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I enjoy stitching this together. It's a crazy patchwork of this city's cultural life ...past, present and yet to happen. It gets ripped apart and sewn afresh most days. Its frequent changes often depend on the colour of the sky, the mood on the street, the rhythm of the river. I love this city, in its various guises. Curating this online magazine makes me love it even more. It's always going to be a voyage of discovery as I keep unearthing more interesting finds, while digging over the familiar. Join me on the journey! You'd be SO welcome!
a quirky look at London Life... introducing our blog! sink right down into that sofa! there are probably some cashews down the side of the cushions it's okay go ahead they are only a few days old
Like last year, I was lucky to have a sneak peek at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show on Press Day. It's brilliant to be able to avoid the crowds, especially for this year's 100 year anniversary show - ...
"The Southbank Centre’s plans for a new festival wing means that the famous skate spot, which has existed as a hub for skaters, BMXers and artists for some 40 years, will be re-located. We believe it should stay!"
"The Thames Tunnel, completed in 1843, is the oldest tunnel in the oldest underground system in the world, As part of the 170th anniversary celebrations in 2013, we are delighted to announce a number of special events Train Tours On advertised days the Thames Tunnel is floodlit, and the view under the river from Wapping platform is stunning. You are looking through the pillars and porticos of the world’s first underwater fairground. Look closely any day and the same view can be glimpsed from Wapping, when the Tunnel is briefly lit by passing London Overground trains. Descents of the Grand Entrance Hall Directly above the Tunnel is a secret underground chamber where Brunel nearly drowned. Today access is only possible by low doorway and temporary staircase, but this was once a spectacular underground theatre. We are fundraising to fit out the space for entertainments in the grand style. Guided descents take place through the year every Sunday and Tuesday , and every Saturday evening through the summer and for Open House Weekend, Open Garden Squares Weekend and other advertised days. Tunnel Walks From time to time we organise guided walks through the Tunnel. These events take place during planned engineering works, and we are very grateful to Transport for London and London Overground for giving their consent. In March 2010, groups of fifty people left every 10 minutes to walk from Rotherhithe station to Wapping. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and the Coldstream Guards, led thousands of people through the Tunnel to the Museum square for the re-launch of the Thames Tunnel Fancy Fair. The Guards played here once before, of course, at the famous Underwater banquet, organised by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1827. For two days, the square outside the museum was a fairground, with acrobats, Victorian strongmen and sideshows. For the first time in a hundred and fifty years, people queued at Rotherhithe to walk under the river. This extraordinary event was covered by newspapers and television all over the world … In 2013 the Heritage Lottery Fund are supporting another spectacular blockbuster event above and below the River Thames. Dates are yet to be confirmed, but there will be Tunnel Walks, music concerts and entertainment from all over the world. The Thames Tunnel opened in 1843 as tourist attraction and party venue, and Zoë Wanamaker describes the Grand Entrance Hall as ‘a spectacular underground gateway to the world’s first underwater theatre space’. History books tell us that people did not simply enter the Tunnel to reach Wapping: they were buying tickets for a place in history. Dates will shortly be announced here, so watch this space. "
THEATRE REVIEW THE MATCH BOX By Frank McGuinness Tricycle Theatre Kilburn Until Sat 1st June http://www.tricycle.co.uk/ Box Office 0207 328 1000 A one woman story-telling evening, no late-comers, no interval; the promise is you’ll be enthralled. I was. The story is one of loss, of redemption and revenge. Set in Liverpool, a young woman maddened by the loss of her child in gunfire, is further maddened by the reaction of her reactionary Irish parents. The plot is relentless and cold blooded, as we follow the logic of her unsafe mind. What I saw tonight was one of the great one actor performances and a play written with such skill that I wasn’t ever allowed to predict; I was held, fearful, in the moment. Leanne Best was the revelation of the evening, a commanding, mock-modest performance which really must win actor of the year or of the decade. Shaun Traynor
"At 1,016ft, it boasts the most spectacular views in London. But visitors at the public opening of the Shard's observation deck could barely see out the windows because of thick cloud cover."
Jaunty film at 802 feet up.
"One of the most exciting new not for profit art spaces in London, The Dairy was launched by leading collectors, Frank Cohen and Nicolai Frahm, in April 2013 Walk-in #TourThursdays runs every week at 1:30pm - open to everyone!"
