What to do in London - The Cultural Exposé

Before the Revolution is a beautiful, if at times puzzling film. He made it when he was just 22, and his love for New Wave cinema shines through. A real cinematographer’s dream, the film centres on the young and handsome Fabrizio, a disillusioned son of a bourgeoisie family who’s drawn to Marxist ideals yet never quite escaping his affluent upbringing. He’s supposed to marry the equally upper-class Clelia but rejects this idea. In an attempt to curb this rebellion, his mother invites her troubled and unstable sister, Gina to their home with the intention that she will be able to better communicate with Fabrizio. However, the plan backfires and Fabrizio falls for Gina. The film then follows Fabrizio, his relationship with Gina and those around him. Beautifully shot in black and white in Parma in 1964, what the film lacks - with its jumpy and politically uncertain narrative - it makes up for with wonderfully strange set pieces which are accompanied by captivating sounds and are disconnected from the main story. So tricky in places, but fairly wonderful, overall. (Words: Chloe Lloyd)

In selected cinemas from April 8th.

Few magazines are as recklessly stylish and culturally influential as Dazed & Confused. Created in the early 90s by photographer Rankin and Jefferson Hack (you know - that guy who went out with Kate Moss!), it has been at the forefront of cutting edge fashion, photography, music and art ever since, with only i-D to currently rival it in the ‘coolness’ stakes. Which is why we were very excited (indeed my insides did a funny little thing - not v supercool of me!) to hear that Dazed Live, the magazine’s first ever festival, is set to bring the style bible’s pages to life in East London this April.

The first time event should be inspiring and chic in equal measure, with talks on the future of art, video and political activism by day and music by acts such as Gang Gang Dance, Black Devil Disco Club, SBTRKT and Actress as the sun goes down. Art will feature in the form of exhibitions including New York gallery The Hole’s recent ‘Postermat’, in addition to film and shorts screenings accompanied by director and crew Q&As (ooh…!)

More information as and when it comes, but looking forward to mingling with the fashionistas (and fashionistas, you can come mingle with the music geeks and techie trendsetters for a change!). (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more information, visit dazedlive.com.

Taking place in London’s chirpy East End, the London Word Festival has been running since 2007, hosting a vibrant celebration of music, literature, comedy, theatre and live art. Some of the highlights this year include the Sunday Scrabble Tournament on April 7th - Excellent prizes await as well as some alternative games including Blockbusters and Buckaroo - as well as Man/Machine on April 19th. It’s a night of performance exploring technology, robotics and automation, featuring the likes of Paul Granjon and his weird science-esque support cast including Nikesh Shukla - playing the white-coated scientist in a separate act - and Ross Sutherland, a charming poet who collaborates with a computer. Let’s not forget the unique and progressive sound of FOUND; a band who released their new studio album mid-March - they’ll also be in the mix.

Joining the Man/Machine stage are Ladies of the Press, who’ll be presenting a film piece on poetry and technology. Be sure to catch them on April 27th at The Goodbye Library. Then there’s Emmy The Great and Jack Underwood. at Be Seeing You on May 5th, where they’ll be compiling a souvenir gazette with artists and audiences. This will be freely available on the day and for download at the London Word Festival website. (Words: Syriah Bailey).

Tara Darby is a remarkable photographer. On the occasions I’ve come across her work, I’ve always been inspired by her approach to documentary photography (she’s my British Mary Ellen Mark!) and the way she’s successfully pursued it as her art, contributing to the likes of AnOther and Dazed & Confused, and having her snaps revered worldwide. She’s one of the many photographers who continue to stoke my belief in the power of visual storytelling, and her talent is pretty apparent in her new book, We Are Only Humans.

Consisting of pictures taken over a nine year period, the book captures the multiculturalism and vibrancy of Hackney, through a mixture of people portraits and other observations - and to get more of the story, tonight’s launch party (which is at the Golden Heart Pub in Shoreditch, and open to all) will be the perfect opportunity to explore what can only be described as superbly accurate document of her community. The book comes ahead of her solo show at the Transition Gallery in May, where she’ll be showing an exhibition titled Literary Journey. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

The wonderful thing about the arrival of Spring in London is the onslaught of “Shakespeare: Remixed” productions which seek to invariably present the thespian’s work in a new, creative light. So it’s always fun to see Shake’s colourful words given the hip-hop treatment, in the way The Q Brothers have done with their production, Funk It Up About Nothin’.

