T10:20:00.004Z

london xmas tree

2009-12-01T12:56:00.001Z

so we're officially in the xmas month! only 24 days days to go now!

and to help with tree decoration i just found these at the liberty xmas shop.

all london inspired, as it should be.

big times

2009-11-30T09:55:00.000Z

to celebrate big ben's 150th anniversary and to make sure you don't get late, rocket st george have launched this 2 meters high wall sticker.

there's more to art than money

2009-11-27T11:32:00.001Z

no money? credit crunch crisis?

those are no longer valid excuses for not buying art.

The Art Barter event revolves around the idea that artwork will be acquired by

individuals through alternative means to money. Artists have always been

familiar with the use of barter. From Picasso exchanging sketches for his

meals, to hotels (such as The Chelsea Hotel in NY) accepting art as payment

for rent and select YBA’s having tabs at restaurants such as The Ivy in

exchange for pieces of their work to adorn the restaurant walls. However, the

ArtBarter event is unique because it is the only exhibition to promote such a

form of exchange amongst a wide array of artists and the general public all

at once.

There is a catch at Art Barter where you will not know which artwork belongs

to which artist until after the show’s end. This will create a gamble for the

public and will make people value the art for what it really is, not for the

name or price tag that formerly was attached. As curator Lauren Jones says

“We want to make art available to a more diverse crowd, not just people

with disposable income. ArtBarter is the perfect setting to make this happen,

whilst also providing a fun way to get people involved with the arts.” So

whether you have a special talent or skill to offer or something unused that

may be desirable to others; or if you just wish to view a great exhibition and

try your luck with bartering, come down and become part of ‘Art Barter’.

london by jim datz

2009-11-26T10:45:00.006Z

i love the pedlars! this time they've asked jim datz (living in brooklyn, but in love with london) to design and create an illustration about london and this is the final result. there are only 400, all signed, numbered and framed. you can get yours from here.

alternative commuter

2009-11-23T11:37:00.000Z

i keep on losing my oyster from time to time, but maybe if i get one of these vintage designs i'll be more careful. available from the alternative oyster shop, along with other vintage designs.

rendered in wood, this model features the new johnston typeface. with slot loading design, it fits inside a standard oyster wallet. the wood is triple stained for a vintage walnut effect and it's double varnished for everyday use.

i still think it would be more useful if it had a sensor.

if it had a sensor that located it when lost or stolen i would definitely get one.

2009-11-21T21:51:00.003Z

look at life

2009-11-20T08:00:00.002Z

still on the 50s in london, but this time in color. and about coffee - the best way to start the day!

i love the legend on how the coffee started with the shepherd and the sheep dancing. and the girls who worked in the cafes in part-time to earn some extra pounds.

those were the days. live music and people swinging!

london in the fifties

2009-11-19T19:47:00.005Z

independent studios in collaboration with itn source are producing a series of dvds about london. this collection contains rarely seen content shot between 1896 and 1970.

the first collection is a series of 8 dvds exploring aspects of london's city past. the 'london on film' range includes titles such as 'london's east end 1900s - 1930 and 1940 - 1970s', 'london's lost docks', 'london railways 1920s - 1970s' and 'we ruled london: the story of the krays'

and i was one of the lucky winners to see 'london in the fifties part 1 and 2' at the pcc yesterday. unfortunately, i couldn't find any videos to post, but you can buy them from the archive film shop for just £9.99 each. really worth it!

andrew bird

2009-11-18T11:06:00.004Z

it was exactly a week ago, so this post is a bit late... but it was probably one of the best gigs i've ever been too and it will stay with me for a long time.
the venue also helped to set the mood. it was my first time at the union chapel. the accoustics and the light in the chapel really make it a great venue for violins and whistles.

simply elvis

2009-11-17T20:53:00.000Z

The next exhibition at Proud Central is simply entitled “Elvis” and comprises solely of photographs taken by Alfred Wertheimer.

Initially asked to photograph Elvis on a one-day assignment in 1956, Wertheimer was so enthralled by the rising star, that he continued taking photographs of him during this pivotal year. The result is a collection of images that sees Elvis at home, on stage, with fans and in the recording studio. These photographs offer a unique look at the young man on the brink of stardom and no future photographer would ever have this relaxed access to him again.

you can also buy this one for £1100.

