Visual Arts | Christ Church Spitalfields

Visual Arts Christ Church Spitalfields: "Triptych Reredos by Rebecca Hind - The first exhibition in the Christ Church reredos"

art exhibition

This is Anne's first sketching- executed as part of her beginner's drawing course at Departure in Limehouse.

This was a church, now part chapel, bookshop, cafe, art gallery. I found it very cheerful, friendly and reasonably priced re food and drinks. Drinks were brought to the table and cakes were not thrown at you grudgingly- as is the case in some so called 'community cafes'

Every week they also have a free film show- anyone can come and see slightly unusual films. Next week it's 'The Birds'

'Whatever Works'

This was one of the best films I have ever seen- enjoyable and witty- profound in its way and great performances -especially from Larry David. I had got tired of him on TV but love him in this

Genesis is our favourite cinema. Independent, non pretentious- cheap (concessions £3 at all times) -well worth supporting in comparison to snooty Rich Mix.

PS Don't bring your own snacks/drinks. Its forbidden but you can buy their own rather overpriced stuff there- it helps to keep the ticket prices low

London pictures- an art exhibition

I really liked this small exhibition of paintings about London. Its free, small (only a few paintings) and the styles are varied.

These pictures are priced around £800

Father Howard Levett SSC his last mass

Father Howard has been the parish priest of this famous Anglo-catholic church for 15 years and has now gone to live and minister in Venice.

He has always been so friendly and kind- in the face of a rather stuffy congregation. He brought some humanity and fun to the formality of this shrine to Anglo-Catholicism.

He is especially kind and thoughtful to the sick and dying and he knew my late sister- so that makes him very special to me. The Mass was on the Feast if Peter and Paul- a very special day for priests everywhere and so very fitting that this was his last at Holborn

the first concert of the Spitalfields Singers

These photos were taken at the first concert of the Spitalfields singers- as part of the Spitalfields festival.

It was a wonderful debut- their charismatic director led the choir in a selection of folk songs and a thirties swing classic. For me and John it was the most enjoyable part of the festival. Well done to all the singers- and especially Anne.

By the way the choir are looking for new members- no audition required and they meet every Thursday from 12.30-1.30. It is no 'sing-a-long'

Don’t throw money away. Abolish something

Don’t throw money away. Abolish something

Meeting Boris

This was my first visit inside this curious lopsided building that perches on the banks of the Thames- rather like a long pillow propped on a bed.
Wonderful views from all around and another free event which keeps my theme of the blog. But how much paper they waste, producing all the booklets and schedules- most of which was left behind

Nick Ferarri from LBC was the chairman.

Curiously even though Boris is one of the few people who could lift the dreariest occasion, the event did not really come to life. They had lots of tweets coming in and also two 'out rooms' -not needed as the Chamber was not half full.

On a more enthusiastic note this was part of the queue by the Apple store in Regent Street- queuing for the latest gizmo

The Surreal House (exhibition)

very quick tour of this- we could have spent hours looking at this weird, distorted view of the world. Dali was on show as well as film full lengths and shorts, and a bath that looked like a coffin - designed by Rachel Whitehead.

The concessions are £6 on line and include at least two full length films you can see in comfy armchairs.

It's weird and encompasses many different art forms

Teddy Thomson

Went to a very good concert as part of 'Meltdown'. I am not sure how it all hangs together but Teddy Thomson was the main turn- very good. Some of the supporting acts were less so- a weird rather absurd singer from California who wondered why she lived in Manchester rather than California- life is a bit more than climate love, but Teddy saved the show. Most of it was promoting his new album- beautiful song about home and then a song about 'Babyshambles', written by his mother Linda

Diane Abbott as a national treasure? No thanks - Telegraph

Diane Abbott as a national treasure? No thanks - Telegraph

Oi, townies - don't treat Mr Fox as a pet | Rod Liddle - Times Online

Oi, townies - don't treat Mr Fox as a pet Rod Liddle - Times Online

and Rod has written brilliantly about the coverage of the World Cup- read through the article

The choir ends 24hours of monastic prayer and plainchant

Sadly I missed the prayers- except Vespers led by the singer of 'the Clerks'- which was sung wonderfully and heard in silence. It rounded off the day of prayer.
The Bulgarian Choir then sang the Gloria and followed this up with religious and folk songs from their repertoire

The Festival begins

The Spitalfields Festival began today and will run for two weeks.

