what to do in London – The Cultural Exposé

A New Year winter day’s stroll around Holland Park

Matilda — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 09:09:46 +0000

I got up to a lot of things in 2015 – running 50k in the countryside; risking my life by swinging on oversized curtains; eating too much fried chicken and not doing enough crunches. But I really wish I took a chill pill, like taking a walk in the park. So guess what I did on the first day of the year?

The destination was Holland Park, one of those rare green spaces in West London that look a bit ‘meh’ on the outside until you wander in. W8ers don’t like everyone else to know about it for fear they’ll head here in droves, killing the good vibes and scaring away the peacocks (yea, there’s peacocks here, go figure).

Not that I would blame them (that’s heading here in droves, not scaring the peacocks). It’s rare you can find a serene space in London where exotic birds roam free and urban ramblers are expected to kick back to take in the idyllic Kyoto Garden. The garden’s beautiful benches are practically begging you to take a seat, exhale and think happy thoughts.

So, about the walk. I can’t say I’m one for strolling out here, in these streets, in the winter, on purpose, meaning it was only right I dressed for the occasion. For the sake of warmth, I went for the classic all-black (my favourite jeggings, Uniqlo; a wool blend coat, H&M; ankle boots, New Look; leather gloves, Gap). But I topped it all off with one of those winter hats everyone’s rocking these days (in this case, the Joules Toni felt trilby hat from Outdoor & Country).

Thankfully, the rain showers didn’t arrive until a few hours later – and in that time, I got my fill of peace and tranquility to get my first resolution of the year off to a lovely start.

Here’s a few more snaps I took:

Have you visited Kyoto Garden in Holland Park? Or, where do you go in London for a little peace and quiet? Leave a comment!

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Somewhere you should go… The Blues Kitchen Rib Festival

The Cultural Exposé — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:00:05 +0000

You might think that BBQs aren’t something to book into the diary for the next few months – but you couldn’t be more wrong. Camden’s Blues Kitchen is giving reason enough to block out the next four Mondays, as some of London’s greatest BBQ chefs arrive for the first-ever Rib Festival. The guest chefs will fire up the many in-house smokers to cook up their own unique takes on the iconic BBQ dish. The front of house will feature live music from the London Bluesmen and Sam Hare & Oliver to accompany your meaty meal.

First up tonight is the Prairie Fire BBQ, cooking up traditionally slow-cooked Kansas City style BBQ (for you BBQ newbies, that means the meat is slowly smoked and then covered in a sweet, tomato-based sauce). Prairie Fire BBQ’s sauce is handmade weekly and comes from a recipe passed down through the generations.
The 27th January session will showcase London’s own The Rib Man, famous for his spicy “Holy F##k!” sauce and high-quality meats. On 3rd February, Grillstock from Bristol will bring its hickory wood-smoked meats to the Kitchen. Then on the 10th, DJ BBQ will be cooking up Carolina-style(smoked low and slow with vinegar and spices) pulled pork. For further info, visit: www.theblueskitchen.com/whats-on (Words: Barbara Cole)

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Something you should see… Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan

Florence Ritter — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:00:03 +0000

New exhibition Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan at the Wellcome Collection brings together a host of visually stunning works

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in a wide range of media. Bold, blocky coloured pencil drawings hang beside tightly detailed scratchings in biro; chunky, expressive sculptures sit below elegantly abstract geometric patterns in pen. Souzou is full of works that are carefully executed, aesthetically striking and overall memorable for their originality; by conventional measures and in formal terms, the exhibition could be called a success. But this is not a conventional art exhibition as such. You are unlikely to have heard of any of the artists, and they haven’t thought about you as an audience. Neither are they particularly interested in – even aware of – their work’s marketability, or, in some cases, the fact that it is on display at all. All of the works brought together for the Souzou exhibition were created by adults with a range of mental disorders and illnesses, living in social welfare facilities across Honshu, Japan’s largest island. Souzou is a Japanese word that can be translated as either creation or imagination. Some of the works convey or communicate a particular idea or experience, others fulfil an essentially private function; in all cases there is little to no engagement with history and theory. In some ways, this exhibition represents a purer form of art-making, unshackled from a debilitating awareness of critical reception and the art market. The works are very personal to the individual’s particular outlook or perception of the world. Toshiko Yamanishi writes love letters to her mother in the form of multicoloured swirls of jagged patterns; Shota Katsube creates brilliant little action figures out of shiny bin-ties; Ryoko Koda reduces his name to one unique character and repeats it again and again in artfully arranged geometric patterns. Exhibitions of ‘Outsider Art’ like this one always throw into question what it is that defines the ‘Insiders’ of the (fictional) concept of a singular and cohesive Art World. The Wellcome Collection’s exhibition offers an alternative kind of self expression through the visual arts and is not to be missed. (Words: Florence Ritter) Souzou: Outside Art from Japan, Wellcome Collection, runs until Sunday 30 June 2013. Click here for more info.