The exhibition runs from 18th November to 31 January at Proud Central. Visit the Proud website for further details.

mumford & sons

2009-11-14T15:34:00.001Z

the more i know about them, the more addicted i get.

the little lion man is already a hit, but the whole album is worth a good listen. i just love the lyrics and the banjo.

when are they coming to london for a gig?

in these bodies we will live

in this bodies we will die

and where you invest your love

you invest your live

tonight at the old queens head

2009-11-13T11:18:00.001Z

celebrating the recent release of another fine LateNightTales collection the compilers Tom and Gary from Snow Patrol will be at the old queens head in islington.

LateNightTales Launch Party
Friday 13th November
The Old Queens Head
Snow Patrol (DJ Set)
Plus special guests
Belle & Sebastian (DJ Set)
The Old Queens Head
8pm - 2am
Free Entry

happy endings

2009-11-07T15:43:00.002Z

ed ruscha (pronounced rew-shaw) is an american pop artist. i just can't resist pop art and so i went to see his exhibition.

one of the reasons why i liked his work has to do with the influence the movies have in some of his paintings: "i've been influenced by the movies, particularly the panoramic-ness of the wide screen"

"the end" was definitely my favourite painting. i was really moved by the black & white and the scratchiness of it, that reminds old films.

so here´s a stolen picture of it - if i can't have the painting, at least i'll keep the image of it!

his exhibition will be at the hayward until 10 jan 10.

amazingchoreographeddanceparty

2009-11-05T11:19:00.003Z

at shunt 4 to 7 and 11 to 14 november.

A seedy bar (Shunt), people drinking, talking, having a good time. Just then, a new tune comes on and, as if by magic, everyone steps into an AMAZING CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE.
However, it will only be amazing + choreographed if you (yep, you!) actually learn the dance...
(Well at least have a look at if you’re busy or lazy...)

breaking rocks

2009-10-27T20:21:00.001Z

Breaking Rocks featuring Billy Bragg, Mick Jones (The Clash), Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape Fly) Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) follows the story of Jail Guitar Doors, an independent initiative set up by Billy Bragg which aims to provide musical instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Founded in memory of Joe Strummer, Jail Guitar Doors takes it's name from the B-Side of The Clash's 1978 single 'Clash City Rockers'

The screening will be followed by Q&A with Billy Bragg and Alan Miles (director) / Jonny Neesom & Leon Walker (graduates of JGD's)
After which there will be a live performance by the artists.

Wed 28th October
20:30
Tickets are £10 / £8.50 members

LAST FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
BOOK SOON TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT...

laments and lullabies

2009-10-17T17:25:00.000+01:00

lori earley is from ny and her first solo exhibition in london at the opera gallery. the show features her new paintings including "the pinnacle", which took her 6 months to complete.

i guess this is one of those cases when you have to see it live in order to understand it's value. having read an article about it i just got curiously attracted without any logical reason.

the exhibition will be on until 14 november.

blog action day - climate change

2009-10-16T09:48:00.001+01:00

Environmental scientist David Keith proposes a cheap, effective, shocking means to address climate change: What if we injected a huge cloud of ash into the atmosphere to deflect sunlight and heat?

zoo art fair

2009-10-15T09:54:00.001+01:00

the zoo art fair : 16-19 october.

"Within a new multi-site location situated in the East End, the producers of Zoo Art Fair present Zoo 2009. An event that takes on an adapted structure, bringing together over 50 contemporary arts organisations and practitioners, through a series of exhibitions, solo shows and stand presentations."

2009-10-14T09:47:00.002+01:00

Have a sneak preview of the new Tom Waits album, Glitter and Doom Live, arriving November 24th. Check out the first 8 songs for free, including a roaring version of “Get Behind the Mule” and a slinky reinvention of “Singapore,” and if you love the album as much as we think you will, you can pre-order it HERE. CD and LP include as a bonus the 35 minute disc/track “Tom Tales,” compiling between‐song banter from throughout the tour into a continuous monologue, and chronicling for the first time one of fans’ favorite parts of a Waits’ performance.

open film club

2009-10-13T12:04:00.004+01:00

Open Film Club from Jeremy Riggall on Vimeo.

Open Film Club has been presenting the best in contemporary film culture to 20-40 rough sleepers a week in London's West End since 2005. Films are regularly introduced by the filmmakers themselves. Recent guests have included Ken Loach, Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) Beeban Kidron (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason) and Mike Leigh.

