Londonist

Extra, Extra

DeanN — 2010-02-09T18:15:35+00:00

Photo / Martin H

That BA plane crash at Heathrow in January '08? "Probably ice", say investigators. Not really the most satisfying answer.

Pensioners are to get their very own playground in Hyde Park, the old rapscallions

Man arrested over the 1985 murder of PC Keith Blakelock on Broadwater Farm, Tottenham

Artwork produced by Inmates at Feltham Young Offenders Institution will go on display at the National Gallery

Electric taxis are on their way as the black cab turns green

Poor air quality in the Big Smoke is rubbing years off our lives, according to health experts

City regulator Hector Sants will step down as head of the Financial Services Authority this summer

Arts Ahead: What's On In London 9-15 February

ZoZo — 2010-02-09T16:00:40+00:00

Anna Fox, Hampshire Pram Race, 2006. From the series Back to the Village 1999 - ©Anna Fox courtesy James Hyman Gallery, London

Ignore the inclement weather warnings, and get your diaries out: here's a round-up of some of the new art, theatre, dance and exhibitions opening in London this week. And don't forget to check out those shows that are closing too.

Be There First: London Shows Opening

We've got a trio of interesting paints-based art exhibitions opening this week. Tomorrow sees the opening of Arshile Gorky at the Tate Modern (Armenian-American abstract expressionism) and Paul Nash at the Dulwich Picture Gallery (watercolours on war and beautiful landscapes). Crash, a group show of works inspired by the writer JG Ballard, opens on Thursday. Participating names you'll recognise include Francis Bacon, Edward Hopper, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Salvador Dalí, Roger Hiorns, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Cindy Sherman, Damien Hirst and many others.

If photography's more your thing, this week you can choose between two freebies: the Deutsche Börse Prize 2010 at the Photographer's Gallery (opens on Friday) and Rankin: From Congo with Love at the National Theatre also from Friday.

One way to really beat the cold spell is to head to the hot beats and heated passion of the London Flamenco Festival at Sadlers' Wells. Two weeks of Spain's maestros of flamenco, including contemporary and traditional performances, start from Saturday.

It's a packed week in theatreland. Jerusalem, Jez Butterworth's latest award-winner opens in the West End on Wednesday. Prokofiev's opera The Gambler opens at the Royal Opera House on Thursday, as does Lope De Vega's Madness in Valencia at the Trafalgar Studios. On Friday, with good Valentine's Day timing, The Elixir of Love opens at the London Coliseum. Think of a 1950s-small-US-town-set rom-com, and add stunning Donizetti tunes and a massive dose of popularity. If you're looking for something slightly tougher, try Heldenplatz at the Arcola from Friday: a post-war look at the right-wing attitudes of some of Austria's most prominent citizens.

And on Monday at the Rose Theatre, Judi Dench and Peter Hall are getting together for a run of A Midsummer Night's Dream. We'll let you know if it's any good(!)

Last Chance to See: London Shows Closing

Saturday is your last chance to see Rapture Theatre Company's modern Glaswegian Hamlet at the Greenwich Theatre.

If you're looking for last-minute Valentine's Day ideas, Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai closes at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, as does the updated version of Ibsen's play, Hedda, at the Riverside Studios; Taylor Wessing Prize at the National Portrait Gallery; and The Conversation Piece: Scenes from Fashionable Life at The Queen's Gallery. Enjoy.

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Presented By:

2010-02-09T16:00:40+00:00

Hither Green Cinema: Brief Encounter

RachelH — 2010-02-09T15:30:37+00:00

Following the success of Hither Green Cinema's first event back in October, it's got funding and is back as a regular fixture. While waiting their permanent home at the new St Swithun's Theatre, there'll be a programme of films celebrating railways and trains at - naturally - the Station pub. Classic weepie Brief Encounter kicks everything off on 14th February, followed by a film-themed pub quiz, and organisers want your suggestions for what to show next (email contact [at] hithergreenhall.org). Station Hotel, Staplehurst Road SE13, 14th February 6pm, £3 film / £5 film + quiz. (Image / sarahluv)

Crystal Palace FC Advertised In Financial Times

DeanN — 2010-02-09T15:00:15+00:00

The FT ad - see a bigger version here

For sale: stricken south London football club, recently gone into administration. One not-too careful, permatanned owner. Club is £30 million in the hole. Buyer would come into possession of: a loyal if slightly deluded fanbase; the leasehold on a rickety ground in an unfashionable part of London (true ownership of said stadium remaining a mystery); ample training facilities down Beckenham way; and projected revenues for the year of £13.8 million. Would suit masochistic businessperson who enjoys pouring his or her money away on a vanity project, with little or no return save for the opprobrium of visiting supporters. Interested parties should see p. 26 of today's Financial Times (the Companies & Markets section, if you please), for our full advertisment. Signed: P&A Partnership (administrators).

Capture Kings Cross With Shoot Experience

Lindsey — 2010-02-09T14:30:10+00:00

Kings Cross Dusk by D I C K S D A I L Y

The redevelopment of Kings Cross was a long time coming and will be a long time ongoing yet but the transformation is already considerable. Taking the British Library Points of View exhibition as its starting point, Capture Kings Cross will send you out shooting this area in flux. With the help of teammates, some challenges from the organisers and a dash of urban inspiration it's an ideal opportunity to focus on this area and capture its contrasts.

We've had fun with the Shoot Experience guys before. You don't need to be a great photographer but you do need fresh eyes, plenty of ideas and the willingness to appear in the images, should a model be required. Wear bright colours, take a bag of props in case and you'll be sure to get a Kings Cross kick out of this.

Sunday 20th February, 10am-6pm meeting at the British Library. See the Shoot Experience website for more information and don't forget to share your best shots with us in the Londonist Flickrpool.

More Snow Forecast For London This Week

RachelH — 2010-02-09T13:05:29+00:00

Image by James.D. from the Londonist Flickr pool

No, no no no. We've only just stopped having flashbacks from January's snow and there's more on the way? The Met Office have issued warnings of heavy snow for London and the South East for tomorrow and Thursday. They're predicting 2-5cm or 5-10cm in more open areas / high ground - so zone 1 will probably get the usual dusting while transport grinds to a halt as its extremities freeze over.

This forecast is notable for specifically mentioning Kent as likely to be hardest hit: Southeastern are still deflecting flak from their decision to run a derisory service at the first hint of the white stuff, even though SE London wasn't nearly as badly hit as the West (and neighbouring TOCs struggled on). We'll be watching with interest how they react if they get genuinely heavy snow on their patch. And in other doom-mongering transport news, the national grit shortage still hasn't been rectified. Wrap up and wear sensible shoes tomorrow, folks.

