Weekend Dose of Culture

So this weekend I suggest you ditch the Friday night drinks at the pub for an evening investigating the nature of social interaction in the digital realm at the latest V&A Late.

Running alongside the "All of This Belongs To You" exhibition the V&A Late session will not only include curator tours of the exhibition, but there's also plenty of talks and events to fuel your thirst for knowledge. 

Learn how architecture has played an influential part in video games such as BioShock (a great game which everyone should play) and how the line between fiction and reality is starting to blur. Discover the truth about the destruction of laptops and hard drives owned by the Guardian which held information leaked by Edward Snowden. Or simply understand why women take on the role of the damsel in distress in video games?

One thing is guaranteed. You'll leave the V&A with a wealth of knowledge at your finger tips.

V&A Late: Digital Public Spaces

Extras: It's not just about talks, music twin duo Formation will keep everyone entertained till the evening draws to a close 

Cost: Free, but if you want to visit any of the current exhibitions during the night you'll need to pay (pre-booking is advised)

Opening Dates: 18:00 - 22:00, 29th May 2015 
Website: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/friday-late/

Weekend Dose of Culture

 
So this weekend I suggest you get in early and book tickets for ZSL London Zoo's Sunset Safari. 

This year Zoo Lates has had a revamp and been replaced with a chilled out evening of animal-tastic fun and entertainment for the young and old.You can explore the zoo at your leisure or join one of the guided tours to delve deeper in to the world of the animal kingdom. 

If you need a break from the animals then there's a wide selection of food to choose from at the World Food Market or why not relax listening to an accoustic guitar set whilst the sun sets.

Having been a devout follower of London Zoo Lates for the past few years it'll be interesting to see how this new version matches up.

London Zoo: Sunset Safari

Extras: With 750 animals to discover before gates close at 10pm I think you'll be too busy for anything else.

Cost:Advance tickets sales are going for £20.80

Opening Dates: 5th June - 17th July 2015 
Website: http://www.zsl.org/sunset-safari  

You Must Read This Book

So this weekend I broke the rules and headed out for some week night culture at the University College London's Festival of the Arts.

Now in its third year the literary and arts spectacular takes over the University campus (and the lives of their leading Professors and Doctors) for five days. During the week, students and the general public are treated to a wide selection of free events ranging from talks on Shakespeare to British cinema-going in the 1960s and today. As a literary fanatic, anything which involves learning more about some of my favourite authors or finding inspiration for another great read will always catch my interest.

So on Wednesday evening I found myself attending one of their most popular events called "You Must Read This Book" chaired by UCL President and Provost Michael Arthur. Now this wasn't your average lecture. Oh no! Eight top academics took to the stand to declare, fight, plead and persuade you that the book they love is one you absolutely must read. It was almost like a Dragon's Den of literature and I had to hold myself back from saying I like you and I'd like to invest. 

From spies to sagas, fact to fiction all genres were covered off in the evening. So which books were on the pitch list?

The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers (championed by Professor Ian Stevenson)

Don Casmurro by Machado de Assis (championed by Dr Ana Claudia da Silva)

On Snooker by Mordecai Richler (championed by Dr Michael Berkowitz)

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro (championed by Dr Samantha Rayner)

The Divine Comedy by Dante (championed by Professor John Took)

Egil's Saga (championed by Dr Erin Michelle Goeres)

My Wounded Heart:The Life of Lilli Jahn, 1900-1944 by Martin Doerry (championed by Dr Julia Wagner)

Here by Richard McGuire (championed by Dr Nick Shepley)

After listening to each passionate speech (each one was excellent) the audience had to decide who pitched best and which book they felt most inspired to read. The book with the most votes won (a lovely bottle of champers for the speaker) but there was also the chance for the audience to win a copy of each book if they were fortunate enough to have their name drawn from the voting box. 

As I am currently absorbed in the world of spies and James Bond I naturally gave my vote to The Riddle of the Sands. Did I win? No naturally. Guess I've just confirmed that I'll be head my next trip to the bookshop. 

Sadly the festival is over, but there are plenty of other events taking place at the University throughout the year which are worth checking out. Visit http://events.ucl.ac.uk/highlights/ for more information.

Weekend Dose of Culture

So this weekend I suggest you ditch a weekend of culture for a week day dose by checking out the literature week hosted by the British Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences. 

'Other Worlds After Dark' is a week long exploration, via lectures and events, into the fantastical worlds of fairy tales and folk lore. A host of experts and authors will be on hand to discuss the literary themes of the event which includes uncovering the golden age of storytelling and exploring African folklore through the Anansi Tales.

For literature fans or for those just looking to escape the 9-5 for a world of fantasy, it's a must!

Literature Week 2015

Extras: It's not just about the written word. There's a screening of Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth at the Vue Piccadilly on Friday (6-8:30pm).

Cost: Free (register online)

Opening Dates: 11th - 17th May 2015

Website: www.britishacademy.ac.uk/literatureweek2015