Red Carnation Hotels

CONCIERGE NEWS

Concierge Newsletter for February 2012

We are delighted to welcome you to The Egerton House Hotel. Discover your home in Knightsbridge: the discreet and luxurious comforts of a private residence, with uncompromising levels of service that quietly anticipate, even exceed your expectations. Whether you are here on business or pleasure we hope that you will have time to experience the wealth of the Capital’s attractions and award winning restaurants that awaits you.
Or if you have already done all the touristy bits in London and feel like some off-the-beaten-track fun and interesting places to visit in London, this is the section for them! I work very hard to discover those secret places that no-one else would think or know to recommend!

Jacques Conradie – Guest Relations and Services Manager

Love is in the Air...

Don't forget it's Valentine's Day on the 14th - but there's plenty more going on this month besides, from the high octane drama of Six Nations rugby to the slick cat-walks of London Fashion Week. The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns for three days, the O2 Arena is graced by both Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and the BRIT Awards, whilst the first trophy of the English football season is up for grabs in the Carling Cup Final.

Retail Therapy at the Conran Shop...

Founded by Terence Conran, The Conran Shop’s roots are in London, where it was responsible for the revival of the iconic Michelin House building. The Conran Shop has since grown to be one of the leading lifestyle retailers in the world. There are 11 stores across six countries, with many more planned. The last store opened being in OSAKA, Japan in October 2011. Always changing and always evolving, The Conran Shop offers a unique and personal blend of furniture, lighting, home accessories and gifts. From classic design to the latest design, from vintage to contemporary, the inexpensive and well considered to the inspirational and unique, our collections are brought together in exciting and visually stimulating environments. Visit the Conran Shop in Sloane Avenue to see for yourself.

The Arts

The British Library presents Royal manuscripts: the Genius of Illumination

Don't miss this stunning exhibition of illuminated manuscripts at the British Library in London. Royal Manuscripts is the first major exhibition of the British Library's collection of royal illuminated manuscripts. The display features more than 150 manuscripts collected by English kings and queens over 700 years, from the ninth to 16th centuries. Dispelling the myth that these were the Dark Ages, Royal Manuscripts presents an array of beautiful artistic artifacts. (Until the 13th March 2012)

The Royal Academy presents David Hockney: a Bigger Picture

London's Royal Academy presents A Bigger Picture, an unmissable exhibition of landscape works by renowned British artist David Hockney – including many new pieces. London's Royal Academy welcomes in 2012 with an exhibition dedicated to Yorkshire-born painter, draughtsman, photographer, printmaker and stage designer David Hockney. David Hockney: A Bigger Picture focuses on Hockney's landscape work, and features new, specially-commissioned paintings inspired by the Yorkshire landscape. The exhibition also includes older landscape works, as well as drawings and film.  David Hockney was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, and studied at Bradford School of Art from 1953 to 1957. In 1959 he headed south to the Royal College of Art, and the following year took part in the influential Young Contemporaries exhibition for the first time. When he graduated in 1962 he was awarded the Royal College of Art gold medal. Hockney moved to Los Angeles in 1963, where he began his series of swimming pool paintings. Since then he has worked in many different media and fields, including stage design, photography and, more recently, iPad and iPod drawings. (Until the 9th April 2012)

The V&A presents Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton

London's Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) explores the back catalogue of Cecil Beaton, The Queen's favorite photographer for over 40 years. As part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the V&A shows highlights of Cecil Beaton's numerous photographs of the Royal Family. For over 40 years from 1939, Beaton (1904-1980) was a favored royal photographer, capturing some of the most personal images of Queen Elizabeth II ever seen. He was chosen to take the first pictures of Prince Charles as a baby, and covered The Queen’s coronation in 1953. This exciting exhibition allows a glimpse into The Queen’s public and private life. See tender images of a young Princess Elizabeth with her sister and mother, and relaxing at home with her husband and young family. Contrast that with Beaton’s photos of the day she became Queen Elizabeth II, stately in her coronation robes. The V&A exhibition also includes some of Beaton's rarely seen photographs, as well as his personal scrapbooks and diaries. (Until 22nd April 2012)

