Killer Combo: Yoga, Art, Music & Food

What better way to overcome the Monday evening malaise than a bit of art, a bit of yoga and a lot of food?

Well, that's exactly what the lovely Gabrielle has gone and done, holding a weekly class in a great space: the Eb & Flow Gallery. So last Monday, my yoga-licious pal Lew and I went to check it out.

Current Exhibition: Gemma Anderson's lovely etchings

And what a treat it was. The hour long class (for all levels) was nicely challenging, ending with a little meditation, accompanied by singing and a delicious supper from Trullo's Tim Siadatan.

Whilst the supper part's not a weekly occurrence the art, yoga and music is. So if you're looking for a pick-me-up after just another manic Monday, go get involved.

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Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Set off the inner circle of my favourite of London's parks the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has become somewhat of an institution, with this year marking its 80th season. But still I had never been...

And so, last week, as a treat from Tommy, he and I made our way through the rose gardens, champagne in hand, ready to lose ourselves in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

And lose ourselves we did - walking into the auditorium, we were confronted not by a fairy lit woodland, but more of a construction site, burly builders and all. Matthew Dunster's take on the romance resembling more an episode of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding than a Shakespeare classic.

But it worked. Surprisingly well. Twists to the relationships provided a new perspective - with Theseus portrayed as a wife-bashing lout and Titania a softer and more vulnerable (sewer)fairy Queen to her (sewer)fairy King Oberon. 

And it was funny. The climactic performance before the wedding party more of an operetta culminating in a dance routine to the likes of Beyoncé. The contrast of style and script strangely brilliant.

It was just very cleverly done, from the elaborate, gaudy wedding dresses to the effective yet simple set design. Despite both Tommy and I being zonked, we were gripped from beginning to end.


The theatre is open until early September with A Midsummer Night's Dream running 'til then. Definitely worth a trip.

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Wyndstock Revelry

'Ill met by moonlight proud Titania', Oberon greets his fairy queen, and oh what a chat up line that would have made at Wyndstock's dreamy Midsummer Night's Ball last weekend.

Houghton Hall

Pulling into the grounds of the amazing Houghton Hall, the tone of the evening was immediately set - one of glamour, decadence and a nice touch of the debauched thrown in. 

The party opened with lunch (running inevitably late, we sadly missed this), followed by lawn games and tea. There was even a yoga lesson for those wanting to get their stretches in.

A girls affair, Jessouin, Em and I wandered the gardens, glasses of fizz firmly in hand, soaking up the atmosphere. It felt more as though we were at a friend's wedding than ticketed soirée and this lent the evening a lovely intimate feel.

An amazing swing band and accompanying tap dancer soon got us on the dance floor and swinging our legs like goons, working up our appetites for supper.

At 9pm we sat down to eat, long tables laid out, fellow revelers mixed and matched and ready to tuck in.

The food was good - simple, but hearty, the venison stew warming us as the night cooled.

Darkness fell and the bonfire was lit. The hot tubs nearby were opened for dipping and a fair bit of nudity ensued - not by me (somewhat uncharacteristically).

As midnight struck, we hoarded into a small nearby tent for ghost stories told by the mesmerising Giles Abbott. I'd forgotten quite how lovely it is to be told a story, and the still silence of the tent suggested that everyone else felt the same.

Fireworks called us back outside and marked the real start to the night, the impressive display perking us up and pulling 'ooh's' and 'ah's' of appreciation from the crowd.

The ultimate Fourth Wall

As the night danced on, the party moved to the woodland, where this week's Fourth Wall bar had popped up. The best saved til last, Elderflower cocktails and some neatly mixed 90's hip hop had us dancing 'til dawn. 


It was only when the sun was up that we finally traipsed back to our tent, giddy from the night's magic and wrapped in our Midsummer dream.


'Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time...'

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Weekend Wonders

There is a list the length of my arm of fun things to do in and around London this weekend... but how to choose?

It's the last night of Camden Brewery playing host to Street Feast this Friday, so go fill your boots with the finest foods and fresh-brewed beer. 

For a bit of pop up art, catch the The Horsebox Gallery's Best of British exhibition in the beautiful Blewcoat school. I'm yet to go to one of this team's event, but they're doing a whole load of great stuff, including touring this Summer's Polo, racing and country
events with their gallery-in-a-horsebox. Nice.

Forzawin launches this Saturday, a new rooftop supper club serving three course Italian meals (including Pizza Pilgrim's delicious pizza), specially chosen drinks and a nice bit of mystery entertainment all set against a view out over our fair city.

The Garden of House of St Barnabas - pic from here

This Summer, the Lexi Cinema presents The Nomad, a travelling cinema with screens popping up all over the city for some magical viewing. This weekend sees them set up shop at Greek St's House of St Barnabas (one of my favourite places) for a Baz Luhrmann extravaganza. Tickets are still going for the burlesque-dream Moulin Rouge on Saturday night, with a drink and nibbles thrown in.

Wilton's - the auditorium

On 2nd July, the lovely Wilton's Music Hall closes for 6 months worth of repairs. Head down for talks on the plan for this amazing building on Saturday and Sunday followed by cocktails in the newly opened upstairs Mahogany bar to say your farewells until 2013. 

