Flamenco Festival London 2024 is back
This year’s festival is brimming with anticipation, featuring ten UK premieres and showcasing a constellation of flamenco’s brightest stars.
FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
Category: LONDON
All about London Zoo’s bicentenary celebration
In a remarkable initiative brimming with nostalgia and promise, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the esteemed conservation charity steering the venerable ships of London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, proudly announces the launch of “History Hive”. This visionary project, unveiled with palpable excitement on Monday, 29 April 2024, precisely two years ahead of its much-anticipated bicentenary, beckons the public to partake in bringing ZSL’s illustrious 200-year narrative vividly to life. Amid the frenzy of anticipation for this landmark celebration, History Hive stands as a beacon, inviting an eclectic tapestry of submissions ranging from cherished zoo memorabilia to poignant personal recollections. This includes anything from whimsical vintage zoo toys and treasured historic tickets to heartfelt correspondence and detailed maps, all weaving together to enrich ZSL’s understanding of its multifaceted history. Imagine the exhibition in 2026, shimmering with artefacts both from the ZSL’s treasure trove and the public’s contributions, narrating the legacy of ZSL’s profound impact on animal care, conservation efforts, and the quintessential fabric of London and British culture at large. Among the already notable items within ZSL’s archives are rarities such as a first edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, a 1940s limited-edition bear-shaped soap commemorating Brumas the polar bear’s birth, historical zookeeper uniforms encapsulating decades of change, and a decoratively painted ostrich egg celebrating the 1931 opening of Whipsnade Zoo. This ambitious call to action not only seeks physical artefacts but also vibrant stories for ZSL’s Oral History Archive, aiming to immortalise firsthand accounts and celebrate the charity’s enduring legacy of… Read More
British Museum and Huw Locke explore legacies of Empire
The British Museum has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with the esteemed Guyanese-British artist, Hew Locke, for a significant new exhibition delving into how the Museum’s collection reflects the enduring legacies of British imperial power from centuries past to the present day. This innovative exhibition, co-curated by Locke, will showcase iconic objects from the Museum’s vast collection alongside specially commissioned new works by the artist himself. Throughout his illustrious career, Locke has demonstrated a profound interest in objects and the narratives they harbor. His connection to the British Museum collection dates back to his formative years as a student in London, where he frequented the Museum of Mankind to draw inspiration from its ethnographic collections. This forthcoming exhibition marks a milestone as Locke’s first venture into artist-curated museum exhibitions, offering him a unique opportunity to delve deeply into a museum collection unlike ever before. The rich history and holdings of the British Museum intertwine closely with the narrative of the British Empire. This exhibition is poised to dissect these intertwined histories while engaging with the contemporary debates swirling around cultural heritage. By focusing on Britain’s historical interactions with Africa, India, and the Caribbean—regions that significantly influenced Guyana, Locke’s place of upbringing—the exhibition will serve as a personal exploration by utilizing interventionist techniques to reframe historical objects within the collection. Locke’s exploration aims to unravel the intricate ways in which museums are entangled in the legacies of Empire, embracing the complexities and ambiguities of these narratives. Rather than providing definitive answers, Locke seeks to provoke introspection… Read More
Michelangelo last decades exhibition at British Museum this spring
Delving deep into the intricate tapestry of the Renaissance master’s late career, this immersive showcase promises a revelatory exploration of how art and faith intertwined in the twilight years of an iconic artist.
Experience break dancing like never before this MAy
Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More
Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired
On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More
7 top independent jewellery brands in London
Journey into a world of quality metals to wear on your body, as we explore the realm of independent jewellery brands by various jewellers in the vibrant city of London.
For excellent Flamenco, look to Sadler’s Wells
Step into a world where tradition meets innovation, where old blends seamlessly with new to create something entirely original and electrifying. At Sadler’s Wells, the iconic Paco Peña, accompanied by his talented Paco Peña Dance Company, presents Solera – a captivating production that breathes new life into the timeless art of flamenco. As the evening unfolds, prepare to be mesmerised by a fusion of exceptional music, dance, and passion that transcends boundaries and embodies the essence of human emotions in all their raw beauty. The show opens with a symphony of everyday sounds that seamlessly transform into a vibrant celebration of the human spirit. Take away the traditional red Flamenco dress and imagine you’re in a studio with friends who are just chilling and decide to have a dance. They chat in-between sets, sip water, play on their phones – all normal every day stuff – that plays an insightful and very real backdrop to the magic unfolding in the foreground. From the rhythmic beats of percussionist Julio Alcocer to the exquisite melodies woven by guitars and voices, every moment is a testament to the skill and artistry of the performers. Directed with precision by Jude Kelly CBE, Solera masterfully transitions from the mundane to the magical, immersing the audience in a world of colour, light, and drama that is nothing short of spellbinding. In the second act, the stage comes alive with a spectacle of performance, accentuated by striking costumes and evocative lighting that elevate the talents of the company to new heights. Dancers… Read More
4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells
This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.
Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London
In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More