June 28 - September 28:
The Art of Chess at the Gilbert Collection, Somerset House on the Strand gives you
an opportunity to remember those hazy school days when you won or lost. But did you
ever play with sets designed by the likes of Damien Hurst or Yoko Ono? Perhaps
not... but if you do have a habit of losing perhaps one way to go out in style is to be
the proud owner of a designer chess set? Check these ones out to see if they might
give you a strategic advantage!
June 28 - July 2: Art Deco
takes over as the V&A celebrates with an Art Deco Festival to coincide with their
fabulous Art Deco exhibit. Practise your arts and crafts skills or perhaps some
dancing....?
June 27 0nwards: The
V&As sensational Art Deco exhibition is open until 10pm every Friday and Saturday
evening from Friday 27 June until Saturday 19 July. The exhibition explores Art Deco
as a global phenomenon affecting cities as far apart as Paris, New York, Bombay and
Shanghai and it will also open until 10pm on the last day, Sunday 20 July. It's
expected to be the most popular exhibition ever at the V&A and is therefore of course
unmissable as part of the 2003 season!
June 26 - September 28:
The fabulous Op Art abstracts by the hand of the best of the sixties can be seen in
the Bridget Riley Retrospective at Tate Britain. Runs through September, this is a
must-see exhibit for fans.
June 26-27: Currently
topping the US Billboard charts with his latest single Get Busy, these are the only
UK dates for the hottest Jamaican reggae/dancehall act at the moment. MOBO-award winning
Sean Paul received phenomenal airplay last year with the massive hit Gimme the Light when
no dancefloor was safe from its hip hop flavoured beats and infectious rhythms.
Playing at Ocean, these are proving to be very hot tickets!
June 25, 2003 - September
14, 2003: Ingres, Delacroix, Homer, Sargent and Whistler are among the '19th Century
Painting and Drawings' at the National Gallery, on tour from the Winthrop
Collection, Harvard University.
June 21-22: The annual
Land Rover World Show is a must for all aspirational 4-wheel drivers. Set in the
equally aspirational Eastnor Castle near Ledbury in Hertfordshire near the beautiful
Malvern Hills, die-hard enthusiasts can 'play' on off-road routes (to test their driving
technique); as well as hone their clay pigeon shooting skills and ride quad bikes.
Entry is £9 (US15). For more info. call+4420 8532 3523.
June 21: In rep until June
21 at the Cottesloe at London's South Bank National Theatre, Scenes from the Big Picture
is a modern day lyrical story about the everyday lives of a couple in Belfast. Tough
times but well worth it!
June 21: If retro is
in where do Deep Purple fit in? Find out by going north to Wembley Arena for a blast
from the past?
June 20: The very Royal
Highland Show at The Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh
June 18 - June 22: Tibetan
Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery visit the V&A for five days to
construct a Mandala Sand Painting, an ancient spiritual art form designed to purify and
heal the environment and its inhabitants. The monks are in London on The Mystical Arts of
Tibet world tour, co-produced by Drepung Loseling Institute and Richard Gere productions.
The opening ceremony June 18 at 12 noon finds the lamas - dressed in magnificent robes and
playing traditional Tibetan instruments and performing an ancient temple music and dance
to consecrate the site. The mandala is made of brightly coloured sands that are laid into
place on a flat platform and will take five days to complete. At the closing ceremony on
June 22 at 4pm it will then be destroyed as a metaphor for the impermanence of life. The
sands are placed in an urn and half is distributed to the audience at the closing
ceremony, and the remainder is carried to a nearby body of water, where it is deposited.
The waters then carry the healing blessing and from there it spreads throughout the world
for planetary healing. Visitors are also welcome to watch the creation of the
Mandala Sand Painting throughout the five days. The Mystical Arts of Tibet tour is
endorsed by the Dalai Lama to promote world peace and healing through sacred performing
art and to generate greater awareness of the endangered Tibetan culture.
June 17: Sir Elton John
struts his stuff at the Hampton Court Palace Music Festival. Great location!
June 14: The fabulous
Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger) and her 50th Anniversary Tour. Definitely a one-off,
will this be your last chance to see Ms. Bassey? I doubt it. But just in
case, don't miss her one night in London at Wembley Arena.
June 12: Jools Holland
& His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra play at the Hampton Court Palace Music Festival.