The National Portrait Gallery presents Lucian Freud Portraits

More than 100 of Lucian Freud's realist portrait paintings are shown in this blockbuster 2012 National Portrait Gallery show which had been planned in close partnership with the artist, who died aged 88 in July 2011. Freud, the "unrivalled interpreter of human flesh" (Financial Times), has left a lasting legacy through seven decades of remarkable portraiture of family, royalty, celebrities and friends. The performance artist Leigh Bowery and Bowery's friend, Sue Tilley, are represented - Tilley being the subject of Benefits Supervisor Sleeping which sold for a world record $34m (£22m) when it was bought by Roman Abramovich in 2008. Fellow painters such as David Hockney, Frank Auerbach and Francis Bacon sit alongside his friend and riding companion Andrew Parker-Bowles. Freud's final unfinished nude portrait of David Dawson, the artist's assistant for 20 years, 'Portrait of the Hound', is also included in the exhibition, the first major show to focus on Freud's portrait work. Also of note is a work from 1981-83, Large Interior, W11 (after Watteau), a big painting of five people - including Boyt and Freud's daughter Bella - which has not been seen in the UK since 2002 when Tate Britain staged the last big Freud show. Lucian Freud Portraits is at the National Portrait Gallery from 9 February to 27 May 2012 and is part of the London 2012 Festival (21 June to 9 September), the culmination of the four-year Cultural Olympiad. (Until 27th May 2012)

The Tate Britain presents Picasso and Modern British Art at Tate Britain

London's Tate Britain unveils Picasso and Modern British Art, the first exhibition to explore Pablo Picasso's impact on British art. The influence of Picasso on British art and artists has rarely been recognized – until now, thanks to Tate Britain's new exhibition, Picasso and Modern British Art. Picasso and Modern British Art explores the Spanish artist's critical (and public) reputation in Britain, as well as his political status, forged through the tour of his Guernica painting in 1938-39 and his appearance at the 1950 Peace Congress in Sheffield. The Tate Britain exhibition will also look at how Picasso's work affected British modernism and inspired British artists such as Duncan Grant, Wyndham Lewis, Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Graham Sutherland and David Hockney. (Until 15th July 2012)

The Design Museum presents Terence Conran: the Way we Live Now

Explore great design through the ages in Terence Conran: The Way We Live Now at London's Design Museum. Discover the impact and inspirations of acclaimed designer Sir Terence Conran at the Design Museum. Terence Conran: The Way We Live Now features Conran's own designs and explores those he admired or commissioned from others. See how Conran's designs influenced domestic life and food through archive material, original designs, art, models and graphics. The exhibition centers around key themes or eras, including Post-war austerity, The new sensibility of the 1951 Festival of Britain , the birth of the Independent Group, the Pop explosion of the 1960s, The design boom of the 1980s and also the present day. (Until the 23rd March 2012)

The Tate Modern also presents the Unilever Series: Tacita Dean

The Berlin-based English visual artist, Tacita Dean, undertakes the 12th commission in The Unilever Series for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern this autumn. In the past, installations have included giant slides, a portentous crack, a walk-in black box and a fake setting sun, while the previous year's offering by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei saw the whole hall covered with 100 million intricately hand-carved porcelain sunflower seeds. There's no word yet on how Dean will fill the vast open space, but the 45-year-old former Turner Prize nominee, who is one of the celebrated Young British Artists, works primarily in film, touching also on drawing, photography and sound. It will be interesting to see if Dean chooses film as her media for it is something yet to be attempted in the history of the Unilever Series. (Until the 11th March 2012)

Entertainment from...

“Master Class” at the Vaudeville Theatre - The Broadway smash hit, Master Class, transfers to London for a limited time only. Master Class is an extraordinary insight into the life and loves of Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer. Callas’ turbulent private life and fiery temperament were as astonishing as her formidable talents. Master Class is a new show, inspired by Callas' master classes of the early 1970s. This musical is a riveting, hilarious and intensely moving portrayal of the sacrifice and heartache behind the artist, the diva and the legend. Tyne Daly starred as Callas on Broadway, and she's reprising the role at the Vaudeville Theatre this spring. Tyne Daly is a renowned stage, screen and TV actress. She won a Tony for her performance in Gypsy (in 1989) and a Tony nomination for Rabbit Hole. Her many TV appearances include Cagney & Lacey, Judging Amy, and Christy. She has received 16 Emmy nominations during her long and successful career. (Until the 28th April 2012)

Dinner at Thali...

