Festivities in London

Question of the week: Are there any events/exhibitions/concerts you are looking forward to in the next two weeks?

"I am really excited about the Greenwich and Docklands Festival which runs from the 21st to the 30th June. They always put on some really fantastic dance-related performances, and this year they’re putting even more performance types into the mix with poetry and spoken word and puppetry and all sorts. I have tickets for “Mean Between Times” which promises to turn the daily commute into a work of art, and for “Knight Watch: SouthS‘tory” which promises drumming, poetry, and urban mythology, and I’m planning to go to Prometheus, which looks magical, and to get down to at least one of their big night-time spectaculars, as well as Dancing City, which is a day in Docklands jam packed with all types of dance – and all of this is free! What are you waiting for? "-Miss Alice

* Photo by drinksmachine, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"If it's a reasonably warm day, I suggest you spend the day outdoors as much as possible. Whether you are following the massive London Easter Egg-Hunt or relaxing at a nearby park with some food, or watching the boat race by the Thames, Easter is (hopefully) meant to be an outdoor occasion!"- Christina

* Photo by barryskeates, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"Check out The Old Vic Tunnels, which is planning to host an underground Victorian Era Easter theme park."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by guioconnor, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"Check out Strictly Easter Ballroom on Friday, 6 April. There are lessons for everyone, demonstrations, music, and it's all Free! "- Kris

* Photo by ktylerconk, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Easter in London

Question of the week: Are there any Easter-related activities you would like to recommend?

"The passion play staged in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday is always a huge event. Maybe balance out the crowds there with a visit to one of London’s City Farms, for some Easter-time chicks, lambs, and donkeys, and a breath of fresh air. Mudchute Park is a good bet for all of the above."- Miss Alice

* Photo by tomaszd, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

So Much To See...

Question of the week: “What London event are you most looking forward to in the next four months?”

"The flotilla on the Thames in celebration of the Queen’s 60th anniversary, for which the spirit of Handel may be summoned up to produce some new Water Music."- Prof Kucich

* Photo by c@rljones, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Spread The Good Cheer

Question of the week: “Can you recommend a tree lighting, jolly fair, or festive market to boost your Christmas spirit in London?”

"Whilst studying at drama school in my late teens, it was necessary for me to work all available free hours that I could find to supplement my living costs (so what’s new?). Opting for the easy solution, I took up work as a waiter and spent a number of seasons employed at my local Café Rouge in Hampstead. As many will already know, higher degrees of pay can be earned during unsocial hours and I found myself willingly working late on Christmas Eve, and for as much as I expected to have any festive spirit dashed by working those crucial hours I instead found myself flung headfirst into the Christmas atmosphere through engaging with a steady stream of extremely cheery families & well wishers.

Ever since then (and yes, it feels like an age ago) I’ve tried, where possible, to visit Hampstead as late as I can on Christmas Eve to indulge in the general feeling of everyone savouring the last few hours of socialising before digging their heels into some arduous ‘quality time’ with close, and sometimes all too distant family."-Hal

* Photo by Arslan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Spread The Good Cheer

Question of the week: “Can you recommend a tree lighting, jolly fair, or festive market to boost your Christmas spirit in London?”

"The first Christmas tree lighting I saw in London was the one right next to the London Centre, Trafalgar Square, and it has since been my favourite! Every year, London is presented with a Norwegian tree as a symbol and gift reflecting Norway's appreciation for Britain's assistance during World War II. This Thursday's lighting marks the 65th year of this long standing tradition, and starts at 5pm. It will surely bolster your holiday spirit to pop out of your last class tomorrow and enjoy the festivities by listening to Christmas carols and seeing a tree lit not only by its own twinkling lights, but by the magnificent surroundings of Trafalgar Square."-Christina

* Photo by jaimelondonboy, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Spread The Good Cheer

Question of the week: “Can you recommend a tree lighting, jolly fair, or festive market to boost your Christmas spirit in London?”

"From December 7th-14th, Petersham Nurseries hosts a wonderful Christmas fair, which is lit by candlelight and accompanied by a carolling choir. Doesn't get much more Christmassy than that!"-Jamie

* Photo by Skokie Public Library, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: "How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?”

"I’ve had my eye on the Ham House out in Surrey. I realize it’s a bit far, but it’s nothing a short, weekend trip couldn’t handle. This one hour tour of what is one of England’s oldest and spookiest houses is followed by a reception with drinks and canapés. Since I scare easily, a relaxing, canapé filled follow-up doesn’t sound too intimidating—the unexplained and scary have to be balanced with something refreshing! Booking is essential, and the price is a bit steep, but then again, when will you have the chance to navigate a house that is allegedly haunted by the Duchess of Lauderdale and her spaniel? "- Christina

