The winning and commended images from the 2009 competition are now on show in a stunning new exhibition space at the Natural History Museum.

http://london.londinium.com/102150

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 presents the very best in contemporary portrait photography, showcasing the work of some of the most talented emerging young photographers , alongside that of established professionals, photography students and gifted amateurs.

http://london.londinium.com/102147

Albannach, Trafalgar Square

A dramatic ground floor bar, a fine dining mezzanine restaurant, stunning private dining room and a vaulted cocktail lounge bar.  The two bars can each hold 150 standing, the restaurant seats 50, and the dining room seats 20.

http://www.albannach.co.uk/

Altitude 360, Millbank

A perfectly unique Christmas party venue in London, transformed to create the “A Night In The Stars” theme, complementing the venue’s unique 360-degree views from its location in the skies of London.

http://www.altitudelondon.com/html_site/christmas_at_altitude360.php

Baltic Restaurant & Bar, Blackfriars Rd

The private dining room is a self contained space with its own music system and can accommodate 30 seated.  Main restaurant seats up to 100 people and the amber bar accommodates 50 seated.  Set Christmas menu.

http://www.balticrestaurant.co.uk/

Bam-Bou, Fitzrovia

Bam-Bou has a range of private dining rooms perfect for Christmas lunches or dinners. These range from the cosy and discreet Chef’s Room for up to nine guests to the First Floor Dining Room which seats up to 30.

http://www.bam-bou.co.uk/

The Brewery, Chiswell Street

A Winter’s Tale-themed Christmas, guests will be welcomed to the Brewery by the mischievous storybook characters and frosty cocktails.

http://www.thebrewery.co.uk/events/offers/01/

Browns Bar & Brasserie, St Martin’s Lane

Ideal either as a venue for a gathering with friends and family for a celebratory Christmas drink or for an office party.  Christmas party menu available.

http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/christmas.php

Church House, Westminster

A unique facility in tranquil surroundings, combined with high levels of service and a genuine commitment to ensure a successful event. A wide variety of rooms appropriate for all numbers.

http://www.churchhouseconf.co.uk/christmas/index.shtml

Cinnamon Kitchen, EC2

Cinnamon Kitchen offers evolved Modern Indian cuisine in a relaxed setting in the heart of the City of London.  Set Christmas menu.

http://www.cinnamon-kitchen.com/

Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly

London’s most historical restaurant. Exclusive parties, dinners, luncheons with irresistible food, exemplary service. Bookings from 11 up to 250 guests.

http://www.criterionrestaurant.com/news.html

Defectors Weld, Shepherd’s Bush

Exuding old fashioned charm, with glided mirrors, stylish banquets and antique furniture, and accommodating up to 70 people, it is perfect space for hosting a Christmas event.

http://www.defectors-weld.com/

Delfina, Bermondsey Street

Leading restaurant on the Southbank popular amongst the business and artistic community alike. The gallery offers an inspiring setting with large windows, wooden floors, widely spaced tables and white walls covered with striking artwork. Set Christmas menu.

http://www.thedelfina.co.uk/restaurant.php

Earth Galleries, Natural History Museum

Futuristic and diverse, this is an ideal party space for a whole spectrum of events, cocktail receptions, themed parties or dinners. The sky’s the limit.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/business-centre/exclusive-events/hire-spaces/earth-galleries/index.html

El Faro, Turnberry Quay

Waterfront location available for hire for private parties and corporate events. The restaurant can cater for both formal seated dinners and informal drinks receptions.

http://www.el-faro.co.uk/

Errol Street, EC1

Black Diamond-themed parties set in a converted Victorian school close to the Barbican centre.

http://www.tasteofthevine.co.uk/venues-Errol-Street-EC1.htm

40|30, nr Leadenhall Street

Sitting at the top of the Gherkin, 40|30 provides an iconic entertaining experience under its glass dome, 180 metres above London.  A sublime two-level private restaurant which can be hired for memorable events, dinners or drinks receptions and five exclusive Private Dining Rooms.

http://www.searcys.co.uk/4030thegherkin

Founders’ Hall, Clerkenwell

A striking, distinctly contemporary venue, centrally located on one of the oldest streets in London. Three stunning, perfectly proportioned rooms distributed between three floors provide a charming mix of very different styles.

http://www.foundershall.co.uk/

Gaucho, throughout London

An alternative Christmas offering with the true essence of Argentine life and culture.

