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FOCUS Favourites March 2019

March represents the month of the awakening of nature and our senses, even though this year it has been preceded by an unusually warm and sunny February.

Below is our short-list of events and things to do this month.

28-31 March

One of UK’s largest celebrations of coffee is the London Coffee Festival, which returns to the Old Truman Brewery at the end of March. With more than 250 artisan coffee and gourmet food stalls the festival is perfect for any coffee lover. Join the bustling coffee scene and follow live roasting demonstrations from world-class baristas, interactive workshops, coffee cocktails, live music and much more. One of the highlights is the return of the coffee masters event, the Iron Man of all coffee competitions. About 35,000 people attend the London Coffee festival every year. Be one of them and enjoy the day.

22 March - 7 July

Join the free exhibition from the award winning photographer Chris Steele-Perkins at the British Library in London. Born 1947 in Burma he has worked as a freelance photographer since the 1970s. He has been a member of the photography collective magnum since 1979 and began working extensively in the developing world. For his contribution to documentary photography in Britain and abroad, he received numerous awards and critical acclaim. This exhibition features portraits of families living in London. Almost 200 different countries are represented in his photographs.

Chris Steele-Perkins describes his work as ‘a record of a new London, a new Britain and a celebration of the fabulous cultural richness of London.'

children: Brick Wonders

until 27 October

More than 50 models made of half a million Lego bricks will be shown at the Horniman Museum And Gardens in South London. Travel through history and discover the amazing wonders from around the world. From an ancient Egyptian pyramid to Old London Bridge, and from the natural wonder of a coral reef to the modern marvel of the international space station, visitors will be inspired to explore the world brick by brick.

The Brick Wonders exhibition, created by Lego Artist Warren Elsmore and his team, has an interactive play area and a mini cinema. Brick Wonders is a fun, colourful and interactive family exhibition.

Opened in 1876 as a safe deposit for London’s silver dealers during World War II, the famous London Silver Vaults sell the widest variety of antique and contemporary silver in the world. The unique underground shopping destination is located in the heart of London, between the City and the West End, beneath Chancery Lane. More than 30 independent retailers offer a treasure trove for every occasion. Expect to see silver tableware, cutlery, jewellery, bowls, pots, card holders and much more. The price range varies from around £25 to over £100,000. This "secret catacomb" is a great place to pick up some unusual gifts and definitely one of London’s hidden gems.

music: Yamato

12-31 March

Following their hugely successful tour in 2017, the Yamato drummers are back in the UK with a fantastic brand new show. Led by founder and director Masaaki Ogawa, the thrilling percussion ensemble display their breathtaking expertise on over 20 drums. They combine the huge traditional half tonne Odaiko drums, used in Shinto rituals, with bronze cymbals, vocals and bamboo flutes. Taiko drumming is a physical and musical spectacle. Using their entire bodies to play and control the rhythms, Yamato leaves audiences exhilarated by this high-energy, explosive production. Tickets at the Peacock theatre are still available.

theatre: Betrayal

5 March - 1 June

Opening at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited 12-week season, Golden Globe and Olivier Award winner Tom Hiddleston stars in the Jamie Lloyd Company’s revival of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. Hiddleston will play Robert, alongside Zawe Ashton as Emma and Charlie Cox as Jerry, in a production directed by Lloyd himself. The plot of the play centres on two married couples and an affair between two characters, who would meet in secret at a flat. The play examines themes of romance, identity, lust and of course betrayal.

1-2 March

Visit the Richard Alston Dance Company at the Sadler’s Wells with a mixed programme of two new works and the revival of Proverb. The two new works are from Alston himself and his Director Martin Lawrance. Brahm's Hungarian uses the Johannes Brahms music, as dancers are carried along by fast steps and an abandoned fervour. Detour, Martin Lawrance's new work, is set to Michael Gordon's pulsing Timber with the choreographer's trademark quick-paced style. The third one, the revival of Proverb, is one of Alston’s most telling pieces, set to the vocals of Steve Reich. This is one of the last opportunities to see Richard Alston Dance company, before its’s dissolution next year.




restaurant: Jikoni



Jikoni (kitchen in Swahili), a cosy little restaurant, located in Marylebone, proposes flavours from East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Britain. The restaurant is charming to both look at and sit in. The concept of serving lots of little dishes helps the guests discover the menu as well as finding their way through different spices. A dish not to miss is the Spiced Scrag and Pie, which features the scrag (a cut from the animal’s neck), potato and lots of butter. Everything in this restaurant is thoroughly thought through and attests to the multicultural background of Chef, Ravinder Bhogal.

23 March, Birmingham

The Gymnastic World Cup is held at the Genting Arena in Birmingham and open to the public. So, don’t miss the opportunity to take part in this major global event where some of the best gymnasts from around the world take up the ultimate gymnastics challenges. Nine male gymnasts go for glory on the floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar. Nine female gymnasts will wow the crowds as they compete on vault, uneven bars and the floor.

29 March

Don’t miss Alan Murray’s free talk at The National Gallery about the contemporary approaches Constable and Turner brought to British landscape paining. The talk about the successful landscape artists is open to everyone, it is free, and takes place on Friday 29th at 6:30. Please contact the Museum to reserve your space.

book in advance: The Lehman Trilogy

11 May - 3 August

Interested in the story of a family and a company that changed the world? The Lehman Trilogy, written by Italian playwright Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power is a true story of three brothers in New York, who lay the foundation for one of the world’s biggest corporations, known as Lehman Brothers Holding. Decades later, the firm’s eventual downfall leads to the biggest global financial collapse in history. Sam Mendes directs Simon Russel Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles. Don’t miss out on one of this year’s biggest West End premieres, running for a strictly limited 12-week run. Tickets at the Piccadilly Theatre are selling fast.

Petworth House in West Sussex is a late 17th-century Grade I listed country house with a 280 hectares landscaped park and stunning views of the South Downs. An impressive herd of Fallow deer roam amongst ancient trees and the grounds are filled with wildflowers and woodland walks. Don’t miss the flower garden with a Doric temple and an Ionic rotunda.

Inspired by the Baroque palaces of Europe, Petworth house displays one of the greatest picture collections in the care of the National Trust, including works by Titian, Bosch, Claude, Ruisdael, Teniers, Van Dyck, Lely, Kneller, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Blake. The famous art collection is a treasure trove with landscapes by Turner, a large collection of sculptures, furniture and Chinese porcelain.

Until March 2019 Petworth house will host the final stage of the major National Trust exhibition 'Prized Possessions - Dutch Paintings from National Trust Houses. The highlight of the exhibition is a self-portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn.

At the end of the day enjoy a drink, taste locally produced food, and find the perfect souvenir in the Gift shop.

Northampton: Gin & Rum festival

16 March

The Gin & Rum festival tour is coming to Northampton on March 16th. Get ready to be spoilt by 60 different Gins and 60 different Rums at the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. This is an experience not to be missed as the festival has live music entertainment, themed bars, talks and masterclasses from the best Gin & Rum producers.This event is strictly for over 18's.



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