Jim Chapman
I love the start of summer feeling of June - everyone in London is always much happier when the sun is shining. In the warmer weather I love to get out and explore the city’s outside spaces - Caravan at Kings Cross is a good spot to sit and watch the world go by and I can recommend going for breakfast (any later and it gets super busy!) If you’re feeling a bit cheeky you could see if you can run through the fountains before you get wet (I got soaked).
- Jim Chapman
DISCOVER: London Library
Founded in 1841, the London Library is one of the world’s leading literary institutions, located in St James Square. Steeped in history it is described as one of London’s best kept secrets so don’t tell anyone we told you about it…! Greatness has walked the halls of this library including literary giants such as T.S Eliot, Arthur Conan Doyle, Sebastian Faulks and Philippa Gregory and royalty from Prince Albert through to Queen Elizabeth. With over 1 million books you cannot find a greater place to lose yourself and indulge your mind. Whether you need to study in the presence of history or simply want to escape amongst the pages of a novel the many rooms that make up the library each have their own charm and history. Visit the website to find out more about becoming a member or if you’d rather then attend one of their events including tours of the library and many an author’s talk. Stephen Fry said of the library "What gyms can do for your body, this magical place can do for your mind" which sums it up pretty perfectly we think.
RESTAURANT: Yeni
Yeni Lokanta is arguably and reputedly the most famous restaurant in all of Istanbul and they’ve opened here in London, which is great because frankly we don’t always want to travel for award winning food like Chef Er’s Kofte with sumac molasses or his famous oven-roasted ribs. We’re kidding, we would literally travel many many miles for great food but luckily, on this occasion, we don’t need to. Situated on Beak Street in Soho, Yeni celebrates the best of Istanbul with small plates of street food through to set menus and group tasting options. The brick walls, quirky light features and tiling throughout make the space, seem simple but appealing as you tuck yourself away from the bustling street outside. The menu includes more Turkish treats such as pan fried 12 month feta with samphire, spiced honey and hazelnuts or lamb shank, tamarind, porcini and spinach which can all be accompanied by one of the cocktails that also contain traditional turkish ingredients such as mahalep cherry. Yeni have taken all the best from their original restaurant and thankfully replicated it here for us to enjoy. So Afiyet Olsun. (Bon appetit)
BAR: Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration
Ah Mr Fogg. You make so many friends everywhere you go that you keep needing to open new bars! The Fogg empire is ever expanding and one of our favourites is Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration in Covent Garden, one of many eccentric and adventure themed venues from our dear friend. They say The Society of Exploration is a sanctuary for those more curious than most; those who wish to push the boundaries of the ordinary, who hope to test the limits of travel, adventure and Victorian-mechanics. Located a stone’s throw away from the location that Mr Fogg embarked upon his infamous journey around the world: the bustling Charing Cross station, Bedford Street in Covvy G is where you can seek out all these escapades, sampling elixirs sourced from the farthest corners of the globe with bold experimentations of mixology. Ooh err! What is best though is that they are transforming into a safari-style oasis for the summer months. With the sounds of the outdoors resonating from the walls on your way down the stairs, you enter into a paradise of plants, tropical treasures and eccentric artefacts, before you test your limits with mysteriously exotic bites and Whitley Neill gin libations from Mr Fogg’s Summer Safari menu. Keep on Mr Fogg’s good side, he is a very very good friend to have.
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SUMMER SOLSTICE: Brake the Cycle
The solstice marks the end of spring and the arrival of summer, with the sun at its highest point providing the most daylight we get all year. What better excuse to stay up all night, and be there for those few hours of darkness, before seeing daylight unfold once more. Our suggestion is you stay up all night, on a bicycle with an overnight ride! Don’t panic, keep reading! Brake the Cycle is a community for adventurous people looking to squeeze the most out of life in a way that doesn’t harm the Earth. A community for people who love adventuring and the outdoors so much they don’t want to see it destroyed through climate change, plastic pollution and the loss of our wild spaces. They organise everything from single day adventures to three week epics and to mark the summer solstice they have arranged a free bike ride from London to Hastings, via a pub and some wild swimming spots, on the 21st June. The route is approximately 75 mikes and the plan is to arrive at 6am after sunrise. What a fun and beautiful way to make some new friends and see a magical sunrise. Register here to take part, and remember it’s FREE.
