THE BRITS LOVE TEA. At any time of day! By Sara Darling So when we were invited to sample the best of the UK’s Afternoon Tea at the fourth annual Afternoon Tea Awards at the Rosewood in London, it wasn’t too much of a chore. Founded by Keith Newton, an afternoon tea connoisseur and businessman, it is the icing on the cake for purveyors of stylish tea and cakes. This great British custom was started by the Duchess of Bedford in 1830 when she ordered a light meal to stave off hunger pangs between lunch and dinner, and the tradition of scones and gossip still prevails at some of the most exclusive meeting points in London. Narrowing down the favourites from some of London’s top hotels and eateries to the top four could not have been easy. With each judge (including top pastry chefs and food writers in the hospitality industry) visiting twice to ensure consistency. From over 60 of the UK’s finest hotels and restaurants offering afternoon tea, the cherished awards recognise the best in tea, food and service and were whittled down to four winners which were commended for their impeccable service, taste, setting and creativity, The 4 categories showcase the most outstanding experiences from best tea service, best theme, best contemporary tea and best traditional tea, which were judged over a period of 6 months, and considered all aspects of the afternoon tea experience from booking to departure, with a strong focus on the food, tea and service. Best Traditional Afternoon Tea – The Savoy The judges said: “Everything about the setting for this afternoon tea experience exudes elegance.” “Combining exquisite food with a service which made everyone feel as though they were the most special person in the room is a real talent and made for a perfect afternoon of elegance.” “A memorable experience which is worth every penny.” Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea - Adam Handling at Cadogan’s The judges said: “Fantastic afternoon tea, with amazing food and service.” “The tea stand was not only unique and stunning, but also cleverly designed.” “The best afternoon tea experience I have had for a long time!” Best Themed Afternoon Tea – The Berkeley “Prêt-à-Portea” The judges said: “This afternoon tea has been a true highlight for me.” “I was incredibly impressed with both the genuineness and knowledge of the staff.” “An astonishing level of detail…the cakes truly were art itself.” Best Tea Service - The Roseberry at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park The judges said: “I was very impressed with the variety of teas on offer - it looked as if the pages would go on forever!” “I liked how much detail our server went into to explain the teas and the food pairings they would complement.” “Fresh cups were provided with each new tea and our waiter was keen for us to try many options.” With further notable additions: The Berkeley, Rosewood London, The Dorchester and Kona; Commended winners included Fortnum & Mason, The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe, COMO The Halkin and Le Méridien Piccadilly.
Regionally, the ‘Award of Excellence’ winners were: Pennyhill Park, Surrey, Coworth Park, Berkshire, Café at the Palace, Edinburgh, Lainston House, Hampshire, James Martin Manchester, Laura Ashley Coventry, Laura Ashley Solihull, Foxhills, Surrey, Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Hertfordshire For more information, check out https://afternoontea.co.uk/
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A COMING OF AGE MOVIE WITH ADDED CARP OBSESSION
BY SARA DARLING The nineties might strike a chord for the music scene- acid house, punk, emo and northern soul were rife. but in industrial, working class Yorkshire, friendships take priority. And music is secondary to this close knit group of teenagers who star in the first movie by acclaimed theatre director Bill Buckhurst. The film begins in a sleepy mining village just outside Doncaster, in the heatwave of 1994. Bored, skint, teenagers fill their long summer holiday with sibling rivalry, teenage dramas, crushes, betrayals and first love, around the decidedly unglamorous estate where they have grown up. In keeping with the era, youths listlessly hang out on street corners, revving up motorbikes, blagging cigarettes and heavy petting in alleyways- whilst listening to music on cassette tapes. Parents on the other hand are equally apathetic socialising at the local Miners’ Welfare Club, where the highlight is making jokes about Tony Blair. With a mis-matched group of friends, the story sways towards the character of Trevor (Tom Varey), who as one of the older members of the gang, is ready to leave the suffocating town after one last summer. His priority is looking after emotionally fragile Pogo (Esme Creed-Miles), who has a major crush on him, and is constantly on the verge of an anxiety attack, whilst his wayward sister Cassie (Daisy Edgar-Jones), has moved into his old room and is embracing her new freedom. Geeky Malcolm (Angus Imrie) is besotted with Cassie, but she is only interested in bad boys, demonstrated in her passionate snogging sessions with Maurice (Abraham Lewis). As a coming of age film, the unrequited love establishes how fickle teenage romance is, and how easy it is to get your heart broken. Away from the oppressive cement of the estate, the local woodland has a pond, which rumour has it, is the home of a giant carp, nicknamed Nessie. As a last ditch attempt to make something of his life in the area, he is determined to catch it once and for all before he leaves the town to search for work. A film about fishing might not seem super exciting, but it’s the relationships which bind the town together that make it memorable. In order to leave his legacy, Trevor initiates an overnight mission to lure the fish on an overnight fishing expedition. Tweenagers Shane and David, are also obsessed with snagging the