> DAN CRUICKSHANK TALK

St. Mary's Church, Cowes
18th October 2015

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival 2015 - an eclectic mixture of writers, thinkers, creators and doers travel to the Island to share their thoughts and experiences... What a great excuse to meet up with people who have inspired, educated and given us hours of entertainment along the way!

Dan Cruickshank is an art historian and BBC television presenter, with a special interest in the history of architecture. He has an infectious passion for this subject and it has taken him all over the world. He has written and presented many TV programmes and published books that explore and share his knowledge and understanding.

We could not resist this opportunity to spend an hour in the company of this likable chap. The talk was free-form and fast in pace. He talked loosely around his experience of researching and producing the new book - 'A History of Architecture in 100 Buildings'... he used stories, anecdotes and slides to bring the presentation to life. Very interesting it was too. The venue was packed with a very appreciative audience who listened and chuckled along. I was lucky enough to meet Dan afterwards and he kindly signed my copy of his new book. A great afternoon!

 Our signed copy of Dan's new book

10 out of 10!

> DIETER MEIER - LIVE

The Jazz Cafe, Camden, London
16 September 2014 

Dieter Meier - the Avant-Garde Swiss Conceptual Artist and one half of Yello. The legendary performer brings his 'Out of Chaos' project to London. We grab this opportunity to be immersed in a world of spoken-word and electro sound-scapes... Wunderbar!

Dieter Meier and Boris Blank formed Yello in 1979 in Zurich. They have created a massive body of work and released many successful albums and singles. Borris creates the sound-scapes and Dieter provides the spoken/sung narrative elements. The two artists have also produced numerous stand alone projects outside their world of Yello.

Out of Chaos - this is what Dieter says about his latest creative venture: My “comeback” is animated by the idea of chaos-as-opportunity, and combines acoustic elements with electronic perspectives provided by Berlin producer Nackt and electro pioneer T. Raumschmiere. Recorded at Chez Chérie Studios in Neukölln, it resonates with hard-won wisdom plus the genius for the absurd and unfathomable that Yello fans have long cherished.

It was a treat to see Dieter and his new band performing live in London. The show was cool, artistic and very engaging. Dieter shared interesting stories between the musical moments and the audience really appreciated this once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy the performance. It was our moment to step inside the wonderful world of Dieter Meier! Below is a selection of images that demonstrate a few more of these wonderful moments...

10 out of 10!

>UP AT THE O2

The O2, North Greenwich, London
4 December 2012

Up at the O2 - The Creative team from the Storytellers set sail for Greenwich to climb an icon! It's the spectacular skyward treat that takes you to the top of the 02 and beyond!

We donned our protective climbing suits, harnesses and prepared to scale the O2. The weather was cold and clear allowing spectacular views of surrounding London! This is the worlds most popular entertainment venue, and now you can enjoy the spectacle from the outside too! The whole experience takes just over an hour and is well worth the ticket price. The views from the central viewing platform are wonderful and the planes taking off overhead from City airport certainly add to the drama! You can enjoy views of the Thames Barrier, the Financial towers of Canary Wharf, the Greenwich Laser and the more distant landmarks of central London, the Shard, St. Paul's and the BT Tower to mention but a few.

Make sure you book early and the night time experience is certainly worth considering! Up, up and away!

10 out of 10!

>DICK WHITTINGTON

New Wimbledon Theatre, London
14 January 2011



Dick Whittington - Dame Edna Everage brings a little Melbourne sophistication to South London. Big costumes, saucy sausage jokes and wonderful 3D projections...

What a great way to spend a chilly Saturday afternoon in January. We got together with a handful of great friends to laugh away a few hours. We loved it, the kids loved it and Barry Humphries worked the audience like a pro.

Featuring all the traditional pantomime ingredients; feel-good songs, a live band, dazzling dance routines, saucy slapstick comedy and bags of audience participation - Dick Whittington is a classic tale of rags to riches, and never fails to delight!

Dr Barry Humphries - Comedian, author and landscape painter!

Barry Humphries was born on 17 February 1934 in Kew, Melbourne. He is one of the most famous and successful Australians of his era. Besides his well-known and hugely successful career as a comedian, satirist and character actor, he is also a film producer and script writer, a star of London's West End musical theatre, an award-winning author and an accomplished landscape painter. He could also tell you a huge amount about Dadaism!

10 out of 10

>POSTMODERNISM

The V&A, London
6 January 2011



Postmodernism: style and subversion 1970-1990 - Annie Lennox, Grace Jones, Leigh Bowery, Klaus Nomi, Javier Mariscal, Swatch, Andy Warhol, Jeff Kloons and Barney Bubbles... what's not to love!

This major exhibition was the first in-depth survey of art, design and architecture of the 1970s and 1980s, examining one of the most contentious phenomena in recent art and design history: Postmodernism. It showed how postmodernism evolved from a provocative architectural movement in the early 1970s and rapidly went on to influence all areas of popular culture including art, film, music, graphics and fashion.

The one, the only Klaus Nomi

Another amazing show from the V&A. An absolute joy to visit - I clocked up 6 trips!... Like walking around inside an Athena card selection box from the early 90's. Vintage Swatch posters. Klaus Nomi costumes and footage of him singing Lightning Strikes - (The essential collection is indeed essential, get it on itunes now!!!). Grace Jones singing Demolition Man and an iconic outfit built by her lover, Jean-Luc Godard. Annie Lennox’s tartan suit designed by Jeff Banks and Wonderful furniture from Javier Mariscal. Bliss!

