Something For The Weekend

London takes the roof off...

People say that the English (particularly me) are obsessed with the weather but I say that the weather is obsessed with England. Why else would our little isle be such a hot spot for the weather to hang out? It’s clearly the place to be if you’re a cumulonimbus looking to meet a nice cirrus or a bunch of tropical downpours trying to hook up with some gales. But I’m not complaining; I like the way it keeps you on your toes. Plus, every now and then, through some happy accident in the climatic social scene, we get a forecast like this---------------------->

Cool and cloudy all week while you’re stuck at work, hot hot hot all weekend - couldn’t be better.

In London, we’re really getting into the swing of this summery weather; everything is moving outdoors – Sunday lunches are becoming barbecues, the Frisbee is the new pool-table and now you can even watch a movie outside – and for free! (Summer obviously brings the philanthropists out of their boardrooms.) This Thursday and Friday check out The Scoop (that mini-amphitheatre on the South Bank by the City Hall). They’ll be showing Blowup  (dark murder-mystery thriller made in the 60s) on Thursday and Walk the Line (incredible story of Johnny Cash’s life) on Friday.  They say you should be there by 9:15, but I think you’d probably be well advised to arrive a bit early.

I’m also really excited about this weekend’s West End Live event. Don’t miss out on this spectacular publicity stunt for the West-End theatres who tend to suffer a downturn in bums-on-seats during the summer months. It’s a free outside performance in Leicester Square from the casts of the Blue Man Group, Chicago, Footloose, Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, The Lion King and The Producers. It’s going to be like a giant thespian circus (runs Saturday and Sunday 12.30-6.00pm).

Finally, if you need any more proof that Londoners know how to make the most of the summertime, there seems to be a different festival-type event going on every weekend; this weekend it’s the Tottenham Carnival, which promises all the action and distractions you’d expect of a mini-festival. Among the attractions is the Midsummer Meltdown, which describes itself as a showcase for “some of London's finest untapped urban talent, including dancers, singers, poets, MC's, stand-up comedy, and much more!” All in all it sounds like a reasonable way to idle away a sunny Saturday. If you want to get in on the action get to Bruce Castle Park for 12-7pm on Saturday.

Sara Sha'ath

KATIE ON: Foos meet the Fools

Ever wondered how rock stars spend their evenings when they're not thrashing out chords on a guitar?  Simple really... they're at the theatre. Don't believe me? Well, the proof may not be in the puddin' but it's certainly in the Apollo.

The Apollo Theatre was certainly the place to be last night.  Just ask Dave Grohl, lead singer and guitarist from the Foo Fighters.  He joined the lastminute.com customers for the 'Fool For Love' Q & A night.

No doubt he was there to support his fellow rocker Juliette Lewis in her first West End role. I'm sure he'd agree - the lady of many talents sure does it well. Juliette joined co-stars Martin Henderson, Joe Duttine and Larry Lamb in a gripping new revival of Sam Shephard's classic Fool For Love. The play follows two former lovers who meet at an isolated motel on the edge of the Mojave Desert. The result is a mix of buried passions, lust, violence and cruel betrayals. No wonder the rock stars are hitting the theatre - this explosive story of obsession causes more of a stir than any tower of amplifiers. 

The biggest noise however, was that of the buzzing audience. Last night was no normal night... lastminute.com customers knew they were in for a treat, and the electric excitement of the crowd zapped them in their seats.  Forget Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Big Brother's Golden tickets... the exclusive tickets to the 'third half' of the show were hot property.

As the host for the night, my rear end was perhaps the most thrill-singed of all. There's something surreal about stepping onto a stage with four top class actors; especially when you add a star-studded audience to the equasion. But, in true inquisitive spirit, the fans were quick off the mark with the questions and the cast soon found themselves directly in the firing line. And boy, you sure were a creative bunch of interrogators.

Juliette even turned the questions back on the audience, quizzing one whiskered chap about his unique accent. Pity we didn't understand his answer. Accents rang throughout the Apollo; the American twang of Juliette and her fans (did they really come all that way?), French, Australian and a faithful English contingent. Martin Henderson's New Zealander drawl and friendly demeanour put me at ease before our stint on stage... (did you know he loves to ski?).

This set the scene for a relaxed, humorous question and answer session.  After a gruelling performance (there's no interval so the play has added uninterrupted intensity), the cast did an amazing job engaging with the audience.  There is something refreshing about seeing stars in the flesh, rather than staring at them through the cold glass of a television screen.

