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LONDON FOR FUN Newsletter: 14 December 2011 Issue No.211

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http://www.londonforfun.com
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1.) Top 10 London events
2.) Other Events, Theatre listings, Museums and Galleries
3.) How to unsubscribe

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1. Top 10 London events
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1 - Taryn Simon - Tate Modern premieres an important new body of work by the American artist Taryn Simon, who chronicles generational histories through an elaborate assembly of image and text. In each, the external forces of territory, power, circumstance or religion collide with the internal forces of psychological and physical inheritance. From feuding families in Brazil to victims of genocide in Bosnia, and human exhibitions in the United States to the living dead in India, Simon forms a collection that maps the relationships among chance, blood and other components of fate. Simon’s presentation explores the struggle to determine patterns embedded in the narratives she documents. Until 2 January 2012. www.tate.org.uk/modern LAST CHANCE

2 - The Snowman - When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. On their travels they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and naturally, Father Christmas. Watch spellbound as the Snowman flies through the night sky above you, before escaping the clutches of the evil Jack Frost to return home for Christmas morning. Featuring Howard Blake’s beautiful Walking In the Air, performed by a live orchestra, choreographed by Robert North and directed by Bill Alexander, this is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family. The stage show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman and the subsequent film has become a modern classic. Ruari Murchison’senchanting design combined with Tim Mitchell’s spectacular lighting has been delighting children for over a decade. With its wonderful mix of storytelling, spectacle and magic, The Snowman is back for a record-breaking 14th year. Until 8 January 2012. Buy tickets

3 - The Spanish Line: Drawings from Ribera to Picasso - The exhibition presents highlights from The Courtauld Gallery's collection of Spanish drawings, one of the most important in Britain. Comprising some 120 works, the collection ranges from the 16th to the 20th centuries and features examples by many of Spain’s greatest artists, including Ribera, Murillo, Goya and Picasso. Until 15 January 2012. www.courtauld.ac.uk

4 - Circue de Soleil: Totem - Tens of thousands were blown away by the record breaking run of shows in 2011 in which the mesmerising Cirque du Soleil displayed a fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind. Inspired by founding myths, this spectacular production traces the journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. From 6 January until 5 February. www.royalalberthall.com

5 - Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year - This world-renowned yearly exhibition at the Natural History Museum provides a spotlight on the rarely seen wonders of the natural world. Enter an atmospheric space inside the exhibition gallery and be inspired by this year’s competition winners. The images are selected from 1000s of international entries and are beautifully displayed in sleek backlit installations. Until 11 March 2012. www.nhm.ac.uk

6 - Aida - For this entirely new staging, distinguished director Stephen Medcalf, with set and costumes designed by the renowned Isabella Bywater, will recreate a world of eternal love within the ruins of Ancient Egypt. Staged in-the-round, the action will unfold in the very heart of the Royal Albert Hall. This epic work explores the devastating consequences of a classic love triangle between Aida the Ethiopian slave girl, the King's daughter, Amneris, and Captain of the Guard, Radames. Culminating with the final entombment as the opera draws to its tragic close, this intense drama gave Verdi the perfect opportunity to compose some of his most poignant arias and powerful music. Celeste Aida, the great tenor aria for Radames, Aida's passionate solo Ritorna Vincitorand the beautiful final trio, O Terra Adio with the lovers trapped underground whilst Amneris laments above, are just some of the great highlights that also include the famous Triumphal Grand March. An international cast will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestraconducted by Andrew Greenwood and the opera will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. From 23 February 2012 until 11 March 2012. www.royalalberthall.com

7 - David Hockney: A Bigger Picture - In January 2012 the Royal Academy of Arts will showcase the first major exhibition of new landscape works by David Hockney RA. Featuring vivid paintings inspired by the East Yorkshire landscape, these large-scale works have been created especially for the galleries at the Royal Academy of Arts. 'David Hockney: A Bigger Picture' will span a 50 year period to demonstrate Hockney’s long exploration and fascination with the depiction of landscape. The exhibition will include a display of his iPad drawings and a series of new films produced using 18 cameras, which will be displayed on multiple screens and which will provide a spellbinding visual journey through the eyes of David Hockney. From 21 January 2012 until 9 April 2012. www.royalacademy.org.uk

8 - Hajj journey to the heart of Islam - One of the five pillars of Islam central to Muslim belief, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they are able. This major exhibition charts the history of this deeply personal journey. Examining the extraordinary travel logistics involved and how the wider operation of the event has changed over time, the exhibition compares how pilgrims over the centuries negotiated this often monumental undertaking and how it continues to be experienced by people from all corners of the globe today. Beautiful objects, including historical and contemporary art, textiles and manuscripts, bring to life the profound spiritual significance of the sacred rituals that have remained unchanged since the Prophet Muhammad’s time in the 7th century AD. From 26 January 2012 until 15 April 2012. www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

9 - The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton & Antarctic Photography - This exhibition of remarkable Antarctic photography by George Herbert Ponting and Frank Hurley marks the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott’s ill-fated journey to the South Pole. Ponting’s dramatic images record Scott’s Terra Nova expedition of 1910–12, which led to the tragic death of five of the team on their return from the South Pole. Hurley’s extraordinary icescapes were taken during Ernest Shackleton’s Polar expedition on Endurance in 1914–17, which ended with the heroic sea journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia. Both collections of photographs were presented to King George V and are today part of the Royal Photograph Collection. Until 15 April 2012. www.royalcollection.org.uk

10 - Lucian Freud Portraits - Lucian Freud (1922 – 2011) was one of the most important and influential artists of his generation. Paintings of people were central to his work and this major exhibition, spanning over seventy years, is the first to focus on his portraiture. Produced in close collaboration with the late Lucian Freud, the exhibition concentrates on particular periods and groups of sitters which illustrate Freud's stylistic development and technical virtuosity. Insightful paintings of the artist's lovers, friends and family, referred to by the artist as the 'people in my life', will demonstrate the psychological drama and unrelenting observational intensity of his work. Featuring over 100 works from museums and private collections throughout the world, some of which have never been seen before, this is an unmissible opportunity to experience the work of one of the world's greatest artists. www.npg.org.uk

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2. Other Events, Theatre listings, Museums and Galleries:

Events listing:
http://www.londonforfun.com/events-in-London.htm

Theatre listings:
http://www.londonforfun.com/London-theatres.htm

Museum listing:
http://www.londonforfun.com/London-museums.htm

Galleries listings:
http://www.londonforfun.com/galleries-in-London.htm

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