Rain Room

In Britain, it never rains, it pours.  In celebration of this, Random International have created an installation of cascading water, which opened at The Barbican last week. 

This multisensory experience, allows visitors to hear, see and feel the splash of rain without getting wet.  Instead of emerging from the exhibition looking like a drowned rat, a la Thorpe Park’s Tidal Wave, this installation keeps you dry as a bone.  Visitors can feel Moses-esque by ‘parting’ the rain, as the installation tracks movements and stops the water as visitors walk towards it. 

A light at the far end of the rain room provides a dramatic backdrop for the water to glisten against.  So escape the outdoor weather and head to the rain room to keep dry.  It is open until 3^rd March and admission is free so there’s no excuse to miss it!

Colin O'Brien: Travellers' Children

With ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’, the Dale Farm eviction and the Stoke Newington Common fracas, travelers seem to be a relatively recent hot topic of discussion.  However, Colin O’Brien jumped on the gypsy wagon many years ago.  His new exhibition at the Genesis Cinema, ‘Travelers’ Children’ focuses on the children of an Irish traveling community 25 years ago, who settled in East London at a time when Hackney’s Victorian houses were being torn to the ground and its streets were poverty stricken and rubbish laden.  If the current spotlight around traveling communities has taught us anything about their lives, it is the insularity of their tight-knit communities and their attitudes towards outsiders.  Through gaining their trust and confidence, Colin O’Brien’s photographs give us unprecedented access to witness the highs and lows of traveling groups and their children against the backdrop of 80s Hackney.  The exhibition is on for the whole of October and is free - wahooo!

The Big Issue: Read all about it!

On the way to work, it’s easy to walk along in a bleary morning daze, listening to your i-pod, contemplating what the day ahead has in store and, let’s face it, what food is coming your way.  This is most certainly how I start my days, walking along, wondering if I’ve got my outfit quite right for the day’s temperature, enjoying my 90s classics playlist and being completely oblivious to the multiple men and women in red jackets that I (and most Londoners) must pass every morning.

I am ashamed to say that the only reason I noticed this particular Big Issue seller was because he was (very cleverly stood out side a Pret-a-Manger) and also directly opposite a road I had to cross to get to work every morning.  While waiting for the green man, I decided to buy one but panic (and shame) struck me when I realised I literally didn’t have a clue about how much it cost. 

After carrying out some research in order to buy it the next day, I was shocked and impressed to find out what a truly fantastic company The Big Issue is. 

          
-  Firstly, a Big Issue vendor has to make a conscious decision to go out and earn a living; after providing proof of homelessness or risk of homelessness, they must undergo an induction process and sign up to a code of conduct.  Once this has been completed, each vendor is allocated a Big Issue jacket, a pitch and specific number of free issues to sell.

-       Following the sale of these first free issues, vendors can purchase further copies for £1.25 each and sell them for £2.50.  This decision to spend money to earn money creates a basics in business course and hopes to achieve The Big Issue’s aim to ‘help them to help themselves’

-       The Big Issue Foundation also links vendors with vital support groups, such as housing and health associations and relies almost entirely on voluntary donations

The particular issue I bought had a Matilda front cover, a book (and musical) that I know and love.  Not only is The Big Issue title a seriously clever double entendre, the writing inside was interesting and witty; it was a magazine that I would have happily spent £2.50 on regardless of the added bonus of it being for a good cause.  I thought I’d write about it on here, as I am sure that many of you, like me, thought that The Big Issue was more or less a free giveaway for homeless people to sell on (which don't get me wrong, is still a good cause) but with the business backbone behind it, as well as all the other good work that the Big Issue Foundation achieves, I think it is a really admirable company, and something that is worth snapping out of your i-pod filled morning haze to give to.

Vogue's Fashion Night Out!

Stuck for something to do tonight?  Anna Wintour has the answer.  Four years ago, in an effort to give our failing retail economy a serious cash injection, Vogue launched their Fashion Night Out; a one night extravaganza, which allows us mere muggles to live the high life of the fashion world by transforming the shops of Oxford and Bond street (as well as a few other venues) into an emporium of fashion shows, champagne receptions, flash mob stages to name a few!  Tonight, Vogue’s unbeatable influence on the fashion world is brought to the fore as shops ranging from Topshop and H&M right through to Anya Hindmarch and Vivienne Westwood take part by offering goody bags, cocktails, entertainment and that all important discount!!  Head to GAP to be involved with Flash Mob dances, Christian Louboutin to fulfil all your fortune telling curiosities and Jimmy Choo for cocktails, music and a photo booth.  You’d be an absolute idiot to miss this one!

Notting Hill Carnival

With all the Olympic hype, it's easy to forget that the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street festival, is upon us once again already!

For the Carnival novices among us, Sunday (26th August) is children’s day with smaller floats and costume awards, while Bank Holiday Monday (27th August) is for the big dogs with the main Carnival procession. 

While many people avoid The Carnival like the plague, other people's view is that it should be on everyone's Bucket List. The infectious samba beats, bustling atmosphere and sizzling rhythms get people hooked for life.  For those of you who decide to brave it, I thought I would share a few hints and tips that people have picked up along the way:

- It may sound geeky, but wear comfortable shoes.  No-one wants to be party pooper because their compeeds have run out.

- Get there early in order to get good views.  

- Take a hipflask (and some water), and drink spirits, not beer, unless you want to be searching for a loo all day.  Drinks can also be quite pricey, so bringing your own booze should save a few pennies.

- Don't bring too many valuables with you - this way, you can relax all day and you don't have to worry if you end up having one, or two, or five too many bevvies.

- Most importantly, go with a positive attitude.  People are there to let loose and party, so you should do the same.

For more information on good sound systems, carnival parties and places to eat, the Notting Hill Carnival website and Time Out London have a comprehensive list of recommendations.  Here is handy map from Time Out which marks out the route of the procession and good places to grab a drink, party on down or simply people watch.

Transport for London also have a dedicated transport page for the Carnival, so be sure to check it out before you head off.  Blow that whistle, get those salsa hips swinging and enjoy!

You must be having a bubble?!

With the tragic news of Tony Scott's death today, I thought I would share a film-related event.   

Pop-up film venues are spreading like (a good but ferocious) rash across The Capital.   Future Shorts has embarked on the biggest pop up film festival the World has ever seen in the hope of bringing the best in short film to audiences around the globe.  Hoping to span 6 continents, 70 countries and 180 cities, the festival's current stop is here in London town!

Tomorrow night's event (Tuesday 21st August) brings us a screening with a twist.  We all know we can rave in a warehouse, have a pint in a car park or wander street food stalls in an abandonded train station, but this pop-up is unlike any others.  When most people say, 'Let's go out for bubbles', they usually mean champagne.  However, perched atop East London's Netil House are 12 hot tubs, ready and waiting for film goers to strip off and get cosy with each other.  Following the success of the Back to the Future screening last weekend, Future Shorts is now taking over the venue for their next night of the Summer Season Short Film Festival.  Prices start from £22 and a selection of hot tubs are on offer - the 'Ghetto' is packed with a maximum of 8 other people; the 'Spacious' tubs have a maximum of 6; and entire group bookings of tubs can be made for a mere £200. 

So strip off, sit back and enjoy the 40 degree heat while sipping your wine and enjoying the film - just beware of prune fingers!

For more information of Future Shorts events, check their twitter.

 

Future Shorts Festival - Summer Season from Future Shorts on Vimeo.

Can you hand-le this?!

Simply terrific!