It arrives in the Capital for the very first time next month, having already established itself in Chicago as a solid production which celebrates the different elements of hip-hop (DJing, b-boyig, you name it), backed up by Much Ado About Nothing’s lol storyline and a great soundtrack as the proverbial icing on the cake. I’m also hearing whispers that there’s audience participation too (hip-hop hooraaaaay! Hooooo!), which makes me think this is one show that fans of hip-hop, theatre and good ol’ Willie S probably wouldn’t wanna miss. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

For more info, visit the Theatre Royale Stratford East site.

There’s supposedly more depth to this film’s plot if former reviews are to believed, but it basically follows estranged brothers Michael (Adam Scott) and Tobey (Joel Bissonette) as they go in search for Tobey’s “only reason to go on living” and drug addict ex-girlfriend. It’s a slow one, but along with its realistic aesthetic and killer indie rock soundtrack to boot (Leonard Cohen, Silverjews to drop a few names) the film brings some hilarious moments.

Michael’s exchange with a prostitute as she wanks off in the seat next to him then demands some cash to pay her bills definitely springs to mind. The kooky drunk girl they pick up in the middle of nowhere and almost dump back in the middle of nowhere also springs to mind.

You’ll probably try to find some meaning in the film… but unfortunately, when you take out the interactions with random strangers along the way, all you really have is irritating and obviously scripted dialogue between the brothers that seems to exist just to pass time.

Matthew Bissonette’s third film is visually quite the masterpiece but when you get down to the nitty gritty; i.e. the plot, the resolve; there doesn’t seem to be much of either. I’m still laughing about the hooker and the drunk girl though. (Words: Syriah Bailey)

Out in cinemas April 1st.

For many, the experience of learning a modern European language at school was to be endured rather than enjoyed. Then there are some of us would-be linguaphiles who developed a love for French, Spanish, German, Italian, (fill in blank) despite the stifling effects of academia on the actual joy of studying a new language. So for those who fall into the latter category, there’s Euroclub, a London- based collective that organises various events-both social and quasi-academic-to help language-enthusiasts bolster their skills. Actually, it’s more than that; it’s an opportunity for those with a general interest in a particular language to gather together and share, whether they are already native level speakers or just keen beginners. Activities include weekly conversation evenings, small group tutorials which cater for diverse abilities, coffee mornings and a myriad of other cultural events.

Once the very reasonably priced subscription fee is paid, most Euroclub activities are free - save for the tutorials which are a steal at £2 per session - with no obligation to attend each week. So for anyone wishing to improve their existing knowledge of a modern European language, but who have not yet had the chance to emigrate and learn through immersion, Euroclub could be the next best thing. For more info, visit www.euroclub.co.uk. (Words: Tola Ositelu)

KINO 10: Funny For Nothing at Flatpack Festival

It takes a lot for a staunchly proud Londonite like me to visit a city I used to love to hate for various reasons (the shops early closing hours being one of them!). Saying that, Birmingham has stepped its game up in the last few years since I lived there, from the transformation of the Bullring to now the Flatpack and Fierce Festivals, which will both be aiming to prove that Britain’s second biggest city can take the lead on these sorts of of things; and kudos to them for giving us a reason to leave the hustle and bustle of London this week!

Human Salvage at Fierce Festival

Both fests will be featuring a mix of quirky film screenings, performances and installations, topped off with plenty of workshops and parties, in celebration of all things cultural and creative. Noteworthy highlights at Flatpack include a “caravan cinema”, a screening of the mind-bending Marwencol by director Jeff Malmberg, while Fierce includes a masterclass from South African artist James Webb on a unique way of creating art with sound, amongst other fab happenings. Altogether, it looks set to change anything you (or I!) might have thought about Birmingham, so for more info visit the Flatpack festival or Fierce Festival websites. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

If you haven’t heard by now, Zumba is the dance fitness class that’s currently making waves across the country. It was created in the mid-90s by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez (a choreographer for pop stars like Shakira) by accident, when he forgot his usual fitness music and used Latin music instead. But what makes it so unique is that it uses a variety of different dance styles including salsa, merengue, belly dancing, samba, Bhangra and hip-hop, set to Latin, African and Caribbean-based music - and it’s actually fun, making working out seem like, well, not working out.

