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flavourpill LONDON
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21-27 June, 2005 |
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 Eduardo Bertone |
Cultural Stimuli in LONDON
Issue 87: solstice flavour
There's something radical going on, and you don't need to be a detective to figure it out — it's summer in the city, and the heat is on the streets. Strut around town (or even under it) and uncover celluloid under the stars, opera in the piazza and art at the local tube station. Of course, if you prefer entertainment delivered to your doorstep, you could always order room service. However you like it, flavourpill has you covered, so spread it.
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flavourpill is an email magazine covering a hand-picked selection of music, art and cultural events — delivered each Tuesday afternoon.
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SOMA MAGAZINE, the internationally acclaimed magazine of culture, fashion and the arts. From film to music, fashion, literature, architecture, design and beyond, SOMA applies its unique blend of intelligence and whimsy to all aspects of the urban lifestyle. |
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| THEATRE |
As You Like It
| when: |
Now until Sat 24 Sep (schedule) |
| where: |
Wyndham's Theatre (Charing Cross Road, WC2, 020.7369.1736) Tube: Leicester Square, Covent Garden map |
| price: |
£10-40 |
| links: |
Event Info |
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Sienna Miller treads the boards of the West End this week in her quest to prove she's more than just an ambassador for boho chic. The future Mrs Jude Law plays Celia in David Lan's circa-1940s-Paris production of the Shakespearean rom-com. Anchoring the all-star cast are the inimitable Helen McCrory in the lead role of Rosalind and Dominic West as Orlando, with support from comedians Sean Hughes and The League of Gentlemen's Reece Shearsmith. The proceedings are complemented by the mellifluous sound of Clive Rowe belting out Dietrich-esque chansons. We like it. (LCD)
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| OPERA |
The Royal Opera: Verdi's Rigoletto
| when: |
Tue 21 June (7:30pm) |
| where: |
Covent Garden Piazza (WC2) Tube: Covent Garden map |
| price: |
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| links: |
Event Info |
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You would think that by midsummer's eve, one could recommend with confidence an outdoor event. But regardless of what our beloved London weather throws at us, we think this performance is a winner. Live opera can be prohibitively expensive, and these broadcast concerts offer front-row seats to the masses, free. Verdi's Rigoletto is an exquisitely tragic romance, and that's to say nothing of the music itself — soaring and sublime in equal measure. The Covent Garden location also means that if you get hungry, you can always pop into the shops for a cup of tea or a bite. (NT)
NB: La Bohème follows in the same series and is broadcast at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf and Victoria Park.
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| ALSO ON TUE |
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COMEDY
Patton Oswalt
Now until Sat 25 June (9:30pm) Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street, W1, 020.7478.0100) Tube: Tottenham Court Road map £15 / £12 concessions
Event Info |
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Uncompromising, witty and wily — Patton Oswalt has managed to convert a broad (and famous) audience to his particularly vivid brand of deadpan comedy, which he showcases this week at the Soho Theatre. (NT)
 
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| ART |
CNA Art Classes
| when: |
First and third Wed & Sat evenings of the month |
| where: |
New Broadway Market (South Hackney, E8, 020.7249.5584) Tube: Bethnal Green map |
| price: |
£35 Sat / £15 Wed |
| links: |
Event Info |
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The Community Network Association supports "education, art and community activities in the London area", and is aiming for charitable status. From a look at its website, the whole operation seems to be a mystery shrouded in a riddle cloaked in an enigma; in one section, it offers to help you "know yourself and know the universe". (If they can even do one out of two, you can't really fault them.) What we do know is flyers have appeared in East London's more refined boozers announcing these art classes, which are led by qualified professional tutors and held in a railway arch. If you're looking for omniscience, it's worth exploring. (ND)
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| FILM: Open-Air |
More Movies
| when: |
Wed 22 - Fri 24 June (9:15pm) |
| where: |
The Scoop at More London (Queenswalk, SE1, 020.7403.4866) Tube: Tower Hill, London Bridge map |
| price: |
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| links: |
Event Info |
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The Scoop's month-long cinematic odyssey through all that is cult, classic and box-office smash comes to a close this week with the sexy selection of Dr No, Festival Express and Moulin Rouge!. Taking place under the stars in the Scoop's riverside mini-amphitheatre on the South Bank, this has to be one of London's most cosy nights out. Bring blankets, food, booze, your furry pals (animal or human) — essentially anything to heighten the dreamlike experience of underground lairs, bikini- and sequin-clad lovelies and warmer climes. (JC)