June 8: The Classic Racer
Post-TT race meeting at Mallory Park features a host of famous names and glorious bikes of
yesteryear. For details call +441507 525771.
June 8: Your last
opportunity to see the unusual photographic exhibition 'You look beautiful like that' at
the National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square. A candid look at the people of
Mali between 19540 and 1970.
June 6: Check out the new
talent at the Graduate Fashion Week Gala Show at Battersea Park Arena. It all starts
at 7.30pm and tickets cost £27 (US$42 approx.) To purchase call +44870 429 5320.
June 6: If you are
interested in the fabulous Eden Project, but haven't had a chance to get down there, you
have an opportunity for a little 'cutting' at Bovingdon Memorial Hall, Hemel Hempstead
when the expert will bring you up-to-date. Contact: Mrs Shirley Masterson at +44 1442 832
062 for details.
June 6: The Ruin and
Reconstruction of Dresden is a fascinating subject. Nicola Lambourne, author of
'War Damage in Europe' describes the destruction of Dresden at the end of W.W.II
and the city's post war reconstruction between 6.30pm and 7.30pm at the Royal Academy of
Arts, Piccadilly.
June 4 - August 24:
An opportunity to buy great contemporary silver and jewelry made by past and present
students of the Bishopsland Workshops. Silver Sparks: The Bishopsland Connection is
on show at the Gilbert Collection, Somerset House.
June 4: South Africa's
Southern Cape is home to some 7500 different species of plant and includes plants in the
unique Fynbos ecosystem, together with the succulent Karoo and the Afromontane forests of
the famous Garden Route. If you are interested, this lecture explores the rich plant
habitats of this little known region and look at the work of the Southern Cape Herbarium,
the newly created Garden Route Botanic Garden and the work of the University of Bristol
Botanic Garden. Held at Writtle College, Chelmsford, call +44 1245 424 200 for details.
June 3-8: Covent Garden
transforms itself into a Moroccan market with sights, sounds, tastes, crafts and much
more....
June 2-7: The annual
London Motor Show at Canary Wharf stars a great selection of new cars, motorcycles and
scooters.
May 31 - June 1: The
Download Festival leaps into action with Limp Bizkit and Iron Maiden at Donnington Park.
May 30: The Victoria and
Albert Museum will celebrate French designer Jean Paul Gaultier with a series of catwalk
shows in the stunning Raphael Gallery as part of the V&A's Fashion in Motion
programme. The fashion show will feature garments personally selected by Jean Paul
Gaultier from his very first collections to his most recent.
May 29: The
wonderful Mr Ralph Fiennes hits the London stage once more in The RSC's production of
Ibsen's Brand. The previews start on May 29 and opening night is June 4.
Likely to be one of the season's hot tickets so book now!
End May: Sees the end of
the short 12 week run of the new West End musical, Ragtime. Starring the very
talented Maria Friedman, the show plays at the Piccadilly Theatre.
May 26-27, 2003:
Springsteen at the Palace. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band stop off on their
rising Tour at Crystal Place National Sports Stadium for a 2 night gig performing as usual
as well as any rock band can in an intimate outdoor venue.
May 26: Last chance
to see Days Like These - the second triennial at Tate Britain.
May 24: Elvis - The
Concert is one of those events that can only truly be appreciated by the diehard fan.
Celluloid, technology, and live performances from those who played with Elvis but
outlived him. A one night stand at Wembley Arena... for all those who are lonely
tonight......
May 23: As summer
approaches, the Royal Horticultural Society has combined two of the nation's great
passions, boating and gardening, to try and find Britain's most attractive 'floating
garden' on a narrowboat. Boat owners who enter the competition will be in with a
chance to win some great prizes including a weekend for two at Rosemoor House, in the
grounds of RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon. The easy to enter competition is ideal for anyone
who has made good use of the limited space available on their boat by creating floral
displays in pots and containers. The closing date for all entries is May 23 2003.
May 24: Opening of
the new Museum in Docklands.
May 23 to April 18, 2004:
Don't miss Hats & Handbags: Accessories from the Royal Wardrobe to be seen at
Kensington Palace. What a great location!
May 22: Fabulous Meissen:
The White Gold of Dresden is the porcelain under under the spotlight for this study
session at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly between 11.00am and 1.00pm.
