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Archive for August 2009

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29 Aug

Three Years to Go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Posted by Zoe J. Griffiths in Sport 2 Comments

Paralympic swimmer, Ellie Simmonds visits the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park to celebrate three years to the London 2012 Paralympic Games

What will you be up to in three years’ time? A different job? A new house? Will your kids be starting school / deciding to go to university? It seems like a long time away…

And yet, three years today, London will be hosting the opening ceremony to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Exciting stuff!

The London Paralympic Games represent a chance for London to deliver a spectacular sporting showcase for Paralympic sport, to challenge stereotypes, and to increase awareness about paralympic sports.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games in numbers:

  • 11 days of competition
  • 20 sports
  • 20 competition venues
  • 21 disciplines
  • 162 paralympic nations
  • 471 events
  • 4,200 athletes

As well as ensuring all Olympic venues are as inclusive and accessible as possible, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), are also looking at all aspects of accessibility in London, to make sure that spectators with disabilities are able to move around the city comfortably and easily.

More on accessibility in London

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28 Aug

Covent Garden Gets Creative with New Art

Posted by Covent Garden London in Arts, Special Events No Comments

Covent Garden’s Art Tank initiative has recently launched, providing free exhibition space for artist collectives, right in the heart of the West End. Pop down to Covent Garden this weekend and check out some free art in the city.

Art attack on a window at the London Miles pop-up gallery, Covent Garden

The Market Building is currently home to two exciting art groups, London Miles Gallery and Beautiful Losers:

Come and see the emerging US art form, ‘Lowbrow’, by the London Miles Gallery. The Lowbrow movement has roots in the underground comic world, punk music, tattoo, hot-rod street culture and other street art, so expect to see some unique and interesting pieces. 

Plus, you can pick up an original canvas by an up-and-coming artist. See it at 42, The Market Building, WC2 8RF.

Walk next door and you will be greeted by a giant, mirrored polar bear installation which forms the entrance to Beautiful Losers - an exhibition featuring the work of  illustrators, painters and photographers attached to the recently launched documentary film of the same name. See it at 11, The Market Building, WC2 8RF.

Read about more art events in London.

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28 Aug

Tower Bridge is Now Live on Visit London

Posted by Jenny in London 1 Comment

Keep a beady eye on Tower Bridge all day long with our live feed – now available on our blog.

Spot City Cruises as they sail by, or look out for bridge openings, all from the comfort of your computer!

It’s also a great way to keep an eye on London’s weather.

Don’t forget to let us know about anything interesting, unusual, or random you happen to spot…

Watch Tower Bridge Live

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28 Aug

Nike Women Outdoor Training Session

Posted by Siobhan Chapman in Classes, Dance, Open Spaces, Special Events, Sport No Comments

Getting active on the South Bank

“This is where you do your Beyonce flick” said our chirpy dance instructor.

There I was, amongst dozens of women that had braved a drizzly British summer evening to shake our booty on the South Bank, under the gaze of thousands of tourists in the London Eye.

The Nike women training club is not a traditional boot camp. There were no scary military instructors, no drill whistles and no push ups. Instead, we found ourselves entertained by a live DJ as the dancers in a blaze of colour and energy wove through the crowd busting their moves.

It wasn’t long before we were joining in, learning to groove, bump, grind and bounce as the DJ spun her tunes. I’ve never been that great with choreography – unless you count knowing every move in The Timewarp – and I felt a little self conscious at first. But all notions of British reserve disappeared with the Beyonce flick. There is no room for wallflowers in this class. And this was too much fun to be a workout. The rain was forgotten, and before I knew it, hey, I’d done the moves right. All in all, the Nike women class is a great way to challenge yourself, make new friends and learn new skills. The only downside was, like all good parties, it ended too soon.

The next Nike Women Outdoor Training Session is on 9 September. Visit www.nikewomen.com for more information.

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27 Aug

Zakee Shariff Talks to Visit London at the Launch of her New Pop Up Shop

Posted by Zoe J. Griffiths in Shopping No Comments

Zakee Shariff (left) talks to two fashion journalists

Last night, Zakee Shariff’s new collection for Roxy Heart opened in a pop-up shop within Beyond the Valley in Carnaby. I went down to the launch to meet her.