A neighbour to the more famous Star of India and Noor Jahan, Thali delivers more than either on authenticity and refinement. Spices are well judged and subtle, ingredients fresh and of high quality, preparations careful and portions generous, albeit not excessive. The menu offers standards seen elsewhere but also more unusual dishes, including a delectable rabbit tandoori. The decor is pleasant, simple and tasteful, the service is efficient, and the prices reasonable. This Indian restaurant deserves to be on the map.

My London...

2nd – 5th February 2012 – MCN London Motorcycle Show - It's a case of two wheels are better than four at the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show at the ExCel Centre, where you can peruse hundreds of stands, check out the latest models and most powerful machines from all the top manufacturers and try them out for size, be inspired for your next trip or chat to the experts. For some jaw dropping moments head over to the Revolution, a live action 60-minute show that has stunt riders performing death-defying tricks to music and pyrotechnics all performed by a number of biking heroes. After being blown away by the show grab the opportunity to pick up all the top notch biking gear from a biker's shopping paradise, vote for the Classic Bike of the Year and have all your questions answered by the experts from RIDE and Bike magazine.

2nd – 5th February 2012 – British Dance Edition - In 2012, London's Olympic year, the biennial British Dance Edition, the UK dance industry's leading showcase event, will be held in the capital for the first time. Hosted by a consortium of eight of London's leading dance promoters including Dance Umbrella (mission: to bring brave new dance to London), East London Dance, Sadler's Wells, The Place and Trinity Laban, events include dance performances, meet the artists sessions, discussions and a small trade fair. There are only three public performances: two at Sadler's Wells and one at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre. On Thursday 2 February the festival opens with a triple bill of Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Candoco and Hofesh Shechter Company and closes on Sunday 5 February with Russell Maliphant's new work The Rodin Project which returns to Sadler's Wells in October 2012. At the Southbank Centre on Saturday 4 February, audiences are treated to new work Unfinished Business by the Richard Alston Dance Company and By Singing Light performed by National Dance Company of Wales to music sung live by the BBC National Chorus of Wales.

2nd – 5th February 2012 – Destinations: the Holiday and Travel Show – A string of disappointing summers has ended Britain's honeymoon with staycations. So where better to get inspiration for next year's holiday plans than Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show? Hundreds of exhibitors are on hand to stimulate the imagination, whether it's a glamorous beach holiday in the Bahamas that's required, or an intrepid adventure in Colombia. Live entertainment adds to the excitement of the event. At the Meet the Experts Theatre, travel aficionados - from TV presenters Ben Fogle and Ben Anderson to adventurers like Alastair Humphreys and Mark Kalch - are on hand to relate their experiences, while at the World Entertainment Stage, there will be Russian dance, Capoeira from Brazil, and classical Indian dance on the programme. There are also plenty of workshops where you can learn dance, crafts and cookery styles from around the world. Still pondering on where to go next? There will be a gallery exhibition displaying striking photos from The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition allowing visitors to see a snapshot of each destination in its glory.

4th – 5th February 2012 – The UK Wedding Show - With over 105 stands of wedding goodies, The UK Wedding Show at the ExCel is every brides dream. Offering everything needed to plan a wedding, endless inspiration and multiple contacts to assist couples in organising their perfect day all under one roof; there will be no excuse for any Bridezillas to emerge. The show will have the latest designer wedding dresses, men's formal hire and ladies occasion wear presented by well known high street brands as well as individual designers. Along with the stands, there will be an award winning fashion show taking place at numerous points throughout the day, prepare to gasp in awe as some truly beautiful wedding dresses are showcased on a catwalk decorated with floral arrangements. Each visitor is also guaranteed to leave with a small treat, as the show provides a free goody bag for everyone. The UK Wedding Show can advise on venue and honeymoon locations too.

11th – 26th February 2012 – Imagine – Take the kids to the Southbank Centre during the February half-term and treat them to Imagine, the annual children's literature festival which pulls words off the page. There's a huge amount of literary events to choose from, from readings and storytelling to beat boxing0 and poetry. Children will get a chance to run the festival during Kids Takeover and they'll also get the chance to feature in performances too, including playing with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood. As well as appearances by leading children's writers, there's comedy, poetry hopscotch, music and magic for all ages.

