Local Guide : Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury, in central London, has always been associated with the arts. Not only can you find the British Museum, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the University of London in the area but it was also home to the Bloomsbury Set, who started out as a group of likeminded - radical for the time - friends from Cambridge University who were committed to rejecting and questioning the Victorian and Edwardian views on religion, art, society and sex. Formed in 1905 they were active until WWII and their contributions were primarily to literature and art. Members included renowned feminist author Virginia Woolf, A Passage To India writer E.M. Forster, historian Lytton Strachey and painter and critic Roger Fry - the first to raise public awareness to modern art in Britain and who coined phrase Post-Impressionism. With the regeneration of the Brunswick Centre and a continued development of arts in the area, Bloomsbury today does justice to its artistic heritage and is an exciting place to explore and experience.

PICTURES

Contemporary Applied Arts
2 Percy Street, London, W1T 1DD

The gallery was set up to represent British crafts such as ceramics, textiles, jewellery and metal. Currently showing is Outside Inside, an exhibition of crafts that can be incorporated into your garden or outside spaces.
www.caa.org.uk.

The October Gallery
24 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AL

This gallery celebrates art from all cultures around the world. It promotes art of the ‘transvangarde’, which they define as trans-cultural avant-garde art. They have an exhibition of three Native American artists, entitled Oshki-bawaajige - New Dreaming from 13 September 2007.
 www.octobergallery.co.uk


PERFORMANCE

Bloomsbury Theatre
15 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH

This theatre, owned by University College London, not only provides professional comedy, drama, music and dance productions but, for 12 weeks every year, hosts student productions.
Outstanding shows that are coming soon include Australian comedy acts Bob Downe and Pam Ann, Adam Ant discussing his upcoming autobiography Stand & Deliver -including an acoustic set -  and the Birmingham Stage Company’s production of Shakespeare’s Othello.
 www.thebloomsbury.com.


The Place
17 Duke's Road, London, WC1H 9PY

A leading centre for contemporary dance in the UK. Not only can you see startling performances in this unique building but it also provides training and has been on the cutting edge of dance development for around 40 years.
There are regular performances from the Robin Howard Dance Theatre.
www.theplace.org.uk

The Horse Hospital
Colonnade, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1HX

This equine- sounding centre actually has nothing to do with horses but is in fact an avant-garde space for experimental and innovative artists in the fields of film, fashion, music and art.
They are hosting the 2nd annual Flash Film Festival in September. 
www.thehorsehospital.com.


WORDS

London Review Bookshop
14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL

This independent bookshop in the heart of Bloomsbury not only has a great range of books in all genres but also hosts regular reading and discussion evenings. Poet and Essayist Geoffrey Hill  will be in store 20 September from 7pm  to read from his new collection of poems A Treatise of Civil Power. The evening costs just £6.
www.lrbshop.co.uk

Skoob
Unit 66, The Brunswick, London WC1N 1AE

Skoob is a quirky second hand bookshop located in the Bunswick. It has an old fashioned feel to it even though it has been newly refurbished. Just a few of their specialisations are: Plays and Theatre, Poetry, Modern Prose, Classics, Art, Photography, Architecture and Design.
 www.skoob.com.


SOUND

Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
Tavistock Square, London,WC1H 9EU

Located under the Tavistock Hotel, this is, as it’s name implies, a traditional bowling alley but they also provide a unique venue for live music. Monday nights are Strike Night where up and coming bands play live. They also screen retro and cult movies, host Karaoke evenings and provide great ‘diner’ food.
Visit www.bloomsburylive.com for upcoming bands.

Monto Water Rats
328 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8BZ
This is one of the best-known live indie and rock music venues in London. Oasis played their first London gig here and music scouts often pop down to see if they can discover the next big thing.
Upcoming gigs include Amy Macdonald, David Ryder Prangley And The Witches and The Scratch.
 www.themonto.com.


BIG SCREEN

Renoir Cinema
The Brunswick, London, WC1, 1AW

This leading arthouse cinema has benefited from the recent refurbishment of The Brunswick. It has two cinema screens and a bijou bar.  Specialising in French film,
Not Here to be Loved, Tell No One, Moliere, and Private Fears in Public Places are currently showing.
From 5 - 26 August they are also hosting an Indian Season.
For screening times visit www.curzoncinemas.com.


FASHION

While Bloomsbury is not really known for fashion the regeneration of the Brunswick has seen High Street fashion stores including Hobbs, LK Bennett, Oasis, Coast, Joy, French Connection and Benetton move into the area.
For information on the shops and events at the centre visit
www.brunswick.co.uk.

SOCIAL

HOB
The Brunswick, London, WC1N 1AY
Culinary store HOB in The Brunswick is running its popular Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes every Sunday. Chef Thierry introduces youngsters from 4 – 12 years to nutritious, creative and delicious delights while educating and encouraging them about diverse foods.  There is a different theme each week and the chef works with small groups of around 4-5 children for 20 minutes at a time. Simply turn up to the store between 12.30 – 5pm – what’s more, it’s free. For further information call HOB on 020 7837 8843.

Bloomsbury Festival
19th – 21st October 2007

Celebrating this artistic quarter of London, the Bloomsbury Festival will once again provide spectacular musical and dance performances, outdoor sound installations, and exhibitions of literature, photography and art – a plethora of entertainment and culinary delights. For further information visit
www.bloomsburyfestival.org.

Also in the area are The British Museum (www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk), The Dickens Museum (www.dickensmuseum.com) and The British Library (www.bl.uk).

Belinda Wanis

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