Something For The Olympic Weekend in London – July 27-29
It’s here! The biggest sporting spectacle in the world finally arrives in the capital today – so if you’ve spent weeks/months/years being ambivalent about the Olympics, this is one weekend where you’ll be hard-pushed to not get caught up in the spirit all (and why not, we say). So in honour of the London 2012, we’ve rounded up a selection of themed events guaranteed to make your weekend and get you in on all the action…
FRIDAY
ALTERNATIVE: BT London Live at Hyde Park or Victoria Park
How much: FREE entry to parks, gig tickets – £60
We say: Vicky Park will be screening live coverage of the opening ceremony, while the West Side will simultaneously play host to a celebration concert featuring Paolo Nutini, Duran Duran and Stereophonics. Mind you, gig tickets for the latter will set you back £60, so you might want to head East if you want free festivities…
Info: www.btlondonlive.com
ALTERNATIVE: Olympic Opening Ceremony Screening Party at The Water Poet, 9-11 Folgate Street, Spitalfields
How much: FREE
They say: “Love them or hate them, the Olympics are happening, and we’ll be kicking them off in true Water Poet style, with a massive Opening Ceremony Screening Party on Friday 27th July, from 6pm. Not only will we be showing the Ceremony on our nine fantastic screens but we’ll be filling the pub with games for you to try your hands at, including OLYM-PING PONG, OLYMPIC SIZED POOL and any other game we can shoehorn the word Olympics into… Olympic-tionary anyone?” The Water Poet
Info: www.waterpoet.co.uk
SATURDAY
ALTERNATIVE: 99 Tiny Games, all over London
How much: FREE
They say: “There are games in London this summer. Little games. Tiny games. Scattered through London’s thirty-three boroughs are ninety-nine tiny games: posters on walls and floors in streets and parks, each one containing rules for an easy-to-play game. 99 Tiny Games is part of Showtime, presented by Mayor of London and London 2012 Festival. Showtime is a free outdoor arts festival giving all Londoners the chance to enjoy world class entertainment and culture on their doorstep. 99 Tiny Games will run from from 28 July to 20 August.
Info: www.99tinygames.co.uk
EAT & DRINK: Nomad Chef Pop-up Olympic Dinner, South Kilburn Studios, 2a Canterbury Road, Kilburn
How much: £40
They say: “Please join us as we welcome visitors and modern day nomads to the London summer of 2012 events and the Olympics! In honour of visitors from all over the world, and those of us who live here, the Nomad Chef will be popping up in Kilburn. This large, impressive venue will allow us to create a social dining experience like no other, welcoming more than 50 strangers in true Nomad Chef style.
Info: www.nomadchefpopuplondon2012.eventbrite.com
SUNDAY
ARTS & CULTURE: The Olympic Journey: The Story of the Games, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London WC2B 5QH
How much: FREE
They say: “BP and the Royal Opera House have joined forces with The Olympic Museum in Lausanne to create a free and unique exhibition telling the Olympic story through the endeavours of ancient and modern Olympians. This exhibition, shown in London for two weeks only, will include artefacts from athletes through the ages, audio and film, the summer Olympic Medals since 1896 and the summer Olympic Torches since 1936″ The Royal Opera House
Info: http://www.roh.org.uk/about/the-olympic-journey
ALTERNATIVE: Africa Village at Kensington Gardens
How much: FREE
They say: “Set up at Kensington Gardens, opposite the Royal Albert Hall, the continent of Africa is here to welcome you throughout the Olympic Games from the 27th of July to the 12th of August. Open to all, access to Africa Village is free of charge for visitors from 9am to 10 pm. The general public is invited to take a journey and discover the cultural, artistic and sporting riches of Africa. Stands presenting the very best of each African country with modern and traditional music concerts, fashion, dancing, photo exhibitions and a restaurant… so that all those in love with Africa and the most curious of visitors can immerge themselves in African culture and discover its diversity, talent and dynamism” Africa Village
Info: www.africa-village.com
For more things to do in London, visit www.theculturalexpose.co.uk
Tagged in: culture, dining, events, exhibition, games, olympics, Party, The Cultural Exposé, things to doMost viewed
|
|
Latest from Independent journalists on Twitter