What to do in London - The Cultural Exposé

Over the past few years, London’s interest in tea and cake has exploded and the capital’s best bakers, pâtissiers and café owners are gifting the city with an ever-growing number of quality and characterful alternatives to high street chains. My guidebook, Tea & Cake London, brings together the best of these, from frills-free tearooms to ultra-fancy afternoon tea destinations. Here, I’ve whittled the guide’s 70 entries down to ten…

Housed in an old diamond-cutting factory on a seemingly secret passageway, J+A Café is a true hidden gem. The café’s Irish owners turn out wonderful scones and brownies as well as an unforgettable Guinness cake. www.jandacafe.com (4 Sutton Lane,  London EC1M 5PU, Closest tube: Barbican)

This is where the best of British, French and Japanese patisserie meet. Settle down with a pot of tea by Euphorium and a fragrant jasmine crème brûlée or moreish green tea chocolate cake. www.lanka-uk.com (71 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 8UY, Closest tube: Chalk Farm)

Of all the many and wonderful afternoon teas in London, The Savoy is easily one of the best. A glamorous, fairytale setting gives any outing here a grand feel, while the attentive service and astonishingly good petit fours complete the experience. www.fairmont.com (Strand, London WC2R 0EU, Closest tube: Covent Garden)

A haven in Holborn, Fleet River Bakery provides those in the know with a cosy café buzzing with character. The gorgeous array of cakes, tarts and bakes make it a prime teatime destination, as do the enticing loose-leaf blends by tea specialist Emeyu. www.fleetriverbakery.com (71 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JF, Closest tube: Holborn)

Staff at TeaSmith are experts in the art of brewing tea, using traditional Asian techniques to ensure you have the perfect brew. Sit up at the long bar and watch the masters at work; or else browse the shop’s good range of loose leaf teas and tea paraphernalia. www.teasmith.co.uk (6 Lamb Street, London E1 6EA, Closest tube: Shoreditch High Street)

Austrian classics are served with aplomb at the stylish Kipferl. The apricot-heavy Sachertorte is a must, especially washed-down with a pot of tea by Austrian supplier Sonnentor. www.kipferl.co.uk (20 Camden Passage, London N1 8ED, Closest tube: Angel)

You have to negotiate your way through Vintage Heaven’s heaving collection of crockery-for-sale to get to Cake Hole, the shop’s backroom café. Here, more lovingly sourced china meets wonderful home baking and sweet treats ferried over from Primrose Bakery. www.vintageheaven.co.uk ( 82 Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 7QB, Closest tube: Bethnal Green)

Vegans will delight at Ms Cupcake and her dedication to creating cakes that everyone can enjoy. Her generously iced vegan cakes come in a range of bonkers flavours, from choc-mint to Bakewell tart. www.mscupcake.co.uk (408 Coldhabour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LF, Closest tube: Brixton)

Good tea and cake isn’t the only string to Drink, Shop & Do’s bow. The retro café (you can buy all the reclaimed furniture) hosts craft and making events in the evening. It also serves wicked cocktails, sells old-fashioned sweets and can organize a very girly afternoon tea hen do. www.drinkshopdo.com (9 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, Closest tube: King’s Cross)

Situated on an unassuming residential road, Violet is a word-of-mouth hit. Having started life as a stall at Broadway Market, the vintage-style café continues to serve superlative American-style home bakes made with quality ingredients. www.violetcakes.com (47 Wilton Way London E8 3ED, Closest train: Hackney Central)

Original Article

I have…just finished my masters degree after being a copywriter for three years in advertising, and now I’m a wannabe planner in integrated advertising.

 The area in London I call home is…Brixton. It’s got its own O2, okay? I lived on Lambeth Palace Road for the longest time and apart from having Big Ben in my backyard, it was a quiet area with good access to a midnight meal which can be quite a trouble in this city. London has been incredible so far - it’s got art galleries, it’s a creative powerhouse and attracts the best talent from all over the world. What’s not to love?

 I’ve got to have a meal at… Moolis on Frith Street in Soho. These guys make up for the lack of good street food in London, while of course ensuring that I don’t forget what Goan pork tastes like.

 I tend to get my threads from… Pop Boutique. No one does retro clothing better than them. It’s right next to Forbidden Planet, but that’s besides the point. I also pick up stuff from Topshop and Uniqlo, because being a tiny thing limits the number of stores you can go to.