Photo of the Day: You're never alone

NatalieU — 2010-02-09T12:30:58+00:00

You're never alone by Bradman334 via the Londonist Flickrpool.

Free Pancakes from Freggo on Pancake Day

Chris Osburn — 2010-02-09T11:45:02+00:00

Argentine ice cream and coffee bar, Freggo, on Swallow Street W1B 4DW will be flipping freebie pancakes with every coffee purch' on Shrove Tuesday (February 16th). Made to order, the pancakes will be served warm with a scoop of ice cream. Flavours will include South American favourite dulce de leche and lemon with sugar. Read our review of Freggo or visit them online at www.freggo.co.uk.

The London Dossier: A Rough Guide To London, Circa 1967

Londonist — 2010-02-09T11:30:40+00:00

Fresh from his success penning spy thrillers such as Funeral in Berlin and The Ipcress File, author Len Deighton changed tack completely and compiled a guide to ‘modern’ London.

There had been guides to the capital before, of course, but they were invariably aimed at the portrait-peering, church nave-gazing visitor. Time Out was still over a year away. Until then, most guides would tackle the emerging culture of youth through the simple expedient of ignoring it.

Deighton’s book was different. Published as swinging London was just getting into full, er, swing, it acknowledged and celebrated London’s new-found reputation as (according to the blurb) ‘the most exciting city in the world - the place where the action really is’.

The book was called Len Deighton’s London Dossier, a nod to the spy genre that had made his name, and featured ‘surveillance’ reports by writers whose names mean little now (unless Godfrey Smith is still penning his agreeable, clubby little column in the Sunday Times), but were well known at the time. Each writer had his or her specialist subject - food, drink, music, slang, ‘the underworld’ - with Deighton writing the chapter intros.

He also wrote the introduction to the book, and in it he comes across as grumpy, impatient and slightly snobby, but also as someone who actually does like the capital. That’s despite a large proportion of it apparently being ‘ill-lit, grimy and not worth a visit’.

‘Take a walk in the rain’, he suggests, ‘and note how it keeps the city sweet-smelling and diffuses the light in a way that adds to the beauty and conceals the squalor.’ The telephone service is well-meaning and polite, but below expectations ‘unless you come from France.’

If you do, it’s worth remembering that British hotels ‘prefer you to write Mr and Mrs [in the register], even if you are sinning.’ Even back then Londoners were accustomed to seeing people from foreign shores. ‘A lot of bus conductors are Jamaicans,’ Deighton writes, ‘and very sunny fellows they are’.

Old copies of Len Deighton’s London Dossier sometimes surface on eBay or in second-hand bookshops. If you come across a copy and you’re interested in the recent history of London, buy it. Until then, you’ll have to make to do with this weekly précis. Next week in Chapter 1, Jane Wilson looks at Teenagers. Perv.

By Kevin Mills

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In Pictures: The Secret Bits Of Tower Bridge

M@ — 2010-02-09T10:55:14+00:00

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You don't have to be Robert Downey Jr to get a view of London from the heights of Tower Bridge. The walkways along the top are open every day for paying tourists and private functions. The bits with the best views are normally off-limits, however. Last week the City of London Corporation invited us to take a look around the upper levels, as well as offering a snoop in the machinery room. Click through the gallery above for full descriptions.

Diane Abbott Mulls Mayoral Bid

DeanN — 2010-02-09T10:00:23+00:00

Photo / JK the Unwise

Here's Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, responding to a reader's question in yesterday's Independent about whether she'd like to be Prime Minister:

"No, but I wouldn't mind being Mayor of London"

As the opening salvo in an election campaign it's hardly the stuff of legend, but to many in Labour the idea of an Abbott candidacy could appeal. Current frontrunners include Ken Livingstone and Peter Mandelson, neither of whom will galvanise a party that, come 2011, is likely to be nursing the wounds of this May's savaging at the polls. Abbott has put in her time as an MP (elected 23 years ago), has a reasonably high media profile (though she did post a derisory score in Celebrity Mastermind a couple of years back), and in her often queasy televisual relationship with Michael Portillo, has shown an ability to work across ideological lines; traits a Labour candidate could use after the final years of Ken's divisive rule.

Taking up the theme, Andrew Gilligan notes that she "combines the two key elements of Labour’s London core vote - ethnic minorities and metropolitan lefties" (though he is surely confusing Stoke Newington High Street with Church Street when he says the former is the "core essence" of "The Guardian's London readership"). Gilligan also suggests that Abbott would play better in the suburbs than Ken, taking a healthy bite out of Boris Johnson's doughnut (fnar) in the process.

Not everyone will be convinced by a female candidate of Jamaican descent, though. One bilious commenter on the Telegraph website, apparently still smarting from Boudica's burning of Londinium, declared that "apart from Thatcher, women's participation in politcs has generally been an unmitigated disaster". More rancourous outbursts like that, and Diane might just stand a chance.

Slow Club Diary: End Of Week 3

Sophie Offord — 2010-02-08T21:00:00+00:00

Follow one Londonista trying to put the brakes on with Slow Club.

Alistair Cameron, former Secretary of Borough Market Traders' Association, let us sample some of Borough Market's delights

11am on a Saturday morning. I’ve got a thumping headache from too much wine the night before. I’d usually be still in my pyjamas, making the most of a weekend lie-in. Instead, I am at Borough Market, drinking hot apple and cinnamon and sampling fine foods: not such a hardship, I suppose.

The irony of setting my alarm and dashing out to meet the group on time, in the name of slowness, is not lost on me. But, Tessa and Yvonne, of Slow Down London, very much believe that that the Club should have a social element, of slowing down together, meeting new people and getting support.

This is my first ‘group adventure’, and we’re an even mix of women and men, of different ages and backgrounds, talking dreamily of wanting to unwind, like it’s a near-impossible goal. It’s awful that these are things we feel we have to ‘sign up’ for, but the principle is probably the same as the gym - if we’re not paying for it, we won’t make the effort.

Our group is led by Alistair Cameron, former Secretary of Borough Market Traders' Association, and Shane Holland, Chair of Slow Food London. ‘Slow food’, Shane tells us, is about sustainability, fair wages and small-scale producers. But, most of all, it should taste GOOD.

It certainly does. There were ravings from the group about the cured meat at Gastronomica; and, being veggie, I got my own little ‘food gasp’ at the L'Ubriaco 'Drunk' Cheese stall (cheese aged in wine - what a genius coupling).

With the emphasis on food, my ‘slow task’ this week was to eat something mindfully, without distraction (so no TV, no talking, no idly flickering through magazines)...

