Just got back from L.A. and have been bitching and moaning about the weather since I stepped off the plane. I was actually wearing a spaghetti strapped dress three days ago…without a jumper on top. But, Spring is springing in London as well. “Spring Renaissance” will begin in Covent Garden on the 23rd of April. Horticultural events and celebrations will abound. Look out for the two giant 25 foot peacocks (I think maybe they are made of flowers and now real), return of the flower market, weekend workshops, hanging baskets and fun for the kiddies. Men were at work today planting stuff, so check it out! As a resident of Covent Garden, might I remind you to take your rubbish with you and don’t drink too much and vomit in the Piazza. It’s not a good look for anyone.

A new networking project centered around art in new mobile technologies is launching in April. Filmobile will “explore the cultural impact brought about by new mobile technologies and initiate debates between artists, the media and the new mobile industry.” The events are free (which ain’t often in the capital), so check it out if you’re interested in flogging your art and craft at these “mini venues.” Thanks to the good folks at Shooting People for alerting us to this event.

Photo from The Mobile Weblog.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will have their first beer festival for London in 2008. Beer festivals aren’t just an excuse to get pissed, bur rather an adventure of the senses; in order to really enjoy an ale it’s best to exercise all five. Beer actually has one up on wine in that there are so many more varieties and the craftsmanship in brewing ale is well beyond fermenting grapes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good wine and I’m sure many ale drinkers do as well, which is probably why there will be a decent selection of wines at the festival as well. For those of you who insist that you ‘don’t like’ beer, it’s probably cause you’ve never really tasted a good ale.
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My mate Saskia over at the London Film School is doing another “Craft of the Director” two-day workshop. I took it the last time they ran it, and it’s a great intro to directing. Good for people with no formal training who are interested in directing. Veterans also got a lot out of it saying that it was useful to be reminded of why we make the choices we do as directors.

The course is on the 16th and 17th of February. You can get more info under the workshop section of the LFS website.

You know the big building on Euston road with the science-themed neon sculptures in the window? Bus riders from King’s Cross into the West End will know the one I mean. That’s the Wellcome Trust, the world’s largest private biomedical charity.

It was founded by a guy (Henry Wellcome, natch) who was a mad collector of all sorts of things, but particularly medical items of all kinds. He was also a mega-rich pharmaceutical entrepreneur, which allowed him to purchase all the cool stuff he wanted, like Napoleon’s toothbrush.

The Wellcome Trust is has opened a museum to show off all of Henry’s treasures, and the first exhibit, The Heart, is fantastic. Lots of cool stuff: I liked the comparison of hearts from various animals, from an ENORMOUS leathery whale heart, down to a tiny shrew’s heart.

There’s also a human heart, from a still-living transplant patient, and the Fortean Times reports that she went down to have a look at the little guy.

As you might imagine, she found the experience very odd and moving. “Seeing my heart for the first time is an emotional and surreal experience. It caused me so much pain and turmoil when it was inside me. Seeing it sitting here is extremely bizarre and very strange. Finally I can see this odd looking lump of muscle that has given me so much upset. It’s tremendous it has become an object of fascination and will get people thinking about the disease, heart transplants and organ donation.”

Go now! The Heart closes on September 16 and it’s totally FREE!

Via BoingBoing

Tomorrow is the highlight of the year for all sex maniacs and perverts. Formally called ‘The Sex Maniacs Ball,’ it has been replaced by ‘The Night of the Senses.’ I like to call it the ‘Glastonbury of Sex.’ I have been going for the past five years or so and it’s a very organic affair. There’s really no other night like it in the world. Nowhere else will you see such a fantastic diversity of sexual expression. There are people dressed in rubber and leather, naked people, painted people, burlesque chicks, retro folks, evening wear, feathers and other finery. I’m still desperately deciding what I’ll be wearing. Last year I went very Marilyn Monroe in a skin tight leopard print halter neck dress and the likelihood I may drag it out of the back of my wardrobe again. It’s comfy and goes on and off easily which is essential at an ‘anything goes’ event.
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If you are looking for some serious film education over the summer break, check out my Alma Mater, The London Film School. They are running loads of film workshops during the coming months, and one of them is bound to tickle your fancy. I’ll be there with the aim of blogging a review as these will be rotating courses. So, if you can make it this time, say hello. If not, check this space for upcoming courses. Click “continue reading” for more info.
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The London Film School class of 2000 is hosting an informal networking party for ALL LFS alumni (whether you graduated or not!). Be there or be square. Information follows:

LFS Networking Party
Tuesday, June 26th
6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Chandos Pub
(Map Here)

Will you be partaking in tonight’s Lights Out London event?

It’s June 21, the longest day of the year, astronomy fans. Capital Radio figures it’s the perfect time for dancing…dancing in the dark.

Lights Out London aims to prove that we can all make a difference to the future of our planet. On Thursday 21st June - Midsummer’s Night - we are inviting the whole of London to turn off all lights and non-essential appliances between 9 and 10pm.

Note non-essential — don’t unplug Grandma, kids.

There are a few ideas for what to do during this self-imposed blackout on their events page. The mini-wind-turbine-driven LED light installation on the South Bank sounds good!

However, I think I’ll try my own version of this event:

teresa’s garden sound party
A Secret Roof Terrace in Bethnal Green
It’s going to be like a sound bath in the garden, just listening to nature

Photo from onedotzero

There was a massive series of explosions in West London on Saturday Night.

At about 8ish or about that time there was two really loud bangs followed by a three or four minute long series of bangs - they were louder than fireworks or Guns, and our first thought was that the Shepards Bush Project blew up - but its still there as are most things that are likely to cause so much noise.

So if anyone in the vicinity of Laitmer Road/Shepards Bush knows what the hell that was…. let us know!!!