Earlier this Month we were invited to the 5 Gum "Creating Sense5" launch party held in London. 5 Gum is new flavourful gum from Wrigleys. The general consensus is that 5 Gum really is a taste explosion in a chewing gum kind of way.
The launch was conducted by Vice Magazine who ran a a competition in the lead up to the event. They sent out an open call to creatives to create something that like the gum intrigues and exhilarates the senses. And when I say something, the entries could have been anything one felt would represent the gum. Award winning band Hot Chip would then select the winning talent and curate the gig. From The Vice website:
"Thursday, June 4th certainly turned out to be an unforgettable night at The Arches, London Bridge. Hot Chip's two live DJ sets - one featuring Kano - were supported by unique performances from The Penny Serenade, Raf Daddy, Planning To Rock and Noze.
Five winners of the CreatingSense5 competition, whose entries, like the 5 gum, represented and stimulated the senses. Their interactive installations including the "touch wall" and "edible forest" proved to be a huge success - with people finding more than one different use for them!"
Stand out moments for me were discovering Portuguese Sangeres beer (a almost honey tinged malty beer), hearing Planning To Rock for the first time, Hot Chip's awesome live set as well as hearing the sublime combination of Hot Chip & Kano together. Pics & videos to follow in the meantime you can see more pics from the event here!
Hot Chip will join the Filthy Dukes, Dodgy and The Bluetones to perform at a series of "secret" gigs in London to raise money for charity.
The band, who have had hits with Over And Over and Ready For The Floor, will kick off the series of concerts for Crisis, the homeless charity, on Tuesday May 5.
Dodgy and The Bluetones will be taking to a secret stage on Sunday May 17 and the Filthy Dukes, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Pipettes will also be performing later in the series of concerts.
The series of nine hidden gigs throughout May and June offer fans the chance to see bands in intimate, unusual spaces and the venue will remain hidden until the day of the gig, when a text or email message will be sent to the ticket holders, revealing its location.
By withholding details until the last minute, Crisis aim to raise awareness of the situation facing hidden homeless people, who often don't know where they will end up each night.
Al Doyle from Hot Chip said: "Whether they would like to admit it or not, most people have an image in their head of a 'homeless person', the old-fashioned and unhelpful figure of the down-and-out, who in fact is entirely unrepresentative of the majority of homeless people in the UK. These are the hidden homeless, who for a variety of often very complex reasons have no regular accommodation. We hope our gig for Crisis will raise awareness of their plight and are very happy to help the cause."
Hot Chip "secret" gig Tuesday May 05, 2009 from 7:00pm Secret Location, Zone 1, London
"You are cordially invited to the Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ launch event."
As I made my way through the freezing January evening to the secret location of the launch in the heart of Shoreditch. I was filled with anticipation as the Sony BRAVIA Worlds First launch was promising to be a good night. Sony Bravia LCD TV installation showing Tal Rosner's short film World First - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler
"Guests will be treated to the awe-inspiring unveiling of these TV’s (the World’s thinnest (ZX1), the World’s fastest (Z4500), The World’s first wireless technology/picture frame TV (EX1) and the World’s first OLED technology TV (XEL-1), with the help of a mind-blowing, interactive and unique light installation featuring a one-off short film, while celebrity DJ Henry Holland and ‘Filthy Dukes’ spin the decks."
Music, Technology, the Arts, Film and a Party! All key words close to my core. Does it get any better? The large warehouse was filled with colour, lights, music and people keen to have a good time. There must have been more well know faces in the crowd than regular Joes it was quite phenomenal.
On entering the large warehouse area I immediately noticed 3 colour beams projected across the warehouse turned out that this was part of artist Paul Cocksedge's specially commissioned installation. The concept created by Paul Cocksedge, titled 'R.G.B' shined a red, a green and a blue light separately from one side of the venue. All three lights meet at a white dot upon which the four new BRAVIA LCD televisions will hang above. The light concept is based on R.G.B lights within televisions.