 To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… take a walk across Camden, settle in for a few drinks at Proud and then walk all over the city looking for a hot meal. OR go to Walkabout near Embankment where pints go cheaper than most places following which you can take a stroll around the Thames. Nothing like those things to really see a mix of university students, couples, people with odd shoes, and lack of food, all in one place.

 If I was mayor, I would… make telephonic conversations on buses a strictly emergency-led affair for commuters.

 My favourite spot to check out art is… apart from Tate Modern, you mean? All those tiny gorgeous galleries in Shoreditch or even Graffik Gallery, Portobello Road.

 I’d kindly tell a tourist to…keep the camera off my face. And spend an entire day at  ScooterCaffè (Lower Marsh). There really is nothing like that place. And tell the tourists to not leave London until they’ve tried everything at Borough Market.

 The things I miss when I leave London are… reading/writing at ScooterCaffè, hiding my face from the tourist cameras while walking down Southbank.

 My soundtrack to London would include…

 Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen - Because the writing on this song describes the love affair a person has with London. Off and on, there are moments of all kinds. The people one meets and sees everyday, the stories, everything.

England by The National - “Famous angels never come through England/ England gets the ones you never need/ You must be somewhere in London/ You must be loving your life in the rain” Enough said!

Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles - Essentially because the infrequent, twelve minutes of sunshine (okay, fourteen minutes at times) deserve a celebration.

Original Article

On presenting their diverse triple bill at The Place, all-male dance company 2Faced Dance wrestled their way onto the stage, slamming out freezes willy-nilly and running full-pelt in and out of the wings, only to pause for a few luxurious pirouettes. In the first piece of the evening, Subterrania by Tom Dale,the dancers totally bucked current trends, and proved that things really have gone a bit Hofesh Shechter. Bulky bass-lines were accompanied by moves in monkey-like unison, and the dancers threw their weight on the floor as shoulders hunched and arms sliced intricate shapes across the air. Dynamics were challenged by morsels of folk dance - and apart from one performer that possessed an unfortunate resemblance to Louie Spence, Subterrania was a sufficiently ballsy and athletic piece, gripping the audience’s attention.

But much can’t be said  about the next piece, Freddie Opoku-Addaie’s Politicking Oath, apart from that it was plain weird. Having seen more than my fair share of the bizarre and wacky, it takes a lot to completely perplex me. Based on Olympic themes, simple sequences were developed to represent sports such as diving and gymnastics (manageable you would think, if not a little basic). Add to the mix a dancer with a pig’s head, brandishing an alarm clock and you’ve got, well I’m not sure. And I’m not sure the rest of the audience knew either judging by the unenthusiastic slow-clap that followed.

A sigh of relief, then, the troupe were back on track with the final piece of the bill, 7.0 by artistic director Tamsin Fitzgerald. This was quite literally performed in the dust, and combined acrobatic skill with an ecstatic rendering of human emotion Despite the temptation to sneeze throughout the piece, I was transfixed, and left wondering how on earth the dancers could still walk afterwards.  Overall, 2Faced presented a creative show with plenty more highlights than low.

 (Words: Sian Goldby) 

Original Article

I’ve never been particularly superstitious, but I did reach a point recently where I wondered if I was fated never to make it to Jose, a new tapas bar in Bermondsey from the eponymous Mr Pizarro.

First I had to miss out on being a friend’s plus-one to the opening party when a course of medication I’d started caused some unpleasant and unpredictable side-effects including spontaneously passing out - never a good look when you’re trying to network over patatas bravas. Then a scheduled dinner date with two pals had to be called off when first one cancelled because both his kids had the lurgy, and then the other because he had it. Jose seemed by all accounts to be under a bit of a jinx.

But thank goodness the jinx broke and, third time lucky, I finally got to experience Jose; I’m pleased to report that it was worth the wait. It’s by no means original - great tapas and sherry bars are springing up all over town at a very pleasing rate  - but Jose is more than just a great tapas bar, it’s a great restaurant full stop, turning out some of the best food I’ve had of any type, anywhere, recently.

Jose occupies an attractive curve-fronted corner site on Bermondsey Street, spitting distance from Borough Market where Pizarro made his name at Brindisa. It’s a tiny little place, seating probably no more than twenty at the tiled bar and at counters in the centre of the room and along the windows, with some additional standing room at a couple of up-ended sherry barrels. By day, light pours through the tall windows making the space feel bright and welcoming; as night falls and the room fills up - and boy does it fill up - it gets buzzier and more intimate…

…To read the rest, click here to visit Hugh Wright’s blog, Twelvepointfivepercent.com - London Restaurant Reviews Of Real Discretion. 