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Something you should see… George Bellows: Modern American Life at the Royal Academy

Eri Otite — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00:10 +0000

When George Bellows died at the age of 42 from a ruptured appendix, he was acclaimed as one of America’s greatest realist artists. Now British audiences have the chance to see what all the fuss was about this month at the Royal Academy. The exhibition, which is the first UK retrospective of his career, explores the principal themes in Bellows’ work and includes both drawings and paintings, as well as lithographs. New York’s urban landscape – its people and places provided the setting for Bellows unflinching portrayal of early 20th century America. From the lawless violence of the boxing ring to gritty scenes of tenement life, to cityscapes and social scenes – he painted them all. Visitors to the Royal Academy can view life in New York and its diversity of inhabitants, as it emerged into the 20th century – from the 71 works on show. Bellows is best known for his boxing paintings and the exhibition includes his most famous work Stag at Sharkey’s (1909). The painting depicts a brutal underground bout at one of New York’s ‘private’ clubs on Broadway. The frenzied energy and raw aggression captured by Bellows in his early fight scenes
helped to establish his reputation as a ‘formidable’ painter in New York art circles. Thought of as the ‘all-American painter’, the variety of subject matter suggest Bellows was a more complex artist who was attuned to the social and political issues of the day. Lithographs Bellows produced for leftwing publications and paintings showing German atrocities during the First World War – both included in the show, attest to the social conscience for which he is known. Those looking for some light relief from the depressing studies of daily city life should seek out Bellows’ scenic paintings of Manhattan under snow and portraits of summer fetes in Central Park. George Bellows left an extensive body of work for what was a short career, so here’s a great opportunity to see some of those works and find out why this American painter was so highly praised. (Words: Eri Otite) George Bellows (1882-1925): Modern American Life is on at the Royal Academy from 16 March – 9 June. For more info, visit www.royalacademy.org.uk

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TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – October 2012

The Cultural Exposé — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:41 +0000

To think we’ve got only two months before the end of the year (!) – well at least things on the arts and cultural front aren’t dying down yet, with festivals galore making their way to town for your social pleasure and a few unique events (one featuring chocolate!)…

Special Event

Photomonth 2012, October 1st – November 20th – If you’ve got a camera or even a vague interest in photography, head down to this annual fest held around East London which not only offers over 150 exhibitions in galleries and venues, but the chance to participate in walks and workshops.

Cinema

Bicycle Film Festival, October 5th to 7th – Festival founder and dedicated cyclist Brendt Barbur started the BFF in 2001 following an accident in New York City while riding his bike – but 11 years on, it continues to be a positive celebration of the bicycle and its cultural relevance through music, art and film.

Arts & Culture

Siobhan Davis Studios Animated Environments Series: Steven Pippin, October 6 – November 24 – Siobhan Davies Studios hosts the final part in their Animated Environments series, this time with acclaimed artist Steven Pippin. Wonder what the last thing a camera sees before it is shot through the lens with a bullet? Best head down to the dance studios to find out where this strange human musing takes the audience.

Eat & Drink

Choctails at The Botanist, National Chocolate Week, October 8th to 14th – To mark National Chocolate Week, The Botanist bar on Sloane Square has teamed up with Hotel Chocolat to produce a limited edition range of hot chocolates and cocktails. Flavours include The Ultimate Hotel Chocolat, Chocolate Orange Melt, Nutty Divine and Naughty but Spice.