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| ART |
Cork Street Open
| when: |
Thur 23 June (5-8pm) |
| where: |
Various locations (Cork Street, W1) Tube: Piccadilly Circus map |
| price: |
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| links: |
Event Info |
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As part of Art Fortnight London, the street as famous for fascinating exhibitions as it is for exorbitant prices opens its 19 galleries late one balmy summer evening to allow all us worker bees to peruse the displays. Among the many highlights are Beaux Arts' Aspects of British Sculpture, the Bernard Jacobson Gallery's exhibition of new works by 1960s minimalist supremo Larry Bell and Ben Brown Fine Arts' show of NYC pop icon Keith Haring. Arrive early and you might even get a glass of wine to sip while drinking in the culture. (JC)
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| SPECTACLE |
Adrienne's Room Service
| when: |
Fri 24 - Mon 27 June (24 hours) |
| where: |
Great Eastern Hotel (Liverpool Street, EC2, 020.7618.5000) Tube: Liverpool Street map |
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| links: |
Event Info | Venue Info |
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Feeling peckish in the wee hours? Order yourself some upscale grub from the Great Eastern's extensive room-service menu, and while you're at it, ask for performance artist Adrian Howells to deliver it. His alter ego Adrienne is on hand to bring your order to your room; he'll then spend an hour in your company, eating and drinking with you. Deep, meaningful conversation is his forte — he promises "no subject is off limits" — although if it's just a bit of nonchalant, cheery repartee you need, then he's more than happy to oblige. Now that's service. (KW)
NB: Non-residents can reserve a room by the hour, free of charge and request service from Adrienne, but any other items ordered from the menu are still subject to charge.
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| MULTIMEDIA |
Wildlife Crime in London
| when: |
Now until Sat 2 July (daily: 10:30am-5:30pm) |
| where: |
The Horniman Museum (100 London Road, SE23, 020.8699.1872) BR: Forest Hill map |
| price: |
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| links: |
Venue Info |
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We imagine the work of a nature detective to be rewarding in the extreme. With a role model such as Ace Ventura — a character undoubtedly based in fact — this particular unit of the Met must be alive with Hawaiian shirts, sexy girls and zoological humour. Of course, the job could be more about curbing the unconscionable humans who deal in rare bird's eggs, ivory and bush meats. To see which is more accurate (we're giving no clues), pop down to this brilliant display and forum at the Horniman. Special presentations take place throughout the day and a member of the unit will be on hand to answer all your questions. (ND)
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| FILM |
Czech Dream
| when: |
Opens Fri 24 June (schedule) |
| where: |
ICA (The Mall, SW1, 020.7930.3647) Tube: Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus map |
| price: |
£6.50 / £5.50 concessions |
| links: |
Event Info | Czech Dream |
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What started out as a final-year project for two Czech film students has become one of the most refreshing documentaries of recent years. After instigating a full-scale advertising campaign for a non-existent supermarket, Vit Klusak and Filip Remunda are understandably nervous when 4,000 people turn up on the outskirts of Prague for the grand opening. Tapping into the "life is short, so have the best time you can" ethos, Czech Dream examines the power of advertising and consumerism in a hilarious yet downright frightening critique of modern society. (CH)
NB: Despite what the ICA schedule states, the film does actually begin screenings on Fri 24 June.
 Which recent advert campaign do you deem the craziest around, and why? The three responses we like the best each receive a pair of tickets to a screening of Czech Dream.
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| MUSIC: Soul / Hip-Hop |
Dark Town Strutters Ball
| when: |
Fri 24 June (8pm-1am) |
| where: |
Underbelly (Downstairs at Zigfrids, 11 Hoxton Square, N1, 020.7613.3105) Tube: Old Street map |
| price: |
£5 |
| links: |
Venue Info |
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Hoxton Square's Underbelly bar hosts Dark Town Strutters Ball, an intimate, monthly soul-jazz extravaganza. Nu-soul movement star Lyric L, whose style melds the up-front delivery of mentor Monie Love with the freestyle poetic flow of artists such as Ursula Rucker and Bahamadia, leads off with a live band. Next on the bill are Djangothief — up-and-comers on the UK hip-hop and funk scene. The four-piece band has been performing one-offs all over London lately, including an appearance at Tate Modern. An ideal night out for those who love to groove smoothly. (MiM)
On which breakthrough Queen Latifah track did Monie Love contribute vocals? The first correct response receives a pair of guestlist spots to Dark Town Strutters Ball.
