Events at the Whitechapel Gallery this March -

Talks & Events  March at the Whitechapel Gallery Judge Smith (pictured left) with Van der Graaf Generator. Photo: Dunstan Pereira Don't Miss A discussion on the music, art and the Kibbo Kift Kindred, the subject of our current archive exhibition with musician Judge Smith and curator Annebella Pollen. The Whitechapel Gallery launches a new publication dedicated to Andy Warhol with art critic and writer Gilda Williams, and we discover the rarely seen drawings of New York-based artist Anthony McCall.

Talks & Tours

Talk Exhibition Histories: Lubaina Himid Thu 3 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs Artist Lubaina Himid discusses three seminal exhibitions she curated in the 1980s introducing a radical generation of young Black and Asian women artists to the British art scene, challenging their previous invisibility. With curator Paul Goodwin. Book Now   Curator's Tour Electronic Superhighway (2016-1966) Thu 10 Mar, 6.30pm, Free Join curator Séamus McCormack on a guided tour of the Whitechapel Gallery's current major exhibition Electronic Superhighway (2016-1966) and discover its key themes and works. Admission to the tour is free with exhibition entry. Book Now Talk The Craft of the Woods: Inspired by Kibbo Kift Thu 10 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs An evening of music and conversation exploring artistic responses to the Kibbo Kift. With Annebella Pollen, co-curator of the current archive exhibition, and musician Judge Smith, co-writer of a musical inspired by the group. Book Now Artist Talk Drawing and thinking: Anthony McCall Thu 10 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs Looking back over 40 years, New York based artist Anthony McCall is joined in conversation by artists Graham Ellardand Stephen Johnstone to discuss the important role of drawing in his practice.Book Now Audio Description Workshop - Electronic Superhighway 2016-1966  Thu 10 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs An audio description workshop with tactile images focusing on Electronic Superhighway 2016-1966. This event has been devised for blind and partially sighted visitors. To book a place contact: AudioDescription@whitechapelgallery.org in advance of your visit. Book Launches ON&BY: Andy Warhol Gilda Williams on Andy Warhol  Thu 17 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs Author of the bestseller How to Write About Contemporary Art, Gilda Williams discusses her new book ON&BY Andy Warhol. The event launches the latest in the ON&BY book series, a compilation of writings by and on the most significant artists in contemporary culture. Book Now Documents of Contemporary Art David J Getsy: Queer Thu 24 Mar, 7pm | £9.50/£7.50 concs Launching Queer, from the Documents of Contemporary Art book series, this conversation takes the perspective of the artist to explore how queerness has impacted on and informed the art world – from artistic practice to critical discourse. With David J Getsy, Emily Roysdonand Prem Sahib. Book Now Courses Inside the Gallery: How to Publish an exhibition catalogue Sat 5 Mar, 10am – 5pm |  £195/£150 concs Lunch and refreshments provided This step-by-step course is a guide to every aspect of book publication. The session will cover - the place of the book; planning a publication; processes and considerations; image copyright; production and print; and logistics of book sales and distribution. Book Now

Flying Scotsman in full flight after engine refit

One of the world's most famous locomotives has set off on a journey from London King's Cross to its new home in York.

The engine, which was retired from service in 1963, has been restored in a decade-long, £4.2m refit.

London City Airport bought for £2bn by Canadian-led group

London City Airport has been bought by a consortium led by a major Canadian pension fund.

The price paid has not been disclosed, but the airport's value has been put at about £2bn.

City Airport, which is near Canary Wharf in London's Docklands, is popular with bankers and City professionals because of its proximity and its small size.

Last year, a record 4.3 million passengers used the airport.

The deal involves Alberta Investment Management Corporation, and investment funds the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Wren House, part of the Kuwait Investment Authority.

They already own a string of airports, including Belfast International Airport, Birmingham Airport, Bristol Airport, Brussels Airport and Copenhagen Airport.

They described London City as "a highly attractive infrastructure investment in the UK".

"The airport represents a unique opportunity to invest in an integral part of the London airport system and offers a service proposition based around location, convenience, speed and customer service".

It promised to increase the number of routes flown from the airport and said it would have a "positive economic impact for all of London and the local community, in particular".