Follow Hugh on Twitter: @HRWright

Original Article

What a joy it is to finally respond to the slighting “they don’t make them like they used to” –a remark that has gained ground in the current cinematic climate of soulless remakes -  with these five little words: Have you seen The Artist?

The film by French director and scriptwriter Michel Hazanavicius has caused a sensation in festivals around the world (from Cannes to London) and is a passionate love letter to silent cinema. Shot in black and white in the 1.33 aspect ratio and wordless (for the most part) it plunges the audience right into one of Hollywood’s golden decades, the 1920s. The wonderful cast could have come out of a Tinseltown production of that era. Jean Dujardin (who won the Best Actor award in Cannes) plays George Vlaentin, a movie megastar whose fame is threatened by the advent of “talkies”. He channels the legendary silent actor John Gilbert, while Bérénice Bejo mesmerises with her elegance and perkiness in the role of Peppy Miller, a young actress discovered by Valentin who quickly becomes the “It Girl” of the era. They are supported by great character actors like John Goodman and James Cromwell, effortlessly excelling in pantomime acting.

The Artist, though is not a complete pastiche of a silent film. Ludovic Bource’s continuous score is distinctly more elaborate that the orchestral music that would normally accompany the major film events of that era.  Similarly, Hazanavicius uses a more sophisticated visual style from the one you could find in a 1920’s production making the film more accessible to modern film-goers.

The film’s story itself doesn’t need such innovations. While the decline of a film star is presented in a more dramatic manner compared to the similarly themed Singin’ in the Rain, The Artist doesn’t opt to be a thorough character study or a realistic expose of the ruthless Hollywood system. Instead, it aims to convey to the audience such vital emotions like sadness, happiness and love and it does so with the immediacy that characterises the work of directors like Charlie Chaplin. And it reminds us the kind of magic that cinema can still offer. (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)

The Artist will be released nationwide on December 30.

Original Article

Since the democratisation of all things technological, the SLR has been available to anyone with a few  hundred quid spare and some free time to get snapping. Wannabe Edward Weston’s and snap happy Goldin’s are popping up all over the place, recognisable only by the dazzling flash of light and then gone. Sadly the public arena has never made much concession for the budding photographer until Shirley Read, author and photography lecturer, prompted her students, Emma and Kit,  to fill the proverbial gap and arrange the first amateur photography festival in London.

While Photomonth rolls on in East, this inaugural event take place in South London  at The Crypt in Borough on October 28th and 29th and features an exhibition that promises to showcase hot talent and provide the opportunity to buy some prints in the process. Entry is recession friendly (that’s FREE to you) and supported by a host of industry pros including Frui, Zoom in Photography and Photofusion. Shirley Read will be putting her expert stamp on who really is the one to watch and offering out prizes to the top dogs. The public will also get a chance to vote for their favourite in the f/factor competition. It’s for one weekend only, so make it a date.  (Words: Laura Thornley) 

[stextbox id=”custom”]The London Photo Festival takes place October 28th and 29th. For more info visit www.londonphotofestival.org[/stextbox]

Original Article

When Göran Hugo Olsson accidentally stumbled upon footage of the Black Power movement whilst browsing the Swedish Television archives, he knew that he wanted to share it with the world. The result is Black Power Mixtape, a compilation feature documentary which might have been an exotic topic for its creator,  but still manages to capture a period rich with significance historically, socially, and even musically.

However, this isn’t a film of just speeches and images of riots - we are also treated to unguarded, funny, and tender moments. We see Stokely Carmichael talking with his mother, Angela Davis speaking with a freedom the US press would not have allowed and we see heart-warming and heartbreaking clips with people who are unknown but not unimportant.

By focusing on the humanity and not the militancy of the Black Power movement, Olsson has created a film that is both accessible and relatable to anyone. The significance of this time is also beautifully contextualised by contemporary audio commentary from the likes of Erykah Badu, Talb Kweli, and even Angela Davis herself. Still at 96 minutes long, it can only ever scratch the surface - but where it’s light on content and a clear editorial thread (hence the “mixtape” reference), it’s made up by  a head-nodding film score provided by Questlove and Om’Mas - a fitting backdrop to a moment in history that still bears relevance today. (Words: Femi Martin)  

In cinemas October 21st. For more info visit: www.blackpowermixtape.com

Original Article

British dance company ZooNation has one goal: to the change the misconceptions and negative stereotypes associated with hip-hop culture.

It’s a tricky mission, I’m sure you’ll agree; especially when US rappers like Lil’ Wayne and Eminem spout about drugs, violence and misogyny, climbing up the charts in the process. What’s so positive about that, you cry?

