Roof Gardens, High Street Kensington

The New Yorkers are in town. Went to Roof Gardens last night. Spent most of the night watching people try to pick up. We were there about midnight, and I really shouldn't say this, but it is a blog after all... Saw this guy hook up with a girl, then hooked up with a different girl an hour later, and we see how the first girl reacts. The change in the way she dances, glances and prances. Kind of bad huh.

Some English blokes decided to pick a fight with one of the NY-kers who shall not be named, only to have their big, butch gf shove our sweet Annie! What is becoming of this world? Must be the queues we have to wait in everyday, everywhere. Argh.

Weekend in Paris

Spent the weekend in Paris to visit a mate who's doing B-school there for four months. I'm kind of jealous.

London = Smelly. Paris = Not Smelly.
London = Guys who shove in front of you in the tube. Paris = Guys who give way to you.
London = Not that great food. Paris = Gorgeous food.

London has its good points of course, but Paris kicks butt. And it kicks hard.

Came across this CD place on my first night there and picked up two really cool jewels... A scat one that manages to make you smile no matter how dark you feel, and one from Billie Holiday that makes you want to rip your own heart out.

Checked out:
1 - MoMA (Musee de art Moderne): Wall of trumpets, frugal horns and trombones made in blue perspex.
2 - Palais de Tokyo: Flying tape. Tape (looked like it was from a cassette), hoist in mid air by 7 fans.
3 - Eiffel Tower lit up at night. It then goes nuts and goes all sparkly. Don't look at it. It made me want to throw up.

One point that has to be noted is that Paris being romantic is overrated. A city is what you make of it isn't it? And Paris has funky modern art. And great window views. Go there.

Lion King @ Lyceum Theatre, London

Went to Lion King, the Musical tonight. Everyone I've spoken to only has fan-ta-bu-lous reviews about it so expectations were were up there this evening. It is an amazing show! Definitely a feast for your eyes. It really does take you to another space and you forget you're in a 100+ year old theatre and that it is kinda smelly and icky outside. Hehe.

To get the opportunity to watch the show is awesome in itself! I've been wanting to watch Lion King for ages but it hadn't hopped to New Zealand yet... But now that I'm here in London, it's just great to get to see these gems! You get to see such amazing things here... And I'm not talking about shows. The other day we were at a cafe in Angel called S&M... No, not that, what are you thinking!!! S&M... For Sausages and Mash u silly billy! Anyways we saw this guy at S&M, he looked just like Napolean Dynamite, but without hair. He really did. Even down to the length of his neck. I didn't measure. But from where I was sitting, it came quite close.

Shakespeare @ Globe Theatre

On Sunday we headed to Globe Theatre for some Shakespeare. To be honest the only thing I find interesting about Shakespeare is the theory that he was in fact a woman.

Weren't most of his works about women being powerful, maybe not in physical strength, but of strong character? Weren't most of his works about romance? Wasn't he (she) living in a time where women were just not writers, poets or musicians? Wasn't it Mendehlsson who published his sister's works as his own, because women were simply discouraged to write literature/music in those days?

Back to Globe Theatre. We got standing area tickets, and none was us was really in a state to stand after the Aloha party the night before. We were at a party in Tooting Bec where the theme was "Aloha" so people showed up in Hawaiian gear yea, was a good night! But standing for 3 hours, at a Shakespeare play the next evening is about as close to torture as one can get. Needless to say we left at interval.

Two words. Idina Menzel. Adam Garcia. (ok that's four)

To the theatre people reading this blog. Please hold on to your seats, because I'm nearly falling off mine.

I went to the Apollo Theatre in London last Saturday and saw Wicked, The Musical. With Idina Menzel in the role of Elphaba. Omg, we are lucky sods! (is that a bad word, I'm not sure, it doesn't sound bad). (Idina played the original Elphaba on Broadway). It was such an amazing experience.

Wicked is not just a show. It's not just a musical. It's an experience, a journey that the cast lets you get on, and moves you in a way you would never think possible. Ooh. Too deep. Hahaha...

Wait there is more... who played Fiyero? Adam Garcia? No way... Yes. Way. Adam Garcia, from Bootmen, Coyote Ugly, Down Under. And he is seriously freakin hot. Like seriously.

Hey let's start from the top...

