December 2011
32 posts
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Our highlights of the year no. 1: Q-Tip at YoYos,...
We didn’t have to think too long and hard about this one. For all this year’s hip and cultural happenings, this PA from A Tribe Called Quest’s legendary member Q-Tip (in my ‘hood of all places) has to go down as one of the most exciting - and random - gigs of 2011. Much love to Amelia from Put Me On It who spread the word on Facebook a day before the show, along with...
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Our highlights of the year no. 2: Learning how to...
Yes, learning how to get down on the wheels of steel - both the new and old school way - was definitely a major highlight of the year; especially as we were taught by some of the most notable jockeys in the game, courtesy of Ministry of Sound. Read about our experience here…
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Our highlights of the year no. 3: Flow Festival,...
We briefly left London in the summer to attend the Flow Festival in Helsinki - and it was BRILLIANT! Check out our extensive coverage of the multi-art fest here (photo gallery), here (daily diary) and here (review)…
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Our highlights of the year no. 4: The Artist at...
This critically-acclaimed silent movie debuted at this year’s London Film Festival, and it’s been receiving rave reviews ever since. The public will get to see what all the much deserved fuss is about on December 30th, but in the meantime you can read our review here…
Original Article
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Our highlights of the year No. 5: Tracey Emin's...
Contributor Rachel Segal Hamilton checked out this major retrospective from the provocative Ms Emin earlier this year and the brilliant show reaffirmed the artist’s penchant for thought-provoking honesty and self-deprecation.
Read our review here…
Original Article
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Things to do in London for New Year's Eve
As usual, there’s a whole heap of parties going on, and too right - we’re about to step into 2012!!!! Saying that, our general advice for a grand New Year’s Eve is:
Do one at home with a few friends and hot playlist
We like The Notewell’s Advent Calendar of playlists - any of those might do -  and you might be inspired by this quickie how-to  guide from our cousins...
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10 things to do in London post-Christmas
You’ve got your pressies (yeeeeeeeey! nay?), the crackers have popped, and you’ve probably stuffed yourself with enough food to get you through the week. But to avoid another year of being incarcerated at home, we’ve come up with a few ideas to make the most of the post-Christmas week before worrying about what to do on New Year’s Eve  (that’s tomorrow’s...
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What we've been up to... Secret Cinema
Imagine my surprise one Wednesday evening, as I strolled along a street in London and entered a building, only to be transported to war torn 1940’s?! … time travelling sans the DeLorean, perhaps? Not quite. Truth is, I was paying a little trip to the new Secret Cinema event. And what an experience it was. Only thing is, I have sworn to tell no one!
Ok, so I can let you in on some of the...
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5 of the most offbeat supperclubs in London
Supper clubs - a one-night experience run by enthusiasts and open to the general public - have taken off in the past couple of years. They’re now very easy to organise and publicise through social media, and pre-sell tickets through services like Eventbrite or Paypal. But going to a supper club is a great way to eat good food in unusual settings and meet new people. One thing I particularly...
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Metropolitans: Mark Wright, Senior Account Manager
I amâ¦attracted to the drive, creativity and passion found in London. Arriving here from Australia five years ago this culture keeps me here, and I consider myself a Londoner now too. By day, I work in client service at a digital agency and I also have a couple of other projects going on.
The area in London I call home is… Clerkenwell. Itâs all about EC1! I live right on Exmouth Market...
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Somewhere you should go... Freshly Scratched: A...
If you like the West End but can’t keep up with theatre prices you might want to try the Battersea Arts Centre Scratch Nights. At only £1 a show (or pay as you go), BAC Scratch showcases their artists in residence and allows them to test their ideas on a live audience to get feedback in the process - and such is the quality of the shows, even Jerry Springer the Opera was created through the...
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Somewhere you should go... Brixton Village
Formerly a well-kept secret known as Granville Arcade, Brixton Village became increasingly popular this year, especially since Brixton local and the Guardian food critic Jay Rayner profiled it as “home to the most vibrant restaurant scene in London”. But in fact it’s much more, a perfect gem of a market that houses all a Londoner needs for a perfect Saturday afternoon: fresh coffee...