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/

Haberdashers’ Hall, Smithfield

A highly sought after beautiful and versatile venue with an exclusive atmosphere.

http://www.haberdashershall.co.uk/

HAC Artillery Garden, Chiswell Street

HAC has designed party packages for the Prince Consort Rooms which aim to capture the essence of Christmas; based on the traditional but with contemporary twists.  Flaming torches, twinkling fairy lights, “snow” , a reception of warm winter pimms in the contemporary “ice” bar, a dining area warmly lit with moving lighting effects, delicious food and drink and a DJ.

http://www.hac.org.uk/html/corporate-private-events-venue/corporate-events/christmas-2009/

HMS President, Victoria Embankment

One of the most unique party venues in London in the style and luxury of a top hotel in London. The view from the boat shows some of London’s most spectacular landmarks up and down the Thames including The London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern.

http://www.hmspresident.com/party-venue.html

Island Queen, Islington, N1 8HD

Whether you want to book an area of the pub, reserve a table, or hire the upstairs room all are perfect for sit down festive dinners or buffets.

http://www.theislandqueenislington.co.uk/

LSO St Luke’s, Old Street EC1V 9NG

LSO St Luke’s is a beautiful unique venue with a party package designed especially for the main event space, the Jerwood Hall.

http://lso.co.uk/banquetingevents

Only Running Footman, Mayfair

This Mayfair townhouse offers original event spaces for Christmas with a set menu.

http://www.themeredithgroup.co.uk/Only/theOnly.asp

One Moorgate Place, Moorgate Place

The whole venue will be tastefully decorated for the festive season and some of the smaller function rooms and contemporary spaces are perfect for cocktail parties or more intimate dinners.

http://www.onemoorgateplace.com/

Plaisterers’ Hall, London Wall

Following a total renovation in 2004, Plaisterers’ Hall is now the pre-eminent City venue.

http://www.plaisterershall.com/

Ironmongers’ Hall, Barbican

The Banqueting Hall is an impressive room in which to hold a lunch or dinner from twenty to one hundred and fifty guests or a reception for up to two hundred and fifty.

http://www.ironhall.co.uk/hall/banqueting_hall.htm

East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf

‘Christmas Under the Star of Canary Wharf’ – The East Wintergarden is a stunning events venue in the heart of Canary Wharf. The spectacular glass covered atrium, is a unique space boasting a light and elegant atmosphere.

http://www.eastwintergarden.com/about.html

The Langham, Regent Street

Upon entering an enchanting Victorian Christmas themed room, guests will be welcomed with a glass of mulled wine whilst being entertained by carol singers. During the meal diners can enjoy an actor playing a Victorian pickpocket or a traditionally dressed Father Christmas delivering presents.

http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/en/meetings/christmas_parties_london.htm

London Eye, Westminster Bridge Road

Fantastic views on private capsules, chilled Champagne, tasty canapés and other seasonal delights, such as Mulled wine and mince pies, Winter Pimms and chocolate truffles and new for 2009 our Christmas brunch package including Stollen and Cranberry Muffins. Champagne Flights or Mulled Wine Flights for those celebrating in smaller groups or as a couple.

http://www.londoneye.com/SpecialOccasions/Christmas/Default.aspx

Mamounia Lounge, Mayfair

Guests eat indoors amidst charming authentic Moroccan artworks. Lunch and dinner menus are inspired by the tastes, recipes and flavours from the cuisines of Morocco, Lebanon and the Mediterranean.

http://www.mamounialounge.com/html_pages/01_Home.html

Nahm, Halkin Street,

A unique, gastronomic experience with Nahm’s Michelin-starred Thai cuisine.  The atmospheric private dining room can cater up to 30 guests. Alternatively, Nahm’s main restaurant can be exclusively hired for up to 60 guests.  Festive packages are available.

http://www.halkin.como.bz/eat-and-drink/nahm/nahm-offers

116 Pall Mall, Pall Mall

Traditional and stylish, a spectacular venue for your Christmas celebrations in a privileged West End location. The historic character of this prestigious Grade 1 listed building lends timeless elegance and grandeur to your seasonal festivities.

