January 2008

To beat the January blues, London is offering us the chance to escape the chilly English winter by booking a luxury holiday at The Holidays and Travel Show, buying a yacht or two at the London Boat Show or hitting the open road at the Motorcycle Show. For those of us with slightly smaller budgets, there are some great art shows and theatre for the post-Christmas season.

New Year's Day Parade

Parliament Square, SW1P 3PA
1st January 2008

A major American-style parade, with extravagant floats, marching bands from around the country and beyond, street performers and a host of family activities. Around half a million revellers are expected to turn out for this relatively new but hugely popular start to the New Year. Expect vast, Disney-style floats, with plenty of loud music but only a little dancing in the street as many of the parents attending will feel slightly fragile. This is a great way to get 2008 off to an active start, see the streets of London and work off some Christmas flab. The kids will love it as well.

The Parade begins at Big Ben at 12:00, and travels up Parliament Street and through Trafalgar Square to Piccadilly Circus, then proceeds along Piccadilly to finish at 14:45 in Berkeley Street.

More info: New Year's Day Parade Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Cirque du Soleil - Varekai

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
6th January 2008 - 17th February 2008

Cirque du Soleil was a phenomenon when it burst onto the UK scene in 1996 and it is a testament to the performers' high-flying shenanigans, original sequences and risky stunts that it still elicits impressed murmurs from adults and wide-eyed wonder from children. Of course, it's also a well-oiled machine by now, making the knife-edge balancing acts and aerial acrobatics look feather-light in their execution. As 'Varekai' arrives in London for the first time, the show promises everything we have come to expect from this ineffable modern circus. What little storyline there is emerges from the world of Varekai, a Romany word meaning 'wherever', into which a young man falls from the sky. But the spirit of wherever gives the performers permission to launch themselves and the audience into the otherworldliness of the circus; spectacular sets and costumes merge with the swooping, twirling bodies in a kaleidoscopic adventure.

Photo: Veronique Vial

More info: Cirque du Soleil - Varekai Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Lions Part - Twelfth Night

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London, SE1 9DR
6th January 2008

Braving the cold, singing loudly and saying 'wassail' alot is all part of the fun at the Twelfth Night celebrations performed by the Lions Part theatre group. A green and prickly man emerging from the river is central to the celebrations on Bankside marking the New Year. Don't worry, it's not a monster from the deep; this is Holly Man, the Winter guise of the pagan Green Man. The actors give an entertaining mix of street theatre and education, imparting ancient myths, folklore, symbols of fertility and the origins of the British Christmas. After some more 'wassailing' or toasting of the River Thames, of the people and of the Globe- an old tradition encouraging good growth - the King and Queen for the day are crowned and, in the true English tradition, everyone ends up in the pub. You'll find them in George Inn in Borough High Street for storytelling, the Kissing Wishing Tree and dancing. Happy New Year!

More info: The Lions Part - Twelfth Night Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Swan Lake

The Coliseum, WC2N 4ES
8th January 2008 - 19th January 2008

For pretty tutus and pointed toes, Swan Lake is the quintessential classical ballet and this production is embracing Tchaikovsky's fairytale in all its dramatic grandeur and graceful romance. It is a traditional story of good versus evil, building suspense through that age-old rhetorical question of whether love will prevail - throw in a prince in his castle and a spell by an evil magician and you've got a piece de resistance. The return of this most famous of ballets by the English National Ballet has all the required elements - beautiful dancing, glistening costumes, spectacular sets, soaring music and men in tights. Everything a night at the ballet should be and just in time to beat the post-Christmas blues.

Photo: Daria Klimentova

More info: Swan Lake Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The London Boat Show

ExCel Exhibition Centre, London, E16 1XL
11th January 2008 - 20th January 2008

One of the highlights of this year's London Boat Show is the chance to see how the restoration of the Cutty Sark is coming along. After the fire in May last year you can see how progress is being made using the latest technology and expert craftsmanship. There's also a guest appearance from a Royal Navy Destroyer, the first time this type of vessel has ever been seen at the show. The ExCel centre's waterside position is ideal for London's biggest exhibition of boats and water crafts of all kinds. With displays ranging from indoor canoeing to sailing, tall ships, historic vessels and a marina full of some the largest exhibitor boats in production (at the Royal Victoria Dock), it's set to be an action-packed event. Add to this around 650 exhibitors and activities including an anchor watch masterclass, boating for beginners area - free from people peddling products - new boat launches and the Dinghy Racing Weekend (Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th January). A must-see for anyone who likes messing about on the water.

