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Local Expert: Lulu P.

At the tender age of 31, I decided to quit my cushy life in Toronto to see if I could move to London successfully. Much to my surprise, things worked out well and I'm looking forward to being a long-term tourist in my adopted city....

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August 31, 2008
Attraction

The History of the Supremes

Before there was Destiny’s Child there were the Supremes. Despite the turmoil, back-stabbing and at least one member who died penniless, the Supremes were above else — the epitome of girl group glamour.

Mary Wilson, one of the original members of the Supremes and the only one to survive all of the band’s iterations, has collaborated with the V&A and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, to tell the story of how it all began. Using the group’s music, album covers and archive performance footage, new video interviews and of course all those amazing costumes, the history of the Supremes is told.

The highlight of the exhibit is definitely the dresses. From the first simplistic pieces they wore when they were the Primettes to the over-the-top concoctions they donned during the band’s twilight years, the dresses alone are worth the price of admission.

From now until October 19
http://www.vam.ac.uk
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Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
020 7942 2000
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August 26, 2008
Attraction

KOKO London

London has a long history of producing some of the biggest names in music as well as musical genres. Britpop, Oasis, grime, punk, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Blur, M.IA., Joy Division, the list goes on. Most of these musicians will have started off making a name for themselves the good old fashioned way — playing live gigs.

There are so many bands in London, that you could probably see a gig a night without batting an eyelash. Where there is supply there is of course, demand. London of the best places to see up and coming bands for very little money.

A great place to see the superstar musician of tomorrow (and some from today) is KOKO London in Camden. What began in 1909 as a movie theatre evolved into live music venue beginning in the 1970s. Everyone from The Clash to Eurythmics has performed at KOKO. Madonna famously had very first UK performance on KOKO’s stage.

These days, for under £20 you can catch the likes of up and comers like Santogold as well as more mainstream artists like Feist. The venue itself is pure old school bordello — complete with plush red velvet and red lighting. Music lovers visiting London should make room in their itineraries for Lady KOKO.
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KOKO
1A Camden High Street, NW1 7JE
0870 4325527
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August 14, 2008
Attraction

StolenSpace Gallery

London is truly an art lover’s paradise. Not only do you have a wide selection of world-class art galleries to choose from — many of which are free — the city is filled with hidden art gallery gems.

I discovered the StolenSpace gallery by accident when I first moved. I was doing a Google search for graffiti art in London and happened to come across an exhibition by Seen, an old-school writer from the 80s-era New York graffiti scene. He happened to be showing at the StolenSpace Gallery.

While the idea of graffiti as legitimate art is still something that the rest of the world is only just starting to embrace, it’s a bit old hat in London. Here, Banksy’s an art superstar and a place like the StolenSpace can pay its rent by selling works by graffiti artists exclusively.

For those of you looking to take a break from the line ups at the Tate Modern and the British Museum, head down to the StolenSpace gallery for a taste of what’s fast becoming the future of art.
Insider's Rating:
StolenSpace Gallery
Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
+44 (0) 207 247 2684
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August 13, 2008
Attraction

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion

In 2000, Julia Peyton-Jones, the Serpentine’s Gallery Director, gave birth to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion Commission programme. Each year, the commission selects a world-class architect who has never designed or built anything in England and asks them to construct a temporary structure on the grounds of the Serpentine gallery. The pavilion construction, from start to finish cannot take longer than six months. Architects selected for this honour include the likes of the very talented Daniel Libeskind.

This year the invitation was extended to arguably the most famous contemporary architect working today — Frank Gehry. In signature Gehry style, the pavilion is essentially an angular and seemingly chaotic, wood and glass structure that is noy unlike most of Gehry’s work around the world. According to Gehry:

The Pavilion is designed as a wooden timber structure that acts as an urban street running from the park to the existing Gallery.

Hurry to the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion when you can!

www.serpentinegallery.org


From July 20 to October 19.
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Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens, London, London, W2 3XA, United Kingdom

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August 07, 2008
Attraction

007 on Display

While we all wait for the next Bond instalment — Quantum of Solace — the Imperial War Museum is giving us the opportunity for us to re-visit the history of Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming.

Feature everything from old Fleming manuscripts to Halle Berry’s bikini from Die Another Day, the exhibition is an homage to all that is Bond. Exhibition highlights include:

•    An original print of Casino Royale, the very first Bond book penned by Fleming.
•    An early composite sketch of Bond, commissioned by Fleming in 1957.
•    Daniel Craig’s blood splattered shirt from Casino Royale.

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond
Imperial War Museum
17 April 2008 – 1 March 2009
Adults £8.00, Concessions £7.00, Children £4.00, Family (2 adults and 2 children) £19.00
Insider's Rating:
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom

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July 20, 2008
Attraction

I Heart Borough Market

My love for this market has more than provided great annoyance to those around me. I once dragged one of my friends to Borough three days in a row and my boyfriend often gets a defeated annoyance when I announce that we are indeed going to Borough yet again. It’s safe to say that this is my favourite market in London.

Located, just outside of London Bridge station, Borough Market is over 250 years old and arguably the best place to purchase London’s finest foods. If you’re visiting London, it’s one of the best places to eat very well for under ten pounds.

Now there are a lot of choices to be had at Borough. Even if you just stroll up to a random food stand you will most likely not be disappointed. Here is my list of the top 5 things you must eat while at Borough market.

1. Chorizo sandwich from Brindisia Chorizo. Get there early as you will be facing a long line up or worse yet — no more sandwiches!

2. Chicken burger from Wyndham House Poultry. Who knew mayo, salsa and grainy mustard could work so perfectly together?

3. Beef burger topped with bacon from Northfield Farm. You know your arteries will hate you for it, but it’s too good to care.

4. Roast pork with crackling and applesauce sandwich from Roast. You’ve never had a piece of pork so tender or a piece of crackling so crispy.

5. Pork pie from Mrs. King’s Pies. Real English people eat their pork pies cold so that they can taste the gelatinous goodness of the cold pork filling.
Insider's Rating:
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL, Britain
020/7407 1002
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July 03, 2008
Attraction

Kew Gardens

Sprawled out over 300 acres, Kew Gardens is a plant lover’s paradise. I’ve been twice and I have only managed to cover off only a third of what Kew has to offer. Nevertheless, I do have my Kew favourites. They include:

The Palm House
Houses the Tahina spectabilis, a rare palm from Madagascar that flowers spectacularly once in its lifetime then dies right after. The most tragically romantic palm you’ll ever see.

The Rose Garden
If come to England and you don’t see the roses at Kew. You may as well not have come at all.

Waterlily House
Lily pads as wide as an armchair and bright purple water lilies housed in a serene glasshouse. My fave part are the chilli plants that line the walls.

The Orchid Collection
I took a friend of mine who is an orchid aficionado and he was not disappointed.

The Rock Garden
Originally built to resemble a Pyrenean mountain valley, this garden features plants that hail from Africa, New Zealand, Asia and South America, just to name a few places.
Insider's Rating:
Kew Gardens
Kew Road, Surrey, Richmond, TW9 3AB

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