- Home
- London Features
- Easter in London
-
Going Out
Going Out
There are loads of events taking place over the long Easter week so you're bound to find something to your taste. The very best of British art is on display at galleries across the capital as Hockney and Hirst arrive in town, indulge your sweet tooth like never before at The Chocolate Festival (it is Easter, afterall) and gear yourself up for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations with Cecil Beaton's unique collection of photos of Elizabeth II. And, of course, there's the famous Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race - and the equivalent Goat Race if you're up for something a bit alternative.
Share on Facebook
Tweet this article
Email to a Friend
Print Article
Link to this page
David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture
Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD21st January 2012 - 10th April 2012
Seven years' worth of David Hockney's work are exhibited in a major show at the Royal Academy which includes film for the first time. The first of the London 2012 Festival Countdown events and part of the Cultural Olympiad, David Hockney: A Bigger Picture spans a 50-year period to show the artist's long exploration and fascination with the depiction of landscape. A poster for the show at the Royal Academy reads: "All the works here were made by the artist himself, personally" - a glancing blow at fellow artists, Damien Hirst chief among them, who use assistants to do their work. He may well do all his own works but the 74 year old artist is clearly not afraid to embrace new technologies. The Royal Academy show of around 150 works includes paintings, drawings, sketchbooks, and drawings made on his iPad as well as a series of new films produced using 18 cameras which create large moving images across multiple screens. Returning to his native Yorkshire a few years ago after living in California for over 30 years, Hockney has been living and working from his late mother's house in Bridlington, taking inspiration from the landscape he knew in his youth to produce these larger than life-sized landscapes.
Her Maj: 60 Years of Unofficial Portraits of the Queen
The Cartoon Museum, WC1A 2HH1st February 2012 - 9th April 2012
If you saw any of Cecil Beaton's elegant and flattering snapshots of the Queen, then here's something totally different. Her Maj is an exhibition which gives some real insight into the changing media attitudes towards the Queen since her coronation nearly sixty years ago. Prior to 1950 nobody would dare print a deprecating cartoon depiction of the monarch, but slowly it began to dawn on the media that there was some serious comedy gold lurking behind those grand Palace walls, and by the 60s the cloak of mystery had well and truly fallen and images of the Queen began popping up all over the place. With everything from 'Liz', the housewife in a headscarf, to fantasies about the royals knee-deep in corgis and the cringey comedy of Prince Philip's foot-in-mouth asides. But all joking aside, this collection is a real trip down memory lane and the cartoons capture momentous national events, state visits and historical British hardships, and it's all done with plenty of fondness and affection. The 80 pieces were created by more than 30 artists and will be on display at The Cartoon Museum until April 8th.
Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum, London, SW7 2RL8th February 2012 - 23rd April 2012
Cecil Beaton, one of the most famous fashion photographers of the 20th century, may have worked for Vogue and Vanity Fair but he also had a long standing relationship with The Queen and it's his photographs of our ruling monarch that get an airing in Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration. The Queen was a teenager when she first sat for Beaton in 1942 and this exhibition explores Beaton's interactions with her over the next three decades as he photographed her on many significant occasions including her coronation day in 1953 - an informal shot of her on that day is just one of a number of photographs which have never seen before. The unique royal portaits in this V & A exhibition are brought to life by excerpts from Beaton's diaries and letters as well as film and radio footage from the time. The exhibition is arranged in five sections documenting important sittings and charting the shift in Beaton's photographic style, from his early Rococo-inspired portraits to a starker approach in the 1960s. In one section the camera is turned around, showing portraits of Beaton himself taken by fellow photographers including Curtis Moffat, Irving Penn and David Bailey.
All About Eve: The Photography of Eve Arnold
Art Sensus, SW1P 1BB2nd March 2012 - 28th April 2012
All About Eve: The Photography of Eve Arnold will bring together a collection of pieces taken by the pioneering photographer over her long expanding career. The first woman to join the Magnum photographic agency, Arnold's catalogue of work includes an impressive and extensive list of Hollywood and West End legends, political figures and the Queen. Whilst she had taken many photographs of Marilyn Monroe throughout the 1950s, it was her 1961 photograph 'Fragile and poised in turn' which became one of the most iconic. Taken on set of The Misfits - Monroe's final film appearance - and despite the whole of the Magnum agency being on set, it was this and Arnold's other photographs that were the standout pieces. With the photographs chosen by Arnold's close friends Zelda Cheatle and Brigitte Lardinois, this is a wide ranging show that celebrates both her life and work.
