Cirque du Soleil: Totem!

Last night I was literally lost for words after seeing Cirque du Soleil: Totem at The Royal Albert Hall. My initial feeling of being slightly inadequate next to the super toned, super flexible, 6-packed (but still skinny?! How do they do that?!) bodies that were flying around on stage soon disappeared, as the only thing to do was stare in awe as the spectacle unfolded.

The theme focuses around the evolution of man and traces the human journey through each act which include everything from cave men and chimpanzees to aliens and nutty professors! With synchronised uni-cycling, trapeze artists, balancing acts, acrobatics, skating and trampolining galore, it was sometimes hard to decide which part of the stage to focus on! In addition to the phenomenal talent of the performers, the music and set design were amazing too, with a transparent trampoline and HUMAN mirror ball!  The only, very small criticism I would make, is that I hadn't realised that the last act was the finale because all of it was so impressive.  I found that I was left wanting more after the final curtain call, but that probably just shows how greedy I am for Cirque!

Totem ends on 16th February, so I suggest you grab those last minute tickets ASAP! Although some of the tickets can be very pricey, The Royal Albert Hall has a very well kept secret. We bought our tickets for the gallery section, and I honestly think it was the best £20 I’ve ever spent. Although it is completely standing, the view from the top is unbeatable and you can really see how high the performers actually go (I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re scared of heights though).

While normally I get performer envy after a show, I think I’d rather sit this one out and watch a woman being swung by her head from a man on skates from a distance thanks!

Flight of the Bumblebee on 101 bottles!

Thank goodness some people have too much time on their hands is all I can say - amazing!!!

National Geographic's Extreme Photo of the Week

Every week, National Geographic select an 'Extreme Photo of the Week', which capture snapshots of wild and wonderful sports all over the world.  Some of them are truly breathtaking -  in particular, this weeks (pictured above) which blew my mind.  Each photo has a description of the sport, location and how the shot was taken, as many are captured in seriously adverse weather conditions and terrains.  Take a look and prepare to be amazed!

Happy Chinese New Year!

As it is Chinese new year, I thought I would share a delicious, technically Taiwanese restaurant (but who’s being picky?!), that’s situated right in the heart of Chinatown.

Leong’s Legends was recommended by a friend and after being told that you had to ‘knock at a big wooden door before being allowed entry’, I was a bit dubious!  We were greeted by a tiny waitress who abruptly told us queue down the stairs to wait for a table – although the service is gruff and rushed, the food is delicious, reasonably priced and definitely explains why this place gets so rammed!

The crispy chilli beef is to die for, as is the tender pork belly and rice and cheap!!  The more adventurous among us can find some real treats on the menu – pig trotters anyone?

The Day the Factory Died

If you haven't had a chance to go yet, the Coldharbour's 'The Day the Factory Died' exhibition is ending this Sunday, 22nd January, so get down there quick!

The exhibition exposes never-before published photos by acclaimed fashion photographer Christophe Von Hohenberg, of Andy Warhol's memorial service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1987.  Alongside these photos are copies of letters and readings from the service, as well as works by Warhol himself.

It's completely free, and I reckon it's worth a look though before it shuts!

"Bubbles, bubbles...my bubbles!"

One of my friends showed me this video a while ago.  I thought it was pretty darn magical and definitely worth sharing.  Let me know what you think!

Rock and Roller!

From the near death of my roller blades after one of my mum’s ‘new year clear out’ invasions (they may have been lying there in dust for 10 years – but who knows when I might take it up again?!) to one of my friends being permanently on wheels in an effort to perfect the art in 4 days, roller skating has been a hot topic of conversation this week amongst my family and friends.  All this hype has seriously made me consider getting back on those wheels in a big way.

So imagine my delight when I heard about the London Friday Night Skate and London Sunday Stroll?!

The London Friday Night Skate is a weekly (weather permitting), free, marshalled, fast paced skating tour around London starting in Hyde Park.  In addition to whizzing through London with the wind in your hair, there is also a portable sound system to accompany you!  Although this sounds like fun and games, it is not for the amateurs (like me), it is pretty fast and you are legally required to stop by yourself on your skates.

If, like me, your mantra is ‘If I’m going down, you’re coming with me’, then maybe the London Sunday Stroll may be more suited to your abilities.  Although they still state that you must be able to stop, change direction and control your speed on hills, the Sunday Stroll’s pace makes this a more achievable feat.