http://www.116pallmall.com/conferences_and_events/christmas/

33 Portland Place

One of the largest and most remarkable houses in London: a rare and exquisite example of a magnificent eighteenth century residence.

http://www.33portlandplace.com/

Sports Bar & Grill,  Marylebone

Fabulous food, excellent service and a great atmosphere.

http://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/events.cfm

St John, Spitalfields

Four menus to choose from, all centred by a vital beast or fish. Circulate the menus among your group or diners and select the menu that suits the majority taste, vegetarian guests will be catered for seperately.

http://www.stjohnbreadandwine.com/christmas/

Tuttons, Covent Garden

Whether looking for Christmas lunch or Christmas dinner, the menu takes a modern twist on traditional.

http://www.tuttons.com/coventgarden/restaurant/christmas.asp

Vinopolis, Southbank,

The Vinopolis Christmas Tour or shared Christmas Lunch packages provide the opportunity to learn a little more about wines for the festive season.  Enjoy a drinks reception with the option of canapés followed by a delicious 3 course sit down meal/ bowl food or fork buffet complete with a DJ in the recreation of the Lost Kingdom of Atlantis, featuring dramatic Grecian theming, lighting and gladiator entertainment, or for smaller groups indulge in Wine Tasting and Tapas.

http://www.vinopolis.co.uk/yourevents/christmasparties.php

Blonde Productions

A dyamic, young and funky company created to inspire and rejuvinate the world of events.

http://www.blondeproductions.co.uk/

Chester Boyd

Venues will sparkle and shine with an ‘All That Glitters’ theme. The stunning candelabra and jewel adorned centre pieces will compliment the crisp white line, fine white china and silver cutlery. With an array of London’s most exclusive venues available seating from 40 – 500.

http://www.xmasparty.biz/

Christmas Parties London

A wide selection of Christmas party venues and event packages including modern, stylish, highly themed events, or more traditional, simple packages .

http://www.christmasparties-london.co.uk/

European Events

Leading live event management company providing bespoke Christmas parties.

http://www.europeanevents.co.uk/index-2.asp

Finishing Touch Events

With the addition of several new venues for 2009, the Premier Collection offers the widest range of stunning individual settings to date.

http://www.finishingtouchevents.co.uk/parties-events/christmas/corporate-christmas-parties-london.html

Inneventive

An event management company that caters specifically for the corporate market, providing a comprehensive event management service from initial concept through to successful completion.  With many companies not able to be seen holding large-scale bashes this year, Inneventive has come up with a party concept that brings the party to your door. Able to transform car parks, canteens , offices, anywhere in London.

http://www.inneventive.co.uk/christmas_party_uk.asp

The Lotus Food Co & Lotus Events

Fantastic, fun filled and superbly organised party packages to suit all requirements.  The venues are unique, centrally located in London and provide an amazing spec for holding a memorable Christmas party.

http://www.thelotusfoodcompany.com/

The Merlin Entertainments

Delivering memorable visitor experiences via iconic attraction brands.

http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/en/homepage.aspx

Peri Peri

An event management company and a party planning resource – designed to help you organise your event in whole, or in part.

http://www.periperi.co.uk/

Uptown Events

Organised events ranging from an exclusive dinner party for 6 people to an outdoor extravaganza for 10,000 people.  With over 20 year’s experience in the entertainment industry.

http://www.uptownevents.co.uk/

Twizzle

With over 25 years experience Twizzle Parties has built up an enviable reputation providing first-class entertainment and management of events for Children’s parties.

http://www.twizzle.co.uk/

Ultimate Shared Christmas Parties

One of London’s leading corporate Christmas party organisers, who design and operate parties with a team of 20 real people working all year to ensure that your company Christmas party exceeds expectations.

http://www.the-ultimate.co.uk/

West End Events

Organising successful London Christmas parties for over ten years.

http://www.westendevents.co.uk/

Dazzle Jewellery Exhibition, National Theatre Waterloo 09 November 2009 – 09 January 2010

