Top Art Galleries In London

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London has a lot going for it. With an amazing variety of restaurants and cultural events, London really is the place to be for those who want a rich cultural life. When it comes to art, and a great selection of art galleries, London really does not slouch. There is something here for everyone, from the edgy to the classic. Frost has picked some of the top art galleries in London for you to get started. We will be adding more soon. Put your own suggestions below and join in the art debate.

National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H
An art beacon of London. A trip here is not complete without a visit to this gallery. And if you live in London and have not been, shame on you.

Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P
Classic building, great art. Also has some controversial exhibitions which are quite different.

Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s Square, King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3
Beautiful gallery situated on the King’s Road. Lots of great art here. If you are too busy to go to a gallery then the Saatchi Gallery Online is also where you can find art prints for sale.

Saatchi

Reflected (red canoe) SOLD

Painting

 

 

Charlotte Evans
United States

Saatchi online

Gagged

Drawing

 

 

Álvaro Tomé
Brazil

buy art

I Found The Silence (edition of 25; 4 sold)

Photography

Martin Stranka
Czech Republic

White Cube Gallery, 25-26 Mason’s Yard, Off Duke Street, St James’s, London SW1Y
A bit different and edgy. Worth a visit.

Welcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London NW1
Classic art and amazing exhibitions make the Welcome Collection a great stop for art lovers.

Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, South Kensington, London W2
Will be reopened on Saturday 8th June 2013. Join us in line.

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London WC2N
Another classic London art gallery. A must visit.

Somerset House: Embankment Galleries, Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R
Opened in 2008. The building alone is beautiful and worth going to.

Proud Camden, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, Camden Town, London NW1
Has great exhibitions and events. We recently enjoyed their Withnail & I exhibition.

Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
Is a treasure trove of artifacts. A great experience.

What is your favourite museum? Make recommendations below.

 

 

 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Leave Hospital With Baby Prince

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have emerged from the Lindo Wing with their son. Both happy parents cradled their newborn son as they stood on the steps of St Margaret’s Hospital in-keeping with tradition. Kate looked radiant and happy in a cornflower blue dress by Jenny Packham.

William said: “He’s got a good pair of lungs on him that’s for sure. He’s quite heavy. We’re still working on a name.’ He also spoke about the wait for the birth, “I will remind him of his tardiness when he’s older as I know how long you lot have been out here.” He also complemented his wife’s looks, saying:”He’s got her looks that’s for sure!” and also joked that his son had more hair than him. Kate said that William had already changed his first nappy.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave hospital with baby sonPrince of CambridgePrince Charles and Camilla visit grandchildKate and William with baby son

Kate gave birth to their son at 16:24 yesterday (22/7/2013) and Kensington Palace announced the birth via email at 20:32. The couples son weighted 8lbs 6oz and William was present for the birth.

Carole and Michael Middleton saw their grandchild at the Lindo Wing earlier today. They were followed by Charles and Camilla. Charles said that the birth was ‘marvellous’.

The baby will be called HRH Prince or Princess X of Cambridge, and will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England, and the head of state of 16 countries, as well as head of the Commonwealth.

What is your take on the Royal Baby? Were you excited? What do you think it should be called?

We Are StrongFirst

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FOR THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

 

So as i write this, I am sitting on the floor in a sweltering room.

No matter what I do I just can’t seem to cool down, ye I could go outside but isn’t that where the sun is?

 

It doesn’t matter, I just needed to come up with an intro.

But here is what I wanted to write about…..WHAT AN AMAZING MONTH SO FAR.

 

Summer arrived, Andy Murry wins Wimbledon, The Lions CRUSH Australia in the final match for the series, Josh completes his first PARAS’10 event (a 10 mile speed march carrying 37lbs) and StrongFirst hold their first UK kettlebell certification.

 

Achievements made by all, well not for StrongFirst, no the instructors didn’t do much except show the skills needed and passion that all us SFG instructors have, no the achievement was made by the 40 plus candidates that didn’t just turn up for the 3 days of not just tuition and guidance but the hard….and i mean HARD 3 days work and up to 12 months prep.

 

It has been known for candidates to prep for up to a year before taking the cert and there is good reason to do so.

This is the only kettlebell certification where you CAN FAIL, or as we call it referral.

But what I mean is if you cannot complete the strength test, or the technique test or the horrific snatch test (100 kettlebell snatches in 5 mins-weight based on you’re body weight) you get “refured” therefore until you complete it you are NOT able to call yourself a StrongFirst certified instructor, a badge of honor. A proud family.