The opportunity arose with some rather un-gourmet cheddar, crackerbread and wholegrain mustard. Rather than wolf it down, I let the flavours fizzle on my tongue. I could really feel the heat of the mustard; the creamy tang of the cheese. Woah, it was good!

I won’t always have time to appreciate food like this. But I’m reminded how much more you can get out of your senses (and life) when you sit back, slow down and tune in.

Image courtesy of Yvonne Reinartz's Flickrstream.

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Extra, Extra

SallyB — 2010-02-08T18:00:57+00:00

Witch hunt over: Ali Dizaei has been jailed.
Londoner of the day: Julianne McGregor who is planning to hula-hoop on top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
TfL may need all the help it can get - but perhaps one bus driver's decision to pray mid-route is taking it a bit too far...
16-24 year old Londoners will soon be able to buy a voluntary ID card.
In the army now: apparently we are flocking to sign up.

Close encounters of the Hampstead kind, by Robin La Roca via the Londonist pool.

Live Music Review: Grand Archives @ The Borderline

Londonist Music — 2010-02-08T17:00:23+00:00

Friday night was one of those dark drizzly, depressing nights that has you wishing you had stayed inside watching crappy Friday night TV. But for those who did make it down to the Borderline to witness Grand Archives first ever UK show, were certainly not let down. The night provided a perfect refuge from the depressing February weather, and showed us what it is that makes the Seattle indie scene so special.

For those not familiar with Grand Archives, the band was formed shortly after lead singer and guitarist Mat Brooke, left Band of Horses (predecessor to Carissa’s Wierd), after the release of Everything All The Time in 2006. Probably best described by Pitchfork, Grand Archives play a mixture of hayseed indie, bashful singer-songwriter comedowns, and sunny, orchestral pop.

Mat Brooke’s former band mate Jenn Ghetto opened the show under her solo name S, and as long time Clarissa’s Wierd fans, it was a real treat to see most of the gang back together again. S set was comprised of predominantly new material off her latest album “I’m not as good at it as you” and blew away the crowd with her soft, melancholic intensity.

Grand Archives then hit the stage and were nothing short of fantastic. Although we had found the latest album a little low-key, we were absolutely blown away by their live performance. Brooke’s airy voice and slow evolving harmonies that reminded us of a cross somewhere between Sigur Ros and 70’s Californian surf rock. The vitality of the songs was laid bare in a way that you don’t get on the album, and the deep emotion and the joyfulness of the songs was made clear.

Over all the show exceeded expectations and was an exciting treat for London fans to finally see them play.

By Laura Scott

STYLEist: Sunday Best at the Annual Grimaldi Service

NatalieU — 2010-02-08T16:30:17+00:00

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Every year on the second Sunday of February, a church service is held in East London to honour the father of present day Clowns, Joseph Grimaldi. Clowns from around the world gather in full 'motley and slap' to give thanks for the gift of laughter. A highlight of the Clown's International calendar, it's certainly the most colourful church service we've seen.

New Malthouse Monthly Film Club

Lindsey — 2010-02-08T16:00:24+00:00

The Malthouse

In the fizzing wake of the LIFT Molten Festival, Barking continues to emerge as a 'cultural hub' with the Malthouse. Home to some of the areas arts organisations it's also housing a monthly film club offering a series of genre-based screenings accompanied by speakers, shorts and refreshments. The big screen selections begin on 25th February focusing on animation and "Waltz with Bashir". Upcoming is the acclaimed "Fish Tank", Pan's "Labyrinth", "Laura", "Moon" and "West Side Story". To attend, join now: full membership for access to all six screenings is £24. Day membership £5 (£4 concessions). Doors open at 7pm with the main feature starting approximately 7.30pm. More info online.

Art Review: Destroy All Monsters, Hungry For Death

Londonist — 2010-02-08T15:30:59+00:00

Image from Destroy All Monsters achive, courtesy of [ Space ]

Curated by James Hoff and Cary Loren, Hungry for Death showcases the archives of Destroy All Monsters, an artists' collective that was formed at a house party in 1973. Labelled "the world's first noise band" DAM created unorthodox music inspired by The Stooges, Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, Velvet Underground and Sci-Fi B-movies.

Their work, which includes films, performances and magazines, was also influenced by political subcultures, iconic elements of 60s counterculture, and their hometown of Ann Arbor. In 1976, after Mike Kelley and Jim Shaw left DAM and were replaced by the late Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton and Michael Davis from MC5, DAM entered a new, punk-driven musical phase. In 1996, the original members of DAM reunited, which resulted in a tour and appearances in various exhibitions and music festivals in USA, Europe and Australia.

Hungry for Death captures not only the vision of DAM, it also effectively conveys the influences that drove DAM's artistic expression, giving a feel for the elements of inspiration that were utilised by the collective during the 70s. The walls of the exhibition are covered by band posters, photographs, flyers, drawings, magazines, and records. This is accompanied by video and audio installations, creating an atmosphere of sensory overload, which in turn reduces and channels the experience, allowing the visitor to focus on individual aspects of the collective's work.

On Friday 12th February from 11am to 11pm, and Saturday 13th February from 12pm to 4pm there will be a two-day residency by Hype Williams, The White Powder Truth Sessions, which will include open invite improvisation, performances, screenings and motivational talks.

By JennW

Hungry for Death is currently showing at [ Space ] until 20th February. Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday 12 - 4pm. Admission is free. [ Space ], 129 - 131 Mare St, London E8 3RH.

Londonist Stays In: 8-14 February

M@ — 2010-02-08T14:45:45+00:00

The most Londony shows on TV and radio this week.

Well, it all seems to be on tonight this week.

Monday
A History of the World in 100 objects (Radio 4, 19.45-20.00) The Flood Tablet, from the British Museum.
Inside Out (BBC1, 19.30-20.00) More tales of joy and woe in a kind of local newspaper version of That's Life.
How Do They Do It? (Five, 19.30-20.00) Robert Llewellyn learns how the Thames is kept (relatively) clean.
Tower Block of Commons (C4, 21.00-22.00) Nadine Dorries tries living on a South Acton housing estate, while Mark Oaten enjoys life in a Barking household with five children and four cats.
From Hell (Five, 22.00-00.25) Lacklustre adaptation of London's greatest graphic novel.

Tuesday
A History of the World in 100 objects (Radio 4, 19.45-20.00) The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, in the collections of the British Museum.

Wednesday
A History of the World in 100 objects (Radio 4, 19.45-20.00) The Minoan bull leaper, at the British Museum
The Great Offices of State (BBC4, 21.00-22.00) Michael Cockerell knocks on a few doors along Whitehall.

