things to do – The Cultural Exposé

What we’ve been up to… a weekend in Paris

Matilda — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:00:50 +0000

The beauty of living in London is that Paris is just a hop, skip and a jump away – but for all the times I’ve visited the city (for work or running), I’d be lying if I said I had the chance to DO Paris. So with the weather on the brink of Spring and an opportune weekend to cheer my Run Dem Crew friends at this year’s Paris half-marathon, I made the spontaneous decision to hit the town last weekend and do as much as I could accomplish in 48 hours. I had a brilliant time – and this week I’ll be sharing all my best moments of what I did, where I ate and why, in the words of Audrey Hepburn, Paris is always a good idea:

Plane vs Eurostar

Everyone knows that travelling by Eurostar is dope – and if you book it well in advance, you can get to the Paris for less than £100 quid. My lastminute.comness meant I spent a eye-watering amount that went over the £150 mark, but I don’t regret it; the ease of just pulling in to Gare du Nord from Kings Cross St Pancras always trump travelling on a plane in my opinion, even if flights nowadays are a bit cheaper.

City guide vs apps

I bought the Time Out Shortlist Paris 9th edition guide a day before I travelled, just to be on the safe side: it’s got a quality map in the back and I found it pretty useful during the weekend, especially in learning about the different areas in the city. But I couldn’t live without Google Maps – and thanks to GPS, I could frequently conserve my data while getting an accurate location. The Uber app was also fantastic for booking quick and cheap taxis and the free Duolingo app helped me with brushing up on my (very) basic french.

Hotel vs airBnB

The last time I visited Paris was in 2013 for the half-marathon and I stayed in the uber-hip Mama Shelter in the 20^th district in central Paris (nearest metro: Alexandre Dumas). It’s got a great vibe, dope food, but it’s off the beaten track and hardly the bargain I was looking for this time round. So I tried airBnB for the first time which is so easy to use. After a friend recommended I search for spots in Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés, I ended up booking a clean and quaint apartment from a guy named Ahmed which only cost £116 for two nights and was in a fantastic location. Sharing with a friend meant I only spent £58!

Public vs two-legged transport

I ended up being one of those tourists wasting everyone else’s time when I tried to buy a Metro ticket from the machines at Gare du Nord. Eventually I figured out the system of a single €1.70 ticket per journey (so cheap!), but I only every used six for the entire weekend so avoided buying the booklet of ten. The rest of the time we walked to take it as much of the city as possible – thank you Google Maps! We also used the Vélib’ bike hire scheme which was cheap but a lot trickier than it should have been; the first hire machine we found was out of order, the second had plenty of defective bikes and once we hired, we struggled to find a place to dock them once we reached our destination in Bastille! Also, cyclists ride on the right in Paris, so there were a few hairy moments when it came to crossing junctions…traffic light crossings became our fast friends, I tell ya!

Tomorrow’s post: What we got up to… The Louvre, Centre Georges Pompidou and Musée d’Orsay

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A guide to the 58th BFI London Film Festival: Nas: Time is Illmatic, Björk: Biophilia Live and Whiplash

Apostolos Kostoulas — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:10:56 +0000

The BFI London Film Festival should not need any introduction. Now in its 58th year, it has secured a permanent place in our hearts with its eclectic line-up of major motion pictures and exciting cinematic surprises. So without further ado, here’s a guide to our picks at this year’s festivals, divided into our five categories to help you navigate through this wonderful celebration of cinema:

Sound and Vision

The continuous bond between music and cinema celebrated by the LFF is once again demonstrated in the Sonic section. This year’s highlights include, Nas: Time is Illmatic, an in-depth look on the making of the New York’s rapper hugely influential debut and Björk: Biophilia Live, the latest fascinating multimedia project from the Icelandic goddess. There are equally interesting music-related films though, outside the Sonic section. Whiplash, for example follows the struggles of an ambitious young jazz drummer to make it to the top. What could be another success story is transformed into an electrifying cinematic experience that constantly surpasses your expectations winning both the Grand Jury and the Audience awards at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Then there is The Possibilities Are Endless, a heart-warming documentary about the recovery of Edwyn Collins after suffering a massive stroke. A love letter

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to an exceptional songwriter and a lovely human being that must be seen not only by Orange Juice fans. Read more our film festival recommendations below:

The 57th BFI London Film Festival takes place from 8-19 October. Tickets go on sale 18 September and for more info about the programme go to the BFI website.