OFC takes film to the margins, and brings people at the edges to the centre of cultural life.

2009-10-09T10:42:00.003+01:00

Art In Flux present a new group exhibition called Suspended in Process from this Friday. The group show takes the title as a theme and the artists involved have responded through use of photography, sculpture, sound installations and paintings. The exhibition contemplates the state of flux between an original identity and the transformation to a new one.

Suspended In Process, 9 - 18 October, 14 New Quebec Street, London, W1H 7RV

cinephilia goes west

2009-10-04T18:47:00.003+01:00

it opened just a month ago combining a cafe, a film bookshop, a gallery and a space for screenings which hosts regular cinematic events. this home for cinema lovers is run by wallflower press, publisher of electric sheep magazine and other specialist book about cinema.

the first exhibition with polish film posters is amazing and a promising start for this new space located in westbourne grove.

there are also some events and screenings announced in their website.

2009-10-01T17:40:00.001+01:00

vintage film season

2009-09-21T09:31:00.003+01:00

from tomorrow until 10 november the prince charles cinema is running a vintage season every tuesday night.

22 september (20.45) - Casablanca
29 september (20:45) - A Matter Of Life And Death
6 october (20:45) - The Apartment
13 october (20:45) - Bonnie & Clyde
20 october (20:45) - Black Narcissus
27 october (20:45) - Notorious
3 november (20:45) - Les Diaboliques
10 november (20:45) - Breakfast at Tiffany's

cheque-mate

2009-09-19T09:42:00.001+01:00

A centrepiece of this year’s London Design Festival will be located in the heart of London, in Trafalgar Square. The Tournament, an installation created by Spanish designer, Jaime Hayón is a gigantic chess set, with 2m high ceramic chess pieces designed by Hayón on a specially created mosaic glass chess board. The installation, which will be set between the two fountains in Trafalgar Square, will be in situ from Saturday 19 – Wednesday 23 September.

During The Tournament’s installation, members of the British Chess Federation will be playing matches in the morning, and from lunchtime the general public will have the chance to play games.

street art

2009-09-15T16:37:00.002+01:00

just found out about him and loved his work.
the artist is mark jenkins and his street installations have been going around the world from washington to seoul.
this is the london work that was showed in april 07.
but you can check other amazing projects in his website

vivien moved to holloway

2009-09-14T17:42:00.003+01:00

vivien of holloway has moved to holloway rd, which makes perfect sense.
so now everytime i walk to the supermarket i'll be highly tempted to get one of those dresses...
the shop is looking amazing and it's really worth a visit.

long live vintage!

2009-09-12T10:29:00.002+01:00

and tomorrow is the day to go shopping...

40 'quality' dealers from all over the UK & Europe will be selling affordable vintage apparel from the 1800s - 1980s. But that's not all. Other attractions include an in-house tailor (Joe Allen) for on the spot alterations, a cafe for afternoon tea, vintage tunes courtesy of Natty Bo (from London ska band Top Cats & Ska Cubano), Lindy Hop dancing and lessons and the 'Lipstick & Curls' beauty parlour offering old school glamour makeovers.

all this in the heart of clerkenwell.
find out more in their website.

london design guide

2009-09-10T15:46:00.002+01:00

"After months of research, countless conversations, endless reviewing and numerous trips around the capital, the LONDON DESIGN GUIDE is now complete and available to buy, priced only £10.

Where do you go to find the best design shops, galleries, museums and book shops dedicated to contemporary and vintage design in London? By visiting this website, chances are you would like to know. LONDON DESIGN GUIDE comprehensively reveals this information for the first time, as chosen by design commentator Max Fraser.

Explore London area-by-area according to key concentrations of design activity. Let one of our walks by an informed local steer you around the neighborhood. Find a good place for a drink or a bite to eat with our restaurant suggestions. If you’re from out of town, find yourself a hotel too.

Intrigued? For this plus a whole lot more editorial content, order your copy direct to your doorstep today (free P&P within the UK)."

i am damned

2009-09-08T11:43:00.001+01:00

i am not a book critic and this book is not about london, but i could not avoid to mention nick cave's new novel: "the death of bunny munro" . it's the story of a salesman in the uk.

there's also the audiobook version which features a specially composed soundtrack by nick cave and warren ellis.

the book is launched in the uk today and nick cave will be signing books at the waterstones in piccadilly on 8 september at 6pm.