Head into Newburgh Quarter, behind London’s famous Carnaby Street, and you’ll be welcomed by colourful hieroglyphics on the pavement.

The bright triangles – are they arrowheads? Native American Tepees? Children’s potato prints? – invite you to follow them, through the door of fabulous design boutique Beyond the Valley, and into a room covered floor-to-ceiling in the same triangle print. This is “Fly Like An Eagle”: the Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff Pop Up Shop.

Surrounded by her gorgeous designs (bright autumn / winter tea dresses, heavy knits and striking t-shirts vie for position alongside statement jewellery and relaxing limited edition artworks), I took a few moments to talk to London-born Zakee about the city she calls home.

Inside the Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff pop-up shop

Where do you live in London?
Kilburn. I was born and raised in Hammersmith, and I’ve lived in Holloway, but right now I live in Kilburn. I like it; there’s a nice community feel there. Kilburn is its own little world: there’s a lovely park, nice places to eat and drink. It’s great.

What’s great about Newburgh Quarter?
Again, I think it’s that great community feeling. I’ve always loved this street, since I was little. It’s still got such a fantastic range of independent stores; Carnaby’s lost that independent spirit a bit now, but in Newburgh, it’s still there. The shops here are really trying to do something different.

Let us in on a London shopping secret…
My new London shopping secret is Merchant Archive in Queen’s Park. It’s a beautiful second-hand clothes shop. I’d walked past it loads on my way to yoga, and hadn’t gone in. Then, when I did, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there sooner! It’s full of beautiful things. And run by a former dental nurse!

Where do you find your inspiration?
Lots of places: street culture; music; travel; spirituality. In London, I like to escape to Hampstead Heath for some quiet – I love it to death! I’m also a reggae lover, so whichever clubs are playing reggae music…

Beyond the Valley and Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff at 2 Newburgh, London

Are you involved in London Fashion Week?
I’m not actually taking part this year. But I’ll be going along. As an artist, it’s amazing to see all the new designers. There’s a beautiful glasses designer, Prism; I’m really looking forward to seeing their new collection. They’re really different. At the moment, they’re only available in places like Browns and Dover Street Market…  

What is it about London’s Design Scene that gets you excited?
I don’t know exactly. It’s always been the same, the London way; very strong. I love the attitude and strength. It’s not so glamorous now, and I like that. London’s my home, and I love it.

[Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff is at Beyond the Valley, 2 Newburgh, London, W1 until 26 September]

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27 Aug

Learn to Crochet in London with Tea and Crafting

Posted by Lettice in Classes 1 Comment

Crochet Flower CorsageLearn to make a crochet flower at one of Tea and Crafting’s taster courses.

These new Central London evening classes have just launched and they’re the perfect way to try something new.

Each class lasts for one evening and you’ll take home something you made and the instructions to make more. I learnt how to make a crochet flower corsage which I finished off at home with a shiny button.

As there are only eight students to a class, it’s perfect for beginners. Tutor Jane was very patient, spending extra time with complete novices and suggesting advanced techniques for those of us with a little experience.

If, like me, you’ve been trying to teach yourself to crochet from a book, failed, thrown your knotty mess on the floor and then stamped on it, you need this class. I now know where my rows begin and end, how to hold the yarn and can read a basic pattern.

Classes lined up for September in London include beginners’ knitting, basic jewellery, crochet granny squares and crochet flowers. Find out more at www.teaandcrafting.co.uk.

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26 Aug

Fridays are the new Thursdays at the Met Bar

Posted by Jo & Jamie from the Met Bar in Pubs & Bars 1 Comment

Party like at rock star at the Met BarThe latest trend to hit the party circuit is a return to Friday night glamour, leaving Thursday nights in their 5 o’clock shadow.

Whilst the Met Bar’s partying doesn’t discriminate against any weekdays (we are currently recovering from a sponteaneous Monday night hangover!), we have noted a distinct increase in Saturday morning headaches reported from our members. 