 

Its true that this weekend not everyone passed, they are referred and will have to meet the requirements before receiving their certificates and added to the StrongFirst database of instructors.

 

People may think it’s elitist, but to me those are the people who also come up with excuses when it rains or it’s cold. when they have a sore shoulder or no one to train with.

And who would much rather do a dumbass 6-8 hour kettlebell instructors course “at times having never touched one before” and then going to teach someone.

 

In StrongFirst there is a saying, we train you to be at a level where we are happy for you to teach our mothers. Not mother in-laws but mothers.

 

Now who would you want to teach you’re mother not only how to lose some weight, tone up a  bit, maybe improve flexibility or gain the strength to walk upright, to pick up an object or ever roll out of bed because to some people that in it’s self is an achievement and to us its why we dedicate our time and bodies to prepare ourselves for this event.

 

PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH, if you’re personal trainer cannot do the snatch test yet tells you to run, press and swing the bell what the hell are they doing. How can they aim to help you if they will not aim to better themselves.

In the Paras we call this JACK, they are being Jack on themselves and they are being Jack on you.

 

This weekend NO ONE was Jack, the fear of not passing kicked Jack’s ass out the building. Honestly Jack would have been scarred to show his face.

Not only did the candidates take on bored a lot of info but there was workouts, oh god there was workouts.

It was beautiful, loud music playing exciting the body and emotions as they swung, pressed, squated and snatched iron.

Sweat was dripping and smiles showing.

 

Remember these people are not elite, we are not elitist. They come from all works of life and are in all different sizes and ages.

For example one of my students was a 55plus year old gent and yes he had to do the same as everyone else…….and he did, because he worked for it.

 

We have barriers but no blockades.

Not only do you have the right to do what you want but also the ability to do so. Ye it may be a struggle for some and others take longer but what is the point of doing things if they are too easy.

 

At the end of the final day we hold the Grad Workout which was led by myself and another instructor.

Now with over 40 people working together after such a great accomplishment I got a little excited and the music drove me hard, i drove the candidates and in return I made my work out myself harder.

 

As the group did more I made myself do even more, so much that at the end a newly qualified StrongFirst kettlebell instructor approached me and said “goddam what is the matter with you, how did you find the endurance to do almost every set when you where meant to work in pairs”. My response was simple

 

Because I am StrongFisrt

 

 

Ladies and Gents, we can all be StrongFirst if you want it. In everyday life. It Is up to you.

 

FOR THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

 

To view photos of the fist UK StrongFirst kettlebell certification please visit and like our facebook group www.facebook.com/KettlebellStrength

 

website www.kettlebellstrength.co.uk

twitter @KB_strength

 

Seb Morgan

SFG

Primal Move

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Clearspring Japanese food

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With a brand name inviting thoughts of fresh and healthy ingredients, it was no surprise to learn the Japanese Clearspring food range is 100% organic and all vegan.

 

Now, I’m just going to come out with it – I have a love hate relationship with Japanese food.

 

I love sushi, noodles and tempura batter, but I’m afraid my palette isn’t quite accustomed to squidgy, spongy tofu or the sharp taste of Sake.

 

However, I was happy to take on another culinary experience at the Clearspring 20th anniversary event at Ice Tank, Soho, on Friday evening for the launch of Miso soup on the go and Matcha green tea powder.

 Clearspring Japanese food Geisha green tea miso soup

Miso soup on the go comes in a handbag-friendly 8g sachet and you just need to pop it in a cup and add hot water.

 

It was surprisingly refreshing and filling (it had tofu pieces and I promise, I did try a few before fishing them out), but the best part is that it counts for a measly 29 calories of your daily allowance, perfect for a quick and light snack.

 

Now, the Matcha tea was the star from the evening. It’s unlike any tea I have ever seen or tasted. It’s green tea but in powder form – the tea leaves are grown in the Uji region of Kyoto, Japan, before they are finely milled to create a loose powder.

 

Just a quarter of a teaspoon whisked with hot water creates a revitalising and intense green tea flavour. Just don’t be put off by the pond-weed colour in your cup; it’s meant to boost energy levels and your metabolism rate and has been drunk by Buddhist monks for over 900 years during tea ceremonies and days of meditation.

 

Clearspring has a vast range of products which were showcased on the evening: fruit purees, Amazake sweet grain dessert, seasonings such as soya sauce, Teriyaki sauce and sesame oil; as well as sea vegetables including Kombu (good for soup stock), Wakame (good for Miso soup and salads) and Hijiki (black flavoursome strings).