16th – 19th February 2012 – The London Olympic Test Event: UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Top track cyclists from around the world give spectators a pre-taste of Olympic action at this UCI Track Cycling World Cup event at the new state-of-the-art Velodrome in the London 2012 Olympic Park. This will be the first sporting event to be staged at the Velodrome, which was designed in consultation with Sir Chris Hoy, Britain's triple gold medallist from the Beijing Games. Part of the London Prepares series that is testing out venues ahead of the eagerly anticipated London 2012 Olympics, this is the fourth and final round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup after previous legs in Astana, Cali and Beijing, and precedes the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne. Results from both the World Cup and World Championships will help determine each country's ranking for Olympic qualification so expect this to be a fiercely competitive four days.

17th – 22nd February 2012 – London Fashion Week – This February London Fashion Week will be once again injecting a burst of style into Somerset House; the iconic building with its famous courtyard is a magical setting for this high profile fashion industry event. The week features 200 of the industry's most creative designers and businesses, in the UK and internationally, with catwalk shows, exhibitions and award ceremonies. The Estethica strand (sponsored by Monsoon) highlights the best in fair-trade and ethical design, while the NEWGEN stand (sponsored by Topshop) picks out the finest up-and-coming designers who may make a splash on the international scene. It's all wildly exclusive, of course, and if you don't have any connections with the fashion industry there's no chance of acquiring tickets to the main event, however the whole capital will no doubt be bustling with fashion fever and the streets could be your very own catwalk.

21st – 24th February 2012 – Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2012  – The most amazing collection of adventure, action sports and environmental films returns to the UK for a second bigger and even more inspiring and adrenaline-packed year in 2012. This February, the London leg of the annual Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to the Union Chapel for a bumper four nights of mind-blowing films, shorts and documentaries paying homage to the great outdoors. The actual festival is held annually in November in the stunning Canadian town of Banff and features a collection of thought-provoking films from all over the globe. It is followed by this world tour of the event's best films, showcasing remote landscapes, vibrant cultures and extreme sports, brought to the screen by some of the world's finest mountain filmmakers. Ideal for mountain enthusiasts, adventure-seekers and anyone partial to a spot of wanderlust, the programme will highlight adventure sports such as climbing, kayaking, speed flying and alpine skiing, and an exhilarating range of imagery from some of earth's last great wild places. Confirmed films include The Swiss Machine, a vertiginous study of the great speed alpinist and free solo climber Ueli Steck, and Azadi: Freedom, a short which looks at Kashmir in the wake of the violent militant insurgence of the 90s through the lens of skiing.

24th – 26th February 2012 – The Baby Show – Taking place four times a year across four venues, The Baby Show offers the widest range of baby products on the market and luckily for Londoners, the show comes to both Earls Court and ExCel over the course of the year. Giving visitors a rare opportunity to test and compare products before purchasing, The Baby Show is designed to make shopping as easy and stress-free as possible, making it an ideal day-out for new parents and expecting mothers. Conveniently, there is a crèche on hand, giving you a chance to browse through the hundreds of products on offer, knowing that your little one is in safe hands. You can expect a number of big brands in attendance including Fisher Price, Mothercare, Marks and Spencer and Superdrug and often, there will chance to grab offers available only to visitors. Don't worry about not having enough car space to take your purchases home as anything you buy can be dropped off and collected later or delivered straight to your door. As well as providing you with a chance to stock-up on products for your baby, there is also plenty of advice available throughout the course of the day on everything from what pushchair to buy to how to stay fashionable throughout your pregnancy.

24th -26th February 2012 – Ceramic Art London – Held annually at the Royal College of Art, Ceramic Art London, now in its ninth year, is one of the leading international fairs for contemporary ceramics, with over 75 ceramic artists displaying their work. Displayed in the Henry Moore and Gulbenkian Galleries, all works displayed at the three-day exhibition are for sale, offering collectors an opportunity to see the latest works and buy directly from the maker. For gallery owners and collectors it's an opportunity to snap up new talent, and for enthusiasts and visitors it gives an insight into this niche art form. With something to suit all budgets it's possible to walk away with a unique piece of original art. For those who want to learn more, there's a programme of demonstrations, talks and discussions giving visitors an insight into the current issues, working practices and techniques involved in the production of ceramic art while an exhibition by RCA Ceramics students shows the future of studio ceramics.