Tag Archives: Somerset House

Thursday, 29 December 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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Thursday is here and we present 32 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • There are many activities today for families in several venues, from morning till the afternoon. Starting at 10.30am there is Storyscape at the National Gallery, an interactive storytelling session (suitable for under 5s).
    Illustration of two (Christmas) starsThen, at 11am there are several activities to choose from: a Star is Born at the Science Museum! Free storytelling event related to stars and galaxies suitable for children aged 7 and under (repeated at 1pm).
    Again at 11am you may go to the National Gallery, get inspired by creatures in shadows, make your own shadow puppet and tell your story about what happens next (suitable for ages 5-8, repeated at 2pm) or you may attend the Open Studio and the What’s Going on Here? sessions, both at Tate Modern, where children will play and create with ideas and materials before or after visiting the related artworks in the Collection displays.
  • Is white really white? Investigate the colour white with a workshop taking place at 11.15am and make your own linocut print inspired by the light, shadow and colours of snow scenes from the Gallery’s Collection (suitable for ages 9-12, repeated at 2.15am).
  • Make your own SM:Art Machine at 12 noon at the Science Museum! Join this free drop-in session to build a little bot that scribbles and doodles on paper (repeated at 3pm).
  • While you are still around the Science Museum, why don’t you let Einstein take you to a free journey through time and space (12.30pm, 2pm)?
  • Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • If you would like some live music, there is a free gig at 5.45pm at the National Theatre with singer-songwriter Sumudu performing acoustic/country/folk material.
  • Illustration of an acoustic guitarAt 6pm at Theatre Royal Stratford East there is another free gig with singer Reese Robinson and guitarist Andy Black performing a blend of Rhythm and Blues, soul, gospel and jazz pieces.

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 22 December 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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Thursday is here and we present 28 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

Illustration of two (Christmas) starsA Star is Born at the Science Museum! Free storytelling event (11am) related to stars and galaxies suitable for children aged 7 and under (repeated at 1pm).
Make your own SM:Art Machine at 12 noon at the Science Museum! Join this free drop-in session to build a little bot that scribbles and doodles on paper (repeated at 3pm).
If you fancy some anatomy and human body study while you are at the Science Museum, Jones the Bones will be at hand to answer your questions (12.30pm & 2pm).

  • Celebrate the Christmas story at the National Gallery! There is a free storytelling event at 1pm exploring the early life of Mary to her eventful journey towards the Nativity and the birth of her son, a performance combining vibrant spoken word and music.
  • Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • Don’t miss the last day of the December Sessions at The O2! Free series of gigs with a wealth of emerging UK bands (4pm-9pm).
  • Join the Haharmonics Clown Choir at 4pm at the Southbank Centre and create your own clown character to keep the entire family entertained over Christmas. Free activity for all the family combining music, clown, singing and movement coaching.
  • Illustration of a guitarIf you would like even more music, there is a free gig at 6pm at Theatre Royal Stratford East with singer Reese Robinson and guitarist Andy Black performing a blend of Rhythm and Blues, soul, gospel and jazz pieces.
  • At 6.45pm there is a free gig with jazz singer Caroline Loftus and her band at the National Theatre.

