by the Romans.Today London is one
of the most vibrant cities in the world!
Cultural highlights in 2009 include:
Set in leafy Regent’s Park amid heritage-listed buildings and beautiful gardens, ZSL London Zoo is an oasis in the heart of the capital.
This unmissable attraction has over 650 amazing animal species to discover, as well as live shows and fantastic immersive exhibits such as the hugely successful Gorilla Kingdom, and the tranquil Victorian pavilion that houses the only hummingbirds in the UK. Easter 2009 sees the launch of a brand new Children’s Zoo that provides a fun, interactive and educational adventure for kids. Also, 2009 is the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, who started to form his theories on evolution at ZSL London Zoo back in the mid 1800’s. Don’t miss out on the series of events being put on at the Zoo to celebrate his life and work.
zsl.org
Museum of London
Step inside Museum of London for an unforgettable journey through the capital’s turbulent past. The Museum is currently undergoing a major redevelopment, transforming the way it tells London’s story from 1666 to the present day. The new modern London galleries will open in early 2010 but until then visitors can still enjoy our prehistoric, Roman and medieval London galleries, as well as events and exhibitions for all ages including London’s Burning, a special exhibition which explores the Great Fire of London.
Museum of London Docklands
From Roman settlement to Docklands’ regeneration, unlock the history of London’s river, port and people in this historic warehouse. Discover a wealth of objects
from whale bones to WWII gas masks in state-of-the-art galleries, including Mudlarks, an interactive area for kids; Sailortown, an atmospheric re-creation of 19th century riverside Wapping; and London, Sugar & Slavery, which reveals the city’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
museumoflondon.org.uk
The first Hard Rock Café opened its doors to the public on June 14, 1971, in London, England. An instant classic, attracting droves of customers with its first-rate, but moderately priced, casual American fare, warm service and ever-present rock 'n' roll music and sensibility. Although it was initially decorated with an eye toward eclectic Americana, Hard Rock Café has ultimately become the world's leading collector and exhibitor of rock 'n' roll memorabilia. With over 130 venues in more than 40 countries around the world, Hard Rock has become a truly global phenomenon!
hardrock.com
JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE
27 June – 13 September 2009
This major retrospective of Pre-Raphaelite artist, John William Waterhouse (1849-1917), will feature over 40 paintings together with sketchbooks and drawings from public and private collections worldwide.
ANISH KAPOOR
19 September – 13 December 2009
The Royal Academy of Arts will hold a major solo exhibition of the renowned artist and Turner Prize winner (1991) Anish Kapoor. Elected a Royal Academician in 1999, Kapoor is internationally regarded as one of the most influential and pioneering sculptors of his generation. He is celebrated for works which enter into a profound spiritual engagement such as his early pigment sculptures; 1000 Names (1979-80), Marsyas (2002) - the installation in the Tate Modern Turbine Hall, and Sky Mirror, installed at the Rockefeller Centre, New York in 2006.
The centerpiece of the exhibition will be the monumental Svayambh (a Sanskrit word which roughly translates as ‘shaped by its own energy’). This site-specific piece has only been exhibited on two previous occasions; at the Museé des Beaux-Arts, Nantes and the Haus der Kunst, Munich.
royalacademy.org.uk
Recently released figures reveal that London theatre enjoyed a record-breaking 2008! Audiences flocked to performances such as: Wicked, the magical hit musical about two unlikely friends and how they become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, and London’s long-running Queen and Ben Elton rock musical We Will Rock You.
This season’s big opening was Oliver! with Rowan Atkinson and I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger leading the cast of this famous musical about an orphan and the nefarious company he keeps. Oliver! is now booking until 26 Sep 2009.
Do you know? The average West End musical such as The Phantom of the Opera or Les Misérables has approximately 101 cast and crew directly involved in every performance! And this doesn’t include front of house staff or the huge back-up services including ticket sales, wardrobe staff, set contractors, maintenance, office staff, advertising and publicity.
myencore.co.uk