The enthusiastic and energetic teacher of the Zumba class I went to at the O2 Esporta stressed to us that we should just have fun and not worry about getting everything right, which was a change from the usual ‘no pain, no gain’ ethos you get from some instructors (the ones who think they’re actually drill sergeants). Meanwhile, the fear of actually doing yourself an injury from bad technique is also erased, leaving you to just enjoy yourself. The moves themselves make you feel sexy, powerful and feminine (it’s a class that’s targeted at women) and you can’t help but smile and woop as the music builds momentum and you lose all inhibitions, sashaying across the room, waving your arms, shaking your bum and feeling like a dancer in an MTV video. This is definitely an exercise class for people who don’t like exercise -and for more info visit www.zumbauk.co.uk. (Words: Priscilla Ayres, Pic: SaySandra)

When you think of the term ‘musical innovation’, you might think of Kraftwerk, Grandmaster Flash, grime and dubstep mixtapes or maybe even towards that 19th century game-changing rascal himself, Beethoven.

In the future, you might also think of London’s Ether music festival. Now in its tenth year, the Southbank Centre’s annual salute to experimental audiovisual fare is set to delight our eardrums and stir our senses once more with an intriguing line-up of sonic delights.

Genre-hopping and boundary breaking are the order of the day, with music from the likes of James Blake, Killing Joke and Micachu and the Shapes (pictured) as well as soundtracks performed live to screenings of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Joan of Arc. There are talks, workshops and special events, so make sure all you upcoming DJs, producers and Kid A fans get down there (stat!): It’s sure to be an exciting event of edifying echoes and sexy scratches for those who like their music best served piping hot on a futuristic-looking plate. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more info about the Ether 2011, Click here.

Written and directed by Lance Hammer, this double-prize winner at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival tells the story of 12-year-old James (Jim Myron Ross) – a youngster who finds solace in a gang of streetwise teenagers, while forming a gradual friendship with his deceased father’s twin brother, Lawrence (Michael J. Smith, Sr). When James gets in a spot of trouble and his mother Marlee (Tara Riggs) loses her job, the depressed yet good-willed Lawrence brings the three closer together.

What’s noticeable about this movie is the striking imagery. The lonesome surroundings of the Mississippi terrain and derelict areas set the tone, demonstrating the characters’ daily struggle. Each shot speaks for itself, with short-and-sharp scenes and no music scores, almost giving a documentary-style feeling in some places. For this reason it’s clear to see why Ballast won the Excellence in Cinematography award.

Simplistic dialogue (all of which is improvised) shows a very raw and personal insight into the relationships James, Lawrence and Marlene have with one another – and it’s not as straight-forward as one would hope. Overall, The cast of non-professional actors do very well in portraying the life of emotional and desperate small town natives, and it’s a film that’ll definitely leave you self-reflecting. (Words: Aaron-Spencer Charles)

In cinemas from March 18th.

I saw a tweet about this new performance piece – which involves “performers” jiggling one of their legs on display for 5 minutes a time, for ever 15 minutes - and didn’t know whether to LOL or put my name down to volunteer as an excuse to work on my calves. Nevermind the fact that one of my legs might end up looking freakishly swollen, this experiment is all in the name of artistic exploration, examining how performance can connect with visual art in the context of an exhibition. Big up Jack Strange, the man behind this vision, as well as fellow artists Edwin Ashton and Bedwyr Williams who have their own curious offerings on show. For more info, visit the Jerwood Visual Arts website. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper, Pic: Courtesy of the artist, Jack Strange)

Battling emotions and controlling others is something that lead character Jason knows all too well in Vivienne Franzmann’s new play, Mogadishu. Winner of the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition and The George Devine Award last year, Mogadishu centres on the 15-year-old pupil - with a notoriously bad reputation - who assaults schoolteacher Ms. Philips after she intervenes in a fight he has with a high-achieving Turkish student.