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 15 December 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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Thursday is here and we present 23 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • Marking the “Leonardo da Vinci” exhibition at the National Gallery, why not attend a lecture on Leonardo’s painting methods, focusing on how the National Gallery’s own ’Virgin of the Rocks’ was made-one of the highlight points and most discussed works of the exhibition? Take this opportunity to share in the expertise of the Director of the National Gallery’s Scientific Department, Ashok Roy, as he explores what scientific investigations have revealed about Leonardo’s painting methods in relation to the to the aforementioned painting. It is free of course and it starts at 1pm (it is highly advisable to be there much earlier before the lecture begins, as it is popular and spaces are filled within a short period of time).
  • Discover about the conservation of new acquisitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Hear about the conservation and mounting of the textiles currently on display in the New Acquisitions Gallery, including objects from the 19th century to 21st century fashion design, such as an Alexander McQueen dress and Henry Irving’s red velvet boots. Sarah Glenn, Textile Conservator at the V&A, will lead a free gallery tour exploring these issues at 1pm.
  • If you are wondering what is going on in modern Syrian art, then attend a free talk on this subject at the British Museum at 1.15pm.
  • Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • Don’t miss the December Sessions at The O2! Free series of gigs with a wealth of emerging UK bands for the next 8 days (until 22 December)! Today with Model Society, Don’t Wait Animate, Meisha, Bibelots, Six Hour Sundown and  Bad For Lazarus.
    Illustration of a keyboardIf you want more music, there is a free gig at 5.45pm at the National Theatre with vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais and pianist Alex Hutton.
    At 6pm there is a free gig with singer/songwriter Lynette Frances at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 8 December 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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Thursday is here and we present 24 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • Marking the “Leonardo da Vinci” exhibition at the National Gallery, why not attend an introductory talk on this exhibition? Get an insight of the exhibition and learn about the aims and techniques of Leonardo as a painter and his investigations of viewing aspects of the body and the natural world. It is free of course and it starts at 1pm (it is highly advisable to be there much earlier before the lecture begins, as it is popular and spaces are filled within a short period of time).
  • Discover how the image of the individual in the Renaissance was expressed and how these images might signal a person’s status, their role in society, beliefs or character. Peta Motture, Senior Curator of Sculpture at the V&A, will lead a free gallery tour exploring these issues at 1pm.
  • If you are wondering what Hokusai saw and depicted ‘The Great Wave’, maybe the most famous Japanese print, then head to the British Museum at 1.15pm for a free gallery talk on this subject.
  •  Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • Don’t miss the December Sessions at The O2! Free series of gigs with a wealth of emerging UK bands for the next 15 days (until 22 December)!
  •  If you want more music, there is a free gig at 5.45pm at the National Theatre with Zenoria Trio (2 violins and a double bass) performing tango, classical, folk and jazz among other styles.
  • At 6pm there is a free gig with Jedd Holden performing acoustic/folk-and perhaps a bit of pop-ballads at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
    Illustration of a keyboardIf you are more into classical music, then at 6pm again there is a free recital with pianist Grace Yeo performing pieces by Beethoven, Schumann and Liszt at Southbank Centre. A rare opportunity to attend a recital in the Royal Festival Hall for free!

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 1 December 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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December has arrived and we present 25 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • Illustration of a robotThe Robotville Festival takes place at the Science Museum from 10am to 6pm. The most cutting-edge of European robot design will be explored, as well as the cultural significance of robots. Please have in mind that the Festival is free, but timed entry applies.
  • Get ready to eat with the Victorians! Attend a free talk at 1pm at the Victoria and Albert Museum and learn how crockery and cutlery was used during a formal meal and how it was laid out during the Victorian period.
  • Marking the “Leonardo da Vinci” exhibition at the National Gallery, why not attend a lecture by the curator assistant of the exhibition, Per Numberg, commenting on the two famous versions of Leonardo’s ‘Virgin of the Rocks’, which can be seen for the first time side by side. It is free of course and it starts at 1pm.
  • If you would like to learn more about ancient architectural wonders, then head to the British Museum at 1.15pm for a free gallery talk on this subject.
  • Or what about a film this time? At 1.15pm at the British Museum, you can watch a free screening of the BBC documentary (2011) on the making of the exhibition “Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman”. Booking is advised!
  • Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • What about some music? There is a free gig at 5.45pm at the National Theatre with singer Josephine Arthur performing a mixture of Jazz & modern standards.

