This first post is for small businesses in London and it’s about some business events going on at the City Business Library over the next few months, it’s aimed at helping small businesses get ahead and it’s covering every topic you could think of to do with running your business, with special events about Twitter, LinkedIn and creating a blog.

The majority of the events are free and it’s worth you running down the list because I’m sure you’ll find something there that’s worth going to and because the events are only for 2 hours it’s not like it’s going to take a huge amount of time out of your day, plus you’ll get a chance to network with other business owners, it’s a win, win really.

For more information about the events click City Business Library.

Now for the parents

Looking through some of our recent posts I noticed we haven’t really mentioned events aimed at children for some time, so to make up here’s reminder about one of the nicest places to go with your children in London on a Saturday morning and that’s the Barbican Family Film Club.

Do you remember when you were a child and went to the Saturday morning cinema, well the Barbican have been doing something like that for years now and it being the Barbican, it’s safe and not full of rowdy children because each child has to be accompanied by an adult.

I’ve mentioned it before and although it’s changed slightly it’s still a great place to go and do something different, which explains why when there’s a popular film it gets booked up quickly, the Bugsy Malone film on the 11^th being a good example of that.

If you’ve never been visit the Barbican Family Film Club website, it’s free to join and the cinema tickets are only £3.

Also visit Ronnie’s new site CarBidOff if you’re buying a Mercedes or need to get your car serviced or repaired. And if you want to join Chris’s email list, Click here.

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I was having a conversation the other day about the best cinemas in London. This all started after me going to the not so new now, Vue cinema at Westfield London and being hugely disappointed.

I know they’ve held film premieres there and it’s supposed to be the cinema of the future. But I always knew it would be rubbish which is why I hadn’t been.

In fact the only reason I went was because Chris told me and his email subscribers about the very good offer they had. See what you’re missing out on if you haven’t joined his list yet.

But back to the best cinemas.

One of the things that surprised me was how few of my friends ever went to the BFI at the Southbank.

The BFI is a great place to go to see some absolutely classic films that you’ll never have seen on the big screen.

Most months there’s something good on and you should definitely subscribe to their email list. This month however there’re so many great films, you just have to get down there.

The David Lynch season is the highlight which is what most people will be there for. But any guys still reading this and who didn’t read my London date article.

The BFI have helped you out big time for Valentines. They’ve got Casablanca showing on various days with some good seats still available on the 14^th.

Plus and this is what will make you stand head and shoulders above all the other guys. They’ve got To Have and Have Not, Bogart and Bacall’s first film together which is brilliant.

I’m telling you now if you want to get into her good books and show you’re different, book your seats now. And don’t forget to invite me to the wedding.

Click here for the BFI February Film Guide to see all that’s on and here’s the link to the BFI site.

Thanks for your time

Also visit my new site CarBidOff if you’re buying a car or need to get your car serviced or repaired and if you want to join Chris’s email list, Click here.

Just a quick note about two events that Waterstone’s are holding next week that I’m sure no one else will be writing anything about, but you know we like to let you know about things no one else will tell you.

The first event is the inaugural Gay & Lesbian Book Club called the Velvet Page, it’s on this coming Thursday at the Piccadilly branch, but instead of being in the actual bookstore the event is being held on the 5^th Floor of the store in the 5^th View bar and lounge, also to mark the event they’re giving away a free copy of Sarah Waters book, Fingersmith, which even though it’s a few years old, is a nice touch (sorry couldn’t resist that).

The meet up for the event is at 7pm, Thursday 2nd for more details click here.

The second event is a book signing in Leadenhall Market that every single Liverpool supporter will want to go to and it will be packed because one of their modern day legends will be there, Dietmar Hamann signing in person and it’s not just me who thinks it will be packed, Waterstones are holding the event for 1 and a half hours which they never do in Leadenhall Market so get there early if you want to meet the man.

The event starts at 5pm and goes on until 6.30 and is on Wednesday 1st, click here for more.

Also if you were thinking of buying a Ford Focus ST click Ford Focus ST and if you want to see FREE concerts & films, Click here.

Do you know anyone who doesn’t like magic? I certainly don’t and it seemed that nearly every party in December had a magician.

And it was these close-up magicians that everyone was talking about and wanting to crowd around. People couldn’t get enough of them.

This is why if you’re wondering where to take someone on a date in London. Take them to one of the Magic Circle shows and you won’t go wrong.

The Close-Up magic shows at the Magic Circle are usually on once a month and you’re right there with the magician. They have a couple of tables on each floor that the magicians perform at which you sit around.

They’ll often ask for a volunteer, some even explain what they’re going to do and you still don’t see how they did it.

The evenings are very relaxed with 4 top class magicians each doing a set of between 15 – 20 minutes.

