Bus Stop – Work of Stephen Calcutt at London Art Biennale
words Alan Woods Have you even been stood at a bus stop and seen the graffiti etched into the see-through plastic? You get this strange disorted view and can it can seem menacing - especially if you're alone at dusk. Well photographer Stephen Calcutt saw something...
St James Court: A Taj Hotel in London – Review
A stay at St James Court has heritage, luxury and location rolled into one. It's a hotel near Buckingham Palace (the current building went up in 1902 to house guests of the big house), St. James’ Park, and Westminster Abbey, providing a wonderful welcome and perfect...
Oh Melania – Song & animation – Can Melania save us from Trump?
What goes on in the mind of Melania Trump. What’s it like being married to Crooked Donald? She doesn’t look too happy at her hubbie becoming the President and has even stayed away from the White House choosing to stay in New York. Animator Dave Anderson has produced...
Liverpool Biennial launch with Marvin Gaye Chetwynd
Liverpool Biennial launch their touring programme, bringing artworks by international artists to towns across the North of England. Artists include Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, Mark Leckey, Rita McBride and Betty Woodman. The programme will be launched on Saturday 11 March...
Getting gluttonous at Gola, where food meets sex
Words: Chris Zacharia “What are the two things in life everybody loves?” says owner Aaron. “The answer is food and sex” Welcome to Gola, an Italian restaurant where everything is about excess. Bottles of Dom Perignon decorate the toilets. The mirrors are adorned with...
Certain Women – interview with Kelly Reichardt filmmaker
Certain Women - interview with Kelly Reichardt filmmaker - words Paul Risker An adaptation of author Maile Meloy's collection of stories, Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It, Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women is the celebrated filmmakers fifth film. Literature and film...
White Helmets film on brave work in Syria wins Oscar
words by Raed al-Saleh It’s great to see the White Helmets film being honoured with an Oscar for best short documentary. The film covers the work of the volunteer rescue group of the same name that operates in rebel-held parts of Syria. It’s an inspiring film to watch...
The right suit for the occasion
words Alan Woods Getting the right suit for the occasion sounds easy enough but as the day approaches you are flown into a flap. The only suit you own is just not quite right - or so your other half tells you. You desperately rummage through your wardrobe hoping that...
What is the greatest album cover ever created?
words Alan Woods While the music on an album is of upmost importance, the sleeve that holds the record gives artists a space for artistic expression. This has always been the case; from the first microgroove long-playing phonograph that was released in 1948, through...
Vulgarians – Best of Hull bands release ‘Hands around the Waste’
Have you ever been in a taxi and had a torrent of words from your taxi driver that just messed with you head? I’m sure we’ve all been there – I certainly have. Well Hull band, Vulgarians, have penned their latest single 'Hands around the Waste' after just such an...
We are X film – The rise, fall and resurrection of X Japan
A new film charts the rise, fall and resurrection of X Japan, one of the world’s biggest bands. Directed by Stephen Kijak who won an Oscar for Searching for Sugar Man (also Stones in Exile’ and ‘Scott Walker: 30 Century Man) We are X tells the dramatic tale of a band...
bluedot festival 2017 – Headliners Pixies, Alt-J & Orbital
Following an amazing inaugural event last summer, bluedot festival have just revealed the first wave of its musical line-up including all three headliners. Not disappointing those of us who were thrilled with last year's pioneering selection aimed at the discerning...
Mexrrissey – Our bequiffed Mexican heroes unite and takeover
Mexrrissey at The Ritz Manchester just seemed too good a gig to miss. The venue is well known and loved in the city and was part of the history of The Smiths as well. The idea of seeing a Mexican take on Morrissey there then gave me all sorts of pangs of nostalgia and...
Wood carving in South Tyrol – Italy’s hidden artisans
Words: Neil Geraghty The woodcarving valleys of Italy’s South Tyrol region are home to a wealth of vibrant artstic talent. “If Michelangelo had a 3D scanner I’m sure he would have used it”, says Aron Demetz, an internationally acclaimed wood sculptor. We’re staring at...
Chinese New Year at Hakkasan – a feast for the senses
Nothing introduces you to a foreign culture quite like a feast. Good company brought together in celebration of the people’s most prized cuisine - it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in another country’s way of life. Hakkasan clearly relish hosting a feast in...