- Home
- London Features
- London Calendar 2010
-
June 2010
June 2010
June in London and tennis takes centre court as Wimbledon comes to town. Summer is officially here so it's time to seek out the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and sit out in the park. Head to Hyde Park and you'll see Pearl Jam headlining the Hard Rock Calling festival this year.
Share on Facebook
Tweet this article
Email to a Friend
Print Article
Link to this page
Opera Holland Park
Holland Park Theatre, London, W8 6LU2nd June - 14th August 2010
The annual Opera Holland Park is a highlight of summer in London, when the temporary structure of Holland Park Theatre is erected in West London's Holland Park and the operatic arias soar over the tree tops. The magical atmosphere of these productions owe a lot to their surroundings but it's also a tribute to a remarkable opera company that has defied expectations and budgets to produce productions of the very highest standard. For the 2010 season, they're mixing popular favourites - 'Carmen', 'Don Giovanni' (the famous music has featured in films like Amadeus and The Bonfire of the Vanities) and Beethoven's only opera 'Fidelio' (reviving the 2003 production) - with slightly less familiar fare. Performed at the Holland Park Theatre for the first time are Debussy's tragic fairytale, 'Pelleas et Melisande', Verdi's 'La forza del destino' and Riccardo Zandonai's 'Francesca da Rimini' which take place in July and August, finishing the 2010 season. Online booking opens at 10am on Friday 26th March, telephone booking opens at 10am on Monday 29th March.
Polo in the Park
Hurlingham Park, London, SW6 3NG4th - 6th June 2010
Polo in the Park returns to Fulham's Hurlingham Park after its highly successful inaugural foray on the summer scene last year. Aimed at bringing polo to the people, the three-day World Series event showcases a more accessible version of the sport, mimicking the effect Twenty20 has had on cricket. Rules have been simplified, snazzy new filming techniques (including head cams and bird's eye shots) are employed, and a couple of 'appy chappy Cockney commentators prattle on hilariously during each of the games' "chukkas" (or periods, to you and me). Teams from London, New York, Moscow and Buenos Aires took to the field last year, while there was a steady flow of celebrities (Jodie Kidd) and royalty (Princess Beatrice), not to mention medieval jousting and an array of bars, shops and food stalls. Detractors may deride polo as only fools and horses, but this three-day festival doesn't take itself too seriously, so while it's all a bit upper class and "rah", it's still a load of fun, especially if you get dressed up and go with a group of friends. It remains to be seen if Polo in the Park becomes an integral part of the London summer calendar - like Wimbledon, Henley and the Boat Race - but the early signs are good. Who knows, the sun may even shine this year.
The Epsom Derby
Epsom Downs Racecourse, London, KT18 5LQ5th June 2010
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be an interested spectator at this calendar racing event. The Epsom Derby is one of the oldest and greatest horse races in the world, established by the Earl of Derby in 1779. Today this race for three-year-olds attracts prize money of over a million pounds and crowds approaching 100,000. The rolling hills of the Epsom Downs make this course a unique challenge for horses and jockeys alike. It is also one of the most glamorous events in the international racing calendar. The Queen arrives by carriage, followed by thousands of spectators in their best togs. Racing gets underway at 2pm sharp. The Derby itself takes place on the Saturday, while Friday features a race called The Oaks, and, more importantly, Ladies Day, which is as much a fashion show as a horse race. Last year, Michael Kinane rode champion Irish colt Sea The Stars to victory ahead of favourite Fame And Glory in what was a rather routine race for the record-breaking horse. With Sea The Stars now retired to stud, punters can expect a new winner this June.
Bon Jovi
The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB7th - 23rd June 2010
Bon Jovi, the band that rocked The O2 Arena on its opening night back in June 2007, return for a special two-week summer residency at the world's official busiest live music venue. Renowned for their early classics, such as signature song Livin' on a Prayer and the catchy rock ballad Always, it's easy to forget that Bon Jovi are still around and churning out new material. Last November, the veteran four piece released their 11th studio album, The Circle, which according to The Guardian "has enough foot-stomping moments to fuel the next few world tours". With 2,600 concerts to their name over the last 26 years, there's no doubting that Jon Bon Jovi and his troupe of fellow hair-rockers are masters of their trade, so sit back and enjoy an American institution purring in action.