ART: Kiss my Genders
From the 12th June until early September, the Hayward Gallery presents Kiss My Genders, an exhibition celebrating more than 30 international artists whose work explores and engages with gender identity. The works span various forms including installation, video, painting, photographs, sculpture and wall drawings and Kiss My Genders plays host to a number of artists who explore gender expression through performance, drag and masquerade. There are so many incredible pieces to see but a few that caught our eye include London-based artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings who explore the politics, histories and aesthetics of queer space in their video installation Something for the Boys; and in an unsettling series of photographs entitled Crime Scene, Zanele Muholi draws attention to the violence suffered by South Africa’s lesbian and transgender communities. Conveyed through the wide range of mediums, this exhibition intends to be a wonderful celebration welcoming the brilliant differences and the rich spectra of genders within our society and we think it will do just that because the Hayward Gallery are forever nailing it.
BOOK: Alpha Girls, Julian Guthrie
Silicon Valley has long been at the forefront of innovation, but it is renowned for its archaic sexist culture. Alpha Girls by Julian Guthries is the unforgettable story how a group of talented women achieved success in a tech world run by 'bro-grammers' through sheer grit and determination. Despite the instrumental role they played in building some of the foremost companies of our time, these women have been written out of history - until now. Magdalena Yesil, Mary Jane Elmore, Theresia Gouw and Sonja Hoel juggled work and family and shaped the tech landscape we know today all while overcoming unequal pay, actual punches, betrayals and the sexist attitudes prevalent in Silicon Valley. Despite the setbacks, they would rise again to rewrite the rules for an industry they love. If you enjoyed Lean In, the Social Network and Hidden Figures then you absolutely MUST pick up a copy of Alpha Girls.
EXHIBITION: Discover The Real Victoria
This year marks the 200th birthday of one of our fiercest Queens *clicks fingers*, Queen Victoria. To celebrate this infamous and incredible figure, Kensington Palace are opening not one, but TWO new exhibitions to honour her. Discover the Real Victoria gives us a different perspective on the life and legacy of one of our most famous monarchs from a youngester through to adulthood. A Royal Childhood sets the scene and tells the tale of a privileged young royal who was raised in the very rooms of Kensington Palace we can still see today and grew to become the leader we all know. This new permanent exhibition displays various objects relating to Victoria’s early years – including a poignant scrapbook of mementos created by her German governess, Baroness Lehzen, which goes on public display for the first time. Woman and Crown looks in greater detail at the adult behind the royal persona- the mother, wife and empress that she was. Rare survivals from her private wardrobe – including a simple cotton petticoat and a pair of fashionable silver boots – provide a stark contrast to the black gowns she was so famous for wearing later in life. Hopefully we all take something away from the exhibition and go on to rule our own lives with a little of the strength, defiance and endurance that Queen Victoria possessed by the bucket load.
CHARITY OF THE MONTH: World Oceans Day
The 8th June marks World Oceans Day- a day to not only celebrate our oceans but also to join the global community through thousands of events and activities with the common ambition of creating a healthier ocean and better future. Many of the UK based events are beach cleans, however, if you can’t get down to the coast then head to Carnaby Street instead for the Soho Music Month celebrations in association with World Oceans Day. Visitors can relax in a festival-like setting on Ganton Street complete with a grass lawn, bean bags, photo booth, ice lollies and live music. Make sure you learn what you can do to help protect our oceans at the Project 0 pop-up exhibition at 3 Newburgh Street. With stunning pieces of art by Elizabeth Hoff and Alma Laura alongside photographs by Tim Akins of Micro Plastic Pollution in beautiful styled dishes, you can purchase books by ocean photographer Ben Thouard, jewellery by Ara Vartanian and exclusive Salt-T t shirts from iconic rockstar Slash. Lastly there will be limited edition Carnaby X Project 0 tote bags featuring environmentally themed artwork from six eco-conscious and influential designers; Tracey Emin, Fearne Cotton, Georgia May Jagger, Holly St Clair, Julian Höenig, and Suki Waterhouse. The reusable bags are printed on recycled cotton canvas and feature striking aesthetics that depict the ocean and address the environmental impact on marine life. Bags cost £15, with 100% of funds raised from the sale of the bags going to conservation work in the Thames.
APP OF THE MONTH: Day One
Social media makes it easy it keep a diary of sorts, of our activities. You can track the events you went to, see tagged photos of yourself and look at your interactions with mates. But what about the ol’ classic diary with your scripted thoughts, feelings and more? Well if you want to keep a diary but don’t have time to sit down and put pen to paper then download Day One. It’s the app stores number one ‘journal’ app and having it on your phone or tablet means you can update on the go when you’re stuck on a tube journey or waiting for mates in a bar. As well as your words you can add images, videos, audio, drawings and all sorts and features allow you to look back at previous entries by date, memories or however you choose, plus you can print it all into a book if you wanted to. Let’s rediscover the joy of keeping a diary. After all, we bet Bridget would have gone digital by now.