carp- almost as much as Shane is hooked in spying on snogging couples, and are almost a comical aside to the drama. With a particularly poignant scene when randy Shane has stolen his mothers stockings and suspenders to wear (he was told anglers wore women's tights to keep warm) and almost gets rumbled by Maurice! Pond Life will no doubt take you back to the nineties, and is a modern, nostalgic kitchen sink drama. Watch it on Verve Pictures on DVD now. A MOVIE ABOUT LOVE BY SARA DARLING A bittersweet romance by Simon Amstell. Yes, Simon Amstell the comedian. This semi-autobiographical love story takes us through lust, love, relationships and heartbreak in ninety minutes and provides a voyeuristic look into leading man- wannabe filmmaker, Benjamin, uses his disastrous relationships as the material for his work. With one award under his belt, we join the skittish movie maker in the week of release of film number two, and although he is likeable, he is also really annoying because of his insecurities. Benjamin, played by a bashful Colin Morgan, is Amstel with an accent, and the viewer may easily question if he has the competence as a filmmaker, as his social skills are painful. However, urged to go out and network by his hyperactive publicist Billie (played fantastically by Jessica Raine) he sets eyes on a delightful French musician, Noah (Phénix Brossard), who woos him with his sultry voice and eye contact from the stage. Not having the confidence to go and speak to him, there is a camp element to the narrative, and the awkwardness of the crush is actually very cute. Meanwhile, the latest movie is a flop, with critics on the scene dropping him like a hot potato, which adds to his self-destruction. Even his publicist didn’t watch it all the way through! Adding to the stress of making a comeback in the industry, and facing the media, he underestimates his feelings for Noah. What seemed to have so much promise at the start, begins to fade fast and crumble with high and impossible reassurance demands. Exposing the fickle nature of the film industry, the comedic elements, spiral from the failed movie and the secondary affair that Benjamin's best friend and co-writing partner is having with Billie, who wants nothing more to do with him in the daylight! Bed swapping, back stabbing and some jolly good tunes.... Above all it’s a film for anyone who has put their heart or soul into a vulnerable situation, anyone who doesn’t have thick skin, and anyone who has ever been in love. Benjamin / released on DVD 12th August.
WE THE ANIMALS, DIR BY JEREMIAH ZAGAR BY SARA DARLING A beautiful real life story of a young boy discovering manhood based on the autobiographical book by Justin Torres. Set in the flatlands of remote, upstate New York, there are few other characters involved in this movie, which revolves around a family consisting of Puerto Ricon ‘Paps’ (played by Freddie Mercury- moustached Raúl Castillo), American-Italian ‘Ma’ (Sheila Vand) a feisty teenage mum who had her kids by the time she was twenty, and three siblings, ranging between 9 and 14- Manny (Isaiah Kristian), Joel (Josiah Gabriel) and Jonah (Evan Rosado). Taking place through an undetermined time period in the nineties, the family seems to be happy, making do with their hand to mouth existence in their run down house, teasing each other, but ultimately a solid unit. However, there is friction within the monotony with their parents, who constantly wind each other up. The boys, sleeping like feral wolves, in the same room, are well aware when their alpha male father beats their mother up after they have gone to bed. After a particularly harrowing incident when Paps, tries to teach the youngest son, Jonah to swim, and he nearly downs, the air is heavy with blame. Sent off to bed, the boys expect a big row, and the inevitable fight leads to Ma getting a smashed up face. Paps knows is one step too far, and he grabs his bag and leaves, telling the boys that their mother had teeth removed at the dentist and they should stay quiet around her. From the outset, the main focus is Jonah, who as the youngest is his Ma’s little treasure. However, with two older brothers and an unpredictable Paps, he has conflicting views on what is right and wrong; The violence, followed by consequent passion and tenderness is a cycle which is hard for anyone to get to grips with, and puts pressure on his relationship with his mother as he tries to work things out for himself. In order for Jonah to try to understand his feelings, he crawls under the bed with a flashlight every night to scribble in a notebook, frantically creating illustrations which come to life as realistic animations. Depicting violence, sex and his family, this is a clever way for the viewer to bond with him, as however close he is to his brothers, he is perceived as more delicate and sensitive; Adamant to keep his journal secret, he stashes it carefully under the mattress so no one can see his true feelings, and sexual thoughts. Being the youngest of three brothers, and having a mother who is suffering from depression, and a father he is not sure he should like, makes Jonah grow up fairly quickly; So when he accidentally meets the stoner grandson of his neighbour (after attempting to steal from his vegetable garden) he finds a comrade. This teenager, from Philly, who is nice to him, represents normality. Even though his life involves around watching Iron Maiden videos, porn and smoking weed, he provides an alternative reality to what Jonah knows, and is a beacon of hope. With confusing guidelines (his parents have yet another passionate reunion) and his brothers seem to be developing way too quickly and growing into versions of their father, Jonah feels even more of a misfit. And after being bullied by his siblings, he acts on impulse and takes refuge in his neighbour’s basement, where his desire takes over and they kiss.
