the Koon backstory, the work here is just a pick and mix of kitsch and quirky artwork without the meaning that comes from a more meticulously curated (or larger) show. Still, it’s a whistle-stop education in a contemporary American artist who, though a bit Marmite, does what he does quite well. Had we stayed a bit longer for our €13, it might have been worth checking out some of the other Pompidou exhibitions, including a Hervé Télémaque retrospective (on until 18th May) and the What Is Photography? exhibition, an exploration of the medium in modern times (on until 1st June). www.centrepompidou.fr/en/The-Centre-Pompidou (Nearest Metros: Rambuteau)

The post What we’ve been up to (in Paris)… The Centre Pompidou appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Located in a space originally used for storing coal in the 19th century, the 100 capacity restaurant and bar immediately transports you to the Big Apple before you even take a sip on one of its funky fresh cocktails.

At the official opening last Thursday, guests including TCÉ were treated to some of its seasonal dishes in canapé form, including borscht (Ukrainian beetroot soup) with dill and dark rye, crab on home baked brown soda bread and some tantalisingly tasty Bombay chips accompanied with chutney.

The menu, which focuses on quality seasonal ingredients, will be updated regularly by the team and also includes such impressive-sounding delights as ‘5 hour shoulder of lamb’ cooked in hay and lavender and ‘pulled’ rabbit with smoked black beans. For game lovers, there’s even quail on offer served with with orange and pickled walnuts.

What’s really impressive however is the prices, with all small-plate dishes coming in at between £4 and £9.

The main event at this cosmopolitan venue is of course the cocktails, with one to complement every dish. Forget clichéd staples like Martinis, Mojitos or Sex On The Beach; here it’s a more sophisticated affair with twists on old cocktail classics, like the ‘Manhattan Spring’ made with soda and chrysanthemum vodka.

The space also includes five additional separate vaults for private dining, which could prove ideal for a West End night out on the tiles or a big birthday bash.

Open seven days a week from 4pm to midnight, the restaurant and bar is the brainchild of young entrepreneurs Martyn Simpson and Felix Leuschner.

The two have brought together a team of young idea-driven talents to bring their latest venture to life, including Chef James Knox Boothman – previously involved in GRUB at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club.

Packed to the rafters on Thursday, if its opening night is anything to go by, Coal Vaults is set to be a pretty bustling and happening spot indeed. We strongly urge you to go and check it out for yourself. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more info, visit: www.coalvaults.com

The post What we’ve been up to… Coal Vaults appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

In Act 2, the crowd are treated to a mix of songs from Bad, Dangerous and HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1  – with Smooth Criminal and Billie Jean being the undeniable highlights of the section – but the Thriller performance makes its mark, with zombies running through the audience and that legendary dance executed to perfection. The show doesn’t end here, however, and there’s an extra performance of Bad and Black or White before a sensational reprise of Smooth Criminal and Thriller wrap up what’s not only been an amazing sing and dance-a-long, but the sort of heartfelt tribute that Michael Jackson himself would have been proud of – especially as it’s his music that does all the work. One for the weekend.

For more info, visit: www.thrillerlive.com

The post What we’ve been up to… Thriller Live at Lyric Theatre appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

But it’s the food that impressed us the most: you get a generous selection of granola, grilled chicken caesar salad, welsh rarebit, smoked salmon bagel, a smoked haddock and salmon scotch egg, roast beef with yorkshire pudding and season vegetables AND truffle macaroni cheese – then there’s a sweet stall with cookies and cakes to top it all off.  Not bad for £25 and a spare Sunday afternoon!

For more info, visit: hwww.wlondon.co.uk/en/media-w-does-brunch

The post What we’ve been up to… W Does Brunch at W Hotel, Leicester Square appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

This take on the classic Wizard of Oz story is set in a classroom where creativity has no place. Dorothy (played by Portia Oti) is a dreamer, turning in poetry instead of equations. The Scarecrow (played by Jaih Betote Dipito Akwa) is teased for his dyslexia. The Tin Man (Michael Ureta) and Lion (Corey Culverwell) are outcasts.

Through a set of upbeat dance numbers set to the likes of Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, the characters slip into the wondrous world of Oz. This time, though, the story is told  only by the brilliant young dancers’ expressions and movements. When Dorothy, shod in her ruby sneakers, sets off to Emerald City High with Toto (the accomplished Michael McNeish), she dances around the audience with such joy and hope, that the audience can’t help but to feel part of her journey.

