Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘street art’

Oh well, I have tried and tried but my thoughts keeps strolling from my work files but they do keep straying towards the week-end…

- Fancy a free haircut on Friday? Check this way…

- The Natural History Museum will stay open late. Jazz? Glass of wine on the Darwin center terrasse? Night walk in the wildlife garden?

- Party @ the V&A Summer Camp. Bombay Sapphire will have a design cardboard bar with stylised cardboard glasses (but real cocktails). A great way to enjoy their late evening.

- You can even go on to the Serpentine pavillion and sleepover… Midnight feast, films and even breakfast in the morning…

- I really must try to find a free Saturday morning and do this guided tour of the Somerset House!

- The extraordinary Chilly Gonzales will be @ the field day on Saturday…

- Latin fever @ the Carnaval del pueblo!

- Even more music with the Croydon festival…

- A classic, but have you done it yet? Buckingham Palace is open for the summer….

- Have a spooky evening…

- Saturday, head for Brick Lane: free cocktails, demo of Urban Art and even a tattoo session! You might also decide to stay around and go bowling in this fab diner… Perfect for Sunday’s festival: bowling but British, music and dancing!

- It’s open air cinema season! A whole programme @ the Somerset House… Act crazy for Mamma Mia and choose funky colours… The Wapping Project proposes a barbecue with your movie…

- You already knew routemasters could ne recycled as veggie restaurants (the root-master is my favourite). Well, one of those goes around, proposing German food!

- Oooooh, as soon as I’m on holiday, I am going to book myself one of those fab afternoon teas… Now, chocolate or pink? (vegan and gluten free versions are proposed)

-What about the kids? Little ones will love the teddies picnic @ Covent Garden on Saturday… Teenagers will much prefer to go to the underage festival!

- Give! Exchange!

Pssst, heads up for next week! There will be a maze @ Trafalgar (with dragons and Chinese cooking on Tuesday). And Selfridge’s is to open their Xmas shop too…

Hey, anyone has a great address for a roof terrasse for cocktails?

This is a real summer. I am amazed every single day by the lovely temperatures. Makes me feel like dancing and jumping around! Unfortunately,  when you are 3 weeks from giving birth, you look more like a whale, the elegance is gone. Soon snails will overcome me on the pavement. I’m counting on you to tell me about London gems!

- The free ping-pong tables project finally is launched tomorrow. Rush to St Pancras!

- You have until Friday to enjoy the food festival @ the Old Spitalfields market – cooking demonstration and free tasting, yummmy!

- On Friday, the Design Museum goes mad for recycling and green art. You can even try electric bikes. All this listening to a fab percussionist!

- Visit the parliament!

- Why not celebrate the 60ies @ Carnaby Street?

- Time to revise your Picasso knowledge…

- London parks are getting festive too!

- Add a pinch of poetry… and learn about Keats’ life right in the house and gardens where he used to live…

- Summer school holidays are on! Struggling to come up with ideas to keep the kids busy? You’re gonna love O2: mini golf, water games, trampolines…

- Or initiate them to opera with this version of Mr Fox -  only a few pounds.

- Did you know a few falcons actually nest on the Modern’s Tate chimney? Here is a chance to learn more!

- Sushi AND fusion food? Count me in!

- oh, and I’ll have cherry granita for desert…

- Speaking of ice-cream, Ben and Jerry’s launch their music and sweet treats festival this week-end @ Clapham…

- How could you resist a designers’ market?

- Follow Time Out to discover the oldest parts of London…

- Opera, art, walks, a pinch of madness with the in-transit festival….

- Too hot? I know what you need: a water tournament!

You’ll find me having a mocktail with friends @ Vista, a bar on a roof with a view on Trafalgar Square… I’ll also be following my friend Celine, a street-art specialist, to discover some more in London!

Isn’t it extraordinary to have a REAL summer for once? Better enjoy it while it lasts!

- Carnaval day on Southbank tomorrow!

- Love latin dances? Salsa, Cuban, columbian music? Go shake these calories out @ Hyde park for the World City Music Village Festival!

- Hey, it’s also the Big World Dance all over town on Saturday, with the final in Trafalgar square…

- The Hyde and Seek festival is back! It’s a fab occasions to play extraodinary games on Southbank. Bring all your friends!

- Did you have to tighten the belt on your fashion budget? Try the big swish this Saturday a giant clothes swap event!

- Why not learn graffiti art? Or a unicycle workshop?

- Stamp your week-end with something a little different. An old post-office in Hackney turns into an exhibition space: artists such as Tracy Emyn were inspired by parcel, letters, iconic stamps…

- Art is not your cup of tea? Try this show on coffee cups… Some have been decorated by Coppola, Fellini, Koons, Almodovar…

- Waterloo turned into a stage? Yes, with The Railway Children show (with a real train!)