Music

The House of St Barnabas presents The Autumn Culture Series with Gilles Peterson, Andrew Weatherall, Rob da Bank, from October 16th – If you are feeling a bit charitable this autumn but don’t want to encourage those pesky chuggers, then this next recommendation could be right up your street. The Grade one listed House of St Barnabas have enlisted the help of DJ aficionados Giles Peterson, Andrew Weatherall and Rob da Bank to host a series of nights in their amazing premises. Charity plus dancing (to great music) – minus getting a restraining order on a street fundraisers – equals perfect.

Theatre

Jonzi D: Lyrical Fearta at Lilian Baylis Studio, October 18th to 27th – The legendary hip-hopper will be reviving some of his best known works and premiering The Letter – his first solo piece in 17 years. He’ll also be joined by acclaimed musician Soweto Kinch.

Best bits from last month

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Somewhere you should go… London Design Festival

Jane Duru — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:00:28 +0000

After the brilliant spectacle of London 2012, Londoners can battle their post-Olympic comedown by surfing the crest of the creative wave that’s about to hit. This week sees the stylish crowds strutting in for the start of London Fashion Week but while people-watching can be a diverting pastime, mere mortals should look beyond the stiletto-clad denizens of Somerset House and onwards to the restored warehouse of Central St Martins in King’s Cross, the public space of Trafalgar Square, and the hallowed halls of the V&A. Here’s where you’ll find the various events making up the 10th London Design Festival, and a rather more democratic celebration of the city’s design talent.

With a packed schedule of over 200 events throughout the week – many of them free – visitors looking to orient themselves should start off at the V&A, the festival hub. Here, Keiichi Matsuda’s PRISM exhibition, will present viewers with an alternative London, one informed by drawing upon various data flows that are the life blood of the city – traffic flow, environmental data and the like. Housed in a part of the museum that’s usually off-limits to visitors, it’s a rare chance to see the city in virtual terms. Down on Southbank on September 20th, collective Designersblock will be presenting their stable of designers. Look out for furniture makers Hendzel+Hunt, who’ll be debuting the results of their 24 Hour Challenge – a task issued to five teams of engineers, architects and creatives, to make a themed pinball machine out of materials foraged around Peckham, in a single day. With themes ranging from King Kong to Charlie Chaplin, it only goes to prove: necessity is the mother of all invention.

The London Design Festival runs from September 14 – 23. For more info, visit www.londondesignfestival.com

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Metropolitans: Kimberley Kasirowore, poet

Yusuf Orekan — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:44 +0000

I am… a Poet/Uni student studying Literature and Creative Writing. I moved to London in 2000 when I was about nine, from Zimbabwe. I’d holidayed in London before, but adopting my own postcode was a rather different experience. I’d found her, London personified, eclectic in her music and tastes, energetic and modern. She still is. Random memory: I remember being excited when I first met someone of Jamaican origin. Lol at the novelty.

The area in London I call home is… North London. Enfield, if I’m being specific. Somewhere people only seem to know about now because of the riots. Is it ironic that that’s where I feel safest? Who knows. My friends love to make jibes about how ‘technically’ I’m not a Londoner because the closest Underground station from EN1 is a bit of a bus ride away. It’s a red double decker bus, and I have an 0208 phone number, so in my eyes I make the cut.

I’ve got to have a meal at… Caribbean Scene. It’s a lovely Caribbean Restaurant that boasts a serious vegetarian menu, not that they don’t serve meat, they do, but being a vegetarian my eyes tend to only read things with a green (v) next to it. There are a few in London but I like the one by the Royal Victoria Dock because I have a thing for water. The ambience at the spot is amazing, definitely worth a Google if you won’t take my word for it. A Google, then a visit.