Thursday
A History of the World in 100 objects (Radio 4, 19.45-20.00) The gold cape of Mold, from the British Museum.

Friday
A History of the World in 100 objects (Radio 4, 19.45-20.00) Statue of Ramesses II, from the British Museum

Presented By:

2010-02-08T14:45:45+00:00

See It, Be In It - The Southwark Mysteries

Lindsey — 2010-02-08T14:05:56+00:00

Southwark Cathedral Altar Screen by Homemade

In this apocalyptic play an outsider Jesus takes on Satan for the souls of a medieval prostitute called The Goose, her street-shaman John Crow, and the wicked people of Southwark through the ages...

That's possibly one of the most compelling show blurbs we've had in yonks. Throw in beautiful Southwark Cathedral as the venue and likely you've already hit 'buy tickets'. The revival of John Constable's Southwark Mysteries ten years on from its millennial staging is a hot ticket in our books. Inspired by the medieval mystery plays, this epic performance mixes the sacred and profane with local folklore and contemporary humour, threading stories through time. We're reliably informed that Constable is "putting it mildly, an ace performer" which makes this a must see, folks.

Course, if you tuned into Songs of Praise this weekend (Ed. um, that's still going?), you'll have got a flavour of what's to come as Constable read from The Southwark Mysteries and talked about the show, so hear it from the man himself, on iPlayer.

If that whets your appetite and you've a particular interest in Southwark get immersed in the Mysteries performing in the community cast in the Cathedral. There are 2 free introductory workshops: Mon 22nd and Wed 24th February (6-9pm) at Edric Hall, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, SE1 0AA. To book your place RSVP: KatieNicholls@mysteries.eclipse.co.uk.

The Southwark Mysteries will be performed at Southwark Cathedral on 22, 23 and 24 April. Book now to get the early bird discount. Tickets only £15 before 1st March.

Preview: The Queen Mary Olympics Lectures 2010

M@ — 2010-02-08T13:30:28+00:00

Queen Mary, University of London plays host to a quartet (dammit, one more and we could have called it a pentathlon) of Olympics themed lectures, starting tomorrow night:

9 February: 'Back to the Future; Flying Down to Rio via London and Ancient Olympia', Professor Paul Cartledge, University of Cambridge. (A history of the games and comparison of ancient and modern games.)

23 February: 'The Politics of the London Olympic Games: 1908, 1948, 2012', Dr David Runciman, University of Cambridge

9 March: 'German Bodies and the Olympics of 1936', Professor Marion Kant, University of Pennsylvania.

20 April: 'The 1972 Munich Olympics; Overcoming the German Past', Professor Christopher Young, University of Cambridge

Tomorrow's lecture (9 Feb) takes place in the Mason Lecture Theatre, Francis Bancroft Building, Mile End. Subsequent talks are at the Skeel Lecture Theatre, People's Palace, Mile End. All lectures begin at 6.30pm and are free to attend.

Oh, wait, we can complete that pentathlon, albeit with a less than athletic fifth. On 4 March (6.30pm), Tudor historian David Starkey strides into the Mason Lecture Theatre to reveal The History We’ve Forgotten: Diplomacy and the Biography of Henry VIII. This one's also free, but you need to reserve a seat by emailing events@qmul.ac.uk.

Photo of the Day: I'm lovin' it..

NatalieU — 2010-02-08T12:30:34+00:00

I'm lovin' it by noirchick73 via the Londonist Flickrpool.

St Pancras...The LEGO Version

M@ — 2010-02-08T12:00:24+00:00

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It contains over 60,000 bricks and four working clocks. It took eight weeks to build. This LEGO version of St Pancras was created by Warren Elsmore, Chairman of the Brickish Association (a society for adult enthusiasts of the plastic blocks).

"I chose St Pancras Station after the Brickish Association completed a PR project for LEGO, whereby we re-created a number of UK landmarks for local schools," he says. "That project included 30 St Marys' Axe (The Gerkin) and Big Ben, but I've always liked St Pancras since the time I used to commute into Kings Cross or St Pancras itself. Because the building is so complex, it presented a great building challenge too. Though not quite as tough as the Barlow shed, which is my next project!"

Click through the gallery to see closeups of this marvellous creation. Further snaps can be found on Warren's Flickr stream, and his web site. And there's a neat video over on the BBC.

All pictures from Warren Elsmore, and used with permission.

Hackney Empire Closes For Nine Months

DeanN — 2010-02-08T11:46:37+00:00

Photo / Chris 07

Last night's variety show performance was the last until November at the Hackney Empire, which has closed for what management are euphemistically calling a "period of reflection". As we reported last September, the former music hall, which reopened in 2004, has run into choppy financial waters, but despite the doom-laden rumours sloshing through the alleyways of E8 that the closure might be permanent, new CEO Claire Middleton has vowed that the venue will definitely welcome the public in for the annual panto nine months from now. Whether the inviting location can be protected from the rapacious clutches of property developers remains to be seen.

TfL Ban For Massive Attack Cover Art

Beth Torr — 2010-02-08T11:25:51+00:00

Photo by steve.wilde

The boys from Bristol have found themselves on the receiving end of a ban from TfL over a poster showing the cover from their new album, Heligoland. The original artwork, painted by Massive Attack's own Robert del Naja, has had to be redesigned after TfL decided it looked too much like graffiti.

'They won't allow anything on the tube that looks like 'street art'. They want us to remove all drips and fuzz from it so it doesn't look like it's been spray-painted, which is fucking ridiculous. It's the most absurd censorship I've ever seen,' del Naja said in response to the decision. An early inspiration for famed street artist Banksy, the boundaries between art and music have been central to del Naja's career with experimental album art beautifully complementing the haunting, dark and slightly menacing music which has become characteristic of Massive Attack.

They're not the first to fall foul of TfL's fragile aesthetic sensibilities; last year the Ministry of Sound's poster campaign for their New Year's O2 gig was banned in case it caused 'graffiti artists to think that such behaviour would be tolerated.' And it's not just vaguely graffiti-esque music posters either - a poster advertising the play 'Fat Christ' was banned in 2008 in case it offended passengers and even a 500 year old painting of Venus was considered too risqué.

TfL appear to be taking the lowest common denominator approach over their advertising guidelines and applying the somewhat dubious assumption that such posters will inflame latent graffitical tendencies among us when the only graffiti most tube travellers would be tempted to undertake would be to correct the service information board with accurate updates.