And just to show you how relaxed the Magic Circle have made all of this. When I was there during the interval the magicians were happy to answer questions and do some more tricks.

If you want a drink there’s a bar and you can even buy magic tricks and accessories with a magician on hand to show you how to do the trick.

I’m telling you. Take a date here and you’ll go up a few notches in their opinion.

The next Close-Up show is on the 10^th February starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 and the shows always sell out so get yours now. Click Magic Circle to book.

A tip for when you do go. Even though the show doesn’t start until 7.30pm the doors open at 7pm and there will be a queue. All the seats at the tables where the magicians are performing are OK, but obviously the front seats are the best. If you want a front seat you’ll need to be there before 7pm.

Also if you were thinking of buying a Ford Focus ST click Ford Focus ST and if you want to see FREE concerts & films, Click here.

Oh dear Oh My

This is an exhibition that could make you cry

On a dark and gloomy London day

This wasn’t the best exhibition to see

Did it lift up my spirits, I think not

Some of the images were quite a shock

If a picture can say a thousand words

Then there’s a library here of untold woes

Our riots here were a tea party

Compared to the Libyan, Syrian and Egyptian anarchy

So what will you see

A little hope and a lot of despair

Toooo many bodies everywhere

A religious code gone horribly wrong

You’ll see humanities swansong

So why am I saying you should go and see that

Because I think it makes you appreciate what you’ve got

It makes you want to try a little harder

And give a bit more

After all we don’t have to worry about the sniper

The soldier

Or the knock at the front door.

–

The exhibition I’m talking about is called Frontline: A year of journalism & conflict and is on at Somerset House until 4 February. The exhibition is free and on all days but there’s no evening opening as last entry is 5.30 and the exhibition closes at 6pm.

Wow! Too lighten the mood a little why not read one of my more cheery moments – Dreams can come true in Canary Wharf.

Also if you were thinking of buying a Ford Focus ST click Ford Focus ST and if you want to see FREE concerts & films, Click here.

How do you keep up with all the excellent comedy shows in London, I know we find it pretty difficult and this is what we do, you can try subscribing to the various comedy venues but if you want my advice subscribe to us and a couple of the London blogs we mentioned in 2011 (we’ll be doing a new list for 2012 soon) that way you’ll find all the comedy you can handle, much of which isn’t advertised.

For instance I’ve never seen any kind of advertising for the Tattershall Castle, the Laughing Horse or the 99 Club or loads of other great places that have good comedians on at a reasonable price all in London.

Take the Tattershall Castle, this Friday and Saturday show sold out ages ago and why, the regulars know it is a great venue and with a line up of Paul Tonkinson, Doc Brown, Keith Farnan and MC Rob Beckett it is going to be a great show.

If you have never been to the Tattershall go along and you’ll be hooked, go to any of their shows and you’ll have a great night but while there are still tickets available (it said 42 left while writing this) book the show on the 10^th February, it has Terry Alderton, Lee Hurst, Andrew Bird and MC Yianni, you’ll have a great time.

For tickets for the comedy show at the Tatershall Castle click here, they cost £13.50 and the show starts at 8pm, you will also see the other shows they have coming up.

Also if you were thinking of buying a Ford Focus ST click Ford Focus ST and if you want to see FREE concerts & films, Click here.

One of the things I noticed last year was that some of the best photography exhibitions in London were in small galleries you never hear about.

I know we missed a ton of them because they often don’t have the budgets to advertise and with so many things to do in London it’s easy to miss things.

Two of the best galleries that are consistently good are the Getty Images Gallery and The Little Black Gallery. Click the above links to see past exhibitions.

So if you get nothing else out of this blog post, do this one thing. Bookmark the websites of these two galleries and I guarantee they’ll have exhibitions on this year you’ll love.

Right now the Getty is closed as they get ready for their next exhibition. However the Little Black Gallery has a superb exhibition by the late actor Yul Brynner.

Now unless you’re a certain age or a real old movie fan that name won’t mean a thing. But take my word for it, because of who he was and the access he had. He was able to capture some amazing photographs of some of the biggest Hollywood actors.

And here’s the thing, these are photographs from his private collection. That means you won’t have seen them before, like Frank Sinatra getting out of his private helicopter with his cocktail in hand.

This exhibition is a must see event and even though the gallery is a bit of a pain to get to, it’s definitely worth it and it’s free.

The Yul Brynner exhibition at the Little Black Gallery is on until 11 February. The gallery is open Mon – Fri 11am – 6pm and Saturday 11am – 4pm. For more details click Little Black Gallery.

Thanks for your time.

Also if you were thinking of buying a Ford Focus ST click Ford Focus ST and if you want to see FREE concerts & films, Click here.