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Saturday, 26 November 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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It is Saturday, you have lots of free time and don’t know what to do? We present 45 free events in London today for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or even the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • Why not participate in a parkrun event (free 5K timed runs) taking place at 9am in various parks in London and beyond! What a great way to start your weekend!
  • There are many activities today for families in several venues, starting from the morning till the afternoon. Starting at 10am there are the Art Trolley Weekend sessions for you and your child at Tate Britain, where children are encouraged to imagine and explore with paper-based activities to use in the galleries (no bookings are taken).
  • At 10.30am there is the Imagination Station at the Victoria and Albert Museum (suitable for ages 4+), where they will explore the Museum’s collection to get ideas for crafty challenges.
  • Then, at 11am there are several activities to choose from: there is the Gallery Play of Curious Crafts & Mythical Models at the Victoria and Albert Museum (repeated at 1pm and 3pm) or the Open Studio weekend session and the What’s Going on Here? sessions, both at Tate Modern, where children will play and create with ideas and materials before or after visiting the related artworks in the Collection displays.
  • There are also special holiday drop-in workshops at the Somerset House: the Rainforest Club at 11am (repeated at 2pm), inspired by the Amazon exhibition, and the Fantastic Fiestas at 2pm, discovering how to create masterpieces in pastels and paint after exploring ‘The Spanish Line’ exhibition in The Courtauld Gallery. In all activities children must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy!
  • Don’t forget the free description session for blind and partially-sighted visitors at the National Gallery at 11.30am. What will be examined is ’The Virgin and Child (“The Madonna with the Iris”)’ by the workshop of Albrecht Dürer and the talk will end with a visit to the Gallery (booking is advised).
  • A special event, Tinkerspace, is taking place at the Victoria and Albert Museum at 1pm. Watch objects being crafted, meet designers and see forms of making from traditional crafts to digital technologies. Today Dejan Mitrovic will host a series of workshops for children called Kideville, where over the course children will be able to design and make their own miniature city. Certainly an event not to be missed!
  • Don’t miss the ‘Covet Me, Care For Me’ performance at the Wellcome Collection. Artist Sheila Ghelani will “encourage the viewer to consider the mixed-up mess that resides in us all”. Sounds really interesting!
  • If you are more into short gallery talks, there are options for you, as well: there are two gallery talks at the National Gallery: the one at 1pm is about ‘The Donne Triptych’ by Hans Memling and the other one at 4pm is on ’The Shrimp Girl’ by Hogarth.
  • There are also two very interesting talks at the British Museum, both at 1.15pm: one on Grayson Perry and contemporary British ceramics and the other one on African sculpture. Take your pick!
  • If you had more music in mind, then what about a free gig with jazz singer Irene Serra at the bar of Theatre Royal Stratford East? (4pm)
  • Another free gig, with Moscow Drug Club, a 1930s Berlin Cabaret/Hot Club de Jazz/New Orleans/Gypsy Campfire Band takes place at the National Theatre at 1pm and is repeated at 5.45pm.
  • Towards the end of the day there is a Christmas Cabaret Countdown performance with special guest Michael Twaits at the bar of Theatre Royal Stratford East (8pm till midnight).

Have a great time whatever you do!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 24 November 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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Thursday is here and we present 27 free events around London for you to enjoy!

Here are some suggestions, but if you would like more details on each event or the whole list of events, please, scroll down to the calendar:

  • Head to the National Gallery at 1pm and attend a free gallery talk on ‘The Attribution of a Milanese Painting: Leonardo to Luini’. Sounds really interesting!
  • Learn about the Art of Cartoon in Private Eye Magazine with a free gallery talk at 1pm at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Over its 50 years of publication the Private Eye magazine has published cartoons, comic strips and caricatures by many artists. So, don’t miss the chance to have a closer looker to the inventiveness and talent of these artists and their original drawings.
  • If you think that Japanese art is all Japanese to you, then learn more about it and its characteristics with a free gallery talk at the British Museum at 1.15pm.
  • Why not attend a free guided tour at the Somerset House and discover its historical highlights? There is one tour taking place at 1.15pm and another one at 2.45pm. Take your pick!
  • There is a British Sign Language (BSL) ’Darwin’ Themed Tour at Wellcome Collection at 6pm.
  • What about some music? There is a free gig at 5.45pm at the National Theatre with Jane Parker trio performing cool jazz classics and lounge favourites.
    Illustration of a guitarJedd Holden performs acoustic/folk (and perhaps with a pinch of pop) songs with his guitar at the bar of Theatre Royal Stratford East (6pm, free).
    A rare opportunity to attend a concert on the (main hall of) the Royal Festival hall for free at 7pm; players from the Philharmonia Orchestra performing pieces from the work “Anamorphoses” (UK premiere) by Johannes Schöllhorn. The work is influenced by Bach’s Art of the Fugue.
  • The next building (Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Front Room) accommodates Anselmo Netto Quartet (bandolim i.e. Brazilian mandolin, bass, drums, guitar) performing Brazilian-influenced music; at 9.30pm.

