So, in an effort to remain consistent I am once again referring you to all things film.
There is a lovely Free Film Festival, which starts today (and has absolutely nothing to do with the fact I have just moved to South London) called the New Cross and Deptford Film Festival. It goes on until 6th May and has all manner of films from family to film shorts.
I would recommend the bike-powered Harry Potter screening tonight or Sherlock Holmes tomorrow night (the one with Robery Downey Junior and Jude Law not *sigh* the one with Benedict Cumberbatch), but the weather looks to be monumentally shit this weekend. These are outside screenings where viewers' bikes are hooked up to a generator that then powers the film. This is a lovely idea and would make me feel a little less guilty about eating that gargantuan box of popcorn, but I fear it would all just end up a but soggy (both me and the popcorn. If you have a tent, or don’t care about sitting in the rain, then go nuts.
I am however recommending the festival's screening of the Science of Sleep (the one with Gael García Bernal *more sighing*). This is set to take place next Tuesday 1st of May at 7.30pm and will be projected onto the ceiling of Lewisham Arts centre.
The reason is it being shown this way is to encourage viewers can lie back and fall asleep.
The website says it is “part art project part tongue in cheek”. I don't care either way if I can have a wee lie down, watch a slightly surreal film and not be laughed at if I do happen to drop off.
Hmm. Maybe I should find some more young people activities for the next post. There is a good chance this could become linked to Help the Aged.
Extreme paintballing anyone?
Friday, 27 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
Spring in my step
Oh excuse me, sorry to bother you but I think we know one another? Hmm? No? Oh well yes I did stop writing almost 3 months ago and you may have forgotten I ever wrote this, but now it's Spring I thought I might come back?
Oh go on. Look at this puppy-
Yay forgiveness! Puppies always work.
Sooo I may have been busy/lazy/creating an exhibition about art I know nothing about over the last 3 months, which I why I haven't written, but the point is I have returned. I have returned like the caped crusader I am (I did actually tell someone quite seriously recently that I was like Batman. Our only actual similarity is that we both have deep voices) to talk to you about..the National Trust!
Since I last wrote I have turned 24. I am now appreciating the spring blossom and stocking up on stamps. The National Trust, therefore, is a natural progression.
It came to my attention today that, this weekend the National Trust are giving away vouchers that allow FREE ENTRY for 2 adults and 2 children to one of its sites. Now this got me all excited because I always think that National Trust sites are the kind of thing Sundays were made for. Preferably with your children or loved one but a cultured friend will do. However, it always irritates me slightly that this lovely British institution charges quite a lot in entrance fees, but for this weekend only it's free!
More surprising is the number of National Trust properties in and surrounding London. From a quick search of my postcode on the National Trust's website I think the place I would most like to go would be Red House, the former home of William Morris.
No don't feel bad I had excatly the same kind of thinking, "Oh I know the name but what did he do again?" Well to save you a Google search he was famous for designing prints such as these-
He was like a Pre-Raphelite Cath Kidston.
Anyway there are other buildings which are a bit more central like Caryle's House (the home of writer Thomas Carlyle) in Chelsea, 2 Willow Road (a modernist house containing a load of modernist art) in Hampstead, and Fenton House (standard pretty 17thC house). The one that is possibly the most bizarre though is the Tudor Sutton House, that sits on Homerton High street in Hackney.
So go and take advantage of the offer and then you will have money to spare for a cup of tea and a scone. This is the true reason anyone goes to a National Trust thing - the tearoom.
Oh go on. Look at this puppy-
Yay forgiveness! Puppies always work.
Sooo I may have been busy/lazy/creating an exhibition about art I know nothing about over the last 3 months, which I why I haven't written, but the point is I have returned. I have returned like the caped crusader I am (I did actually tell someone quite seriously recently that I was like Batman. Our only actual similarity is that we both have deep voices) to talk to you about..the National Trust!
Since I last wrote I have turned 24. I am now appreciating the spring blossom and stocking up on stamps. The National Trust, therefore, is a natural progression.