Aside: I know of a particular someone who played the Wicked Witch of the West who will be reading this blog and is expecting a full review so I'll do my best. :)

Highlights... Where do I begin...

Firstly, when Idina rushed on stage for the first time, my heart nearly fell out of my bones. It's a dream seeing Idina Menzel in the role of Elphaba. If you're a Wicked fan, you'll know how that feels...

Idina is perfect as Elphaba. The structured jaw line, sharp features, fiery eyes... If you have read the book, you'll probably agree that there can be no other Elphaba.

And to be honest, there can be no other Galinda but Kristin Chenoweth. Unfortunately Kristin did not reprise her role of Galinda, but it was played by someone else... West End debut. Remember that Kristin Chenoweth was cast even before Idina Menzel was. Watching clips of Kristin and Idina together really illustrates the chemistry they have on screen. With Miss West End Debut, unfortunately there was none.

But I won't complain. Seeing Idina Menzel do "Defying Gravity" with those menacing eyes... They could pierce right through your heart.

Adam Garcia didn't need to do much. Just wearing that tight shirt in "As Long As You're Mine" kneeling down beside Elphaba is enough to take your breath away. How do some people do that?

In short:

If you are in London and haven't been to Wicked, please go.

If you are in New Zealand and are a Wicked fan, it is amazing, I wished you all could see it.

If you are anywhere in the world reading this and never heard of Wicked, please click here. CLICK ME.

Vortex Lounge, London

Went to the Vortex Lounge in Dalston last Saturday to see Anita Wardell, and boy, can she scat. Saturday night was a bit of a question mark. Firstly, heading to the Vortex itself was a bit of a mish (mission). Tip: Don't walk there alone!

Secondly, after Anita's gig I headed to Chalk Farm for a mate's birthday at a place called Monkey Chews. Getting to Monkey Chews was even more of a mish. Who plonks a bar in the middle of a bunch of houses? Very odd indeed. But once you enter Monkey Chews you kind of forget where you are? Or maybe it was just me. But at the end of the night it was more like scratching your head wondering what just happened. No substances required.

An American in London

Ok, haven't been blogging much cos I had a visitor from NYC come hang in London Town. All of last week! How cool is that. Having visitors is nice innit.

My grandma told me when I was younger that when people ask to stay at your place, you should feel honoured that others find you hospitable and want to hang with you. This was when rellies came to stay with us and I had to give up my room yea. But my dad seemed to disagree with that, especially with boys. Geez. I get confused sometimes. Most times.

My mom and dad read this blog regularly, so I shall keep it clean, keep it green.

In short, was great hanging. People-watching at Cafe Boheme was wicked also!!! Why do all the waiters there look alike?

606 Lounge, Chelsea

Went to 606 Lounge on Tuesday night, to check out one of the guys who started the Notting Hill Carnival a few decades ago. I think the idea is that if you play at 606, you're a cool cat. And those at 606 that night, were indeed (cool cats, that is).

The pianist got on his stool, clinked the II-V of the II-V-I, and you just know it's going to be a good set.

When the drummer was doing his drum solo, the pianist (he's 75 years old) got up, put his hands in his pockets, and started moving to the beats. Cool huh. Then, he picked up a bottle of wine... Then he removed a hand from his pocket... and started striking the bottle with a coin. Prob a 20p. Tik. Tik Tik. Tik. Tik Tik.

Top class.

Dublin, Ireland

Back in London this morning at 2am from a weekend in Dublin. We were in Temple Bar the night before, the night area of Dublin and partied at a club, Boomerang. The pic above is of some bees at the Temple Bar area. Hey! I think it was an Austrah-lian club! I love Austrah-lians. They rock so much.

Irish folk are a different story. I learnt a new dance move. It's called Horizontal Elbow. Lift your elbows up till they form a horizontal line. Tilt it up and down, left, right, left. They love it there! I don't know if it will catch on elsewhere.

We were at an Irish pub called Auld Dubliner, and I ordered an Irish Coddle. Was basically boiled sausages and boiled potatoes in water. Tip: Don't. (order it if you are ever in Dubs).

We were walking around Temple Bar and a big band ensemble was playing at the Temple Bar Square and heaps of people crowded round to boogie to their horns (as in the instrument). Tip: Do. (stop and do the Horizontal Elbow in Temple Bar).