But anyone who knows and loves the genre, knows this: there is another side to hip hop. It is important both in its cultural relevancy and its innate ability to give voice to the struggle of those on the periphery of society. Hip-hop does something truly great: it creates a sense of community. The actions of young people in disadvantaged areas to channel their energy into creativity and self-expression in the form of music and dance rather than crime and indifference can only ever be seen a positive one.

Perhaps that’s why ZooNation’s first West End production Into the Hoods was so well-received. Loosely based on the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, it mixed fairytale with humour and old school jams with contemporary culture to create an energetic and engaging piece that entertained whilst maintaining a socio-political agenda.

Their newest production, Some Like It Hip Hop, opens at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on October 20th. It tells a story of sexism, mistaken identity and revolution in a city where books are banned and draws from influences including Billy Wilder’s film classic, TV series ‘Mad Men’ and Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’.

Expect cross-dressing, big laughs, bad beats and the inevitable West End transfer once the month long run ends - and we cannot wait.

For more information and to book tickets, go to The Sadler’s Wells theatre.

Original Article

The Cultural Exposé recently headed to Catch - a seafood restaurant that might have an inconspicuous entrance on Liverpool Street, but is a lavishly-styled eatery inside the Andaz Hotel with plenty of references to its speciality and even the mild aqua interior to match. Of course you won’t find dolphins taking your order (imagine that, eh?), but there’s no question that this is a spot that wants you to be fully immersed in enjoying the catch of the day.

Joined by a pescetarian buddy, we worked our way through the compact and mid-priced menu which features what you’d usually expect from a seafood joint; oysters (we’ll get onto those later), fish and chips for the comfort-eaters, a few meat selections for the reluctant  and a variety of curious-sounding and experimental dishes, which suggests a chef who understands it never hurts to give  seabass and cod a bit of a kick.

For our starters, the bouillabaisse was strong to taste, but well-balanced with fresh tomatoes, while the crab cakes had a thai twist and were livened up by the most subtle of coconut sauces. However, our favourite was the  seafood escabache, a refreshingly chilled assortment of crayfish, scallops, octopus, avocado and plum tomatoes, accented with lemon balm.

It was also two-thumbs up for the mains, and where the autumn vegetable pie was the more homely offering, the eclectic ocean fish - with its combination of sea bass, cod, mussels and scallops - was a worthy special with an impeccable risotto.

[gallery]

Then came the oysters. In fairness, you’ve got to be into oysters to judge them and so it was a good thing we went for the oyster experience - a selection that’s partially-cooked and seasoned with your choice of yuzu gelée (a lemon and orange fusion from Japan), chorizo & sherry vinegar, tempura & sweet soy sauce or parmesan & horseradish.  The latter flavour was definitely the most distinctive, successfully masking the freshness and texture of such a unique delicacy.

Two brilliant  and beautifully presented desserts wrapped up the meal; the classic lemon tart with the delicious mojito foam and a guilty madagascan manjari chocolate & praline cake, with pickled cherries. These were enjoyed with the remarkable Gavi di Gavi Nuovo Quadro - an extremely clean and light white wine, recommended by one of the many wonderful waitresses here.

It was a very memorable feast - aren’t those the best? - and where it’d cost about  £120 with drinks for two people, it’s worth it for such great service and a quality effort in offering beautiful seafood in the heart of the city. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper) 

Original Article

The Cultural Exposé loves to discover what’s happening the Londontown – but who better to recommend things to do in the capital than the people living in the city? So starting monthly from this week, you’ll have a chance to win a cool prize by simply suggesting something to do and see in the capital!

To enter the competition, simply leave a tip on in the comments section below (with a reason for your suggestion) for  your FAVOURITE MUSIC VENUES IN LONDON – and a winner will be chosen at random!

Good luck!

About the prize: Tickets to see Submotion Orchestra at Koko on October 31st

Submotion Orchestra have rapidly built up a reputation as one of the most interesting and original projects emerging from the UK today. Drawing upon dubstep, soul, ambient electronica, jazz and dub, their unique music is at once delicate and heavy, spacious and dense, highly atmospheric but firmly rooted. Earth-shaking bass and drums combine with lush keyboard and trumpet textures to create the perfect bed for the fragile beauty of Ruby Wood’s vocals, and the celestial effects of sound designer Ruckspin.

Terms and conditions

1)  You must be 18 or over to enter this competition.

2)  You can enter as many tips of you like (well, technically no more than 3!)