International Garden Photographer of the Year
Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), London, TW9 3AB3rd March 2012 - 10th April 2012
Hosted at Kew Gardens for the first time, this exhibition gives visitors the chance to see the winning and finalist's images from the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. Displaying the best garden, nature and outdoor photography from around the world, the images will offer an insight into the world of plants, gardens, landscapes, nature and the photographer's perception of this beautiful world. The exhibition will have four different categories: The Beauty of Plants, Wildlife Havens, Beautiful Gardens, Greening the City and Breathing Spaces. Taking place within the Nash Conservatory, a 19 century glasshouse, it will be a unique setting for this wild display of photographs.
Diana: Glimpses of a Modern Princess
Kensington Palace State Apartments, London, W8 4PX26th March 2012 - 1st September 2012
Following a major renovation in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Kensington Palace is once again opening its doors to the public. One of the first exhibitions taking place since the re-presentation project, Diana: Glimpses of a Modern Princess will be displaying a small selection of dresses worn by the late Princess of Wales. With her style under constant scrutiny, this exhibition will give visitors an insight into the fashion choices of the Princess. The dresses will be displayed alongside fashion illustrations and photographs, representing a number of iconic and memorable moments in the public life of Diana, telling the story of a young woman developing into a Princess.
Roundhouse CircusFest
Roundhouse, London, NW1 8EH28th March 2012 - 30th April 2012
Vaudeville, circus and cabaret come to the Roundhouse for a five week season of CircusFest, as a colourful mix of renowned theatre companies and circus groups take to the stage. There are performances from the likes of the Spavaldo brothers, Funk Da Cirque, Cirkus Cirkör and the Underground Film Club is joining in the fun, putting on a special programme of circus-themed film screenings as diverse as Santa Sangre and The Circus. Cirque Mandingue start things off with their Foté Foré, a high-energy mix of acrobatics and street dance, set against West African drumming and hip hop beats. This pretty much sets the tone for what to expect from CircusFest - something a bit crazy, anarchic and high octane. For the finale, audiences will step back in time at Professor Vanessa's Wondershow, a celebration of the golden era of circus.
The Chocolate Festival
Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX30th March 2012 - 2nd April 2012
Just in time to stock up for Easter, The Chocolate Festival returns to Southbank Centre with plenty more chocolatiers and artisan delights to tickle your taste buds. This event will feature stands from award winning chocolatiers such as William Curley, Damian Allsop, Paul Wayne Gregory and Co-Couture, renowned chocolate companies such as Rococo, Valrhona and Hotel Chocolat and new companies such as Choki of Brockley and Simply Hand Made Chocolates. Demonstrations, tastings and talks will take place in the main marquee, where attendees can learn about the health benefits of chocolate, how to include chocolate in savoury dishes as well as tutored tastings. As always, there will be dozens of stalls all showcasing chocolate and chocolate products, such as hot chocolate, chocolate cakes, crepes, churros, a chocolate fountain, self-making kits and much more. If you are a chocoholic, or you know someone who is, then you simply cannot afford to miss this event.
British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum, London, SW7 2RL31st March 2012 - 13th August 2012
British Design celebrates post-war art and design in Britain since the time of the last Olympic Games to be held in London right up until the present day. Taking in significant moments from British history and incorporating how Britain encourages art and remains at the forefront of world creativity and design, Innovation in the Modern Age showcases over 300 objects including product design, fashion, furniture, photography, sculpture and fine art. Robin Day's Polyprop Chair, a mural by John Piper from The Festival of Britain, art by David Hockney and Henry Moore, fashion from the late Alexander McQueen, the first E-type Jaguar car... all this and much more will all be on display, making this exhibition one not to miss if you're a fan of British history and culture.
Damien Hirst
Tate Modern, London, SE1 9TG4th April 2012 - 10th September 2012
Damien Hirst, one of the most influential artists of his generation, will be bringing together renowned pieces of work in a spectacular exhibition at the Tate Modern this spring. Hirst organised his first exhibition when he was still a student and the now-famed Freeze exhibition launched the definition of cutting-edge contemporary art in the 1990s. Further displays by the award winning innovative artist include The Pharmacy, a life size pharmaceutical room, For the Love of God, a diamond encrusted skull and doubtlessly his most famous, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, which featured a 14 foot tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde inside a glass tank. With the compilation of these controversial pieces in one place - including seminal paintings made throughout his career - this first seminal survey of Hirst's work over the past two decades promises to be an exceptional show. If only he actually did all his work himself, eh?
