"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Spirit of Prague 70p Beer... For all the beer lovers..Cheers!


"Beer lovers are being given the chance to enjoy both the traditional and modern side of Prague, without leaving the capital during this year’s London Beer Week. The brewers of Staropramen, the number one Czech beer in the UK, and Pravha, the new lighter tasting pilsner, are opening the Spirit of Prague pop-up beer hall at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, London from the 16th - 19th March.

The bar of two halves will transport guests from the traditional side of Prague to a modern and vibrant side of the city, reflecting the beers being served. Resident beer experts will give you the chance to “try before you buy” offering guided tastings of the balanced, classic Czech pilsner, Staropramen, to the lighter and more unexpected pilsner, Pravha.

Each day from 6pm visitors to the Spirit of Prague bar can access Prague price pints (70p) by saying the special code word ‘Pohoda’ when entering the bar. In Czech, Pohoda means ‘savour the moment’.

How: Mention the secret word, “Pohoda” at the door to receive a Prague price token that can be used to redeem a 70p pint of either Staropramen or Pravha. Only 100 Prague price pints will be available from 6pm per day."
 
When:
Thursday 16th and Friday 17th March | 17:30 – 22:00
Saturday 18th March | 13:30 – 22:00
Sunday 19th March | 13:30 – 20:00

Where: Spirit of Prague, Shop 8, Old Truman Brewery, London E1 6QR (off Brick Lane)

Admission is free and both ticket holders and non- ticket holders for London Beer Week will be offered Prague Prices.
London Beer Week ticket holders will be entitled to fast track entry to the bar.

More info :
https://drinkup.london/events/12719/spirit-of-prague/?utm_source=mailjet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dul-pickled-parties-21-02-2017

Sunday, 5 March 2017

Friends of Bolivia : Carnival Fiesta 2017


The Carnival is well awaited by Bolivians.. everywhere.. and in London, a Carnival Fiesta is organised by Friends Of Bolivia.
 
Friends of Bolivia is a UK based Charity dedicated to improving the living conditions of impoverished people in Bolivia.
Every year they put time and effort to make this event happen and this year's fiesta was clearly another success. So firstly a massive thanks to them and all the people who attended and supported the event.

Carnival Fiesta, well.. the title says it all.. a party atmosphere, with food, live music, dance performances, making people happy ,bringing people together.. families and friends.
People queuing for the food

Food is always popular.. this year's menu included lechón (roast pork), falso conejo (braised stake in sauce), picante de pollo (spicy chicken), pukacapas (spicy cheese pastry) and more !!

And there is something about live music, you hear the panpines and you are drawn towards the talented musicians.. Sumaj Pacha ..who during the night played different sets..making people dance ..and yes we danced a lot!

We also got to enjoy the different dance performances of the night, llamerada, morenada, tobas, etc.. everyone was mesmerised by the different dance costumes.

People from Bolivia and from everywhere, enjoyed, danced, and had a nice Bolivian night.. with traditional food, music, dances... it really is a night not to be missed!!
But if you couldn't make it, you can write down in your calendar, make a reminder for their next event, Sunday 28th of May, celebrating Bolivian Mother's day.

You can find more information about their upcoming events, on their website.. you can also become a member, check out the work they do in Bolivia, find out how you can help; if you wish to do so.

I truly enjoyed the Carnival Fiesta, a nice event for families and friends, great to show some of the different folkloric dances, live music.. which for us (bolivians),makes us happy and for the English, Italians, Spaniards..etc.. that attended who also truly enjoyed themsleves, it's an opportunity to see and appreciate our culture and traditions..I was asked about the cueca ( a dance with a handkerchief ) she was mesmerised..she didn't see anything like that before.
 
Everyone left the Carnival Fiesta happy..


Everyone dancing and enjoying themselves 
Find more information about
Friends Of Bolivia :
http://friendsofbolivia.org.uk/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Bolivia-123368584663/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/friendsbolivia


And see you at their next event !






Sunday, 26 February 2017

Recipe: Blueberry and Lemon Squares


This is got to be one of my favourite cakes, I absolutely love blueberries, and this recipe is so simple, and easy to follow, basically mixing all the ingredients together, add the blueberries and bake! ;)


Blueberries and Lemon Squares:.