2009-09-07T09:10:00.001+01:00

tickets will go on sale tuesday at 5pm, so you'd better hurry if you still haven't seen this great film.

london street art

2009-09-06T15:50:00.000+01:00

"This new book by Alex MacNaughton brings together the best and most current images of London Street Art with many of the photos being taken this year just prior to printing. The book captures the essence of the street art culture which is vibrant, constantly changing and a colorful backdrop to life in the capital.

The Anthology features photography by MacNaugton and covers the different techniques used such as stencil and trompe-l'oeil, as well as highlighting the work of the major artists themselves."

a souvenir from london

2009-08-26T09:41:00.003+01:00

the new london tray by Swedish artist-designer Maria Holmer Dahlgren is dedicated to london. hand crafted from scadinavian birch and produced by a family-run company in sweden, this tray portrays lthe most important features in london. i especially like the raining cats and dogs reference!

Maria Holmer Dahlgren's career began at internationally-renowned Swedish stationers Ordning&Reda, which she co-founded and developed for 18 years. Other achievements include being commissioned to design the interior graphics for Stockholm's stylish boutique hotel ‘Rival', owned by ABBA's Benny Andersson. Dahlgren now has her own thriving design company, Metagram. She designs a variety of contemporary trays and other pieces aimed at the high-end tourist market, and currently sells them in places such as Stockholm's ‘Moderna Museet' gallery. Rooted in her passion for travelling, her mission is to combat tacky souvenirs such as Sweden's Viking Helmets, and England's ‘I love London' Tshirts!

highbury before the war

2009-08-24T19:12:00.003+01:00

just found this picture of highbury & islington here.
this was before world war II.

the keys to our hearts

2009-08-22T10:11:00.003+01:00

"- You are really depressing me.
- I want him back. I love him.
- Why don't you go and beg the bastard to take you back?
- I am. I know I may be humiliated, but I'll take my chances.
- What if he doesn't let you in?
- I still have the keys to his apartment.
- Yeah, but do you still have the keys to his heart? Stupid bitch."

this was the UK premiere of kalup linzy's new film "keys to our heart" at the savoy cafe in hackney.
with tea and cakes from the golden bakery, this couldn't be a better way to start a saturday night. the 30 min film is hilarious, evolving around a this group of young lovers and a dame that gives random advices creating a melodramatic sequence of events.
the savoy cafe will still be hosting more events this month, curated by rosie cooper.

keep walking

2009-08-21T09:51:00.001+01:00

still in walking mode, we decided to go for jack the ripper walk with london walks.
our guide was steven and the walk takes place every night, starting at 7.30 in tower hill and finishing in spitalfields market.
it is really worth going for one and discover where all 5 women were murdered in 1888.

cheers!

2009-08-19T09:29:00.001+01:00

guinness is not only the best black thing in the world, but it also has one of the best advertising campaigns ever.

to celebrate 250 years of this great drink the museum of brands is hosting the exhibition "the art of guinness" which includes posters, TV ads, drinks trays and beer mats.

not far from the museum you can find the aptly named pub the pelican
just in case you feel a bit thirsty...

from today till Oct 25, Tue-Sat 10am to 6pm, Sun 11am-5pm

best of...

2009-08-14T09:58:00.002+01:00

of the macmillan brick lane takeover was frank turner. i just can't stop singing 'to the east to the east'. songs with soul and passion.

after that it all got a bit too blurry to remember.

but all in all it was a great event and i just wished i could be in more than one place at the same time, as i'm sure there were other great gigs that escaped me.

rex cinema

2009-08-12T10:22:00.003+01:00

although you have to go all the way to berkhamstead to find the rex, it's certainly worth a visit to experience a time travel when cinemas where luxurious.

with a huge screen and set in a glorious 1938 art-deco proscenium and a high quality film projection, the seats are big, red and soft. you can also seat in the tables downstairs.

there's a no popcorns or flacid hotdogs policy. but you can enjoy a drink anywhere in the auditorium. we actually had a cheese platter that went quite well while watching 'looking for eric'.

and tickets are cheap but book in advance to avoid disappointment, as most sessions sell out pretty quickly...

