If I don’t tell you about anything more this year

This is the one event I most hold dear

YouTube, Flicker, Facebook you can have them all

But if you want to see the truth take a press photographer with you.

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Were Barnard and Bob right, is it true, I certainly believe so

A picture can beat a thousand words of print

Just go to the National theatre

And you’ll see what I meant

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Not for a play you understand, not for dance

Something more profound that leaves you in a trance.

The great painters had it and so too still do a few

These photos are as captivating as a Michelangelo.

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Will you learn anything new, what will you see?

No Big Brother here, this is true reality

In all it’s beauty, despair and hope

I bet you can’t go there and not feel a bit choked.

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You see every man thinks his burden is the heaviest

Until you see a picture of the lowest.

Then you realise the petty things we worry about here

Are nothing compared to what other people are going through there.

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And that’s why this is an essential exhibition to see

It puts you back in touch with humanity.

Give more than you take and make people’s day right

And just maybe your burden will seem a little more light.

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Go to the Press Photographers exhibition you won’t be disappointed.

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The Press Photographers Year 2010 exhibition is at the National Theatre in the Lyttelton Exhibition area. It’s on until 19^th September and is free. Click Press Photographers Year for dates as it’s not on every day.

If you can’t make it go to the Press Photographers site and click 2010 Slideshow to see some of the pictures.

If you like some of the stuff that I’m writing subscribe to our blog and you’ll be able to OD on it.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. Irving Penn one of the greatest photographers you’ve never heard of
2. You’d be mad too miss the Positive View exhibition at Somerset House
3. Another secret London place that no travel guide tells you about

Every Londoner has a secret bit of London

That they’re not willing to share.

For me it’s a particular restaurant

And no I’m not letting you anywhere near.

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Harsh and unfriendly you say

But let me plead my cause

There’re so many secret bits of London

In exchange I’ll give you this one to keep as yours.

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Eyes down but it’s rarely a full house

Even Londoners walk by this store unaware of the pleasures it holds.

If you pop in for an hour or so you’ll be amazed

They have wonderful pictures and inspiring talks in this place.

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The exhibition they’re got on now

Every Londoner and tourist should see

You’ll see what London was like

In this black and while photographic history.

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You’ll recognise the places but you’ve never seen them that way

And although it’s not huge there’s enough there to enjoy.

The Tower Bridge construction picture epitomises it all

You never think of it being built because it’s been there for so long.

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So where is this secret place where you can see all of this?

Well it’s not a gallery or museum and it’s easy to miss.

It’s the National Geographic store, I kid you not

It’s a secret place in London that you see with your eyes wide shut.

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What do I mean, well think on it a while

Everyone at some stage does the Regent Street file.

But do you recall ever seeing this store

Of course you don’t even though it’s got a massive front door.

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So you’re walking around with your eyes wide shut

Missing all of London’s secrets just like that.

So I rest my case my evidence is done

I think you can let me off not telling about the secret restaurant one.

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The National Geographic store is at 83 Regent Street at the Piccadilly Circus end. The exhibition I’m talking about is called ‘London Memory Lane’ and is on until 18^th July and is free.

So that you don’t miss other things like this subscribe to our blog by clicking the link below.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. Secret London things to do near Oxford Street in London
2. Shhh I don’t even want you to tweet this, it’s a secret just for you
3. Free music in London on Saturday at the Apple store by the band The 88

When you see all the kites you'll be amazed

Words can never do this justice the same way a kiss cannot be measured you feel it and know when it’s right

Up up and away they soar with skill and dexterity keeping them from the floor

Kites in full flight filling the sky magnificent to every man woman and child’s eye

All the pretty colours mixed in with fighting designs no cutting allowed I hear this time round

Teams of us prepare the solo’s are there too looking to the sky looking for our space waiting for our time to fly

Wings I have none but I feel in the air free at last without a care just a wrong swirl bringing me back down here the freedom of flying a kite is beyond compare.

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The Blackheath International Kite Festival is on this weekend and this really is one of those must do’s. There’s also a bike festival taking place at the same time and lots of things for kids to do. It’s all free and starts at 12 noon – 7pm.  From our weather forecast Saturday is looking like the best day but you know how it’s been changing recently.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. See Mog the Forgetful Cat and Judith Kerr book signing in John Lewis
2. How to give your kids a special memory of London
3. A Latin Carnival in London to bring a smile to your face

The weather on Sunday is going to be fantastic so you’ve just got to go to the Primrose Hill May Fete.

Let me tell you Primrose Hill is one of the nicest parts of London so having this fete here will be great. Plus with the sun shining, it’s a London village at its best.

There’s no website for the event but I’ve spoken to the organisers and it’s definitely on. They’ve got so much going on it would get boring just listing it all, but with rides for kids, loads of stalls and a jazz band you can see there’s something for everyone.

The only fly in the ointment is getting there. There are so many tube closures this weekend depending on where you’re coming from it could be a pain.

However at least Chalk Farm station is open and that’s the one you need to head to. The fete will be around the junction of Regents Park road and Primrose Hill road which is about 10 – 15 minutes walk from the tube.

The actual fete starts at 11am and goes on until 5pm and is free. But again the brilliant thing about this area is there are so many other things to do afterwards.

On a sunny day like it’s going to be, I’d say walk up the hill, crash out on the grass and just take in the views of London. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

What do you think is Primrose Hill as good as I say it is?