* Photo by ricoeurian, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"Being in the British Isles, there’s thankfully no end of relevant acts that one can indulge in to commemorate the Festival of the Parentalia. Given that it’s probably a little too much bother to hitch a ride to your nearest Neolithic stone circle, don some animal skins and see the Samhain through like a good old fashioned Celt, I find you can do worse than to invest in some moderately priced makeup & prosthetics and brush up on your ‘zombie with severe wounds’ special effects tutorials. Charles Fox (http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/) of Covent Garden are particularly adept at providing what’s needed, they come in great use for some materials & advice for much the same whilst I studied at Drama School. Once you, and some other willing friends, have reached a point of expertise at appearing to be undead, select a number of pubs in line with each other and see which of them ‘get the joke’ when you walk at death’s pace towards the bar, moaning “graaains... fermented graaaiiins...”. Works a treat, if not a little tricky."- Hal

* Photo by sunface13, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"I love exploring some of London's eerie and mysterious venues at Halloween. This year(until the 25th only) there is the Minotaur, an atmospheric 'resto-gallery' at the Old Vic Tunnels, a collaboration between artists and culinary experts themed on depictions of the mythical bull-headed creature. I also love going one of the food markets around town (Borough market or Lower Marsh) in search of the perfect pumkin for some crafty carving. Fortnum and Mason even have a pumkin carving competition on the 28th October!"- Heather

* Photo by renecunningham, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"I've never been a great fan of Halloween, but the "Halloween Screamings" at the Round Chapel look quite fun this year. They're showing The Exorcist at 7:30 on Friday, 28th October. I may go along."- Jamie

* Photo by Hourman, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"It’s no secret that I love Halloween, but how I celebrate varies a lot, year to year: gigs, fancy dress nights out, seasonal film showings, ghost walks, or bat watching. There are so many historical horror stories embedded in London’s past that ghost walks and graveyard tours have to be high on the list."- Miss Alice

* Photo by V O N, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Calling

Question of the week: When traveling outside the UK, what do you miss about London the most?

"I spend a lot of time on the Southbank and love the way that you always stumble across an unexpected street performance, fair or festival. There is always such a sense of vibrancy, creativity and movement. So, when I travel I miss being able to wonder out of my front door into such a dynamic space. Of course there are many places you can visit that are full of creative activity around the world but the Southbank has something very special. More generally, I miss the cultural diversity of London, which is often made so accesible through food, exhibitions, markets, festivals and events.

I have also found I miss the coffee - once you have tasted Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden, it is hard to find a match elsewhere!"- Heather

* Photo by swh, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Personal festive traditions - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"One of my favourite Christmas events in London is the wide range of Carol concerts. Some of them are free, some of them donate the admission price to charity, some are performed by professional choirs, some encourage singing along. There's really something for every taste. So, if you want a warm way to get into the holiday season, check out the concerts that are going on all month! Some of the best are listed here in Time Out"- name

* Photo by Steve Punter, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Personal festive traditions - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"Anyone who's been by my office this week will know that I've got my Christmas music mix on permanent repeat at the moment, and it's probably not that much of a surprise to discover that one of my Christmas traditions is to get to at least one or two festive concerts and carol services - including at least one where I can join in with the singing. It's been a very long time since I was a choir member, but there's something about those most familiar of songs, and the mingled voices of the crowd that I would miss no end if I couldn't share in."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Wolfiewolf, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Personal festive traditions - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"I love heading down to Piccadilly Circus to look at the Christmas lights! Then I walk down Piccadilly, looking at all the Christmas-y things in windows, I take a turn around the outdoor market at St. James' Piccadilly Church (to see if there's anything perfect for someone on my list - one year I got my dad a pub sign!). After that I meander through the covered arcades to look at the beautiful (and too expensive) things, as well as the lights and decorations, and end up at Fortnum and Mason. They always have beautiful window displays, and lots of wonderful things to look at inside. After a cup of tea in the tea rooms, I head back home, full of the joys of Christmas!"- Kris

* Photo by Luigi Rosa, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Personal festive traditions - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have any London-based festive traditions?

"Oops - we missed a few days of blog - my apologies. It's a busy time of semester, as well as a busy time of year, for us all.

It's appropriate, really, that one of my personal traditions is to meet up with one of my oldest friends to do all our Christmas shopping on the day before Christmas Eve, which is a tradition partly because both of us are so busy at work in December it's the only chance we get!

I'm not really a recreational shopper, but just once a year, and in the right company, it makes for a good day around town, We usually do a loop that takes in Covent Garden, Soho, Oxford Street, and the Camden markets, which between them deliver gifts for all tastes. Plus, it's part of our tradition that we visit several of our favourite coffee shops en route, and that we get to collapse into a black cab to be driven home in style and comfort when we're done."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Susan Astray, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Christmas shopping - Kris

Question of the week: Is there anywhere you particularly like for a spot of Christmas shopping?

"Try heading to one of the many Christmas Markets, like the one in Smithfield Market this Friday. Usually the stalls are selling things from small producers - things you might not see again, or anywhere else! There are lots, all over - check out Time Out for more!"- Kris

* Photo by Barbara Rich, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.