The best in contemporary jewellery design, perfect for Christmas gifts.  Also this year for the first time, original prints by three Scottish printmakers – Anne Forte, Laurie Hastings and Gayle Robinson all members of Edinburgh Printmakers. All works will be for sale framed and unframed.

http://london.londinium.com/99447

Boutique de Noel London, Kensington Town Hall, 12 – 13 November 2009

Junior League of London event, with shopping fair and silent auction.

http://london.londinium.com/99448

Finnish Christmas Fair, Finnish Church Albion Street 20 – 28 November 2009

London’s Finnish Church hosts an annual Christmas Fair every November. Meet Father Christmas, buy cards, gifts and traditional Finnish Christmas food: rye bread, cheese and salmon, sausage or reindeer meat, with many of the products not available anywhere else in Britain.

http://london.londinium.com/99449

German Market, Winter Wonderland Hyde Park, 21 November 2009 – 03 January 2010

With over 50 beautifully decorated chalets offering continental gifts and refreshments, this is the atmospheric alternative to the High Street.

http://london.londinium.com/58560

Christmas Fair, King’s College School Wimbledon, 28 November 2009

One of the biggest and best school Christmas Fairs held in or around London. Browse amongst more than 70 stalls offering a wide range of high quality and original gifts: jewellery, scarves and bags, handmade crafts, bargain books, toys and sports gear.  In the Food Hall choose between luxury Christmas puddings and cakes, smoked salmon, speciality cheese and festive wines. Food sampling and wine tasting on offer throughout the day.

http://london.londinium.com/99450

Christmas Antiques Fair, Alexandra Palace, 29 November 2009

London’s Premier Antiques event with over 600 stands featuring complimentary antiques valuations and appraisals.

http://london.londinium.com/99451

Festive Fair @ Late, Museum of London 03 December 2009

Kick off Christmas with a Late opening of the Museum of London for the Festive Fair. Relax with a drink to the seasonal sounds of live Klezmer music and carols, and shop for unique gifts from ceramics, glass and textiles to bags, badges and jewellery made by the cream of London’s design talent.

http://london.londinium.com/99452

Taste of Christmas, ExCeL 04 – 06 December 2009

Taste of Christmas, the foodie event of the festive season.  London’s top chefs reveal secrets behind the ultimate Christmas dinner, stock up on the best festive food and sample your favourite restaurants’ seasonal menus.

http://london.londinium.com/99294

Fair Christmas Fayre, Salvation Army 275 Oxford Street 05 December 2009

Over 30 unique stalls selling Fair Trade and recycled gifts, cards and ethical fashion. Fair Trade Christmas cakes,  a free swap shop, music, DIY crafty present corners, knitting workshops and lots of ethical Christmas Top Tips.

http://london.londinium.com/99454

Winter Fair, Morley College Waterloo 06 December 2009

Arts & crafts, original hand made work, art & music workshops, mince pies & mulled wine.
http://london.londinium.com/99456

Spirit of Christmas Fair, Olympia 04 – 08 November 2009

Indulge in the perfect Christmas shopping experience, playing host to over 600 unique companies. An eclectic mix of exquisite and desirable products ideal for Christmas gifts.
http://london.londinium.com/63357

Sutton House Christmas Craft Fair, Sutton House Hackney 05-06 December 2009

Tours of the house, music and stalls, with a Father Christmas grotto.

http://london.londinium.com/99457

Harrods, 07 November – 24 December 2009

The Harrods Christmas Grotto is open once again this year, giving children the chance to meet Father Christmas and tell him their Christmas wishes.   Now fully booked.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99431

Lewisham Shopping Centre, 07 November – 24 December 2009

Children can meet with Santa in his cottage in the Mushroom Village and receive a special Christmas gift.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99433

Westfield, 14 November – 23 December 2009

The experience will begin with a magical 3D journey where sparkling wisps of 3D colour and enchanting special effects will wrap you into the wonderful world of The Reindeer that Couldn’t Fly.  Santas grotto at Westfield also features reindeers, elves and a wish finder fairy. Westfield London is supporting 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a London Child with 100% of every £1 you donate going to the charity.
http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99434

