Author Archives

  • Thriller
    And Michael Jackson Lives On
    Posted in: Highlights

    Michael Jackson’s birthday was only a few days ago on August 29th and naturally would have prompted a sense of nostalgia amongst his devoted fans. The London-based ones would have headed in droves to his Thriller Live Show at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a performance and atmosphere that would make up for the great […]

  • Brotherhood (Film)
    Brotherhood (Film)
    Posted in: Movies & TV Shows, Reviews

    Writer/director Noel Clarke’s latest instalment in his urban ‘hood’ trilogy has him again in the lead role as Sam Peel but this time – as his paunch in a gym mirror shows – age brings with it both undesired physical changes and also much required emotional maturity. That is until the latter is severely tested […]

  • Mary Shelley
    August 30th: Birth date of Mary Shelley
    Posted in: Highlights, People

    Born on this date in 1797 in Somers Town, London, Mary Shelley stepped from the shadows of her more renowned husband, father and mother to make her mark in literature with the tale of the gothic man-monster Frankenstein. She certainly drew from an inspiring literary circle. Her father was radical political philosopher William Godwin and […]

  • The Many Faces of London
    The Many Faces of London On A Typical Day
    Posted in: Highlights, Photos

    This varied photo series by What’s Hot London?’s Eddie Saint-Jean shows the heart of our capital on a typical day. You’d get the impression that London is a pretty eclectic, cultured, cosmopolitan and sometimes barmy city. Which is just what it is!

  • Chineke! Orchestra
    Chineke! Orchestra
    Posted in: Concerts & Gigs, Highlights

    Founded by double-bassist Chi-chi Nwanok, the Chineke Orchestra is Europe’s first all-black professional orchestra. Its principal conductor Wayne Marshall is the only black one in Britain and made his big stage debut on September 13th 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank.  The organisation seeks to address the under-representation of ethnic minorities in this area […]

  • Punk London 1976-78
    Punk 1976-78 (Exhibition)
    Posted in: Reviews, Shows & Exhibitions

    Punk was born on February 12th 1976 when the Sex Pistols had one of their typically anarchic, venom-fuelled gigs at The Marquee, Oxford Street. This exhibition at The British Library takes you back to those early days and the bands that launched a sub-culture that shocked the world. Punk svengali Malcolm McLaren’s input into the look […]

  • Theatreland
    London Comes Alive as All Night Tube Service Begins
    Posted in: Highlights, Places

    Night clubs have been losing business at a rapid rate, with a 50% increase in closures since 2008 but tonight’s introduction of all night Tube services may reverse the trend. Despite contention over how the stations would be manned and whether staff would receive equitable pay increases, the Central and Victoria lines will be the […]

  • Short films to Feature films
    Short to Fame
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Highlights, Movies & TV Shows, Promotions

    The countdown begins to What’s Hot London?’s own Hot Shorts Film Festival 2016 in October which promises to bring you the best of UK and international films by emerging directors. For these film-makers it is the culmination of much pain-staking pre-production, long hours on-set and putting full trust in the final edit. They eventually serve […]

  • Lawrence of Arabia
    August 16th: Birthdate of Lawrence of Arabia
    Posted in: Highlights, People

    British military officer and diplomat Thomas Edward Lawrence was the real life dashing Lawrence of Arabia immortalised by David Lean’s 1962 movie, with the steely blue eyes of Peter O’Toole in his likeness. The film won nine Oscars and catapulted O’Toole into global fame as an actor with an epic resume but there are still […]