 

Plus there’s also a good selection of rice and noodle dishes: Udon (thick and flat wheat noodles), wide Udon, brown rice Udon and Soba noodles (made with buckwheat and wheat flour giving a nutty taste).

 

It was a pleasant evening with cooking demonstrations and sushi tasting, and the traditional tea ceremony and Kimono dress-up area were also real hits complementing the authentic Japanese food products. 

 

Already stocked in major supermarkets, Clearspring has just launched their products for the online market. See www.clearspring.co.uk for more information.

Festen Theatre Review

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FestenTheatre ReviewA word of warning: Festen is not for the light-hearted. It will leave you sickened, violated and shocked and this is by no means a criticism but credit to the cast for pulling off such a raw production.

 

The title itself conjures up thoughts of a happy, joyous occasion and the audience in the intimate Space theatre almost feel a part of the 60th birthday celebration.

 

Successful patriarch Helge marks his special day with his closest family and friends but the evening itself becomes a platform for the party to confront ghosts of the past. 

 

As eldest twin, son Christian, stands before his proud father, we note there is no personal contact when they greet each other, only an exchange of words and then we learn that Christian’s twin sister, Linda, committed suicide.

 

Helge asks his son to say a few words at dinner as he fears he may be overcome with emotion if he has to give a speech.

 

During the first course, Christian stands before his relatives and gives his father a choice of two speeches; one in a yellow envelope and one in a green envelope.

 

As he picks the green envelope, Christian says he’s made a good choice as he recalls happy memories of the family. But then he reads out: “And do you remember when you continuously raped me and Linda on the green sofa?”

 

In a split second, the clean man, the man of steel, Helge, has his reputation shattered. Festen, as well as reminding me of a celebration, also brings to mind the word ‘fester’. And for Christian, the suicide of his sister and the painful memories of his childhood will no longer fester in his thoughts – he’ll vocalise them at his father’s 60th birthday.

 

The family attempts to continue the celebration but the moment has been lost forever. And just when we think there are no more surprises or incredibly awkward moments, Christian re-enters during the main course and reads out his sister’s suicide note. She couldn’t bear to continue her life anymore as her father had started to take her again.

 

The servants seem to forget their place and congratulate Christian for standing up to his father and finally revealing his monstrous character which he has hidden for so many years.

 

At breakfast the next morning, the family attempt to come to terms with the truth and as soon as Helge enters, the atmosphere becomes ice-cold. Michael, another of his sons gets up to take his baby girl away from the grips of his paedophilic, incestuous father.

 

Festen reveals how behind a loving, successful family, there are painful truths and soul-destroying secrets. The expert pauses of silence round the dinner table enabled the audience to breathe each breath and watch the family’s eyes dance round the room as the gripping storyline took hold.

 

There were also some incredibly uncomfortable scenes. First when Michael and his wife Mette have sex following a violent argument. Then the moment Christian reveals to the family that his father raped him and his twin sister when they were children and finally when Helene, another daughter invites her black boyfriend to dinner. Michael jokes that a monkey’s joined the party.

 

Rowan Finnegan who plays Christian was simply fantastic. We saw all his emotions in stages, from the calm demeanour as he greets his father; to his singing and dancing round the table to celebrate his birthday to the stern look as he reveals the sordid past and smashes his fist on the table in anger.

 

There are some plays you enjoy and there are some you’ll never forget. Festen is certainly one which had me gripped and will be remembered for years to come. It’s another notch to The Space Theatres brilliant production list.

Tropical Prints For Summer

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One of the best things about summer is breaking out the summer wardrobe. It is the best excuse to wear bright colours and crazy patterns. The tropical trend is in for summer and these pieces from QVC caught our eye.  Opt for bold, colourful prints and matching accessories for a look that is sure to turn heads this season. Here are some of our top picks.

From top to bottom: Blue Mojito Lulu Kaftan, £151.50, Ronni Nicole Palm Print Dress, £48.50, Ronni Nicole Real Palm Print Dress, £55.00, Danielle Nicole Peyton Foldable Tote, £63.25

image007 Ronni Nicole Palm Print Dress 106509 £48.50 Ronni Nicole Real Palm Print Dress 107182 £55.00 QVC Danielle Nicole Peyton Foldable Tote Item no.107974 £63.25What do you think? Will you be going tropical this summer?