In Pictures: Kinetica Art Fair

Suke — 2010-02-08T11:00:00+00:00

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With a day that started off with a talk from East London collective 'Robots and Avatars' where we learned about the Uncanny Valley, EmotionA.I, pogoing robots and the sheer scope of what the future holds for our virtual selves and the mechanical company we'll be keeping, we were truly set for the awe inspiring digital wizardry ahead.

Such a collection of geek artists and mad professors in one place is quite a mind-blowing affair and it's not everyday you get to play big bang acoustics on a large musical instrument called The Hydro-Acoustic Big Bang Filter nor indeed sit for a robot as it does a pencil drawing of your face. Along with special performances and a cafe, many hours will pass before you re-emerge from this giant concrete bunker.

Many of the exhibitors are traditional artists who have naturally turned to technology in advancement of their creative ideas and some particular highlights included the Homos Luminosos (Holographic Light Sculptures) by Rosaline De Thelin and Xray art by Hugh Turvey. One little fella that caught our eye was BeerBot who, once in receipt of a cup, would fill it with beer for you - we'll be watching for developments very closely...

Kinetica museum | Kinetica Art Fair

Gherkin Runners Raise Cash For NSPCC

Lindsey — 2010-02-08T10:39:50+00:00

Inside the Gherkin helmet by Mike King

Over 250 people took on the NSPCC's Step Change challenge yesterday to mount the 38 floors of 30 St Mary Axe and take in the view from the head of the erotic gherkin having raised plenty of quids for the kids. All good stuff but of course, it's a shadow of the event we're in training for, taking place on 25th February up what is, for a a little longer at least, the tallest completed tower in the city. Find out more and support Shelter at Team Londonist's JustGiving page.

Check out more of Mike's amazing photos at his Flickrstream.

Monday Miscellanea

Dave — 2010-02-08T08:00:00+00:00

Today's date is 8/2/10 which can be written out as 8,210... and that is clearly the number of lazy London bus drivers standing in the snow, as snapped by josh is here, who was also standing in the snow, waiting for a bus. One word: brrrrrrrr.

This Week In London’s History

Monday - 8th February 1750: A small earth tremor causes minor damage to buildings in London.
Tuesday - 9th February 1996: The IRA detonates a massive bomb near South Quay DLR station, just south of Canary Wharf. The explosion kills two men working in a nearby newsagents shop and causes £85 million worth of damage to surrounding buildings and infrastructure.
Wednesday - 10th February 1840: Queen Victoria marries Prince Albert at St James’s Palace.
Thursday - 11th February 1826: The University of London is founded. It would later be known as University College London (or UCL).
Friday - 12th February 1554: Lady Jane Grey and her husband Lord Guildford Dudley are executed at the Tower of London.

Random London Quote Of The Week

Every city has a sex and an age which have nothing to do with demography. Rome is feminine. So is Odessa. London is a teenager, an urchin, and, in this, hasn't changed since the time of Dickens. Paris, I believe, is a man in his twenties in love with an older woman.

John Berger

Week Around The -Ists

Londonist — 2010-02-07T23:00:00+00:00

Photo by James Calder.

Londonist is one of thirteen in the worldwide Gothamist network. Once a week, the editors of each site - from SFist to Shanghaiist - compile some of their most interesting posts into a neat digest. Check out what's been going on elsewhere in the ist-a-verse:

DCist is busy digging out of the great Snowmaggedon of 2010.

Londonist discovered an alpine ski lodge, some abstract art, a treasure-trove of antiques and several tube-carriage offices, all in the unlikely setting of East London's rooftops and alleyways.

Gothamist was amazed when a Best Buy shopper was arrested for using valid gift cards. Oh, and when a 12-year-old was arrested for doodling on her desk. Oh, and when a 9-year-old was almost suspended for a Lego-sized toy gun. Oh, and when ?uestlove wondered about NBC's Black History Month cafeteria menu.

Phillyist reported from the Miss'd America pageant in Atlantic City, former home of the Miss America pageant.

Torontoist has been interviewing the members of the Kids in the Hall one by one by one, now that the much-loved comedy troupe is back on TV with a new mini-series, Death Comes to Town.

Shanghaiist got shoved into overcrowded subways by new professional subway shovers.

Bostonist toyed around with a naked Scott Brown action figure.

LAist was exited to announce that a light rail line and route connecting Santa Monica to Downtown had finally been approved.

Chicagoist followed PETA's battle to get the controversial "Lobster Zone" game removed from a local bar (PETA won).

Seattlest checked out the strange case of a photographer sued for taking a picture of Seattle public art.

SFist recoiled at senate candidate Carly Fiorina new campaign attack ad, which features swine, sheep and furries.

Houstonist focused a spotlight on the local music scene.

Weekend Round-Up

SallyB — 2010-02-07T17:15:20+00:00

Here's what we've learned this weekend whilst you've been supporting your team:

There's been a serious fire in Green Lanes.
A London heroin addict has been diagnosed with anthrax.
So another silly arse put his party on Facebook...
The Mersey Ferry is sinking...in the Thames.
Caveat emptor: dodgy car sales hit a new low as a man is stabbed in the leg.
Jolly japes: an Ealing vicar is job swapping with a local publican.

Twickers, by Kenchie via the Londonist pool.

Co-Starring London: A Hard Day's Night

Alice — 2010-02-07T16:30:00+00:00

Films with London in the title aren't the only films about London - there are also loads of films that feature London, almost as a co-star. In this series, we'll take a look at those films - both the good and the very, very bad.

A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Wilfred Brambell

This film is a classic, and beloved by Beatles fans. And it also features the fab four running around London, being wacky, so it clearly appeals to us as well. This is the earliest film we've featured that shows the actual London, not a studio built to look like London. London's changed a lot in the last 46 years, so there wasn't a whole lot we recognised though. We're perhaps not best suited to judge the London accuracy of that time, as we weren't born yet, but it's always fun to see the London of yesteryear.

The first thing that jumps out in this film is that John, Paul, George and Ringo are not actors. Adorable? Yes. Charming? Yes. Actors? Oh my, no. The plot of the film, such as it is, features the boys travelling from Liverpool to London to perform for a TV broadcast. Paul's grandfather (Brambell) tags along for the ride and gets into all sorts of mischief. Oh, and those pesky female fans keep chasing the guys, and all they want is a quiet moment to ... meet some girls. We guess it's hard to have a meaningful relationship with someone who's screaming at you.