London City was last bought in 2006 by Global Infrastructure Partners, when it carried two million passengers a year.

BBC News

Somerset House - Visit Big Bang Data now until 20 March | UTOPIA 2016 continues with graffiti, Venturing Beyond

Big Bang Data Extended until 20 March 2016 Embankment Galleries, South Wing Delve deep into the immersive exhibits includingPersona Non Data, which tracks you through CCTV cameras and social networks; the London Situation Room, where you can design a future London, through to Dear Data, a paper-based transatlantic data exchange, and much more. Late night openings on Thursdays & Fridays. > book now

Venturing Beyond Graffiti and the Everyday Utopias of the Street From 3 March 2016 Terrace Rooms, South Wing Free admission Arguing against the traditionally-held belief of graffiti as a dystopian movement or ‘glorified vandalism’, this exhibition will showcase the specially-commissioned work of 17 street artists from around the globe, such as Shepard Fairey,Swoon, REVOK, Eltono and Filippo Minelli, each of whom have responded to this theme of Utopia. In collaboration with arts organisation A(by)P and as part of UTOPIA 2016. > more

Out There: Our Post-War Public Art Until 10 April 2016 East Wing Galleries, East Wing ★★★★★ Evening Standard ★★★★ “Exhibition of the week” Time Out Celebrating England's fascinating yet forgotten national collection of public art, this exhibition tells the story of the many pieces that have been lost, damaged, moved or even destroyed. With an accompanying education programme. Historic England's first major exhibition and part of UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Possibility and Imagination. > book now

COMING SOON Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival 2016 21 April – 2 May 2016 Embankment Galleries, South Wing Returning for its seventh year, featuring top emerging illustrators and designers as well as more established names in graphic arts. This year the festival is part of UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility. New for 2016, Pick Me Up will host a retrospective exhibition by one of the world’s foremost typographers and printmakers,Alan Kitching. > book now

Would you like to find out more about UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility? Sign up for email updates here.

Spring events in Greenwich Market

Springtime news and events   Mother's Day flower workshops at The English Flowerhouse Saturday 5 March 10.30am-12pm and 4.30pm-6pm To book, email: loveflowers@live.co.uk  £45      Perfect gift for Mother's Day! The Greenwich Market Cookbook with more than 80 recipes from traders and local restaurants, launches in March.  Purchase online or at Greenwich Market.      Make something lovely for your Mum on Saturday 5 March at the Market gift and card making workshops.   Join in the Easter Eggstravaganza on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March Chocolate Easter egg decorating and card making in the Market.     Park It in the Market Thursday 31 March from 7pm Award-winning vintage car and bike event. Lots of family fun with food and music. Greenwich Market in association with the Mean Old Timers Classic Car and Motorcycle Club Greenwich.

The Gruffalo exclusive - Prices From £14.50 - Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue London

Tall Stories' magical, musical stage adaptation of The Gruffalo roars into the Lyric for its first ever summer West End season this July. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood - in the search for hazelnuts - as she meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party-mad Snake, and outwits them all with the story of the fabled Gruffalo. Armed with only a nut map and a little courage, Mouse must make sure she doesn't end up as dinner for these wily woodland creatures.

Music, laughter, physical theatre and just the right touch of scary fun makes this adaptation of the award-winning picture book, The Gruffalo, the must-see family show for lovers of this timeless story.

View Details - Buy Tickets

Ibis London Blackfriars Hotel - Recommended 3 Star Hotel in London

London , Waterloo & Southbank

49 Blackfriars , London , SE1 8NZ

Overview

Ibis London Blackfriars is a modern 3-star property offering comfortable accommodation in the heart of London. It boasts free Wi-Fi and an excellent location close to the London Dungeon and Tower Bridge. It offers 297 inviting and modern rooms with comfortable beds, 24/7 reception and onsite dining options.

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Location

The hotel is located in Central London next to Southwark and Blackfriars underground stations. The SouthBank is a prestigious riverside development home to excellent restaurants, museums and entertainment venues. Nearby places of interest include the London Eye, Tate Modern, National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe. London Bridge railway station is located in the vicinity, providing fast and easy access to other popular London destinations. The airport is 12 km away.

