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London’s Studio 338 Launches Eco-Conscious Clubbing Initiative

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One of London’s largest clubs, the 3,000 capacity Studio 338, has announced it will be implementing an array of different measures that aim to vastly reduce its environmental impact, including donating profits and encouraging artists to donate a percentage of their fees to the conservation charity Rainforest Trust UK.

The south east London venue will also be commissioning a huge ‘Tree of Life’ installation in the garden using reclaimed materials. Partygoers can then donate towards the tree which helps to place existing areas of rainforest under permanent protection via Rainforest Trust UK. 

On top of this, Music and Events Director Dan Perrin says they also have a plan to remove all single-use plastics, non-biodegradable and environmentally harmful materials from the group’s venues where possible and are consulting with environmental specialists to improve their overall footprint.

Dan says: 

We are creating a movement aimed at leading the way for sustainable clubbing, kicking off in Studio 338 with a view to starting a wave of change reaching far beyond London. We’re in the midst of a climate emergency. We all need to offset the detrimental effect of events and parties and our activities on the environment.”

‘The electronic music community has the potential to make a real impact if we can work together to change our behaviours and reduce our ecological footprints that are destroying the planet.’ 

Dan admitted: ‘Running events takes a lot of energy. From DJs and artist flights, to ground transport to lights and sound. We are conscious that we are leading the next generation in event standards and we feel it would be a good example to the rest of the events industry if we stop to take action to change our impact on the environment.’

‘It’s actually incredibly difficult for businesses to make that switch to greener energy as its not widely available outside of domestic supply. The government could be doing a lot more to make it more accessible and incentivise its use for businesses.’

Studio 338 pledges by their opening event of 2020 to:

  • Ban all single use plastics from the venue
  • Switch as much of their energy as is currently possible to renewable sources
  • Ban all environmentally damaging cleaning and chemical products from the venue wherever it is currently possible
  • Ban products containing palm oil from the venue
  • From February they will section off 1% of all products from the venue for the #treetree8 fund. This money will go to the Rainforest Trust UK
  • They will also be asking their partner brands, DJs and promoters to donate 1% of their fees to the fund as well.
  • They will also be building a ‘tree of life’ in their Garden area where patrons can donate any small change they might have towards the fund. Ban all single use plastics from the venue
  • They will send out a monthly newsletter on our efforts and progress which will also contain advice for how partygoers can make change in their own lives to help the planet recover.Ban all single use plastics from the venue
  • Rainforest Trust UK is a British conservation charity working in partnership with Rainforest Trust in the U.S. to protect threatened rainforests and other tropical ecosystems. In the wake of the devastating fires in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the world, it is now even more vital to provide long-term protection for the planet’s remaining rainforests, as they play a vital role in the fight against climate change and are home to 50% of the world’s species. Ban all single use plastics from the venue

For further information or to check out the next events from London Studio 338 visit their website www.studio338.co.uk

New Shoreditch float centre set to revive body and mind

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Looking to float away the weeks worries or take some time out to relax and contemplate? The brand new float centre has now opened on Old Street, Shoreditch, East London.

For those who haven’t tried floatation therapy it involves letting your body float in a pod of body-temperature saline water with no interruptions from external light or sound. This has been shown to help reduce levels of stress hormones while boosting the feel-good hormones such as dopamine and endorphins associated with improving sleep, relaxation, pain relief and fast recovery from illness.

Company founder Tom Euinton, said, “After struggling with sleep apnea and insomnia for a long time, I received profound rest from floating that helped provide the deep recovery I wasn’t getting from sleep. Up to 50% of people in the UK suffer from insomnia at least once a week, and it has since been my aim to bring the best floatation therapy and support to those struggling with these conditions”.

