Ben Fogle
"This month's hotlister is the author and extreme explorer Ben Fogle..." Jenny Halpern Prince. “I’m very excited about the launch of the new ship Celebrity Edge. With the dream team combo of Kelly Hoppen doing design and me as the Destination expert we will ensure the most luxurious, immersive cruise experience to date. We will set sail from Miami on her maiden voyage. My new book Everest is also out this month co written with my wife Marina Fogle” Ben Fogle
PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT
Image credit: Facebook, Photography Spotlight at the Victoria and Albert Museum Safe to say we all consider ourselves photographers in some form these days. With social media apps like Instagram offering us filters and all sorts that encourage us to artistically shoot away our daily lives, it shows what a popular art form photography is. For the passionate photography fans amongst you, head to Photography Spotlight at the Victoria and Albert Museum which “celebrates the opening of the V&A Photography Centre, home to the national collection of the art of photography”. From now until the 27th of the month, they are hosting a series of talks, workshops and special events including a workshop focusing on experimental polaroid photography, ‘Collecting Photography’ conferences and study room sessions. The new photography centre itself will showcase some of the museums collection of over 800,000 photographs that have been acquired since 1852, alongside negatives and camera equipment from across the years. So without wanting to skip on any excuse for a pun, focus your attention on the exhibition and snap up the memories of a wonderful exploration of this fab new addition to London’s cultural scene. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
PINTER AT THE PINTER
Image credit: Pinter at the Pinter Born and raised in Hackney, Harold Pinter was a Nobel Prize-winning British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor with a hugely successful career that spanned 50 years. His plays are famous the world over and now, ten years after his passing, the Harold Pinter Theatre are putting on performances of all of his one act plays: Pinter at the Pinter. Between now and the 23rd February next year, buy a ticket to catch the chance to see one of an all star line up take their place on stage for the most ambitious and incredible dedicated season ever. Names include David Suchet, Jane Horrocks, Danny Dyer, Keith Allen, Lee Evans, Tamsin Greig and many more. On the other side of the stage is a list of directors including Jamie Lloyd that even further pay homage to the success and popularity of Pinter and his works. Some claim he is the best British playwright since Shakespeare - now that is quite the accolade. The theatre is located a short walk from Picadilly and tickets start from £15 so there's no excuse not to enjoy the performances. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
TWO TRIBES
Image credit: Two Tribes Two Tribes Brewhouse and Taproom, situated in the Tileyard Studios complex in the heart of King's Cross is a warehouse space split in two. Half is a brewery where the master beer makers brew up the sumptuous golden nectar, and is part taproom bar and part events space. Because it’s 2018 people and we all want more from an evening of drinks than just a stool and a bar to lean on. With hi spec turntables and a booming soundsystem, music is their focus with afternoon and evening DJ sessions to entertain the masses at some open and some exclusive events. Drinking responsibly is of utmost importance, as always, and food trucks on site offer up treats for those there for the long run such as Patty and Buns infamous burgers or pizzas made by Vinyl. If you and your colleagues are big fans then make sure to check out their creative drinks clubs where you can subscribe to weekly deliveries of their beer, wines and also soft drinks, straight to the office door. Overall the space draws on the creative air of its surroundings and all the cool kids will love it. As well as everyone else actually, because everyone is welcome. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
WOMEN POETS THROUGH THE AGES
Image credit: Women Poets Through the Ages at the National Theatre On the 16th of the month, ‘Poetry powerhouse’ Allie Esiri and friends will lead an entertaining and powerful journey through women’s poetry at the National Theatre. Poems celebrating women include some marking the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which first gave some women the right to vote, as well as some taken from Allie’s award winning anthologies, A Poem for Every Night of the Year and A Poem for Every Day of the Year. Rather excitingly, the poems will be read by Joanna Lumley with other actors to be announced shortly. Heaven. Then Chris Riddell, political cartoonist for The Observer, award-winning author and illustrator, and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate will be live drawing throughout the event. The poems will take the audience on a journey from the first named author in the history of the world, Enheduanna, to words from Sappho, the French poet Christine de Pisane’s verse I Yield My Heart, through to Anna Laetitia Barbland’s poem about activism The Rights of Women to Elizabeth Barret Browning’s How Do I Love Thee through to more recent poems from political activists like Alice Dunbar Nelson and Vera Brittain and acclaimed contemporary poet and writer Margaret Atwood. All is set to be a fabulous evening. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
SKYLIGHT LONDON