free walks

2009-08-07T14:42:00.002+01:00

so let's imagine that it's a sunny weekend in london. that you didn't plan anything with your friends. and that you actually feel just like having some "me" time and enjoy london by yourself. i know this is a highly difficult task, especially the bit with sunny weather .

but if it ever happens the free london walks website is a precious tool. from brixton to hampstead you can download podcasts for free and just wander around london.

i'm really curious about the walk entitled "notorious london - a walk for adults only"

it starts like this:

Robbery, murder, prostitution, fraud, bankruptcy - it's all here in this walk. Once again we return to the Fleet River, all but invisible today but an erstwhile open sewer flowing through the most desperate neighbourhoods of London.

it can also be helpful when you have visits around. you can just download the podcasts to the ipod or mp3 player and set them free.

magic for the summer

2009-08-04T09:37:00.000+01:00

i've seen him not long ago at sadlers wells when he did au revoir parapluie. but this time he's back with victoria chaplin and a show that has been touring for a long time.

you can never have enough magic in your life and le cirque invisible reminds us of that.

from 4 august to 23 august at queen elizabeth hall at southbank centre.

tickets from £15 can be bought here

rankin live

2009-07-31T13:07:00.001+01:00

this is not just the biggest retrospective ever from the famous photographer rankin. you can actually have your picture taken by the man himself and then be part of the exhibition. you just need to book a place, pay £50 and be at your best and on time for the photo session. the £50 will revert for oxfam, so you'd actually be doing something good not just for you, but for the world!

the retrospective starting today will run for 7 weeks at the truman brewery in brick lane. and it will show around 600 images from rankin's work.

america vs korea

2009-07-30T16:24:00.002+01:00

got the invite to see the Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture, but what really impressed me was the korean artists especially Yi Hwan-kwon’s Jangdockdae that really tricks your vision.

summer?

2009-07-30T09:52:00.004+01:00

this poster is called summer and i thought it would be appropriatte to post it in a day like this and then ask: what summer?

anyway, if you can't have it outside you can always have the summer hanging on your wall.

you can get the 4 seasons by paul catherall at london's transport museum website. the four seasons features london's famous skyline by bus, tube, dlr and river.

your can buy these and many more here, for £9.74

2009-07-25T22:10:00.000+01:00

fabiola - the saint made icon

2009-07-16T14:18:00.004+01:00

it's in room 41 at the national portrait gallery and it's free entry. this exhibition by the francis alÿs - fabiola - is an installation of hundreds of portraits of a 4th christian saint. they are all versions of an original dated from the 19th century and where handpicked by the artist from markets, antique shops and private collections.

the exhibition will be on until 20 september.

"In that respect, this show is also a gentle reminder that art doesn’t necessarily have to be in good taste to be good. Because some of these paintings are, in fact, pretty bad."

Check out the article in Time Out London.

vintage london signs

2009-07-14T14:04:00.000+01:00

at the pedlars webstore you'll find these great vintage routemaster buses blinds with london locations, special destinations or route numbers. they've also got some rare signs from the tube. you can have it framed and you can also find some transformed in blind light boxes. prices start at £195 and you can check more on their website. if you are a true londoner you'll just love it!

london paper cut map

2009-07-10T14:23:00.002+01:00

here's a different way to get the big picture about london neighborhoods.
this print is based on an original famille summerbelle hand paper cut of london. it shows detail of the central boroughs of London with the attractions and cultural pursuits that make london so special.

you can also find a map for paris in pink.

order here.

verdi at roh

2009-07-08T22:29:00.002+01:00

coming back to rainy london has some bright moments as well.

for instance, when a good friend has an extra ticket for the royal opera house to see verdi's "masqued ball".

i'm not going to go on about it as i'm not a true expert. i can only say that i truly enjoyed it. especially the last act that had a really interesting scenery with mirrors tricking our vision and creating a true sense of what a masqued ball should be.