The skating tours are entirely free and are put on just for fun!  The London Friday Night Skate usually leaves from Wellington Arch in Hyde Park every Friday at 8pm, and the Sunday Stroll usually departs from Serpentine Road in Hyde Park at 2pm every Sunday.  The website provides full details including routes and if the skates are running due to weather.  There's also information on there about the Easy Saturday Skate, skate hockey and the Speed Skate team!

So what are you waiting for?!  Dig out those skates, brush away the cobwebs and recreate your very own Starlight Express around the streets of London!

A Cappella Action!

As my sister said earlier in the week - 'We all need some more a cappella action in our lives', and I couldn't agree more!!

The London A Cappella Festival kicks off tomorrow (12th January) - Saturday (14th January) at King's Place!  The festival is deidcated to all types of a cappella and is determined to showcase them to the capital through performances from the very best international singers of the a cappella world.  With choral, barber shop, jazz, beatbox and contemporary performances, I reckon there would be something for everyone. 

In addition to performances, the festival also includes workshops, foyer events and panel discussion.  Tickets start at £9.50 and allow you to purchase a choice of day passes, workshop passes or complete festival passes.

 

Leftover Turkey Solution!

Sick of having left over turkey filling up your freezer?  Well good ol' Jamie has the answer, with his delicious, super easy leftover turkey, leek and bacon pie.  It can be made with chicken too, so it is suitable all year round, but it really is a great way to use leftover turkey. 

As we have had such a mild winter so far, I reckon snow will be arriving in January and February, so what better way to cosy up than with a tasty, winter warmer pie?

Serves 6-8

Ingredients: 
• 2 packets of smoked bacon lardons (I don’t normally like smoked bacon but it makes such a difference!)
• ½ bunch of fresh thyme, leaves picked
• olive oil
• a large knob of butter
• 2kg leeks, washed, finely sliced

• 800g cooked white turkey meat, torn into big chunks (brown too if you want) – this can also be chicken
• 2 heaped tablespoons plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 pints turkey, chicken or vegetable stock, preferably organic
• 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche
• 1 x 500g packet puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten

Method: 

     1.     Preheat your oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. 

2.     Put your bacon lardons in a large pan on a medium heat and add thyme leaves. Add some olive oil and the butter and let it all fry off a few minutes. 
3.     Add all of your leeks and fry them off for about 10 minutes so they are well-coated in the butter. 
4.     Season and put the lid, turn the heat down to medium and let them cook away gently for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes to make sure they don’t stick to the pan. 
5.     When the leeks are ready, add the turkey meat to them and stir (you can add any leftover stuffing too). Add the flour, mix it in well then pour in your stock and stir again. 
6.    Add the crème fraîche and turn the heat up and bring everything back up to the boil.  Season to taste. 
7.     Pour the mixture through a sieve over another large empty pan and let the gravy from the mixture drip into the pan while you roll out your pastry. 
8.    Get a deep baking dish roughly 22 x 30cm. Dust a clean surface and a rolling pin with a bit of flour and roll your pastry out so it’s the size of your dish. Don’t worry if a few bits stick out here and there. 
9.    Spoon that thick leek mixture from your sieve into the pie dish and spread it out evenly. Lay your pastry on top, tuck the ends under then gently score the pastry diagonally with your knife. I normally cut out little shapes to decorate the pie with the left over pastry. 
10.  Add a pinch of salt to your beaten egg then paint the egg wash over the top of your pastry. Pop your pie in the oven for about 35 to 40 minutes or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. 
11.  When the pie is ready, re-heat the gravy and serve with your pie – DELICIOUS!!

Christmas isn't over just yet!!

Picture Credit - guardian.co.uk

Now I know some people may describe my festive enjoyment as a completely unhealthy obsession with Christmas and think that it is time for me to let go, but I thought I'd let you all know about the last thing on the festive calendar!!

The Geffrye Museum on Kingsland Road is hosting it's annual 'Farewell to Christmas' event this Friday, 6th January, 4-5pm!  I think Chrimbo deserves a proper sending off complete with carols, mulled wine and Twelfth Night cake.  It is held in the garden of the museum with fairy lights galore - so wrap up warm, eat lots so you don't get blown away, and don't even bother bringing an umbrella because it just won't survive!  

Now, I promise that's Christmas wrapped (get it?)...until next year!!