It came to my attention today that, this weekend the National Trust are giving away vouchers that allow FREE ENTRY for 2 adults and 2 children to one of its sites. Now this got me all excited because I always think that National Trust sites are the kind of thing Sundays were made for. Preferably with your children or loved one but a cultured friend will do. However, it always irritates me slightly that this lovely British institution charges quite a lot in entrance fees, but for this weekend only it's free!
More surprising is the number of National Trust properties in and surrounding London. From a quick search of my postcode on the National Trust's website I think the place I would most like to go would be Red House, the former home of William Morris.
No don't feel bad I had excatly the same kind of thinking, "Oh I know the name but what did he do again?" Well to save you a Google search he was famous for designing prints such as these-
He was like a Pre-Raphelite Cath Kidston.
Anyway there are other buildings which are a bit more central like Caryle's House (the home of writer Thomas Carlyle) in Chelsea, 2 Willow Road (a modernist house containing a load of modernist art) in Hampstead, and Fenton House (standard pretty 17thC house). The one that is possibly the most bizarre though is the Tudor Sutton House, that sits on Homerton High street in Hackney.
So go and take advantage of the offer and then you will have money to spare for a cup of tea and a scone. This is the true reason anyone goes to a National Trust thing - the tearoom.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Film and the beauty of sitting in the dark
So yes ok I have been hiding from January too. I haven't ventured out much and have mainly spent my time moping. But now the end is in sight; I have begun planning my holidays, I don't feel so guilty about breaking my New Year's resolutions and everything is looking a little cheerier. 
Of course there is still the typical shitty British weather to contend with. This means that activities are limited to indoors making it a perfect time to hibernate in your local cinema.
I love the cinema and have written about it before in this blog but that was very site specific and now I want to talk about your local generic/independent cinema.
I always think of it as a nice excuse to watch telly in the dark and not talk to people under the pre-text of going out and being sociable. And you can eat sweets. I require little else from life.
In London there is no shortage of cinemas but I have done a little research and most (if not all cinemas) offer some form of discount on some days-
The most obvious is of course the hugely popular Orange Wednesday which can be redeemed at bigger cinemas such as Odeon, Vue and Cineworld. If you have been living inder a rock for the last ten years and don't know what this is- to redeem your 2 for 1 voucher for the cinema you text FILM to 241 on an Orange phone and they send you a code that you show when purchasing tickets. This deal can also be used at the independent Picturehouse cinemas. Picturehouse now has six cinemas across London in Brixton, Clapham, Greenwich, Stratford East, Notting Hill and a newly opened branch in Hackney.
I visted the Hackney branch a few weeks ago to see Shame, which was very disturbing and mostly makes sex seem very unappealing. I would advise against sitting in the middle of the raised seating because this will you put right in line with a ten foot image of Michael Fassbender's crotch. It makes for very awkward viewing.
My latest find is the Barbican cinema, which offers tickets for a fiver on Monday nights when booked online. TIP- our screen was on level -2 that is MINUS 2. It is bloody confusing to get to but get someone to point you in the direction of the lift and all becomes clearer. This venue makes for an interesting Monday night but be quick because tickets sell out fast.
The lovely BFI on the South Bank also offers films for a fiver on a Tuesday. This can be done online and you simply redeem the discount at the checkout. I love the BFI building for it's amazing film shop, exhibitons and the bar which has deck chairs outside in the summer. I am easily pleased.
Then there is the general arts venue, Rich Mix, in Shoreditch. This is situated on Bethnal Green Road in the amazing borough of Tower Hamlets, which means anyone with an Idea Store or Tower Hamlets library card can go and see films for £5 on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I will take a minute to mention the Curzon and Everyman cinemas that are scattered across West and North London. From what I can gather, their situations (for example Belsize Park and Mayfair) means that they don't have to offer discounts because they are in expensive areas. You can get a few pounds off tickets costing £11-12 if you're a student but it's still quite pricey.