This lunchtime they had performers all over the Square and Market and down Brushfield street. This dancer was accompanied by musicians and a singer- the song was called 'Bang, Bang' an unwise choice I thought for a couple of reasons.

We intend to go to as many events as we can!

Ceroc at the Floral Hall Tunstall

The best dancer at the Ceroc night at the Floral Hall in Tunstall. (one of the 5 towns of Stoke-on-Trent) The Floral Hall is set set in a park with great views mixing huge buildings, the park and an industrial town.

The potteries area is struggling and this area was the opposite of Spitalfields- friendly not trendy- and more likely to 'grab a granny' than meet an artist. But friendly, fun and quite cheap. 'Oatcakes' are more like pancakes and part of the potteries diet, filled with ham and cheese

www.london.gov.uk/SOLD

http://www.incentivated.com/hermes/emailTemplateV2/online_version/link.asp?l=HHPY254538B-3D226&id=7D7134B26-70DD0

FESTIVAL SERVICE (Full choir) | Parish & Ward Church of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate

FESTIVAL SERVICE (Full choir) Parish & Ward Church of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate

the play 'Enron'

John came too and we enjoyed this play tremendously. We did get very cheap tickets (TIP -adult plays do not sell well in half term weeks so always a chance of a bargain ticket)

This was a film about the collapse of Enron- a special interest to us as Mary worked for a firm involved in this mess. The play answered a lot of questions about this complex mess and informed us in a very imaginative and entertaining way.

By the way for people who have very little cash- there seems to be free water on offer now in all theatres. Very useful on a rare hot day in London and the price of drinks is extortionate

'Sweet Charity'

In keeping with our economy theme for this blog- we paid £10 for the seats from lastminute.com
These were at the top- on a quite comfortable bench but we asked the usher if we could move and he led us to very comfortable seats with a very good close up but restricted view of part of the stage (if you see what I mean)
but it was a brilliant show- wonderful dancing by the men especially- the best I have ever seen
Tamzin Outhwaite was brilliant too....

Helping on a stall

This was my first and probably only visit to the Chelsea Flower Show- very kindly arranged for me by A. The weather was great, the crowds huge and there was so much to see. The most popular side show seemed to be the free Telegraph cloth bag- I tried to get one but was disappointed with hundreds of other people. Most of the visitors seemed very well heeled but they all love a bargain... and better still a freebie. The wire figure on the left was part of the meadow garden promoting 'riding for the disabled' It was a gold medal winner and much admired

Spital Sermon by Canon Andrew White

These were the cookies on display and home made lemonade. All sold in aid of Canon White and his work in Baghdad. He spoke of his work in Baghdad and that his sort of motto was 'BAM'
The letter 'B' stand for black. Canon White said his swarthy complexion makes his work in Baghdad easier- he is taken as an Iraqi. The 'A' stands for Anglican and anaesthetics- and he has the unlikely combination of both titles- having been ordained as an Anglican priest and trained at St Thomas's in London in 'gassing'. The M stands for middle -east and multiple sclerosis (for which he is being treated) the sermon was inspiring and put his congregation in its biblical perspective. Ezekiel lived in this area and St Thomas converted the people from Judaism

'Even the most negative things are the work of God'
(Canon White)

On holiday

Just some of my photos from my spectacular short break in County Caven as a guest of the enormous Clarke family - they cluster around the town of Virginia...
The lady is Mrs Clarke- the wonderfully kind matriarch of the family and a formidable champion with a George Forman Grill and a Rayburn. Here she is outside her home and in the second photo are two pigs- the big one (too many cakes) and the little spotted darling- one day old and destined for the George Forman treatment!

A wonderful setting of afternoon tea

This is a sumptuous display of goods. It is one of the few times I have wished I had a big house with big rooms for entertaining.