May 21 and May 22: The
ever young Peter Gabriel is 'Growing Up Live 2003' at Wembley Arena.
May 21, 2003: 'A Life for
the Tsar' shows off the Kirov Opera with conductor Valery Gergiev at its best for one
night at the Royal Festival Hall.
May 20: Last chance
to see Arthur's Ark at Somerset House on the Strand. What is Arthur's Ark? An
exhibit focusing on the birds and beasts from Sir Arthur Gilbert's Collection.
And it's very splendid!
May 18: Beatles
guru, Ravi Shankar is joined by daughter Anoushka at the Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2
for just one night.
May 16 - September 28:
Continuing the Titanic story... sees the latest Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition
opening at the Science Museum.
May 16: The growth
of the Old Masters of Dresden is discussed between 6.30pm and 7.30pm at the Royal Academy
of Arts, Piccadilly.
May 16: Ex-lead
singer of the Kinks, Ray Davies performs at the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank.
May 15: The re-opening of
one of the best loved smaller theatres in London, The Almedia. The new season kicks
off with Ibsen's, The Lady from the Sea, directed by Sir Trevor Nunn.
May 15: For a finale of
the Titian exhibit, the Titian After Dark series ends with Antonio Carluccio celebrating
the influence of food on art, with a talk, tastings and demonstrations? Worth a
visit to find out exactly what this night out after dark really entails!
May 14-15 and May 17:
Justin's Justified tour gets to London for three nights. The first two nights
at Wembley Arena and the last night at London Arena. The ex-boy band member goes
alone as he makes his move to justify his move.....
May 12: The long awaited
opening of the famous sixties/seventies dress designer, Zandra Rhodes and her
Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey Street near London Bridge on the South
Bank. The pink and orange building is as flamboyant as Ms Rhodes herself and the
doors open with the launch exhibit, My Favourite Dress. A must for fashion fans from
around the world. 10.00am to 5.45pm daily.
May 9: Tom Jones on tour
again and this time he's dropping in on Wembley for the night.
May 7: Joan Plowright and
Oliver Ford Davies in Franco Zeffirelli's production of Absolutely (perhaps) opens at the
Wyndhams Theatre, Charing Cross Road. The fabulous Ms Plowright takes the lead in
this comedy by Pirandello about meddling gossips. Definitely an art form! Pass
it on...........
May 7 and 8: The Aussies
come to town with Australian Dance Theatre producing - from the other side of the world -
their version of Swan Lake with techno music and break-neck dance. Artistic Director,
Garry Stewart creates a visceral work that cross examines the grande dame of classical
ballet, through a blend of stunning sound-scapes, surreal video art and virtuosic dance.
Don't miss out the critically acclaimed Birdbrain at the Royal Festival Hall, South Bank.
May 5: If Max Beckman is
right up your street, don't miss out on the Tate Modern exhibit which ends on May 5.
May 3 and May 4:
Those beautiful Lipizzaner Stallions 'show-off' at the London Arena in Docklands.
May 2: Last chance to see
the first of two exhibitions commemorating the fabulous career of Nureyev . this one
is on show at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
May 1: The ever
entertaining Huey Lewis & The News play two night s at the Sheherd Bush Empire.
April 29 and 30: Located
in Westminster, both the Lawrence and the Lindley Halls will be bursting with the best in
late spring plants at the RHS London Flower Show.
April 27: Last
chance to pretend at being 007 as the Bond, James Bond exhibit at the Science Museum
'rolls the credits'.
April 27, 2003: Last day
of one of the most poignant exhibits in London - "Anthem for Damned Youth" at
the Imperial War Museum. A look at 12 soldier poets from World War I and their
memorable poetry, this photography (and much more) exhibition remembers the 84th
anniversary of Armistice Day.
April 25 - 27: A weekend
International Conference to explore all the Art Deco themes presented at the Art Deco
exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
April 25, 2003: An
evening of food inspired art performances. Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray of the River Cafe
will be in a panel chaired by Marina Warner as part of the Art & Food Friday Late View
at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
April 25, 2003: The
terrific Joan Armatrading treats her fans to a night out at the Royal Albert Hall.
April 22 - May 26:
Don't miss the Classical St Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebration at the Royal Festival
Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall on the SouthBank.
