It appears that Lindsay Lohan does have some acting talent: she spoke with several magazines and feigned confusion over why photographers would be so interested in following her around on her escapades in New York,LA, and her other various haunts. In an effort to avoid the press, Lohan plans to move to London where she feels people are less judgemental. She recently posted on twitter:
“Moving to the UK is in my near future - better DJs/music, and Paris is just a chunnel away!”
Today see a protest by amateur and professional photographers in London’s Trafalgar Square following rising tensions between photographers and police over the implementation of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Many photographers feel intimidated by Police as a result of actions to target possible terrorists who may be on reconnaissance missions in areas of Central London including Mayfair, Soho and St James’s and other major cities.
The protesters are echoing the views of the European Court of Human Rights who last week ruled the power to stop and search people without suspicion was indiscriminate and therefore illegal.
It is estimated up to 36,000 people were stopped under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act between April 2009 and June 2009.
John Yates, the head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, has stated that Police risk losing public confidence as a result of the tactics they are employing under the controversial law.
Lord Carlile, the government’s independent reviewer of anti-terrorist legislation has publically stated that he believes “section 44 is being used far too often on a random basis without any reasoning behind its use”.
Marc Vallee, one of the photographers behind the protest, said, “Photographers will be exercising their common law right to take a picture in a public place - and they will be doing it collectively. People are fed up about being stopped and they want to challenge a culture that sees photographers as a threat.”
New Year’s Eve in London is the biggest night of the year with millions of people flocking to the centre of the capital to enjoy the nightlife and the top night clubs hosting their most extravagant celebrity parties.
Although 2009 has been much publicised as a bad year for the economy the best London clubs are still pulling out all the stops with VIPs expected to be arriving in limousines and enjoying the events, popping Champagne bottles, as they normally would during the festive season.
These are clubs regularly frequented by A-list celebrity clubbers such as P.Diddy, JLS, Girls Aloud, Jay Z, Kate Moss and Beyonce where entry is controlled by strict guest lists and the crowd is mostly made up of elite clubbers more used to gracing the pages of Tattler than The Sun.
James WJ Wilson, Director of Forbidden London Clubs, one of the leading promotion companies in London’s club-land believes the top bars and clubs have everything to look forward to as he forecasts a great Christmas and New Year in the West End.
“London is the most fashionable city in the world and despite Gordon Brown’s best attempts to derail the economy, the nightlife – bars, night clubs and restaurants – particularly at the top end of the market, are still performing well.”
“People are perhaps not spending at the same level as they were two years ago, maybe we’ve seen the last of the bankers splurging £30,000 on bottles of Cristal Champagne for now, but overall most of our clients are wealthy and still want to enjoy themselves. In my opinion there is no better place to do that than at the best events in London which are hosted by the top clubs and promoters.”
Lord Dave West, owner of the HEYJOCLUB in St James’s is well known publicly thanks to his Cherie Blair assisted battle against the smoking ban and his penchant for bright pink suits; he echoed this view.
“I own one of the top clubs (HEYJOCLUB) and one of the best restaurants (Abracadabra Russian Restaurant) in Central London and we are finding that the high-end customers we entertain are still enjoying spending their money on fine food and fine wines”
“Many of our best clients are Russian and the government has not managed to ruin everyone’s fun yet, they’re still spending.”
With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just round the corner and most companies still planning on rewarding their staff for what could be considered a difficult year, things are looking bright for the glamorous London clubs the VIPs and celebrities love.
Albemarle Street is a street in the heart of Mayfair in Central London, off Piccadilly, just five minutes away from Green Park underground station. It was the first one way street in London, aimed at getting traffic flowing better and has historic associations with Lord Byron. Best known for its art galleries, it is a host to such well known galleries like the Albemarle Gallery, which represents contemporary paintings and sculptures from around the world, and has a tradition of supporting controversial artists and create superbly presented exhibitions. The Belgravia Gallery is here too, along with the Marleborough Fine Art Gallery.
One of the best museums in London, The Royal Institution of Great Britain, is on Albemarle Street which runs a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Club wise, one of the best karaoke bars in London is here: Cousin Jills, which offers an upmarket Mayfair setting to host events for corporate clients and celebrities.
Lovers of shopping will be pleased to find Guinot and London fashion designer Paul Smith’s stores are here, and along with the oldest jeweller in the world - Garrard & Co. Sort out your grooming dilemmas at Guinot, while the don of British fashion Paul Smith can sort out your sartorial ones at number 9.
There are some top London restaurants here too. Chor Bizarre serves top-class Indian cuisine, or go Italian at Ristorante Mosaico. There’s Japanese and Korean food here too from Sumosan and the Korean Kaya restaurants.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay as well as food, Browns Hotel is here with its in-house restaurant, The Grill. It is London’s oldest operating five-star hotel, opened in 1837 (the year Victoria ascended the throne) by the enterprising James Brown, who was once Lord Byron’s valet.
They are currently conducting a nationwide search to find 6 up-and-coming stars for our new all female band.
Prospective band members must be aged between 18 and 26 and be prepared for world domination.
Above all applicants must be dedicated to achieving success in the music industry.
Enthusiasm is vital, experience less so; practiced singing and dancing skills would be a definite advantage.
Girls sparkling with confidence, personality and star quality will be selected for the band.
If you know you have what it takes, contact Forbidden London with your name, age, height, details of previous singing/dancing experience, your contact details and two high quality, recent photos for your chance to take a shot at the big time.
This week we are focusing on Air Street in Soho which is currently being redeveloped following the closure of top London clubs Chinawhite, Dolce and Paper in January 2009.
Air Street is just off Regent Street in London’s Soho in the West End, the nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Green Park, with national rail stations Charing Cross and Victoria 13 and 25 minutes away. Car parking is available in Brewer Street NCP and Burlington Car Park.
There are some excellent London restaurants here too for lunch or dinner in London - Mar I Terra is a popular Spanish Restaurant and Bar, serving authentic tapas. It’s also great if you want to hire a restaurant for a event, such as a birthday or engagement. You’ll also find The Cocoon here, an award-winning restaurant - owned by the same company that owns Boujis - which as a fabulous menu inspired by the food halls found across Asia, specializing in Sushi and other pan-Asian menu dishes.
If you’re looking for pizza or pasta, Ask is a beautiful two floor Italian restaurant with friendly staff and a great atmosphere which is very popular as a pre-theatre or pre-clubbing stop.
Directed by Andrew Steggall of The Motion Group, the production brings together a cast of actors and celebrities fresh from box office smash hits, to enact Vivienne’s call for a more cultured society, delivered by 25 characters from literature, art and history including Pinocchio, Aristotle and Alice from Wonderland.
Prior to the performance you are invited to view a special exhibition of unforgettable art inspired by the manifesto, curated by highly acclaimed underground artist Sanja Sakic. Immediately after the performance there will be a short Q&A session with Vivienne Westwood, followed by a champagne reception and an exquisite three course dinner accompanied by live music.
Climate change futurologist James Lovelock, author of The Vanishing Face of Gaia, will also be attending to share his thoughts on what the future holds for the human race - a concern very close to Vivienne’s heart. Guests will have the opportunity to show their support for positive change by learning more about the Prince’s Rainforest Project and the COP 15 conference on climate change.
The evening will conclude with a star-studded VIP afterparty at the HEYJOCLUB in Mayfair, where Vivienne, the star of the night, will be joining us.
A once in a lifetime evening not to be missed.
VENUE: The Bloomsbury Ballroom, Bloomsbury Square, London,
WC1B 4DA
DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE / SPIFFY CASUAL
TICKET PRICE: £250 + VAT PER PERSON; TABLES £2,050 + VAT (10 PEOPLE)INCLUDES ART EXHIBITION, PERFORMANCE, CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION, THREE COURSE DINNER AND FINE WINESPRIVATE TABLES AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES OF EIGHT OR MORE
Active Resistance Art Exhibition Tickets - £10 + VAT PER PERSON
Active Resistance Art Exhibition and Performance Tickets - £60 + VAT PER PERSON
Active Resistance VIP After-party Tickets - £30 + VAT PER PERSON
Not sure where to begin with your Christmas shopping? Well put a date in your diary! On Thursday, 19th November there will be a Christmas Extravaganza on Old Bond Street and New Bond Street in London’s West End from 5pm to 8pm.
In the Mayfair based Snowy Winter Wonderland, not only will all the high-end shops be open - but there will be celebrities switching on the Bond Street Christmas lights, reindeer, Father Christmas, carol singers and much more besides.
The nearest tube stations to Bond Street (both new and old) are Green Park, Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
Peter Andre let his hair down on Tuesday night enjoying the famous London nightlife when he went for dinner at a London restaurant, with pals Chantelle Houghton and pregnant Nicola McLean, before visiting the Funky Buddha Club in Mayfair.
Former Celebrity Big Brother winner, model and Paris Hilton lookalike Chantelle particularly seemed to be enjoying herself and was captured by a London photographer laughing loudly at recently single Peter Andre’s jokes - what a mysterious girl?!
Coleen Rooney, wife of Premiership and England footballer Wayne Rooney, gave birth to a baby boy who was named Kai Wayne Rooney at 2:30pm on Wednesday.
The part-time television presenter and WAG’s son was born in Liverpool - the English city where she grew up - at an NHS hospital.
A spokesperson for the celebrity gossipmagazine headline grabbing couple said: “Mother and baby are both absolutely fine. Wayne and Coleen are thrilled with the wonderful addition to their family life.”
It has been widely reported in the London papers that Wayne Rooney plans to have his son Kai’s name tattooed on him - a trend amongst celebrities.
Bookies have already offered odds on whether Kai will follow in his father’s footsteps and make the Championship League but so far the best offer is 66-1. No doubt odds would be shorter if it was a question of playing the London club scene like Calum Best the son of a fellow Manchester United legend!
