Olympics – The Cultural Exposé

Somewhere you should go… Open East Festival

The Cultural Exposé — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 10:00:29 +0000

A year ago, London shifted its focus east, to a remote strip of land near Stratford newly inhabited by shining stadiums and some of the world’s best athletes. Londoners joined people from around the world exploring the new park, unrecognisable from its industrialised past.

Now that the medals have all been given out and the crowds have gone home, the newly-christened Queen Elizabeth Park is opening its doors once again to Londoners with the first Open East Festival. Visitors have the chance to catch over a dozen live musical acts along the River Lea, including the Waterboys, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and Amadou & Mariam. Attendees can also visit the newly redesigned Floating Cinema and take in a screening or hunt for a masterpiece at the Art Car Boot Fair.

It will be difficult to go hungry, with the Real Food Festival featuring international food vendors and the Banquet Over the Bridge allowing visitors to mingle over a communal meal. To complete the experience, the Ten Mile Beer Festival will offer beers which have all been sourced from within 10 miles of the Park.

Kids can play in the House of Fairy Tales or meet Joey from the National Theatre’s production of War Horse. Parents and children alike can also enjoy Charlie Dark’s hip-hop poetry and puppet show, aimed at entertaining all age groups.

Festival planners have ensured that, once again, there will be enough to attract everyone to Stratford to spend a few hours (or days!) exploring what the Queen Elizabeth Park has to offer. (Words: Barbara Cole)

The Open East Festival takes place on July 27-28. For more info, visit: www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/events

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What we’ve been up to… Puma Yard + Social club at The Boiler House, Brick Lane

Matilda — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:00:18 +0000

We’ve seen the opening ceremony (go Danny Boyle!), Team GB are now doing the thing, and if, like me, you’re a fan of the fastest man in the world, you’ll probably be looking forward to seeing Usain Bolt spray everyone with his dust at the 100m final on August 5th. Until then, the good folks at Puma are giving us Londoners the chance to honour the Jamaican sprinter and his country in fine fashion at Puma Yard at The Boiler House on Brick Lane.

Pic: Paul Hampartsoumian

From now until August 12th, those with tickets can enjoy all things sporty (and Jamaican) with a hive of activities and events in the day time (the Puma Yard) and the evening (the social club) including Pongathon, dominoes and chess, the “Everyone Can Bolt Speed Test” (brilliantly speaks for itself), top tunes courtesy of resident DJ Jillionaire and other special gigs, screenings and launches.

We swung by the Grand Opening Party on July 27th where we peeped the opening Olympic proceedings, tucked into rice & peas and curry goat (never fails), enjoyed quality rum cocktails and got a hold of inflatable “Bolt Arms” just in time to see headliner Groove Armada “mash up the dance” with support from Redlight and Kissy Sell Out.

Pic: Paul Hampartsoumian

It was a big night, so next on our Puma Yard schedule is:

Monday, August 6 – 50th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence Party – DJ Robbo Ranx will be the host, but the highlights of the night is a live performance from Gyptian and sets from Trojan Soundsystem and Saxon Sounds – big!

Thursday, August 9 – “Marley” screening and Q&A with Cedella Marley – She’s the daughter of the icon and designed the Jamaican Track & Field Team’s 2012 Collection. ‘Nough said.

Saturday, August 11 – PUMA Social Presents…Professor Green – We like a little Professor Green, but there’s also performances on the night from Clement Marfo &The Frontline, Ruby Goe, while our fave DJ Trevor Nelson will be getting down on the ones and twos.

Sunday, August 12 – Norman Jay’s Good Times at the PUMA YARD – Norman Jay can do no wrong, and he’s joined by the legendary David Rodigan for the PY finale.

Tickets for the evening social club events were gone in 60 seconds on release, but you can get your hands on the last remaining Puma Yard tickets. The Puma Yard runs from 12:30-9:30pm daily and gives you access to the outdoor backyard which includes food stalls, a beach bar, recreational areas, giant TV screens, a shop and the Everyone Can Bolt Speed Test.

Click the dates below to get your tickets before they go!

