Something For The Weekend

Cultural Dad...

He's the daddy! The one who's the first to the patio doors to watch the bird table for a robin-reappearance, the one who always buys an expensive souveneir at a museum and then tucks it away in the living room cabinet, never to be seen again. There are lots of things we love about Cultural dad, and he'll love one of these great gifts:

TOP DAYS OUT...

Take him to Cuba!  Well, not literally. Book some hot tickets to Havana Rakatan at the Peacock Theatre and watch Jazz, mambo, bolero, son, cha-cha-cha, rumba and salsa come alive in a dazzling dance display of Cuban passion.  Dad’s toes will be tapping to the Afro-Haitian rhythms, before he whispers in your ear about his new ambition to take up salsa. Cuban company Ballet Rakatan brings a serious slice of Havana spice to the Peacock Theatre. 

“Such infectious feel-good entertainment, I'd already mentally booked a flight to Cuba by the time the curtain went down” - THE STAGE

“Has all the ingredients for a summer sizzler... will have you bouncing in your seat” - METRO

Get your kicks - from only £10

Here’s one to satisfy his curious streak. Benjamin Franklin House is just a skip away from Trafalgar Square but drips with history from times gone by as it’s the world's only remaining Franklin home. Scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor and Founding Father of the United States, Dr Benjamin Franklin lived here between 1757 and 1775.  His dwellings are now Grade 1 Listed and the building’s been brought back to its 18th century lustre as a dynamic museum and educational facility.

Experience live performance, cutting edge lighting, sound and projection technology. Emmy award winning actor Peter Coyote is the voice of Benjamin Franklin and Academy Award-nominated actress Imelda Staunton is Margret Stevenson, Franklin's Landlady during his 16 years at Craven Street.

Benjamin Franklin House - Historical Experience tickets - only £6

It might be tourist-trap but it’s something we’ve all got to see whilst in London. After all Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames since 1894 and is one of most amazing, most photographed bridges in the World. At the exhibition, witness stunning views of London from 42 metres above the Thames.  St Paul’s, The Gherkin, The Monument and HMS Belfast are all spread before you, leaving space for you do to that funny arms-outstretched “one day, this will all be yours, dad” thing. Marvellous.

Oh, and with this offer you get a free pizza dinner thrown in at Pizza Express – what a cracking day out, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Tower Bridge Exhibition tickets & lunch at PizzaExpress Shad Thames - from only £15.95 per person

A NIGHT ON THE TILES....

Be dramatic with a dinner for daddy and a top West End Show. For the cultural soul there’s no nicer night out on the town than combining a stage extravaganza with a nice bit of grub, and then sitting back, rubbing your belly.

Send him on an African adventure with Disney's multi-award winning musical The Lion King, which combines incredible costumes, stunning effects and enchanting music to create the the powerful and moving story of Simba - King of the Pridelands. Before the show, get a yummy lunch at pizza emporium Fire and Stone in Covent Garden.

The Lion King matinee tickets - the Lyceum Theatre & lunch at Fire & Stone - only £37.50 per person -

More options:
It’s the show that everyone’s talking about. If he loved the movies, he’ll love this offer. See Lord of the Rings and eat dinner at Fire and Stone from £21

If you used to be a gobby child, it was nothing compared to the noise in store with this one. See Stomp at the Vaudeville Theatre and get a posh dinner at Banquette at The Savoy - top price seats and dinner only £45 per person

Paris - in or out??

We can't figure it out either. One day she's in, the next she's a weeping wreck and she's out... and now apparently she's set to go back in again. She's more in, out , shake it all about than the blimmin' hokey cokey but then again, we did campaign to FREE PARIS. Enter the competition now to win a trip to Paris for two and three nights accommodation in a swanky hotel.

Sorry, this competition has now closed.

These are some of our snaps from the streets of London on Tuesday. Oh, and a few of the newsletter team's own. I think you'll agree, we look great as blondes (?)

win tickets to see Conversations with Other Women...

Are you free next Thursday night? That's the 14th of June at 8.30pm?

If so, how do you fancy getting your paws on a pair of tickets to see Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart as old flames who reunite for one night in this split-screen drama - Coversations with other Women?

Conversations With Other Women exploits the notion that there are two sides to every story by literally telling them both via a split-screen technique.

