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Laura's London Travel Blog

By Laura Porter, About.com Guide to London Travel

Bizarre Club Nights & Bizarre Ball 2009

Sunday July 5, 2009
Following the successful debut Bizarre Ball in October 2008, the world's biggest alternative culture publication, Bizarre Magazine, have announced a series of Bizarre LIVE! Club nights and the second Bizarre Ball is confirmed for 17 October 2009 at SeOne Club.

Bizarre LIVE! gigs are more like parties, with various 'Bizarre' characters appearing onstage and in the audience, contributing to a unique 'Bizarre community' vibe.

Bizarre LIVE! kicks off on 23 July at The Purple Turtle in Camden. Tickets, priced £10.00, (plus £1 booking fee) are available from bizarremag.com/live

The Second Bizarre Ball, on 17 October at SeOne Club, promises even more madness than last year. New this year - a 'STEAMPUNK' room, with a retrofuturistic Victoriana meets industrial theme and an expanded 'DOMINATION CORNER' and numerous Bizarre Ultra Vixens and Vipers. Tickets, priced £23 (early bird) and £28 are available via bizarremag.com/bizarreball Image: © © spaztacular (Creative Commons Some Rights Reserved) | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

BEN HUR LIVE at The O2

Saturday July 4, 2009
On 15 September 2009, The O2 has the world premiere of BEN HUR LIVE©, with two further performances on 18 and 19 September 2009. The production, the vision of German producer, Franz Abraham has been developed over fifteen years and will include the famous chariot race. BEN HUR LIVE© coincides with the 50 year anniversary of the film and is a combination of light, sound, water, wind and pyrotechnic effects in a show performed in the round, like an ancient arena.

Tickets are available from www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202. Also In Greenwich: Image source: The O2 | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Jumeirah Lowndes New Late License

Friday July 3, 2009
The Mimosa Bar & Restaurant at the boutique Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in Belgravia has launched late night cocktails, midnight treats and an 'Emergency Overnighter' to celebrate their new late license to 1am.

'Nightcap Cocktails' are mixed with sleep-inducing ingredients such as hot chocolate, Amaretto, crème de cacao and banana. In contrast, Mimosa's Tequila Sunrise, Mojito Loco and Midnight Rush are designed to help you dance until dawn.

To accompany the cocktails there's a new 'Midnight Feast' menu of classic late night dishes. Mimosa's 'small bites' include a croque monsieur, beef sandwich and traditional cheese (or beans) on toast. For a 'big bite' you can feast on a gourmet burger, spicy chicken tikka masala or fish and chips. Image: © Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

London Eye Bringing The World to London

Friday July 3, 2009
Many Brits are choosing to not travel abroad this year so the London Eye has decided to bring the world to London this summer. From 24 July – 1 September, each week will be dedicated to a different location with lots of free entertainment.
  • Paris, France: Friday 24 July – Thursday 30 July
    Parisian performance dates: Fri 24, Sat 25 & Sun 26 July
  • Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Friday 31 July – Thursday 6 August
    Australian performance dates: Fri 31, Sat 1 & Sun 2 August
  • Mumbai, India: Friday 7 August – Thursday 13 August
    Mumbai performance dates: Fri 7, Sat 8 & Sun 9
  • Hollywood, USA: Friday 14 August – Thursday 20 August
    Hollywood performance dates: Fri 14, Sat 15 & Sun 16 August
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Friday 21 August – Thursday 27 August
    Rio de Janeiro performance dates: Fri 21, Sat 22 & Sun 23 August
  • National Kruger Park: Friday 28 August – Tuesday 1 September
    South African performance dates: Fri 28, Sat 29. Sun 30 & Mon 31 August
Of course, if you'd prefer to experience London's unique landscape and architecture a little closer to the ground, the London Eye Lunch and Afternoon Tea Cruise offers a tour and commentary of the liquid history of the Thames, with delicious picnic style food provided by Benugo. The London Eye Lunch and Afternoon Tea Cruise Image: © London Eye | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Animals on the Underground Game

Thursday July 2, 2009
Have you ever been bored on a tube journey and stared at the tube map for something to do? Have you every seen an outline of an animal on the map? Well, back in 1988 Paul Middlewick saw an elephant and just kept looking to find more. I think this is a really fun idea and have been impressed by the animals he has listed on his website, from bats to whales.

There's now a game on the site where you can draw your own animal on the underground by following the lines of the London Underground map

Image: © animalsontheunderground.com | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Rise Festival - Not in 2009

Wednesday July 1, 2009
Rise Festival has been London's free annual anti-racism festival, but unfortunately has been unable to secure a major sponsor, so will not be happening in 2009. The Mayor of London's office is right to say "is not considered appropriate to spend such a large amount of money on a single music event, particularly during a recession," as the Rise Festival costs over £500,000 to deliver.

Instead, some of the money will be used to fund a multitude of events and grassroots activities across London. The Mayor hopes to energize the local music scene across the capital, and feed into a longer-term strategy to get young people more involved in making and listening to music. One of the projects that will be supported is Rhythm of London; two days of music events and activities being developed as part of the Mayor's drive to increase musical opportunities and education for all young Londoners on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July 2009. Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Royal Parks Free Bandstand Concerts

Wednesday July 1, 2009
Throughout the summer, The Royal Parks presents an impressive line up of free bandstand concerts in the picturesque setting of Greenwich Park and St James's Park and Kensington Gardens. There's music to suit all tastes with performances ranging from fine traditional brass bands to smaller ensembles and a palm court orchestra. See full details on the Royal Parks website. Image: © MJ Kim/Getty Images | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Parrot in Kensington Gardens

Tuesday June 30, 2009
I was in Kensington Gardens this morning taking photos and I saw this parrot flying freely. I presume someone has lost their pet!

I'll be back there tomorrow to see Peter Pan so I'll let you know if this parrot is a park resident. Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

Rooftop Pool & Spa for Fashionistas

Tuesday June 30, 2009
The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge has a well-deserved reputation for being a luxurious location but did you know you don't have to stay there to enjoy the hotel's facilities? I've tried the Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea and loved it and I really like the sound of their day spa option - Primed for Summer - as they have an exclusive rooftop open air swimming pool! And that's a real rarity in London.

'Primed for Summer' is available Monday through Thursday during the summer months. The package is £185 per person and includes a one-hour VOYA Mermaids Purse Seaweed Body Wrap, a one-course lunch and detox drink as well as a manicure and pedicure. Day use of all the facilities is included. Take a dip in the pool and unwind on the sun terrace with one of the latest fashion magazines or enjoy a work out in the fitness center which has recently installed brand new Techno Gym equipment, complete with individual iPod docking stations to play music videos on the television screen.

Over the years, The Berkeley Health Club & Spa has attracted some of the world's most noteworthy stylistas including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have all enjoyed London’s only roof-top pool and spa.

Top Tip: If you'd prefer to stay a night at this luxury five star hotel, and still have access to the rooftop pool, then the 'Summer Daze' room only promotion is a good value summer rate at £225 plus VAT per night. Image: © The Berkeley | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

More London Free Music Festival

Tuesday June 30, 2009
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtime and evening throughout July you can enjoy the Free Music at The Scoop at More London. See full listings on the official website.

The Scoop at More London (next to City Hall, near Tower Bridge) is an outdoor sunken amphitheatre with seating for 800. Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog | Follow AboutLondon on Twitter

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