Paul Cocksedge's R.G.B installation - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler
Above the white dot - hanging from the ceiling was the reason we were here:
Paul Cocksedge's R.G.B installation - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler
The ZX1 - the World’s thinnest TV, seriously no wider than your finger (if your finger is under 9mm wide).
The Z4500 (with Motionflow) - the World’s fastest TV. This cranks out 200Hz and means that the screen refreshes the pixel rate faster than any previous TV ensuring a smoother picture. Although the benefits of this beast were not immediately clear I suspect that watching a Blu -Ray action film of Sky HD sports the difference would be appreciated.
[Giles Deacon & Henry Holland DJ at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler]
The EX1- the World’s first wireless technology/picture frame. After some discussion I discovered that this meant that hi def images (& sound) could be sent from a “media” box plugged into your source to the TV. No more HDMI cabling :)
The XEL-1 - the World’s first OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology TV. OLED technology uses materials that emit light on their own and don’t require a backlight. Currently this ultra thin TV (3mm) is only 15 inches big but packs a noticeable higher picture quality (also more eco friendly). Hope the picture quality stays when they rollout the larger screen sizes. OLED is expected to be the next level in the evolution of TVs.
[Chloe Madeley & Julia at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - Uploaded by Craig Grobler]
The TVs were showingBafta-winning film-maker Tal Rosner's short film “World First”, featuring historical moments captured on television including footage of the first man in space and the first Miss Universe contest.
The evening was set to the ambient soundtrack that Giles Deacon & Henry Holland were outputting from decks for most of the night. Their play list seamlessly transitioning from cutting edge remixes through to experimental trance.
[Henry Holland rocking out at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - Uploaded by Craig Grobler]
How do you follow the party of the year? Easy, you step things up to another level.
Following the storming Mixmag Tour Launch Party we threw in October, a party that saw a roadblock on York Way as Friendly Fires, Hervé, Little Boots, Optimo, X-Press 2 and more cracked the Egg wide open, get ready for something even bigger.
On December 5th the Mixmag Christmas Party will blow the capital away once again with a line-up so huge that only the world’s biggest and best dance music magazine could possibly have put it together. Topping the bill are the world’s most exciting dance act, the fantastic Justice. A SECRET SPECIAL GUEST will be making a triumphant return to the UK. Chase & Status will be demonstrating why they are the most talked about duo in drum ‘n’ bass and beyond. Caspa & Rusko will once again rock the dubstep room and the superhot Stuart Price-produced vocal talent that is Frankmusik will be playing an exclusive live set. And to top it all, Rex the Dog will be serving up his live + visuals set. And the really scary thing?
We’re not finished yet, with more acts and surprise special guests to be confirmed. It’s the biggest Christmas party ever, and everyone is invited.
Street Art Awards Party and Charity Auction 2008The first ever Street Art Awards party and charity auction, featuring over 50 international contemporary artists, will be held at Rough Trade East on 4th December.
Urban art business, Auction Saboteur, has organised the awards that will celebrate the best urban and street art offerings from 2008. All money raised will go to the Single Homeless Charity.
The Awards Ceremony
The night will see Rough Trade East turned into an urban art bazaar with attractions including: charity art tombola, pin the devil tail on the banker, hook-a-duck-outa-an-oil-slick, a magician, DJ’s and lots of art related prizes.
Each attendee will be given a ballot paper on entry and asked to vote for their favourite artist from the shortlist. The winners will receive a specially designed sculpture that will also be up for grabs on the night.
The charity art tombola will give people the chance to win anything from a special, one off, custom piece of art, on either a reclaimed record cover or vinyl record, to a jar of jam or bar of soap.
Tombola tickets will be £5 each – a bargain if you win a Matt Small original (his work usually sells in the region of £5K - £6K). If you win the soap at least you’ve contributed to a good cause – your conscience will be clean.
