by Chelsea Girl on July 31, 2011
1. Zoe Strimpel guests at The Barts Hendrick’s Book Club on 3rd August to discuss Love & Lust in Literature. Drink cocktails from tea pots in this prohibition styled bar as the book club takes place.
2. Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In will be showing at Curzon Chelsea, King’s Road, from 26th August. Can’t wait to watch Almodovar’s latest offering. It’s been too long.
3. Patagonia at Michael Hoppen Contemporary finishes on 27th August. I’ve yet to check this exhibition out but the word on the street is that it’s certainly a don’t miss.
4. South West Four Weekender on 27th and 28th August. Head across the river to Clapham Common for banging tunes and live music for London’s Electronic Music Festival. The great line up includes: Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier, TIGA and Judge Jules!
5. Notting Hill Carnival from 28th to 29th August. Admittedly, the main reason I still go to the carnival is for Norman Jay’s Good Times sound system. So needless to say, I’m sad to hear that he won’t be playing this year. But if you haven’t had a chance to check out the carnival yet, it really is London’s biggest and best party; and it’s free.
by Chelsea Girl on January 31, 2011
1. Lee Broom at The Shop at Bluebird. Trained by Vivienne Westwood and a graduate from Central St Martins, Lee Broom will be launching his first store within The Shop at Bluebird in February 2011.
2. Michael Hoppen Contemporary at Michael Hoppen Gallery. Ends 19th February 2011.
3. John Adams’ Nixon In China at Chelsea Cinema. 12th February at 6pm.
4. Kitsch at Embargo 59. Every Thursday night.
5. The Phene’s Valentine’s menu. A sharing menu for £70 includes a Belgian Chocolate Fondue with exotic fresh fruits and marshmallows and an indulgent four cheese fondue with fresh bread for dipping. A classic romantic film will play on the cinema screen and every couple will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne.
by Chelsea Girl on January 14, 2011
5 things not to miss out in January:
1) The King’s Speech/Live Satellite Q&A with Tom Hooper & Colin Firth at Chelsea Cinema on Thursday 20 January at 6pm. Book tickets.
2) The last of the Winter Sales! Shopping tips.
3) Leopoldo Pomes at Michael Hoppen Gallery until Saturday, 22 January 2011. More details.
4) Get Santa! at The Royal Court Theatre until Saturday, 15 January 2011. Very last chance!
5) Bluebird Cafe’s Evening Standard Menu.
by Chelsea Girl on November 22, 2010
When Cactus Blue’s doors closed this summer, it was a very sad day. All that was left of this Chelsea institution was a note on the door to thank everyone for the great memories. Months later, and a new bar and restaurant called Eighty Six has opened in its place and I have to admit, the new ground floor layout is infinitely better.
The main bar now sits to the left of the room and there is an extension towards the back, giving the ground floor a whole new space to play with. Eighty Six doesn’t have the crammed feeling associated with Cactus Blue. And with a great cocktail list and retro dance music, the atmosphere on a Saturday night was very buzzy.
Earlier that evening, I had popped over to Brick Lane for a private viewing of Stephen Santos’ art exhibition. Whilst the event was successful, with a great crowd stepping off the streets to join the party, I couldn’t help but wonder why I had to endure such a difficult journey east thanks to London Underground’s engineering works to see the exhibition of a Chelsea artist. I wondered why Chelsea’s art scene was restricted to Park Walk and Lots Road. What about the other local artists with more experimental works?
There was a time in the 60’s when Chelsea College of Art was influential with the fashion, music and graphic design scene that gave King’s Road the edge. Now, Chelsea College of Art has moved to Pimlico and the local art scene is determined by the commercial tastes of gallery owners and not the attitude of artists.
I know of one local artist who will soon be setting up a pop up exhibition using one of the empty shop units on Fulham Road. It would be great if Alahna Fiveash’s show could help inject artistic energy back onto the streets of Chelsea. Why should East London have all the fun?
Mina Zaher
Follow her @kingsroadrocks