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Somewhere you should go… Princess Victoria’s Burns Night

Matilda — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:00:11 +0000

Trust the Scots to find a way to make you look forward to the end of the month. Every 25th January, the whole of the UK celebrates the life of famous Scottish poet Robert Burns—often in the most Scottish of ways, with a wee (or slightly larger) dram of whisky and a bit of haggis. If you fancy starting the celebrations early, head over to the Princess Victoria pub in Shepherd’s Bush tomorrow. They will feature a three-course early Burns Night supper club menu cooked up by Head Chef Matt Reuther (formerly of No 1 Lombard St and Marco Pierre White’s three Michelin-starred Oak Room).

Reuther will be playing up the smoky flavours of Scotland’s famed peated whiskys with a menu that starts with a cassoulet made of whisky-barrel-smoked langoustine and home-cured bacon. The next course is a Scottish mutton haggis served along with ash wood-roasted shoulder and a serving of neeps and tatties (swedes), a popular accompaniment to haggis. Finally, dessert will be Applewood-roasted quince and the traditional Scottish dessert of cranachan, made of cream, whisky, raspberries and toasted oatmeal. And no smoky meal would be complete with a nip of Laphroaig whisky! The three-course supper is £30 and will offer the chance to buy wines and whiskeys while enjoying the beautiful historic pub. For more info, visit: www.facebook.com/events/602210763168004

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Somewhere you should go… Hip Hop’N’Bowl

The Cultural Exposé — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:00:27 +0000

If we had our way, quality hip-hop would be an intricate part of most social and recreational activities in the capital – and it seems Emily Rawson is on the same page. The DJ and promoter behind hip-hop ladies night Rock The Belles and 90s bash Supa Dupa Fly has been known to throw some of the hottest (and hippest) parties in town – and her love for hip-hop has seen her put on quizzes, bowling nights and even a themed pop-up kitchen at the Jazz Cafe. Now, she’s launching a a new event on November 9th called Hip Hop’N’Bowl at Bloomsbury Lanes. While the latest concept is also bowling-related, there will be live acts, the most notorious tunes on deck plus the awesome DJ Sarah Love headlining the three DJ line-up, guaranteeing a very entertaining evening indeed. Looking forward! For more info, visit: www.rockthebelles.com

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Somewhere you should go… Free Speed Listening at Queen of Hoxton

The Cultural Exposé — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 11:00:20 +0000

We’re no strangers to the wonderful phenomenon that is Speed Listening (nor anything tagged with the word ‘free’), so we’ll be shamelessly hot-footing to the Queen of Hoxton on Tuesday for the Beginners edition of this awesome event. Speed Listening puts a whole a new meaning to musical chairs: borrowing from the Speed Dating format, you swap music with different people throughout the evening and by the end of the night, you should leave with catalogue of recommended tunes that should broaden your musical horizons. It all goes down in the QoH’s rooftop Wig Wam from 8-9:30pm, so bring your headphones and a playlist you’re proud of.

For more info, visit: billetto.co.uk/events/speedlisteningforbeginners

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What we’ve been up to… Thriller Live at Lyric Theatre

The Cultural Exposé — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 10:50:43 +0000

If Michael Jackson was still alive, he would have recently celebrated his 55th birthday. It’s an age which would’ve easily been acceptable for retirement given his riches, achievements and line of work (although the late James Brown thought otherwise, still pulling out the odd shuffle and shimmy up until his 73rd birthday, bless him). Yet, despite Jackson’s ambitions with the 2009 This Is It tour passing away that same year, many would agree that his best years would always remain in an era where the brilliance of the music preceded the fancy footwork, as iconic as it would later become. It’s a point made in Thriller Live, a fun, feel-good two and a half show that celebrates the King of Pop’s music and legacy, with the help of rotating singers/hosts, dancers, a kid (playing lil’ Michael of course) and a pretty convincing impersonator in singer David Jordan. Though the rest of the leads are a bit hit and miss at times (with the exception of the sensational Miranda Wilford and Britt Quinton), the dancers never skip a beat, pulling off amazing displays to bring to life hits like ABC, Shake Your Body, Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough and Can You Feel It in Act 1.