July 30th, July 31st, August 1st, August 2nd, August 3rd, August 7th, August 8th, August 9th

For further info, visit Puma.com

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Something you should see… Design to Win at the Design Museum

Laura Thornley — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:00:16 +0000

A bad workman blames his tools. But, what if said bad workman is given superhero tools? Does he hone amazing artefacts despite his clumsiness? This is (in a round about way) the crux of the Design Museum’s Olympic-themed show. Designed to Win looks at the interaction between sporting endeavour and advancements in technology; the point human ability is aided by science. Using a variety of media to make its case, the show is undoubtedly going to be an exciting and interactive experience. The exhibition falls just in time to draw in the Olympic fanfare and is nestled at the heart of the action in the Design Museum near the Thames.

Performance enhancing technology is a huge area of research at the moment; you only have to look at Michael Phelps’s swimsuits to see this. Biomimicry, the act of copying nature in science, has been hugely influential in the development of swimming and climbing footwear, while computational fluid dynamics (whatever that is?) is an essential part of any cyclists kit. Add to that Carbon Nanotube Technology, the thing that makes everything light, and you start to realise that the term ‘superhuman’ isn’t just for the silver screen anymore. Designed to Win is sure to be an insightful and essential addition for any Olympic spectator. It will certainly answer questions like, “why are they WEARING that?!” (Words: Laura Thornley)

Designed to Win is on from July 26th to November 18th. For more info, visit designmuseum.org/exhibitions/future-exhibitions

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TCé picks: Where to watch the Olympics in London

Matilda — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 10:00:55 +0000

After years of planning, the Olympics have finally made it to London!!! We’re getting ready to party in the name of the Games, so if you haven’t got tickets you’ll be pleased to know you can still check out all the action at some of our favourite picks, just below:

Outdoors options (if the weather’s still lovely!)

BT London Live: Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square (from August 29th for the Paralympics Games)

These are likely to be THE destinations of the fortnight as you can check out live coverage of the Olympic games on gigantic screens, as well as live music, Have-A-Go sports sessions and cultural attractions absolutely FREE – simply turn up and get involved (subject to capacity) or click here to register for guaranteed entry tickets. Hyde Park will also be hosting a ticketed Opening and Closing Ceremony concert featuring Snow Patrol, Stereophonics and Blur. www.btlondonlive.com/home

Camden Beach at Roundhouse

We’re miles away from the nearest coast, so Camden Beach at the Roundhouse is this year’s thoughtful alternative, giving you the chance to chill out with a margarita and kick back in a deckchair while casually watch the games. It’s free too ;-) www.roundhouse.org.uk/camden-beach#.UA66rI7ajOY

Last Mile Festival at London Pleasure Gardens

LMF are giving us live music, food, theatre, sideshows and cabaret alongside screenings of the Olympics and Paralympics. The event marks the first time the full Gardens site is open to the public, so it’s a fab option – especially for those nearish the Docklands. www.londonpleasuregardens.com

Indoor options (in case it starts to pour)

Kona Kai bar, Chelsea

We checked out these guys some months ago and are loving the nod to all things Polynesian – so along with screenings of the events, look forward to hula-hooping, limbo-ing and Hawaiian dancing contests (with prizes!), and a cocktail in honour of the games. Spirit of Olympia Iced tea anyone? www.konakai.co.uk

Carom, Soho

This vibrant Indian bar has got an indoor summer garden and a menu of yummy cocktails to choose from as an alternative way to enjoy the games – they’ve also got four screens with the option to make a private booking if you want to watch the Olympics with just a few pals – nice! www.meza-soho.co.uk

Yager Bar, St Pauls

If you work around the city, you might want to head to this popular locale to check out the summer games – they’ve got Bronze, Silver and Gold packages starting from £25 which offers a viewing area, sharing platters and a round of drinks or wine.www.yager-bar.com/summer-sports.php

Waterpoet, Spitalfields

This East-end watering hole is not only screening the Olympics on nine screens but are hosting a massive Opening Ceremony Party with fancy dress and plenty of fun and games such as “olym-ping pong” and “olympic sized pool” (which sounds like good ole’ ping pong and pool to us, but meh). It all goes down from 6pm. www.waterpoet.co.uk

Where are you watching the games? Let us know in the comments section

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Somewhere You Should Go… Basecamp at 100 Leonard Street

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:00:20 +0000

Don’t know if you heard but there’s a little sporting event happening in London this summer… it’s got a little bit of media attention… so in homage of the mighty Olympic Games, The Book Club in Shoreditch is hosting its own sporty event Shoreditch- style called Basecamp.