15 mins to make, 35 mins to cook

Ingredients
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 225g golden caster sugar
  • 4 large free-range eggs
  • 225g butter, softene
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • Grated zest of 3 lemons, plus extra 
  • 250g blueberries
For the icing
  • 6-8 tbsp lemon juice
  • 200g icing sugar
Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/fan 150°C/gas 3½. Line a straight-sided 30cm x 25cm traybake tin with baking paper.
  2. Put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and make a well in the middle, then add the eggs, butter, milk and lemon zest. Beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth and combined, then stir in the berries.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared tin, then bake on the middle oven shelf for 35 minutes or until risen and golden. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. Mix the lemon juice into the icing sugar, a little at a time, until you have a smooth, spreadable icing. Drizzle over the sponge, then scatter with extra lemon zest and leave to set for 1 hour. Cut into 24 squares.

Recipe taken from Delicious magazine ;)

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Bolivian Carnival Fiesta in London

Friends of Bolivia’s Carnival Fiesta 2017 
Join the fun...an evening of traditional music and dance,
delicious food and drink to celebrate carnival 2017 Bolivian style!

Saturday 4th March – from 18:00 to 23:00
Sacred Heart Church Hall,
Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London SW19 4LU
TICKETS:
 £9 online / £10 on the door
Members: £8
Concessions: £7 *
Children under 12: Free
* Concessions: OAPs & Students 12 to 18

Monday, 23 January 2017

Discovering London: God's Own Junkyard...a world of neon, props & the unexpected.


Well...I've been planning to pay a visit to this place..and finally was able to do so this past weekend..



And it's mesmerising... the collection of neon lights.. it's amazing...  and ...it's Free !









It's appealing to anyone... really..who doesn't like neon lights? Right?! From fashion students.. photographers..editors..Art lovers.. you name it.. there is something for everyone..and of course there is cafe.. the rolling stones cafe!



I would totally recommend you to visit.. it's fun..it's different ..it's quirky and it's free.. 

This is the reason why I love London.. always something different to do.. to see.. and to enjoy..

God's Own Junk Yard is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
For more information check their website..
http://www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk/

Gods Own Junkyard
Unit 12 Ravenswood Industrial Estate
Shernhall Street
London
E17 9HQ


Photos © Miss Obleas 2017

Thursday, 5 January 2017

#Exhibition :3-25 March 2017: Decolonising witchcraft: Portraits of traditional healers in Bolivia


"This exhibition portrays the women whose livelihoods involve the traditional rituals, artefacts and medicines that play a central role in culture and health in Bolivia. The indigenous wisdom involved in this work has been sidelined, either as ‘witchcraft’ under colonial powers or as merely ‘folklore’ by positivist, Western approaches to medicine. Nevertheless, in the western highlands of Bolivia the vast majority of people meaningfully engage in these rituals and practice them seriously and devoutly, and Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, has embarked on a decolonisation project which challenges the institutions and value systems which have marginalised indigenous knowledge.

These portraits are accompanied by quotes from the women themselves, discussing how they came to this profession and their role in the community.  These women are referred to exotically in tourist guidebooks as ‘witches’ but are known locally as chiflerasand amautas; the former prepares the materials for traditional healing rituals while the latter conducts the ceremony. The items used in these rituals include coca leaves, desiccated llama foetuses, the q’oa herb, alcohol and brightly coloured llama-wool and sugar figurines. These practitioners have long standing relationships with their clients and may be the first ports of call for those seeking assistance and guidance with their physical, emotional and/or spiritual well-being.

This is a collaboration between the photographer David X Green and the geographer Dr Kate Maclean, who has worked in Bolivia since 2006."

The exhibition will open with a panel discussion, Decolonising Witchcraft: Implications for Knowledge and Health and reception on 3rd March 2017. Find out more and book your free place here.


by Birkbeck University Of London .

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

::: UMATURKA , The Call Of The Water / London Premier :::



UMATURKA: The Call of the Water Documentary, by Giovanna Miralles and Peter Wilkin, depicts the reality of a community’s continuation of their tradition, in a modern world where life and survival depends on water.