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

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TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – May 2013

The Cultural Exposé — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:53 +0000

From the 10th anniversary of a hip-hop theatre institution to a night dedicated to the late great Fela Kuti (and a few festivals and new films all in between), May is looking pre-tty lively, if we do say so ourselves – so go forth and enjoy people…

Cinema

Gimme The Loot – May 3rd sees the long-awaited UK cinema release of a American graffiti flick/love story that won the Grand Jury prize at SXSW and featured at Cannes last year.

Music

Saluting The Black President: Fela Kuti May 17th – To mark a new release of the Afrobeat legend’s entire back catalogue comes a unique concert featuring some of Fela’s contemporaries (like Tony Allen) and the new-gen of artists influenced by him, including Ty, Blak Twang and the Noisette’s Shingai Shoniwa.

Art & Culture

Breakin’ Convention 2013, May 4-6th -10 years in existence, Breakin Convention continues to be a celebration of Hip Hop dance – the groups showing this year will be from around the globe including, Korea, France, Spain, and USA – and for the first time the festival will have a UK only night, showcasing the latest in UK urban dance style.

Alternative

Spin London, May 3rd-5th – Spin London is the world’s first urban focused bicycle show and festival, featuring talks, music, installations, demonstrations, films, food, static cycle racing (!!) and an opportunity to feast your eyes on some of the leading fashion brands in the world of two-wheeled transport.

Music

Field Day festival at Victoria Park, May 25th – Field Day is all about hip, electronica music with an ear-poppingly good line up, so get ready to get lost in the crowds, have a sweaty dance off in a packed tent and glory in the fact that all of East London will be there.

Art & Culture

Art of the Moment Festival, May 11-12 – This new festival is all about celebrating innovation in music and art and will feature a whole host of workshops, interactive installations, live cinema and a few other experimental surprises that might just blow your mind.

Best bits from last month

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TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – April 2013

The Cultural Exposé — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:00:39 +0000

The fourth month of 2013 promises aplenty in the way of festivals, parties, exhibitions and food glorious food – so forgive us if we’re feeling a little giddy about what we’ll be getting up to this April…

Cinema

Bird’s Eye View Film Festival: Celebrating Arab Women Filmmakers, April 3-10th – This year’s BEV will be honouring the work of women in the Arab world, offering insightful docs, film shorts, Q&As, live music and a special Fashion Loves Films programme, offering a host of parties and galas.

Art & Culture

Gaia: A Show of Hands at Nelly Duff, April 11th – One of the most thought-provoking street artists of our time will be presenting his first UK exhibition for one week only. The New York-born, Baltimore-based artist has built an international rep for his street murals, and this show will demonstrate his continuous fascination with hands through his unique style.

Eat & Drink

Dante Fried Chicken at Death by Burrito April 11-14th – We happily chowed down at Mr Dante’s finger-lickin’ pop-up last year so pleased to hear he’s back on our shores, this time with a cookbook and an exhibition. He’ll also be joining forces with Death by Burrito for a guest chef residency, where he’ll be serving up an exclusive dinner menu and all day brunch on April 14th, to mark the final day of the show.

Nightlife

The Doctor’s Orders Presents The Doctor’s Orders 250 Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Nextmen And Rich Medina At Scala, April 13th – To mark their 250th event, the Doctor’s Orders guys are going all out to bring together some of the most celebrated DJs in hip-hop – and this is one party that won’t stop until the sun comes up.

Art & Culture

Pick Me Up 2013: Graphic Arts Festival at Somerset House, April 18-28th – Feast your eyes on an incredible array of illustrations and designs at this 11-day celebration of all things graphic. Highlights include workshops, creative forums and lively events every evening.