You only had to be in the bar  last Friday night to witness the 150-strong crowd, partying without guilty school night cares well into the early hours. The evening began at 8pm with “Club Tropicana” cocktail hour (retro cocktails are in don’t you know?!) to warm up the crowd before fabulous rock chick DJ, Annalisa, took to the decks with her eclectic mix of rock pop hits.

The East meets West crowd saw fashion PRs and graduate designers mingling with glamour sloanes, hedgies and even the odd England Rugby star!

So there you have it; Fridays are the new Thursdays, black is the new grey, and blondes are back (Jamie and Jo included)!

More pubs and bars in London

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26 Aug

Book Your Tickets Now to London Restaurant Festival

Posted by Claire Doble in Eating Out, Pubs & Bars, Shopping, Special Events No Comments

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Tickets to two London Restaurant Festival events went on sale today. You can now reserve your spot on the Gourmet Odyssey – a culinary tour taking in some of London’s finest restaurants – and for The Big Roast,  where a big British Sunday tradition gets even bigger.

London Restaurant Festival is a citywide celebration of eating out from 8-13 October this year. It’s the first time the festival has been held and there’s a range of exciting and enticing events happening.

The backbone of the festival is Festival Menus, where restaurants showcase their food by offering you a special, fixed-price menu. These can also be booked now on the site.  Plus there’s Pierre Koffmann’s Pop-up Restaurant at Selfridges, a celluloid feast with Eat Film and the Starter for Ten quiz, which pits chefs from London against their New York counterparts in a battle for foodie supremacy.

So what are you waiting for? Book your London Restaurant Festival tickets and tables today!

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26 Aug

Bank Holiday Club Highlights

Posted by Jenny in Clubs, Music No Comments

Eastern Electrics

The Bank Holiday means two things for London’s clubbing community – more time to party and more time to recover!

From after-parties to burlesque speed-dating – take a look at our highlights:

Post Carnival Parties

DJ Yoda

Notting Hill Carnival is the biggest event of the Bank Holiday weekend. After the sparkly costumes and jerk chicken are packed away each evening, there are plenty of places where you can continue the party spirit.

  • On Friday, Fabric brings its annual Playaz Carnival Special. The drum’n'bass night includes a two-hour set from DJ Hype.
  • DJ Yoda, Kissy Sellout and The Maccabees provide entertainment conveniently close to the parade route at Paradise Carnival Party on Sunday and Monday.
  • If you’ve overdone it at the carnival, head to ETA’s Carnival After Party in Shepherd’s Bush, where there’ll be yurts for tired carnival-goers to relax in, as well as live art performances. The night promises music ranging from British hip-hop to progressive electronica – all in a disused 70s cinema!

Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four

Eric Prydz

If you’re not at the carnival, chances are you’ll be spending most of your weekend on Clapham Common which is hosting the double whammy of Get Loaded in The Park and South West Four.

The Best of The Rest

The Rakes and Does It Offend You, Yeah? will both be DJing during 12 hours non-stop at The Old Queen’s Head on Sunday. And its free if you get there before 8pm.

Or head down to Brixton on Saturday where the Hoxton Whores and Maxi Jazz (of Faithless) will keep you going until 6am at Mass!

Neon Noise Project

Eastern Electrics provided a legendary Bank Holiday weekender last year, and they’re planning to do the same again. Stages will be hosted by promoters including Neon Noise, Trailer Trash and Mulletover.

Finally, if you’re hoping for a little romance this Bank Holiday, try Peacock Bar in Clapham, which is hosting a burlesque speed dating night on Monday. Happily, you won’t need any nipple tassle expertise to take part – the burlesque acts will entertain you while you speed date. And there’ll be yummy cocktails and cheesy 80s and 90s DJs too.

Do you have any Bank Holiday clubs to recommend? We’d love to hear your ideas.

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26 Aug

Photo of the Week: London Rooftops

Posted by Lettice in London No Comments

Rooftops of Olde London Towne by Resery

This week’s photo is a rooftop view of Central London by Resery from our Visit London Flickr pool. Add your photos of London to the group and we could be featuring you next!

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