London’s National Theatre is back with River Stage for 5th year running

River Stage National Theatre people smiling

Updated: 08/06/2019

The free summer festival, hosted by the National Theatre on London’s thriving Southbank is back again. Complete with a full line-up of performances that span the gamut of drag, cabaret, acrobatics, singing and dancing, it’s an event, inclusive of all, that really puts the National Theatre and London arts on the map. The whole festival is about celebrating the best of British and International culture, drag artists and London’s green and blue spaces, including the River Thames. River Stage is on around the city, but has partnered with The Glory (gay bar 5-7 July), Shubbak Festival (Arabic entertainment spread, 12-14 July), National Park City Festival (19-21 July), Frantic Assembly (26-28 July) and the National Theatre itself (2-4 August). Subbak Festival Shubbak Festival will be bringing an international focus to the festival with Bricklab’s ‘Geographical Child’s Play’. Bricklab, the designers of the first Saudi pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale have created a new pop-up sculpture especially for Shubbak: 22 brightly coloured units equalling in number the 22 states of the Arab League. National Park City Festival To celebrate London becoming the world’s first National Park City, the Mayor of London’s National Park City Festival features a huge array of acts to celebrate everything green and wild about the city, including family favourites The Gruffalo and living costumes walkabout, the Grass Men, plus two large-scale outdoor dance theatre spectacles: the Urban Astronaut and BLOCK, which explore themes of air pollution and the challenges of living in an urban jungle. Frantic Assembly Frantic Assembly are celebrating their 25 anniversary this year, will offer the chance for everyone… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, MUSIC

Tags: London arts, London Arts blog, London blog, National Theatre, National Theatre River Stage, River Stage London, THE F arts

LONDON: Immigration and Modern Britain – The Kaleidoscope exhibition at Somerset House

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

There’s a new exhibition that puts Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world and its nationalities on the map, so to speak. It’s going down at Somerset House, right in the heart of London and it’s called Kaleidoscope; exploring the identity of immigration in modern Britain. The exhibition will contain stills and video, showcasing the works of ten photographers born or based in Britain, many with family origins abroad including Hong Kong, India, Jamaica and Russia. It’ll explore what it means and how it feels to live as an immigrant, or a descendent of immigrants, in Britain today. It all stems from personal experiences to evoke some sort of emotion in visitors to the exhibition and tell the story of a nation’s wide and varied multiculturalism. Think stories of the struggles of asylum seekers and stories of second and third generation immigrants in forms that are as moving as they are engaging, all presented in the striking environs of Somerset House. See the Kaleidoscope exhibition from 12 June to 8 September 2019 on Sat – Tues, 10.00 – 18.00, Wed – Fri, 11.00 – 20.00, except for 11 – 21 July and 8 – 21 August, when daily opening hours are 10.00 – 18.00. Get tickets from the Somerset House website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Art blog, Immigration, London art, London art blog, London art gallery, London blog, London blogger, Somerset House, Somerset House exhibition, Somerset House Kaleidoscope, Somerset House Kaleidoscope exhibition, Somerset House London, The F London, THE F London blog

What to see at Somerset House London: Get Up, Stand Up Now

by James Banham

Updated: 05/06/2019

Celebrating generations of Black Creative Pioneers, the new exhibition at Somerset House, right in the heart of London, will put on a showcase of art, film and photography. There’ll be 100 artists represented, whose work will be presented to articulate and address the black experience and sensibility from the post-war era to the present day. The whole collection will showcase works and new commissions alongside items from personal archives, much of which has never been seen before. The whole thing has been curated by acclaimed artist Zak Ové, who’s invited each artist to exhibit on account of their significant contribution to shaping the cultural landscape. You’ll see works from the likes of Zak and Horace Ove, Armet Francis, Charlie Phillips, Sonia Boyce and Steve McQueen and many more. See more of what’s on at the Somerset House website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Get Up Stand Up Now, London art, Somerset House, Somerset House London, the f art, THE F Get Up Stand Up Now London, The F London, THE F Somerset House