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| SPECTACLE |
The Unisexuniform Radical Monument
| when: |
Sat 25 June (12-4pm) |
| where: |
Central St Martins College of Art and Design (Southampton Row, WC1, 020.7514.7023) Tube: Holborn map |
| price: |
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| links: |
CSM |
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You might have spotted 50 shiny, skintight bodysuit-clad beings shimmying their way backward down Charing Cross Road or gulping pints down your local this past week. No, it's not some avant-garde War of the Worlds promotion; much higher-minded forces are at work in the Unisexuniform Radical Monument than Mr Katie Holmes could convey. Coinciding with Swedish artist and Beck's Futures prizewinner Ak von Malborg's degree show at Central St Martins, the firmly terrestrial spectacle binds each performer in a cloak of anonymity, yet the unisexform-wearers' movement through space becomes a celebration of creativity, variety and spontaneity. Get your fill at Saturday's CSM degree show. (JS)
NB: The performance also runs Tue 21 - Fri 24 June (12-8pm)
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| ART |
Under the Pavement: the Beach
| when: |
Sat 25 June - Fri 8 July (12-6pm) |
| where: |
St Pancras, Crypt Gallery (Euston Road, NW1, 020.7388.1461) Tube: Euston, King's Cross map |
| price: |
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| links: |
Venue Info |
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Bloody scary places, crypts are. Entering one (presuming it's not too late to be given a choice) seems wholly wrong. Anyway, this one, underneath St Pancras parish church, is being put to good use: it's slowly changing into an art gallery. The latest issue of the parish magazine states that "plans are in hand to provide a small kitchen, a toilet, and perhaps a bench or two", which means this event is well worth your support. The artists on show are seven Central St Martins graduates, collaborating on the theme of self-improvement. It's sure to be intriguing, if not a little unnerving. (ND)
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| ALSO ON SAT |
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FUNDRAISER
Summer of '89
Sat 25 June (8pm-2am) Centro Bar (93 Gray's Inn Road, WC1, 020.8504.7162) Tube: King's Cross map £6
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Get down to the tunes of '89 (and a few years prior and hence) at this night aiding the British Heart Foundation and Changing Faces. It works out to £1 per hour of groovin'. Well wicked. (JO)
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| CITY GEM |
Jivamukti Yoga
| when: |
Open daily (schedule) |
| where: |
Jivamukti Yoga (300 Kensal Road, units 136 & 137, W10, 020.8960.3999) Tube: Ladbroke Grove, Kensal Rise map |
| price: |
£14 / Free second class |
| links: |
Jivamukti |
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Springing from New York's East Village, Jivamukti adapts the ancient teachings and practices of yoga for the modern urban inhabitant. The centre, located near the top of Ladbroke Grove, combines traditional yoga poses and breathing, but the chanting and music — ranging from Krishna Das to Peter Murphy — definitely complement the clean, designer interior and downtown-punk teachers (a member of Lady Luck teaches at the centre and a woman from Audio Letter is a founder). The vigorous practice isn't easy; start with the basic class if you're new to yoga. The sign is hard to see so look carefully! (JD)
NB: Jivamukti London's official launch is Thur 7 July.
Which veteran NYC hip-hop artist recently took a break from his group to co-produce Audio Letter's 2003 remix album? The first correct response receives a pair of free classes at Jivamukti.
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| ART |
David Batchelor: Ten Silhouettes presented by Platform for Art
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We love the Platform for Art concept. Let's face it — anything that makes the journey to work more pleasurable has got to be good. And the Ten Silhouettes exhibition by David Batchelor is worth the sweaty trip to Gloucester Road in its own right. Proving himself a canny recyclist, Batchelor employs decommissioned Tube furniture in these works, which reflect different areas of London. The niches on the disused District and Circle line platform frame the steel and aluminium pieces, which are illuminated from behind to create the titular silhouettes. Strangely colourful and entrancing. (LCD)
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| ART: Ongoing |
Art Fortnight London 2005
| when: |
Now until Mon 4 July (schedule) |
| where: |
Various locations |
| price: |
Various |
| links: |
Event Info |
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Art Fortnight London links galleries, auction houses, museums and private collections to grant you access and insight into some of the art world's greatest treasures and newest stars. Its remit is broad to say the least, comprising classes at the V&A and Bloomberg, art trails around sculpture galleries and East London (arguably Europe's contemporary art capital), viewings of previously unseen private collections, breakfasts at Tate Britain and lectures from such luminaries as Turner Prize-winner Grayson Perry. All told, it's a golden opportunity to spend time with and gain knowledge from some of the art world's top curators, writers and experts. (JC)
In your opinion, what is the most relevant medium being utilised in contemporary art, and why? The response we like the best receives a pair of tickets to the Young Masters private view on Wed 22 June at 148A St John Street, EC1 (near Clerkenwell Road junction).