Paul's grandfather keeps running away, and gets the guys into all sorts of trouble. He runs up a gambling tab at Le Cirque, using Ringo's invite to get in, and the guys spend a lot of the film searching for him. Poor Ringo is punchline of most of the jokes in the film. (Grandfather: "It's your nose, you know. Fans are funny that way, they take a dislike to things.") He develops a complex about this and runs away. That's actually when we see the most recognisable bits of London: he heads to Notting Hill, and runs along the Thames. But never you fear! The guys all get back in time to perform, and everything works out in the end.

The plot is completely not the point of this film though. The appeal lies in seeing the four Beatles being outrageously wacky, and clearly having so much fun. They all seem to be having a great time, and seem to like each other so much. And they're so young! The guys are all between 21 and 24 - practically babies! It's really charming. We have a renewed fondness for them all. Ah, bless.

It may not be overly London-y, but it's a good watch. And we like 1960s London. It looks like fun.

Time Spent In London: The first 15 minutes of the film are on the train to London, then it's all London, all the time.

London Icons Spotted: The Thames, Marylebone Station, Notting Hill

Glaring London Errors: We weren't alive in 1964, so we can't really judge, but it seemed pretty good. Oh, but the footage at Liverpool station? That's really Marylebone. More of a Liverpool error, though.

Things They Got Right: We liked the 60s dance halls and theatres. Good fun.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Previously on Co-Starring London:
28 Days Later
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
The Bourne Ultimatum
Children of Men
A Fish Called Wanda
Happy Go Lucky
Sliding Doors
Spice World

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London Loses Another Jazz Legend

SallyB — 2010-02-07T12:57:28+00:00

Sir John Dankworth, one of the base notes of the London jazz scene, has gone to the great jazz club in the sky. 'Johnny' was ever a Londoner: He was born in Walthamstow, and in spite of an international career spanning over fifty years, he kept things London-centric. He even (reputedly) met his wife, the lovely Cleo Laine, on the stage of a newly opened Royal Festival Hall. Not only was he a great sax player and band leader, but he composed and arranged some of the most iconic theme tunes of the 60s and 70s. A concert at The Stables, the venue that the couple founded forty years ago within the grounds of their home, went ahead as a tribute last night. He leaves a strong legacy, but one can't help worrying and wondering about the future of London jazz...

Image by Tony the Misfit under the Flickr Creative Commons Licence.

Sunday Seasoning #14

Dave — 2010-02-07T11:30:00+00:00

Every week we select a photo from the Londonist Flickr pool, taken in the last seven days, that illustrates this season or time of year in London.

This week, winter sun shining through trees in Bow, shot by jjdubit.

Populist: 31 January - 6 February

Lindsey — 2010-02-06T17:00:48+00:00

Images clockwise, from top left: Partying like it's the Blitz, an attempt to slow down on the duck bus, a rather special photo tour and the flip top bin cometh

Handy links to the week's most popular posts, and a heads up on what's happening around London.

In the news:

Against the odds, the London Weekly made it into print yesterday but how long will it last?
Homeopathy: The London Overdose provoked discussion that slipped from science to porn in 18 easy steps
Battersea plans bounced back again
Expect evening and weekend closures on the Northern Line
But simmer with excitement at the prospect of escaping to Germany direct from St Pancras in future

See the News category for more

Around town:

The Borribles engineered a win in our best London novel poll but more interesting is the 115 strong reading list it created
Did you happen across any yellow pieces of paper in the wild this week?
The Trail of our Bread seduced us with their Evil menu, Daddy Donkey kindly shared their guacamole recipe and we stuffed our face with cheesecake at Rinkoffs
Shunt's opened, we've hot tips on rustling up a date for Valentine's Day and let you know about Green Drinks
Suede and The Who are sold out but you can still get tickets to the other Teenage Cancer Trust gigs in March and we suggest you have a listen to Tiffany Page and Lazy Habits
Time to book for the London Word Festival, take any old art down Art Bin, explore LGBT History Month, visit New Moons and Cell Mates in New Cross and spin some yarns at the Book Club in Hoxton

See the Arts & Events and Food & Drink categories for more

Comment of the week:
"What a patronising, reductive pile of twaddle, aimed, apparently, at making women look like silly, shallow little airheads. Call me crazy, but I vote based on policy, not on looks (I'll leave aside the - I think - preposterous notion that DC is remotely attractive)"
BEL leads dissent on alleged "ladies choice" David Cameron.

Populist is just one way to keep up with us. You can also follow us on on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook or add us to your RSS reader - either the full site or just the categories you're interested in. Those on the go, have you tried our mobile version?

Vertical Rush Training Update #2: Thigh High

Lindsey — 2010-02-06T15:30:03+00:00

You can expect us to be horizontal at the top of the vertical too. Photo from last year by Mike King.

Vertical Rush is three and half weeks away and plucky Team Londonist's training has reached another level entirely. Here's a sneaky peak inside two of our training diaries:

Monday - Carb loading (cake)
Tuesday - Carb loading (pralines and cream)
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - Carb loading (Kinder Surprise)
Friday - Ate cornetto, ran, felt sick, had to sit down for a while...
Today - It's raining.

Monday: looked at step machine - went swimming instead
Tuesday: looked at treadmill - then spotted there was a yoga class just starting...
Wednesday: walked round step machine - noticed it was out of order
Thursday: hopped on treadmill - fell off the back - went to the spa to sulk
Friday: discovered the rowing machine - bliss. At least we're good at something. Will row up tower instead.

One of us was so keen they flew to Dubai to visit the tallest tower in the world and what an opportunity to flex those quadriceps! Unfortunately, they got distracted drinking coffee and shopping. Another is convinced that classes in streetdance, NYC hiphop and classical ballet will mean they can do the running man up a third, crunk the middle and jeté the last leg.

One of our number hasn't checked in this weekend but we assume that's because they're doing a few turns up the Monument. They were definitely spotted sprinting up the escalator at Warren Street the other evening, playing fast and loose with their personal hygiene before an important meeting. Now that's dedication.

We're doing it for Shelter (um as well as the privileged view of the fast rising Heron Tower next door) so please support us and this important charity by making a donation on our JustGiving page. The money goes direct to Shelter so no fear of it diverting into our carb loading (beer drinking) pre-race strategy session.

You can enter Vertical Rush yourself, as an individual or a team. Details all here. You nutters.

And good luck to anyone taking the stairs up the Gherkin tomorrow in aid of the NSPCC. We salute you - although we'd like to point out that you only have to do 38 floors compared to our 42 (OK, OK, you suffer 117 more actual steps than us BUT.....)

Presented By:

2010-02-06T15:30:03+00:00

Art Review: My London @ Exposure Gallery

ClaireG — 2010-02-06T12:52:31+00:00

Showing at Little Portland Street's Exposure Gallery until 2nd March is a joint collection of the works of Rob Ryan and Stephen Walter, each renowned for their unique and intricate representations of locations, in this instance London.