April 19 - May 5: There's
no accounting for taste as avid fans are mesmerized by the ever popular Sooker World
Champs. in Seffield.
April 17: If Spanish and
sexy are your ideas of a great night out, then book early for La Linea at the Royal
Festival Hall where Barcelona is celebrated in London. And see and hear La
Linea bring the Catalan capital to life with a great range of hybrid Latin sounds.
April 17: Anthony Caro is
one of the most talented and experimental of contemporary sculptors.
This exhibit at Annely Juda, W1 is a snapshot of the British elder statesman and will
definitely wet your appetite for a major retrospective scheduled at Tate Britain in 2004.
April 16: The end of the
French Film Festival full of premieres, previews, directors cuts, retrospectives, and
Q&As at the Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square.
April 16, 2003: Coldplay -
one of the best of the new bands on the top touring circuit drop in on Earls Court for the
evening.
April 15: First Night of
Tell Me On A Sunday starring Denise Van Outen at the Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.
It's the story of a heartbroken London girl and her romantic tribulations in
Manhattan. First produced in 1979, just how much have things changed?
April 13: The
streets of London are generally jam packed full of admirers of the ever absorbing antics
of the London Marathon runners, most of whom are there for a very good cause!
April 12: A
wonderful opportunity to buy a Mackintosh or a Forster at the Architect's Taste selling
exhibition at The Country Seat, Huntercombe Manor, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon.
April 12: Don't miss the
highlight of the racing season across the border: the Scottish Grant National at Ayr.
April 11: Artists'
Textiles in Britain , 1945-70 is your opportunity to see artists turning their attention
to the more mundane, in the design of everyday objects such as curtains and cuisine
covers.. The Fine Art Society at 148 Bond Street is a charming venue to see these
object d'arts through April 11.
April 9: Jerry Springer -
The Opera previews at the Lyttleton at the National Theatre on London's South Bank.
After a very successful run at the Edinburgh Festival, this poke at the sensational TV
chat show all wrapped up in a full blown contemporary opera format with the music running
the gamut from the blues to lush religious style choral writing, is - I'm sure
- not one for the purist opera lover ...... but it sure is an opportunity to bring to
musical life the antics of the expertise of the likes of Springer who is the best in trash
chat - (a legitimate vehicle of communications of our times!) So if you'd like to be
in (on) the show call +44 207452 300 for tickets.
April 6 and 13: The
Classical Bach Choir celebrate Easter singing the Passions at the Royal Festival Hall,
SouthBank. Very uplifting!
April 6: Earls Court
Ideal Home Show comes to an end. But it is open late night 'til 10.00pm on
Thursdays.
April 6: Last chance to
see the remarkable 'By the Rivers of Babylon, the Story of the Jews of Iraq' at the Jewish
Museum in Camden Town, London NW1. From 2,500 years ago under Nebuchadnezzar
through to the 20th century, it's a story well worth a visit.
March 31: A unique evening
finds Ute Lemper performing songs from her new album, But One Day. Fans should not
miss out on this opportunity to see their heroine in action!
March 27: Rosamund Pike
who played the steely Miranda Frost in the latest Bond movie, Die Another Day in her stage
debut playing a student who discovers some unseen Hitchcock footage. Hitchcock
Blonde opens at the Royal Court.
March 26: First
night of Timothy West's attempt to tackle the very, very difficult role of Shakespeare's
King Lear at the Old Vic, Waterloo.
March 25: A cast of
lions.... as Eric Clapton and friends and Mark Knopfler and friends play for Teenage
Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall. But which will have the best line-up of best
buddies? Go see to find out!
March 24: Award-winning
Coldplay (plus guests) play for the Teenage Cancer Trust. All for a very good cause
at the Royal Albert Hall!
March 20: Previews start
for the eagerly anticipated new version of the Three Sisters - the classic Chekhov play
which gives actresses a real break and chance to flex their acting skills. And for
your pleasure, presenting the classic good looks of Kristin Scott Thomas,
accompanied by Kate Burton and Madeline Worral. Ms Scott Thomas has informed us of
her first night nerves and so we await with baited breathe for any disasters which are
most unlikely to happen.... nevertheless, it makes for a good story...... And
it's all at the Playhouse Theatre right near Charing Cross.