Taking place July 27 to August 12 at an outdoor carpark near 100 Leonard Street, Basecamp will show screenings of all the fantastic sporting events, ensuring a great atmosphere to view the Olympics. And if you feel inspired to take part and become the next Usain Bolt they will be hosting their own events in ping pong, beach volleyball, croquet and more.
But for those of you not so interested in the ‘sporty’ side of the Olympics there’ll be a paddling pool, frozen cocktails and live art. And the best bit cider and real ales from London Fields Brewery and delicious food from Street Kitchen who only use 100% UK produce from sustainable and organic farms.If you didn’t get a ticket to the Olympics this is the next best thing, so see you in the paddling pool, I’ll be the one with a large pear cider… (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For further info about Basecamp, visit www.wearetbc.com

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Something you should see… Salute

Laura Thornley — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:00:38 +0000

You’ll be hard pushed to find a more iconic image than the photograph of the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics. It has become an image that epitomises a century of civil rights, politicised youth and defiance against archaic laws. But this new feature documentary by Matt Norman highlights a part of the image that you may not have previously noticed: the third Olympian in the image. Australian Peter Norman – Matt’s uncle – won silver that day but never competed in athletics for his country again, just like African-Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Why? because he was complicit in the politics on the podium.

The doc follows the road to the Mexico City Olympic games and the events that surrounded that fateful year. Working with a variety of found footage and interviews Norman has created a tense and emotional doc that makes for compelling viewing. It provides a great insight into the history of the time (for any of us who missed the details first time round) addressing reasons why the young athletes chose to act and the bravery it took to stand up at that moment – with innumerable sniper rifles around the stadium.

Their solidarity that day and Norman’s support for his fellow athletes stayed with the civil rights movement until his recent death. The documentary paints a genuinely heartwarming image of camaraderie, in the face of such horror elsewhere. With the Olympics around the corner it couldn’t be released at a more opportune moment so it’s a must see if you have any doubts about what sportsmen can do for the world. (Words: Laura Thornley)

Salute is on general release July 13th.

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Something you should do… ride the Thames Cable Car

Matilda — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:00:49 +0000

With the Olympics just weeks away, Londoners might be looking for alternative ways to get around the bustling capital. Well, the latest option is airborne as the UK’s first urban car link has arrived just in time to offer commuters, Eastenders and tourists quickie flights across the River Thames. The Emirates Air Line (aka Thames Cable Car) takes roughly 5 minutes to travel between the Royal Docks (home to the Excel, hosting the Olympic martial arts and weightlifting games) and the O2 Arena (the venue for artistic gymnastics and basketball) and offers incredible views of the city. It’s not pricey either, only costing £3.20 with an Oyster for a return “boarding pass” – so we recommend giving it a go before the expected rush of Olympic spectators take over the town (and our transport) later this month.

Click HERE to see more pics or the Emirates Air Line on our Tumblr…

This experience comes courtesy of Acer UK. Check out the Acer Intel U-Experience team on our journey and discover more about the challenges at: https://www.facebook.com/AcerUK/app_329103610497351

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Something you should do…Search Party, July 23rd

Aoife Moriarty — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:00:11 +0000

Do you enjoy fun challenges? Do you get immense satisfaction from solving clues and reaping the rewards at the local pub quiz or even when watching CSI Miami on your couch? Well then read on, dear friend, I may have just the ticket for you…!

Imagine the biggest treasure hunt you were ever involved in as a child. Now multiply that by a hundred. No, maybe a thousand. Basically, just imagine a really big treasure hunt. You got that? Good.

On July 23rd, the Sing London festival are hosting just that throughout East London, as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend. There are three different routes to choose from and the prize at the end – if you can locate it – is a rather spiffing party involving gourmet food, cocktails, swing dancing and cookery lessons from Jamie’s Ministry of Food. The party, as well as the treasure hunt itself, is – rather joyously – free of charge.

Of course, even if you don’t find the party, it’s sure to prove an enjoyable experience nonetheless attempting to solve the clues as you take taste tests, interact with strangers, encounter actors in disguise and decode messages hidden in flowerbeds – and do all sorts madly wonderful stuff in the name of good times and camaraderie. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)

For more information and to register to take past in this event, go to: www.searchpartylondon.org

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