Also, if you're not lucky enough to win, or can’t make the screening on Thursday, then the Cineworld Haymarket have a dedicated screen showing Conversations with other women at least 4 times every day from the 8th to the 14th of June.

We've got 5 pairs of tickets to give away. To enter you must be free next Thursday night.
Email us here with the subject line 'cinema' telling us your name and phone number
Sorry, this competition is now closed.

Win a weekend at the Paramount Imperial, Blackpool...

There's more to Blackpool than the Pleasure Beach, although clearly no trip to Britain's favourite seaside destination is complete without a stroll along the pier, pointing at the seagulls.

The Paramount Imperial Blackpool has just undergone a £2 million refurbishment, enhancing the equally splendid £1.5 million upgrade to the hotel that took place in 2005. This new look secures the hotel's reputation as one of the leading Conference and Events Hotels in the North West and as the flagship hotel in Blackpool - an ever popular conference destination as well as a top British holiday spot. Labour and  Conservative have both had their V.I.P "discussions" here so it could be possible that John Major and Tony Blair have walked the very same carpets...

We're offering one lucky couple the chance to win a weekend for 2 in a standard room on bed and breakfast subject to availability. Soak up the atmosphere in the popular Palm Court Restaurant, or lounge around outside on the Terrace for food and drinks with magnificent sea views.

On its 140 year anniversay in 2007, this Victorian hotel is going stronger than ever.

Enter the competition by emailing us with your name, number and the subject line Paramount
Sorry, this competition is now closed.

Book a stay at the Paramount with lastminute.com

Any Dream is the Word?

“Lee looks like a Hobbit” was just one of the many opinions that popped into our Grease vs Joseph inbox when we asked what people think about the current, raging battle of theatrics. It’s a ratings war that’s gripped the nation – a television search for the future stars of two of our best-loved musicals – Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat, and Grease. But no matter which one you’ve been following (or both if you’ve been recycling the old VHS tapes) - on Saturday, Britain will finally crown its very own Joseph, Danny and Sandy. And only time will tell whether the chosen few can tread the boards before millions, as well as that makeshift studio stage before his Lloydship and celebs of mountainously high esteem such as… Sinitta?

Here’s the word on the street:

ON JOSEPH:

“Lee must be the winner…. he has the haircut of a West End Star. That perm must cost a fortune….oh yes and he can sing and dance, although his body self obsession and constant meat eating is a touch over the top. Oh those creative types are so extreme.”

“Keith will be the runner up…. He’s guaranteed the Scottish vote which is a powerful force in TV voting these day. Looks far too young though - when he dances with those “sexy” JOSEPHETES it simply does not work. Looks like he is a child that has managed to get a date with Mrs Robinson, and Mrs Robinsons does not look so pleased!”

“Lewis will be the first to fall. He is almost from the land of Billy Elliot, although my feeling is he lacks Billy’s grit and talent. Mind you, the fact he is still alive having chosen to do dance as a child and lives in Middlesbrough makes him my spiritual winner. I guess he can probably run fast!” – Simon Thompson

“Who needs a real social life when one can just live vicariously through tv people!

I have to say that Joseph is by far the best - the Grease one is rubbish and that Lloyd Webber seems to have a repertoire of fascinating/terrifying facial expressions. I have loved musicals since I was little and am rejoicing in the fact that they are now(semi) cool!

And next they should do west side story...I’d love that.” – Susie Bould

ON GREASE:

“I’ve only been watching Grease lately…the winner has to be Anthony aka Kavanah – he’s luuurvvly and all the ladies love him, although the other guy can sing better.
And the blonde girl has to win a) because she’s blonde b) because she can sing and c) because the other one is too much like Maria (from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria)
- Alexa Jeggo

Koulla hits the town (and her tastebuds)...

Nicely tucked behind the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus is lively restaurant The Club Bar & Dining, on Warwick Street.

The street level is a shared space between the restaurant at the front and a buzzy bar at the back. Antique candle arbores and exposed bricks give the place a classic and rustic feel.  The three huge mirrors are also cleverly used as specials boards.  The lower level hosts the ultra sexy bar - picture comfy leather sofas just perfect for cuddling up to a date, and space to work off your delicious meal with some dance moves should the mood take you!

