THE LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE
1st June 2019 - 30th June 2019
 
The London Festival of Architecture takes place across London this June. This years theme is Boundaries. 'To live in a city is to be surrounded by boundaries: borders, fences, walls, zones and city limits. Boundaries make us comfortable, they define us'. With an amazing programme of events and activities, to include tours, such as walking the Roman wall (London's first boundary), architectural installations, stunning brick creations, workshops, debates, artistic commissions and lots of new construction, centred around this theme, the metaphorical, physical and literal connotations of 'boundary' will be explored through architecture and its multitude of forms across the capital. Entry is free for many events, but please check the website for details.
 


Various locations across London
www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org




WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE
8th June 2019 

The 16th annual WNBR London Naked Bike ride, will be taking place once again on the streets of London this month. With an objective of raising awareness to the vulnerability of cyclists on the road, and protesting against the global dependency on oil, whilst simultaneously promoting the environmental, social and health benefits of cycling, this event is also a celebration of the naked body. Riders all go nude, or partially clothed, providing a light hearted carnival atmosphere to an event dealing with fundamentally serious issues. The route has six different start points all over London, merging from Westminster Bridge for the final section. This event is free to watch, and if you wish to partake, tickets are available from the website. 



Various locations around London.
www.wnbr.london

TROOPING THE COLOUR
8th June 2019 
 
Although born in April, Queen Elizabeth ll will celebrate her official birthday on 8th June with one of the most opulent and elaborate ceremonies in the Royal Calendar. The Queen's Parade, also known as Trooping The Colour, is a large scale display of pageantry, pomp and circumstance, which sees the Queen's personal troops, The Household Division, marching at Horseguards parade in central London, with the Queen attending, inspecting her troops and taking the salute. In the past, flags, or 'colours' were used as a method of identification for different regiments of the British Army during conflicts. Soldiers would have to learn which colours belonged to their regiment, so they were regularly marched or trooped. this has morphed over time into the annual Trooping the Colour, and has become associated with the monarch's birthday since the reign of King George ll (1727-1760). His birthday was actually in November, but instead of risking his soldiers catching a cold during a birthday parade, and in order to also allow his citizens to celebrate outdoors, he combined his birthday with the annual Trooping the Colour Parade. the two have been celebrated together ever since. There is ticket availability, but it is advised to buy in advance online to avoid disappointment. Please also cheque all routes of transport on the day for closures or disruptions. 



Various locations around London
www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk




MANOLO BLAHNIK AT THE WALLACE COLLECTION.
10th June 2019 - 1st September 2019

Shoe guru, Manolo Bahnik and the Wallace Collection, have partnered on an unmissable exhibition which opens this month. Co-curated by Wallace Collection director Dr Xavier Bray alongside Manolo Blahnik himself, the exhibition features an array of the Spanish designer's greatest designs, which will go on display amongst the masterpieces of the Wallace Collection. Blahnik, who personally selected shoes from his private archives, has long been inspired by the Collection, and has often used it as a point of reference for his shoe designs. Each room explores a theme associated with Blahnik's work, from Theatre and Spectacle to Rococo, and the array of footwear includes pretty pastel coloured shoes from the film Marie Antoinette, to jewel encrusted stilettos inspired by the delicately painted miniatures of the Collection's Boudoir cabinet. This beautiful exhibition set in one of Londons most under rated museums is not to be missed.  Tickets are free. 
 

Hertford House, Manchester Square London W1U 3BN
www.wallacecollection.org
 



ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION
10th June 2019 - 12th August 2019 
 
The Royal Academy's annual Summer Exhibition has been a highlight of summer in London, since 1769. Every year, the Royal Academy committee select a different individual to curate the exhibition; this year taking the helm, is British artist Jock McFadyen. Artwork is submitted by professional and amateur artists, Royal Academicians, household names and emerging talent. These works, many of which are seen for the first time, include prints, paintings, film, photography, sculpture and architectural works. Every year, approximately 12,000 submissions are made, with around 1,200 being displayed. All the art is also available for sale. The Summer Exhibition is now considered the largest open submission art show in the world. Outside the galleries, Thomas Houseago takes over the main courtyard with a group of large scale sculptures, and spilling into nearby Bond Street with a colourful installation of flags is the work of Michael Craig-Martin. There is ticket availability, but it is advised to book in advance online to avoid disappointment.
 


Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0BD
www.vam.ac.uk

TWO NEW EXHIBITIONS AT KENSINGTON PALACE.
VICTORIA: WOMAN AND CROWN
VICTORIA: A ROYAL CHILDHOOD
24th May 2019 - 13th October 2019
 
Two revealing new exhibitions have opened to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace. Victoria: Woman and Crown, explores the private life of the Queen behind her carefully managed public image. Investigating how she balanced her role as a wife and mother, with that of the Queen of an expanding empire, the exhibition includes rare items of clothing from her private wardrobe. The display also looks at her complex affair with India, including the story of the Koh-i-noor diamond and her personal diaries written in Urdu.
The second exhibition Victoria: A Royal Childhood, looks at how an indulged young princess blossomed into one of the most iconic monarchs of British history. Displaying objects from Victoria's early years, including a scrapbook of mementos created by her beloved governess, Baroness Lehzen; this exhibition is set in the rooms where Victoria was born, grew up and experienced her first moments as Queen. Visitors can walk the very corridors where the young Queen Victoria escaped her strict education and family power struggles to become the first female head of state in more than 120 years. There is ticket availability, but it is advised to book in advance online to avoid disappointment. (both exhibitions are included in palace admission)



Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
www.hrp.org.uk




MASTERPIECE LONDON
27th June 2019 - 3rd July 2019

Masterpiece London, is the must attend event of the capital's art season. Housed in a purpose built temporary structure within the grounds of Chelsea's Royal Hospital, this annual event has established itself as the world's leading cross-collecting fair, offering the finest works of art, design, furniture and jewellery from antiquity to the present day. This unmissable event which takes place at the height of the capital's summer season is as much a social event as a cultural one. With a gala opening evening to which all of London's top society is present, and luxury restaurants providing fine dining all week, this is the centrepiece of a month of cultural experiences set in the heart of London. There is very limited ticket availability, so it is strongly advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment. 
 


South Grounds, The Royal Hospital, London, SW3 4LW
www.masterpiecefair.com




ONE TO WATCH: ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
CINDERELLA IN-THE-ROUND
6th June 2019 - 16th June 2019

Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon presents an inventive restaging of the famous fairytale with this sparkling production in-the-round. The classic fairy tale becomes a truly spectacular ballet at the Royal Albert Hall, with the English National Ballet's biggest production to date. Combining magnificent sets and costumes, surprising theatrical tricks and lively choreography, Cinderella is set to delight, move and astound. Enter an enchanting kingdom where forest creatures live alongside princes, a grown tree which appears to dance in the wind, and a little touch of magic which helps get Cinderella to the ball. With over 130 dancers working on the production, a live orchestra playing the melodious tunes of Prokofiev's sublime score and plenty of surprises, this ballet must not be missed. There is limited ticket availability, and tickets are highly sought after, so it is strongly advised to book in advance online. There are also returns daily on the door. 



Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
www.ballet.org.uk