Butterflies in the Glasshouse

Say goodbye to grey skies and step into a world full of colour— or more than 50 species of free-flying butterflies. Spring is just around the corner, but if you’re anything like us here at The Amazing Blog, you’re always keeping an eye out for anything that makes you feel like you’re on holiday right now, preferably somewhere tropical. Butterflies in the Glasshouse is the perfect place to find refuge from the cold. They’re open from the 13th of January until the 4th of March in Wisley, so you can head on down to get an early taste of spring.

Fun fact: some butterfly species have adult lifespans that are as short as one week, while others, like the Monarch, live an average of nine months. We like this event because it is both family-friendly and educational. But, the beauty of the butterflies and cathedral-like glasshouse are sure to amaze people of all ages, while also providing the perfect photo-op. The Education Zone will turn you into a butterfly expert, as you learn about their lifecycles and even use a microscope to take a closer look at the intricate colour of their wings. Did you know that butterflies have taste receptors on their feet? Once you’ve finished admiring the real butterflies, you can pick up a delicious treat from the Taste of Wisley outlets and take a walk down to the lovely garden of butterfly sculptures.

Entry prices are £15.95 for adults and £8 for children 5-16 years, but if you buy online here you can get 10% off and you can also book a time slot to skip the queues here.

Movie Nights at the Natural History Museum

Forget Night at the Museum 1, 2, or even 3 for that matter - with apologies to Ben Stiller and his fellow castmates - here is the ultimate venue for all those Sci-Fi fans out there – Movie Nights at The Museum - as if all those fabulous exhibits aren’t enough, The Natural History Museum has teamed up with TimeOut to give you the chance to watch some of the more mind expanding films in the comfort of your own imagination - with a little atmospheric help from the spellbinding surroundings.

If like us at The Amazing Blog, Star Trek is your thing, then you are in for a major treat with a series of the franchise up for viewing throughout March 2018, but the powers that be, have played a blinder with their other choices ranging from E.T. through to Alien, so every persuasion is catered for. Check out the full list of options through their website here.

Screenings are set in the Hintze Hall, under Hope the Blue Whale, and you can settle down with a refreshment or two from the bar to chill out and enjoy whichever genre you have chosen. Tickets cost £28.00 and can be purchased through the museum’s website here; start times vary, so do ensure you check when booking. Nearest tube station is South Kensington.

Sadly, Dippy The Diplodocus who retired from view a few years ago won’t be around to join in all the fun, but there are plenty more prehistoric fish in the sea to provide suitable brainiac vibes.

The London International Mime Festival

The London International Mime Festival is back, so catch this while you can. The Festival is only here for a limited run from the 10th of January to the 3rd of February.  Be sure not to miss these extraordinary, mesmerising and disciplined performers who are a treat to behold. We are so lucky to have the best of the best in the world of mime showcasing here on our doorstep. The London International Mime Festival as you’ve probably guessed is something of a favourite with us at The Amazing Blog and we're itching to get their hands on some of these very special tickets. 

Bêtes de foire by Petit Théâtre de Gestes/Association Z’Alegria at The Barbican Pit

With 16 performances spanning across London from Soho, the Barbican and even to the peripheries of Shoreditch; there's something for everyone.  Be it exquisite object and mechanical theatre from France, 19th century stage magic from Finland, a heart-warming Mexican wedding, or the breath taking new circus-theatre, which was at the start of the festival.

Peeping Tom's 32 rue Vandenbranden at The Barbican Theatre

First off we want to see the performance of UK premiere of the Belgium production ‘ Peeping Tom ‘ directed by Gabriela Carrizo (which won the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production) described as ‘….disturbing and oddly humorous. They explore an archetypal figure familiar to us all, in a production of astonishing physicality that defies characterisation.’ On at the Barbican Theatre, book your tickets here

Lebensraum by Jakop Ahlbom & Alamo Race Track at The Peacock Theatre

At the Peacock Theatre is Lebensraum, which is by the Dutch visual theatre masters, the brilliant Swedish director Jakop Ahlbom and Alamo Race Track. Their performance is in the genre of a silent movie, based on the magic of Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow. Quoted in the Telegraph as ‘Like a Charlie Chaplin skit penned by Harold Pinter’ book your tickets here.

Silent Movie Classics screened at the Barbican

Finally to mention, that earlier in the Festival this year rarely-seen silent movie classics with live piano accompaniment was shown. This included discussions, workshops in puppetry and physical/visual theatre led by internationally-renowned professionals. So you see there's something for everyone – enjoy!

The London Art Fair returns for its 30th Anniversary

So here we are, the tinsel is packed away, 2018 has started with high energy, and we here at The Amazing Blog are raring to go and soak up something new and vibrant. Just as well then that the annual London Art Fair  opens it doors on the 17th January, and keeps them open for all us culture vultures until the 21st - book your tickets before the 15th January and you get 40% off … now let’s keep that queue orderly shall we?

Whatever your taste in Contemporary Art, there will be something here for everyone - check out Beaux Arts Bath on Stand G20 for some seriously intriguing work, or Charlie Smith London on Stand 38A for selection of something a little darker. We will be making a bee line for Galerie Olivier Waltman  on Stand G06, as they are showing some seriously delicious pieces, and with a base in both Miami and Paris - what’s not to love?

Of course alongside all the fabulous art on show, being situated at The Business Design Centre in Islington, also means a plethora of choice in restaurants and bars in the surrounding area for refuelling. But of course inside there is the obligatory Champagne Bar for those of us who feel the need, as well The Photo50 and Jack’s Café offering something altogether more wholesome … However, if people watching is your thing - it certainly is ours - then Jack’s Café with views over the whole shebang is also on the menu. We'll look forward to seeing you there!

The Cockney'tivity – A Very Cockney Christmas Story

We love Christmas at The Amazing Blog. It is a beautiful and loving time spent with all the people you love most in the world, especially family. But before the big day, we like to have a special dinner with our best friends where we exchange gifts, play games, laugh and drink a bit too much. As fun as this is though, it can be a bit tiring, especially if you are the one cooking and even worse if you are cooking again a few weeks later! So we were positively giddy when we came across the Cockney'tivity – A Very Cockney Christmas Story.

This event is utterly unique, it will make you a Christmas hero, and everyone will remember it for years to come. The Cockney’tivity is a Christmas dining experience that features three short acts of hilarious festive drama surrounding a delicious three-course meal in an authentic east end pub. As you enter The North Star, you’ll take a seat at the Christmas dinner table and enjoy your meal as the drama unfolds around you, ending with a hilarious and raucous finale that will have you dancing on your chairs.

The menu sounds brilliantly festive. Starting with roasted vegetable soup with herb oil and garlic croutons Or Smoked Salmon, Pickled Radish Salad with Horseradish Cream. There are two mains; the first is Herb buttered roasted Supreme of Chichen, Roast Spuds, Glazed Carrots, Maple Roast Parsnips, Gloucester Old Spot Pigs in Blankets, Gloucester Pork and Apple Stuffing, Buttered Greens with Nanny Bill’s Gravy. The second is a vegetarian option, titled Nanny Bill’s Nut Roast with Cauliflower Cheese pots, Veggie Stuffing and all the trimmings. Dessert features the classics, Handmade Mince Pies with Brandy Cream and Christmas Budding with Lemon Sorbet. 

The event runs from the 1st – 22nd of December and tickets cost £55 a person. Private bookings are also available here for up to 60 guests.  Get your tickets here and make a Christmas memory no one will forget.