The spacious pods at Float Hub are state of the art to provide the most immersive experience. Featuring 100% filtered saline solution, as well as blue light programming which mimics sunrise and sunset conditions, they promise to provide the best float therapy in London. As part of its holistic offering, Float Hub works in conjunction with sleep expert Dave Gibson to provide free consultations and create bespoke sleep programmes that improve sleep hygiene and well-being.

floathub.co.uk

Turtle Bay and British Virgin Islands launch competition with more than a thousand prizes up for grabs including a luxury trip to the Caribbean

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Caribbean restaurant, Turtle Bay, has partnered with British Virgin Islands Tourist Board to offer one lucky winner the ultimate Caribbean experience to the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Each week until January 2020, one hundred prizes will be up for grabs at Turtle Bay restaurants across the UK, including a once in a lifetime holiday for two, sailing with Dream Yacht Charter around the islands of the BVI for seven nights, including round trip flights from London Gatwick, full board meals and five-star accommodation.

To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is pop in to your nearest Turtle Bay, enjoy the best Caribbean cuisine on the block, and you will be given a special competition card containing a unique code to unlock an online competition entry page https://www.turtlebay.co.uk/win*.

The grand prize draw will take place in January, but not to worry, whilst you wait to find out if you’re heading to one of the world’s most sought after destinations, Turtle Bay will be selecting an additional one hundred winners each week and treating them to Caribbean-inspired giveaways.

Bottles of rum, BVI GIN, complimentary meals, cocktails and huge discounts vouchers are just some of the incredible prizes up for grabs, not to mention the ultimate prize to experience stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a taste of the best life.

*To enter visit your nearest Turtle Bay. Every time you visit you’ll get a feel-good entry code to use online to enter the competition. Visit https://www.turtlebay.co.uk/win for full competition instructions and terms and conditions.

JFOODO Japanese Sake Pop Up to Launch in London Throughout October in Celebration of World Sake Day

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The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (hereafter JFOODO) is delighted to announce an exciting London pop-up celebrating Sake & Seafood in October. World Sake Day on the 1st October announces the start of this exciting month of Sake. Starting from October 24th for an exclusive 3 days, JFOODO are collaborating with London’s iconic seafood restaurant, The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen. Taking place in POPUP restaurant “Restaurant Paired”, in Shoreditch, JFOODO and The Oystermen will celebrate Japanese Sake as the best alcoholic beverage to enhance the taste of seafood by offering a new pairing menu.

JFOODO hopes to break the stereotype “seafood goes well with white wine” and instead wants to encourage the pairing of Japanese sake with seafood instead. Sake is both a beverage and an expression of Japanese identity. It embodies craftsmanship, innovation and versatility.

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Escape the Ordinary

Through their three-day POPUP, JFOODO in collaboration with The Oystermen is proud to offer visitors the chance to ‘Escape the Ordinary’ through the ‘fresh harmony of Seafood and Sake’. Throughout the three day pop up, Japanese Sake Sommelier and Sake Expert will be inviting the public to experience a selection of authentic Japanese sakes alongside an expertly paired seafood tasting menu. This pop-up will also offer the opportunity to learn the etiquette and history behind sake tasting.

World Sake Day

World Sake Day or “Nihonshu no Hi” is a significant day on the Japanese calendar. The celebrations are held annually on 1 October as the beginning of the 10th month signifies sake’s ‘New Year’s Day.’ This tradition started in 1978 and has become a day that Japanese people look forward to because it not only recognises sake and its contributions to Japanese culture but commemorates its history and numerous skilled brewers. World Sake Day was declared and recognised by the Japan Sake Brewers Association.

For further information visit – foodandsake.com

For bookings visit: oystermen.co.uk/book-now/

Event details – 24th-26th October, 46 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3EP

New General Manager Announced at JA Manafaru Maldives

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JA Resorts & Hotels recently announced the appointment of Scottish National, Karen Merrick to take over the operation of multi award-winning JA Manafaru, the private island resort in the Maldives. Karen is the second female General Manager in the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio of 8 properties, and currently one of few female General Manager in the Maldives. She joins the JA Manafaru team to maintain the islands longstanding popularity with international guests and to communicate the unique soul of the island with her innate understanding of Maldivian culture and heritage.