March 19: Australian
sculptor who creates scary lifelike images, explores the theme of motherhood at the
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square.
March 11-12, 2003:
Tracy Chapman - calling herself 'a hopeful cynic' - sings her personal and universal
lyrics at the Royal Albert Hall, with a welcome return to the big stage.
March 5: ‘Flowers
from the Cape’ is the theme of the RHS seminar at the RHS Conference centre (opposite
Lawrence Hall), Greycoat Street. The seminar is designed to present an overview of plants
that originate from the western part of South Africa, an area with a Mediterranean-type
climate, together with information on individual plant groups both in the wild and in
cultivation. From 10am –5pm, the cost of £12/$20 includes tea and coffee.
(For further details and booking call +4420 7821 3328 as ask for Georgina Clarke in
the Shows Department).
March 2: Last chance to
see the highly praised exhibit at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Take a short trip out
of town to see the inspired illustrations commissioned for such children's classics as
'Peter Pan' and 'The Wind in the Willows'. Rackham is no doubt the master of
this particular trade and the exhibition is perfect for all ages.
February 20, 2003 - March 8, 2003: The
fabulous sell-out production of Madame Butterfly returns to the Albert Hall.
February 19, 2003 - May 18, 2003: A major
exhibition of works from around the world by the artist Titian at the National Gallery,
Trafalgar Square.
February 17: Last chance
to see 'Inspiration' at a great location. This contemporary craft fair at Painshall
Park in Surrey has one of the best venues on offer to bargain hunting collectors.
February 16, 2003: Don't
miss a Schubert Masterclass at the Royal Festival Hall, with internationally acclaimed
pianist, Imogen Cooper working with students form the London Conservatories. 3.30pm
February 16: Imogen Cooper
takes the platform to work with three young pianists from the London music colleges,
looking at matters of style and interpretation in Schubert's sonatas, at the Royal
Festival Hall, London.
February 8: End of the
short run of August Wilson's , 'King Hedley II' at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn.
Wilson ranks as one of America's leading playwrights and this is a not to be missed
opportunity.
February 6-8: Pam Ann -
the air hostess from hell - flies into the Soho Theatre for 3 nights. The creation
of Australian comedian, Caroline Reid, Pam Ann is Busy, Busy, Busy serving up her comic'
air fare'.
February 1: Last chance to
see Matthew Bourne's fabulous interpretation of The Nutcracker at Sadlers Wells.
January 26: Last chance to
see Metamorphing at the Science Museum. This one's about body transformation
in painting, sculpture, photography... and in one particular case, a mummified merman.
Don't ask, just go see!
January 26: Closing
date. Don't miss '100 Photographs: A collection by Bruce Bernard' at the Canon Photography
Gallery. Bernard was one of the greatest picture editors of the 20th century. As
editor of the best-selling volume Century (Phaidon,1999) he was responsible for one of the
most important photography compilations of the last decade. His outstanding ability to
select remarkable images is celebrated in this exhibition.
January 25-26: Ray Davies
(ex-Kinks) and his band entertain the fans at the Royal Festival Hall. Will it be a
nightfull of good old oldies?
January 25, 2003: Salman
Rushdie in conversation with Alastair Niven as he discusses his 'ground-breaking' novel
'Midnight's Children' to co-incide with its adaptation and first theatre staging
at the Barbican Theatre, London.
January 24: A night
out with the fabulous Chris Rea at Wembley Arena.
January 18 - February 23,
2003: Salman Rusdie (no longer in hiding) has written a fantastical and Booker
prize-winning novel Midnight's Children. The world premiere staging of the story of
India's independence and the birth of Pakistan has a short 5 week season at the Barbican.
One not to be missed!
January 16-17: The
impassioned Tori Amos gives a live display of some of her more complex music and lyrics at
the Apollo, Hammersmith.
January 14-19: In
its 15th year, this eclectic display of works at Art 2003 crosses the spectrum from
hardcore conceptual pieces to the modern canvas for the minimalist 'who wants to make an
impression at home'. Around 40,000 typical hip Londoners (of all ages) will take
time out to grab some bargains at the largest art fair in London. Last year the cash
tills clocked up an amazing $18 million approx., and the Business Centre, on Upper street
in Islington is the perfect home to shop and then pop out to the local restaurants to dine
and discuss your purchases.
