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What To Do This Weekend: Reindeer, Crypt-mas and Pop-Up Peter Jones

Jenny — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:55:11 +0000

It’s cold outside but wrap up warm and head out anyway this weekend. There’s lots to do:

Reindeer at Belmont Children’s Farm: It’s the farm‘s first birthday and they’re celebrating with tractor rides, party games and a chance to meet their three young reindeer. 4-5 Dec 2010
Crypt-mas: A grotto with a difference as innovative lighting artists Illumini present their Christmas project (we really enjoyed their last show). Until 22 Dec 2010, The Crypt, St Pancras Church
London United Film Festival: Features, shorts and documentaries by UK film makers at the King Charles Cinema. 3-4 Dec 2010
Open Studios at Great Western Studios: Meet and buy from artists and designers at Great Western Studios. Plus, mince pies and mulled cider! 4-5 Dec 2010
Pop-up Peter Jones for Men: Help for any men struggling with their Christmas shopping: Advice from personal shoppers and a chill-out zone with table top games. Until 7 Dec 2010

Five Things To Do in London This Weekend

Jenny — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:05:55 +0000

See Felix Buxton (of Basement Jaxx fame) on the decks at the Brixton Jamm tonight. 10 Sep
Head to the Thames Festival for food, fireworks and a night carnival. Read our tips on where to watch it. 11-12 Sep
Catch the brilliant Illumini exhibition, curated by Jane Webb. Until 15 Sep
Get your fashion fix at the Carnaby Catwalk, a free catwalk show with 120 key autumn/winter looks. 11 Sep
Dress up your pet in aid of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home which is staging a day of canine fun, including a fancy dress competition for dogs. 12 Sep

Illumini 2010 at Shoreditch Town Hall

Jenny — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:30:17 +0000

Last night I went to the opening night of Illumini, an exhibition exploring London’s underground secrets through a series of art installations, tours and talks. Clearly I wasn’t the only one intrigued by the concept, as the queue to get in was long!

Illumini is taking place in Shoreditch Town Hall‘s basement, somewhere I’d never been before, but once you enter, it’s obvious this is the perfect location to showcase the work of artists who like to play with light! The basement’s stone interior, arches, nooks and crannies make for an atmospheric location, and a great place to recreate subterranean London.

Illumini 2010 is much more interactive than your average exhibition. You can choose your own route, talk to actors wandering the “tunnels”, and even have a tarot card reading.

It wasn’t always clear to me what the theme of each room was, or what exactly I was looking at but I loved the experience and many of the pieces. From Blitz-themed rooms to information about the Brunel Tunnel, you do get a sense of London’s underground history.

Illumini 2010, 11am-7pm until 15 September 2010. Entry free