3)  The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.

4)  The competition ends on October 26th and the winner will be announced on October 27th! 

Original Article

“Resonating” - This is the first word that springs to mind after seeing Andrew Haigh’s award-winning film Weekend. An instant sell-out at this month’s London Film Festival and a seemingly modernised version of 1996’€™s Beautiful Thing, Weekend is an honest and naturalistic observation of yet another story about attraction.

Described as “an unconventional love story between two young men trying to make sense of their lives” this is a story about love and acceptance and how not knowing if you really are loved or accepted can impact the way you approach relationships and in essence, life. Brave in its retelling of initial attraction and common apprehension, Weekend is even complete with characters gloriously mocking the fact that they’€™ve ended up in their very own Notting Hill.

Tom Cullen and Chris New’s chemistry, with the help of some striking cinematography, is really what defines Weekend as the kind of film you go to sleep still thinking about. What you’€™ll find quite refreshing in Haigh’€™s writing is the quality he has in being able to hint at reasons behind the characters’ apprehension in sex and relationships, without ever confirming them. And it’s that honest perplexity that resonates - and makes this altogether, an effortlessly striking film. (Words: Syriah Bailey)

In cinemas November 4th (part of the 55th London Film Festival programme)

Original Article

I am…proud to be a born and bred Londoner! London is truly the best city in the world and its diversity means there is never a dull moment. My fascination with all that is great in London led me to start a nightlife ticketing company called Shoobs.com!  The mission is simply to provide you with a ticket to access the buzzing corners of London’s nightlife every night!

The area in London I call home is… Edmonton, North London and yes, I’m a Spurs supporter!

I’ve got to have a meal at…Scarlet Dot! I absolutely love Indian food and I have yet to find anywhere as good as this joint in Spitalfields!

I tend to get my threads from…Zara, Topshop, H&M. These my favourite high street stores, but I also tend to buy clothes from independent stores/markets…I love Portobello market!

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should…check out www.shoobs.com!

If I was mayor, I would…make the Tube a 24-hour service! Stop being a party pooper Boris, Londoners want to party all night long and know that they can get home afterwards!

My favourite spot to check out art is…The V&A, particularly their late evening’s specials on the last Friday of the month…Entry is free, so this is a must on the London itinerary.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to…stand on the right hand side of the escalator; the left is for us busy folks trying to fit in all there is to see and do!

The things I miss when I leave London are… the chaos of the city! From the hundreds of people trying to get through London’s narrow streets to the multiple of languages trying to be heard over the congested traffic…the busyness of London is what adds to his character!

My soundtrack to London would include…

“LDN” by Lily Allen
“Stand Up Tall” by Dizzee Rascal
“Oh no” by So Solid Crew – So Solid put London’s Underground Garage scene on the map! For that, we salute you!

Original Article

You might’ve seen the dance flicks, but everyone knows real b-boy crews have got the moves that’d easily put the Step Up franchise to shame. So expect to see breakers from all over the globe throw down their best eccentric body movements and creativity at this year’s UK B-Boy Championships World Finals on October 16th at Brixton Academy.

Moves like pop-locking, shimmies and hardcore breaking have impressed street dance fans since the birth of the UK B-Boy Championships in 1996. This time around the final showdown will see the world’s best crews — Jinjo (Korea), Dynamic Rockers (USA), FoundNation (Japan) and the UK’s own Soul Mavericks, amongst many others — work intensely to take home the title and impress the crowds and judges.

Hosting the event will be ‘80s b-boy veteran Crazy Legs, of the infamous Rock Steady Crew along with Afrika Bambaataa protégé Afrika Islam, both highly respected pioneers of Hip-Hop’s break dancing movement.

Current defending champions Vagabond will be battling to maintain their credibility as one of the most respected crews in the game. Described as having an ‘arsenal of routines’, the French lockers and breakers will be going above and beyond themselves with their new moves.

Solo b-boys hold their own in a separate category, while the highly anticipated Poppers category will up the ante as they show the extent in which the human body can go to achieve unimaginable positions - so this event should be pretty mind-blowing.  (Words: Aaron-Spencer Charles) 

For more  information visit: www.bboychampionships.com

Original Article

Tired of the same old snail porridge or Mock Turtle soup? Are you thinking Heston’s dry ice tactics are beginning to resemble a bad Jean Michel Jarre show? Well perhaps you need to get where the new food vibe is and head to the Experimental Food Society Spectacular on October 21st and 22nd.  Taking place at the  Truman Brewery, this elaborate event will include an exhibition of food art, interactive food performances and other unimaginable showcases of people who ‘do stuff with food’.