I tend to get my threads from… the High Street. I have a bit of a laissez-faire approach when it comes to my wardrobe. Unless I have a show and I have to leave the house on a specific mission to buy a specific type of outfit, I’ll usually be gallivanting about somewhere, as one does, spot something in a display window, investigate and end up blowing a week’s pay. On a day to day basis, the ensembles I leave my house in are usually unintentional, be that in brilliance or faux pas.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… definitely have an online presence. They are so many things going on in London, it can get hard to keep track. This is especially the case when it comes to niche kinda events. Websites like the Cultural Exposé amongst others, are pretty handy when you’re looking for a different kind of night out. Tip 2: Plan your route home ahead of time. Nothing as joy killing as watching your last bus pull away from the station after a good night out, or maybe that’s just for Enfieldians.

If I was mayor, I would… shut down all the shops on Saturday. Hidden Adventist Agenda? No, but really, as much as I love the hustle and bustle of London, I do think it’d be lovely if the city was to ‘pause’ once in a while, so its workaholic citizens could enjoy the beauty of the city’s natural spots and have un-timed conversation with the city’s mixed multitude.

My favourite spot to check out art is… London’s walls, stalls, floors, trains even. I really like graffiti. It serves as the unadulterated voice of the masses, (till the council clean it up). My favourite piece is a pseudo Andy Warhol pop up piece of a girl in Tottenham. Because of where it is, it can only be seen from the upper deck of a bus. There’s a little voice in my head that shouts ‘exclusive’ every time I do get to see it.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… keep their receipts so they can claim tax back at the airport when they are leaving. Nothing finishes a holiday like payment on exit. That, and keep to the left when walking, and, right on the escalators if they are standing. Been said before but, some people are repeat offenders.

The things I miss when I leave London are… my mommy. . . like for real. TFL (my missing it being the love part of the love/hate feelings I have towards it), the variety of food available, delivery and in store, the spoken word poetry scene, oh and black hair shops. Really and truly someone should start delivering black hair products etc. to those outside major cities. Something for the people.

My soundtrack to London would be…

Tinashe – Mr Presumption: I really like this song and think it has a particularly English feel to it. A Zimbabwean Londoner, kinda like me. :) The beauties of globalisation.

Calvin Harris – Flashback: An oldy but a goody. There’s almost a dichotomy between the deep lyrics of the song and the monotony of the house beat.

Dean Atta’s – Revolution Awaiting Warriors: It’s not actually a song but if I were to make a soundtrack to London it’d definitely be on it. The piece speaks for itself in its brilliance and beauty. It’s one of if not thee most inspiring poem I can ever recall hearing.

Labrinth – Earthquake: It has a really refreshed old school sound to it, methinks. I’m forever rewinding the bit with the trumpets at Buckingham Palace. Cheesy but I love it.

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Metropolitans: Ida May, model

Yusuf Orekan — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:40 +0000

I am… a professional dancer, actress and a model loving the hotness of the bikram and living the life in the East side of London in Hackney. Moved here from Finland 4 years ago.

The area in London I call home is… Hackney. After few years in Camden we found our home in East. Got a large space full of little swings and things n hula hoops just off Kingsland road overlooking the canal. Our lovely large windows guarantee that we will need lots of hot chocolate to survive over the winter. I feel like I’m at home when I’m walking down the streets and get a chance to catch few familiar smiles and heys on my way. I love the spontaneous coffee catch ups and surprise long night outings after exhibition openings. My ‘home area’ seems to be within walking (cycling) distance. I rarely need to travel further than that to find the action.

I’ve got to have a meal at… The Breakfast Club. You can’t go wrong with the number 3 wrap. Sometimes during the week I gotta grab the tastiest street food from the Whitecross Street Market. In the evenings the pop up restaurants got something new to offer and of course the there is all these Vietnamese places on Kingsland road.

I tend to get my threads (clothes) from… here and there. Yesterday I did some great fabric founds from the Cloth House in Soho. I love to check the treats of Dover Street Market and always pop into the Start in Shoreditch just cause they simply got the loveliest staff there. Sample sales and short trips abroad always rule and friends wardrobes are great too! Just gotta keep your ears and eyes open.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… keep your ears and eyes open (again). Be with great company, look for the gallery openings and exhibitions and let the night lead your way. House parties is the way…. to keep going til the next day ;)

If I was mayor, I would… make the streets more cyclist friendly and fix the pot holes on the roads.