2009-07-06T11:42:00.002+01:00

we can now go green without sweating and in vintage style. what more could you ask?

the Zepii retro-styled electric scooters are now available to buy in London with prices around the £849, which is a real bargain when you compare it with the oyster.

to find all about it visit the website.

my big fat greek holidays

2009-07-04T21:28:00.000+01:00

i love london, being back to this weather makes me think twice.
greece reminded me that there are sunny places with blue sea and that alone is sometimes sufficient to keep you happy.

cinema with a view

2009-07-03T15:42:00.001+01:00

if you ever visit athens i recommend going to the open air cinema in the plaka appropriately called cine paris. for 8€ only you can see a film, have a drink and a smoke and all this with a great view to the acropolis.

after some investigations i found out that this cinema was built in the 20s by a hairdresser who lived in paris. hence the name 'cine paris'.
during the 60s the venue had both outdoor and indoor theatre, but in the late 60s it closed down for almost 20 years.

it reopened in 1986 and when i went there for the midnight session of 'public enemies' it was fully booked. so let's hope it stays open for ever and ever.

2009-06-25T09:06:00.000+01:00

where is my mind?

2009-06-23T14:06:00.002+01:00

have you ever wondered how it would be like to be inside an artist's mind? bet you did!
so here's the perfect opportunity to explore these universes through large-scale instalation art.

the exhibition will be on until 6 september at the hayward gallery.

and if you're short of money you can get a 241 voucher in this website. so no excuses to miss it!

music + film @ the barbican

2009-06-03T15:57:00.009+01:00

The Dodge Brothers at Barfly in London in February 2008

Photograph: Alicia Canter

i know him better as film critic and hear the podcast every week. and this is a good opportunity to hear his musical side. to night at the barbican "the fabulous dodge brothers", featuring mike hammond (guitar, banjo), mark kermode (double bass, accordion), aly hirji (guitar, mandolin) and alex hammond (percussion) will be at the 12th british silent film festival playing an unique score on the film "white oak", a classic Missouri Western.

never heard about or seen the feature but they say it's about a gambling saloon owner who’s seeking revenge on the man who wronged his sister.

the new holmes & watson

2009-05-27T23:30:00.002+01:00

the next film from guy ritchie - an interpretation of one of my favorite heroes: sherlock holmes. the script is based on lionel wigram's upcoming comic book and has robert downey jr and jude law in the main cast.
the film will hit theaters on december 25th 2009. what a great day to premiere a film!

holiday weekend with dylan thomas

2009-05-25T23:17:00.000+01:00

"Dylan Thomas called this sleepy nest of 400 souls "the strangest town in Wales" when he and his wife moved into the slate-roofed "Boat House" above the bay at the beginning of 1938. Thomas remained here until his early death. His house has been converted into a museum, while his grave can be found in the village cemetery. The place called "Llareggub" mentioned in Thomas' poems refers to Laugharne."

why go eurovision anywhere else?

2009-05-15T11:48:00.003+01:00

if, like me, you grew up amazed with the eurovision and watched it every year and know most of the songs that won since the 70's, then this is the party to be at tonight.

there are 7 live acts, representing 7 different European countries and they will all be performing live on stage!! you then get to vote for your favourite!!!

From Norway we've got gothic symphonic heavy metal!
From Monaco we're bringing smooth as silk cocktail yacht rock!
From Czech Republic comes streewise farmboy puppet funk!
From Georgia we've got exotic eastern ringtones telepop!
From Switzerland we have an Alpine rock-a-billy fondue party!
From Moldova we have a mythical dance duo beyond description!

and that's not the end.

after the show there will be special eurovision classics karaoke for everyone to join.

you can check out all the previous hot breath foreign tongues here

sweet jewells

2009-05-14T22:34:00.004+01:00

maybe it's because i just started a diet, but i just really felt i had to buy this ring from the new jewelry summer collection at v&a. they also come with other flavors, like raspberry, strawberry and rum & raisins. and strawberry whip brooches and blueberry macaroon charms. all by q-pot on sale here.

everybody loves the sunshine

2009-05-10T18:32:00.002+01:00

and this is when you realize summer has started in london. ok. spring!
lazy sunday days in brick lane.

emir kusturica & the no smoking orchestra + ivo papasov

2009-05-09T18:19:00.002+01:00

they're called the non smoking orchestra and they're lead by kusturica, one of my favourite film directors.
they sing and play songs for his films and deep purple, ac dc and everything they feel like.
in truth, the show was a mess, a complete non sense sequence of songs, everyone going on stage at some point... but most of all it was great fun, great vibes and expolsive energies with everyone dancing everywhere at the barbican.
if i had a wedding they would be the main act!