As the questions kicked off, we learnt about the techniques used by writer Sam Shephard and Director Lindsay Posner and the cast's feelings about their characters and their motives. We also discussed whether it really hurts when Joe Duttine and Martin Henderson's bodies slam into a wall (you have to see it to believe it). In case you're wondering, Juliette's time off stage is spent a variety of ways; devouring a tuna salad was last night's chosen activity.

When the lights dimmed to signal the final question, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.  The bright lights may have set me on the road to blindness but the mix of characters on stage were so intriguing, it would have been worth the impending darkness. As they made their way out into the night - to do whatever it is that stage Gods do after a performance, I couldn't help but feel honoured to have nabbed a chunk of their evening.  I'd hazard to guess that the lucky lastminute.com customers did too.

We'll see you at the next one.  Who knows who you'll bump into...

Get your 50% off  Fool For Love tickets here.

For all the backstage action, check out our exclusive Fool For Love video diary.
If that rings your theatre bell, we also have video blogs for The Play's The Thing and See How They Run (the video diary of Digby the dog - the hairiest star on stage).

Katie on: 80's lovers unite

As I sat on the tube the other day, I smiled at the cute little old man sitting across from me.  Cute, that was until he spoke. Never before have I heard such filth fire out of one person's wrinkled little mouth.  Either he'd taken one two many illegal drugs during the 80s - or he'd just been to see Market Boy at the National Theatre. To be honest, there's not much difference between the two.

Every now and then a trip to the theatre leaves you stunned. Market Boy, at the National Theatre left me positively dazed.  Whether it was the vibrant, neon club scenes, flashing lights or the sight of Margaret Thatcher (Nicola Blackwell) flying above my head that did it, I still can't be sure. By any means, I couldn't have a better insight into Romford market life of the 80's if I'd been there myself.  I now wish I had...

In the buff...

We live in liberated times – all over the country women are breastfeeding on public transport and thong-bikini clad housemates are broadcast unabashed on national TV. So when our summer shorts have mysteriously shrunk over the winter, and the crammed tube journey is causing a little under-arm humidity, it’s no wonder that the temptation to go starkers becomes too great for some of the capital’s good citizens. And it’s not just our capital either - this Saturday, in cities all over the world, hundreds of plucky cyclists will be stripping off, painting themselves up and parading around the streets. Not, as you might imagine, for titillation and spectacle but in the name of political protest.

The World Naked Bike Ride is a protest against oil dependency and the environmental damage caused by cars. It’s also meant to be a stark symbol of cyclists’ vulnerability on the roads. You don’t have to be naked to join the ride but nudity and creative body-painting are absolutely encouraged. There are body painters on hand before the ride starts to make the most of your wobbly bits, but before you find yourself requesting a “tiger please, miss” as a knee-jerk homage to your childhood days, remember that horizontal stripes are terribly unflattering.

Get your bod and your bike to Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner for 3pm.

scariest sleepover EVER...

It might be for charity but it would take balls of steel as well as a heart of gold to get most people into the London Dungeons after dark.

The BT Giant Sleepover is a nationwide charity event, with all proceeds going to Childline.  All across the country, over 32,000 kids will be sleeping over in various places in an attempt to raise money and to break the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous sleepover ever.  And yep, you’ve guessed it, on June 17th here in London, the dungeons are just one of the venues tempting fearless kids to zip up their sleeping bags for the night.

Once they’ve battled through the mirror maze, walked the Labyrinth of the Lost and munched through a midnight feast, those who are still awake will have the chance to learn the terrifying history of London and perhaps encounter some ghosts and ghouls who haven’t quite managed to rest in peace, or pieces just yet.

The Giant Sleepover is open to children aged 7 – 13 in organised groups and costs £20 for each registration. Registering doesn’t guarantee your sleepover will be hosted in the Dungeon, but if you’re one of the lucky groups you’ll be warned in advance.  And remember kids, those bodies might be made of wax but they’re still watching you.

The BT Giant Sleepover takes place from Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th June. For further information and to register a group call 0870 240 1640

BOOK THE LONDON DUNGEON TICKETS HERE

you know you live in London when...

I just pillaged this list off www.itchylondon.co.uk - another wicked site listing the coolest London happenings. Some it rings eerily true. In fact, most of it does...

1 . You say "the City" and expect everyone to know which one.

2. You have never been to The Tower of London or Madame Tussauds but love Brighton

3. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Shepherds Bush to Elephant & Castle at 3:30 on the Friday before a long weekend, but can't find Dorset on a map.

4. Hookers and the homeless are invisible.

5. You step over people who collapse on the Tube.

6. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multilingual.