Jason decides to play on his racial background, fabricating the story of the incident to Headmaster Henderson, claiming Ms. Philips assaulted him, in a racial attack. The lie told by the youngster spirals out of control, as he manipulates close friends and deceives elders, trying to gain control of the situation. Ms. Philips strongly believes in Jason’s potential, so refuses to report the incident herself as a means to save him from permanent exclusion – this causing more harm than good.

Mogadishu looks at the themes of moral judgement (amongst teens), parent-child relationships (Jason and his strict father) and influencing others, with scenes appropriately blending comical moments with serious drama. Undoubtedly, the main theme within the story is racism. There are multiple references to racial issues and use of terms, some of which can be uncomfortable and honestly, seem unnecessary at best. The excessive swearing makes for a realistic portrayal of students, but may also be unsettling for some.

However, it’s the dialogue that makes Mogadishu a winning production. Conversations between characters present the various tensions between people with different ideals, especially parents and children. The misunderstanding and lack of relationship between the generations arise throughout the play’s script. The predominantly young cast are consistent on stage and interact well with each other - and as there’s no big budget props or settings, you’re allowed to focus on the acting and overall, the quality of great play. (Words: Aaron-Spencer Charles)

Showing until April 2nd. For more info, click here.

In the current digital age, music’s connection with visual art is growing more and more superfluous. These days, we buy much of our music in digital form online after hearing it on Spotify or YouTube - no bad thing, I hear you cry! - but the downside is the loss of beautiful cover art and a physical manifestation of our purchase in the form of a CD or record, something many of us lament despite the lower cost of an MP3. The Vinyl Factory - producers of FACT magazine - are primarily concerned with this shift. They aim to reconnect music with art through exhibitions and limited edition vinyl releases from artists such as Bryan Ferry and Massive Attack.

Their latest venture is a temporary ‘pop-up shop’ in the front room of St Martin’s Lane Hotel. It’s a mix between a gallery and a store, where you can purchase limited edition vinyls and art prints, with the display set to change regularly over the course of the three month residency. I ‘popped’ in yesterday - (har har!) - and it’s definitely worth a look if you’re in the area, if only for the 3D holographic prints of Grace Jones by artist Chris Levine, which are also available for purchase. I’m contemplating buying a Kate Moss adorned Bryan Ferry limited edition vinyl (despite the fact I am not a DJ and have no record player: mission accomplished then!) (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more info, visit www.thevinylfactory.com

1)Check out adventurekorea.com
It’s an amazing website that arranges tours for foreigners in Korea. They do all kinds of trips from temple stays to hiking through the most amazing and spectacular mountains, right the way through to traditional and historical Korean villages.

2 )Visit Itaewon
It’s known in Seoul for being a foreigner’s area so it’s a haven for those who are longing for something from home. There are foreign food stores, a wide range of restaurants from all over the world and a whole lot of bars. It’s also famous for its nightlife.

3) You’ve got to try kimchi!
It’s probably the one most famous dish in Korea. There are a lot of other tasty dishes (though if you’re vegetarian it’s going to be difficult to find food without meat in it if it’s Korean food). Kimchi is cabbage with chili and lots of garlic and spices. Its also one of the healthiest foods in the world. The cabbage is left with the spices to ferment for a while which gives it its own unique acquired taste.

4) Visit Insadong
This area is known to display Korean culture at its best. No matter what time of year it is or what time of day, there is always lots to do there from viewing galleries to buying from the local vendors or eating at one of the many traditional Korean restaurants there.

The Cultural Exposé would like to thank Clare Gordon for sharing her travel photography and experiences - and to see more of her images, visit her blog or Facebook page.