- Missed the Royal Chelsea Flower show? Don’t worry -  Hampton Courts gets flowered similarly each summer…

- Add a pinch of urban nature…

- Can’t travel but feel like a change? Well, try Bastille Day @ Battersea Park this Sunday: French market, petanque, retro French music (with dancing and Lido girls)… Now, where have you put that beret of yours?

- Want more summer festivals? Music, shopping, nice food stalls? Try the Ealing one… or maybe Levisham? Even Islington joins in!

You’ll find me in a lavender field… and discovering the new Serpentine pavillion (by a French Architect, by the way)… How about you?

So hard to choose, isn’t it? Should you relax in the garden with a glass of Pimms, while the man of the house is working on the barbie? Or stroll around London, enjoying the sun in the parks or drinking a cocktail on a terrasse? Can’t believe how much is going on this week-end!

- Thursday, rush to Trafalgar square, it’s Canada day! Cirque du soleil, music, hockey tournament..,

- Were you wondering how pop-ups could be even more suprising? Well… This one proposes thai sauce crickets amd white chocolate scorpions every Thursday in July. For free. No worry, they also do propose more conventional dishes (though you will have to pay).  Nice place to take adventurous friends (and if they do like insects, there is a range at Fortnum and Mason’s and Selfridges)

- Like to travel through time? Then you’ll love this retro evening -  a drive-in! The cars are already there, you just need to snuggle and order some popcorn from the waitresses skating around….

- The Tate Modern is such a sweetie – litterally! – for the festival of architecture…

- Talk to strangers (and have a free meal)!

- have a look at the disused Aldwych tube station, reopened for a very limited time…

- Photo amateurs will love this discovery day of Shoreditch…

- Kensal Green, one of the beautiful Victorian cemeteries of London proposes guided tours of its catacombs…

- Are you a quick swimmer? Well, splash and see whether you can win this race! Your prefer a gentle swim? Head for the city’s lidos.

- Take your Eisntein Juniors to the Science Museum’s new exhibition -  Who am I?

- Last year, the British Museum celebrated India, this year it’s Africa’s turn…

- Too hot… Thanks God for the beer festival!

- Or have your pint with a pinch of blues…

- have a different Sunday and celebrate American style…

You’ll find me… picking strawberries and raspberries… Having yummy food with delicious friends @ Jamie’s Italian… And picnicking @ Kew Gardens (they also have a cute photo exhibition).

How about you?

This tunnel at the back of Waterloo station was made a success by Banksy in 2008 with the can festival: the walls were legally free to be tagged by graffiti artists and Banksy presented amazinf works of art too. A hit, a crowd!

Since then, the place is a lot more quiet…

It still remains a street artist headquarters though. Even if they’re coming to London for a few days, they like to come and live their signature there. No matter that the paintings only remain a few days, sometimes a few hours before being covered by someone else’s. Mostly, you’ll find graffitis such as we discovered them in the 80ies. But do come regularly and you’ll find such treasures…

Last year, yarnbombing even was a guest star…

You will sometimes hear classical music. Your sanity is intact -  this is the town hall’s effort to remind everyone this is to be a peaceful, creative place. Althout the city employees coming to do a few repairs do love to switch the radio full volume.

Hidden by the graffitis, the tunnel also has a few arches closed by doors. Those are private -  not the city’s at all -  and the owner (once Eurostar) do rent the space. Banksy had his one night cinema here to launch his movie Exit through the gift shop… Even exibitions openings have taken place here:  I have hapened to walk pass a line of VIPs dressed smartly…

But you’ll also find…

… A black cab car wash…

… More graffitis by fellow artists…

… and even a repair station for these cycle-taxis!

Leake Street
London SE1 7NN

Have you seen the weather forecasts? Extraordinary: 24 degrees on Friday, 22 the rest of the week-end… Grab your T-shirt, a pitcher of pimm’s, invade the  beer gardens and lawns!

- Start on Thursday night by dancing in a park…

- Or try one of those summer walks…

- Isn’t it the ideal time to have lunch on a terrasse overlooking Kensington Gardens?

- unless you’re up for a picnic?

- Forget central London and have a look at the Wimbledon Mill…

- If you did not get a chance to enjoy the Night of the Museums last week-end, no worry, here are a few more opportunities…

- Fancy some exotism? Baishaki, the bangali festival is on Sunday: delicious food, music, parade…

- Street art fan? It’s the Dream Factory you need!

You’ll find me shopping for cupcakes and heading for the late opening of the Enchanted Kensington Palace. How will you celebrate summer?

Pssst: don’t forget that next Monday, the boat in the bottle is moving to Trafalgar square!

- The London Eye has decorated Southbank… And if you fancy a ride, my friend Celine has found this 2 for 1 offer!

- The Easter passion played on Trafalgar Square: such a show deserves to stop by and have a look.

- Bet on Oxford or Cambridge for the traditional Boat Race… The Spitafield farm prefers to hold its yearly Goat Race (bottom of the page). I tried it last year and had a ball…

- Feeling a little elevenish? Hoorray, the Real Food Market is back @ Covent Garden!