Karen’s career spans 30 years across a variety of boutique hotels in the Indian Ocean and Europe. This will be Karen’s fifth leadership role in the Maldives, as she has a personal connection to the area with a home on Addu island with her Maldivian husband, Alim. Prior to joining JA Resorts & Hotels, Karen has spent the last three years running the Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia. with her previous tenures being The Taaras Resort & Spa in Malaysia, Kemang Icon by Alila in Indonesia, Soneva Fushi Resort & Residences, Diva/White Sands Resort & Spa and The Rania Experience – all based in the Maldives and Ackergill Tower, Scotland.

Karen will be leading a team of 350 associates in the idyllic 5-star luxury island resort. Fringed with exquisite powder beaches in pristine, lagoon ringed Haa Alifu Atoll, at the northern tip of the Maldives, the chic tropical hideaway features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and bungalows, each with their own private plunge pool. Seven scenic dining destinations provide a culinary journey with traditional Indian Ocean cuisine, international fare and seafood feasts. China’s most renowned chef, Da Dong, brings his Michelin acclaim to White Orchid Asian restaurant with a collaborative menu launched in 2019. World-class recreational facilities include Calm Spa, a fully equipped dive, water sports and excursion centre, plus a Marine Research Centre to conserve local ecology.  

JA Manafaru is one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after holiday destinations and a popular choice for both couples and families. ‘Legend’ hotels by Preferred Hotels & Resorts are the ultimate collection of extraordinary properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations and JA Manafaru is the only property selected in the Maldives. At the 2019 World Travel Awards, it was named as ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2019’, the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite 2019’ and ‘Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite 2019’. With a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor, JA Manafaru was also selected for a Travellers Choice Award in 2019. Karen’s aim is to bring the Maldivian culture to life on the island and ensure that guests experience both seamless 5-star service whilst also enjoying the freedom to roam as an explorer on the raw, remote beauty of the islands.

jaresortshotels.com

Award-winning gardener gets set to showcase glorious autumn at stately home

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ONE of the most spectacular seasons of the year is just around the corner and soon the gardens and grounds of Holker Hall will be enveloped in the golden canvas of autumn.

Now, visitors can soak up the glorious colour surrounding the Grade II-listed home with a special tour and afternoon tea event with head gardener Glyn Sherratt.

Taking place on Wednesday, October 16, it will see those taking part enjoy a fascinating, fact-packed guided walk around the award-winning gardens from 2pm.

Afterwards, the tour will retreat to the Ilex Brasserie for a tasty, home-produced afternoon tea.

Glyn, who trained at the renowned Kew Gardens in London, said: “The gardens are always changing so there’s something new to see throughout the year.

“The light is very different in the autumn. Seeing the hall bathed in golden sunshine is a very special sight.

People often think of spring or summer as the perfect months to visit a garden,” he added.

“But autumn, when the leaves begin to show a pallette of yellows, oranges and reds, really is a time to be savoured.”

Tickets for the autumn tour cost £25 per person and can be booked in advance by calling 015395 58328.

Jazz East – East London’s Innovative Community Jazz Fest Launches

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Not-for-profit East London jazz promotion agency, the London East Jazz Network headed up by social entrepreneur Mark Kass, has announced the final line-up for Jazz East, its inaugural one-day indoor jazz festival on 5th October 2019 at the LEYTONSTONE BALLROOM, Leytonstone, East London in Waltham Forest, London’s official Borough of Culture for 2019

BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2018’s Xhosa Cole and his Quintet, fellow youthful BBC jazz champ Rob Luft and the UK’s answer to Snarky Puppy, Fat Suit lead the line up along with Tomorrow’s Warriors Female Frontline led by Alexsandra Topczewska, Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s faves Wild Card and local East London bass man Dave Manington bringing a young but experienced and varied bill of jazz to what is fast becoming one of London’s buzzing live music Quarters.

The Leytonstone Ballroom is an exciting new venue upstairs at infamous Red Lion Pub in Leytonstone High Road and Jazz East spreads itself across the whole venue with the ticketed Main Event upstairs from 1pm to Midnight and a Community Free Stage downstairs in the pub between Midday and 6pm

“Jazz is all about the four I’s – Innovation, Improvisation, Interpretation and Integration and this absolutely fits what’s happening out here in the Far East of London” says Kass.