Grace Jones working the Jean-Luc Godard look

10 out of 10

>AN EVENING WITH JAVIER MARISCAL

Design Museum - London
27 October 09

My very own Mariscal masterpiece!
COBI - marker on art board - 2009

www.designmuseum.org

Javier Mariscal, the Barcelona based designer, in conversation with Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic - discuses his motivations and achievements across a successful and diverse career... and very interesting it was too!

A wonderful hour spent in the company of my favorite artist/designer. After the talk I spoke with Javier and he kindly signed my copy of his 'drawing Life' book and produced this very special drawing of 'Cobi'... (shown above) WOW!

Thank you Mariscal - you have made me a very happy man! More info to come.




The vid above shows a little live action madness from the marvelous mind of Mariscal!... The experience is further enhanced by the Henry Mancini mash-up sound track!

10 out of 10

>AN EVENING WITH PAM AYRES

Greenwich Theatre - London
26 October 09

www.pamayres.com

For one night only, an evening with the inimitable poet Pam Ayres, including material from her bestselling books along with some new poems and stories.

Pam's show was simply brilliant! Witty, personal and very funny - She is a poet for the people and Her verses portray a wicked sense of humour, and deal with subjects not normally thought to be worthy of poetry. Top entertainment!

Pam Ayres MBE (born March 14, 1947) is a British writer of humorous poetry and was born in Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire in England. After leaving school she joined the Civil Service - it has recently been revealed that she was working for MI5! She soon left there to sign up to the Women's Royal Air Force, and it was there that she decided she wanted to be an entertainer. She began reading her verses at the local folk club in Oxfordshire, and this led to an invitation to read on the local BBC radio station in 1974. In 1975 Ayres appeared on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks. This led to a wide variety of guest appearances on TV and radio shows. Since then she has published six books of poems, toured in a one woman stage show, briefly hosted her own TV show and performed her stage show for the Queen. She regularly appears on the radio show Just a Minute and hosts Ayres on the Air, a radio show of her poetry and sketches

Bravo!

10 out of 10

>GRACE JONES - LIVE

The Roundhouse, Camden
28 Jan 09


www.theworldofgracejones.com


Grace Jones wows the Roundhouse crowd with her Hurricane spectacular! ...She is still sexy, ferocious and fantastically OTT.

My all-time favourite, Grace Jones... I have waited for twenty+ years to witness Grace in the flesh... and I can tell you, she was not a disappointment!... Classic songs and new material from 'Hurricane' worked brilliantly live! Each track was given it's own 'look', dance moves and lighting. Outrageous outfits and Phillip Treacy creations helped to turn Grace into the ultimate Diva, and the crowd went wild for it! She pole danced her way through 'La vie en rose' and 'Libertango', hula-hooped the entire length of 'Slave to the Rhythm' and was spectacularly blown across stage during 'Hurricane'... What more could ya want from a Wednesday night out in Camden?

...Shown below are a few quick reworkings of my favourite Grace inspired images. A mixture of old 70's disco album covers, retouched photography by the wonderful graphic designer, and former lover of Grace - Jean Paul Gaude and body painting by the L8-GR8 Keith Haring.






Ladies and Gentlemen - Miss Grace Jones R O C K S!!!
100 out of 10

>TONY HART 1925 - 2009

Artist, Presenter, Gentleman!
...and inspiration to millions.
18.01.09

My original autograph from Tony Hart - 1979

www.tonyhart.co.uk


"I hope I've achieved the sort of programme that entertains first, and maybe surprises, informs, and amuses, and that people don't just forget that but in the backs of their minds think "perhaps I'll have a go at that one day" ...Tony Hart

Norman Anthony Hart served with 1st Gurkha Rifles as an officer before taking a course at the Maidstone College of Art and entered television in 1952 after a chance meeting with a BBC children's TV producer. The rest, as they say, is history!

Tony was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, which sat rather nicely with his two BAFTA's - he retired from regular TV work in 2001 after working on children’s art programmes for nearly 50 years. He was most famous for fronting shows including Take Hart and Hart Beat. He single-handedly introduced successive generations of children to the delights of drawing - as well as to the myriad creative possibilities afforded by old egg boxes, empty cereal packets and milk bottle tops.

...The 'Gallery section of these shows invited the nations young to send in their own creations. The lucky few would have their masterpieces shown whilst the 'iconic' gallery music played away in the background - "Leftbank 2", composed by Wayne Hill and performed by the Lance Gambit Trio became an instant gallery classic!

In 1977 Tony helped to create 'Morph' with Peter Lord of Aardman Animations. He also designed the original 'Blue Peter' logo for which he was paid the princely sum of £100.

In 1979 I wrote to Mr. Hart as part of a school project. We had to contact a person who had inspired us... Tony was my choice because he helped to open my eyes to all things creative... Thank you Tony - you are, and always will be, a star!...

Original letter from Alison Hagger, production assistant on 'TAKE HART'
30th March 1979

Morph, born 1977, melted away in Aardman Animations'
warehouse fire - Bristol 2005.

Mr Hart and Morph both get a very artistic 10 out of 10