London: Tea Time in Wonderland

A book to devour, just in case rain would decide to stay a little longer. No story but a collection of tips and anecdotes by Lucia Van der Post, one of England’s most elegant women. It reads like a conversation, offering the experience of a whole life on fashion, beauty, how to pack a case or amaze your guest with a wonderful dinner, even how to juggle work and family. Nothing complex, just pure good sense – things you can’t seee for yourself, sometimes because tou are so busy trying to keep everything together. This will save you so much time, take you to a different twist of your routine, give you a different angle. Oh and there are plenty of fab addresses in there too. Fancy more ideas for your week-end in London? Scroll down!

That’s art, baby!
* Thursday, enjoy opera on Trafalgar Square.
* Quick! Only a few days left to enjoy Babel, the immersive theater experience!
* See the Queen (well, in painting) at the National Portrait Gallery.
* Have a look at the splendid designs and cartography at the London Transport Museum. Mind the map!
* Dream of beautiful ballgowns at the V&A.
* Beautiful pictures of the past at the British Postal Museum.

Yummy time ahead:
* Brunch at Salvation Jane for their Maple french toast w crisp bacon, grilled bananas and candied pecans… their corn fritters stacked w crispy bacon, fresh rocket, slow roast tomatoes, chilli jam and crème fraiche… their toasted banana bread w honey ricotta… and so much more!
* Try The wild food kitchen – a supper club using a forager. Brilliant!
* Taste/test The Bowler, a new street food van getting more successful by the day. Their hit? Fabulous meatballs (with even a Swedish and a Thai twist).

Take the little ones along:
* Get to know everything about the stars with free workshops at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

Out of the ordinary:
* Beyond Retro celebrate their 10th birthday with burlesque (Thursday) and Hollywood 193oies style (Friday).
* Discover Stik’s latest pieces… guided by the artist himself.
* Marvel at a floating garden.
* Sport fan? Indulge in a 3 in 1 option: London +  guided tour + jogging.
* Oh! A garden party, with a liberty garden shed, music, giant floral decorations (Sunday)…

More than a theater play, Babel is… a life experience, another way to conceive a show. The story – although rich, funny and moving – is almost secondary. It all begins at the entrance of a park, for yes, it all takes place outdoors. The guests step in, welcomed in a variety of languages. On each side of the path, you can glimpses little scenes through the branches, frozen minutes into someone’s world, a movement reproduced a thousand time. Here, someone is ironing in the tree, another preparing vegetables on a bench, someone is reading a book aloud, another dining alone, looking worried… 50 or so raise your curiosity. Here and there, other characters wearing white, modern angels, smile at you, explaining mysteriously “Look hard”, “See more”, “The day has come”…

Suddenly, the way opens onto a meadow. In the background, a bells tower rising high, futuristic looking tents. Impossible to guess what will happen tonight. No specific stage, no seat. You are free to wander around, talk to the actors, discover everything. You will learn to knit, make a little piece of a plasticine city, have a drink, listen to the most beautiful talk on languages, a choir, a concert. It has a village fête feeling to it, a cheerfulness.

And then the story starts, actions happen all around you, sometimes a few steps away. Froms spectator, you switch to belonging to it all, you are in the very heart of it, the actors (300) do not only speak to each other, they include you, the crowd, their crowd. No moment is static. See here on the stage and oh, wait on the towers, and there projected on the stone wall. It is a show not to be watched but to be lived, making you want to do something for the universe you are immersed in. Spectacular indeed, unforgettable. What is it about? Peopl on their own and groups, the strength of community and the bravery of individuals, communications beyond language, freedom and so much more. You just have to be there and see this.

BABEL,until May 20, 2012

Indulge yourself with a ticket £10 for Sunday May 13 by calling 020 7223 2223 or visit BABELLONDON.com promo code: Blogger.

I love, in the London tube stations, look for little details. All of them have a secret to tell – maybe an art work, a beautiful mosaic, a detail from the past… What is your favourite one? Scroll down to find ideas for the week-end!

That’s art, baby:
* Indulge yourself with a ticket to see Babel – an amazing outdoors theater play of epic proportions. Get one for a mere £10 for Sunday May 13 by calling 020 7223 2223 or visit BABELLONDON.com promo code: Blogger.
* On Saturday, the London Symphony Orchestra will delight music lovers on Trafalgar Square.
* Hermès celebrate 175 years of exquisite skills with a free exhibition that will make any fashionista sigh in envy.
* Have a look at artists’ studios in Wimbledon.