One cinema that I think is worth saving for is the Electric on Portobello Road. It is a beautiful little screen with proper armchairs (or for couples there are double sofas at the back) with a holder, not for your just a drink, but a wine bottle! Sorry did I forget to mention my ideal film experience includes Haribo and wine? I never said I was refined. The bar is actually in the cinema allowing you to nip to get more drinks at opportune moments without missing too much. Of course all this does not come cheap- it's £15 per person- but on Mondays and Sundays there are £8 tickets available for the first three rows.
The crowning glory of the London cinema scene I think has to go to the Prince Charles Cinema near Leicester Square. Despite the unappealing locationn this cinema has a lot to offer. Tickets normally cost about £10 for evening and weekend shwoing, but if you become a member then this gets reduced to £7.50 and matinee showings for members only cost £4. The fantastic bit being that it is only £10 for a year's membership or lifetime membership costs £50. The thing I love most about this cinema is that they do movie marathons, old film creenings, sing-alongs and other special events. An example being their double bills season which sees classic films such as Leon followed by Kick Ass. Amazing.
I am particularly excited because next week there is a screening of Tyrannosaur followed by a Q&A session with Olivia Coleman, who I love.
I think that is quite a comprehensive list, but now I am quite exhausted so I think I will just go to bed and stick on one of my Love Film rentals. It's still January and I still can't quite be arsed.
Of course there is still the typical shitty British weather to contend with. This means that activities are limited to indoors making it a perfect time to hibernate in your local cinema.
I love the cinema and have written about it before in this blog but that was very site specific and now I want to talk about your local generic/independent cinema.
I always think of it as a nice excuse to watch telly in the dark and not talk to people under the pre-text of going out and being sociable. And you can eat sweets. I require little else from life.
In London there is no shortage of cinemas but I have done a little research and most (if not all cinemas) offer some form of discount on some days-
The most obvious is of course the hugely popular Orange Wednesday which can be redeemed at bigger cinemas such as Odeon, Vue and Cineworld. If you have been living inder a rock for the last ten years and don't know what this is- to redeem your 2 for 1 voucher for the cinema you text FILM to 241 on an Orange phone and they send you a code that you show when purchasing tickets. This deal can also be used at the independent Picturehouse cinemas. Picturehouse now has six cinemas across London in Brixton, Clapham, Greenwich, Stratford East, Notting Hill and a newly opened branch in Hackney.
I visted the Hackney branch a few weeks ago to see Shame, which was very disturbing and mostly makes sex seem very unappealing. I would advise against sitting in the middle of the raised seating because this will you put right in line with a ten foot image of Michael Fassbender's crotch. It makes for very awkward viewing.
My latest find is the Barbican cinema, which offers tickets for a fiver on Monday nights when booked online. TIP- our screen was on level -2 that is MINUS 2. It is bloody confusing to get to but get someone to point you in the direction of the lift and all becomes clearer. This venue makes for an interesting Monday night but be quick because tickets sell out fast.
The lovely BFI on the South Bank also offers films for a fiver on a Tuesday. This can be done online and you simply redeem the discount at the checkout. I love the BFI building for it's amazing film shop, exhibitons and the bar which has deck chairs outside in the summer. I am easily pleased.
Then there is the general arts venue, Rich Mix, in Shoreditch. This is situated on Bethnal Green Road in the amazing borough of Tower Hamlets, which means anyone with an Idea Store or Tower Hamlets library card can go and see films for £5 on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I will take a minute to mention the Curzon and Everyman cinemas that are scattered across West and North London. From what I can gather, their situations (for example Belsize Park and Mayfair) means that they don't have to offer discounts because they are in expensive areas. You can get a few pounds off tickets costing £11-12 if you're a student but it's still quite pricey.