South Bank – Cologne German Market,  20 November – 24 December 2009

Santas Secret Village, a chance to visit Santa and come and have a chat with him in his own home and be entertained and ask him any question you like.  30 minute shows in a specially designed yurt on the South Bank where children receive a special gift too.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/88819

Bluewater, 20 November 2009 – 01 January 2010

Located outside The Village, The Winter Wonderland offers new entertainment as well as traditional family favourites to create a magical festive atmosphere for the whole family including; a magnificent ice rink, free Santa’s grotto, traditional Christmas market and an exciting new funfair.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99435

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, 21 November 2009 – 03 January 2010

Santa Land contains numerous gentle rides & attractions including the North Pole Slide, Christmas Jumper, Balloon Ride & Elves Workshops, as well as skill games including the Chimney Challenge & Present Pile Up. Winter Wonderland’s Father Christmas and his entertaining elves welcome children at his grotto in the heart of Santa Land.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99436

Selfridges, 22 November – 24 December 2009

Santa’s Express is the theme at Selfridges this year, with children invited to take a trip on a train inside Santas Grotto where they will receive a gift.  All advanced tickets for The Santa Express have now been sold.  A limited allocation will be available daily, for free, on a first come first served basis.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99437

Hamleys, 30 November – 24 December 2009

A scrumptious feast – a special grotto this year, offering children the opportunity to have breakfast or afternoon tea and the option to have a photo taken with Santa.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/60492

The O2, 01 December – 24 December 2009

A winter fairytale at The O2 with free entry into Santa’s grotto, over 20 fairground rides for all the family and a German market including mulled wine and bratwurst.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99438

Canary Wharf, 05 – 24 December 2009

Activities include face-painting, craft workshops plus roaming entertainers. Santa’s magical grotto is a spectacular present filled sleigh pulled by glittering reindeer. The grotto is situated in Jubilee Place and a visit costs just £1. All proceeds are donated to Richard House Children’s Hospice.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99439

Kew Gardens 05 December 2009 – 03 January 2010

Visit Father Christmas for free and then climb high into the treetops, explore the steamy tropical rainforest, take a winter walk or explore the Climbers & Creepers play area with face painting.  Younger visitors can also explore Kew further with the self-guided family walk with a Christmas theme.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99440

London Dungeon, 05 – 27 December 2009

Cromwell’s Bloody Banned Christmas – an alternative to the traditional grotto, featuring burnt Christmas trees, smashed decorations and severed heads, including the torture chamber and Jack the Ripper’s London.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99441

Museum of Docklands, 12 – 23 December 2009

Come and meet Father Christmas in his secret Victorian grotto in 19th century Sailortown and take home a special gift. There will also be a chance to have your photo taken which will be mounted as a festive keepsake to remember your visit.

http://lon​don.londin​ium.com/99442

The Business Startup show is all about giving the best quality advice to people who want to start up a business or who already run one. If you want help or assistance with any of the following, you mustn’t miss this show – it could be the best investment you’ll ever make in the future success of your business: planning a business and writing a business plan, raising finance and controlling cashflow, time management and reducing stress, franchising or buying an existing business, the latest in communications technology and IT equipment, locating the best premises, expanding your business, bookkeeping, taxation and accountancy (including tax and VAT), intellectual property, patenting and protecting innovations, websites, the internet and e-commerce, marketing your business, importing and exporting, training, recruitment and retention, motivation, and how to motivate those around you, branding, advertising & PR and legal advice

This event showcases a wide and varied selection for people who want to start a business or thinking about starting a business, whether it is health & beauty or internet & e-commerce, there will be an opportunity to suit your needs.  You might just be looking for new ideas for starting a business, in which case you will find a wealth of free advice, seminars and contacts at the show. Meet people who have tried and tested the starting a business formula, talk to them about how they started, the problems they had and the fortunes they made.

Spread over 2 days the Business Opportunity Show will have plenty to see and do, you can come for as long or as little as you need with plenty of time available to make sure you do not lose that opportunity you’ve been looking for. All this and for FREE!

http://london.londinium.com/46572

Paccar Gallery, British Library
Price: Free

From the first tentative ‘drawings of shadows’ produced in the mid-1830s to its universal acceptance as a leisure pursuit, photography was swept along by a tide of entrepreneurial activity throughout the 19th century.