Born and raised in London, Clare has been taking photos since she was a kid - unsurprisingly then, that her passion led her to attend a photography school in Montreal, Canada, where she lived for 10 years. Since then, she’s been pursuing a professional career in photography, and admits she’s varied in her approach: “People often ask me what kind of photographer I am,” she says on her website. “And I never give them a straight forward answer. I’d rather not be defined that way. I’m not a portrait photographer, or a documentary photographer, I am simply someone who looks at things differently, and is lucky enough to have a camera to capture thoughts, feelings and whatever is in front of me.” She’s now working on her first book, a collection of photos and words from her travels in Asia.

The Destination: South Korea

“I’m in South Korea teaching English as I love to travel, I love to teach and I adore capturing moments with my camera. I was given the opportunity to come and teach here for a year so here I am. It’s only natural that I document things along the way.”

TOMORROW: See the rest of Clare’s images from South Korea!

Now here’s a warm, hopeful British film on multicultural society inspired by the relationships in Shakespeare’s dramatic story of King Lear and his daughters.

It looks at the old-fashioned views of Sanjay Banarjee (Girish Karnad), a successful Bengali immigrant in London and how he struggles to accept his three daughters’ modern lifestyles after his wife suddenly dies. But in flashbacks, it’s Sanjay’s wife Manju (Sharmila Tagore) who advises him to enjoy life and be accepting otherwise he’ll be left in his old world alone.

Life Goes On is about dealing with the past in order to move forward and is a testament that multicultural British society isn’t failing, it’s thriving. It’s gripping, you feel tense for them, you laugh and cry with them. As the saga unfolds you believe you’re with them as they prepare for the funeral. It pulls you in with a cast of honest characters all dealing with their loss differently.

The soundtrack compliments the film thematically throughout highs and lows and by going from classic Indian music to modern music transcending barriers and the film is successfully realistic and charming in its positive outlook. (Words: Selina Ditta)

Out in cinemas March 11th.

If you’re one of those people who just has to stop in awe everytime you see some intricate graffiti, then you might be interested in an exhibition of the illustrious New York street artist Michael De Feo at the Orange Dot Gallery this week.

De Feo’s been going 18 years, and he’s left his mark – such as that iconic image of a simple flower - in many places including France, Hong Kong and Amsterdam. Banksy fans might also know him from the street artist’s film, “Exit Through The Gift Shop”, while he’s been long renowned for producing fun and colourful work which he hopes can share sense of wonder and excitement about life.

‘Coming in from the Outside’ is his first solo London show, so from the looks of his glittering CV, it’s unlikely to be his last.

You can see more of De Feo’s work at the Bloomsbury gallery - and expect a free print if you visit on Saturday, March 12th. (Words: Selina Ditta)

For lovers of live art, comedy and experimental theatre, you’re in for a delight - Camden People’s Theatre’s annual Sprint festival is back for another mixed bag of award-winning performers and emerging artists to cater for your mind and your funny bone.

The schedule ranges from celebrating drunk geek dancing with Inconvenient Spoof’s Naïve Dance Masterclass (pictured), to random life questioning scenarios presented by Analogue whose interactive piece places you in someone else’s life and Greg McLaren’s odd one-man opera show which explores human communication through his unique recordings.

Drama comes from Michael Pinchbeck, whose work asks why we perform and how we will know when to stop re-enacting real life events to investigate absence and loss, while Mamoru Iriguchi’s premieres a love story in an imaginary larger-than-life world created by projectors. For audio geeks, Forest Fringe brings together pieces by some of the most exciting artists in the UK, but to find out what else is in store, visit the Camden People’s website. (Words: Selina Ditta)

I don’t know if you went to The Culture Club’s It’s A Games Night at The Book Club in Shoreditch last November, but following what I can only describe as a hilarious evening of socialising and competitive antics, I’ve had endless calls to put on another one ever since!   And don’t worry; it soon come. But in the meantime, I’m starting a new monthly Culture Club night to trump last year’s efforts, thanks to a new partnership with Miss Q’s in Earls Court and support from Whirlygig Cinema – a brilliant project that’s exposing the talents of up-and-coming video artists and filmmakers.