Sunset at Frank's Cafe - snap from here

Frank's Cafe re-opens this Saturday for another year of car-park coolness. I hear the opening party is always a good one.

What I See in Her (Quello che vedo in lei) - Gianluca Capaldo

For cheap (free) and cheerful entertainment on Sunday, go check out this year's BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. There are some lovely pieces this year. I had a weird double take situ at the private view last week as the naked girl above wondered past me (fully clothed).

Wyndstock

I, meanwhile, will be bailing on London tomorrow to head up to Norfolk for the lovely Wyndstock. So, if you fancy escaping the city, come join - it seems that there are still tickets going. It all kicks off with lunch on Saturday followed by lawn games, back to the manor (tent) to tart and onto dinner and dancing under the stars. 


Let me know if you make it to any of the above... I've got serious FOMO.

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Queenie's Diamond Jubilee

Yippee! Thank you your Majesty for your 60 years of reign and the mega long weekend it affords us. 

Lightness of Being - Chris Levine, 2007. Currently on show as part of the The Queen: Art and Image exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery

London is coming to life this weekend and it feels like we're spoilt for choice in things to do and see in and around the city. Here's what's on my hit list, not all of it as patriotic as p'raps it should be...

Friday night I'm off to God Save the Clam, a big seafood cook up on a rooftop out East organised by Rock Lobsta & Pitt Cue Co. Tickets for Friday's clam bake are sadly already sold out, but they're open for lunch and dinner over most of the weekend so try your luck. With DJ sets and an inevitably fun vibe, you could even just head over to sip a drink and tap your feet at the Banshee cocktail bar.

Saturday, I'm BBQ-ing at my darling Rosie's but, if I wasn't otherwise engaged, I'd be right on board the Field Day bandwagon. As festivals go, it's a good'un and this year's line up looks sweet as (mate). There are still tickets going, and if you fancy making a festi-weekend of it, you can get a good joint-ticket price that'll get you into Sunday's The Apple Cart too.

Sunday's main event is obviously the river procession that will be taking place from 2-6pm. But if boat's aren't your thing, there's a whole load of other delights to take you from day to night, starting with Bourne & Hollingsworth's Her Majesty's Party in the lusciously leafy Bedford Square. With a whole lot of bunting and a swing dance or two, this will be a perfect quintessentially British way to spend the afternoon. This week's Fourth Wall will also be resurrecting itself in the square for Friday and Saturday night.

If you're after a more rough and ready affair, The Book Club will be hosting their own Jubilee Street party which, whilst the priority wristbands are out, they're saying they'll get everyone into. Could be fun for a quick knees up with the fab Guilty Pleasures DJ's on the decks. 

Later on, I think I might head to the Secretsundaze Jubilee Bank Holiday Special at the House Club & Terrace in Greenwich. A neat way to see the boats go by without the mad crowds that will inevitably line the riverbanks. 

Monday will be delightfully un-manic, a long lunch leading nicely into an evening of live music at the Cable Street Electric Open Mic. It seems an elusive event, but I'll give the goss once frequented. Sounds a bit Sofar Sounds. In a good way.

If you're still going, however, and looking to keep the party alive, check out Coppafeel's Festifeel. Curated by Fearne Cotton, it's happening at The Queen of Hoxton and has a pretty impressive line up (Lianne Las Havas has just been announced). All proceeds from tickets go towards the worthy work of the charity, ensuring early diagnosis of breast cancer.

This will definitely be going in my cupboard.

Tuesday is the day of rest, and it's home time for me to see my beautiful Mamie. Good thing she's French, think I may have had my fill of our right royal Britannia by then.

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Sofar Sounds

I spent yesterday evening in a nice man called Joe's front room, cross-legged on the floor with 30 other random folk (and my friend Claudi), listening to some amazing live music and drinking a can of G&T.

The genius idea of the charming Rafe, David and Rocky the musical movement Sofar Sounds is rapidly growing in notoriety. Tickets to its intimate and impressive invite-only gigs hosted in people's front rooms the world over are becoming more and more in demand - 600 people applying for last night's session in good ol' Joe's Clapton house.

But it's immediately clear why - welcomed into a warm embrace by a grinning Rafe, it's like arriving at an old friend's drinks party. Only this friend a) lives in a pretty sweet pad b) has a line up of four amazing up-and-coming bands for you to hear and c) has invited an eclectic group of only the most interesting of guests for you to meet. Nice.


And so, after meets and greets and a quick mosey around we sat, limbs intertwined and knees knocking with our neighbours' like school kids in assembly, ready for the show to begin. 

The Graphite Set

First up were The Graphite Set. The husky voiced Lilly a nice guy called Will on the trumpet captivating us with their folksy blues.

Melodica, Melody and Me

Melodica, Melody and Me were next, and we were in for another treat, the folksteppers from Brixton spinning the prettiest of tunes, with the lead singer's understated vocals making me fall a little bit in love with him. There was a nice reggae twang to their songs and the melodica got a big round of applause. My fave track was Ode to Victor Jara.