As an influential new artistic and documentary medium, photography rapidly developed into a lucrative profession. Science, government, industry and a growing media quickly recognised its power both to reflect and to shape society, while both artists and amateurs embraced its potential for personal expression.

Organised by subject matter, the exhibition asks: ‘Who was taking the photograph and why?’ Section by section, items are presented within their cultural context to explore some of the major themes of the 19th century – from expansion to industrialisation, science, and the rapid changes taking place in society. The final section reveals how technology responded to the demands of a developing mass market for photography, which continues to the present day.

http://london.londinium.com/93848

The Wallace Collection

This collection by Damien Hirst is being shown for the first time in the UK. Consisting of 25 new paintings, it is sure to create a sensation. Hung in the traditional galleries of The Wallace Collection, visitors will be able to enjoy the visual dialogue between Hirst’s works and the Old Master paintings.

http://london.londinium.com/93846

Design Museum

David Chipperfield has earned worldwide fame with his restrained and thoughtful designs, and is one of Britain’s leading architects. David Chipperfield has designed buildings from Berlin to Henley, Japan to Spain. This display is a comprehensive overview of key moments in his developments, as well as a look at some of his major recent international projects.

http://london.londinium.com/93845

Tate Modern

This exhibition examinese how artists since the 80s have cultivated their public persona as a product, with a dazzling mix of media, commerce and glamour, creating their own ‘brands’. This exhibition begins with the iconic grandfather of Pop, Andy Warhol, and also showcases Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Richard Prince, Martin Kippenberger, the YBAs and Takashi Murakami.

Tate Britain

The Turner Prize returns to Tate Britain, and this year the shortlist is: Enrico David, Roger Hiorns, Lucy Skaer, Richard Wright. You can view works of the finalists at the Tate Britain, including Roger Hiorns’ piece ‘Seizure’ 2008, and Lucy Skaer’s piece ‘Black Alphabet’ 2008.

http://london.londinium.com/93844

Tate Modern
Price: Free

This is the 10th commission in the Unilever Series for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. This exhibition showcases Polish Artist Miroslaw Balka, with installations, sculpture and video by him. These works explore themes of personal history and common experience, and is intimate and self-reflective, demonstrating his central concerns of identifying personal memory within the context of historical memory.

http://london.londinium.com/93843

Royal Academy

This exhibition at the Royal Academy showcases Kapoor’s career, as well as showing new and previously unseen works by this seminal sculptor. One of the highlights of this exhibition is his work Svayambh, a vast corridor of imperceptibly moving red wax, which leaves a residue in it’s wake as it traverses the breadth of Burlington House.

http://london.londinium.com/93842

British Museum

Moctezuma II was the last elected ruler of the Aztecs, and this exhibition tells the story of his life and reign, including his controversial death during the Spanish conquest. To his people he was revered as semi-divine, but shortly after the Spanish landed on Mexican shores in 1519, violence ensued and Moctezuma was captured and met his death. After his death the Spanish went on to conquer his empire. This exhibition contains a variety of objects telling the story of Moctezuma’s life, ranging from sculpture, gold and mosaic items to codices and European paintings, drawn from Mexican, European, US collections and the British Museum’s own collection.

http://london.londinium.com/93841

Earls Court Two
Wed: 9am – 6:30pm
Thu: 9am – 5pm

As the leading exhibition for the civil engineering industry, it is the event for you to showcase your projects, products and services in front of thousands of engineers, architects, consultants and contractors. It is the only event where you will meet all the key decision makers at the same place at the same time.

http://london.londinium.com/92165

Tate Britain
Price: Free

This free exhibition showcases Turner’s exploration of methods and techiniques, of colour and line. It follows Turner’s travels through Europe and his responses to different places, lighting and materials available. This ongoing exhibition will change exhibits every 6 months.

http://london.londinium.com/91509

Victoria and Albert Museum

This exhibition by the Royal College of Art displays highlights from 2008 graduates’ final collections. It shows the garments themselves, and the process of designing them from ideas to complete clothes.

http://london.londinium.com/91338

Trafalgar Studios

Production by the Northern Broadsides and West Yorkshire Playhouse. Starring Lenny Henry in the lead role.