Eat & Drink

The Lab at Tobacco Docks, April 25-27th – The creators of the Taste of London fest are debuting a new experimental foodie weekend, featuring some of the most innovative chefs from around the world and masterclasses in experiencing food like never before.

Best bits from last month

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Somewhere You Should Go…Vista Bar

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:00:14 +0000

It’s easy to think of Trafalgar Square as an area reserved for tourists and pigeons but near the museums and art galleries is The Trafalgar Hotel which hides the beautiful Vista Bar, a stunning open air rooftop bar with views of the Square, Big Ben, London Eye and the Thames.

As central London’s largest rooftop bar, if you’re for looking for somewhere a bit special – perhaps for a date or celebration – just take the lift up to the sixth floor and stop by for a drink. Fitting in with the impressive surroundings is a drinks menu which of course features champagne and cocktails (though the usual bar drinks are all available). My favourite was the Gin Mary, a Bloody Mary given an update with bacon (!) infused gin. It gives it an extra kick that somehow works and makes you wonder why more drinks don’t have bacon added to them.

It’s certainly not the cheapest bar in the capital but considering the location it is the perfect place if you’re looking for something special and areas can be hired making it great for a birthday celebration. As for food, the menu is a relaxed mix of nibbly bits, salads and snacks perfect for picking and even includes caviar if you really want to go all out.

Despite the chilly winter months ahead, Vista plans to cover the roof and put on extra heating for comfort, so it’ll be worth the visit – just note it gets busy and is often used for private events – plus there’s a £5 entry charge after 4pm, though they do donate a £1 to charity. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

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Something You Should See…Heiner Goebbels’ Stifter’s Dinge, Ambika P3

Florence Ritter — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:41:48 +0000

If ever there was an organisation that had its proverbial finger firmly on the pulse of cutting edge contemporary art forms, it is commissioning body Artangel. This month, the team that brought us Roger Hiorns’ sparkling azure ex-council flat grotto and Rachel Whiteread’s full-size casting of her own House have orchestrated the delivery of another extraordinary project to the heart of subterranean London: Heiner Goebbels’ Stifter’s Dinge.

Having travelled across the world, this remarkable ‘performative installation’ returns to its original home at Ambika P3, Marylebone Road. The massive monolithic interior of the former concrete testing facility has once again been transformed to become Goebbels’ cavernous laboratory of sound and light. Stifter’s Dinge defies definition: it is at once a theatrical performance, a visual spectacle, a musical sculpture – and yet it is none of these things exclusively.

A towering structure blinking with LEDs supports five pianos which appear to play themselves, singing out short melodies which combine and blend with the clanking and clunking of other components in the installation. Bodies of water bubble and ripple with the reverberations of sound; a thin mist hovers across the scene. Lights flash and dance across the space, casting abstract patterns on vast gauze screens that lower themselves from the ceiling at various intervals. Phantom-like voices hauntingly play out over projected images of idealised landscape paintings. At times meditative, at times unsettling, the experience is totally mesmerizing.

The title of the work translates as ‘Stifter’s Things’, after nineteenth-century writer Adalbert Stifter who was (in)famous for his fastidious, vividly detailed descriptions of nature: part of his attempt to close the gap between the ambiguity of language and the reality of experience. Goebbels uses similar tactics of immersion in his ‘no-man show’. The contemporary composer created this piece for instruments, not their players; and as the only human presence in the room, the audience is made to focus on the objects themselves which appear to perform autonomously.

This is a project to experience, not one to read about. Stifter was right – sometimes language just doesn’t have the capacity to adequately describe nature (or a multi-faceted, sensory-immersive installation). Artangel never fail to deliver the cutting-edge of cool – the newest addition to their list of weird and wonderful projects is no exception and should not be missed. (Words: Florence Ritter)

Heiner Goebbels: Stifter’s Dinge, in its new drop-in 4 hour long format The Unguided Tour, runs until 18th November. For more info, click HERE. A series of the original performances run between 13th-18th November.

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