Yummy time ahead:
* Until Friday, go hunting for free Ben & Jerry’s ice creams.
* So many treats to choose from at Street Feast, a night market, every Friday in Shoreditch.

Take the little ones along:
* The Punch & Judy festival in Covent Garden always is worth the detour -  even better, it’s free.
* Dream with the miniature world of doll houses -  a whole festival in Kensington.
* Add to the magic and enjoy Narnia in Kensington Gardens.

Out of the ordinary:
* Be zen and celebrate Bouddha’s birthday at Leicester square.
* Saturday, Morris dancers will make Westminster so much more cheerful.
* Another look at the jubilee but on the stamps side.

How to define Handmade in Britain? Multi-facetted. The idea is to discover amazing (and I do mean this) British artists, those that you should be really proud of and maybe leave not so far from you. To be marvelled by creativity, their skills, their savoir-faire, whether traditional or innovative.

You expect, somehow, kind of guide. The word will soon feel too cold, this book is so much more than that. The pictures will catch your gaze at once. The purety of the lines. The beauty of the curves. The sublimed grain of wood. The refinement of combined fabrics. The delicate touches of a jewel.

The first time, you will go too fast, getting drunk on the illustrations. In a world numbed by high street stores, it is easy to forget the individuality of a unique object. The way it can touch you, mean so much more to you because, behind it, there is a story, an artist, not just a succession of machines and labels.

Then you slow down, take more time to turn a page. Each title plunges you straight into the personnality of each designer, inviting you to read further, jump right into their world. Funny how you will enjoy it as you would a collection of short stories, each staying with your thoughts. And so it will join your favourite art books on your coffee table, because, after all, it is one of them.

Handmade in Britain

Love the 50ies? Elvis fan? Have a walnut-maple sirup or peanut butter-chocolate milkshake at the Milky Way (28 Camden Passage, Islington, N1 8ED London). This tiny ice-cream parlour lives in a different era, from music to decoration (looks right out of a magazine!) via the King’s memorabilia. The counter is loaded with cupcakes, British and American sweets. Share the moment with kids or friends. Sadly, pictures are not allowed. For more ideas for your week-end in London, scroll down.

That’s art, baby!
* The open air theatre in Regent’s Park is reopening so book your tickets!
* See quite a large collection of Picasso’s etchings at the British Museum.
* Beautiful, beautiful London illustrations here.
* Leonardo da Vinci gets a royal touch at Buckingham Palace.

Yumme time ahead:
* Make a detour via London Fields for the summer pop-up, from this week-end on. Fab barbecue, salads with fresh products from the market, DJ.

The fashion touch:
* Have a look at Marc  Jacob’s pop-up at Selfridges: 15 versions of the cute mouse ballerina shoes are on show.
* Add a touch of red to your day with the Louboutin exhibition at the Design Museum.
* Fall for the collaboration between Dr Martens and Liberty.
* Shop in red, blue and white at Selfridge’s Big British shop.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing Oliver Twist.
* Sunday, Shrek the musical is one. Meet the cast, visit the theater, join the craft workshops…

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, play bingo while listening to Indie music.
* Go to Little Venice and see the canal boats festival. It’s free and there will be Morris dancers too.
* Every Friday, the rolling bridge unfolds at Paddington. Worth seeing!
* On Sunday, celebrate free comic book day at Gosh in Soho.
* Or see the crowning of the Pearly king of London. Quite something.
* Sunday still, make a detour vis Trafalgar Square to enjoy the Sikh New Year. Colour, music, dances guaranteed.

Hexen 2.0 is a fabulous collection of works by Susan Treister. I have just devoured the book but those also are on show at the Science Museum until April 30 and at the Work Gallery until May 12. And believe me -they really are worth seeing those life-size.

Through tarot cards, we discover the story of technologies through military programs, American news, the evolution of web 2.0, the search engines, mass manipulation through modern medias…  Whether or not you know the references used, you will fin this utterly hypnotising. So very up to date, such a level of detail -  you want to google madly to know more about each page. The interpretation is all yours: are we doomed? Being played? Or are the card actually in our hands?

A new generation kind of art which can be summed up with one of the artist’s slides: WW1. WW2. WWW. See this. At the Science Museum or get the book or both.

Suzanne Treister
Hexen 2.0 at the Science Museum until April 30, 2012. Free.
Suzanne Treister: HEXEN 2.0/Literature, until May 11, 2012 at the Work Gallery, free

Suzanne Treister: HEXEN2.0/Literature

Seeing this installation in the Fortnum & Mason’s windows, I immediately thought of Postcrossing. In a world where we all tweet faster than our shadow, this excellent website put postcard, pens and stamps back on the table. Set up your free account and you will get the address of a total stranger, a few lines describing their hobbies. Write a kinf note a little hello, good wishes for the day, a quote. Some time later, you will in turn receive a card from another total stranger. So much nicer than ads and bills when going back home…

St George’s day:
* Not to be missed on Saturday. For St George’s day, Trafalgar Square turns into a garden for an afternoon. Bandstand and 3D effect included.