Photo: onEdition

More info: The London Boat Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London International Mime Festival

Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX
12th January 2008 - 27th January 2008

If you want something that's just a little bit different this January, the London International Mime Festival, taking place at the Southbank Centre and other top arts venues, will be right up your street. If you thought that mime was all about white-faced clowns continually plagued by invisible glass and very strong winds, then think again. This year's mime festival brings contemporary visual arts from around the world to London, meaning it's packed with some of the freshest and most inventive physical theatre, dance, circus, puppetry and art installations. Each event allows audiences to delve into this vivid, theatrical world, but selected highlights include a theatre of dreams and nightmares from Russia's BlackSkyWhite, an award-winning version of 'Woyzeck' from Korea and a collaboration between dancer-choreographer Josef Nadj, painter-sculptor Miquel Barcelo and a lot of wet red clay in 'Paso Doble'. Other shows for sheer delightful playfulness are a balloon trip across the globe in physical comedy 'A Wonderful World' and Catalan theatre magician's Pep Bou's world of brilliant colour, light and soap bubbles.

Photo: Eun-Sun Choi

More info: London International Mime Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Russian Winter Festival

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ
13th January 2008

The Russian Winter Festival arrives in Trafalgar Square for the fourth year running with a huge line-up that represents the sheer diversity of the world's largest nation, and the strength of their growing community in London. It marks Russia's 'Old New Year' - New Year according to the Tsarist calendar, used prior to 1917, and which is still celebrated in Russia in mid-January. For one day the square will become a real Russian Winter Wonderland - complete with snow, stalls offering Russian food and drink, souvenirs, music CDs and demonstrations of Russian arts and crafts. There's a huge line-up of traditional Russian singers and dancers - the dancers, in particular, are an amazing sight - street entertainers, puppet shows, stilt-walkers, a children's section, and live gigs from some of Russia's biggest rock and pop stars.

More info: Russian Winter Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The London Art Fair

Business Design Centre, London, N1 0QH
16th January 2008 - 20th January 2008

Despite celebrating its 20th year, the London Art Fair at the Business Design Centre shows no signs of losing its cutting edge. Whether you're buying or just looking you'll have over a hundred of London's best galleries to look through. Stunning works on display cover the last 100 years or so of British art. With prices going as low as £100 it's an interesting exhibition for the amateur collector as well as the professional. There are two shows within the show: Art Projects, showcasing 21 galleries from the UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands; and Photo50, back after its successful launch last year, where 50 photographs from UK and international galleries are featured in a curated exhibition. A great place to browse, appreciate and shop, even if you're just looking for something nice to put on your wall.

Photo: Gerald Laing - 'The Kiss' (2007). Courtesy of ocontemporary Gallery

More info: The London Art Fair Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Afrika! Afrika!

The O2 (formerly The Millennium Dome), Tented Palaces, London, SE10 0PE
17th January 2008 - 31st January 2008

More than 100 artists, dancers, singers and musicians perform a celebration of Africa, and all its vibrant colour, music and dance. The show, first seen in December 2005, resulted from the troupe's visits to Mali and Morocco, Egypt and South Africa over two years, gathering inspiration and performers for this phenomenal show. The spectacular, curated by Andre Heller, features performers from 17 different African nations including Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria and Benin, speaking 23 different dialects from many different religious backgrounds. Look out for the high wire artists from Tanzania, defying gravity and making you hold your breath; the master contortionist; hip-hop break dancers and the Gumboot dance. All this is done at break-neck speed so you've always got something to keep you entertained.