Artists contributing an original piece includeAsbestos . Beejoir . Ben Allen . Ben Slow . Brian Jones . Bortusk Leer . Case . Charming Baker . Chinamike . Crie . Cyclops . Dale Grimshaw . Damon Ginandes . Data . David Walker . Dell . Dirquo . Dr.D . Gaia . Gawd . Goldie . Guy Denning . Herakut . Holly Thoburn . Hush . Idiom . James Baker . Know Hope . Labrona . Matt Small . Mestizo . Mr Jago . Neverwork . Pete Fowler . Rene Gagnon . Rowdy . Replete . Ryca . Shuby . Skewvile . Speebe . SPQR . Static . Stef . Sweet Toof . Tex . Tom Hine
Grey Goose is once again celebrating Character with its Grey Goose Character & Cocktails 2008 public party in London on Thursday 23 October 2008.
This year Grey Goose Character & Cocktails is back with a dazzling list of celebrity guests from the world of fashion, art, design and jewellery including: David Furnish, Patrick Cox, Theo Fennell, Giles Deacon, Gavin Turk and Eva Herzigova who have all been tasked with designing a home bar and cocktail which reflects their individual characters, style, taste and passions.
Grey Goose is once again celebrating Character with its Grey Goose Character & Cocktails 2008 public party in London on Thursday 23 October 2008.
The characterful collection of home bar designs and matching cocktails with inspiration ranging from dripping diamonds to Bollywood spice will be revealed in October for a meeting of indulgent glamour, flamboyant style and decadent Grey Goose cocktails to match. The ultimate cocktail party of the season awaits!
Grey Goose is once again celebrating Character with its Grey Goose Character & Cocktails 2008 public party in London on Thursday 23 October 2008.
This year Grey Goose Character & Cocktails is back with a dazzling list of celebrity guests from the world of fashion, art, design and jewellery including: David Furnish, Patrick Cox, Theo Fennell, Giles Deacon, Gavin Turk and Eva Herzigova who have all been tasked with designing a home bar and cocktail which reflects their individual characters, style, taste and passions.
Grey Goose is once again celebrating Character with its Grey Goose Character & Cocktails 2008 public party in London on Thursday 23 October 2008.
Following the sensational success of last year’s Grey Goose Character & Cocktails party, Grey Goose is joining forces with David Furnish and the who’s who of the celebrity world to create their dream home bars and cocktails in benefit of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The Same Old Scene cracked an invite to what is promising to be the Greatest Cocktail Party on earth - the Grey Goose Character & Cocktails 2008.
Dear SOS
Thank you for confirming your own and your guest's attendance at Grey Goose Character & Cocktails on:
Thursday 23 October at Chateau Grey Goose Wakefield Street Bloomsbury WC1N 1PG 8.00 - 11.00pm Dress code: Cocktail Couture
You are one of a select few who have the opportunity to attend the ultimate cocktail party of the year.
This exclusive event is by invitation only. Please bring the attached invitation with you. You and your guest's places will be reserved under your name on the guest list.
Visit www.greygoosecharacter.com for more details about the event. The ultimate cocktail party.
From last years bash:
This year the 5 bars to be auctioned off, are: - The Tuk Tuk designed by David Furnish - Crystalz Designed by Giles Deacon - The Lovers bar designed by Theo Fennell - The Disco Bar designed by Patrick Cox - The BEach bar designed by Gavin Turk
Our sources say that Sophie Ellis Bextor will be making a return to live performances with a secret gig on top of a building in West London tomorrow night. She will be playing a short set of about 10 songs at Kensington Roof Gardens.
The gig will be sponsored by Martini, the venue are expecting some of Sophie's close friends to be present such as; Lily Cole, Nick Moran, Jay Kay, Keeley Hazel, Natalie Imbuglia and Alison Mosshart from The Kills.
Last year it was Mark Ronson, this year the party is back with Basement Jaxx as the headline act.
Basement Jaxx first came onto the scene with the album Remedy in 1999 to wide acclaim. Their album, Rooty, bought the tracks ‘ Do Your Thing’ ‘Get Me Off’ and perhaps their most well know single to date ‘ Where’s Your Head At,’ establishing them on the world stage. St Martins Lane are thrilled to have them headlining New Year’s Eve this year.