However happy his first kiss should make him, his life implodes when he gets home, where he finds his bed ransacked and his diary has been read. With his deepest secrets exposed, and the whole family waiting for an explanation, this ten year old boy has a decision to make. A totally mesmerising story, which will touch and infuriate you, and make you wonder what you would do in the same situation. By Eureka Films! On general release now. Arts Editor: Christopher George The Opera Gallery exhibits original art works from Keith Haring between June and July, during its American Icon exhibition, coinciding with the TATA Liverpool retrospective untill the 10th November. Renowned artist and activist Keith Haring is at the forefront of this iconic exhibition who, alongside his close friends and fellow artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, collaborated to shock and amaze people all over the world with their accessible yet hard-hitting subjects and animated colourful artworks that explored the political chaos of this era. On a mission to change the world, Haring used his platform to enable research and to raise awareness about AIDS. Using ideals from the 60s popular culture to inject positive symbols and political messages into creating evocative art for the masses American Icons displays a large number of his best original works that epitomise his well-known absurdist style. Though Haring tragically died from the AIDS epidemics of the 80s, his legacy and optimism lives on. Thursday 20th June, 10am – 2pm Opera Gallery: 134 New Bond Street, London W1S 2TF Review: Christopher George For the summer season, Applebee’s Fish restaurant has opened a pop-up dining experience in the heart of The South Bank next to The Royal Festival Hall. Set underneath the South bank rail track, and pretty much next to the river Thames, it’s possibly the coolest place to be during the summer months. Capturing the urban side of Londons South Bank, along with the atmosphere of this great city that has revolved around the railways and the river Thames for hundreds of years. Applebee’s Fish set within both, with the regular trains rattling over head bringing the senses to life while listening to chilled music and live acts. Gone are the stuffy interiors, this is the British summer, so get outside. Fortunately Applebee’s Fish has the luxury of cover from the train bridge, so when that sky gets a bit damp, all is fine. Applebee’s Fish a family business at heart, has its permanent restaurant just a stones throw away in Borough Market. This is the first year the family have branched out with a pop up restaurant to great success in a fantastic location.
With lots to see and do around South Bank. Applebee’s Fish is the perfect place to stop for exquisite relaxed and casual food, along with some champagne or cocktails. Yes Please! See you ‘Underneath the Arches’! Applebee's Fish Arts Editor: Christopher George Proud Galleries presents "In and Out of Warhol’s Orbit: Photographs by Nat Finkelstein", a compelling and intimate exhibition revealing the complex characters behind the well-documented tensions and hedonism of Andy Warhol’s studio. Photojournalist Nat Finkelstein spent three years as the house photographer at the Silver Factory, documenting this fascinating and pivotal moment of cultural history in 1960s America. Finkelstein captured the many artists, producers and musicians who frequented the infamous Factory at the height of its prominence. In 1962 Finkelstein to meet Andy Warhol, and stunned by the apparent decadence of life at the Factory, Finkelstein resolved to capture this environment teeming with the underground bourgeoisie. His fascination with the countercultures of the era led him to stay on as photographer at the Factory for three years, resulting in a collection that has the glamour, energy and edge of a 1960s film set. Upon falling out with Warhol and his turbulent circle, Finkelstein left the Factory in order to pursue a more politically engaged lifestyle. Through his documentary style photography, Finkelstein discreetly recorded the milieu of creatives and socialites who were regulars at the Factory including Edie Sedgwick, The Velvet Underground, Nico, Brian Jones and Betsey Johnson.