If you want to make sure you don’t miss things like this there’s no harm in subscribing to our blog. The links in the top right hand corner and you can subscribe by email or rss.

Here’s a map of a route from Chalk Farm tube to help you out.
View Larger Map

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. Another secret London place that no travel guide tells you about
2. Did I tell you I could fly a kite
3. You’d be mad too miss the Positive View exhibition at Somerset House

It's like nothing you've heard before

Every now and then we like to throw in some event that is so out there that you have to go to it to believe it’s real and not a wind up.

That’s how I felt before looking into this latest exhibition at Somerset House. But when you get there and get into it. It’s no wind up it’s just very, very clever.

Somerset house is a lovely venue to go to even when they don’t have special exhibitions on. This is a good thing because the River Sounding exhibition isn’t going to blow the socks off everyone, so you’re going to be glad there are other things there to look at.

The exhibition has been created by Bill Fontana, no unless you’re in those circles you won’t have heard of him either. But he’s an international artist who can do amazing things with sound. This guy knows his stuff and like the blurb on the Somerset House website says, he’s done sound installations all over the world.

Well he’s put this exhibition together where you can go under the courtyard of Somerset House and see and hear images and sounds of the River Thames. Doesn’t sound like much I know, but you’re wrong.

For starters, this part of Somerset House isn’t usually open to the public, that alone makes it worth going. But then when you add this sound installation to the mix, it’s a must see event.

The publicity stuff on the Somerset House site doesn’t do the exhibition justice, all I can say is on the next rainy day in London, go down and give it a try. Like I did you’re probably thinking what a waste of time, but it isn’t. Once you’ve been there and experienced it you’ll see what I mean.

So if you want to do something more than just sightseeing in London. Try the River Sounding exhibition at Somerset House, it’s on until 31^st May and is free. It opens at 10am to 6pm and for more details Click River Sounding at Somerset House.

Do you know of any other exhibitions that you think are must sees?

Also so you don’t miss out on other stuff like this, subscribe to our blog in the top right hand corner.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. You’d be mad too miss the Positive View exhibition at Somerset House
2. The Press Photographers Year exhibition in London is something you just have to see
3. Irving Penn one of the greatest photographers you’ve never heard of

Don't miss this chance to see the World Cup

If you look on the right hand side of this page you’ll see why we started this blog and letting you know about events like this is exactly what we’re here for.

But I’ll be honest with you, this event is so good I was almost tempted not to do a post about it so that I could get down there.

But hey, what the hell.

If you’ve followed this blog you know I think the people at Selfridges are brilliant at putting on unusual events and things to do. But this Wednesday 10^th they’ve taken it to another level.

If you go to the Yellow Cafe in Selfridges (it’s on the lower ground floor) on Wednesday you’ll be able to see the real World Cup. Now I don’t know about you, but that would be good enough reason to high tail it down there.

But get this. If you get there early enough you can also get a professional photo taken of you beside the World Cup and receive the photo in a souvenir frame.

Now that’s nice isn’t it, but it gets even better. Selfridges have said the event is free. That’s right, a professional photo of you beside the World Cup, souvenir to take away and it doesn’t cost you a thing. It’s on a first come first served basis so if you get there early enough, you’re set.

Man you’ve just got to love those Selfridges guys.

You know once the word is out about this it’s going to be crazy down there. I’m sure they’ll stop doing the photo quite quickly when they see how many people turn up so like I said get there as early as you can to get in line.

What I don’t understand though is that this is part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour sponsored by Coca Cola. Now Coca Cola are one of the best marketing companies in the World, so why they are keeping the World Cup Tour so quiet is a mystery.

Luckily Selfridges aren’t and neither am I.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is in London at Selfridges on Wednesday 10^th. It’s on display in the Yellow Cafe from 3pm – 7.30pm. To get your photo beside the World Cup is on a first come first served basis so get there very early.

Thanks for your time.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. You’d be mad too miss the Positive View exhibition at Somerset House
2. Sightseeing in London is OK but there’s way more to London than that
3. The Press Photographers Year exhibition in London is something you just have to see

See remarkable photos like this of Kate Moss

It’s a must, it’s a must,

it’s a must see.

It doesn’t even matter

If you don’t like photography.

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What is it about a photographer’s shot?

More impact than a bullet

Sharper than a knife

And for a moment it changes your view of life.

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The photographer’s image

Seeps into your conscious without a word

You’re left standing there

Alone, with them, completely absorbed.

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I think this exhibition will be special

Not just because of the cause

Some of the pictures I’ve seen

Defy description or verse.

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Incredible images

That will bring you to tears

Incredible images

Highlighting our prejudices and fears.

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Over 100 pictures from around the world

Some from the famous, some from the good

Some from people you’ve never heard of.

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And what’s remarkable from something of this quality

It won’t cost you a pound or penny

This could only happen in London you see

Where such and exhibition is completely free.

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10^th of March is when it starts

At Somerset House a perfect place for such art.

So hurry down because it’s not on for long

Just under a month then it’s all gone.

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If you agree with what I’ve had to say

Leave me a comment it would make my day.

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The exhibition is called Positive View and is on at Somerset House in London from Wednesday 10^th March – Monday 5^th April. The exhibition is free.

To see what else I said was on in London in March click What’s on in London in March.

Below are other posts worth reading:

1. Sightseeing in London is OK but there’s way more to London than that
2. The Press Photographers Year exhibition in London is something you just have to see
3. Irving Penn one of the greatest photographers you’ve never heard of