“Launching JazzEast is an opportunity to change perceptions of jazz and we’ll be hosting a great mix of jazz in all its forms showcasing local and UK wide musicians and strengthening the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s phenomenal jazz cultural heritage”.

Fat Suit are launching their exciting new album, Dee Byrne is launching her exciting new Jazz Saxtronica solo project and newbies The Sonus Jazz Collective will be making their festival debut with some new tunes penned specifically for Jazz East!” says Kass excitedly.

“I’m really excited that we’ve secured the Community Free Stage downstairs in the Red Lion as a warm-up to the main event upstairs” exclaims Mark. “Five local bands with locally based professional jazz musicians will perform a really diverse range of music on the Free Stage reflecting some of the neighbourhoods from across this exciting part of London….what we like to The Right Side of London…. which it literally is!”

Alongside the music, The London East Jazz Network are offering a free, community development programme that spreads the jazz culture deeper into music education, volunteering, entrepreneurship and music industry experientials for young people seeking career experience opportunities. Beneficiaries will be working with local musicians, composers, performers, event managers and venue owners to demonstrate how jazz music can and does influence and shape neighbourhoods, crosses diversity boundaries and creates new and exciting audiences for the genre.

Waltham Forest’s cultural Jazz heritage is highlighted with the Borough being former home to Sir John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Shepherd, Freddy Randall and others which continues today as current home to many other top local musicians and groups including the effervescent E17 Jazz Collective featuring Dave Manington, Tori Freestone and Josephine Davies and many others.

www.londoneastjazznetwork.org.uk

Underground cocktail bar and all-day dining spot to be the perfect escape from the city that never stops

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This autumn, pub and bar group Fuller’s is opening a brand-new, all-day dining restaurant and bar, presenting the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of London, without leaving. 

Located just a stone’s throw away from Tower Hill tube station, The Chamberlain is set to be one of the City’s hottest bars and eateries, serving fantastic food and classy cocktails non-stop. 

Inside the Chamberlain, guests will discover a modern lounge bar, restaurant, an underground cocktail bar and a comfy co-working space, all in one place. Whether it’s to fill an empty stomach, quench the thirst, smash that deadline for work, or even enjoy a basement boogie, this all-inclusive venue has space for everyone – local foodies, City professionals, or those from further afield.

For those seeking a unique drinking experience

Hidden beneath The Chamberlain, visitors can discover an exclusive, low-lit basement bar – The Chambers. With a subtly spirited ambience, this is the perfect space to enjoy cocktails, nibbles, music and dancing. The Chambers presents an eclectic mix of innovative cocktails, named after some of London’s favourite Underground stations, such as Old Street, Leicester Square and even Gants Hill. All the cocktails are designed in relation to the history, location or identity of the eponymous tube station.

Guests who are feeling peckish after a few cocktails can indulge in a wide selection of sweet and savoury snacks, such as Miniature Bakewell Tarts or Duck Leg or Sweet Potato Croquettes.

The Chambers, open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm until late, holds up to 130 people and is available for private hire, including birthdays, Christmas parties, and wedding receptions. 

For those seeking gastronomical delights

With a globally-inspired menu, guests will have a range of meal choices from breakfast through to brunch, lunch and dinner, as The Chamberlain takes on a progressive and casual all-day dining approach. Breakfast will start at 7am through to 12pm, with lunch available from 12pm to 5pm and dinner from 5pm to 10pm.

All dishes at The Chamberlain are freshly prepared by the team of talented chefs who cook all dishes from scratch with passion and care using an abundance of fresh, locally-sourced produce. The menu evolves seasonally and the specials change daily, so that foodies can experience an array of delicious dishes, full of flavour from around the world, including British, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Food includes everything from sweet and savoury home-made waffles, topped with either ice cream or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Today’s foodies are waffle-obsessed and The Chamberlain’s scrumptious waffles are a great alternative to a sandwich and also makes a perfect breakfast or lunch. The well-loved classic dishes, such as battered cod and chunky chips will be served all day, along with plenty of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.