- Womder what the hell chessboxing could look like…

- Are you in an art mood? Think street art @ the Black Rat gallery... Rediscover famous album covers here… Be amazed by bees… Or hop to Selfridge’s for some paper madness!

- Mmmh. Harpsichord and chocolate @ Handel House? Or more traditional @ Chiswick House – Easter bonnet parade, egg trail, teddies picnic…

- A winning recipe: Punch and Judy show and a mobile farm with chicks, lamps and rabbits to pet!

Where to find me? Well, I don’t think I can resist stopping at Haagen Dazs as they have a new Easter ice-cream… I will also be hunting the Easter Bunny @ the Childhood Museum – ideal on a rainy day. If the sun comes out, I’ll just jumps in a boat @ Little Venice and will stop @ the London zoo. What about you?

There’s spring in the air, get your snickers ready!

- Go and enjoy the East London Festival – so rich in music festivities, world culture, architecture, guided tours…

- Play with words @ the London Word Festival

- Add a splash of colour with this Hindu festival

- take the kids to a different week-end @ Barbican – poetry, Indian lanterns, bollywood dances…

- Since you’re @ Barbican, try a little alternative music. Yep, those are real birds. And it’s free!

- Fancy a little Alice in your week-end? Here a Mad Hatter Ball, here a little bit more about Lewis Caroll’s talents, and there a colourful tea-time…

- Oh, don’t forget, it’s National Pie Week! A few tips here and there…

I’m planning an easy week-end – cinema! Spoilt with both the new Tim Burton and Banksy’s first film, Exit through the gift shop. Which by the way plays @ Barbican, in case you feel like a whole day there. Oh, and maybe I’ll go and try those Asian sweets too…

Another rainy week-end ahead… Smile! Just take your umbrella on an adventure…

Here’s to put you in the mood:

- The Portobello Winter festival starts this wednesdau and will have thematic nights every Wednesday till Xmas

- Don’t forget to get prepared for those Xmas parties and meals: celebrate Thanksgiving!

Feeling better? Here’s for the week-end:

- Head for the new pop-ups before they blow away with the fashion wind… Nes-cafe @ Liberty and the famous Parisian Colette on Brick Lane

- Need your weekly dose of street art? Hoorray! Mutate opens its doors again @ Portobello.

- Even Damien Hirst is back @ the White Cube Gallery. It’s still time to see his No love lost @ the Wallace collection

- Spendid news pictures @ The Royal Festival Hall…

- Alternatively hum Only you @ Proud Chelsea… Great pics of a young Elvis.

- Kids will find happiness in Covent Garden – there will be a real reindeer to pat Saturday afternoon. Parents will probably prefer the amazing jewel exhibition that flashes magic lights under UVs…

You’ll find me @ the Secret Cinema… and having an underground afternoon tea. What’s YOUR program?

Stations are eternal waiting points.
One stomps their feet, waiting for that damn screen to finally show the platform number, only to have to dash there, olympic-sprint like.
One tries to kill the time while waiting for friends, victimes of the tube or life maze.

Waterloo is my usual one. Touring the shops does not take much of your time. It lacks more elegant cafe, as you could find in St Pancras, smarter lines, a little design, a little gloss. You could got to Southbank and indulge at Giraffe or Foyles but you feel it is a bit too far. Why did you decide to meet here? It seemed logical at the time.

Street art lovers will love going to Leake Street, a tunnel only 5 mn away. Banksy launched his Cans festival there in 2008. It remained one of the rare legal wall for graffers who just make the most of it. A tag will rarely stay more than a few days. Sometimes even hours. Yarnbombing even stopped there for a while. You’ll often see artists in full creation. The atmosphere is completely unreal with, very often, classical music being played by the speakers – don’t ask, the council’s idea to underline the peacefulness and artistic dimension of the place, I guess, and refute the idea, for once, of vandalism.

But if your heart beats for murals, try the Tolsky Century, again 5 mn from the station. I can see you frown, This Polish artist settled in London in 1935 and quickly becomes a war-artist-reporter. He’ll travel all around the world, from India to Arctic via Lybia, China… He has this amazing talent, which I love in Hippolyte Romain to transform a few splashes of paint into a picturesque chronicle.

In 1951, Prince Philip commissions him -  a mural for Busckingham, depicting Elisabeth II’s coronation. This gets him ticking. He first assembles a number vof drawings in a book. In 1974, he sets up his workshop here, under the bridg arches, a few steps away from Waterloo… and starts documenting the century history, his century, in ceiling high paintings. He dies in 1989, still working on it.

You’ll meet Gandhi, Picasso, Martin Luther King, Hitler, Mao, the Black Panthers… The memory of times in motion. I find his characters’ emotions intense. All this for £2. Well, you’ll be the one to be late this time…

Topolsky century
150 Hungerford Arches
Concert Hall Approach
Waterloo
London SE1 8XU