Feeling patriotic

I love art, and the National Gallery is one of my favourite galleries in London. It has a beautiful exterior which dominates Trafalgar Square and the treaures that await you inside are unrivalled in their slendour and history.
My only bugbear about the place is that they only do late openings on a Friday, which slightly cramps my social life but I have to say that it's completely worth it. They have live music, and talks going on till 9pm and even a late night guided tour that is no where near as packed out as it is on the weekends.

If you're not busy or at work on Thursday, the National Gallery is celebrating St George's Day with several special talks in honour of the Patron Saint.

More information can be had at the National Gallery's official website.

After Work Exercise

A few years ago, I used to join one of my colleauges for a quick gym session after work on Thursdays, but once I moved to my current job I dropped out of the habit and I think I've even gone off the idea of plodding down a treadmill for an hour after a long day at the office.

So tonight I've brought my gym kit but decided to get a good work out and have fun after work at the same time! There is a great community arts centre in Hackney called Chats Palace which has many colourful events going on. This evening they've got a beginner's Belly dancing class which I'm very excited to go to. Not quite as risque as the burlesque dancing I watched last week, but my friends tell me it's lots of fun and gives your stomach a great workout too!

The Red Balloon

Today, I'm heading back in time. To my early childhood to be exact. Watching the Red Balloon in my pyjamas next to my sister in our cozy family living room is one of my favourite memories so now I'm thrilled to be off down to the Linbury Studio Theatre in Covent Garden with my niece.

While some of my other colleagues will be celebrating the start of the Bank Holiday weekend by hitting all night raves, I will be happily sheltered from the cold watching this classic silent film by Albert Lamorisse being brought to life.

This adaptation is directed by award-winning choreographer Aletta Collins who has a strong background producing accessible dance for young audiences, most notably as the choreographer for His Dark Materials at the National.

I hope you have a great Easter whatever you're doing.

Feeling risque today

The poetry reading last week went really well, in fact I've booked to attend another reading next week, I'll let you know about that when it happens.

But today, it's almost clocking off time on a Friday and I'm so excited to get out to some over work activities. Today I'm heading to a special event at Scala which is a little bit more risqué than I'm used to but is sure to be a hell of a lot of fun. It's the London Burlesque Festival! Tonight is a beginners competition and I can't wait to see the ambitious show girls and boys fight it out to glory.


Here's a link to their main website for more information on other Burlesque events going on throughout the festival. Let me know if you make it down there and what you think of it.