The restaurant serves modern British dishes with some very interesting options and a European twist.  You can actually order a whole suckling pig or lamb, which was an option we didn't take advantage of, but I'm sure it would be great for a special occasion! There are plenty of scummy options on the menu - I found that the ingredients used in many of the dishes were good old faithful’s but presented in a fresh and interesting way. For example my starter was Buffalo Mozzarella, Broad Beans and Valencia almonds with a zesty tomato vinaigrette. It was a really great and different way of serving Mozzarella and the flavours really worked.  It went down excellently with the fresh, warm Rosemary foccacia. 

The main was duck breast with roasted onion and fig balsamic dressing. The flavours worked well with the duck and the creamy mashed potato was amazing.  Better even, than mum used to make, (sorry mum!) Then to my favourite part of the meal…dessert. I went for baked Lemon Cheesecake with poached Mango.  It was very creamy and light with the right amount of lemon.  The wine list is also very extensive and the champagne cocktails were delicious…the peach and almond cocktail was so yummy I had to have two!   

The service was absolutely brilliant; there was always someone on hand to look after us and the team were very friendly. Not too dangerous on the wallet, it's good food and reasonably priced. 

The restaurant had a real mix of people, so it would definitely be a really relaxed place to come after work or to celebrate a special occasion. The music is funky too - almost as funky as the crowd! 

- Koulla Joannou

Book 2 courses at the Club Bar and Dining for £14.50

feeling floaty light...

I finally did something constructive with my bank holiday weekend, aside from scrubbing my kitchen and bathroom floors until my arms ached. OH YES - I cleaned!  No,... aside from that,  I went to 'floatworks' and used the voucher I was given for Christmas. It was about time.

Basically it's a floatation tank experience - a 45 minute slot in a big plastic podule that looks like something Mulder might have discovered when investigating a government conspiracy somewhere beneath the Navajo desert in the X Files. It's filled with 700lbs of salt, which means that when you step inside (completely starkers, mind) you just float.  Well, not straight away. Obviously it's not so strong that it takes one foot and lets you hover upright on the water Jesus style, but once you're on your back, legs and arms in a star shape, the lid comes down like a sealer on a tupperware lunch box and you float. Just like that.

Of course, there was the obligatory pan pipe music for the first 10 minutes, for relaxation purposes. I never was too sure about that, though. You know the type, you hear it in those weird hippy book shops, usually accompanied by the smell of incense and a knowing smile from a bloke with a beard so long he could actually carpet the shop with it if he wasn't so stoned that he couldn't even move. But anyway, before I could imagine the witches and warlocks and talking cats on broomsticks it faded, the lights went out, and I drifted deep into an almost dream-like state, feeling my mind wander far away from the stresses of London. (And cats on broomsticks).

It was bloody brilliant actually - and definitely a well-deserved, relaxing end to a hectic weekend of... well,... doing sod all, really. It's quite weird how your mind just switches off without you actually falling asleep, but it's so peaceful and serene. You're in your own locked room too, with a shower of course - (you'll come out as crusty as a French baguette, thanks to all the salt that sticks to your body) - so it's a really personal experience and I'll definitely be doing it again. Well, it's a good diversion from cleaning my flat, at least!

-Becky Wicks

Book your own floatworks session, now 2 for 1

come to our FREE Spring Fling on June 13th...

We love this time of year. The little lambs are bleating in the fields, the cockerals are crowing on the rooftops and all the little piglets are oink oink oinking on the farmyard, basking in the joys of Spring.  Of course, in London everyone's just as miserable as ever, which is why we're here to cheer you all up, with a party!

Our lovely friends at Doon in Trafalgar Square (beneath the restaurant Albannach) are hosting a Spring Fling next Wednesday night, for all you lovely boys and girls to celebrate a brand new season.

It's free to get in, everyone gets a free pink cocktail on arrival, oh and did we mention that it's free to get in and everyone gets a free pink cocktail on arrival? We really are full of the joys of spring.

If you're single, it could be the perfect night for a fling - you'll have the chance to play our cupid love-match game. As you enter the bar, write your name and drop it in the baskets by the door, labelled either girls or guys. At 8pm, everyone who wants to play will pick a name from the basket of their chosen preference and the night is yours to seek out your match. Here's hoping you strike it lucky!

The event starts at 6pm and you can claim your free cocktail till 8pm. So take your gladrags to work and get changed in the bogs if you have to - just don't miss this sensational, sexy night on the town.

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