PR Lunches, Launches & Lunges (or should that be paunches)
Dec
6
Written by:
12/6/2011 3:14 PM
I recently attended the London launch lunch for Women of Inspiration and Enterprise (WIE) Symposium at the Hospital Club in Covent Garden. There were lots of lovely, enterprising and inspirational women there as you would expect, including the Ab Fab Helen Lederer and Kathy Lette, who I was delighted to be on the same table as. Kathy was telling us about her new book, out in Feb, which sounds like it’s going to be a good read and I recently heard Helen’s comedy controller session on Radio 4 Extra, which included the marvellous ‘Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen’ and ‘Life with Lederer’ both of which made me laugh out loud.
I was there with Brigid McConville the very enterprising and inspirational UK Director of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA) and photographer Jo Vestey who is taking the most beautiful photographs for our Dreams for My Daughter exhibition, as part of the WRA’s campaign for International Women’s Day (IWD) 8 March, 2011. For more info on the campaign and how you can get involved you can find full details on the WRA campaign here
On the same day I had a early client lunch prior to this one at new Opera Quarter restaurant, New York style Deli/dinner Mishkin’s - which I highly recommend. Not least for the décor and ingenious mix of vintage NYC and London with Knish and Jellied Eels, Malt Shakes and gin cocktails – although I wouldn’t recommend these all in the same sitting.
After my two lunches I went to Pineapple Dance Studios to dance it all off (of course when I say ‘dance’ it’s probably better described as getting tangled up in knots and trying not to fall over – as exercise goes it’s great fun though).
Talking of International Women’s Day I recently attended a meeting with EQUALS; a coalition of Charities including Action Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children, Women’s Aid and Women for Women as well as the WRA , who work together on raising issues of equality around IWD. In 2012 its largely going to be about spurring debate of equality issues via social media. Offline there are plans for a an Equals Live Concert and hopefully another high profile short film – last year it was a specially made James Bond film starring Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench.
Check out this video of James Bond getting in touch with his feminine side. For 2012 there are rumours that GLEE will be getting involved, but I can’t possibly comment (if anyone asks I said nothing). More info on these exciting developments and previews to follow, watch this space …
Festive Ideas
In the meantime, If you’re in London and wondering what to do with yourself, below are some festive ideas which have caught my eye, maybe see you there - more info from Timeout.com.
Wed Dec 7 @ The Sky Room, Fifth floor, Magdalen House, 136-148 Tooley St, London, SE1 2TU
A pop-up Alpine speakeasy with plenty of seasonal shenanigans including storytelling by the fireplace, a pop-up shop from buzz vintage boutique Blitz, slap dance battles, lumberjack musicians, Christmas carol capers and, of course, ski-themed shots and cocktails from The Firewater Society.
Until Jan 1 2012 @ Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, Serpentine Rd London, W2 2UH
HiddenCity is a mobile game which requires you to solve a trail of clues sent to you by text message. As you send each correct answer back, you'll receive the next clue (there are no premium text message charges). This version is a special Christmas trail in conjunction with Time Out.
Take your mobile phone and a map, and get ready to discover a London transformed by Christmas as the trail leads you through wintery parks, uncovering hidden streets and stopping by cosy taverns. The trail starts at the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen (sign up online first before setting out), where the first clue will unlock a free winter-warmer liqueur (or hot chocolate if you prefer). It has been graded by HiddenCity as 'easy-medium' difficulty, so don't worry about getting stuck. And if you do get stuck, you can request a hint.
It's ideal for two to four people; if there are more of you, split up into teams and compete against each other. The trail is a three- to four-hour experience (the start times assume participants take no longer than five hours to complete it but you can continue any time within 28 days if you get distracted by something en route). The clues are designed for adults but all the venues are suitable for families. Time Out has a number of free tickets available for each day here: Free Hidden City Tickets
Until Jan 6 2012 @ Dennis Severs' House, 18 Folgate St, Spitalfields, London, E1 6BX
For Silent Night evening visits, the whole house is decorated for the festive season, racking up the already intense atmosphere at one of London's most evocative attractions. Visits last around 45 minutes. Numbers are limited and anyone who has ever experienced this lovingly recreated world, where lives lived long ago seem tantalisingly close, goes away and adds to the word-of-mouth publicity, so early booking is advised.
Sun Dec 18 @ Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon St, London, WC1H 0AH
The beautiful fusion of twisted variety night and splintered Royal Institute Lectures returns. Each night will consist of award-winning scientists, songwriters and comedians. Robin Ince's guests include Josie Long, Martin White, Helen Arney and Richard Herring. Plus Darren Hayman on Dec 18 & 19, Helen Keen on 19, Isy Suttie on 20 & 21, Mark Miodownik on 22 and Stewart lee on 23.
Until Sat Dec 10 @ Graffik Gallery, 284 Portobello Rd, London, W10 5TE
Bad Santas paint, rap and beatbox their hearts out at this seasonal exhibition, which includes street art photography as well as a Christmas market.
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: PR Lunches, Launches & Lunges (or should that be paunches)
Bad Santa's Grotto sounds like fun, wish I was on London earlier for that!
By Jacques on
12/6/2011 4:06 PM
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