Ryan's delicate pieces are painstakingly created with sheets of fine paper and a tiny scalpel is used to cut the image out of it. The results hang beautifully within their frames creating gently undulated romantic imagery, which has earned Ryan some impressive commissions including Liberty of London and a recent commemorative cover of Elle to celebrate 25 years of London Fashion Week.

Alongside Ryan's works Stephen Walter's pieces entitled 'The Island' map each London borough as well as amalgamating them in to one large illustration. Taking two years to complete, The Island ties the mapping of the city to its historical legacy from pre-Christian times to the present day. Walter's humorous take on etymology and signs, combined with the small scale mean that each viewing of the piece reveals something new and entertaining to look at.

My London is showing at Exposure Gallery until 2nd March. Admission is free. For more information visit the Exposure Gallery website.

Saturday Cinema Summary

RachelH — 2010-02-06T10:00:09+00:00

Michael Cera in Youth in Revolt / image courtesy of Momentum Pictures

Our weekly round-up of film reviews

Michael Cera gets a dual role in Youth in Revolt, as the typical nerd we know so well and a mean, criminal, French alter-ego, created to win the heart of his holiday romance. "The contrast between Nick [Cera] and his bad angel whips up a pleasing comedy of delinquency" smiles the Independent (3 stars), as the Times (4 stars) calls it "the funniest teen flick in a long time". But the main praise is reserved for Cera, redeeming himself after Year One. He's "cranked his comedy presence up a notch" (Guardian, 4 stars) in his "most nuanced performance to date, casually slipping from trademark nervy cuteness into a rather delicious, new thin-lipped misanthropy" (Empire, 4 stars).

"Nobody could accuse Clint Eastwood of having a very complicated sense of human oppositions" says the Standard (2 stars) of Invictus, the desperately-wanting-to-be-inspiring story of South Africa's 1995 rugby World Cup triumph, set against the tensions of Nelson Mandela's first year in office. "But in charting this struggle, Eastwood sticks too close to the playbook and frames history as an airbrushed Hollywood heartwarmer" (Guardian, 2 stars) and the Telegraph (3 stars) complains of it simply being dull: "do you really thrill to the idea of going to the cinema to hear over two hours of noble platitudes and political speechifying?". And as for the rugby? "You hear gristle tearing in tendons, the crack of nose on skull and the squelch of blood" (Times, 3 stars). Lovely.

Tony is "nominally about a serial killer, but in Peter Ferdinando's remarkable title-role it becomes rather more about urban loneliness and alienation" (Independent, 3 stars). East London inadequate Tony is "hopelessly unable to make any mark upon life except through killing" (Standard, 3 stars) so we see him proposition a prostitute with a fiver, then chop up organs in his kitchen sink. "The problem is that there's no character development, no revelations and no epiphany" says the Times (1 star) of this former short film. Dalston, on the other hand, "looks amazing - there are some gorgeous wide angle shots of the flats and loads of local colour" (Guardian, 3 stars).

Lewis Carroll's classic tale gets a London gangland makeover in Malice in Wonderland. Our heroine is an American billionaire's daughter with amnesia, hooking up with Danny Dyer (Danny Dyer! We're starting to love Danny Dyer) as a cabbie who worries about being late - he "has some funny lines, and he makes the most of them, proving that he is actually a good performer, all too often marooned in endless geezer knees-ups (Guardian, 2 stars). Empire says it's "lively and inventive, and has a unique look" (3 stars) but the Times (1 star) thinks the screenplay is "just too flat and unimaginative to justify the larger-than-life cartoon characters that populate the movie".

Astro Boy is an Americanised version of Tezuka Osamu's manga classic about a robot boy with superpowers. Here, Astro Boy escapes the evil clutches of a war mongering President and ends up on Earth, as the film "yawns out the usual 'accept who you are' moral as Astro hides his circuits from his fleshling friends" (Empire, 2 stars). The Standard (2 stars) goes for the zeitgeisty comparison - "it's not much less sophisticated than Avatar but hasn't the eye-catching novelty" - but the Independent finds it has "likeable comic zip that just about carries off its runaway sci-fi extravagances" (2 stars).

Father Anatoli lives on The Island, a stark place where he does penance for his wartime sins by constantly stoking the monastery's furnace. "The spirit of Tarkovsky is never far from this rebarbative fable of guilt and atonement" says the Independent (3 stars); the Standard (3 stars) agrees "it is a very Russian film, beautifully shot in monochrome colours in its snowy wasteland". Empire (3 stars) declares it "stunning to look at and ambitious in its symbolic rendering" while the Times lauds "an unsentimental journey of guilt, atonement and redemption, with moments of comic bleakness" (4 stars).

Holy Water is a "fantastically depressing, unfunny and embarrassing comedy" (Guardian, 1 star) about an Irish village where the water supply is contaminated with Viagra. Hilarity, apparently, does not ensue. "It's staggeringly unfunny and skin-crawlingly unsexy" winces the Times (1 star) but the Independent feels, once it gets going (nudge, nudge) there's "a silly sort of fun about it" (2 stars).

Next week: Tom Ford gets his camera out for A Single Man and hotly anticipated Studio Ghibli animation Ponyo.

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Extra, Extra

SallyB — 2010-02-05T17:53:17+00:00

Latest commodity for trading in London pubs: dangerous dogs.
Acolytes of Doctor Who alert: there's a prop auction coming up later this month.
Magic's lost its magic touch: more confusing radio statistics here.
The Cutty Sark is on track for 2012.
Shoreditch: the new Silicon Valley. Oh yes.

London Bridges Part 1, by charliedotgilbert via the Londonist pool.

Listen Up: Lazy Habits Interview

RuthL — 2010-02-05T16:30:00+00:00

Hailing from Hackney and vehement defenders of the 7" vinyl format, Lazy Habits are cross genre, combining big band and hip-hop sampling sounds to give you the mariachi horn. Their first few releases - Even Out, Please People, and EP - have reached cult status, selling out faster than they could be printed. Picked for Radio 6 Music's "Introducing", they've played Cargo with Jurassic 5's Chali 2na and Koko with The Herbaliser, Trojan Sound and the Dub Pistols, and in the summer of 2009 could be seen at pretty much every festival going, including Secret Garden Party, and hosting the Jazz World stage at Glastonbury, introducing the likes of Fun Lovin' Criminals, The Streets, Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip. In fact, we can't believe you won't have already heard of them. They play Shepherd's Bush Empire in April with Mos Def, and we thought we'd better catch them before they rocket off into superstardom:

Who's in the line up these days?
Lazy Habits are MCs Mr Lazy (that's me) & Skin Horse, The Lazy Brass Section consisting of Mr Silver and Mr Brown, Skin and Bones courtesy of Messers Abunab and MacDoual, Mr James on Bass and DJ Itchi on the 1s and 2s.