Woman died after doctors failed to spot toilet brush in her buttocks - Telegraph

Woman died after doctors failed to spot toilet brush in her buttocks - Telegraph

Nothing to do with sex- and in England not USA

Exhibition 'Garden within Doors''

A wonderful couple of hours with a friend- a talk on herbalism and a look at the exhibition - wonderfully done, of the use of flowers and plants in English interiors of the 16th and 17th century. A pianist played on a balmy evening and the garden was really beautiful and sweet smelling.

The event was FREE

They are repeating this in July

The best Top Tips from 30 years of Viz | The Sun |Features

The best Top Tips from 30 years of Viz The Sun Features

Please read this- hilarious!

Canon Andrew White

"Wed 26 May 7pm - Spital Sermon in the Nave - Canon Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad - Christianity - a view from Iraq"

This pretty special man is coming to speak to us all and as it's 100yards from where we live, we will welcome anyone for tea and supper from 5.30 onwards.
Susan is having a stall in the church beforehand (and after) selling delicious cakes, cookies and cordial) She is a superb cook so we are in for a treat. All profits are going to Canon White's charity in Iraq. By the way entrance to the talk is £5 and that money goes towards the poor people in Canon White's congregation
By the way even for people who are not interested in the church or Christianity, then this man is a bit special to say the least. He copes personally with chronic illness and disability and the constant fear of sudden death by fanatics- many of his congregation have been murdered.
Please reply to me if you can come

All Hallows by the Tower | Taize

All Hallows by the Tower Taize

service on Wednesday at 6pm

Four Lions is comedy of terrors| Film | This is London

Four Lions is comedy of terrors Film This is London

Saw this at Genesis last night- terrific.
We really ought to take the micky more out of these ludicrous characters

The Neasden Hindu Temple

'In the Joy of others, lies our own ' The guiding principle of the Shrine

We took photos from the outside of the Temple but they were not very good. And we were not allowed to take photos inside.

The welcome we got was amazing and tremendous kindness from the volunteers who manage the place. We took part in the ceremony of Arti- I have no idea what it was about- the figures in the shrine are uncovered and incensed- I think.

They have a lovely vegetarian restaurant there- no time for that but John and I will return in the summer

'The Old Grey Matter' our team at quiz

Angela, Yvonne, Anne (captain) Celestine, Jan and Vika

London Chest Hospital. Election night. Our Quiz team with new member Angela and guest Vika

We came about 6th out of 50. Not bad at all. Fish and Chip supper and a good night -£8

With Vika in Brighton

Myself and Vika had a chilly day in Brighton. We saw there Caroline Lucas, the green contender for Brighton Pavilion constituency - she was rushing from the station. (now the first Green MP)

We then had lunch in 'Bill's' a place I first visted a few years ago with Fiona. Pricey but very different from most - a cross between Leons and a whole food shop. The dancers were from a local theatre school

Bow East council election

Bow East

Andrew sadly lost- but worth going for.
Great courage and effort from a fantastic person.

This was the scene early morning at a desolate, freezing polling station. Councillor Francis is canvassing and will regain his seat on the council

Spitalfields & Banglatown Ward

Spitalfields & Banglatown Ward

And this was the scene at my polling station in Brick Lane

My Old Place- very distinctive chinese restaurant

Jing- Jing, one of our favourite students from Pathway took us to the local restaurant 'My Old Place'

The food was very spicy and very delicous- we loved it!

Another student, Chrystal, is on the right

Vika is staying with us from Moscow- it's her second time staying with us and I think she found the food a bit hot! She was disapointed not to find

'sweet and sour' on the menu!

'The first punch came, landing on my nose, sending blood down my face' - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

'The first punch came, landing on my nose, sending blood down my face' - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Corruption in Tower Hamlets re election- what a suprise!

Campaigning in Bow Road

This is so beautiful and opposite Bow Court in Bow Road

The Hustings for Bethnal Green and Bow

Hustings were held for the candidates. Nobody came from RESPECT which says a lot I think.

And the audience were amazing- hardly any Bangladeshis in a constituency where they are in the majority (probably). The church then said prayers for the election and for our country. Andy reminded us how fortunate we were to live in such a stable country- in spite of the problems