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AHOY! It's the LondonNet
Newsletter...
26 August 2004, Issue
162
LondonNet Homepage: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/
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AHOY! Contents:
1. WHAT'S UP: London
for Free, Offers, Attractions
2. LONDON DIARY: Carnival at Forty
3. ENTERTAINMENT: Theatre, Music, Clubs, Cinema, Art
4. HOTELS: London and Worldwide hotel deals
5. NEWS: Latest news from London
6. COMPETITION: - Bat Boy The Musical Competition
7. TALKBACK: Prompt Gem
Advertising Info:
- http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/talk/info/advertising.html
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HOTELGENIE
Our handpicked selection
of fine European hotels.
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1. WHAT'S UP - What's new
on LondonNet
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LONDON FOR FREE:
- Bat Boy The Musical Competition
This week we have a pair of tickets for next Tuesday's performance
of Bat Boy The Musical at The Shaftesbury Theatre.
- Click here for competition details.
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LONDON DEALS:
ACCOMMODATION: 2004 Offers
Hotels:
- The Gore: Summer special: UKP139 double rooms (save UKP85.25)
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-list.html
Bed and Breakfast:
- Hyde from only UKP17 per person per night
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/bandb.html
Budget:
- Generator from UKP9 per person per night
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/budget.html
Flatshares:
- Free updates of all available rooms or tenants in your area
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/flatshare.html
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LONDON ATTRACTIONS:
- For the latest information and tickets for a wide range of London's
premier attractions see our regularly updated London Attractions
page.
Top Sellers (13 - 26 August 2004)
1) London Eye
2) Summer Opening of the Houses of Parliament Tour
3) Summer Opening of the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace
4) Royal Day Out: Royal Mews, Queen's Gallery & State Rooms,
Buckingham Palace
5) The London Dungeon
http://www.londonnet.com/ln/guide/about/attractions-tickets.html
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2. LONDON DIARY
- Carnival at Forty
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It's my week for birthdays. This venerable site hit eight years on Monday while I quietly turned the wrong side of thirty-six yesterday.
I won't be breaking out the bunting and party poppers just yet though. Instead I'll save my celebrations for the Notting Hill Carnival which enjoys its 40th birthday this weekend (note for self: avoid all mentions of 40th birthdays for the next four years).
Europe's biggest street party can be traced back to the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1833 when the first Caribbean carnival was held in Trinidad. Through the 1950s the newly arrived in London Trinidadian community put on commemorative parties in halls before the carnival finally settled in Notting Hill in 1964.
More recently carnival has grown from its Trinidadian roots to become the capital's leading showcase and celebration of Caribbean culture. But it's more than that now. With two million people taking to the streets for two long summer days this has become the London event of the year.
One of my favourite recollections of recent years was spotting the then newly appointed Opposition leader William Hague donning a baseball cap down at Ladbroke Grove. When a knee-jerk anti-immigration Tory moves to the carnival beat, you know that you've got a winning ticket. (Peter D. Clee)
Carnival Tips:
Sancho Panza (Middle Row, Sunday and Monday), Norman Jay's Good
Times Bus (Southern Row, Monday).
Carnival Feature with more
history, info and tips:
http://www.londonnet.com/ln/out/ent/nottinghillcarnival2004.html
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David Clee returns next issue
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3. ENTERTAINMENT
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THEATRE
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/theatre.html
- Theatre Picks:
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, London Palladium
Run: Bookings to March 2005
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you - and somebody up there must
love us too, because now that magical car is on the London stage
- sailing through seas, flying through the air at the London Palladium.
Truly scrumptious, grandpa Potts, the dastardly Baron and the
evil child catcher are out in full force for this extravaganza
of wacky inventions. The Sherman brothers' songs made the film
famous - now this high flying musical sets out for new heights.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/theatre_chittychitty.html
- Theatre Tickets
Top Sellers (13 - 26 August 2004)
1) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2) We Will Rock You
3) Les Miserables
4) Phantom of the Opera
5) Chicago
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/theatre_tickets.html
- Theatre: A to Z of Shows
Our guide to all the leading musicals and dramas running or soon
to open in
the West End. With quick links to previews, reviews and ticket
pages.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/theatre_reviews.html
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MUSIC
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/
Rock and Pop
- Gig Highlights:
New:
Placebo, Brixton Academy, London
Fri, 5th November, 7:30pm, UKP20.00 + fees
Ghost-licking Placebo will turn their tour London-way, striking-up
Wembley Arena with their Sleeping With Ghosts tour. The so-called
‘mellower’ album from the glam-rock icons is subject
to a lot of second listens, with many critics revamping their
ideas of Brian Molko’s signature drone. Most notably are
the presence of guitar rifs that don’t end in a pan of electric
shock and Molko’s wine, but be consoled, oh Placebo fans:
this year’s performances at Leeds and Reading had a lot
of glammers steady rocking.
