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Archive for 13 July 2009

13 Jul

Visit London Asks: What London Stunt Would You Like to See Performed?

Posted by Zoe J. Griffiths in Special Events, Sport 4 Comments

Thanks to everyone who posted comments in response to last week’s question about your favourite London statues…

So, we’ve all seen Robbie Maddison’s 40mph no-handed backflip across the 25ft gap between the two halves of Tower Bridge in the wee small hours of Monday morning.

So this week we want to know, what other ideas do you have for spectacular London stunts?

We laughed along as Brian May performed God Save the Queen on top of Buckingham Palace. We cheered as workers abseiled down Big Ben’s clockface (in the name of a good spring clean). We basked in the sunshine with a picnic when Trafalgar Square was turfed over back in 2007. We gasped when Thunderbird 2 flew under Tower Bridge… wait, what do you mean that last one didn’t really happen?

We’re wondering if your idea of a great London stunt would be to have David Copperfield make The O2 disappear? Or to bring the Natural History Museum’s dinosaurs to life? Or are you hoping for a giant cupcake the size of The Cupcake come 2012?

Remember: in honour of Robbie Maddison: the more outrageous the better!

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13 Jul

Oasis at Wembley

Posted by Jose in Music 1 Comment
Oasis at Wembley (image by georgelangham.co.uk)
 
Ray Jones reports. Thunder clouds threatened but the music held the weather back. Oasis took to the stage at Wembley yesterday evening after a rousing set by Kasabian. No fancy footwork, just a series of glorious rock anthems performed to perfection to an adoring packed house. ”Any Scousers in the house” drew laughter and boos – “Any cockneys in the house” raised a roar fit for the Place of Champions.
 
Wembley Stadium is a great place to see a gig. My seats were towards the rear but the sound was crisp and loud.
 
I travelled out from Central London by Chiltern Trains from Marylebone. It only took a matter of minutes. Positively the best way to get to Wembley while the Jubilee Line tortures us with weekend closures.  
My wife and eight-year-old son met me there, having travelled by car. Parking was easy (but did cost £20) and traffic flowed easily after the show.
  
Its £4 a pint at Wembley and a burger might cost more than Mc D’s but I am giving this whole day one big thumbs up.
 
Oasis are no longer the bad boys of rock, but last night they certainly rocked Wembley Stadium.
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13 Jul

Motorbike Rider Backflips Over Tower Bridge

Posted by Jo in Special Events, Sport 1 Comment

Red Bull Tower Bridge Jump Robbie Madisson

Freestyle motocross star Robbie Maddison performed a spectacular backflip over an open Tower Bridge in the small hours of this morning. The 27-year-old Australian took to the air at 2.55am and soared some 30m over the Thames.

 Maddison used the famous London landmark as a take-off and landing ramp as he cleared the gap above the Thames after the bridge had been raised. With an approach speed of around 40 mph, Maddison took off from the north side of the bridge, performed a no-handed backflip and held his landing in front of the south tower.

Maddison said: “The whole experience was awesome… it was an incredible feeling to fly between the two towers and over the Thames.”

See spectacular stunts for yourself when Red Bull X-Fighters comes to Battersea Power Station on 22 August.

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13 Jul

Smirnoff UR The Night Made My Night at matter

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, Special Events 3 Comments

The People's Bar at Smirnoff UR The Night

If I could design my ideal club night, it would probably feature my favourite cocktails, a big name music act, and fun and games all night.

Happily, my ideas are pretty similar to those contributed by Facebook fans of Smirnoff UR The Night, a unique club night designed by said Facebook fans, who sent in their ideas for a chance to win free tickets to the night.

Little Boots performs at matter

So what did they come up with?

Well, keeping in the spirit of participation, there was a DIY cocktail bar, where you could create your own cocktails; a secret (and free) bar accessed via a visit to a fortune teller; a make-up station; a digital graffiti wall (with the option to upload your masterpiece to Facebook in one click); and even a game of bingo!

Add to this non-stop entertainment, including an energetic half-hour set from Little Boots and an appearance from the Pet Shop Boys. Plus, DJ sets from Tom Middleton, Hot Chip and Bristol club night Monkey! Flash! Light! where we were given a torch and led into a darkened room of drum’n'bass.

I left The O2 with a fake butterfly tattoo, ridiculously long false eyelashes and a white feather boa – all mementoes of a night well spent!

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