http://london.londinium.com/91322

Imperial War Museum
Price: Free

Breakthrough is an art exhibition showcasing British art from both WWI and WWII, focusing particuarly on non-official and contemporary work. Official works shown will include some by Paul Nash, CRW Nevinson, John Piper and Eric Ravilious. Until the 28th June an additional display ‘The Neo-Romantics At War’ will also be on show, exploring the rise of British Neo-Romanticism during World War Two.

http://london.londinium.com/90055

Imperial War Museum
Age: 8-12

Taken from the Horrible History series of books, this exhibition lets visitors learn more about live in the trenches. Visitors can discover battle plans and living conditions, and can even try on strange clothes for living in trenches and climbing into mining tunnels, peering through periscopes and much more!

http://london.londinium.com/90054

Natural History Museum
Daily: 10am – 5:30pm

Several major artists and writers exhibit new and existing works inspired by Charles Darwin’s book, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. The exhibition explores the idea that expressing emotions is not unique to humans, but shared with other animals.

http://london.londinium.com/88695

Science Museum
Cost: Free

Explore how astronomy has changed the way we see our universe – and ourselves – through this object-rich exhibition. From ancient heritage to cutting edge technology, trace the history of people and the stars through different stories drawn from around the world.

http://london.londinium.com/88640

Science Museum
Cost: Free

The exhibition has four sections focusing on 100 years of making plastics: The Birth of Plastics, Plastic Dreams, Plastics Now, and Plastic Futures.

http://london.londinium.com/88638

Science Museum
Cost: Free

This temporary exhibition showcases 20 examples where F1™ technology is impacting on our lives, from changing the way we look after patients and design our sports equipment, to maintaining the heating systems in our homes.

http://london.londinium.com/88637

FASHION, JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES
Magnificence of the Tsars, Magnificence of the Emperors: From The Moscow Kremlin Museums Collection

10 December 2008 – 29 March 2009, Fashion, Room 40,
The grandeur of Imperial Russia is captured in this display of the dress and uniforms of Emperors and officials of the Russian court. Starting in the 1720s with the lavishly embroidered coats and elaborately patterned silk banyans from the wardrobe of Tsar Peter II, the display spans a period of almost two centuries.

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones.

24 February – 31 May 2009, The Porter Gallery
Working with radical hat designer, Stephen Jones, the V&A presents an ‘anthology of hats’. Drawn from V&A and international collections and ranging in style and period from a 17th-century Puritan’s hat to a 1950s Balenciaga couture piece to hats by Jones and his contemporaries including to the latest creations by young milliners such as Noel Stewart, the exhibition investigates the cultural and historic importance of millinery. The exhibition is arranged in four main themes – Inspiration looks at the myriad of sources including historicism, exoticism and the natural world; Creation explores the techniques, materials and processes; The Salon focuses on the buying and selling of hats and the millinery shop; and The Clients which examines the wearing and etiquette of hats and features headgear worn by well known clients of some of the world’s top milliners including Audrey Hepburn, Anna Piaggi, Dita von Teese.

The Olympic Stadium Project – Le Corbusier and Baghdad
9 October 2008 – 29 March 2009,  Architecture, Room 128a
This display examines one of the last projects by Le Corbusier, begun in 1957, his fascinating design for a sports stadium in Baghdad. With specially commissioned models, it gives a sense of what this marvellous structure would have looked like had the project come to fruition. The stadium was planned around a set of innovative radially arranged ribs or “voiles”, the designs for 20 of which also feature in the display.
Le Corbusier regarded athletes as metaphors for modern man, and with Pierre Jeanneret he created an experimental design for a huge stadium for 100 000 people for athletic/cultural use. Le Corbusier referred to it as a “civic tool for a modern age.”

‘Seasons through the Looking Glass’ Tunnel Installation
28 March 2008 – 29 March 2009, Tunnel Entrance
Alice’s adventures began when she fell into a tunnel that unexpectedly twisted downwards to form a deep well. She landed abruptly on a heap of sticks and dry leaves. This notion of mythical underground spaces is the subject of CJ Lim’s installation, a multi-sensory and tactile intervention which explores the spatial possibilities of a subterranean garden.

