Author Archives

  • Black Inked Pearl Book Launch
    Posted in: Books, Highlights

    If you find the idea of a novel combining African story-telling and Gaelic lore intriguing then you’ll be intrigued by Ruth Finnegan’s latest work Black Inked Pearl. If you also hear it was written from the author’s actual dreams and taken straight from the subconscious unedited, then attending the book launch is a no-brainer. The […]

  • The National Maritime Museum
    Posted in: Places

    Britain’s history as a global naval power during the era of empire is preserved in splendid grandeur in Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum and ideally located within walking distance of the harboured Cutty Sark so you can make a day of it. It’s surprising to learn that at its height the British empire covered a quarter […]

  • The Barjeel Art Foundation Collection (Exhibition)
    Posted in: Reviews, Shows & Exhibitions

    In a mammoth programme from September 2015 to Jan 2017 the Whitechapel Gallery hosts the Barjeel Art Foundation Collection in a series so big it requires four separate exhibitions. This is the largest exhibition of Arab art ever held in the UK and comes from Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi’s UAE based archive of work sourced from […]

  • Christmas Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Run
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Highlights

    Middle distance runners seeking a festive challenge need look no further than the Christmas Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 5k and 10k run on December 13th inspired by none other than Mo Farah himself. The run finishes outside the Olympic stadium, and in case you need reminding that’s where he won Olympic golds for both those […]

  • A Night In With Audrey Hepburn
    Posted in: Books, Highlights

    An invite to a weekend screening of Audrey Hepburn classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Harper Collins offices proved a little too hard to resist for an unashamed fan like myself. Organised in conjunction with BFI Love Fest it was to promote Lucy Holliday’s novel A Night In With Audrey Hepburn and took place at […]

  • We The People Festival
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Highlights

    Now in its 9th year, the United Nations Association’s We The People Festival (November 11-29) explores issues of migration and the refugee crisis. It attracted a powerful selection of shorts from all over the globe, many of these personal, painful documentary accounts shot in cramped, unsanitary conditions, bringing the despair of their living situations into […]

  • The V&A India Festival
    Posted in: Concerts & Gigs, Events & Festivals, Highlights

    Throughout autumn the Victoria and Albert Museum will be hosting a festival that celebrates the art, artefacts, textiles and culture of South Asia from the 3rd century to the present day with a variety of exhibitions and events, including the opportunity to win a dream two week holiday in India. The winner will also get […]

  • Globe Road Poetry Fest
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Highlights

    The Globe Road Poetry Festival  held November 13-15, 2015 brought together local and global poetry at The Octagon, Queen Mary University of London, and coincided with the launch of its research facility the QMUL Centre for Poetry. The festival featured well established global names such as Linton Kwesi Johnson (the only black poet to be […]

  • The Razzmatazz of The London Jazz Festival
    Posted in: Events & Festivals, Highlights

    The London Jazz Festival has begun in earnest, running from November 13-22 and promising 10 days of cool vibes. The line up includes both established and emerging jazz performers as well as live broadcasts from club DJ’s and radio jocks. Inevitably, the well known jazz joint Ronnie Scotts is involved, hosting Jez Nelson’s Jazz on […]

  • Guided Medieval & Renaissance Tours at the V&A Museum
    Posted in: Shows & Exhibitions

    Described by the guide as the oldest and largest museum in the world, (the prior fact debatable the latter fact certainly possible) this tour kicks off every day 11.30am sharp at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s grand entrance. Even the most learned historian would struggle here as a visitor so you soon realise this free […]