Enjoy yourselves!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Saturday, 5 November 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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It is Saturday, you have lots of free time and don’t know what to do? We present 34 free events in London today for you to enjoy!  Here are some suggestions:

  • What a great way to start your weekend! Participate in a parkrun event (free 5k timed runs) taking place at 9am in various parks in London and beyond!
  • There are Art Trolley Weekend sessions for you and your child at Tate Britain.  Children are encouraged to imagine and explore with paper-based activities to use in the galleries.  It starts at 10am and no bookings are taken. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Head to the Wellcome Collection and explore the ‘Mexican Miracle Paintings’ gallery with a free guided tour at 11.30am.
  • Enjoy a Puppetry Weekend at the Victoria and Albert Museum! Watch puppetry performances of Shakespeare on film such as ‘Venus & Adonis’ at 12 noon (suitable for ages 12+) and ‘The Tempest’ at 3.15pm (suitable for ages 7+) or attend the curator’s talk at 2.15pm exploring the V&A’s puppetry collection.
  • A special event, Tinkerspace, is taking place at the Victoria and Albert Museum at 1pm. Watch objects being crafted, meet designers and see forms of making from traditional crafts to digital technologies. Today Dejan Mitrovic will host a series of workshops for children called Kideville, where over the course children will be able to design and make their own miniature city.  Certainly an event not to be missed!
  • Celebrate Bonfire Night with a free family workshop at the Somerset House! Your children will be making their own glowing constructions based on the abstract paintings in The Courtauld Gallery. The workshop starts at 2pm and is suitable for children aged 6-12 years.
  • For the real thing visit Brockwell park where at 8pm there will be a fireworks display. The event will also celebrate Brockwell Hall’s (Grade II listed building) 200th birthday.

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London or like us on Facebook. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Saturday, 29 October 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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It is Saturday, you have lots of free time and don’t know what to do? There are 31 free events in London today for you to enjoy!  Here are some suggestions:

  • There are Art Trolley Weekend sessions for you and your child at Tate Britain.  Children are encouraged to imagine and explore with paper-based activities to use in the galleries.  It starts at 10am and no bookings are taken. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Enjoy Saturday in a Postmodern style at the Victoria and Albert Museum! There will be lots of free activities, workshops, debates, as well as performances and films from 10am till late at night! Certainly not to be missed!
  • Get in the mood of Halloween at the Somerset House! There is a free family activity, where you can create scary spooks and ghosts in the shadow theatre. The activity is suitable for ages over 5 and it takes place at 11am and 2pm. Create the spookiest creature ever!
  • What would you say if you could create your own jewellery? Then join the director of accessory brand Tatty Devine and create your own laser-cut acrylic jewellery based on the Mexican Day of the Dead. This workshop starts at 11am, it is suitable for 13-18-year-olds, but booking is required. Enjoy!
  • There is a special description session for blind and partially-sighted visitors at the National Gallery. First there will be a detailed verbal description of Vilhelm Hammershoi’s ‘Interior’ and then there will be a visit to the Gallery. The session starts at 11.30am, but if you would like to secure a place, please, contact the Gallery.
  • A special event, Tinkerspace, is taking place at the Victoria and Albert Museum at 1pm. Watch objects being crafted, meet designers and see forms of making from traditional crafts to digital technologies. Today Dejan Mitrovic will host a series of workshops for children called Kideville, where over the course children will be able to design and make their own miniature city.  Certainly an event not to be missed!

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com

Thursday, 29 September 2011 – Free shows and activities in London

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BSL
FILMS
MUSIC
SPORTS
TALKS
 TOURS ALL EVENTS

Thursday is here and there are 21 free shows around London for you to enjoy! Here are some suggestions:

  • Attend Metamorphoses, a performance based on Greek mythology at the National Gallery at 1pm. There will be oral retellings of stories and characters, such as Orpheus, Persephone, Echo, Narcissus, Arachne and Midas. An event not to be missed!
  • Learn how Egyptian papyri are preserved at the British Museum. The talk is free of course and it takes place at 1.15pm.
  • If you are thinking of relaxing way to end your day, then why not head to The Scoop? There is a free open-air screening of ‘Grease’ at 7.30pm.

Follow us on Twitter for short texts about free shows and events in London. If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail us at: LondonFreeShows@gmail.com