Trooping the Colour
Horse Guards Parade, SW1A 2AX12th June 2010
To mark the second of the Queen's two birthdays (this is the official one, her actual birthday is on 21st April), Trooping the Colour presents a vibrant display of ceremony and military history. It's a spectacular piece of pageantry but also a timely reminder of the role of the armed forces who are - in theory at least - under the Queen's control. Hundreds of well-disciplined soldiers in full dress uniform march past at the Horse Guards Parade, and a different Battalion gives the Royal Salute each year, all accompanied by stirring military music from the massed bands. If you want to avoid the crush you can see the Horse Guards practicing for the grand parade at two smaller rehearsals in the days leading up to the grand event - namely the Major General's Review on Saturday 29th May 2010 and the Colonel's Review on Saturday 5th June 2010.
Leona Lewis
The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB12th & 14th, 16th & 18th June 2010
The girl's done good. Never has there been a more apt candidate for this expression than Leona Lewis. Plucked from obscurity on her way to winning series three of the X Factor in 2006, the shy, unassuming but unquestionably stunning girl from Hackney went on to top the English charts, conquer America and prove to be Simon Cowell's biggest success to date. Now, on the back of her critically acclaimed second album Echo, Leona performs four summer time gigs at The O2 Arena in front of her hoards of faithful, sometimes crazed, fans. It's hard seeing any X Factor winner ever having the same impact as Leona, who is truly one in a million. Ask her how she feels right now, she'll no doubt just smile and say she's Happy.
Meltdown Festival
Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX12th - 21st June 2010
Meltdown at the Southbank returns once again as a highlight of the summer festival season with the guitarist Richard Thompson at the helm as artistic director. Named by Rolling Stone as one of the Top 20 guitarists of all time, Thompson was a founding member of British folk-rock innovators Fairport Convention back in 1967 and went on to write and record over 400 songs in an ever-changing and innovative career. Last year, the jazz legend Ornette Coleman took the baton from Massive Attack and came up with one of the most successful Meltdowns in the unique festival's 17-year history. With 5-star reviews for Baaba Maal, Patti Smith and Coleman himself, Meltdown 2009 was hailed by The Guardian as "one of the strongest ever" and by Metro as "the shapeshifting highlight of London's summer". Each year the festival is curated by one of pop music's great innovators - which have included David Bowie, John Peel, Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker and Lee 'Scratch' Perry - and produces a wildly eclectic line-up of acts. Check www.southbankcentre.co.uk for the latest news on Thompson's line-up choices.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD14th June - 22nd August 2010
Anyone can submit to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition which gives it a wonderful element of surprise. Around 12,000 pieces are sifted through each year for the world's largest open-submission contemporary art exhibition. The 242nd Summer Exhibition continues the age-old annual Summer Exhibition tradition where recent works are crammed into the gallery, from relative unknowns to famous artists and members of the RA. You can expect a vast array of pieces hung in close proximity to squeeze in as many works of art as possible so they appear to jostle for coveted space on the prestigious gallery's walls. The fun part for visitors is choosing a favourite and, with the majority of works on sale at varying price ranges, you can even buy one if you really fall in love with it. First held in 1768, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is an impressive show that gives an excellent cross-section of contemporary art every summer. In addition to the works within the gallery, a prominent sculpture greets visitors to the exhibition as they walk through the Royal Academy's great courtyard.
Ernesto Neto
The Hayward Gallery, London, SE1 8XZ19th June - 5th September 2010
The Hayward Gallery reopens on 17th June 2010, following closure from February to May for essential repairs, with two spectacular exhibitions, Ernesto Neto and The New Deor, both part of the Southbank Centre's summertime Festival Brazil. Ernesto Neto, considered one of Brazil's leading contemporary artists, transforms the upper galleries and outdoor sculpture terraces with a new site-specific commission and a number of new sculptural works. Neto's work has been seen at the Hayward before; in 2008 he created 'Life Fog Frog', a tented Lycra structure featuring pendulous pockets of spices hanging down, part of the gallery's acclaimed Psycho Buildings exhibition. Neto has been working on similar sizeable, interactive and tactile structures since the late 1980s and in 2001, along with Vik Muniz, represented his country at the Venice Biennale. Expect a fragrant, multi-sensory experience and gauzy structures that create a comforting cocoon.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, SW19 5AE21st June - 4th July 2010
Will this be the year that Britain finally has its first Wimbledon winner since Fred Perry way back in 1936? Last year, Andy Murray made history when taking part in the first ever men's singles match to be held under the new roof in SW6, but then crashed out to Andy Roddick in the semi-final. Still, it was the furthest the Scot had ever gone in Wimbledon and if he continues his progression, then surely it is only a matter of time before Murray gets a shot at the title. Wimbledon is the most watched tennis event in the Grand Slam calendar, with a TV audience of untold millions and over half a million spectators attending the All England Club to catch the action live. Many tennis pros covet the Wimbledon crown above all others and the grass surface makes for fast, breathless duels. You're too late for the advance tickets ballot. It is, however, easy to get in to the grounds if you queue up in the morning. There are only 500 tickets for the centre courts available, so you have to turn up seriously early - or queue overnight - to be certain of getting to see the biggest matches, but in the first week the outer courts still have some of the world's greatest players and you can grab tickets for them if you arrive by about 9am.