The Art of Persuasion at the National Army Museum, London

by James Banham

Posted: 04/06/2019

Abram Games was one clever dude. Talk about a guy that knew the medium, smashed the message and did so with creative, desirable, artistic flair that very few possess. There’s a brand new exhibition of him and the artwork and posters he created while he was a poster artist for the Public Relations Department at the War Office from 1941 until 1945, and it’s seriously good. Thing art deco-like posters done with taste, muted 40s/50s colour palettes and messages delivered so effortlessly, they’re hard to forget despite their nowadays irrelevant message. He was the father of wartime graphic designers and just a straight-up genius. It’s a must-see exhibition – and the National Army Museum in general, as well – that will reinvigorate your appreciation of what a horrid time WWI and II were. At a time of immense social unrest, after the ‘war to end all wars’ had left hundreds of thousands of veterans and civilians on the poverty line, the country was to embark on a second world war with National Service an unthinkable necessity. Games made the message the hero and turned some small part of it around as best he could. See the exhibition at the National Army Museum London until 24 November 2019. Head to National Army Museum,Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Arts blog, London Army Museum, London art, London blog, London blogger, London Museum, National Army Museum London, The F London

Life behind the palace walls: New exhibition tells the story of Queen Victoria

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

Queen Victoria was a boss. She took the throne at age 18 and made it hers from the get-go. A lot of that revolved around her moving into Buckingham Palace right in the middle of London. Three weeks into her reign, she moved into Buckingham Palace, despite the building being incomplete and many of the rooms undecorated and unfurnished. The Palace had been empty for seven years following the death of Victoria’s uncle, George IV, who had commissioned at great expense the conversion of Buckingham House into a Palace to the designs of John Nash. The King never occupied the Palace, and his successor, William IV, preferred to live at Clarence House during his short reign. The Queen’s ministers advised her to stay at Kensington Palace, her childhood home, until Buckingham Palace could be brought up to a suitable standard, but Victoria wanted to move immediately and begin her new life. Artist Thomas Sully then painted Victoria shortly after she moved in. Then after that, a whole bunch of other works were created, items and changes made that typified her reign. To celebrate, Buckingham Palace is putting on an exhibition, Queen Victoria’s Palace, curated by the historian and biographer Dr Amanda Foreman and Lucy Peter, Assistant Curator of Paintings, Royal Collection Trust. It’s all part of a visit to the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, 20 July – 29 September 2019. The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Inside Queen Victoria’s Buckingham Palace by Dr Amanda Foreman and Lucy Peter. It… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Art blog, Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace London, Buckingham Palace Queens Gallery, Inside Queen Victoria Buckingham, London art blog, London blog, Queens Gallery, Queens Gallery London, the f art, THE F Buckingham Palace, The F London

The Peruvian cockail event for lovers of flavour: Noche de Cigarros at COYA Angel Court

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

If COYA in London at Angel Court isn’t hosting bottomless brunch or throwing a white party, they’re putting on something they’ve dubbed Noche de Cigarros. It’s all about Peruvian cocktails and cigars and will go down on 11 June. They’re putting their own spin on alfresco drinking by hosting the whole shebang in an informal evening soiree, kicking off with a welcome drink, before guests sit down for a cigar – voluntarily – and cocktails. For the first event, you’ll be given the chance to smoke a Montecristo Open Master cigar while enjoying two of COYA Angel Court’s signature cocktails, The Nut Nut and El Capitan. COYA comes complete with its own terrace, which they’ll be throwing to do on every other Tuesday of the month. For the refined smoker, it’s the kind of thing, lovers of flavour could easily get used to. Noche de Cigarros will happen at COYA London from 11 June, then every second Tuesday of the month. Drinks start at 6pm with the guided tasting starting at 6.30pm. Score your tickets here.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best bars London, COYA Angel Court, COYA bar, Coya London, COYA Noche de Cigarros, London bar, London bars, London drinks, the f alcohol, The F London

New Aussie balls in London you need to try

by James Banham

Updated: 04/06/2019

They’ve got eight new balls, each one more delicious than the last and they’ll have you gagging with glee. Regardless of whether you’re after beauty, a protein snack or more energy, Health Lab‘s range of new balls will do it. And deliciously. They take the edge off hunger, are conveniently tiny making them perfect for daily everything and help to save you from yourself before you binge on other things. All the balls are made from ingredients that promote happy skin and positive gut health, too. But, ‘What flavours?‘ you ask; why, these of course: Thrive: Choc Brownie Protein Balls Game changer: Salted Caramel Protein Balls Power: Peanut Butter Choc Hemp Energy Balls Pick-me-up: Espresso Hemp Energy Balls Happy skin: Choc Sea Salt Collagen Balls Skin hero: Choc Cherry Collagen Balls Gutsy: Mixed Berry Gut Health Balls Glow: Choc Matcha Gut Health Balls

