What to do in London - The Cultural Exposé

(Picture courtesy of Hartshorn-Hook Productions)

If you fancy a bit of musical theatre this autumn, here’s your chance to check out a tribute to this legendary duo at the Arts Theatre in the West End on November 6th! Remotegoat.co.uk describes it as “foot-tapping, crowd pleasing stuff, and it would take a hard soul indeed not to walk out of this energetic show without a smile on their face”, so we’re pretty pleased the lovely people at Hartshorn-Hook Productions have offered us two pairs of tickets to giveaway!

How to enter
The rules of entry are simple: subscribe to The Cultural Exposé newsletter and you’ll be in it to win it! The newsletter will also keep you posted of future events and competitions too.

Already Subscribed?
If you’re already subscribed, you are automatically entered!

The deadline is midnight on October 30th and winners will be chosen at random. They will be contacted by e-mail.

Much love to Culture Club member @EsmeDora for suggesting we check out this new design bar and cafe in Kings Cross! Set in a former Victorian bathouse, Drink, Shop & Do sells charming vintage wares and creations from local designers, but also doubles up as an arts and craft club and sweet shop for creative urbanites who want a casual spot to hang out after work. I think we’re in love :-) www.drinkshopdo.com  (9 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX Closest tube: King’s Cross) 

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Original Article

It’s finally here! The 54th BFI Film Festival kicks off today, which means that for the next two weeks, the capital will be treated to some of the most engaging, artistic, shocking, hilarious, unique and entertaining films from around the world. As usual, the schedule is packed to the brim and tickets have been snapped up double-time, so we’ve whipped up a quickie guide to help you experience the best of what the fest has in store (and grab the remaining tickets before they’re all gone!) :

 (I Am Kalam) 

Meet Kalam - I Am Kalam tells the story of a working boy in India who sets about creating his own destiny when he swaps identities with a young prince. Giggling already. Showing Fri | Oct 15th, 4:15pm, NFT1 and Sat | Oct 16th, 3:15pm, Vue Screen 6

(Africa United)

Re-live the excitement of the World Cup – Africa United is a heartwarming, tear-jerking flick that follows a gang of kids as they trek across Africa to get to the World Cup in South Africa; it’s both hilarious and sentimental. Showing Sun | Oct 17th, 3pm, Odeon West End 2 and Weds | Oct 20th, 3pm, Vue Screen 7

(Neds)

Add Ned to your vocabulary – Some say Chavs, the Scots say Ned (Non - educated delinquent), and Glaswegian actor and director Peter Mullan’s film explores this teenage subculture and looks at a boy in the 70s who struggles with class barriers, gang warfare and problems at home. Neds already picked up two awards at the San Sebastian Film Festival and recently closed the 21st annual British Film Festival. Showing Wed | Oct 20th, 8:15pm Vue Screen 5 and 8:30pm, Vue Screen 7

Marvel at a sequel – West Is West is the follow-up to 1999’s “culture-clash comedy” East Is East and focuses on Sajid (Aqib Khan), the youngest of the Khan clan, as he goes through the trials of puberty. His grandfather George (Om Puri) decides to take him to Pakistan to teach him about his roots. Showing Thurs | Oct 21st, 12:15pm, Vue Screen 5

Head to Babylon – Check out Fire in Babylon, a doc which revisits the age when the West Indian team of the 1970s and 80s was considered to be one of the greatest in cricket’s history. Showing Thurs | Oct 21st, 3pm, Vue Screen 7

(Hands Up)

Watch something French (or as they would say, “regardez un film francais!”) - Hands Up is described as a “tender, engaging, bracingly militant drama” and charmed attendees at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. It’s got a great kiddy cast too. Showing Fri | Oct 22nd, 6:30pm, Cine Lumiere

Be inspired - Brightwide is a site that showcases the best of social and political cinema which can inspire people to action. It will be hosting a special screening of model/activist Christy Turlington Burns’ directorial debut No Woman, No Cry. The film looks at the issue of maternal health and follows the stories of four at-risk pregnant women on different contents. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Showing Sat | Oct 23rd, 1pm, NFT 1

(Shadow Cuts)

Dabble in the experimental – The festival’s EXPERIMENTA strand honours the best in avante-garde cinema and October 23 and 24 is the annual weekend of programmes dedicated to this cutting-edge filmmaking. Expect screenings, live performances, workshops and installations. At the BFI Southbank

(LENNONYC)

See New York through the eyes of a Beatle – Okay, not quite; but LENNONYC is a documentary which tells the story of the ex-Beatle’s time in The Big Apple, released to tie-in with what would have been Lennon’s 70th birthday. Showing Weds | Oct 27th, 8:30pm, NFT2 and Thurs | Oct 28th, 8:45pm, Vue Screen 6

Learn from the masters – If you have aspirations to become a filmmakers, the masterclasses are definitely worth a visit. Hear from the likes of writer-director Lisa Cholodenko (Tues | Oct 26th, 9pm, NFT 1), French filmmaker Olivier Assayas (Sun | Oct 24th, 5pm, NF1) and Peter Mullan (Thurs | Oct 21st, 6:30pm, NFT1)   

For more information about the film festival and to see the full programme, visitwww.bfi.org.uk/lff/

If you ever wanted to know about the art world, you need this handbook in your life! It features original artwork and contributions from Rankin, Gilbert & George, Sara Lucas and other internationally-known artists, writers, gallery owners and collectors who give their insights into their unique world – such as the best art parties to attend, why you should buy the art you hate and even how to become a collector. And if this isn’t your thing, this could be an awesome present for someone else! (Christmas, after all, is just down the road :-)

(Picture courtesy of Anthony Haden-Guest (c) 2010)

How to enter
The rules of entry are simple: subscribe to The Cultural Exposé newsletter and you’ll be in it to win it! The newsletter will also keep you posted of future competitions too.

Already Subscribed?
If you’re already subscribed, you are automatically entered!

Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, October 18th. They will be contacted and will need to be provide a postage address.

The Cultural Exposé have partnered with The Barbican, one of London’s leading arts, music and culture venues, to give away a pair of tickets to one of the most exciting shows on their music programme this season. Arrested Development are the Grammy-winning hip-hop group who will be best remembered for their 90s crossover hits Mr Wendal and People Everyday - and they’re back in the UK next week in support of their new album, Strong. The night kicks off with London-based Ghanaian MC and 2010 Mobo nominee M3NSA, who’ll be performing tracks from his new album, No.1 Mango Street - so expect this night to be a ROADBLOCK!

How to enter
The rules of entry are simple: subscribe to The Cultural Exposé newsletter and you’ll be in it to win it! The newsletter will also keep you posted of future competitions too.

Already Subscribed?
If you’re already subscribed or a member of The Culture Club, you are automatically entered!

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday, October 7th. They will be contacted and ticket delivery will be arranged.