Spring Offensive

After a leg stretch and a quick flirt with the nice man to my right, Spring Offensive were up. A 5-piece guitar band from Oxford, their kookily swaying lead singer Lucas and preppy-dressed band were weirdly mesmerising. And my goodness were they good - the harmonies flawless and their considered lyrics neatly crafted. They reminded me of my much-loved Grizzly Bear - I shouldn't be surprised if we hear a fair bit more from them.

Jack Savoretti

Last, but certainly not least, Jack Savoretti was up. Having lost my heart once already, I lost it again - this guy is a hot PIECE. His rough, gravelly voice was a winner - bet you'll fancy him too: here.

The one rule of Sofar is that you don't leave before the end, but this was no issue - there was no dragging us away. One of the loveliest evenings I've had in a long while, I only hope I'll be invited back. In the meantime, there are four new bands on my need-to-go-and-see list.


Sign yourself up here and apply for some tickets - shotgun being your +1. 

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Things I'd do if I were you...

Why do all the fun things always happen at once? I'm off to Morocco tomorrow for a week with my pretty Polly, but turns out there's a fair bit of fun going down in London town in the meantime...


Street Feast has got it's night market taking place tomorrow night in Shoreditch, with great food, art and cocktails. If you were sad to miss last week's StockMKT, this is the perfect op to get your foodie fill.

The fourth Land of Kings music and art festival is hitting up Dalston this weekend. Based on and around Kingsland high street, events will be happening in over 15 venues, from school halls to secret gardens. I'm most sad to be be missing Stoke Newington's International Airport's Live Art Speed Date - please go check it out for me.

I've been dying to check out The Big Red, ever since my friend Em (dawg) mentioned it to me a while back - top pizza joint on and around an old Routemaster bus, winner! And what better time to head down, than on Sunday (6th May) when they will be screening The Tunnel as part of the New X and Deptford Free Film Festival.


Tara Arts, the lovely South London based theatre company, are hosting a reading of a new play in progress, Reginald, on Friday 11th May. Written by EastEnders and Bend it like Beckham actor Shobu Kapoor, it will be read by the lovely Kris Marshall (Love Actually dude and star of the BT ads). The play consists of readings and interviews that look at the man behind the 1919 Amritsar massacre.

I like an early starting party and Fruit Palace's Rooftop event next Saturday (12th May) looks a good'un. Up on the roof of the Bussey Building, there'll be live acts and DJ's along with a nice bit of graffiti-time, so nab a ticket for a sun-downer and get there in good time, the views are meant to be ace.


This month's Wills-Moody jumble is happening on Sunday 13th May at The Lexington. I had a whale of a time when I went (see here) - with big bargain success.


After singing the praises of the delightful Wilton's Music Hall in my post on The Great Gatsby, I would urge you to head down there on Sunday evening (13th May) for Tea With Ruth. 'An evening of chat, songs and laughter' fundraiser in pirate costume - get your tickets quick.


And then I'm home again, hopefully mega bronzed and mega chulled, back to big-city-life. 

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The Great Gatsby

A manic day and a mad dash from work is never a great start to an evening. But so Jess and I arrived at Wilton's Music Hall, out of breath and in desperate need of a drink.

Greeted by a gorgeous flapper-clad door girl, we nabbed a quick voddie and were ushered to our seats - a sweet little bench at the back of this ornate music hall (the world's oldest no less). With a sigh of relief we sat back, immediately swept up in the charm and glamour of the scene before us - transported back to the 1920's and into the intriguing plot of F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby.

The cast of Peter Joucla's production was small: just 3 girls and 4 boys, each actor playing both character and chorus-member. With a simple set, the decadence of Fitzgerald's book was spun through the energy and style of the players themselves. And the audience was palpably enthralled, laughing and cheering with abandon. The lightness of the play was added to by the sweet interjections of song and dance by the 'off-duty' cast members, who donned comical heavy rimmed specs to disguise their characters and become part of the chorus. 

As the lights dimmed for the interval, we were invited to Gatsby's party in the bar where actors milled, interacting with the audience and further feeding our enthusiasm. Delicious bar snacks were served: pork pies with rich chutney, scotch eggs with horse radish mustard and salty popcorn all fitting in perfectly with the neatly spun dream.

The second half of the play saw the end of the whimsical lives of the characters and the downfall of the elusive Gatsby. I actually liked the interesting direction around the death of poor old Myrtle, though this did receive a perhaps misplaced laugh from the majority of the audience. 

The last song drew to a jazz-filled close and a buzzing audience filtered back out into the bar. Clearly a preview, the production could do with a little polishing, the accents somewhat variable and the scene changes stilted. But there was a sweetness to the show that forgave it's imperfections. The atmosphere was magical, the beautiful setting of Wilton's working perfectly to create an intimacy that left us bewitched.

After a snoop around the upstairs rooms of this incredible building, it was back out into the rainy night and back to 2012 with a bump. I fear the run is all but sold out, but if I were you I'd rock up and chance it - worse comes to worst you can get yourself a good old pork pie, a glass of red and just soak up the amazingness of this place.

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