The profits from ticket sales and donations made on the night will fund the production of educational materials promoting the importance of eco-cultural knowledge to protect the environment and water sources, such as the Andes. This material will form an integral part of a permanent installation of the documentary at the Quillacas’ Museum, Bolivia, South America.

Giovanna Miralles is a Bolivian Independent filmmaker, artist, and writer.
Dr. Peter Wilkin is an environmental anthropologist, specialist of knowledge transmission and Latin America.

Doors open at 6pm, presentation starts at 6.30 pm. 9 pm close.
Refreshments available, cash bar.

For further information about the project, please visit; 

Trailer : https://vimeo.com/142055384

For tickets + more information :
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/umaturka-the-call-of-the-water-documentary-presentation-with-qa-tickets-27006551322

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

FREE : Workout Classes with Sweaty Betty and Barreworks Studio - Richmond/ London.


Swap your usual Friday night at the bar for the Barre.

6 weeks of FREE classes at Barreworks Studio in collaboration with Sweaty Betty Richmond , alternating weeks between the Richmond Boutique and Barreworks Studio. 

Explore all of their class formats and meet their amazing team. Booking goes live ONE week in advance of each session.

Who doesnt love a FREE workout ?


Fri 9th September - Fri 14th October 
Barreworks Studio : 21 Paradise Road, Richmond , TW9 1SA
Sweaty Betty: 2 The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1BP 

London Events: 'Mitologia De La Tierra' an exhibition of 7 Contemporary Colombian artists.


Image 'Beyond El Dorado' ©Omar Castañeda
'Mitologia De La Tierra' an exhibition of 7 Contemporary Colombian artists.

ARTISTS: 

Ivan Castillo, Omar Castañeda, Maria Leguizamo, Juliana Góngora, Germán Arrubla, Melissa Cruz Garcia, Crista Castellanos

About the exhibition:

In 2014 artist and curator Gabriella Sonabend and artist Sol Bailey Barker travelled to Colombia to create ‘From Myth To Earth’ a multi-media research project engaging with Colombian history, mythologies, folklore and landscapes. Throughout their journey and since returning to London, Bailey Barker and Sonabend met and came across the work of a number of Colombian artists, who influenced their perspective and deepened their understanding of Colombia.

In particular these artists are connected by a fascinating and complex relationship to time, history and perception; each finding ways to portray history with a philosophical questioning that highlights the complexities of Colombian identity and expressing oneself, within or outside of the country.

With the support of The Koppel Project and the Arts Council of England, Bailey Barker and Sonabend have curated and are delighted to present MITOLOGIA DE LA TIERRA an exhibition of 7 Colombian artists who Bailey Barker and Sonabend believe are key voices in understanding contemporary Colombian identity. The decompression room will feature ‘Mapping Memories’ an ongoing research project by Veronica Posada Alvarez and Lorena Raigoso seeking the recognition of Latin Americans in the UK, aiming to make visible their cultural practices whilst strengthening community cohesion and sense of belonging to the areas in which they live, work and meet.

This show runs in parallel with FROM MYTH TO EARTH a multi-sensory exhibition of the works created by Bailey Barker and Sonabend during and after their research period in Colombia. This parallel exhibition can be seen at The Koppel Project Hive


FROM MYTH TO EARTH
Sol Bailey Barker and Gabriella Sonabend
15th September – 5thNovember
The Koppel Project Hive, London
Location:
26 Holborn Viaduct
London EC1A A2Q

more info : http://thekoppelproject.com/mitologia-de-la-tierra/
Free tickets for the private viewing on the 15th of September: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mitologia-de-la-tierra-exhibition-private-view-tickets-27026867087

Sunday, 7 August 2016

6 Secretos para mejorar las habilidades del bailarín en el escenario.


Algunos bailarines parecen como intérpretes naturales, ellos saben como "relacionarse con el público" bailan con energía, se mueven con alegría. No cabe duda que, la experiencia como intérprete, desempeña un papel importante en esto. La práctica en el rendimiento le permite aprender lo que funciona y lo que no.

Bailarines "naturales", sin embargo, parecen saber algo que otros no. Y aquí una lista de "secretos", bueno tal vez estos son consejos y aspectos de baile que a veces no tenemos mucho en cuenta, y son tan importantes como aprender los pasos.