More info: Afrika! Afrika! Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Morrissey

The Roundhouse, London, NW1 8EH
21st January 2008 - 27th January 2008

After the furore of his 'racist' NME interview, we're not certain that Morrissey is going to be able to go ahead with this series of gigs. But if he does, it'll be an intriguing prospect, as a man many believed had the smartest and subtlest mind in British music defends his reputation in an intimidatingly close venue. It's years since he lived in England, but the sad, subtle and cynical lyrics he wrote in the macho 1980s have made Moz an authentic living legend to a whole generation of weepie indie kids. The songs will, of course, be wonderful, but this year, we might see the spectacle of Morrissey being booed for the first time since the days when he used to play rough Manchester punk clubs with a bunch of daffodils in his back pocket.

More info: Morrissey Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Collect 2008

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, SW7 2RL
25th January 2008 - 29th January 2008

Organised by the British Crafts Council, Collect is the only art fair in Europe that showcases exclusively contemporary applied and decorative arts from around the world. The most desirable objects, including ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, wood, furniture and work in precious metals, are all on display. Galleries from the UK, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands will be exhibiting. Though totally unaffordable to all but serious collectors and the fabulously rich, it's a great exhibition.

More info: Collect 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870 - 1925

Royal Academy of Arts, W1J0BD
26th January 2008 - 18th April 2008

Showing significant works of art from four of Russia's most prestigious state musuems, the Royal Academy kicks off 2008 with a blockbuster of an exhibition. The State Pushkin Museum and the State Tretyakov Museum in Moscow have joined the State Hermitage Museum and the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg in loaning works for the temporary exhibition which showcases French and Russian paintings from 1870 to 1925. Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gaughin and Matisse are among the great French masters included alongside their Russian contemporaries Kandinsky Tatlin and Malevich. By positioning them side-by-side, the exchange of ideas during this revolutionary time is clearly seen. Russia's role as an influential collector - both nationally and privately - is also self evident through the 120 prized paintings on display. Helpfully sectioned into four more or less chronological parts for easier digesting, themes are as diverse as Russian realists, French Cubists, Russian folk art and the Neo-Primitive style. Look out for Matisse's 'The Dance', on loan from the State Hermitage Museum, and undoubtedly the highlight of the exhibition.

More info: From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870 - 1925 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Destinations - The Holiday and Travel Show

Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA
31st January 2008 - 3rd February 2008

The only really sensible cure for the dragging tail-end of winter is to do some serious thinking about the glamorous spots you're going to be hitting in a few months time. From trekking the high mountains to diving the deepest seas, there is a wealth of options on display here to suit all tastes (though it's definitely aimed at those with large budgets). Celebrity speakers including BBC 2's 'Coast' presenter, Nicholas Crane, Big Cat and Big Bear Diaries presenter, Jonathan Scott, and Mr Nice, Howard Marks, will be dishing out opinions and advice. BBC News presents a host of guests including David Shukman, Environment and Science Correspondent, Frank Gardener OBE and Stefan Gates, back from 'Cooking in the Danger Zone'. The first day sees the show head on into the evening with tickets just £5 after 5pm. There's also world music including the Capoeria group Cordao de Ouro London, Samba dancing and more. But the main draw is the hundreds of companies tempting you into spending your hard earned cash on the trip of your dreams.

More info: Destinations - The Holiday and Travel Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

MCN London Motorcycle Show

ExCel Exhibition Centre, London, E16 1XL
31st January 2008 - 3rd February 2008

The Motorcycle Show at the ExCel centre is one big playground for bikers everywhere. This exhibition is a celebration of roaring engines, the smell of gasoline and every motorised two-wheeler that goes. It's a traditional annual gathering of motorbikes at their most muscular, which begins each day with visitors and exhibitors riding in a grand parade of revving engines. There's everything for the serious enthusiast, with exclusive launch models from major manufacturers' new ranges, a classic bike competition and 150 stalls selling accessories, parts and bikes. There is also the chance to meet celebrity bikers and the inevitable bevy of scantily-clad models. Best of all is the massive live display, featuring top riders putting their bikes through loads of tricks and stunts.

More info: MCN London Motorcycle Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube