THE GENERAL

Last Friday, our last night in Scotland, we went to Glasgow’s old City Hall, built in 1841, to watch two Buster Keaton silent films  accompanied by BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on its UK Première.

First film was a Buster Keaton short comedy, One Week (1920) and the second one was a Keaton classic, The General (1926) inspired by American Civil War and the railways.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by American Timothy Brock who is also the composer of the musics, was brilliant.  The harmony of the music with films was perfect. Watching two classics of silent cinema with such a great music was a big pleasure.

After the concert, finding a nice place with a working kitchen at 23.00 in Merchant City, Exchange Square and having a relax dinner with couple of glasses of wine was the last nice little touch of the evening.

Oh, sorry, the last little touch of the night was taking these photos in front of an old train photo in our hotel, Grand Central Hotel which is an old train station hotel dating back to 1883 and designed by Scottish architect Robert Rowand Anderson. 

EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

Since two weeks we were away and had a little road trip around our little kingdom. We visited nice places, enjoyed the incredible sun and joined some cultural events.

When we were in Edinburgh, in this beautiful Scottish city, we were lucky to find tickets to two concerts in Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival. First one was Mike Hart All Star Band playing classic hot jazz from the 20’s and 30’s. It was a beautiful night.

After this American jazz band, the next night, we choosed Scotland’s leading jazz repertory band, Ken Mathieson Classic Jazz Orchestra with a guest from New Orleans, clarinettist Evan Christopher who joined them for this concert.

The second concert was the icing on the cake for us in our last night in Edinburgh. We loved them, we didn’t want the concert finish and it was a perfect way to say to Edinburgh “See you next time!”. 

QUIMERAS BY PACO PEÑA

Last time we have been in a Paco Peña concert was years ago, in Istanbul. When we heard that Peña’s flamenco project Quimeras comes to a theatre near to us, we were very excited to hear his guitar again.

Yesterday evening we were in Sadler’s Wells Theatre for Quimeras performed by Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company. Quimeras is an art project about Spain, flamenco, Africa, immigrants from Africa to Spain.

The performance was exquisite, the way they combined the flamenco music and dance with African music and dance was fascinating. It was a big pleasure to hear again the big flamenco master’s guitar. All musicians and dancers were superb but specially dancers Ángel Muñoz and Charo Espino were amazing.

If you are around London in these days, just go! Go and enjoy! 

SANTACON 2012

This year’s Santacon was less joyful compairing the last year’s but the thing which was not missing certainly was the originality. This year there were some new Santas in the town. 

The Beach Santas...  

Santas throwing Brussel sprouts to Elfs...

Pink baloon Santas...

Some holy personages visiting Santas...

Cool Santas...

Stylish Santas...

And some examples of this year’s Miss. Santa creations...  

LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

This year is the big event’s year in London. After The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June, today is starting the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Olympic spirit is all over the city. Even the London’s double decker buses are training for the competitions. Support your team and enjoy! Happy Olympics!

THE WORLD’S FIRST PHOTOBOOTH FESTIVAL

London’s calendary has always some strange activities. This morning we walked through Columbia Road for joining the world’s first photobooth festival in Ezra Street no:7. It was a very funny experience finding different kind of photoboots in one place including the favor of accessories. 

So we dived to deep waters with the sharks... 

We singed on a 80’s disco...

We felt the british spirit covered by Union Jack...

We traveled in the time machine...

We posed to Andy Warhol...

We had some serious time also...

LONDON ART FAIR 2012

Today, after a good breakfast at home, we visited the London Art Fair. After a five minutes walk from home, it was a nice no rush few hours visit. Lots of lovely art pieces (some were not so our taste) by 120 art galleries.

London Art Fair is open between 18-22 January at Business Design Centre in Islington. 

SANTAS ARE EVERYWHERE: SANTACON 2011

Last weekend we had our first flashmob event Santacon aaand it was wonderful!

Hundreds of Santa came from different directions and met in Trafalgar Square.

Santa’s drinking, dancing with the music, throwing candys and Brussel sprouts to each other, laughing and having fun.

Santas here, Santas there, Santas are everywhere!

They have style...

Santa's rugby team...

Santa is in the detail...

Tired Santa’s having a sun bath in sunny (ho ho ho) London...