The line-up’s impressive, and who knew there was such a thing as “food futurology” - a fascinating academic field that explores the reasons why we eat, how we eat and what we will eat in the future? There will also be the big names in ‘out there’ cuisine - Bompas and Parr, the jellymongers ho explore architecture through the medium of jelly (they’ve done the gherkin!), Melon Man - fruit and vegetable carver extraordinaire,  food perfumer Louise Bloor, bread artist Sharon Baker (she was destined for that job) and an array of food designers. The work is exhibited on the Saturday and you may be able to have a cheeky taster then, otherwise you can eat to your hearts content with an experimental food banquet on Sunday. So get ready for an event that promises to kick Blumenthal well and truly to the kerb. (Words: Laura Thornley) 

Original Article

The London Lifestyle Awards celebrates the bars, services, shops and attractions that have made great contributions to the capital - and have helped hip and arty urban adventurers like ourselves enjoy lovely and wonderful things to do and places to go in London. Held this year on October 6th at the Park Plaza Riverside hotel, here’s our highlights of the winners at the star-studded event:

• Best Green Contribution to London - Barclays Cycle Hire

It’s only been just over a year since the Boris Bikes have taken over the streets of London - but the scheme has become a real winner in the capital, with over 138,000 members signed up and more than six million cycle journeys taken since 2010. On yer bikes people! www.tfl.gov.uk

Runners Up

Go Green Car - an eco-friendly car service - a green alternative to mini cabs and chauffeurs.

Green Tomato Cars - A London-based private hire car service, using the most viable environmentally friendly cars available

• London Coffee Shop of the Year
- Benugo Café and Deli

This chain of cafes was founded in 1998 by brothers Ben and Hugo Warner (alas “Benugo” - geddit?) and are renowned for the use of quality, fresh ingredients in their sandwiches, salads, cakes and smoothies. They’ve since expanded into bars and restaurants, which are equally conscientious and cool. www.benugo.com

Runners Up

Bar Italia Soho 
- Described as a “Soho institution” that does great cappuccinos

The Haberdashery- Stylish Coffee House, Eatery and Old Vinyls in Crouch End, London

• London Hotel of the Year
- Sanctum Soho Hotel

I once visited this boutique hotel for a friend’s birthday bash on their rooftop garden, and it’s clear they put the capital C in Class. They describe it as “an oasis of comfort, style and sophistication in the heart of London’s buzzing West End” and “an exclusive and extravagant playpen for the most discerning of guests”. Agreed! www.sanctumsoho.com (20 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NF, Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus) 

Runners Up

The Dorchester
- a luxury hotel, situated on Park Lane in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park

Rafayel Hotel and Spa- Battersea-based luxury 5 star Eco hotel

• London Cultural Attraction of the Year 
- Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is truly a world leader in art and design, housing some of the most extensive collections of ceramics, photographs, drawings, medieval objects and sculpture (their post-classical sculpture collection is the largest in the world wouldya know?), as well as 145 galleries, and phenomenal exhibitions. www.vam.ac.uk (Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL, Closest tube: South Kensington) 

 Runners Up

St Paul’s Cathedral
 - a Church of England cathedral dedicated to Paul the Apostle

Regent’s Park Open Air Open Theatre - Home to the New Shakespeare Company

• London Live Music Venue of the Year - Hootananny 
Brixton

This alternative music spot in SW2 won Best Live Music Pub of the year in 2010 and has developed a reputation for throwing some of the craziest and exciting gigs with quite a lively atmosphere. And they’ve got a pretty amazing Mexican Kitchen to boot. www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk (95 Effra Road, London SW2 1DF, Closest tube: Brixton) 

Runners Up

The o2
 - The former Dome has transformed into a state-of-the-art concert arena

Dover Street Restaurant Jazz Wine Bar Club- Its restaurants have 3 wine bars and late nights (until 3am)

• London Theatre Show of the Year
- The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre

Warming the hearts of London audiences since 1999, this “roaring production” (sorry!) doesn’t appear to have plans to close up shop anytime soon. www.londontheatredirect.com (21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ, Closest tube: Temple) 

 Runners Up

Wizard of Oz 
at the London Palladium

Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales theatre

• London Restaurant of the Year - Searcys Portrait Restaurant

You’ll find this 80-seater on the third floor of the National Portrait Gallery (and that’s 92 feet above ground level so you can imagine the views are simply stunning!) Modern British food is served daily and there’s style and sophistication at the heart of it. www.searcys.co.uk (St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE, Closest tubes: Leicester Square, Charing Cross) 

