Tag Archives: England

5 Music Festivals in Great Britain

Guitare-1B-Photo Mademoiselle Le K- copyright 2010

Do you like music? Good point, here are 5 music festivals in Great Britain not to be missed after the summer! If you know some of those listed below, leave me comment! I look forward to hearing from you! 

1. BESTIVAL   

The big festival not to be missed this weekend September 5-8 (or to attend next year!), on the Isle of Wight, with an impressive line up of musicians and DJs (including Maya Jane Coles). And big names like: Nile Rogers (no he’s not the “new” guitare hero of the Daft Punk, yes he’s on “Get Lucky”!), The Roots, Snoop Dogg, M.I.A., Fatboy Slim, Franz Ferdinand, James Blake… and of course Sir Elton John. www.bestival.net   

2. THE MAYOR’S THAMES FESTIVAL  

This Londoner festival from September 6 to 15 is not focusing exclusively on music. But if you missed the famous Notting Hill Carnival, this weekend you can watch and dance with the Great British Carnival: a selection of the best British samba and soca bands.  http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/the-great-british-carnival-comes-to-the-thames     

3. PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL 

You don’t know Wales, me neither. Why not enjoying the long weekend of September 27-29 to discover Porthcawl surrounded by many Elvis? It  sounds completely crazy, isn’t it?  The Porthcawl Elvis Festival is the world’s largest festival of Elvis fans! Music, attitude and wigs fans! The dream of all photographers! http://elvies.co.uk/  

4. OXFORD CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL    

If you prefer Vivaldi, from September 30 to October 5 the Oxford Chamber Music Festival, founded in 2000 by the violinist Priya Mitchell, a native of Oxford, presents chamber music concerts. This year the festival pays tribute to classical music inspired by the gypsy folklore, “Caravan, Gypsy Folk”. http://ocmf.net/  

5. LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL  

And to finish this short list of music festivals, the London Jazz Festival, November 15-24. For 10 years, this festival provides an excellent programming, mixing famous artists and new talents. Showing this year: Paolo Conte, Courtney Pine and Monty Alexander, Zara McFarlane, Matthew Herbert and many others … http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/    

More informations : www.visitbritain.bewww.visitbritainshop.com 

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London Shopping, Art and Bar

Here is my ultimate London shopping, art and bar review: check my spring summer issue! For new comers: my city walks are one of the hallmarks of my blog (you can find all the city walks, full of exclusive address and tips in DESTINATIONS). I walk for hours and hours to capture, watch and take the pulse of the city. This time, I start to Piccadilly Circus, where was my hotel. Not really my usual London, I’m definitely more Portobello and East End than Soho or Covent Garden. Pictures 2 & 7: incredible, after so many trips to London, I’d never been to the National Gallery! I’m a big fan of the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert Museum (coming up post and if you like contemporary art, check my interview with Gilbert & George). In the picture 2, this piece of art (in gold or it looks like gold) of Elmgreen & Dragset  is placed in front of the  National Gallery. Honestly I don’t like it and I don’t dislike it, let’s say it intrigues me a bit. Picture 3: don’t miss the Radio Rooftop Bar, located on the top floor of the ME London (a newly opened hotel). For a drink or dinner with a panoramic view of the city … hoping you have a better weather than me (LOL!). Picture 4: totally by chance, on the side of Mayfair, I found in the lobby of a company’s building, my favorite work of the Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos! I had the great opportunity to visit her workshop few years ago and see one of her famous giant sandals under construction! Small world! Picture 6: the most iconic London department store, Liberty! Beautiful wooden interiors,  in addition to excellent fashion selection and home selection, the place has  lots of character. A must do, I had the chance to photograph a famous London based blogger there. Pictures 8, 9, 4 & 1: Anglomania! In Soho, a poster of  the theater that displays a show about the Queen. Picture 9: I’ve always been impressed with all the mix of colors, patterns and materials of the English. Unique! Beautiful or not beautiful, that is not the question! Picture 1: beautiful Burberry‘s window in Regent Street. Where you must stop by the huge store of Anthropologie, if you want to shop for your home. Very nice design both contemporary seriously boho, a little regressive (LOL) and very colorful (plates, bowls, candles, furnitures …). In the store, I also like the great wall covered with plants. Picture 10: This small pedestrian street is full of shops and  leads to a nice place a little apart, with some (crowd out) terraces, St Christopher Place. Enjoy!

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés. 

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London: For a Bento In Chinatown, Stop By Misato Restaurant

Photo : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés.  

If you have a quick stay in London and look for a bento in Chinatown, stop by Misato restaurant! During my last express back and forth to London, after a frustrating exhausting day (my schedule completely messed up), I enjoyed a maxi cocktail manicure (top!). Then full of energy I went to dinner in Chinatown with a friend from Malaga, now londoner for almost 5 years (which has a blog too). The meeting was at Misato, a Japanese small canteen that’s existed for over 10 years and I’ve never heard of. Perfect cause I have a huge need for NEW! The place is quiet, absolutely not decorated which is good, I’m a bit sick of the design wave everywhere…! I need to relaxe. I really enjoy this kind of laid back places really simple that only a few locals (far far away from the fashion circus, lol!) attend. It’s also cheap : less than 10 euros for the bento on the picture above. I think Misato is the third Japanese restaurant in Chinatown I test after Wagamama and Osatsuma. Usually when I want to eat Japanese at affordable prices in London, I go directly to Wagamama (as a habit, not very original after so many years, it is a chain of restaurants, as Otsasuma). Well let’s say Misato is a nice discovery: the bento I chose consists of salmon sashimi, few maki, shrimp, (fresh) salad and rice. The food is basic but tasty with hearty portions and friendly atmosphere. It feels good. I defenitely recommend it for a cool break with good friends. Warning, the restaurant closes quite early for me: around 11 p.m.  

Misato: 11 Wardour Street, Soho, W1D 6 UK. Tel: +44 (020) 7734 0808.

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