Rooms

The rooms showcase a contemporary decor with light tones and wood floors. Amenities include air-conditioning, a TV, telephone, hairdryer, tea and coffee equipment and an en-suite bathroom.

Food & drink

The restaurant serves innovative dishes in a contemporary space. Guests can enjoy a range of drinks at the hotel bar. A buffet breakfast is provided every morning and there are plenty of dining opportunities in the vicinity.

Hotel Facilities

Air conditioning

Bar(s)

Internet access

Restaurant(s)

Laundry facilities

Safe

Ironing facilities

Disabled access

Business services

Wi-Fi

Room Facilities

Hairdryer

Telephone

Cable/satellite TV

Television

Coffee/tea making facilities

Air conditioning

Horniman Museum and Gardens - Fire juggling, New Orleans jazz and samba at Carnival Late this Thursday

Carnival Late Thursday 25 February, 6.30-9.30pm Carnival Performances | Music | Circus | Dance | Films | Food & Bars Join us for carnival at the Horniman! Bring your friends and celebrate carnival with a Venetian ball, fire juggling, jazz, samba, workshops and more. Enjoy food and cocktails at our bars, plus get a 10% discount in the shop on the night as a Late ticket holder.  We look forward to seeing you! Tickets: £5. See what's happening at Carnival Late. Over-18s only.  Book now Online ticket sales close at 4pm on Thursday 25 February. Tickets can be bought on the night.

Serpentine Galleries - Serpentine Architecture 2016: Pavilion and Summer Houses designs revealed

SERPENTINE ARCHITECTURE 2016: PAVILION AND SUMMER HOUSES 10 JUNE – 9 OCTOBER 2016. FREE ADMISSION   2016 PAVILION DESIGN REVEALED SERPENTINE PAVILION DESIGNED BY BJARKE INGELS GROUP (BIG) 'We have attempted to design a structure that embodies multiple aspects that are often perceived as opposites: a structure that is free-form yet rigorous, modular yet sculptural, both transparent and opaque, both solid box and blob' - Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) MORE INFO THE SUMMER HOUSES KUNLÉ ADEYEMI – NLÉ 'The design is based on projecting an inverse replica of the historic Queen Caroline’s Temple – a tribute to its robust form, space and material, recomposed into a bold new sculptural object' - Kunlé Adeyemi – NLÉ BARKOW LEIBINGER 'The logic of generating a structure from loops is a self-generating one and comes from the idea of coiling material in your hands then stacking the coils upon each other' - Barkow Leibinger YONA FRIEDMAN ‘Building upon my project La Ville Spatiale (Spatial City) begun in the late 1950s, the proposed Summer House is a modular structure that can be disassembled and assembled in different formations and compositions’ - Yona Friedman   ASIF KHAN ‘Through sun path analysis I realised that Queen Caroline’s Temple was aligned to the direction of the rising sun on her birthday, an effect that would have been amplified by the reflection off the newly created Serpentine lake. In our Summer House, a polished metal platform and roof provide an intimate experience of this lost moment for the visitor.’ - Asif Khan

Natural History Museum - Sensational Butterflies opens 24 March

Come face-to-face with hundreds of live butterflies Walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies and moths from Africa, Asia and America. See them flutter around a butterfly jungle, and learn about the surprising life they lead at interactive stations. Senior butterfly collection Curator Dr Blanca Huertas says: ‘I’m delighted to invite you to visit Sensational Butterflies. We’re lucky to have so many colourful and interesting species that you wouldn’t normally get to see here in the UK. And this year we’ve planted many more lush tropical plants, providing a home for even more butterflies than we’ve had before.’ Sensational Butterflies is a family-friendly exhibition. Sensational Butterflies Opens 24 March Book tickets

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See for yourself From the dazzling blue morpho butterfly to the huge Atlas moth, see visitor photos from last year’s butterfly house. View images

Spot the difference Watch Alessandro Giusti, Curator of Moths at the Museum, as he gives expert tips on how to spot the difference between butterflies and moths. Watch now

Plan your visit Make the most of your day at the Museum. Find out about events, gallery information and where to eat, drink and shop. Find out more

See the butterflies for free Become a Member and enjoy free priority entry to all exhibitions, discounts in our cafés and shop, and access to exclusive events. Join now