7. You've considered stabbing someone.

8. Your door has more than three locks.

9. You consider eye contact an act of overt aggression.

10. You call an 8' x 10' plot of patchy grass a garden.

11. You consider Essex the "countryside".

12. You think Hyde Park is "nature".

13. You're paying £1,200 a month for a studio the size of a walk-in wardrobe and you think it's a "bargain".

14. Shopping in suburban supermarkets and shopping malls gives you a severe attack of agoraphobia.

15. You pay more each month to park your car than most people in the UK pay in rent.

16. You pay £3 without blinking for a beer that cost the bar 28p.

17. You actually take fashion seriously.

18. You have 27 different take-away menus next to your telephone.

19. The UK west of Heathrow is still theoretical to you.

20. You're suspicious of strangers who are actually nice to you.

21. Your idea of personal space is no one actually physically standing on you.

22. £50 worth of groceries fit in one plastic bag.

23. You have a minimum of five "worst cab ride ever" stories.

24. You don't hear sirens anymore.

25. You've mentally blocked out all thoughts of the city's air/water quality and what it's doing to your insides.

26. You live in a building with a larger population than most towns.

27. Your cleaner is Portuguese, your grocer is Somali, your butcher is Halal, your deli man is Israeli, your landlord is Italian, your laundry guy is Philippino, your bartender is Australian, your favourite diner owner is Greek, the watch seller on your corner is Senegalese, your last cabbie was African, your newsagent is Indian and your local English chippie owner is Turkish.

28. You wouldn't want to live anywhere else until you get married.

29. You roll your eyes and say 'tsk' at the news that someone has thrown themselves under a tube train.

30. Your day is ruined if you don't get a copy of Metro on the way to work.

KATIE ON: Open air theatre

Don't you just LOVE this time of year?  The sun actually looks like it's going to make a warmth worthy appearance and a tan is on the distant but visible horizon. Summer lovers unite, shake out their picnic rugs and prepare to spend your evenings outside.

One of my favourite memories from back home in Autralia (sun central) was an evening spent at the open air theatre in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens.  With friends, wine in plastic cups, a warm evening and Shrek for company, we were in heaven.  I never dreamed I'd be able to brave the elements in London.  I was wrong.

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout June free cult movies will be screened at The Scoop.  It may not be the leafy green surroundings of a botanical garden but there's a certain charm about an informal open-air ampitheatre on the south bank of the Thames. The London Bridge and Tower Bridge are a backdrop to remember. And did I mention... it's FREE?!

The movies are classics.  Think Brief Encounter, Chinatown, Moulin Rouge, Some Like it Hot, The Wicker Man, Cabaret, Dr StrangeLove and Alien. Shrek baby - eat your heart out. You don't need to book but be there by 9.15pm for a 9.30pm start.

Yep, outdoors is the place to be this month. Unless of course you're one of the snufflers on the tube suffering from hayfever...

For full listings and directions, head to the official website.

news from Boogaloo...

Boogaloo are delighted to announce that they will be showing all the England World Cup games.They will be doing a special table service and reservations for these fixtures. They are also doing a special offer on Pitchers of beer!

The first match is this coming Saturday at 3pm, Doors open at 12pm.

All other games, times and dates are listed on their website.

To reserve a table please email [email protected]

Please remember this is a first come /first served basis, there are limited spaces to provide comfort while watching the games.Book early to avoid dissappointment.

THE BOOGALOO - 312 Archway Road, Highgate, 020 8340 2928

The sun has found a hat he likes and he's planning on wearing it Saturday

Ok, the weather forecast for Saturday looks a little like this:

 

…which after this grizzly week is going to be an absolute dream. This got me thinking about what to do with such a glorious day in the offing.

Plan A
Trick “only-London-based-friend-with-garden” into having a BBQ. I’ve set this evil plan into motion already by cunningly asking some mutual friends what time his BBQ is starting. They’ve expressed surprise saying they had no knowledge of said BBQ and will ask “only-London-based-friend-with-garden”  if they can come too. GENIUS. Hopefully when everyone starts asking him what time to turn up he’ll simply go with the flow.

Plan B
Assuming that “only-London-based-friend-with-garden” actually has a mind of his own, (evidence of which I have often seen unfortunately) I may need another plan. So here are some ideas about gorgeous Saturday:

Bonkers-fest: hitting normality where it hurts
At first I thought the rather Timmy Mallet-esque title smacked a little of desperation, then I read the hype and my fears weren’t entirely put to rest – one can definitely try too hard to be crazy and out-there. HOWEVER, it does feature both Mass Drumming by the London School of Samba (sounds quite exciting) and also Mexican Burritos… yum! If you’re nearby (it's being held on Camberwell Green) drop in at 2pm for the drumming.