The entire space at St Martins Lane is utilised for this unique event. Asia De Cuba is cleared of its furniture and is set with white leather banquets and a stage on the lower level. The lobby is transformed with a full cocktail bar, funky lighting and state of the art sound. Light Bar is also open serving its extensive cocktails with attentive waitress service.
Raindance, along with good buddies the New Producers Alliance and Stellar Network, are holding a Christmas party on 11 December at Richmix in East London.
Taking over London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre for three days in July 2007, Star Wars Celebration Europe will be filled with live entertainment, celebrities from all six movies, special film and video presentations, an exhibit of movie props and costumes, exclusive merchandise, pop culture tributes, interactive events, a costume contest, and much, much more.
OK so I didn't make it to New York for New Year with Marty. I left it to late and fell in the relax trap. Plans in discussion included watching the ball drop from a high up vantage point whilst having fine wine and food being served, hitting one of the night spots with a view of the New York skyline probably Bed (all though all the rooftop beds had already been booked :-() or possibly hook up with Larry the man at his home in West Virginia.
So I had a last minute high alert scramble of special occasion. What was it to be:
House party at Phil? Phil was a great guy and certainly knows how to throw a soiree of note, but I hardly know Phil or any of the guests and of late it has been a prerequisite of mine to spend time with close friends or not at all. This will not mean a slow down on impromptu dinner parties or crashing of events, just the special times should remain special for me.
New years at a ski resort? Combining New Year this with some extreme snowboarding could be just the ticket. The lack of snow may be a bit of a problem as well as it may be a little late notice to crash a resort town that would check all my boxes.
Hook up with Simon in Barcelona? Would be good however since the last annual bi annual brokeback grannies fishing expedition. I think the partners have had a serious rethink to exposing the grannies to the party beast that lies within. Toga Toga Toga. For real. Besides Simon & F's parents are in town. A probable logistical nightmare.
Long New Year weekend in picturesque European (Damn just realised I left my gloves on the Tube, aaaagrrrh) town like say Prague for instance. Bigger chance of this happening than Snowboarding. Again to late and do I really need the mission of airports, planes, trains,cabs, etc. At a time I should be relaxing?
OK so time to turn the lens of focus onto London itself. My proclivity towards high places drew me to a list of possible places I would like to spend New Years eve. There were the usual suspects: 30 St Mary Axe - The Gherkin - Swiss Re Vertigo 42 OXO Tower Babylon at The Roof Gardens No 1 Leicester Square
However the fireworks display may be required viewing for the night. Hence some other possibilities: La Bateaux Somerset House (with ice rink, not ring as some may think) OZU
Failing that we could ensconce ourselves indoors and make some new friends i.e. Mingle with strangers: St Martin Lane hotel Movida Embassy
So I did what I do best. Made contact with a choice few spots, dropped some verbal bombs to ensure that I had some options for the evening.
In the end it was decided that the 5 course dinner and brilliant view offered by OZU (based in The County Hall - under the Millennium Eye) would be this years spot. Ironic as last year we watched the fireworks from further down the river in the cold. Close friends were heading out for a year long round the world trip so quality time was in order. Next year hopefully we'll merge the comfort spots and be in comfortable surroundings with good friends. The food was good, all though the starter salad served on a bed of ice had been sitting for to long. The rest of the meal was delish. Part of the already attractive package was the delicious portion of black cod. OK I remember it being delicious but the evenings events are one long sweeping very comfortable blur. The team at OZU made an already special evening even better.
Between courses 3 & 4 we popped outside to the secure entrance to County Hall. Their was a maximum gathering of 200 people so there was plenty of space to watch the fireworks and enjoy our champagne.
£1,000,000 well spent. The fireworks were spectacular. After a short walk home - I was curious to compare the London fireworks to Sydney's. In previous years I had thought that the fireworks off the Sydney Bridge were brilliant. After watching the like for like aerial shots (the best way to compare) London had it going on. Maybe Sydney next year??????
The Awards Ceremony