Finkelstein had constant access to this unique mix of characters and focused on their idiosyncrasies as artists, rather than their emerging celebrity status. "Iam a situational photographer,” he once explained; “These unposed images were made when Andy Warhol et al were people, not products; young artists, not celebrities. Enjoy, but don’t venerate." In and Out of Warhol’s Orbit: Photographs by Nat Finkelstein presents highlights of this three-year period in Finkelstein’s career, where he had extraordinary access to a cultural revolution that shook the very foundations of society. Through his time at the Factory, Finkelstein's photographic style evolved from photojournalism to fine art; though he often positioned himself too close to the story, it was this intimacy which led to a creative liberation and desire for freedom of expression. The exhibition includes rare vintage and unique signed prints of Andy Warhol and ‘the Factory Girl’ Edie Sedgwick, along with screen tests of a young Bob Dylan. With acasual and frank, yet thrilling insight into the era, Finkelstein’s work has a distinctive, candid style. His determination and ingenuity allowed him to capture private moments within an exclusive circle, one which was constantly on display to the outside world. 11th April 2019 – June 9th 2019 Proud Central 32 John Adam Street London WC2N 6BP http://proudonline.co.uk BY SARA DARLING
Head to Regents Place in central London to catch ‘Sisyphus in Retrograde’ a showcase of five contemporary artists. Exploring themes around the relationship between technology and the environment, the exhibition poses questions about the impact of human behaviour. Featuring a range of art from ADELINE DE MONSEIGNAT who explores the way inanimate objects trigger emotional responses and alter the psychology of built environments HARRISON PEARCE whose installations evoke a metaphorical relationship to familial and societal structures EVY JOKHOVA who explores the invention of tradition, memory, personal histories and relationships through film SOL BAILEY-BARKER whose kinetic and sonic-sculptures reference a lineage of sacred objects dating from the neolithic axe to contemporary machines NISSA NISHIKAWA whose work involves movement and ritual using glass and ceramic objects to reflect the current crisis in ecology and community Regent’s Place is dedicated to offering an ongoing programme of accessible art to its local community. Regent’s Place, 17-19 Triton Street, London For future shows check out http://www.regentsplace.com/ Article: Karolina Kivimaki Put this date in your diary: Saturday, May 11. The Women For Women International #SheInspiresMe car boot sale hosted by The Store’s Alex Eagle in partnership with TheOutnet.com has invited its celebrity supporters to set up their tables in Soho’s Brewer Street car park. That’s where shabby car boot reference ends, this one is definitely more glam than bric-a-brac. Just to name a few, Charlotte Dellal, Eugenie Niarchos, Maria Kastani, Hikari Yokoyama, Tiphaine De Lussy, even Dame Helen Mirren will be there to sell their wardrobe clearouts. Not to mention past season collections from brands like Manolo Blahnik, Nicholas Kirkwood, Cashmere In Love, Temperley London and Jane Carr. There will be definitely some shopping binge-worthy pre-loved and bargain priced goodies. Shoppers will have the opportunity to restore, personalise and upcycle pre-loved pieces and have a quick makeover by Charlotte Tilbury’s team as well. “This year, we have an even more incredible offering than ever before, with wonderful donations some of my most stylish friends and chicest brands. It’s an honour to work on this event and help make a difference for women who live in some of the world’s most dangerous places,” gushes Alex Eagle, Creative Director of The Store. All proceedings from the car boot sale will go to Women For Women International, a charity which has helped almost half a million women survivors of war rebuild their lives. With over 40 brutal armed conflicts across the globe and unprecedented levels of violence against women, Women for Women International’s support is ever so crucial. There’s an urgent need for more funding to give women who have suffered the trauma of war the practical skills and knowledge they need to rebuild their lives for brighter futures for themselves and their families. Last year’s event raised over £236,000, so let’s be part of raising even more money for a worthy cause. WEOMEN FOR WEOMEN #SheInspiresMe car boot sale, Saturday, May 11, Brewer Street car park, W1 To buy tickets, visit www.womenforwomen.org.uk Arts Editor: Christopher George Santini will be unveiling a selection of new works concerned with the human condition, the choices we make, and the struggles we face. His work is a journey, an-ongoing fascination with the grey area, and what goes on in the ‘in-between’. The new Solid Forms series portrays the alluring and sensual transition of smoke abstracted, which encompasses Santini’s fascination with fleeting observed realities, earlier examined in his water pieces. Inspired by his spirituality and Metaphysics, through this work he takes us right to the beginning of life itself - an essence of water and light and of our connection to nature. Santini says about his work “Film is the other medium I covert, the power of suggestion and universality of film is truly awesome, equaled only by the abstract and arresting beauty of a photograph. What brings these worlds together, spawning its own beguiling incarnation are lenticular’s. On one side I love the specific-ness of film but love equally, the abstractness of photography. The lenticular world encompasses both these dictums, and hence its growing fascination with me as a technique and medium to create and communicate with.” He adds about the forthcoming exhibition, “They are a reflection of the world as we see it, a synthesis of film, fashion, art and photography. Undoubtedly playful, bold and provocative, the works represent the limbo of looking at the mirror and starring into the void in-between of split realities.” His lenticular process layers a series of still images into one file before printing them on a textured sheet of plastic, creating a transition between the images. The final product acts as a response to the contemporary world’s desires to have more interaction, motion and speed.
From the 25th April 2019 The House of Fine Art (HOFA Gallery) will launch Derrick Santini’s solo exhibition entitled ‘Time Forms Solid Space’ at their London gallery on Maddox Street, Mayfair. The show will feature a series of 17 spectacular lenticular works by the artist. HOFA Gallery 58 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1AY |
Sø•sceneA curated catalogue of things to do and see - exhibitions, events, films and galleries.
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