Friday Favourites - Winterville

As we may have mentioned before, at The Amazing Blog we absolutely LOVE this festive period! Mulled wine, fairy lights and layers are among some of the best things, so being able to enjoy all three in one event is certainly an evening we won't be missing! This year one of our favourite festive events, Winterville, is taking place in South London at Clapham Common. 

What we like about Winterville is that the event offers Londoner’s an alternative festive experience that’s accessible and enjoyable for all. Go ice-skating on the outdoor ice rink, take the kids to the fairground or head to the roller rink with some friends for an active and fast-paced day.  If you would rather relax and be entertained then head to their famous Spiegeltent which is hosting one-off events such as comedy, cabaret and family Christmas shows.  What’s more, the event is the part-time home to some of London’s best street food at the Feastopia, full of option and delight. 

Entry is free, but attractions and events are priced individually. Winterville is open from November 23rd until January 5th, so there is plenty of time for you to go and no excuse for you not to. NB:  Due to weekend popularity for all these individual events, Friday and Saturday night you will need to book your tickets here.

Sculpt at Kew

As summer melds into autumn, amble through the picturesque gardens whilst admiring the contemporary sculptures situated amongst the foliage. If you’re an admirer of the art of sculpture and of gardens, like us at The Amazing Blog, Sculpt at Kew marries the two perfectly. It forms the ideal combination, as you can marvel at the man-made beauty in a beautiful natural setting. The exhibition runs from September 18th – October 15th and is held at the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The stunning gardens are the perfect backdrop to over 30 renowned British and international artists’ work. This innovative exhibition features sculptures in an array of materials from bronze, ceramics, glass to woodwork. There is something for everyone, whether you’re partial to figurative, abstract or modern works of art, and if one happens to take your fancy you can even purchase the sculptures on show. The sculptures range in prices, so there is one for every budget. Carefully curated with a contemporary approach, you are sure to see a diverse variety of work, but all sharing quality, tradition, heritage and integrity in the work. The artists were all chosen with their craft skills in mind, so you are bound to see a high calibre of sculptures.

For a pleasant stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens amidst stunning sculptures, purchase a ticket here for £14 for an adult and £2.50 for children aged 4-16.

Friday Favourites LAPADA Arts and Antiques Fair- 2017

The annual LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair is the leading showcase for art and antiquities on an international level and has grown to become one of the most prestigious events in the London social calendar. The Amazing Blog has been a huge fan of the fair since its inception in 2009, as it brings 100 exhibitors together to present work from across the art, antiques, design, and decorative arts spectrum. The authenticity of all these exhibitors is assured by the 70-member specialist committee who approve each item before the show begin. 

We love the variety of what is featured at the fair, from ornate furniture, to delicate jewels, to eye-catching pieces of art, the fair has it all. It is an entirely unique London event that brings together a vast collection of sought-after pieces that are bound to appeal to all; whether you are a first-time buyer or a collector, or a hoarder of the finer things. With prices varying from an affordable £500 to a more eyebrow raising £500,000 the fair is filled with goodies certain to please you and have a place in your home. 

LAPADA will be held at Berkeley Square between the 15th and 20th of September. A ticket will cost you £20 for entry during between the 15th and 20th, whereas a collectors ticket will get you in the day before and only costs £65.00.

Friday Favourites - The Rosé Festival

Now, The Amazing Blog has a real treat for all you rosé fans out there. A brand new festival celebrating the beautiful pink drink is coming to London’s stunning Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch this summer. We guarantee that the inaugural launch of The Rosé Festival is not something you’ll want to miss. In fact, this is the UK's first and only festival dedicated to this beloved drink.

The event is expecting to welcome over 3,000 visitors and is taking place from Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd of July. This unique and wonderful festival will offer visitors the chance to not only sample different varieties of rosé from expert producers in all of its forms, both fizzy and still, but also learn from the producers who will share their knowledge and experience with guests. If you have always wanted to know what makes an excellent rosé, and how to distinguish between the variations of the drink then you must attend this event. We cannot stress the abundance of rosé that you’ll be surrounded by, which for many of us will be a dream come true.

However, if rosé is not your drink of choice then never fear as producers will also display a range of their other products including Ciders, Vermouths, Prosecco and other Sparkling Wines. Alongside all of this will be a vast array of carefully selected British food vendors for you to enjoy and discover. What’s more is that between every sip and bite you’ll be entertained. The festival will be hosting a mix of Shakespeare recitals, jazz bands and Opera and DJ sets, as the festival plans to welcome young, up and coming British talent. 

So if enjoying some wine, food and culture sound like your kind of day then you can purchase tickets here for £15.00. £1 of every purchase will be donated to the Geffrye Museum.

Friday Favourites - Hyper Japan

At the top of nearly everyone at The Amazing Blog’s bucket list is to travel to Japan, soak in the culture, food, sights and music. However, Japan isn't just down the road and prices for trips easily enter the thousands, so we have an exciting way for you to get your J-culture fix closer to home; Hyper Japan. Since 2010 this 3-day festival has been giving Londoners a much-needed jolt of Japanese culture. This year it is running from 14th to 16th July.

With over 100 exhibitors at Hyper Japan, expect a sensory overload. You can revel in both Japanese nostalgia and edgy futurism while watching self-produced chiptune TORIENA, who programs her music using two game boys. TOROIENA will even be teaching a class, so you’ll be able to create some unique sounds using your favourite retro devices.  Or if this isn’t your cup of saki why not enjoy KAIEN’s musical performance that incorporates dance, video and 3D holograms for an experience like nothing else you’ve ever seen. Marvel at the Kawaii fashion show, and discover and then shop the cute anime-inspired looks, or explore the Game & Anime Park with an area dedicated to the much loved Nintendo. Japan is famous for its advanced technology, and you can catch a glimpse of it here with the Handroid (hand robot!) demonstration. If you want something a little more traditional, you can try your hand doing some calligraphy, learning origami and making authentic kokeshi dolls. 

If Japanese cuisine gets your taste buds tingling, you'll be thrilled to hear that Hyper Japan has a whole designated EAT-JAPAN section. The food court offers much to choose from, from katsu curry, to maki, to poke bowls, to Sticky Bundits (those rice burgers you may have seen circling Instagram), you really will be spoilt for choice. You can even learn the art of cooking Japanese food here, with a wasabi pizza workshop and a curry workshop, or if you're a dab hand at Japanese cuisine, there is a sushi roll competition.

For your fill of Japanese fun and food click here and purchase your tickets. General entry tickets for Friday and Saturday are £15.00. Tickets for entry after 2.30pm and all Sunday are £17.00. A 3-day pass for the full weekend will cost £43.00. We look forward to seeing you there.