The area in London I call home is… anywhere that there are like-minded individuals. At the moment I’m living in Streatham, but I call the whole city home. Each borough is like a different member of the family. They all have their different personalities, and some get on your nerves sometimes, but you love them all because they have all contributed to you. So you could say at the moment I’m staying with aunty Streatham…

 I’ve got to have a meal at…Food For Thought near Neal’s Yard, just off Covent Garden – it serves beautiful vegetarian food. It’s healthy and organic but it’s small and I can’t afford to go all the time – but definitely worth it.

 I tend to get my threads from…I  keep clothes for years so I don’t often buy new attire. Most of my clothes tend to be from different places like the market, friends and guess the odd T-shirt from Topman, but, I try to keep away from chain stores – I think it’s good to promote independent businesses. Dalston Market is particularly good for some bits and bobs and you can generally find a few independent businesses around East London. Camden is also an experience, and although some of the clothes aren’t to everyone’s taste, you can get some great stuff in the market if you look hard enough.

 To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should…Try to look for live music events as we have great bands in London. Live jazz nights on the weekend in Clapham North are always good. There’s also a great salsa bar in Streatham just opposite Streatham rail station. It just depends on what your flavour is. But, I think you would be silly to miss out on our talented live music scene. Brixton also has plenty to say on that front.

[quote]
If I was mayor I would set up weekly friendly football and
volleyball matches between the police and the community to
build stronger bonds and relationships
[/quote]

If I was mayor…I wouldn’t know where to start! London is a great place but I think if the right things were nurtured it would be out of this world. Transport is extortionate and the prices are set to rise again…so I would try to sort that out. I would also set up Pat-Ball walls all across London so the kids could get used to being constructive and active outside. I remember when I was younger all the kids spent hours playing pat-ball, we were having fun and getting exercise, so when we went home we had our dinner and went straight to bed…It’s a parents dream! Furthermore, I would set up weekly friendly football and volleyball matches between the police and the community to build stronger bonds and relationships.

 My favorite spot to check out art is…Wherever there is a good exhibition. East London has an open gallery night each month, which is a great opportunity to check out loads of galleries.

 I’d kindly tell a tourist to…buy an umbrella

 The things I miss when I leave London are…the people I leave behind.

 My soundtrack to London would include…

Smiley Culture’s Cockney Translation – it’s a great reflection of the humour and racial diversity of London.

 Vindaloo (the World Cup anthem) – because it’s so London…good old days.

And any Corrine Bailey Rae song – for a day chilling in the park with the missus or close friends.

Check out Amartey’s artwork at: www.amarteygolding.com (Interview: Monique Todd) 

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Calling herself the ‘explorer of light’, the Moscow-born photographer’s work looks at contemporary life, and includes an exciting interpretation of everyday objects using ultraviolet light – images of which will be shown at the exhibition for the very first time.

Mila first developed her craft  when studying at the  Icart-Photo school of photography in Paris in 2003. Since then, she’s earned a Master in Arts in Fashion Photography at the London College of Fashion, while her work has appeared in  Russian edition’s of Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.

You’ll also get to see her spectacular exhibition for free, and it’ll be at The Book Club from September 22nd.  Go see. (Words: Monique Todd)

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Set on providing an extravagant end to the summer – and start to the Autumn season – the length between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge will play host to a variety of music, dance, food and art with over half a million people expected to flock to the City’s centre.

A particular highlight includes The Night Procession; carnival performers light up the river with lanterns, illuminated floats and dramatic fluorescent costumes, while giant horse constructions from Menorca are expected to head the parade of 2,000 energetic participants.

Opportunities to view exclusive street art and installations are also dotted along the river, as well as a chance to watch the world premiere of short documentary drama Southbank Unseen at the magnificent Cycle-In cinema, where festival visitors will be expected to hook their bicycle on a generator to power the performance.

Of course, the lively atmosphere will be a perfect chance to capture dynamic images and the festival is offering free photo masterclasses to help make the most of the stunning scenery, with a chance to enter a photo competition to win an SLR camera.

To end the event on a high (and use those newfound photographic skills), there will be a firework display of mind-blowing visuals, so expect nothing less than a truly memorable weekend.  (Words: Monique Todd)

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Highlight include a range of contemporary and quirky films from New York and Poland as well as a chance to see 21 of the world’s best and most innovative music videos produced in the last 12 months.

And if you’re looking to try your hand at some activities, be sure to check out what’s on offer – the animation masterclass with Polish animator Wojtek Wawszcyzck looks particularly interesting – and you’ll even learn how to reanimate a scene from your favourite film!