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Somewhere you should go... Jeru The Damaja at The...
It’s been 17 years since Jeru The Damaja released his debut album The Sun Rises in the East and now on the eve of his sixth album, you have the chance to see the hip-hop veteran performing live in the capital. Taking place at The Relentless Garage Highbury, which has played host to a few major names,including Sugarhill Gang - this gig is sure to be quite something.
Jeru’s distinct...
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What we've been up to... The Bad Jumper Jingle...
To celebrate the season of eating, drinking and being merry, The Book Club held their “Bad Jumper Jingle Bell Rock” on December 9th.Shoreditch hipsters were invited to don their most cringeworthy jumpers and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree. Well, dodgy jumpers were aplenty, while reindeer, snowmen, santas and snowflakes all made a knitted appearance your gran would be...
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Something you should do... explore London’s...
Love or hate it, itâs hard to deny the impact that the tube and train network has on Londoners. And with a history that spans over 160 years, itâs no surprise that the city has its share of stations that have closed over the decades. The stories behind these derelict and disused buildings is something that fascinates me, especially as many tube and train lines still run through their decaying...
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Metropolitans: Ida May, model
I am… a professional dancer, actress and a model loving the hotness of the bikram and living the life in the East side of London in Hackney. Moved here from Finland 4 years ago.
The area in London I call home is… Hackney. After few years in Camden we found our home in East. Got a large space full of little swings and things n hula hoops just off Kingsland road overlooking the canal....
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Something you should see... Theatre Rites: Mojo
Theatre Rites has been setting the benchmark for outstanding theatre for many years now, stretching way back to 1995 when they first formed. Going from strength-to-strength, they’ve now teamed up with the Barbican and Salzburg Festival to present Mojo - a topsy-turvy fantasy world of puppets and artists, bursting with energy and light as the characters discover their, ermm, mojo.
If that...
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Somewhere you should eat... Banana Tree, Soho
I had to admire the chutzpah of the marketing guy who sent me, unsolicited, a pretty-generous gift voucher to spend at the newly-opened Soho branch of growing Indochine canteen chain Banana Tree. ”We would like to invite you personally to come and try out our new restaurant in Soho!” went the accompanying email; “If you like us, blog it! - if you hate us - let us know, as we are...
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Something you should see… We Have a Pope
From a quick look at the plot - which revolves around a newly elected Pope that cannot bring himself to greet the faithful, leaving his advisors to seek help from a renowned psychoanalyst - you would be excused to think that this is nothing more than the Italian version of The King’s Speech. However, both films tackle a similar subject from two different angles.
Melville (Michel Piccoli), the...
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Somewhere you should go... Shore Leave
Having a sword duel with a stranger, getting a tattoo and dancing a jig to a French gypsy band are just some of the things you can expect from Shore Leave - a quirky, sailor-themed night out for “drown hearts and lost lovers”. The swords might be plastic and the tattoos (from the Tatt Shack) might wash off in the shower, but this is still the closest you will get to feeling like a...
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Metropolitans: Charlotte Fielding, photographer
I am a… Londonite photographer, I love everything photo-related and strive to keep my work fresh. I cover events from Burlesque nights and underground film screenings to weddings and exhibition openings. I have lived in London for six years now and feel that the city really inspires me in work and play. Every day is different and I never stop discovering here. I think it might be love.
The area...
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Somewhere you should go... Hip Hop Karaoke, The...
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it underground bar on Little Portland Street, is a legendary Hip Hop Karaoke night - the only way to spend your Thursday evenings. The local office boys and girls rush to get the drinks in straight after clocking out and, with free entry for all, the night gets buzzing pretty early on.
The first rule of Hip Hop Karaoke is that you’ll need to pick a song on a first-come,...
November 2011
46 posts
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Win prizes in our new photography competition...
When all’s said and done, we can agree on one thing - London is a pretty exciting and vibrant place to live in (despite some hellish mornings on the tube!) and the longer you live here, the more experiences there are to be had, as well as unique places to discover. Everyone has a favourite activity, shop, hangout, bar, club, restaurant, market  â heck, even bridge…! -  so here at...