Whereabouts in London are you based and what's ace about it?
Mostly East London, Hackney. It's an amazing mix of people and cultures, a great example of why London is such a great place. It's vibrant, unique and brimming with artistry. It's a very special place - someone told me it has 'more artists per square mile than anywhere in Europe'. Not sure how true that is but it certainly feels that way. No disrespect to any artists holding up West London, but it's like East London is the stage and west is the audience. Our DJ, Itchi has been playing underground venues and squats in Hackney for the last ten years but I think now it's having a heyday. This area belongs to the artists and all the best nights out are still in secret warehouse venues rather than clubs or bars. Hackney's growing international reputation means the budgets and crowds are bigger than the dirty underground parties of five years ago, it's warehouse chic. At some point this will all turn into Islington and get swallowed by the mainstream as is happening to Shoreditch, but for now, get involved. The best spots are Passing Clouds, The New Empowering Church, Dalston Jazz Bar (after 1am), Moustache Bar and Stoke Newington International Airport. Our studio is there too, so some of the Habits can always be found at The Way. It's just a great place with a lot of musical people coming and going, a really creative space.

What are you up to at the moment?
In the studio, finishing some tracks for our first full length album, putting finishing touches to the shows in the lead up to festival season. Contrary to what the name suggests we are working hard and generally planning world domination.

What do you sound like?
The elements will sound familiar but the result is like nothing you heard before, it's a very live sound that incorporates the feel of sample-based hip hop. There has always been the idea of sounding sampled like a producers hip hop track, but actually being 8 people playing live, no samples.
There are tons of things that inspire us musically individually and as a collective - I'm a big Tom Waits fan personally, his persona, performance, style and use of instrumentation are inspiring. To me the main importance is that you can tell its us regardless whether it's a neck breaking hip hop tune or some of the more laid back sung stuff, the space in between the music is just as important as the music itself.

Where's the most unusual place you've overheard one of your tracks?
Err, Main stage at Secret Garden last summer... oh and hearing one of our tracks on a channel 4 cookery program was pretty surreal, we have a song on a forthcoming French cinema release too.

What's your favourite London venue?
Koko to play, Barbican to listen, perhaps - depends on the act! They both have an amazing history to them. The Barbican isn't just a live music venue, it's a cultural hub. Theatre, Art, dance and cinema (inc a screening of films by Dir. John Samson, our own Skin Horse's dad) from all over the world alongside an amazing program of music that isn't just this band and that band playing sets but also some great collaborations and no real restrictions on style. Most of us have attended shows by heads like Maceo Parker and John Schofield there.
KOKO on the other hand has a different vibe to it all together - the place itself is a grand old theatre like venue, you come in and walk through and suddenly you are on the balcony looking down at this grand looking stage that's been graced by so many great bands over the years. We played there twice last year; first time was with The Herbaliser, Trojan Sound and the Dub Pistols. The first show was also one of the best we have ever had, despite being one of the opening acts for that gig the audience were amazing. I don't think any of us will forget that one in a hurry.

What's your favourite club night in London?
Matter, for its state of the art underfloor speakers and a heavy VIP section... highly recommended, it's new and East, which always helps!

Can you think of an unusual London location that should open itself up for gigs?
The London Dungeon would be cool, we'd do that.

Now for something a bit grubbier - have you ever busked on the underground?
Not yet, but its been discussed. I think it would be a good laugh.

What's your favourite record shop in London?
Most of my favourites have gone, RIP Mr Bongos. I guess Sister Ray is the closest independent to me now - they just have an eclectic selection of vinyl in there. In fact the whole of Berwick Street does have some great record shops. I think there are a couple of reasons for the closures though - the independent vs high st argument is definitely a major factor. A little bit of poison, a little bit of politics. Vinyl in general doesn't shift as much as it did, and then you got the old adage of West End rent.

What other new London bands / artists should we be checking out?
The Correspondents & Sarah Williams White off the top

What's your favourite track so far this year?
Washington Square by The Correspondents - its gonna be a huge year for them!

What's your London secret?
No way, you don't get that info!!! Nice try though....

Lazy Habits play Shepherd's Bush Empire supporting Mos Def on 15th April - tickets available soon. In the meantime you can stalk them on myspace and Facebook.

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Fancy A Pint This Weekend? Ten Top Pubs To Try

Londonist — 2010-02-05T16:00:56+00:00

Those discerning drinkers at Fancyapint have again put their heads together to collectively agree their top ten pubs visited in the last month. Brilliant boozers or dodgy dives - what do you think?

Soho pint by Rooney. via the Londonist Flickrpool

- Southampton Arms (Kentish Town)
A change or ownership, a refurb and we have an instant favourite (and five-pinter).

- The Dove (Hackney)
A little piece of Belgium in Hackney - one we go out of our way for.

- Lord Clyde (Highbury)
A friendly pub with good service and good food.

- Cock & Bottle (Westbourne Grove)
Proof that posh people like proper pubs too.

- Earl of Lonsdale (Notting Hill)
Back to the future, for this fine pub.

- The Castle (Holland Park, London)
An eccentric interior in a pretty good pub.

- Half Moon (Putney)
Music and people power join forces to rescue this pub from one of the most ill-advised "developments" we've encountered in a while.

- The Rose (Fulham)
Yet another identity change brings a much better pub to this location.

- King Edward VII (Stratford)
Popular with everyone around here - and deservedly so. Let's hope it stays this way in 2012.

- Prince of Wales (Holland Park)
One of the more relaxed pubs round here.

For pubs galore visit www.fancyapint.com

Shunt Vaults To Reopen Tonight!

RuthL — 2010-02-05T15:30:52+00:00

Those who mourned the loss of Shunt only a few months ago can dry their eyes. Apparently, the artists' collective - renowned for monopolising every square inch of space available under London Bridge station in the most mind-boggling ways imaginable - have clawed it back from the clutches of Network Rail and the developers of the Shard for another year. They're being deliberately enigmatic about what's on offer, but judging by past experience, it's going to be one of those events you'll kick yourself if you don't get down there to see.

Tonight and tomorrow, 8pm-2am with the same next week, Tickets £10 - with only a limited number available on the door. Entrance is through the door on Joiner Street (identifiable by the queue snaking through the station between the underground and overground barriers). And don't forget your photo ID!