The Damned, The Astoria,
London
Sun, 12th December 2004, UKP25.00 + fees
Still going strong, Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible return with
a Damned line-up that also includes Patricia Morrison, Monty Oxymoron
and Pinch.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/rockpoptickets.html
Our Picks:
Amy Winehouse, Brixton Academy, London
Fri, 19th Nov 2004, UKP17.50 + fees
Bright new jazz virtuoso Amy Winehouse will take Brixton’s
Carling Academy in November with her prophetic voice and the classically
reared Frank, her first release, which came out in 2003. Having
collected her style through years of listening to Dinah Washington
and Erykah Badu, Winehouse twists a warm sandpaper croon with
slightly erotic and definitely intriguing lyrics, melting everything
together as ‘jazz’, but sweeping the edges of soul,
R & B and a rueful sort of folk. Arguably the British answer
to Norah Jones, Winehouse’s first release has received bundles
of London hype and piles of fans, likely foretelling the success
of her next album, yet undetermined.
plus:
P.J.Harvey, Hammersmith Apollo
Wed, 15th September 2004, UKP25.00 + fees
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/rockpoptickets.html
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- Gig Listings:
Our list of forthcoming London gigs. Plan your gigging and book
your tickets
at: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/rockpoplistings.html
Top Sellers (13 - 26 August
2004)
1. PJ Harvey, Hammersmith Apollo
2. Razorlight, Brixton Academy
3. Diana Krall, Royal Albert Hall
4. Papa Roach, The Astoria
5. Amy Winehouse, Brixton Academy
Tickets: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/rockpoptickets.html
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Opera, Classical and Dance
Tickets
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/classical.html
- Cinderella, Royal Ballet,
Royal Opera House
2nd Dec 2004 - 14th Jan 2005
If you're planning a Christmas treat you could do far worse than
witness the return of Cinderella, in this lavish new production
from last Season. A downtrodden young girl, a glass slipper and
a handsome prince combine to make the perfect piece of story-telling,
and with a fairy godmother around, anything can happen: pumpkins
become coaches, rags turn to ball gowns and there's bound to be
a happy ending. Ashton's first full-length ballet, given its premiere
in 1948 to great acclaim, draws together a wealth of 39 beautifully
drawn characters, portrayed against the wonderfully evocative
themes and colours of Prokofiev's great score.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/classicaltickets.html
- Andrea Bocelli, Wembley
Arena, 7th Nov 2004
Andrea Bocelli's concerts are always the classical music events
of any year. Seven UK hit albums (three certified platinum) in
five years have confirmed Andrea Bocelli as not just the British
public's favourite classical artist, but simply one of the British
public's best loved vocalists. This concert is a rare opportunity
for British music lovers to experience Bocelli's voice, in a programme
that will feature the greatest Italian arias.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/classical_bocelli.html
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Top Sellers (13 - 26 August
2004)
1. Andrea Bocelli, London, Wembley Arena
2. The Nutcracker, ENB, The Coliseum
3. Cinderella, Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House
4. Classic FM Live – Music from The Movies@Kenwood House
5. Last Night of the Kenwood Proms, Kenwood House
- Tickets: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/classicaltickets.html
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CINEMA
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/cinema.html
- Film Of The Week
The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios De Motocicleta) (15)
Drama (2004) 126mins (with subtitles) Arg/Per/US
Director: Walter Salles
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De La Serna, Mia Maestro
Retracing the steps of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara and Alberto Granado,
The Motorcycle Diaries follows the road trip the two young men
took through South America in the early 1950's. Director Salles
leaves Che Guevara's later life as a political revolutionary well
alone here, choosing instead to focus on his spirit as a young
man rather than the icon he became. The result - a touching story
captured with startling cinematography that manages to humanize
the legend.
