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Focus Favourites September 2018

September is here and with it a new beginning. New routines, new schools, young adults off to university, and for some of our members a new place to live, a new city to explore. We have selected some of the things happening in and around London this month and we hope you can find something of interest. And for those interested in catching a glimpse of the Queen's residence, Buckingham Palace is open to the public until the end of September.













9th September London


The OVO Energy Tour of Britain will take place from 2nd to 9th of September. The high difficulty level of the 1,140 km tour attracts the world‘s top riders, including Olympic and World Champions and Tour de France stage winners. Starting at the coast in South Wales, the 8 stage tour via Devon, Bristol, Warwickshire, Cumbria and Nottinghamshire finishes on the streets of central London. A 14-lap circuit race between Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Regent Street St James gives the fans the opportunity to cheer on the world‘s best teams.




dance: Natalia Osipova - Pure Dance 12-16th September



With powerful technique and huge charisma, Russian dancer Natalia Osipova brings together a handpicked programme of exciting and electric dance works. Osipova has performed as a principle dancer with the Royal Ballet since 2013. In Pure Dance she will dance pieces that she has rarely performed in the UK, alongside new works that have been specially commissioned for the programme. Joined on stage by three dancers the show is taking the audience on a journey from the world of classical ballet to contemporary repertoire.




13-16 September


START returns to London's Saatchi Gallery this September for its fifth edition and gives art collectors and enthusiasts alike the opportunity to discover artwork from developing global markets. The fair was founded by the Global Eye Programme, an initiative that nurtures worldwide artistic talent, in conjunction with the Saatchi Gallery. It is a vital platform for emerging artists from new art scenes and young galleries from around the world showing exciting new art, including Paintings, sculptures, installations, videos, multiples, prints and performances. The fair takes place across all three floors of Saatchi Gallery and presents over 50 artist from more than 25 countries.





festival: Colourscape 2018 15-23 September



One of UK‘s most unusual music festivals returns to Clapham Common to celebrate it‘s 28th birthday. Colourscape is a large Walk-in structure of nearly 100 interlinked chambers, a Labyrinth of intense light, colour, space and music. Visitors put on a coloured cape to become part of the new world. The combination of visual art with contemporary music takes you to a magical place, where you not only see colours, but feel them. It is a unique experience for young and old.






20th September



In the renowned St. Martin in the Fields, an evening of well-known and much-loved arias and ensembles from operas including Carmen, La Bohème and La Traviata, Le nozze di Figaro, Rigoletto e cosi' fan tutte.

Beatrice Acland Soprano Helen Stanley Mezzo-soprano Joseph Doody Tenor Julian Debreuil Bass-Baritone Andrew Earis Piano

A limited number of under-30s tickets are available for this concert, priced £5.








not to be missed: Open House London

22nd-23rd September


Open House London is the world’s largest architecture festival, giving free public access to 800+ buildings, walks, talks and tours over one weekend in September each year. Visit London’s best buildings!


Check the full building listings or buy a printed guide to plan your visits over the weekend. They encourage buildings to keep access free to those who show up on the day, however some buildings (and particularly tours) will require pre-booking. Find out more on the individual buildings’ pages and plan your weekend in advance.


until 31st March 2019


Agatha Christie’s 'Witness for the Prosecution' is based on a 1925 short story. Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. Will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony, and can he convince the jury that he did not commit the crime?


Directed by Lucy Bailey, ,Witness for the Prosecution' is set in a courtroom with an intimate setting. The venue of the old council chamber made this drama come alive because the audience is part of the action. Experience the intensity and drama of Agatha Christie’s gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal.




29th - 30th September

Lab Live aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, makers and inventors by asking questions and providing hands-on activities to come up with the answers! Through posing some simple questions about everyday science, each activity will give children the chance to experiment, build, create, invent or explore different outcomes.


The event is all about STEAM and how combining STEAM subjects can help children to use and stretch their imaginations for creative and inventive outcomes. Ideal for children aged between 3-10 years old and their families. Tickets cost £7 for a half day and £12 for a full day.


book in advance: Totem Cirque Du Soleil

12 January- 9 February 2019

Cirque Du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall with their hugely popular Totem show, launching in January 2019. The show takes you on a stunning journey into the Evolution of Mankind - from our original amphibian state to our ultimate quest for flight. Don’t miss the spectacular, world famous Cirque Du Soleil and book your tickets now.

hidden gem: Leighton House

Hidden in the residential area of Kensington and Chelsea, Leighton house is one of London‘s most remarkable buildings of the 19th century. In 1860 the house was commissioned by Lord Leighton himself and developed gradually over the course of three decades by his friend and architect Georg Aitcheson. Containing a fascinating collection of souvenirs from all over the world, paintings, sculptures and his own works, Leighton house grew into a "private palace of art.“ The studio/house looks like any of the other houses from the outside but once you step in you’ll be captures by the beauty of it’s decoration and beauty. Reopened in April 2010 after a 1.6 million refurbishment you can see the magnificent reception rooms, the dramatic staircase or the Arab Hall, designed to showcase Leighton‘s collection of Islamic tiles.






restaurant: Blacklock Soho


As autumn is approaching, London is starting to become rainy. What better place to eat than in a basement. The converted brothel in Soho, provides a fun and unique atmosphere. Serving extremely high quality meat for a reasonable price, Blacklock attracts many customers for lunch as well as dinner. Highly recommended are the beef dripping chips as a side, as well as trying the pork bacon chop. Best to go early and have your name on the waiting list as they don’t take reservations after 5pm! Honestly such a great find, any meat lover will find something delicious on the menu!







Just a short way from central London, burrowed deep into the hills rising 300 feet from the Thames floodplain is a labyrinth of dark and mysterious chalk passageways. The man-made tunnels were dug for the use of flint and lime until the 1830‘s, became an ammunition depot during World War I and an air raid shelter during the Second World War. In the 60‘s and 70‘s the caves were used as a venue for dance and concerts. Famous names in rock and pop like Jimi Hendrix, The Who and David Bowie performed here and the caves appeared in several episodes of Doctor Who. Entrance to the caves is by a 45 minute, lamp-lit guided tour only. Discover over 6000 years of flint and lime-mining history over 6 hectares. It is a truly unique experience and an amazing experience for all ages.

 


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