 Runners Up

Quo Vadis
 - A sophisticated Soho restaurant with a British grill and members club

Aqua Nueva - “Atop Spanish restaurant that combines flashes of bling with flashes of brilliance” says The Telegraph -

• London Bar of the Year 
- McQueen

This award-winning locale was created in the spirit of “The King of Cool” Hollywood actor Steve McQueen and hasn’t failed in being all that and more. Beyond the bar, it’s also got a restaurant and club, and their secret rendevous cabaret night is rapidly becoming legendary www.mcqueen-shoreditch.co.uk (55-61 Tabernacle Street, City of London EC2A 4AA, Closest station: Shoreditch High St) 

 Runners up

The Hoxton Pony
 - Adds an individual and unconventional slant to the gang of venues found in Shoreditch www.thehoxtonpony.com

Artisan & Vine - The Artisan & Vine Wine Bar and Shop was the first to specialise in local and natural wines in the UK. www.artisanandvine.com

• London Club of the Year 
- PUBLIC 
nightclub and bar

New York meets Chelsea at this creative warehouse club targeted at ravers who like to party hard. They’ve even got a VIP section dubbed “The Sweet Room” that’s been designed accordingly. Sweet. www.public.uk.com (533 Kings Rd, London SW10 0TZ, Closest station: Imperial Wharf) 

 Runners up

Merah 
- As soon as you enter Merah, be prepared for an evening treat of glamour, decadence and fun www.merahclub.com

The Roof Gardens - Richard Branson’s roofspot some one hundred feet above Kensington High Street. www.roofgardens.virgin.com

• London Member’s club of the Year 
- Home House

Here’s a PMC that’s too sexy for itself; its 18th century interiors brazenly contradict the youthful clientele, but that’s part of the charm of this eclectic club. And despite the whopping £1,840 joining fee, it’s said to be refreshingly unpretentious. homehouse.co.uk (20 Portman Square London W1H 6LW, Closest tube: Marble Arch)

Runners up

Morton’s Club 
- The most exclusive, yet relaxed private members’ club in Mayfair

Eight Members Club - A private club located in the heart of the City of London

What places in London are your big winners this year? Leave your tips in the comments section below! 

Original Article

The Barbican Art Gallery has opened its doors to reveal an architectural exhibition like no other. Displaying the work of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture - otherwise known as OMA - this exhibition holds some of the most intriguing architectural titbits from collections and archives across the globe. The inventive exhibition is the working of Belgian designers and curators Rotor, who have had the opportunity to delve behind the scenes of this ingenious organisation, to celebrate OMA’s sometimes audacious and unconventional architecture.

OMA is currently working on designs such as: headquarters for China Central Television in Beijing, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, a new headquarters for Rothschild Bank in London and Netherland’s largest building, De Rotterdam.

With OMA’s eye to revolutionalise conventional architecture and change the way in which buildings can be seen or used, the OMA/Progress exhibition promises to delight, challenge and inspire. Whether modern living is your thing or you just like the little models, it’s worth a trip. (Words: Sian Goldby)

On until February 19th, 2012 Original Article

Comics have always been the number one reading material of choice amongst the fantasy fanatic. A combination of admirable pop-artistry, adventure and intrigue - occasional soft porn -  and sci-fi has made for an exhilarating adventure into the world of the imagination. And this, coupled with ingenious illustration, makes fans glad the word/picture ratio is generously weighted towards the latter.

So The Comics Passion festival comes none too soon as a celebration of the genre. Organised by the Institut Francais in association with Comica Festival, the event brings together artists from France, America, Britain and Belgium to share and discuss their unique practice. In a weekend whirl-wind of colour, paper and pens, festival punters will be given the chance to witness talks by artists including Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Jean-Claude Mézières (Valérian and Laureline), China Miéville (Kraken), Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife), and try out their illustration skills in a drawing session with Bastien Vivès (The Taste of Chlorine) and Benoît Sokal (Canardo).

Headlining events also include a screening of Barbarella, the inspirational 60’s cult-classic starring Jane Fonda, and of course there’s a fancy-dress disco, where festival goers will get the chance to strut their cosmic stuff dressed as their favourite comic book hero.