One cinema that I think is worth saving for is the Electric on Portobello Road. It is a beautiful little screen with proper armchairs (or for couples there are double sofas at the back) with a holder, not for your just a drink, but a wine bottle! Sorry did I forget to mention my ideal film experience includes Haribo and wine? I never said I was refined. The bar is actually in the cinema allowing you to nip to get more drinks at opportune moments without missing too much. Of course all this does not come cheap- it's £15 per person- but on Mondays and Sundays there are £8 tickets available for the first three rows.
The crowning glory of the London cinema scene I think has to go to the Prince Charles Cinema near Leicester Square. Despite the unappealing locationn this cinema has a lot to offer. Tickets normally cost about £10 for evening and weekend shwoing, but if you become a member then this gets reduced to £7.50 and matinee showings for members only cost £4. The fantastic bit being that it is only £10 for a year's membership or lifetime membership costs £50. The thing I love most about this cinema is that they do movie marathons, old film creenings, sing-alongs and other special events. An example being their double bills season which sees classic films such as Leon followed by Kick Ass. Amazing.
I am particularly excited because next week there is a screening of Tyrannosaur followed by a Q&A session with Olivia Coleman, who I love.
I think that is quite a comprehensive list, but now I am quite exhausted so I think I will just go to bed and stick on one of my Love Film rentals. It's still January and I still can't quite be arsed.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Come on, we will get through January together
Is it just me or are people (myself included) complaining about January more this year? I don't know if it just me feeling grumpier and hard done by- I had to work three days between Christmas and New Year- but Lodoners seem greyer and more miserable than normal. I know I am quite a naturally cynical person but come on people it's 2012! There's the Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee and it's Charles Dickens' 200th Anniversary (all these things will invariably end up in future blogs FYI). No? Well how about some cheap grub then? When the gym just seems too cruel a place and it's dark at 4pm why not head to a cosy restaurant in the knowledge that it won't break your already decrepit bank account.
There are loads of deals for chain restaurants all over the country through websites such as moneysavingexpert.com and myvouchercodes.co.uk but I think I have found something better.
There is this thing called a taste card which gives you 50% off or 241s on food in hundreds of restaurants across the UK. However, if you want to focus on London go to the website and search for restaurants in area of London and you can see that there are loads. This includes chain restaurants such as Zizzi, Pizza Express, Strada, Prezzo etc ass well as independent ones.
Read the specification to each restaurant carefully since there are some restrictions. For example, most of the deals are only valid during the week, some require you to book in advance and others limit the number of people you can use the discounts on.
Normally the card is £69.95 for 12 months but you can get a free month's trial. I tried it back in November and the thing I like most was that you don't have to sign up and then cancel to avoid getting charged. I have signed up for so many free things and then just forgotten to cancel them. I realise these companies are waiting to make money from my stupidity but that doesn't really make it easier to swallow.
All you have to do is enter your details into the website, tell them where to send it and they happily comply. My friend Lou was the one who told me about it and when she had finished her month's trial, and she didn't take up a full membership, the taste people emailed her and offered it to her for half price. This didn't happen to me but it would be worth the £35 for a whole year.
I think I only used it twice- once in a very nice Zizzis near Covent Garden and once in an awful looking Mexican place off Shoreditch High Street called Chico Bandito (and yes that's as every bit as bad as it sounds). The food was actually pretty good and they did amazing jugs of Margaritas. The ultimate downside was that as we walked in they placed over-sized sombreros on our heads. In my mind that is a deal breaker.
Request a card now and you could be as happy as these people in a matter of days.
Let me know who goes where and how it turned out and don't worry only 23 days left.
There are loads of deals for chain restaurants all over the country through websites such as moneysavingexpert.com and myvouchercodes.co.uk but I think I have found something better.
There is this thing called a taste card which gives you 50% off or 241s on food in hundreds of restaurants across the UK. However, if you want to focus on London go to the website and search for restaurants in area of London and you can see that there are loads. This includes chain restaurants such as Zizzi, Pizza Express, Strada, Prezzo etc ass well as independent ones.