The set is cleverly designed to draw the audience into the fantastical Oz. A screen flashes drawings, like sketching made during a boring lecture, that help flesh out the production. But the true standout is the dancing and young people that bring it to life. Kate Prince’s choreography keeps the story exciting and energetic, while also showcasing the dancers’ talents. Culverwell’s Lion particularly steals the show with his acrobatic and soulful movements.

The show, running until 1^st September, is entertaining and intelligent, and wonderful for both adults and kids –  you’ll leave in awe. (Words: Barbara Cole) 

For more info, visit: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/zoo-nations-groove-on-down-th-74861

The post What we’ve been up to… Groove On Down The Road appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Well, it’s legendary status in New York has understandably peaked the interest of ex-pats and burger lovers, despite coming into an arena already heaving with every kind of burger outlet you can think of. So if you’re after a meal that will trump some of the finest in town and absolutely blow your mind, you won’t quite get that here. However, what you will get is pretty darn good meal that prides itself on freshness, in fanciful surroundings (gotta love Covent Garden!) and presented with a neatness that adds to the novelty of a fast food-cum-bougie burger bar.

The Shack Burger is a simple, compact sandwich that can come as a double and is served with the softest bun we’ve ever tasted – so a definite  thumbs up for that. But we preferred the super tasty Shack-cago dog, and it’s lavish dressing of relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport pepper, celery salt and mustard.

Add to that a side of awesome crinkle fries washed down with a shake-made lemonade and you can see why Shake Shack’s quite a fun visit as they do what they do well. But If the mains don’t woo you, the frozen custards probably will, coming plain and simple or in a range of creative flavours that change every month.

Much has been said about the pricing at Shake Shack (which is a tad steepish for what you get), but the trade-off is a uniquely American experience with a pretty cool menu that’ll save you the plane ticket abroad.

For more info, visit: www.shakeshack.co.uk

The post What we’ve been up to… Shake Shack appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

A Good Day for Cyclists, British Pavilion 2013

In 2011, the biennale came under fire for its excessive opulence and downright commercialism, so this year the central pavilion has taken on a more sombre, humble tone. Organised under the title of ‘Encyclopaedic Palace’ and curated by Massimiliano Gioni, the central exhibition is a wealth of information, drawing on a fantastically diverse range of artefacts from Carl Jung’s sketches to Aleister Crowley’s redesign of tarot cards.
If you haven’t heard, Jeremy Deller has taken on the duties of the British Pavilion, in the form of ‘English Magic’. Now that Wales and Scotland have developed their own space, Deller has taken it upon himself to focus his artwork on ‘Englishness’ – in only the way his skill to observe and connect with the quirks of culture can. Deller corrects moments of injustice in the pavilion. Murals line the walls: a giant Hen Harrier crushes a Range Rover, a colossal William Morris throws Roman Abramovich’s pesky Superyacht out of the Venice harbour and the sound of Voodoo Ray by the brass band echoes through the gallery. The pavilion is alive and oozing English charm, complete with a tea bar for those who can’t find a decent brew around the town.

Eva Kotatkova

There is a little upheaval throughout the national pavilions. France has this year been swapped with Germany. And, Germany has employed the skills of Chinese rebel artist Ai Weiwei. New ‘nations’ include the Vatican, Catalonia and Angola, who have won the National Pavilion award for their Angola in Motion piece. There is so much to see, and it will take days to get through. While the event itself is often sneered at for its drama, theatre and pomposity, this time the politically charged works are what make this Biennale all the more interesting. Chile’s pavilion in the Arsenale criticises the nature of inclusion and exclusion at the Biennale and Greece’s pavilion ponders its own economy zero situation. This is a biennale of political reflection. And, if you can get a chance to experience it, you won’t be disappointed. (Words: Laura Thornley)

The  55th Venice Biennale runs until  24 November 2013. For more info, visit: www.labiennale.org/en/art

The post What we’ve been up to… Venice Biennale 2013 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

For more info about Cottons Rhum Shack: www.cottons-restaurant.co.uk

The post What we’ve been up to… Cottons Rhum Shack appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

For mains, I had the curry goat, which wasn’t the best I’ve ever had (I might give that accolade to Bamboula, just 10 minutes away near the town hall), but I thought the accompanying rice and gunga peas was lovely enough, while I could have had refills of that homemade lemonade all night.  Pricewise, they’re a tiny bit steepish unless you get a jerk-chicken with two sides combo for just over a tenner, but they do offer BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle), which makes a refreshing change. Overall, a rare gem of a restaurant that’s off the beaten track – and great choice for the locals.

For more info on Negril, visit: www.negrilbrixton.com

The post What we’ve been up to… Negril, Brixton appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The post What we’ve been up to… The Diner, Gloucester Road appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.