Author Archives

  • Valentine's Late National Gallery
    Valentine’s Late
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Galleries & Museums, Highlights

    On the most romantic day of the year Valentine’s Late at the National Gallery February 12th offered a programme of love themed art and entertainment. Its normally silent Sainsburys Wing became a mini concert venue of sorts, taken over by traditionally dressed musicians with lutes and drums setting the tone for English court society in […]

  • Miro's Studio – The Mayoral
    Miro’s Mayoral
    Posted in: Shows & Exhibitions

    So going by the title is this an exhibition where visitors are invited to the studio of the great Spanish artist and get to check out his pristine footprints on the paint-spilled floors? Well not exactly but close enough. This immersive exhibition at Mayoral, Duke St, Piccadilly is a reproduction of the atelier where he […]

  • Red Africa
    Red Africa at Calvert 22
    Posted in: Galleries & Museums, Shows & Exhibitions

    None other than Labour MP Diane Abbott was among the distinguished guests at the February 4th opening party and private view for the Red Africa exhibition at Calvert 22, Shoreditch. It’s a season of art, film and events examining Cold War relations between Africa and the Soviet Union. A combination of history, politics and major […]

  • 400 years of Shakespeare
    400 Years of Shakespeare
    Posted in: Highlights

    To mark 400 years since Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was first performed at Middle Temple Hall, the British Council’s What You Will: Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare saw a repeat performance at the same 16th century venue in Temple, London. Much of the atmosphere of that opening night on February 2nd 1602 was resurrected in this […]

  • Closure Anthology
    Closure – Anthology
    Posted in: Books, Events & Festivals, Highlights

    The Closure anthology is the first such anthology of short stories by Black British writers since 2000. It brings together a diverse collection of African, Caribbean and Indian story-tellers all reading excerpts from their work at the George Wood Theatre, Goldsmiths University. Supported by the University’s MA in Black Writing and published by Peepal Tree […]

  • Music Moguls ; Masters of Pop
    Of Moguls in Pop
    Posted in: Movies & TV Shows

    Is the traditional pop svengali dead in the age of social media where info is easily shared directly from star to fan with little use for a middleman? How did PR teams in decades past promote their acts? This BBC4 documentary sought to answer those questions, unlocking the secrets of how household names established their […]

  • Russell Young: Superstars The Halcyon Gallery
    They’re a Superstar!
    Posted in: Highlights, Shows & Exhibitions

    Looking more like a white-walled Roman villa with its impressive architecture and winding staircases, The Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street was a fittingly vainglorious venue for this exhibition of superstars. Artist Russell Young has put a post-modern twist on the pop art phenomenon that Andy Warhol popularised in the 60s. Every iconic star from Grace […]

  • Perspectives: Bruce Forsyth On Sammy Davis Jr
    Posted in: Highlights, Movies & TV Shows

    ITV’s Sunday evening tribute to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr was a combination of dazzling tap dancing skills and commentary on the racial politics of 1950s and 60s America. Host Bruce Forsyth described him as the best black tap dancer ever – pointing out that the hunched shoulder style differed from the stiff, upright style of […]