1.- Nunca Bailar solo, incluso en un solo.

Incluir al público en la presentación siempre, nunca olvidar o ignorar que están allí. Como también estar al tanto de otros bailarines en el grupo.

¿Cómo se puede involucrar al público o los otros bailarines en escena?

Haciendo contacto visual, dirigiendo tu energía a una persona del público o a los demás a tu alrededor y usar o responder la energía que te dan los demás. Quizás ninguna de estas cosas se realizan mucho, o tanto somo sentir y pensar al bailar.

2.- Los ojos lo son todo. 

La expresión facial es importante en la danza, pero es algo más que la sonrisa en una actuación.

La expresión facial real y sincera, a menudo tiene que ver más con los ojos que con la boca. Así, en lugar de centrarse en una sonrisa, se sugiere que los bailarines practiquen una expresión abierta con toda la cara, especialmente con los ojos.

Pensar o sentir este concepto es al menos la mitad de la batalla, hay algunas cosas que se pueden hacer en este caso. A medida que uno baila, involucra los musculos de la cara, levantando ligeramente las cejas- no a un extremo comico, pero de una manera que es cómoda y fácil de mantener. Es la misma expresión que la mayoría de la gente utiliza al hacer contacto visual o cuando realmente escuchan a un amigo, o cuando estan hablando con emoción en una conversación. El público responde bien a artistas que utilizan esta técnica.

Verdaderamente VEA, MIRE, TOME el mundo a traves de sus ojos mientras baila.

En cuanto al resto de la cara, ser natural. Mientras que una sonrisa puede ser importante durante ciertos tipos de baile, no corresponde con el estado de ánimo de todos los bailes.

Relajar la mandíbula inferior. Esto mejorará cualquier tipo de expresión, y si es apropiado, hace posible tener una sonrisa con facilidad, que no está pegada a la cara.

3.- Entender la musicalidad 

Cada uno tiene una forma diferente de pensar sobre el concepto de musicalidad.

Mientras que el conteo ayuda a los bailarines para ser precisos con sus movimientos, la musicalidad en el baile se expresa a través de mas que contar los ritmos musicales.

Es importante llenar los espacios en la música y en el movimiento, sin dejar que la energía o el intento caigan entre los pasos y conteos.

Siempre es útil tener, al menos, un conocimiento básico de la composición musical o la teoría, pero pensando en lo que uno siente y escucha en la música y aplicar esto en la práctica de la danza es el primer paso para llevar la musicalidad en el baile. De hecho un artista puede ser musical, incluso sin bailar con la música!.

4.- Tiener confianza y estar seguro de sí mismo.

La confianza, es creer y confiar en uno mismo y en la situación.

La confianza en uno mismo y los companeros de baile es el lado práctico de la confianza que viene de la preparación y experiencia. El trabajo que uno pone en los pasos de baile y la coreografía, el tiempo y el esfuerzo que uno pone en la clase, la técnica, la acumulación de experiencia en el escenario o de situaciones en las que hay que improvisar. Estas cosas son las que le permiten a uno desarrollar la confianza.

5.- Hay que ser actores como también bailarines.

Al igual que los músicos entienden la música, los actores entienden el contexto ( la situación, la escena, las condicones, etc) dentro de lo que realizan.

Bailarines, como actores, deben estar familiarizados con el periodo de tiempo o el origen de la danza, entender las emociones de una pieza, o tener una idea de lo que el coreógrafo está tratando de expresar.

6.- Bailar mas alla del Kinesphere.

Kinesphere es una palabra que se usa en la danza que describe el espacio que rodea el cuerpo. Es la burbuja imaginaria que rodea tu marco de quietud y de movimiento. Una vez más, bailar más allá de esta burbuja es algo que hay que imaginar mientras bailas,no necesariamente algo que uno hace.

Moverse con un sentido de dirección o ampliar la energia más allá del kinesphere no solo hará al bailarín mas atrayente. Si se practica durante todas las clases, proyectando la energía más allá de tu alcance, de la punta de los dedos, de los pies, a través de la parte superior de la cabeza, de los ojos, o incluso de cada célula del cuerpo, se puede mejorar la ejecución del movimiento también.