Read the specification to each restaurant carefully since there are some restrictions. For example, most of the deals are only valid during the week, some require you to book in advance and others limit the number of people you can use the discounts on.
Normally the card is £69.95 for 12 months but you can get a free month's trial. I tried it back in November and the thing I like most was that you don't have to sign up and then cancel to avoid getting charged. I have signed up for so many free things and then just forgotten to cancel them. I realise these companies are waiting to make money from my stupidity but that doesn't really make it easier to swallow.
All you have to do is enter your details into the website, tell them where to send it and they happily comply. My friend Lou was the one who told me about it and when she had finished her month's trial, and she didn't take up a full membership, the taste people emailed her and offered it to her for half price. This didn't happen to me but it would be worth the £35 for a whole year.
I think I only used it twice- once in a very nice Zizzis near Covent Garden and once in an awful looking Mexican place off Shoreditch High Street called Chico Bandito (and yes that's as every bit as bad as it sounds). The food was actually pretty good and they did amazing jugs of Margaritas. The ultimate downside was that as we walked in they placed over-sized sombreros on our heads. In my mind that is a deal breaker.
Request a card now and you could be as happy as these people in a matter of days.
Let me know who goes where and how it turned out and don't worry only 23 days left.
Thursday, 15 December 2011
A girl with Dragon (Tattoo) and one with a Polar Bear
I have two delightful offerings for you today.
The first I think sounds so good I think there must be a catch but I can't find it.
Tonight, there is a free club night called Mouth Taped Shut at the Coronet club near Elephant and Castle (well maybe that's the catch). The line up is pretty good Groove Armada, Labrinth (live), Zane Lowe, Beardyman, Madeon and Pete Jordon. And oh yeah it's free. Nope I don't get it either. Weirdly, if you type in Mouth taped Shut into Google you get taken to the event's website with loads of pictures from the new Girl with a Dragon Tattoo film. Not really explained why but the poster looks pretty cool with a profile of Lisbeth Salander on it (for those who haven't read seen it-SPOILER ALERT- she is the girl with the Dragon Tattoo).
Although it's free obviously spaces are limited so you have to RSVP by emailing here. You then receive a confirmation email, which you have to print out and take with you.
I'm not really sure if TGWDT is sponsoring it or if Daniel Craig will be there but even if he's not I think it will be pretty bloody good.
Ok so back to Christmas.
This weekend there is a Festival of Fairytales for Grown-Ups being performed at the Bargehouse (a big warehouse behind the OXO tower). The stories are being performed by the Crick Crack club who have been in the warehouse since Wednesday but this weekend, during the day, the shows are free.
I thought there were shows all week and actually went along on Wednesday after work. Got a bit lost around the OXO tower and then found the warehouse. It is directly behind the OXO tower. So I go in and see two old cockneys on this slight balcony leaning over the rail. They're talking to this other man in overalls who is sweeping around a statue type thing of a huge polar bear with a girl riding on the back draped in red material. Hmmm.
They all look at me cheerfully enough but we are all equally confused. It soon transpires that the afternoon performances are only to take place at the weekend. Between 12 and 4pm tomorrow and Sunday visitors are going to be able to wander around the building and happen upon actors telling stories. It does encourage children but from the look of the website it might conjure up nightmares as well as their dreams. Also just noticed on website that it warns there might be nudity. This may be a reason to go/not to go depending on your tastes.
So that's me for Christmas now. Next week I am back in the shire so if I hear of anything going on in London i shall let you know, or not because I will be too jealous.
Toodles.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Have yourself a Merry Tesco Christmas
Firstly, re my last message, you must try and see Never mind the Buzzcocks. I think I laughed non-stop for about 2 hours. I love Noel Fielding even more and I want to give Phil Jupitus a hug. Our host was Jack Barrowman and he just made loads of lewd innuendos the whole time. Amazing.
I now have tickets for the Top of the Pops Christmas Special. I think I may have a little breakdown I'm so excited.
