Chelsea Autolegends

So it appears that summer has finally arrived – albeit four months too late and due to last just another day or two before autumn kicks in with avengance. But if you’re after an outdoor pursuit in which to enjoy the last days of sunshine, might I suggest you pay a visit to the Chelsea Autolegends? Following the resounding success of last year, the event will be staged once more in the magnificent grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Sunday September 4^th, showcasing the crème de la crème of motor-cars.

‘The Swinging Sixties’ theme of this year’s event is an apt choice thanks to its proximity to the iconic King’s Road – once the spiritual home of the hedonistic decade’s colourful fashion revolution; thus this is an affair for lovers of both trends and transport.

The Chelsea Autolegends promises to deliver the same relaxed garden party atmosphere it was praised for in 2010 and among other highlights on the day there will be an array of contemporary supercars and celebrations in aid of the 50^th anniversary of the legendary E-Type Jaguar.

With funds being raised for the Chelsea Pensioners – residents of the Royal Hospital - via a number of activities including a special auction, you can do your bit for an important charity, while enjoying the sunshine and the swinging sixties…. What’s not to love?!

Stuff of Nightmares Exhibition

So we are well into August now and I’m guessing many parents out there will be well and truly sick of having their little dears at home and underfoot by now. So while you count down the days until the beginning of the new school year (and the rediscovery of your sanity), Felix and Amelia seem intent on maiming each other on the Wii, all the while telling you how booooored they are. Why not give them an entertaining day out, with a mild dose of the scares thrown in too – no better way of reasserting your authority we feel!

The ‘Stuff of Nightmares’ exhibition explores the darker side of traditional fairy tales looking under the veneer of innocence of the stories we have told and re-told to successive generations of small children. The original tales were dark and sinister, depicting worlds populated by witches, trolls, goblins, and wolves, and were quite explicitly violent. Subsequent versions became somewhat sanitised for a child audience and many of the stories underpin the narrative of contemporary children's literature and film. The fairytales we tell children usually assume an air of innocence - good always triumphs over evil, heroes are selfless and love is everlasting - some fairy tales however, explore the darker side of a child’s imaginary landscape…

During The Stuff of Nightmares the gallery is transformed into a creepy forest where anything might happen. The dark setting for a re-telling of the Brothers Grimm’s ‘Fundevogel’, a tale of abduction, fear, evil old women, revenge and ultimately, the power of friendship. The installation, made by local schoolchildren working with artists, sits alongside work by Katherine Tulloh, Ruth Weinberg, Jemima Brown, Daniel Bell and Sharon Brindle, which takes a closer look at the playthings of innocents. Rather more sinister than sweet.

The exhibition also includes a police identity parade of villainous toy suspects, rounded up to assist the forest police with their inquiries. This provides a rare opportunity for some of the Museum's far from cute objects to be on display.

This exhibition runsuntil 26 February 2012.

V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, London, United Kingdom E2 9PA

Unique outdoor film experience

This summer the Queen of Hoxton plays host to a unique outdoor film experience, the Rooftop Film Club. Five nights a week you can get a little outdoor movie action on the club’s rooftop and avoid the gangs of teens, sullen staff and general lack of ambience of your local multiplex. The varied movie selection is comprised of classic, cult and recent releases, with screenings ranging from Top Gun to Zoolander to Monster’s Inc. With no under 18s allowed in it provides a welcome break from the whining kids or gossiping ‘tweens’ which always seem to plague my movie experience (what do you mean maybe I should make more age-appropriate film choices??). Being able to hear the movie clearly is a guarantee because you are given a set of high quality wireless headphones as part of your nine pound ticket.

If you get hungry, food and drinks are served all day long in the Rooftop Garden to enjoy before or during the screening. It is recommended you bring a jacket and/or a blanket in case the weather turns chilly.

Screenings start at dusk Wednesday to Sunday, and the film club runs until September 30. Tickets are limited to 100 per movie so to avoid missing out on your favourite film we recommend purchasing them beforehand here.

Super Supper Clubs

Supper Goes Crazy at SupperClub

This month SupperClub plays host to a limited series of exclusive performances by the world famous avant-garde cabaret Crazy Horse Paris. The iconic Parisian burlesque show known for its stage shows performed by their ultra-glamorous dancers known for their beauty and talent will perform their UK debut for lucky diners at the newly refurbished SupperClub in Ladbroke Grove. Spectators can enjoy a lavish three course dinner followed by entertainment from Le Crazy Horse in what has been dubbed ‘Crazy moments from Paris – a series of seductive moments.’ Famous fans of the 60 year old show include Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, John F Kennedy and more recently Madonna and Beyonce.

Until 26^th June

Dinner and Show £65

Supperclub

12 Acklam Road,

W10

‘A Dorians Dinner’

Award winning comedy duo, The Marvellous Dorians, introduce London’s first comedy Supperclub at Exmouth Markets’ The Mission Room. Dubbed by Vogue as ‘people set to define the generation,’ and winners of a Time Out Critics Choice award Luke Courtenay-Smith and Emeka Ene aka The Marvellous Dorians combine comedy with cabaret acts, magic tricks and hypnosis. Although exact details of the show are being kept under wraps, guest are told to expect “spontaneous interaction between restaurateurs and diners." During the two-day pop-up taking place on the 2nd and 3^rd of June guests will be able to enjoy a three course meal including starters of vanilla-soused mackerel, seared corn-fed chicken slathered in foie gras-butter for mains and chilli and lime cheesecake with Champagne jewels all “within an improvised comedy setting taking place within the restaurant context.”

£25 per person including 3 course dinner (not including drinks) and comedy show. Starts at 7pm.

26 Exmouth Market

Clerkenwell

London

EC1 R4QE

02072780816

 Fugu Supper Club

Finally, next month sees the launch of what’s being hailed as the, ‘UK’s most dangerous supper club.’ The Fugu Supper Club is the first dining experience to serve the notorious ‘Torafugu’ or ‘tiger blowfish’ in the UK. Although the rare delicacy has been eaten by Japenese gourmets and is a celebrated dish in Japan it is not permitted for sale in the EU. However, it is now available for adventurous London diners to try for themselves as Fugu Supper Club have managed to bring small amounts into the country for personal consumption at private dinner parties.

Torafugu is the most prestigious of the edible pufferfish species however it is also the most toxic of marine creatures due to the lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin it contains. One fish contains enough poison to kill 30 adults and the fish has to be carefully prepared by highly skilled chefs to remove the toxic parts of its anatomy and to avoid contaminating the edible flesh. Hmmm, we’re thinking carefully about this one...

The pop-up launches in London at various locations, which could range from a grand central London mansion to an unoccupied gallery space. Thrill-seekers will be able to enjoy a champagne reception before sitting down to a six-course, ‘omakase fugu’ feast prepared by experienced chefs.

Adventurous diners are asked to register their interest through the Fugu Supper Club website and if you’re lucky enough to be chosen you will be emailed a time and location of your sitting. It must be said that the experience doesn’t come cheap, tickets are £250 a head and places are limited. Get in quick as the Fugu Supper Club is running for a limited time only.

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