Big screen:
* A movie? Yes, but with style at One Aldwych, martini included!

* Or see Hitchcock classics in London churches.

* Try Bugsy Malone at the Troxy. Not just the movie, the setting and the atmosphere. A fantastic experience.

Take the little ones along:
* On Saturday, ride on a vintage bus.

* Meccano fans, feel like a child again at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum.

Out of the ordinary:
* Have lunch at the Hackney homemade food market.

* At the Horse Hospital, play with the strange and the occult.

* Go for a romantic walk.

* A new exhibition space is opening in Covent Garden, dedicated to movie stars. Amazing iconic pictures -  a must see.

* To celebrate record store day, independant shops are planning free concerts and nice workshops. Have a look here.

Fascinated but the Jubilee celebrations? This Thursday, the condown begins – only 60 days left before the Queen’s 60 years of reign. Go and raise your glass to the royal couple at Gordon’s Wine Bar. Look at the walls – historical covers of the Daily Mail present some of the most marking moments of Elisabeth II’s life. Cheers, your majesty! Want more ideas for the week-end? Scroll down:

Yummy time ahead:
* Hoorray! It is free cone day with Ben & Jerry’s.
* Add an exotic touch with this African market.
* Hips, an adult egg hunt with cocktails.

That’s art baby!
* Damien Hirst, the polemical artist, opens his retrospective at the Tate.

Take the little ones along:
* Oh! A Lindt chocolate egg hunt!
* Not interested in the boat race? Discover the goat race in Hackney city farm on Sunday.
* If you loved the Secret Cinema, rejoyce. The Future Cinema has launched some morning sessions in the same spirit, meant for families. And believe me, Bugsy malone at the Troxy is worth making a detour for.
* Enjoy a family tour of Wembley with the Beano tour.

Out of the ordinary:
* Boring bingo? Try this Indie version on Thursday!
* On Thursday and Friday, go and play at the Old Vic Tunnels: volley-ball, badmington,campfire, ping-pong, deckchairs…
* Did you know there was a huge coffee culture in London a long time ago? Learn more with this walk through the city.
* Remember the roof garden planted last year for the Festival of Britain on the top of Royal Festival Hall? It is reopening this Saturday and is a lovely place to enjoy a Pimm’s with a view.
* Don’t miss the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge.
* Sunday, see the whole first season of Twin Peaks again at the Chapel Cinema. Oh, and a slice of cherry pie is included in the ticket.
* Try this app which tells you about the dark little stories of London.

Look. This is my secret weapon for challenging weeks. You know, those when files build a China wall around you. This perfect butter and honey flajack, with a layer of caramel, another of chocolate, sprinklend with hazelnuts and pistachios take all the trouble away, one bite at a time. Of course, you have used more than your calorie allowance but yes, it is that good, even if it seems simple enough. Stock on those at Prêt-à-manger. And to burn the extra energy, choose in the week-end ideas below!

That’s art baby:
* On Thursday, dress 1930ies style to see the Mondrian exhibition.
* Friday, the late evening of the V&A celebrates Persia.
* A musical sculpture in Canary Wharf? Now that will make you love modern art.

Yummy time ahead:
* A speakeasy behind a sex-shop in Soho, how intriguing!
* The food market on Southbank will be all about chocolate this week-end.
* Indulge at the chocolate lab too. They even do brunches.
* The best Sunday idea ever -  a roast with a “Make your own Bloody Mary” option. And a kids club!

Take the little ones along:
* The Harry Potter studios are opening on Saturday – magic!
* Dimanche, sortez les cerfs-volants.On Sunday, go and fly a kite.

Out of the ordinary:
* Try Kicktable - an amazing way to discover new skills or share yours.
* Revise your London ABC.
* Kensington Palace has reopened, even more magical than before.

The courtyard of the Somerset House is filled with thousands of clay daffodils, 10 000 to be exact, created by the Chilian artist Fernando Casasempere. Symbol of the constant renewal of nature and timeless nature of art, those blooms seem to look out for the sun, soaking every ray. A few tables have been set outside so do get a coffee and piece of cake from Tom’s Deli and just enjoy the moment…

Out of sync
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
Free, until April 27, 2012