Libraries of Light: Photographic Books from the V&A Collection
24 April 2008 – 19 April 2009, Photography, Room 38a
Photographic books are almost as old as photography itself. Indeed, one of the inventors of photography, William Henry Fox Talbot, was also author of one of the very first books to include photographs, The Pencil of Nature (1844). This display features highlights of historic, classic and contemporary photographic books from the Museum’s library alongside prints from the photographs archive.

The Booker Prize, 6 September 2008 – 17 May 2009
This display celebrates the 40th anniversary of the leading literary award, The Booker and Man Booker Prize. It presents winning and shortlisted books from the past forty years, alongside promotional material and the original Booker trophy, created by the artist Jan Pienkowski. It explores the practice of collecting Booker Prize books, featuring signed limited first editions and proof copies from the collection of the literary agent and book collector Peter Straus. The display demonstrates how the design of book jackets has changed since the first prize was awarded in 1969 and includes examples of bespoke bindings of shortlisted books created by members of one of the foremost societies devoted to the craft of fine bookbinding, the British Society of Designer Bookbinders.

Capturing the Moment. Photographs by Reg Wilson
18 March 2009 – 10 January 2010, Theatre and Performance Temporary Exhibition Gallery, Room 104
Reg Wilson is one of Britain’s most prolific performance photographers.  From the 1960s he has recorded four decades of the performing arts in all their richness and variety, capturing the great and the good on stage, backstage and in the studio. This selection from Wilson’s archive, chosen by the artist, shows every aspect of the performance process from the studio to the finished product.  It also demonstrates a range of techniques, from the staged photo-call to the snatched backstage shot and includes some of the earliest stage photography and colour productions.

Contemporary Drawings ‘Wine, Women and Song 1′, Martin Fuller,
7 March – 30 July 2009,Leighton, Room 102
The V&A has recently acquired an extensive group of contemporary drawings by artists who work across all the fine art disciplines: painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and installation artists. The drawings in this display are very diverse, ranging from the figurative, to the abstract, to the conceptual. What connects them is the versatile medium of drawing itself, the essential foundation of all art practice.

Medieval & Renaissance highlights – Makers and Markets
26 March 2007 – 27 April 2009 Sculpture, Room 117
This small display highlights the growing market in 16th century Europe for decorative goods – from costly lustreware, enamels and sculptures to more modest domestic stoneware pots. Works by some of the greatest sculptors of the period, such as Michelangelo, Benvenuto Cellini and Giambologna, are included. These artists were celebrated figures in their own lifetimes and princes, popes and the rising merchant classes were keen to acquire works by such celebrated masters.

Cultural Connections: Africa
July 2008 – June 2009, Sackler Centre, Room 220
This display presents a diverse group of objects with links to the African diaspora interpreted by an invited artist. Maria Amidu is interested in the relationships between people and public collections. Here she reflects on the role museum curators play in determining what appears on display and how it is presented.

The Art of Drinking
26 September 2007 – 26 April 2009, Room 66,
For the past 500 years drinking has stimulated a rich material culture. Specific situations and drinks require particular vessels, from stoneware beer mugs to jade wine cups and silver goblets. This display explores the varied and often curious designs of drinking vessels in order to explain their function and importance.

Fragments
10 November 2008 – 8 November 2009, Room 116, The Belinda Gentle Metalware Gallery
The metalwork collection includes fragments of objects. These are often beautiful, intriguing and revealing in their own right. On first seeing them, we often wonder what they are. By examining a detail we can understand more about the whole object, what it is made of, and how it was made. This display showcases fragments of objects and looks at how they were made.

http://london.londinium.com/1833

A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Over 32 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show!

Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives!

http://london.londinium.com/19541 – Mamma Mia

Turner and the Masters will juxtapose Turner’s greatest paintings alongside works by old masters and contemporaries that he hoped to imitate, rival and surpass. Featuring around 100 works the exhibition will include paintings by Claude, Canaletto, Ruisdael, Van de Velde, Poussin, Rubens, Rembrandt, Constable, Bonington and many others known by Turner at first hand. This will be a unique exhibition exploring how Turner’s responses to other artists were both acts of homage and a sophisticated form of art criticism. Not to be missed.

http://www.londinium.com/london/68606.html