Image credit: Skylight London Well that’s it now, the final piece of the rooftop puzzle. We’ve had bars, swimming pools, a beach, crazy golf, yoga, cinemas…..and finally, we now have an ice rink on a rooftop. Skylight London is located over at Tobacco Docks and is Europe’s only roof-top ice rink. Open from Thursday through to Sunday each week, for the bargain price of £10 you can enjoy some stunning views of London as you glide around the rink for 45 minute slots and pirouette your way into a cosy igloo after for some drinks to quench your active thirsts. Although you may want to try your hand at the ice-hockey slap shot challenge first. There are three floors of bars and live entertainment, and of course, OBVS there is street food available too….just a bit higher than the usual street level and kids are also welcome to enjoy the fun at selected weekend times. So sip on some mulled wine, nibble on some roasted chestnuts and take in the glorious twinkling backdrop of our fair city. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
CHRISTMAS AT ZSL ZOO
Image credit: ZSL The latest addition from Caprice Holdings, Harry’s Bar is a brand new all day dining and drinks destination opening on James Street in Marylebone on the 9th November. Set in glamorous 1950s style surroundings, the menu will feature Italian favourites from dusk until dawn, serving a slice of the ‘Dolce Vita’ in the heart of the West End. Adding to the already vibrant dining scene in St. Christopher’s Place, the menu will feature unfussy Italian dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a signature weekend brunch. A special Cicchetti menu – small plates traditionally served in Venetian Bacari bars – will also be available, and best enjoyed with drinks alfresco on the large terrace. Named after the original it’s easy to see the Italian influence it has had on the menu and decor, with luxurious banquettes and bright, colourful artwork that nod to mid-century Italian glamour. The wood panelled bar will serve exceptional Italian wines and cocktails with a twist – don’t miss the Infinite Negroni and Harry’s Limoncello Spritz. Highlights from the all-day and frankly affordable menu include antipasti or any one of the pizzas or signature pasta dishes available. We’ll be starting with one of those Limoncello Aperol’s for sure. Facebook | Instagram
THE CHRISTMAS LABYRINTH
Image credit: The Christmas Labyrinth at Backyard Cinema Silly season is nearly upon us. That wonderful time of year where we all go into panic mode and constantly utter the words “I must see you before Christmas” because heaven forbid we have to wait one week till the new year and normal service resumes. For some it involves cramming more wild nights out into one month than you have all year and for others winter means curling up by a fire with a red wine and all your pals. If you’re somewhere in the middle and fancy an evening out without the hangover then head to Winterville and cotch up for a film screening with Backyard cinema. Kicking off in November and running throughout December they have a whole host of films lined up including Christmas themed favourites like Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually, plus Disney hits and more. Their infamous bean bags will be lined up with blankets for you to curl up into after you’ve scoffed on festive snacks and cocktails and watched some live performances in their pre cinema cabaret bar area. Full listings and tickets can be bought via their site here. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
ART YARD BAR & KITCHEN
Image credit: Ming Tang-Evans Art Yard Bar & Kitchen is a new all-day dining restaurant and bar at 2 Blackfriars Road in London’s Bankside. Just a stone’s throw from the banks of the Thames, Borough Market, and London's bustling Southbank, Art Yard will offer a modern space for all-day dining. The menu celebrates the abundance of British produce through the seasons, whilst also drawing inspiration from European cuisines and cultures. Signature dishes will include ‘Chargrilled Cuttlefish with Black Rice and Chorizo and ‘Baked Bone Marrow with Curry Sauce’, the thought of which has us dribbling over our laptops already. With ingredients delivered direct from London’s many fresh markets, on tap cocktails and a regularly changing menu of bottled and canned beers from breweries along the Bermondsey beer mile, it’s fantastic to see so many things sourced from the streets of London. Art plays a key part as you may have guessed from the name, with features created by local designers and creatives and Alexander Calder inspired mobiles and sustainably-sourced wood furniture with patterned tiling throughout the bright space. In summary Art Yard is a feast for your taste buds and eyes all at the same time. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
CENTREPOINT, THE SLEEPOUT
Image credit: Centrepoint Outrageously, 86,000 young people ask for help with homelessness each year in the UK! Centrepoint exists to change that, by providing homeless 16-25 year olds with completely life-changing support. This month they have their charity Sleep Out which takes place on 15th November, on Greenwich Peninsula. It’s Centrepoint’s most exciting fundraising event and sees 1000 people from businesses across London come together and swap their beds for sleeping bags - all to raise loads of money and awareness. It’s a serious challenge, but Sleep Out is also a celebration of Centrepoint, with performances, workshops, food and drink. It’s time to break the cycle of youth homelessness and you can sign up here for £13 if you register before the end of the week – just use the code ‘HALPERN13’. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
ONEDOX
Image credit: OneDox Does anyone struggle with their life admin when it comes to keeping up with bills, suppliers, renewal dates and the best prices out there? Ok good, glad it’s not just us that finds it tedious. We have a solution in the form of the OneDoxapp. It can help to “revolutionise” your bills and frankly help to make the entire process more seamless and less of a headache. You can link all your accounts from gas and water to road tax, mobile phones and insurance to the app, for an easy overview of all your payments. OneDox will alert you when bills are up for renewal, help you to find the best new providers and rates as well as ensuring you never miss payments. Praise the app lords, anything that makes the real word less hectic leaving more time for fun, gets our vote. Facebook | Twitter