My favourite spot to check out art is… isn’t art everywhere? That’s why London’s so great, there’s always something going on for everyone. It’s all out there, you just gotta go and get yours. When it comes to performing arts, War Horse at the New London Theatre is one not to miss!

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… keep on running.

The things I miss when I leave London are… friends and the chances the city gives to you. The action. Surprises around the corner.

My soundtrack to London would be (name roughly 3 songs and what makes them so interesting)

Tanlines – Real Life – RAD TIMES! this video says it all!

Cerebral Ballzy – Standing Tall – You sometimes gotta feel like 15 forever and let go. Influences everywhere, just remember to stand tall.

Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation – Gotta love the old skool tunes! People of the world unite, London, you gotta have the rhythm.

Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere – Because I’ve met some of the most amazing people in London.

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Metropolitans: Charlotte Fielding, photographer

Yusuf Orekan — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:00:44 +0000

I am a… Londonite photographer, I love everything photo-related and strive to keep my work fresh. I cover events from Burlesque nights and underground film screenings to weddings and exhibition openings. I have lived in London for six years now and feel that the city really inspires me in work and play. Every day is different and I never stop discovering here. I think it might be love.

The area in London I call home is… right on the river in Battersea, which is awesome. I haven’t been here that long but have recently stumbled on lots of little thrift shops and quirky places off the beaten track. My favorite spot to pass the time is Battersea Village Square; it’s a micro hub of world cuisine with Italian, Indian, Thai, Lebanese and seafood restaurants. There is always something going on there, whether is be a wacky jazz trio playing or an outdoor zumba class – it’s all going down in the square! I grew up on a farm but I was never terribly keen on overdosing on fresh air and frankly I find wellington boots ugly and incredibly uncomfortable, so like dear Dick Wittington (and many others before me) I packed my bags and journeyed to the Big Smoke to seek my fortune. Whilst on arrival I was initially disappointed to find the streets were not all paved with gold, I have found that there are more valuable hidden treasures around the city!

I’ve got to have a meal at… Borough Market. It is certainly up there – although I am not sure you would call it a ‘meal’ more of a graze / gorge of all the amazing artesian foods they have. Places with offers on are also a winner for me for a couple of reasons – firstly they get you out of the rut of going to the same places so it’s a bit of a journey of discovery, and secondly I unashamedly love the smug feeling of getting a good deal!

I tend to get my threads (clothes) from… shops. Especially ones that sell very beautiful and incredibly uncomfortable shoes, sadly I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame… Will I ever learn?

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… expect the unexpected! I always go out with an open mind and try to find out what’s going on before hand. I am really lucky in my line of work that I get to hear about, and photograph, lots of really cool things that happen around London. My main tip is to choose an area and stick with it. It’s a belief shared by Londoners that everywhere is an hour away – whether you are going a couple of stops on the bus or tubing across the zones it always takes an hour!

If I was mayor, I would… crack the whip and get my fellow cyclists fully clad in neon and helmets and supply lots of flashing lights. I love, love, love my trusty stead and couldn’t be in London without it – it’s pretty much the only way I get around. But I have been knocked off a couple of times, it’s not fun…

My favourite spot to check out art is… always changing. But ultimately it’s actually my flat as it’s covered in art I adore, and lots of my own photos – it’s like a private gallery! Having worked in the art world and a keen interest in photography and beautiful things, I’m signed up to various galleries so often visit new shows and pop up exhibitions whether they be on Cork Street or private homes. I am lucky enough to photograph for the Tate Museums so I never miss their exhibitions. I get a real rush from going to auctions and love seeing what the trends are and who is buying.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… Get out of Leicester Square and Covent Garden and try something new, there is a lot more to London then chain restaurants and people handing out flyers, I promise! Also the number 11 bus is a really good route – you get to see a lot of the sights.

The things I miss when I leave London are… hmm… it’s far easier to talk about the things I would NOT miss about London. One is the dodgy paving stones that when trodden on in the rain submerges your feet in water to your ankles. Another is the bus drivers who see you running and waving frantically but then pull away at the last second leaving you in a puff of bus smoke.