Rhythms of the World Cup
This is basically a free world music event, riverside by the Royal Festival Hall. The idea is that all the nations of the World Cup are represented here. Think sunny day, sitting with a beer on the South Bank, listening to lots of different bands… bound to be a good giggle. Moreover, I’ve found that concrete reflects the sun quite well for that much sought after under-chin tan.

Birds Eye View Film Festival
Lots of cool/interesting/funny short films on show – oh and they’re all made by “birds” (or “hoes” to be more horticulturally correct).

So even if my evilly connived BBQ doesn't come to fruition there'll be something to keep my idle hands from the devil's work.

Girls just wanna have lunch...

The World Cup is looming. Men are off-limits. They’re too busy hollering at the telly to notice, or care that this is the third night running you’ve had to miss Big Brother just to stare at another muddy football pitch.  It’s time for action. In times like this, we’ve got to stand together. We can get through this. We will survive.  And we'll do this by doing what any independent, free-spirited city girls would do – hold our heads up high, and have lunch. Or dinner. Whatever.

But where to go?? Every gastro master in town wants your widowed butt in his fancy seat so he can charm your pain away with a delicate puff pastry and a glass of his finest Chardonnay. You’re a prime target after all, lost, vulnerable and abandoned.

Panic not my female friends. I’ve got some absolute bargain dining deals that are perfect for some quality female time. After all, when the game’s away, the girls will play…

For some serious sex and the city style dining you’ve GOT to try mybar. There are two, one in the West End and one in Chelsea, and I went to the Chelsea one on Saturday with three of my friends. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw meeting the girls for some hot talk about our sex lives. Only most of us are single and we got rained on too, so it wasn’t quite as glamorous. Still, the place itself is like a Manhattan tribute, with themed areas, a gorgeous purple bar and comfy sofa spot where a couple were looking at holidays on a laptop via the free WIFI service.

We ordered two courses and a glass of wine for just £9.95 and believe me, the food was amazing. You don’t feel as though you’re ordering from a special menu at all. I got the asparagus wrapped in parma ham with parmesan, and the tuna confit salad. Both portions were massive, and my friend raved about her blueberry cheesecake, saying she’d come back again just to eat that with a glass of bubbly. Mmmmm.  This is definitely the spot to lounge away a couple of hours with the girls before heading on out to the Kings Road for some serious window shopping. Make sure you find it on a map first though. It’s kind of hidden away down a back street and is inside the myhotel, but that only makes it feel more cool!

Smollensky's on the Strand has just been revamped and thus makes a wicked stop for a slice of posh with the ladies if you’re in the area for the theatre, or even some retail therapy. It’s not far from Covent Garden.  Smollensky’s is that welcoming retreat a world away from any screaming footy fans and with seating for 250, it’s the kind of place you can all settle back in for some celeb-spotting with a glass of the good stuff.  Go for the two course set menu at £10.95 per person and choose from a great selection on the scrummy, modern American menu. Plus, if you’re out without a plan, stay on and party in your chairs. There’s live music every night of the week from 7pm.

Ok, brace yourselves, if you’re hungry this one will make you drool. Hot chef Michael Moore has opened his own restaurant in Marylebone called,.. er… Michael Moore. Still, luckily his food is more imaginative – how ‘bout Tokyo beef tartar with mango honey and coconut thyme? Or Grilled fillet of beef with spiced pineapple turmeric risotto and veal jus? Oh stop it, stop it, I’m so hungry as I write this I am practically eating my inner cheek.  This restaurant is filled with high-fliers and again is excellent for people-watching and celeb spotting, but did I mention that you can get two courses for just £14.95? That’s a total steal, book it up quick and brag about it later, you posh ladies, you!

How about some afternoon tea? You can’t get more English than that! Madisons is a classy hotel restaurant in the heart of Mayfair, (it’s also RAC Award winning) with a gorgeous Art Deco lounge and even a fancy man playing piano. Don’t ask him to do a Robbie number!  This is a firm fave with lastminute.com customers for a reason – it’s posh nosh for hardly any dosh if you go with the Afternoon Tea for just £11.50 option. You ladies can talk about politics and posh frocks over a Selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with strawberry preserve and Cornish clotted cream, a choice of fresh pastries and cakes, and a pot of tea of your choice. Darlings, how divine. 

With all this poshness and time out with the girls, you’ll be wishing the World Cup was on every week to get the blokes out of your hair!