So I imagine the serious graphic novel nuts will be suited to the nines - but  if you simply fancy something else to tickle your fantasy taste buds (and no costume required), the overall programme should be nothing less than fun.  (Words: Sian Goldby) 

[stextbox id=”custom”]The Festival runs 7-9th October and for more info visit the Institut Francais website[/stextbox]

Original Article

With signs that China will emerge as the next global superpower becoming more and more apparent, a documentary about China’s economic foray into Africa, is undoubtedly timely.

It its opening minutes, When China Met Africa informs us that in November 2006,  Beijing cemented its long-term relationship with Africa by hosting a summit of 48 African heads of state. Fast-forward three years later, and filmmaking brothers Nick and Marc Francis examine the current state of this relationship by following the lives of three people from different social classes in the country of Zambia: Mr Liu , a farmer who has just bought his fourth farm and sees his business booming, Mr Li , a road project manager, who is upgrading Zambia’s longest road and Mr Mutati, the country’s Trade Minister who is planning to go to China to secure millions of dollars of investment.

What is evident throughout the film is the inherent tendency of Chinese to jump at every opportunity that comes their way and try to get the best out of it, demonstrated for example in the story of Mr Liu who quit his office work in his country looking for a better future and in the Minister Mutati’s apposite description of the different method of approach that the Western and Chinese investors use.

However, while the film makes a strong case for China’s entrepreneurial spirit being a cardinal reason for forging a relationship with Africa, there are only glimpses of how this partnership has affected the lives of the locals.

Final verdict:  An interesting but somewhat one-sided approach to a really complicated yet  important subject.

(Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)

In cinemas October 7th.  For more info visit: www.whenchinametafrica.com

Original Article

In just two short years, The Book Club in Shoreditch has become one of the best-known alternative nightspots in East London. With a colourful and creative calendar of events incorporating arts and craft, talks, film screenings, DJs and dance classes, its quirky manifesto of ‘drinking and thinking’ has proved a big hit with the East End’s arty hipsters.

We love it too, so we thought it best to let you know that from the October 17th to the 23rd, ‘the Queen of Hoxton’s younger sister’ will be celebrating its birthday in style with a weeklong calendar of activities, including some old favourites.

Draw the seven deadly sins at a lifedrawing session with a twist, battle others at ping pong, learn about the history of perfume at Scratch + Sniff or create a winning volcanic explosion at Monday’s Science Fair. But if that all sounds a bit too much like hard work, just come for a boogie and a slice of birthday cake on the Friday or Saturday to the sounds of resident DJ Filthy Duke plus special guests.

Expect streamers, party poppers, happy young people and frivolous fun times - Happy birthday Book Club!  (Words: Aoife Moriarty) 

For more details on events taking place, go to: www.wearetbc.com

Original Article

In a nutshell: Hammersmith looks like it’s all about the 9-5, with a number of major companies and venues (Coca-Cola, Disney, Hammersmith Apollo) imposing their gravitas on the central hub; therefore it can feel a bit commercial, which can overshadow the genuine Hammersmithians who you’ll find lurking around the ghetto-ish side roads or holding court in King’s Mall.

If you’ve got a couple of hours: Forget King Street – unless you’re visiting the innovative Lyric Theatre, and do the Hammersmith Riviera river walk instead. I was kind of shocked such a place exists; it seems idyllic (and romantic) on a quiet day too and has some well-recommended pubs and restaurants.

What else? There’s also the London Wetland Centre which is across the river and for those that are into their wildlife (not me, but possibly you) and lovers of arts and textiles will appreciate the William Morris Society museum on the Upper Mall.

Don’t Even: Come all the way to ‘Smith just for Primark and go back home again (I know you were thinking it).

Further info: www.information-britain.co.uk/county16/townguideHammersmith

Do you live/work/play in Hammersmith and have any area recommendations? Leave your tips below in the comments section! 

Original Article

After months of partnering with the immensely notable visual label ANTIVJ, Flying Lotus makes his UK debut at London’s creative hub Roundhouse on October 22nd. From being an unfamiliar face within L.A.’s melting pot of music, Lotus (real name Steven Ellison) is now regarded as one of the world’s most innovative creator of fresh remixes, collaborations and one-off musical installations.

Although he’s worked with the diverse likes of Erykah Badu, Thom Yorke and Suicidal Tendencies – it’s quite difficult to know what to expect from his next show. With only three performances  under his belt with ANTIVJ (the other two in Paris and Los Angeles) there’s been plenty  of  hype - but judging from the stunning visuals used in his recent music video for “MmmHmm” from Warp Films,  his boundless  imagination  should guarantee we’re looking at a dazzling performance - an exhibition even - in Roundhouse’s main space. (Words: Syriah Bailey) 

Original Article