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Health Labs, Health Labs protein balls, Protein balls, Protein balls London, The F London, THE F protein balls London

LONDON: COYA’s annual summer white party takes over the city this June

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

There’s at least one place you should know (amongst thousands) in London and it’s COYA. They’ve started a bottomless, boozy brunch recently, but it’s their annual white party that really puts them top of the must-visit list, The annual summer time COYA white party right in the middle of London is coming around soon, on 20 June. They call it La Noche Blaca and it’s all about a transformation of the rooftop garden at 1 Angel Court into the back streets of Lima where guests can taste the flavours of Peru and enjoy COYA’s signature cocktails looking over the city skyline. It’s a dress-in-white thing, all part of the party vibe. Just be careful when it comes to gorging on Peruvian stalls’ street-style dishes of their popular Atun Chifa ceviche, pork tacos and the irresistible Churros con Chocolate. They’ll be pumping out pisco sours and Perrier Jouet champagne, the DJs will turn up the volume as the sun goes down and special performers will immerse guests throughout the evening, basically transporting them to Lima. If drinks are your thing and chic outfits in white also do it for you, this is for you. Head along to La Noche Blanca at COYA in London on 29 June for £25 per person. Get tickets here. Find them at Rooftop garden, 7th Floor, 1 Angel Court, 31-33 Throgmorton Street EC2N.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best bottomless brunches London, Bottomless brunch London, Bottomless drinks London, Coya, Coya Anngel Court, Coya London, London best restaurants, London brunch, THE F bottomless brunch, The F London, THE F restaurants

The British beach right in middle London: Applebee’s Fish pops up for summer

by James Banham

Updated: 30/05/2019

Fish and chips, prawns, chip butties and more; Applebee’s Fish is bringing all the best of the English coastline right to Southbank in London this June for its very own pop-up. For four months, the fish masters will be pumping out the best the coast has to offer with a dedicated champagne and oyster bar, games sandpit, live music from some of the best buskers in London, cocktails on tap and boat-fresh seafood. What, though, is a seafood fest without drinks? Hardly a seafood fest, is what, so they’ve even teamed-up with Hingston & Co who’ll be providing the cocktails on tap including Aperol spritz, negronis while Hallgarten Wines are in charge of the vino. The pop-up will be open to everyone from 14 June at Underbelly, 30 The Queen’s Walk, Lambeth, London, SE1 8XX. See more about Applebee’s Fish at their website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Applebees Fish, Fish Chips London, London food, London food blog, Southbank pop up

100 years of Negroni: Strazzanti London hosts a new supper club in the city

Fratelli Fresh Negroni cocktail drink Sydney 2

by James Banham

Updated: 30/05/2019

Over an exclusive four nights from 24-30 June, Strazzanti – London’s Italian restaurant haven – will host an homage to the humble Negroni; the drink of champions. 100 years ago, the drink was concocted for the first time, cementing itself in the history books as a drink of refinement and taste and the prime use for Italy’s most renowned export (other than pasta), Campari. Chef Emilia Strazzanti has collaborated with Campari and Gin Ondina to coincide with Negroni Week (24th-30th June 2019) in east London’s drinking den TT Liquor, where they’ll host an Italian-inspired supper club, complete with a four-course dinner, cocktail pairings and bespoke Italian installations. From 26-29 June, The Sicilian Supper Club will be an intimate and relaxed setting to celebrate the evolution of the Negroni, amongst decorations by McQueens Florist that’ll transform the space into a botanical wonderland, filled with delicate trailing foliage, potted herbs, prickly pear plants, and a window display of lush greenery. Menu for the four days includes the best of this season’s produce along with showcasing the fresh, diverse and yet the simplicity of mediterranean flavours from Italy. Think, an assortment of Aperitivo and Stuzzichini, including Zucchine with Almonds, and heavenly deep-fried Primo Sale cheese, with honey and Sicilian oregano, which will be enjoyed with an Ondina Basil G&T. Other antipasti plates will include crowd-pleasing wild fennel, pork belly and mozzarella croquettes, Capulitatu & fresh tomatoes with Sicilian oregano & fresh buffalo Ricotta cheese; served with E5s Hackney Wild Bread. The sharing plates will be served with an… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London cocktails, London cocktails guide, London negroni week, London Negronis, negroni, Negroni Strazzanti London, negroni week, Strazzanti London

Category: LONDON