Clothes Show London
Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, SW5 9TA25th - 27th June 2010
The Clothes Show London comes to Earls Court, following its successful return to the capital last year - the first time it had been held in London since since 1989. The largest fashion and beauty event in the world has everything the dedicated fashionista could wish for under one roof, from catwalk shows to top tips from fashion experts and the latest trend reports. There's hair and beauty advice and demos, a nail and champagne bar, clothes shopping, nutrition advice, everything a trend conscious girl could want. Last year saw Katie Price on the catwalk launching her new line of equestrian clothing, also there were Erin O'Connor - whose big break came when she was spotted by a model scout at Clothes Show Live - and Fearne Cotton, picking up the Best Dressed Woman of the Year Award. The show is a notorious hunting ground for model scouts so put your best dress on, strike a pose and who knows, in no time you could be on the cover of Vogue.
Hard Rock Calling Festival 2010: Pearl Jam
Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH25th - 27th June 2010
Grunge royalty Pearl Jam have been confirmed to headline the opening night of June's Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park. Eddie Vedder's Seattle rock veterans will pick up the baton left by The Killers and Bruce Springsteen last summer and delight the crowd with tunes from their extensive armoury, which includes brilliant break-through album Ten and latest record Backspacer. Taking place over the same weekend as Glastonbury, the three-day festival is London's equivalent to the country's favourite mud-fest, bringing tens of thousands of music lovers into one of the capital's best loved parks for three days of superb entertainment. So far, only Pearl Jam have been named in the line-up for the festival so keep checking www.hardrockcalling.co.uk for news of the weekend headliners.
Henley Royal Regatta 2010
Henley-on-Thames, London, RG9 2AQ30th June - 4th July 2010
Henley Regatta is an historic occasion, set in a riverside village that has hardly changed in the last two centuries and bringing some serious competition to the water in one of the world's most physically challenging sports. It has been running since 1839, and has grown from a local event into one of the biggest meetings in rowing, attracting crews of international quality to an array of Challenge Trophies. The draw is still conducted on a knock-out basis with only two boats racing in each heat. Nineteen events take place over the five days including six classes of races for Eights and aces for Coxless Pairs and Double Sculls. Come and admire one of the country's loveliest areas and some of the toughest sports stars in the world.
London Calendar 2010
January 2010
The New Year in London starts with a colourful parade with marching bands and open top buses making their way through the cit...
January 2010
February 2010
February - don't forget it's Valentine's Day on the 14th - but there's plenty more going on this month besides, from Six Nations r...
February 2010
March 2010
Spring officially arrives in March and the Ideal Home Show is just what you need if you want to give your home a thorough spr...
March 2010
April 2010
Easter Sunday is on 4th April this year, a month when England's most famous universities, Oxford and Cambridge, take to ...
April 2010
May 2010
We get not one but two Bank Holidays, on 3rd and 31st May, so enjoy your time off in London listening to live music at t...
May 2010
August 2010
August is the time when London's parks fill up with sunbathers, lidos come into their own, the banks of the Thames lend themselves...
August 2010
September 2010
September is back-to-school time for the kids and there's a new season to enjoy at London's performance and exhibition spaces with...
September 2010
October 2010
October and the ghouls and spooks come out for Halloween on 31st of the month. It's also the time when the annual Frieze art extra...
October 2010
November 2010
Remember, remember the 5th November when fireworks are set off across the city to celebrate Guy Fawkes' night. The pinnacle o...
November 2010
December 2010
December sees London in a festive mood as the city gears up for Christmas. From carols, concerts and Christmas lights to pantomime...
December 2010
London Hotels
From cheap budget accommodation to luxury 5 star hotels see our special offers for hotels, including Holiday Inn Express London Hammersmith from 69% off. |
 |