The I Love Movies Quiz night isn’t your run-of-the-mill pub quiz, mind you. No sirree. We’ll be supporting independent film making while testing your knowledge on current, classic and much loved films (and the people who star in them!). So it’s sort of two events for the price of one - and that’s a mere £5 per person! - and every month we’ll be focusing on a different genre, with March being dedicated to COMEDY. Also, you can have a team of 3 to 6 people, and we suggest you register your team in advance so you get a reserved table and can walk into spot with that winner’s swagger (you know the one – strolling slow-mo, nodding and pointing at people who don’t exist. Yea baby).

There’s a selection of top prizes to be won by the winning team, so there’s a part of me that wishes I could enter myself. However, I’m doing the hosting, so boo-hoo to me really; but you guys? You’re gonna have great time. Click here to register your team or click here to see more details about the event. So that’s March 14th, Registration’s at 7:30pm for an 8pm start. Fun times ahead people! (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

Real foodies know that while certain dining hotspots might be more inclined to pull in the custom through tiresome gimmickry (celebrity chefs, bougie clientele, you name it…), sometimes it’s the more off-centre places that usually succeed in ticking the boxes of great food, ambience and customer service. Saying that, the decor of Bob Bob Ricard shouts proudly of trendy designer touches – not to mention the pink-suited waiters - but it’s eclecticism is merely a compliment to its tasty British cuisine, with a mild Russian inspiration. Lunch consisted of delicious potted shrimp (£10.75) and russian salad with shaved black truffle (£4.50), followed by the old bay crispy chicken with coleslaw (£17.50) – wholesome and delish – and a homemade sorbet, featuring a quirky combination of a blackcurrant, strawberry and surprisingly pleasing basil (£5.50). I shouldn’t forget to mention that I prepped my palate the Russian way, taking a shot of the most subtle vodka (chilled at -18c, £4.75-£11.50) – and feeling that once this dining experiences was over, I’d be only too eager to repeat it again. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.bobbobricard.com

When Kathryn Bigelow won Best Director at the Oscars for ‘The Hurt Locker’ last year, it marked an important moment for the industry. For far too long, women filmmakers have been side-lined, with an enduring view in Hollywood that their sole area of expertise is the relationship drama or romcom.

With her action-packed Iraq drama, Ms Bigelow proved that while directors like Sofia Coppola make great films about emotions’n’stuff, other women can excel in genres traditionally dominated by men, provided they are given the chance - which is why the seventh annual Birds Eye View Film Festival, celebrating international women filmmakers and taking place 8th - 17th of March this year, is even more relevant than ever.

There will be premieres of some highly-anticipated movies including Susanne Bier’s Oscar winning ‘In a Better World’ and Kelly Reichardt’sWestern drama Meek’s Cutoff, starring Michelle Williams. Shorts from talented female up-and-comers will also be screened, as well as the inclusion of a lighthearted and fun ‘Bloody Women’ section exploring the role of women in horror. We can also look forward to music performed live to silent films at the Southbank Centre, involving performances from popstrel Micachu as well as Grammy winning artist Imogen Heap.

Not only is it set to be an inspiring and engaging event, but with much of its funding now diminished due to cutbacks, it is also one worth supporting - so don’t miss out on getting the birds’ view! (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more info, visit the Birds Eye View website.

…So I opted to do French last year (J’ai deux lapin et un chien…et tu?) and learned, amongst many things, how to tell people I have two rabbits and a dog - pets which I actually, er, don’t have - and to ask the French to repeat what they say more slooooooooowly (est-ce que vous pourriez repeter lentement, s’il vous plaît?). And yes, I did pass! However, I wouldn’t mind brushing up on my language skills - and if you feel the same way, this competition is totally for YOU.

Thanks to Cactus Language training, you could be in with a chance to win a free 10-week evening course to learn a language of YOUR choice, worth £200. They’re one of the leading language training companies in the world and you can learn everything from French, Spanish, Japanese to Italian and Farsi (subject to availability).

For your chance to win it, simply enter via our special Facebook and Twitter pages or our microsite. Encourage a friend to enter too!

**The competition closes at 10am March 13th and winners will be informed by the 14th. Good luck!**

ALSO - Cactus Training will be holding a free language taster evening on March 23rd. You can try out beginners French, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin AND there’s wine and nibbles ;-) To book your place, click here.