There’s a great deal packed into just 10 days, so don’t miss this chance to enjoy  the best in all things animation. (Words: Monique Todd)

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It brings together dance workshops, a carnival procession from Perpetual Odyssey and banging music from DJs such as Kev Beadle (Solar Radio) and Brazilian rapper Mano Lipe – and to top it all off, you’ll have a chance to get those hips swirling and twirling with a Hoola hooping workshop!  Alternatively, you  can try a free Zumba taster session (check out our experience of Zumba here) or work your cool in a street dance lesson with Starlight Music Academy. Add to all this a raffle to fund hoola-hooping workshops in Bosnia, and here’s a feel good fiesta to add to your social calendar this month!  (Words: Monique Todd)

 HOOLA FEST takes place from 12pm to 12am. For more info visit: www.thequeenofhoxton.co.uk/listings

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With his distinctive voice, witty lyrics and brazen flow, the Grammy Award winner is often acknowledged for changing the face of hip hop in the 90s, after emerging alongside fellow tribesman Phife Dawg and DJ Ali Shaheed with their debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Noted for its fusion of hip-hop and jazz, it would set the tone from their next few albums plus classics tracks like Award Tour and Electric Relaxation before the group broke up in 1998. However, Tip went on to carve a successful career as a solo artist, and following hits like Breathe n Stop and Vivrant Thing on his debut, his long-awaited 2o08 release,The Rennaissance, would pick up a Grammy nomination for Best Rap album9. His previously unreleased album, Kamaal the Abstract – recorded before The Rennaissance – would also gain a cult following before eventually coming out at the end of ’09.

Such is his notoriety that he and his crew are the subject of a forthcoming documentary titled Beats, Rhymes & Life that went to Cannes and praises the group’s undeniable significance and impact on hip-hop. So it’s clear Tip is firmly seated as a pioneering and legendary musician – and if the rave reviews from his 2009 show at The Roundhouse are anything to go by, this gig is one you really, REALLY, wouldn’t want to miss. (Words: Monique Todd)

For more info, visit The O2 website.

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It starts with scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) who tests a potential cure for Alzheimer’s on orphaned chimp, Caesar (Andy Serkis). He reacts promisingly to the drug, developing heightened intelligence and an enormous capacity to learn. Consequently, Caesar becomes frustrated with his inferiority to humans, and in an attempt to end to his victimisation; he exposes other apes to the ‘cure’. The result? Caesar leads an ape revolution for supremacy and war ensues.

Initially, the plot seems rather superficial with a rushed and predictable ending, but the film manages to acquire depth by touching on issues such as animal testing and the ‘science vs. nature’ debate. The visual really s do steal the show with spectacular detail and realism, and if you’ve always been a fan of the original series or perhaps enjoy sci-fi films like I Am Legend, this is a must- see. For everyone else, well… it’s worth getting a ticket just for the special effects! (Monique Todd)

 The Rise of the Planet of the Apes is in cinemas from August  11th. 

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Photo: Monique Todd

Small and unique stalls dotted the fest, presenting bespoke T-shirts, activities for kids and adorable artefacts; there was even a booth that enthusiastically offered er, spanking lessons (and walking past untouched was no easy feat!). On the main stage, musical mavericks energised the audience. Patrick Wolf was electrifying, putting on atop show in sparkling red attire alongside a full band of strings and saxophones, while other impressive performances came from the likes of Badly Drawn Boy, Tim Minchin and Saint Etienne.

Photo: Monique Todd

One highlight of the fest was definitely the food.  A huge variety of worldly treats were on offer and  the Portuguese custard tarts especially proved to be delightful.

Photo: Monique Todd

Torrential rain did threaten the lively atmosphere (it’s London – what can you expect, eh?), but with umbrellas at the ready and plenty of tents on the grounds, a frown was nowhere in sight.  So here’s hoping for sunnier – but just as wonderful – Apple Cart fest in 2012! (Words: Monique Todd)

Were you at The Apple Cart Festival? What did you think?  Tweet us at @culturalexpose, or leave a comment below! 

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White walls, wooden decor and urban-inspired design scream modern London; in fact, you probably wouldn’t guess it was a Mexican food outlet. However, the contemporary interior allows the food to take centre stage.

With an ordering process, reminiscent of Subway, you can pick various elements to add to your meal, with burritos, nachos, tacos on offer. As for fillings, there’s three types of rice to choose from, plus various beans and meats including seasoned steak, tender marinated pork as well as a veggie option of chargrilled vegetables, tofu and fresh guacamole.

Named by ES magazine as having one of the best burritos in London, I chose to give the chicken version a test run. Tightly wrapped, and deeply filled with parsley rice, beans, and cheese, I happily received the hefty portion. The chicken had a wonderful grilled flavour plus a bit of chilli kick too, but at £6.10, it could be seen as little pricier than the popular Wahaca version, which also comes with a side of tortilla chips.

The drink selection is limited to four options, starting from £1 (including different flavours of homemade aqua frescas) going up to £4.50 for frozen margaritas. There aren’t any sweet snacks on offer either, but as a quickie lunch hotspot; Poncho No 8 is a pretty decent option. Catering for the hungry and impatient customer, here’s a no-frills yet modern outlet that just prides itself on offering real Mexican food – what more could you want? (Monique Todd)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.poncho8.com

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Brought together by Proud Galleries to mark their 15th birthday, they’ve dug deep into their archives to exhibit exclusive prints by some of the world’s legendary photographers. Think psychedelic portraits by internationally acclaimed David Montgomery, whose pics of Hendrix (which will be on show) and other sixties icons have set him as a photographic legend. There will even be prints from Murray Close’s bestselling exhibition Withnail & I and work from Oscar-winning film director Ken Russell. Of course, The Beatles cover art will be making an appearance, alongside striking shots of Blondie for punk rock lovers.

The exhibition wraps up in September, so you’ve got plenty of time to see this selection of classic snaps, which will probably inspire you to dust off the vinyls too! (Words: Monique Todd)

The exhibition takes place at Proud Chelsea, for more info, click here. 

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