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Amidst The Flowers A Jug Of Wine By Li Po Amidst the flowers a jug of wine,
I pour alone lacking companionship.
So raising the cup I invite the Moon,
Then turn to my shadow which makes three of us.
Because the Moon does not know how to drink,
My shadow merely follows the movement of my body.
The moon has brought the shadow to keep me company a while,
The practice of mirth should keep pace with spring.
I start a song and the moon begins to reel,
I rise and dance and the shadow moves grotesquely.
While I'm still conscious let's rejoice with one another,
After I'm drunk let each one go his way.
Let us bind ourselves for ever for passionless journeyings.
Let us swear to meet again far in the Milky Way.
a festival of flowers, gardens and gardening across London
FFound Exhibition A group show featuring work by the following artists: Zac Fremman, Russell West, Jud Turner, Michael Speller, Joanne Tinker, Wycliffe Stuchbury, Steve McPherson, Ryan Matcham, Frank Miller, Giulia Bocchi, Keith Haynes
Exchange: 1,000 Good Deeds at the Foundling Museum 14 June 2013 - 15 September 2013, 10:00 - 17:00 Free with Museum admission. Booking not required . Inspired by the acts of exchange and charity implicit in the Foundling Hospital story, Twomey has worked with children in care, former pupils of the Foundling Hospital School, local residents and many others to devise over 1000 individual good deeds. Placed between the base of a cup and its saucer, these instructions are revealed only when a cup is selected. In order to keep the cup, one must agree to complete the good deed; otherwise the cup must be replaced. As the exhibition unfurls, the good deeds will be revealed. Uniform rows of identical cups will gradually transform as the unique, individual deeds are revealed on the saucers below. Beyond the walls of the Foundling, the cups will be dispersed; acting as mementos of good deeds done and an encouragement to do more for others. We need your good deeds!! We are inviting people to submit their ideas for good deeds to be included in the exhibition, to encourage positive behaviour and empower individuals to do a little good within their community. If you would like to submit a good deed, please fill in a form at the Museum or get in touch online:
documenting history's loss of important artworks-- whether through theft, arson, discarding, or other means-- the online gallery itself is set to disappear one year after its opening.
Summer Events @ West Norwood Cemetery
"The oldest Gothic Cemetery in the world launches amazing new outdoor art project! 21 different artists have been given a platform for their work in this beautiful setting - one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries, in West Norwood. There will be new site-responsive works by 21 artists located around the grounds of this historic Victorian cemetery in South London .This will provide a unique platform for contemporary artists to develop work exploring notable burials, histories and themes in this inspiring setting. Sculptures, ceramics, sound, textiles, photography and poetry will create a magical trail to attract new audiences to the site, with a specially designed free trail map by Okido." ============================== 22nd June to 28th July 2013, West Norwood Cemetery, Norwood Rd SE27 9JU Friday 21st June, Private View at West Norwood Cemetery 6-9pm, then at The Portico Gallery, Knights Hill, West Norwood SE27 0HS 9-10.30pm - Saturday 6th July, live evening event in the Greek Section of the cemetery Sunday 7th July, open day including a programme of artists' talks, with West Norwood FEAST Sunday 21st July, A Grand Picnic for the Common Dead, West Norwood Cemetery 12-5pm
"A few weeks ago, I was invited by Griff from Street Art London to check out a secret street art project (which I've been holding out on blogging about until now!)." Little London Observationist Blog
"The world premiere of Genesis unveils extraordinary images of landscapes, wildlife and remote communities by the world-renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado."
Léonie Scott-Matthews reads Shaun Traynor's poem at Pentameters Theatre, May 4, 2013.
"With a tip off from the fabulous Cityzen Kane (who I was with last weekend scoping out a top secret project that I'll write about soon), I found out ROA was in town! " For more go to the Little London Observationist blog and sign up! For Cultural London coverage, this woman never disappoints!
Set in the Deep South, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel sees racial injustice envelop a small-town community.
"Some brand new and some have been around a while, these are a few of the shots that have been added to the LLO Flickr pool recently from our street art photographers."
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Sit right down. Stay as long as you like and help yourself to refreshments.
Have a good browse and let us know what you think. Email is probably best, if you don't want to sign up and leave a comment below any of the posts.
Either way I'd love to hear from you!
Ursula O'Reilly Traynor
bestoflondonlife@aol.com