.jpg?b=null<Resizer=TRUE "Going Out")
E4 Udderbelly Festival
Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX5th April 2012 - 9th July 2012
Look out for an upside-down purple cow as you're crossing over the Golden Jubilee footbridge to the Southbank Centre from the beginning of April - it's hard to miss it. This colourful, comic temporary structure provides the performance space for E4 Udderbelly, a summer of comedy and circus, magic and free family fun. There's a huge variety of entertainment taking place within the purple cow - also seen at the Edinburgh festival - with something going on almost every night. Highlights include appearances from Greg Davies, Tim Minchin and The Boy with Tape on His Face. There's also the return of the Friday Night Freakshow, plus on the spot opera Impropera. With so much to choose from, your only problem will be picking the one to go to.
Animal Inside Out
Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD6th April 2012 - 16th September 2012
Adapted from Gunther von Hagens' Body Worlds, Animal Inside Out presents nearly 100 plastinated animals from the impressively large - the 4-tonne elephant is the heaviest specimen they have ever had in the Natural History Museum - to the amazingly small. This factual and informative exhibition gives inquisitive minds a unique insight into the biological make up of the animals, revealing what goes on beneath the skin. In this UK premiere of the exhibition visitors will discover the inner workings of some of the world's most spectacular creatures, from goats and giraffes to octopuses and ostriches. Perhaps more fascinating are the glimpses inside intricate parts like the brain, the nervous system and the muscular structure. Though not for the faint hearted this fascinating exhibition serves an educational purpose and is aimed at adults and children over 8 years old but can be enjoyed by children of all ages. There is an exhibition trail for children available at the exhibition ticket desk or to download online from 6 April. The exhibition is at the Waterhouse Gallery until 16 September 2012 and is complemented by special evening events, daytime talks and after hours openings.
Oxford v Cambridge Goat Race
Spitalfields City Farm, London, E1 5AR7th April 2012 - 8th April 2012
Oxford and Cambridge are once again gearing up for a nail biting and highly competitive race and the stakes are high in this annual fight for the winner's title. No, not the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race. We are, in fact, referring to the equally prestigious (okay, maybe not quite) Oxford v Cambridge Goat Race. Two feisty goats - one named Oxford, the other named Cambridge - will embark on the second annual race, which will take place only a few miles from the intense rowing competition on the Thames. As well as the race itself, Spitalfields City Farm will also play host to an array of goat pun related activities - last year saw the Nice Butt Contest and How Low Can You Goat. There will also be a chance for the winning goat to revel in its glory at the Winners Parade and the day will finish with a lively after party.
.jpg?b=null<Resizer=TRUE "Going Out")
Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race
Putney Bridge, London, SW6 3JD7th April 2012 - 8th April 2012
England's most famous universities square off in this four-mile rowing race which inaugurates the summer season in London. With it being the 158th annual Boat Race, this is one of the oldest sporting events in the world and is a spectacular display of strength and teamwork. Around a quarter of a million fans line the banks of the river to roar their encouragement (add to that 120m who follow the race on TV across the world). There's a great view - and some great pubs - around Furnival Gardens on the north side of the Thames near Hammersmith Bridge. Alternatively, you might like to watch from near the start at Putney Bridge, where the big screens on both banks allow spectators to monitor the race as it heads its way around the first bend. Nearby, at Bishops Park behind the South Stand of Fulham football ground Craven Cottage, you'll find food stalls, family attractions (bouncy castle, face painting and a climbing wall) and a large beer tent.
Easter in London 2012
Egg Hunts
The hunt is on for some scrumptious chocolate treats. This is the one time of year you'll see kiddies, parents and grandparen...
Egg Hunts
Church Services
Easter isn't just about gorging on chocolate - for those of the Christian faith, there's a strong religious aspect too. ...
Church Services
Family Fun
Keeping the kids entertained over the Easter holidays is easy with the huge choice of things to do in London. Most of the museums ...
Family Fun
Easter Eating
A large part of the Easter long weekend is often spent with family and loved ones around a table laden with delectable treats for ...
Easter Eating
Where to Stay
Looking for a special hotel deal for Easter then check our London hotels deals page..
Where to Stay
London Hotels
From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star suites see our discounts for hotels, including Grange Langham Court Hotel from 73% off. |
 |