Full review:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/films/themotorcyclediariesdiariosdemotocicleta.html
- Other New Films This Week
The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios De Motocicleta) (15)
The Chronicles Of Riddick (15)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (12A)
Fear And Trembling (Stupeur Et Tremblements) (12A)
Raising Helen (PG)
Soul Plane (18)
Special Previews (Limited
screenings - check carefully)
The Terminal (12A)
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/cinema_new.html
- Listings
A to Z of London Cinemas:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/cinema/index.html
A to Z of Films showing in London this week:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/films/index.html
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LONDON COMEDY:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/comedy.html
- Al Murray - Hammersmith
Apollo
20th Sep 2004, UKP15.00-25.00 + fees
Fresh out of ITV1’s prime-time reality TV show, Hell’s
Kitchen, award-winning comedian Al Murray returns to London for
a one-off night at the Carling Apollo, Hammersmith, with Giving
It Both Barrels, his most successful show to date. Giving It Both
Barrels follows Al's acclaimed sell-out first national tour, Who
Dares Wines? The tour builds on the success of this and other
previous live shows, My Gaff, My Rules and …And A Glass Of
White Wine For The Lady! which picked up a prestigious double
Olivier Award nomination and a Perrier Award.
Tickets: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/comedy.html
- The Comedy Store, London
London's most popular comedy club has been splitting sides for
twenty two years now. The likes of Paul Merton, Jack Dee and Jo
Brand have all taken to the stage here. For info and tickets see:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/comedy_comedystore.html
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LONDON ART:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/about/art.html
- William Hodges 1744 –
1797: The Art of Exploration
Wander through the tiny corridors and back buildings of the National
Maritime Museum, and you’ll likely stumble into the William
Hodges exhibit – according to Sir David Attenborough, the
most “unjustly neglected British painter of the 18th century”
– with his floral and fauna depictions of South Pacific paradise
still somewhat neglected in the museum’s tedious, winding
second floor display.
Monday – Friday: 6 July – 21 November 2004
Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/about/art_williamhodges.html
Royal Academy of Arts: Ancient art to post-impressionism,
Fifa 100 Exhibition, Summer Exhibition, Tamara de Lempika, William
Nicholson
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/about/art.html
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RESTAURANTS:
Best way to soak up the sights of the city as you wine and dine
- Cruises on the Thames...
http://www.londonnet.com/ln/out/ent/restaurants.html
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CLUBS
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/clubs.html
- Buy your London Club tickets
online
To purchase tickets for a selection of leading London Club venues
try our new online service. You'll have the peace of mind of knowing
you've got your tickets and at most venues you'll be able to jump
the ticket queue. Venues featured include:
- Fabric
- The End
- Borderline
- The Cross
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/club-tickets.html
- London Clubs Chart: Most
Popular Venues
Based on Page Visits on LondonNet (13 - 26 August 2004)
1) Fabric
2) The End
3) Bar Rumba
4) The Cross
5) Herbal
- Club Venues and Listings
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/clubs/index.html
- Club Tickets:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/club-tickets.html
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4. HOTELS
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LONDON
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-shop.html
EXCLUSIVE DEAL:
Melia White House ****
(Regents Park)
- Special Offer: Double rooms from 99 UKP
High levels of facilities, including a health and fitness centre, and service coupled with a fine restaurant and handy central location make for an excellent choice of London hotel.
Set next to Regent's Park (the one that contains London Zoo), the White House is within walking distance of Oxford Street and the British Museum. Via the nearby Great Portland Street underground station, the rest of London's attractions are within easy reach.
Rooms feature a long list of
facilities including satellite TV, radio, voice-mail, hair-dryer,
tea/coffee making equipment, mini-bar and trouser press. No smoking
rooms are available on a special floor and the outstanding Royal
Service Floor at the top of the hotel provides penthouse accommodation
plus a host of executive add-ons.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/offermelia.html
THREE OF THE BEST:
- Top three offers currently available to LondonNet readers:
The Ritz***** (Piccadilly)
- Style, sophistication and old-fashioned levels of genuine service
come
together at one of the world's legendary hotels. New even better
exclusive
rates for 2004, with half price deals on selected suites.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/offerritz.html
The Gore**** (Knightsbridge)
- The Gore: Summer special: UKP139 double rooms (save UKP85.25)
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/offergore.html
The Hyde Hotel *** (Paddington)
- Comfortable three star hotel offering the best value ever on
LondonNet:
Just 55UKP for a double room!
www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-shop-mod-budget.html#hyde
- London Hotel Chart
Top Sellers (30 July - 12 August 2004)
1) Columbia
2) Hazlitts
3) Coltsfoot
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-shop.html
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Best Value Accommodation for 2004:
Hotels:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-shop.html
Bed and Breakfasts:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/bandb.html
Apartments:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/apartments.html
Budget Hostels:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/budget_hostels.html
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WORLDWIDE
New additions and highlights from our sister site Hotelgenie.com.
http://www.hotelgenie.com/
The Burj Al Arab, Dubai:
Burj Al Arab is the world's only seven-star hotel and any reservations
you
may have about such a title will be quickly dispelled by the sheer
magnificence and splendour of this project. No other hotel has
such a
striking presence inside or out and no other boasts such refined
and
attentive levels of customer care and experience.
Hotelgenie.com has secured exclusive discounts to bring this incredible
hotel within the reach of many dream-seekers.
http://www.hotelgenie.com/dubai/burj.shtml
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5. NEWS: Latest news from London
Carnival Away Day for OAPs
- Council sends Notting Hill pensioners to Bognor to escape bank
holiday revelries
Mayor Hails Environmental Gains
- But more needs to be done to guarantee Londoners clean air says
Ken
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/talk/news/headlines.html
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6. COMPETITIONS
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- Bat Boy The Musical Competition
This week we have a pair of tickets for next Tuesday's (31 Aug
2004) performance of Bat Boy The Musical at The Shaftesbury Theatre.
Please note as we have to send the tickets out tomorrow the deadline
for entries is midday tomorrow (27 Aug 2004).
- Scroll down for competition details.
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- Bat Boy The Musical Info:
Thu, 26th August 2004 to Sat, 30th October 2004
The latest cult off-Broadway hit makes it's way across the Atlantic
to the West End, following a brief stint at the West Yorkshire
Playhouse.
Melding the macabre and the
kitsch in the way that all good musicals should, Bat Boy tells
the story of a half boy/half bat discovered in the caves of West
Virginia. Captured, caged, mockingly branded Bat Boy and threatened
with execution by the vet Dr Parker, things aren’t exactly
looking great for our echo-locating laddie until he finds unlikely
salvation with Meredith Parker, the Vet’s wife. Re-christened
Edgar, Bat Boy blossoms under Meredith’s tutelage and becomes
the paragon of a modern gentleman – courteous, educated,
sensitive and irresistible to the opposite sex. If anything, the
fact that he is part rodent and has vestigial wings is even more
of a turn-on for the ladies. This is musical-land, however, and
just when things are going great, the local cattle start dying
in mysterious circumstances and the chap with the furry ears becomes
everyone's prime suspect.
More info and Tickets:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/theatre_tickets.html
Question: From which northern theatre has Bat Boy just transferred (Tip: see above)?
HOW TO ENTER: All you have to do to enter is send
an email with the correct
answer and subject header "Bat Boy Competition" to:
mailto:batboy_compie@londonnet.co.uk
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NB Include email, telephone
number and postal address (which will only be
used for this compie-guaranteed). If you don't include your details
we can't
send you info about the prize!
RULES and INFO: First correct answers out of the Editor's
hat win the prizes,
details will be sent to the winner. The Editor's decision is final.
Closing Date: 17 August 2004
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LondonNet Competitions Page
- Details of some of the best free competition sites on the web.
Register
today for your chance to win cash, cars and lots, lots more.
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/competitions.html
WINNER:
Issue 161, 13 August 2004
Russian Landscape Competition
Question: Name the Dutch museum that has collaborated with this
National Gallery exhibition.?
Answer: The Groninger Museum
Winner: Emma Taylor (London)
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7. AHOY! TALKBACK: Readers say their piece
Send mail to mailto:ahoy-talkback@londonnet.co.uk
Notes:
- The Editor reserves the right to amend your contributions for
reasons
of elegance, space, legality and plain sheer bloodymindedness.
- We welcome your views on any subject, questions about your visit
and of
course feedback about the newsletter or website.
-------------------------
Dear LondonNet,
You are a gem! THANK you for
this kindness and your prompt,
professional customer service. We plan to visit London a lot and
will
definitely book through your site the next time around (and will
use
the phone as insurance backup to the Web), and will try the Columbia
next time as well.
Very kind regards and continued good luck with London.Net!,
Kate Lynch
REPLY: Thanks Kate. (Ed).
London Hotels:
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/resources/hotel-shop.html
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THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
Copyright 1996-2004. AHOY! The LondonNet Newsletter is published
by
LondonNet Limited.
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