The Olympics are over, it’s back to school time, but there are still plenty of opportunities to discover London’s hidden secrets.
Exhibitions, gastronomy, fashion, accommodation and other events…
Exhibitions
London’s autumn season promises to be rich in cultural events. First and foremost, photography is in the spotlight with exhibitions dedicated to the great masters of photography.
From October 10, the William Klein & Daido Moriyama exhibition at Tate Modern will bring together for the first time the works of these two leading 20th-century photographers. With the cities of New York and Tokyo as central themes, over 300 works – vintage prints, film stills, photographic installations and archives – will explore modern urban life.
From November 8, Somerset House will devote a new exhibition to Henri Cartier-Bresson, focusing on color. This retrospective will show how the artist, despite his skepticism about color photography, nevertheless exerted a major influence on photographers turning to this new medium.
Ansel Adams, one of the pioneering photographers of the American wilderness, will be exhibited at the National Maritime Museum, with a particular focus on his fascination with water in all its forms.
Painters are also making their comeback. The Renaissance period in Northern Europe, and Italy in particular, will be the subject of an exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. More than 100 works will be on show, including those by Lucas Cranach and Albrecht Dürer.
In a slightly more unusual style, the Welcome Collection is organizing an exhibition featuring death and the contradictory feelings we have towards it. Eclectic works such as engravings by Rembrandt, anatomical drawings by Dürer and vanitas by Goya will be presented.
Gastronomy
This autumn, London also has something for every gourmet. The UK’s biggest cocktail festival returns from October 8 to 14, with Covent Garden’s Seven Dials district at its heart. Tastings and demonstrations will take place in luxury hotels and underground bars alike.
The week of October 8 also marks the 8th edition of Chocolate Week. Chocolatiers, hotels, bars and restaurants will be joining forces to organize meetings, tastings and samplings.
Cultural events
In terms of cultural events, London welcomes New York contemporary dance company Cedar Lake for three exceptional performances at Sadler’s Wells. The Batscheva Dance Company will also be performing at Sadler’s Wells. The American press praises these “acrobats of god” who “dance like demons”.
At the Royal Albert Hall, Disney will stage one of its finest creations: Fantasia. Excerpts from Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will be shown on the big screen in high definition, accompanied by music from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Mauceri,
In a more offbeat vein, the IndigO2 theater will be offering a veritable burlesque evening on October 26. Get ready for a combination of sensual voices, breathtaking choreography, magic tricks and frivolity.
Are you a thrill-seeker? Join Diane Burstein to discover the capital’s haunted theaters and their ghostly secrets.
Fashion
For fashion lovers, head to Somerset House from November 29 to discover an exhibition dedicated to the legendary Italian designer Valentino. In a retrospective spanning more than half a century, more than 130 haute couture designs and dresses, worn by icons such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Gwyneth Paltrow, will be presented to the general public for the first time.
Another not-to-be-missed event in the capital: the Carnaby Shopping Party. All shoppers can take advantage of 20% discounts in over 100 boutiques, restaurants and bars. Free activities include live music, tastings and goodie giveaways.
Hotels
Hotels will also be taking part in the festivities. During Cocktail Week, the Royal Horseguards Hotel will be offering a limited-edition cocktail and a special menu for the famous Afternoon Tea. Hotels in the Radisson Blu Edwardian group have teamed up with the V&A Children’s Museum, which has planned an exhibition of Hollywood film costumes for the autumn. The hotel group is offering an exclusive package including accommodation, breakfast and two tickets to the exhibition.
Meanwhile, the 5-star Landmark Hotel is organizing a dinner-opera on October 5, 2012, in partnership with the charity “Streetwise Opera”. The performance will take place under the glass roof of the hotel’s atrium.
More info on Visitlondon.com
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