July 2013 Events

June was the month I was at 3 charity/fund raising events from chimes for change, Not On Our Watch and Oxjam. Was also the month for the mens wear fashion week.

On to July here is your save the date..

Dance Al Fresco

Feel like dancing in the park? Learn to tango? Or watch others do so?... Taking place all month. Head down to Hyde Park if you participate proceeds go to tree planting of the park. 

Fashion Rules

4th July is the opening of a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. Previewing clothes worn by the Queen, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. From the spirit of the 50s down to the extravagant 80s.

Club to Catwalk

10 July is the opening of a new exhibition at the V&A. The inspirations behind 80s catwalks from the UK clubs. Showcasing over 85 outfits from the likes of John Galliano and Vivian Westwood. 

Wireless Music Festival

12-14 July Wireless festival... need I say more? Tickets are pretty much sold out unless your going VIP and there are some tickets left for Sunday. Headliners dubbed the kings of summer JT and Jay-Z.

For a faster update on any events like my facebook page where I add events in advance.

Itunes have started posting their line up for itunes festival in sept. So start signing up now if you want free tickets to see an artist or band you love.

Day Out: Got To Dance Finals

Event: Sky1 Got to Dance Finals

Description: Uk dance talent competition. Where people from solo, duo, or groups audition in any dance style, before 3 jusdges and try to make it through to win the show and £250,000.

Location: Kensington Olympia

Frequency: Once a year.

Price: Audience tickets are free (as far as I know)

www: http://sky1.sky.com/sky1hd-shows/got-to-dance-home

Hot Tip: Go with the flow and participate!

I used to work behind the scenes in TV. Have experience in studio camera's, gallery work as a vision mixer and director and, freelanced as a VT editor before I was made redundant and went back to work in fashion. So when my friend was able to get audience tickets to Sky One's Got To Dance of course I asked. She knew I loved dance and would watch it at home. Added bonus was that I knew another person that was actually on the show and the group made it to the finals. All a good excuse to show some support.

As part of the studio crew Gerry managed to get us past the cue's... Rolling with the VIP (lol)... Shame we couldn't VIP the toilet cue. Non the less was better indoors then the cold and rain.

As we talked and audience are made to participate in time killing activities such as dancing and competing against the other side of the 6000 filled stadium the burning question was why watch here when you can have a better view at home? Not like the view we had wasn't great.. It was!! see for your self.. but from just one angle?

A good performance, a good dancer can convey a story and evoke emotion. Which is not often transferred on TV. You ever wondered why people get up from their seat for a standing ovation and as a TV viewer you thought it was flat?

I watched two kids, the age of 8 and 11 dance. They made me stand up as they expressed emotion in their movement. Not just the skills that an 11 year old boy can do lifts that an adult can find difficult and helping her jump in the air like it was slow motion. Or the fact that she was fearless in the lifts and dismounts.

Another group had 6000 people up as their energy in the piece soared like the tempo in music doubles in fold. They hadn't even finished dancing yet the stadium was up in euphoria.

All this can sometimes be captured and sometimes you can miss it. As I remember from my studio days I was too focused on finding a good shot then feeling their piece and translating that.

So why go out to watch a concert when you can buy the DVD? The mear experience and atmosphere that you cant buy or watch on screen. Plus a good day out from the norm. What you don't get to see on TV is also why the audience is there for; the love of the art. From small children getting up to dance, disabled Nan's zinging around in their wheelchair, and behind the rafters were teens busting out bboy moves, in the 3 mins that is a UK add break.

I was about to end there but I have to say Diversity did do a very good number, a Michael Jackson tribute, the best performance and choreography I might have seen from the group to date. The thing was on the journey home a teenager said he almost didn't recognise that it was a MJ dedication even though they did many MJ signature moves. With some tragic deaths of the greats of my generation, people that inspired, had signature moves or voices. Who do the youth of today have to look at and say that about? I don't see Justin Bieber having a signature move or voice that in 40 years time kids will say he moulded a generation other then his hair.

Night Out: Jump Off

Event: Jump Off
Description: "The Jump Off is where Fashion, Music and the Arts collide creating a melting pot of urban youth culture. The event features the best of aspiring local talent competing in Live Model Shoots, Comedy, Rap, Dance & Producer Battles for cash prizes and bragging rights."
Location: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HJ
Frequency: Every 2 weeks on Mondays until the finals in August TBC
Price: £8 in advance £15 at the door
www: http://uk.jumpoff.tv/shows/view/the-jump-off/
Hot Tip: The toilets are unisex (yes I was baffled and had to check the door twice) To activate the water to wash your hands is a pedal by your feet... no sensor malarky! Crazy tip but we all asked the question when we were in there.

Big booties or big hair? shorts or leggings? Only for sure thing are the boys in new Era hats and their pants swung low. There I was lost in a crowd of mixed ethnicity, bubble hats and Pjs, Russian fur head gear, baggy jeans, short dresses, jeggings, anything goes with a twist of urban edge and swagger. A shortage of hoddies replaced with "If its not New Era then your a fool" style and lyrics from MC battles.

Fabric looks massive as you walk in, with all its industrious detail and Jump Off logos. In the middle of London's City district, you'd be surprised it's here. Expect it to be clean, like it was, yet surprised that it is, after all it is a show of London Urban Hip Hop.

Battles for the hip hp genre in dance, producing and MC. Think Stomp The Yard or You Got Served but with less attitude and more appreciation. A more welcoming crowd then the "bad boy" image you would have expected. Waiting for contenders to step up. Its a though crowd but not as harsh as you would think this world is.

We watched a dance crew, we dubbed as Little Mix, and the Champs battle it out. Little Mix looked amateur as they took to the stage yet had a few surprise moves that, we were routing for the under dogs to get through to next weeks round.

The Producers battle was an eye opener for those who don't make music, and a nice taste of wit and talent for those who appreciate. 5 mins to re-work a sample given to you. Producer quickly adding in base beats, snares and synths. Then played back to the audience and judges to crown their winner.

 

The long anticipated MC battle. Infamous for finding talent such as Pro Green. Was Less 8 Mile and more Comedy Night. Contenders coming in from "tut" north to flow or literally spit on on the mic. Maybe the calibre of talent will get better as the competition nears its finals in August, but this night we were entertained by someone who's rapping style was "dude you have issues" and I have thus dubbed as MC Turrets. Funny how you can see the stage was their alter ego as they shook hands and said well done after throwing abuse and swearing at each other. 

The event started late with set up breaks between battles and not running to the advertised schedule. So we missed the Booty Shake battle, as we left early to go home. But no doubt we will be back for more Monday night entertainment.

Why go? What else can you do on a Monday night? less of clubbing and being musically entertained?