My soundtrack to London would be:

Airborne Toxic – “Sometime Around Midnight” During the day the city is so hectic you barely have time to think, I find my quiet times are always at night. To me this song expresses that as it’s all about switching off and reassessing your feelings and thoughts without the white noise.

The XX – “Intro” A dear friend of mine got married in a photographic studio in east London and this is what accompanied her entrance. When the music started the atmosphere was electric everyone had goosebumps. The song wasn’t out there in the mainstream at that point and the words I would use describe to London also apply to this beautiful piece of music. Epic, urban, hypnotic, fresh and most of all… Love.

Cash Machine – “Hard Fi” This was released around the time I moved to London and I listened to it over and over and over again, it was kind of an anthem for me at that time and has a great beat for stomping around getting to know the city.

Check out Charlotte’s photography at: www.charlottefieldingphotography.com

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Metropolitans: Alice Shyy, expat

Matilda — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:00:48 +0000

I am…from Florida and started living it up in London while technically residing in Cambridge, from the Spring of 2009. London hasn’t really gotten rid of me since. I spend my days working on two start-ups: The Note Well, a music friendship project, and USApplicants, a tutoring and mentoring company for students who want to go to America for university.

The area in London I call home is… East London. I’ve also happily lived West and Walthamstow, but East London wins.

I’ve got to have a meal at…Addis at Kings Cross. I am a sucker for injera (traditional Ethiopian bread). If anyone knows of better Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants, holler at your girl.

I tend to get my threads from…Charity shops, festivals, clothing exchanges, sample sales, friends, the street. I used to work at Buffalo Exchange in New York and tend to stock up whenever I go back. I also love Laura Dawson, a London-based American designer with admirable eco-values and great easy-wearin’ pieces.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should…Stay local so you can stay out as late as you’d like–or arrange a crashpad in your going-out area of choice. Nurse a bottle as you stroll to your destination. Avoid standing in line. Seek live music (Songkick is rad for this). Make new friends. Also, throw your own parties. Invite me–I’ll DJ.

If I were mayor, I would...Support more free summer events. That's the biggest thing New York has over London--I miss the great (and gratis) concerts, festivals, films, theater. It's a wonderful way for public and private sectors to engage with citizens. Additionally, I'd work to make the 25 bus somewhat bearable--it'd be a tough fight, but I'd be ready to battle.

My favourite spot to check out art is…Whitechapel Art Gallery. It’s around the corner from my house, and I never risk “museum fatigue” in going to such a tiny space. I also have a great fondness for the Salvador Dalí Universe. I love that dude.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to…Eat at St. Johns Bread and Wine. It will change any negative perceptions of British cuisine.

The things I miss when I leave London are…Amazing gigs aplenty, hundreds of ales, American expats (the cream of the crop fly the coop).

My soundtrack to London would include…

This is my QUESTION! The Note Well publishes six-track playlists every now and again. For some reason, they are always monosyllabic in name. Here’s my playlist for LONDON MUSIC:

“Sun” by Caribou. Good for when it’s raining, great for when it’s bright. Also, Caribou Dan and guitarist Ryan live in London–again, go local when possible. And the Kidstreet remix of this song is great for keeping cool on a crowded and insane 25 bus.

“Dodfucksupanescorttune” by Drums of Death. It’s my UK mobile ringtone, so if you hear a tinny, lo-fi version pop up randomly around town, it means I’m around, and I’m blowin’ up.

“Super Inuit (live)” by Holy Fuck. For walking somewhere super fast. If you underestimate your distance to be traveled (as I often do), the rest of the album will power you through.

“Fire Dream” by Patten. For if you need something fresh. Damien (the man behind the band) is a wonderful human being, and he gigs in London quite often. GO.

“White Sails” by Marques Toliver. For when you feel lost in the world. Marques lives locally (though he’s from Florida, like me) and has a habit of busking all around.

“Lost in the World” by Kanye West (feat. everyone) – For when it feels great to be alive in one of the greatest cities ever.

And Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy for all other times, always.

To find out more about The Notewell, visit: www.thenotewell.com

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