For those seeking a relaxed co-working space

The lounge bar, which also caters to those seeking an open and relaxed workspace, will offer a wide range of well-crafted beers and fine wines, and serves up a hearty brunch menu. 

The Chambers by night, and meeting room by day – as one of the City’s most flexible function spaces, The Chambers can also be transformed into a contemporary meeting or workshop space. There is even a separate room for smaller meetings (up to 12 people) which comes fully equipped with air con, WiFi, a screen and projector.

Ed Labaronnie, General Manager of The Chamberlain comments on the opening: “We are extremely excited to open our brand-new restaurant and bar, welcoming everyone far and wide. Whether you’re a born and bred Londoner or just visiting the City, our aim was to create a comfortable, multi-functional space to accommodate different types of customers and their diverse needs. Whatever your reason for visiting The Chamberlain, we guarantee to deliver a top-class service and fantastic experience. 

“With so much choice in London, we understand that people are looking for more in terms of food, service and experience – they are seeking places which offer a more holistic experience rather than being limited to just a simple dinner menu in the evening. And this is exactly what we have been working hard to achieve with The Chamberlain.”

The Chamberlain is set to officially open on Monday 30 September 2019.

London Mural Festival – 2020

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The first ever London Mural Festival (LMF) will take place across London in September 2020. The festival sets out to use London as a vast canvas, painting a minimum of 20 new large-scale murals across the city, accompanied by a weekend of activity at Here East and Hackney Wick in East London. The weekend will celebrate creative communities across the city, whilst introducing a new way for people to experience one of the world’s biggest art movements.

Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners commented “Culture and the arts are synonymous with London and it’s the number one reason that visitors come here. The London Mural Festival is a fantastic innovative addition to our cultural landscape and really puts London in the spotlight as a dynamic and creative city.”

To mark the announcement and to demonstrate the ambition for London Mural Festival, a new 350m squared mural was unveiled at Linkcity’s Hallsville Quarter in Canning Town, creating one of the largest murals in the city. The artwork created by artist Gary Stranger entitled ‘From The Ground Up’ embodies the ethos behind the London Mural Festival, the do-it-yourself spirit within street art culture and development in the local area.

Gary Stranger commented “I’m excited for the London Mural Festival. The team behind it are working hard to make it happen, so now London can take its rightful place on the stage of global mural festivals. This is the first wall of many I’m hoping to see pop-up across the city ahead of the London Mural Festival in September 2020.”  

The London Mural Festival will feature a two-week programme of activities starting on 1st September that will include talks, workshops, film screenings, gallery shows, street art tours – culminating with 100+ artists painting alongside live music, DJ’s and a series of parties for a weekend of activity on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of September.

The festival will showcase art from local, national and international talent. Confirmed artists include Ben Eine, Camille Walala, Dale Grimshaw, Fanakapan, Gary Stranger, Mr. Doodle, Mr. Cenz, Pref and Seb Lester, with a whole host of artists to be announced over the coming months. Applications for artists will open in 2020 but interested participants are urged to sign-up to the newsletter on www.londonmuralfestival.com to be the first to know when the application process opens.

Lee Bofkin, CEO and Co-Founder of Global Street Art, the organisation behind the London Mural Festival commented “Over the last 50 years graffiti and street art has matured as an art-form and subculture, giving rise to a major global mural movement. Mural festivals have been established in major cities around the world, but not London. Until now.”

London Mural Festival is also working with a diverse range of partners to make the festival a reality.

Global Street Art’s Woody Anderson, who conceived the London Mural Festival, says “We’re super excited that the inaugural London Mural Festival is finally happening. Here East and Hackney Wick are natural locations for our first festival considering the creative communities that reside there. We’ve already had a great response from the local artists and businesses, and we’re interested in speaking to anyone who’d like to get involved.”

Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East says “Hackney Wick is home to one of the most thriving and innovative artistic communities in the world and at Here East we are thrilled to be part of the London Mural Festival and help curate an inspiring and exciting event. Supporting artists and creatives is what we are all about and I look forward to welcoming the artist community to the campus.”

londonmuralfestival.com