Anyway, I realised that most of the deals I have suggested involve Christmas, but tis the season and all that crap so why not eh? This week's post is no exception.
The following deal comes to you courtesy of Tesco. Yes, has the supermarket giant has the audacity to try and spread a little Christmas cheer. *Mid blog fact: I just did a Google search and to my amusement and horror there are 8 Tescos within a two mile radius of my house. Ridiculous* In London this weekend the evil bastards are offering free mulled wine and mince pies. I will eat their pies and drink their wine but I will not be sucked in, but there is a free ice rink…
The ice rink is situated at The Scoop near London Bridge as part of the More complex's Christmas market.
All summer I had the good intention of going to The Scoop, which is a small amphitheatre that during the summer screened films outside for free. There were a few classics like Dirty Dancing as well as newer films like The King's Speech. It sounded lovely but of course I didn't get round to it.
The More London Complex houses offices and workspaces for creative types on the South Bank. It's here that the market is being held with all the usual gifty things but also, interestingly, has encouraged young entrepreneurs to go and sell their wares. The ice rink is just next to all of this complete with a brass quartet adding to the cheer.
In a rather crude (yet undeniably brilliant) bit of marketing- to get your free refreshments from Tesco you have to pick up a branded cup at the ice rink then take it into the store, which is located next to The Scoop. You can always spit on the floor on the way in if it makes you feel better. I am a sucker for consumerism so will probably come out with my weekly shop.
I am going to attempt to skate although I haven't set foot on the ice for about six years at least. Or maybe I'll just drink the free wine and join in with the band.
The More market is taking place from today until Sunday from 10-6 each day.
For more info visit More London's website.
I now have tickets for the Top of the Pops Christmas Special. I think I may have a little breakdown I'm so excited.
Anyway, I realised that most of the deals I have suggested involve Christmas, but tis the season and all that crap so why not eh? This week's post is no exception.
The following deal comes to you courtesy of Tesco. Yes, has the supermarket giant has the audacity to try and spread a little Christmas cheer. *Mid blog fact: I just did a Google search and to my amusement and horror there are 8 Tescos within a two mile radius of my house. Ridiculous* In London this weekend the evil bastards are offering free mulled wine and mince pies. I will eat their pies and drink their wine but I will not be sucked in, but there is a free ice rink…
The ice rink is situated at The Scoop near London Bridge as part of the More complex's Christmas market.
All summer I had the good intention of going to The Scoop, which is a small amphitheatre that during the summer screened films outside for free. There were a few classics like Dirty Dancing as well as newer films like The King's Speech. It sounded lovely but of course I didn't get round to it.
The More London Complex houses offices and workspaces for creative types on the South Bank. It's here that the market is being held with all the usual gifty things but also, interestingly, has encouraged young entrepreneurs to go and sell their wares. The ice rink is just next to all of this complete with a brass quartet adding to the cheer.
In a rather crude (yet undeniably brilliant) bit of marketing- to get your free refreshments from Tesco you have to pick up a branded cup at the ice rink then take it into the store, which is located next to The Scoop. You can always spit on the floor on the way in if it makes you feel better. I am a sucker for consumerism so will probably come out with my weekly shop.
I am going to attempt to skate although I haven't set foot on the ice for about six years at least. Or maybe I'll just drink the free wine and join in with the band.
The More market is taking place from today until Sunday from 10-6 each day.
For more info visit More London's website.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Really quick shopping spree
Ok writing this in my lunch break so have to be quick. Who would have thought my job would get in the way of my blog? Humph.
So tonight London offers us another voucher to get us spending. This time it comes from Seven Dials (the bit behind Covent gardern) offering 20% off shops in the area. I think it sounds like quite a nice evening with mince pies, carol singers and discounts. Perhaps better than the pandemonium of Selfridges last week. Too much my dears. Too much.
Here is the link telling you which stores are involved and other special offers that are going on. You have to register online and then they send you the voucher.
Right back to work I go.
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