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| ART: Ongoing |
Martha Rosler: London Garage Sale
| when: |
Now until Sun 17 July (daily: 12:30-7pm) |
| where: |
ICA (The Mall, SW1, 020.7930.3647) Tube: Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus map |
| price: |
£1-2.50 |
| links: |
Event Info | Martha Rosler |
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Join the ranks of the well-to-do and own a piece of contemporary art! Garage Sale originated in San Diego in 1973 and has been touring worldwide in the years since. Rosler's work is a living, breathing interactive exhibition where viewers, or more accurately participants, bargain with sales assistants and riffle around through London-specific jumble collected exclusively for this iteration of the iconic installation. Aside from being a great opportunity to unearth a bargain, it also displays sociological evidence of our city, showing what we wear, read, play with, cherish and eventually discard. (JC)
NB: All proceeds go to charity.
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| WORKSHOP |
Short Film Summer School
| when: |
Wed 6 - Sat 9 July (daily: 10am-11pm) |
| where: |
Curzon Soho (99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1, 020.7734.2255)
Tube: Leicester Square map |
| price: |
Various |
| links: |
Event Info |
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Whether you want to be the next Steven Spielberg, Russ Meyer or Christopher Nolan, you've got to start somewhere, and the debut Short Film Summer School gives aspiring filmmakers a hefty leg up the greasy pole that is the movie business. There are plenty of panels, workshops and master classes in essential film skills such as scriptwriting, pitching, distribution and camera operation, plus useful opportunities to rub shoulders with industry specialists and budding movie hotshots. And even if you don't have directorial ambitions, there are short film screenings throughout the four days. (KW)
NB: Tickets for individual courses and events range from free to £6. A limited number of four-day, access-all-areas passes are also available for £40 / £30 concessions.
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| PERFORMANCE |
Zero Degrees
| when: |
Tue 12 - Sat 16 July (7:30pm) |
| where: |
Sadler's Wells (Rosebery Avenue, EC1, 020.7863.8000) Tube: Angel map |
| price: |
£10-32 |
| links: |
Event Info |
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Take one metal sculptor, an Asian fusion musician/composer and two world-famous dancers and what have you got? Zero Degrees, an East-meets-West contemporary dance fest choreographed by the Moorish-Flemish Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Indian Akram Khan. The show's title refers to the neutral point between two opposites, with the dancers' movements exploring the meeting of two cultures. Complemented by set design from Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley and a specially commissioned score from Nitin Sawhney, this is surely one of the most interesting collaborations to hit the capital this year. (LCD)
NB: The two preview performances are Fri 8 & Sat 9 July (7:30pm).
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| COMEDY |
The Improvisers w/ Stephen Frost
| when: |
Sat 16 July (8pm) |
| where: |
Artsdepot (5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, N12, 020 8369 5454) Tube: Finchley Central, Woodside Park map |
| price: |
£16 / £14 concessions |
| links: |
Event Info |
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When it comes to making it up on the spot, number one on your speed dial should be comedian Stephen Frost. Tonight he leads fellow Whose Line Is It Anyway? stalwarts Jim Sweeney, Steve Steen, Andy Smart, musician Richard Vranch and special guest Phil Jupitus in a merry bout of live, uncut and near-the-knuckle laughs. Audience participation is key here, so when they ask for suggestions for film styles, oblige them by shouting out "gothic horror", "gladiatorial epic" and "adult movie" — preferably all at the same time. (KW)
Which rotund comic hosted the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? The first correct response receives a pair of tickets to the performance.
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EXPAND-O-TAX: Congestion Charge Consultation |
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Last week, the government announced plans for a national pay-as-you-go system of road usage. Londoners are already used to the Zone 1 congestion charge, with Ken Livingstone making no secret of his desire to expand the zone and increase the price to £8. A revised and detailed proposal of the West London Congestion Charge Extension is now up for public consultation with a touring exhibition. The controversial plans have a committed anti-campaign, which is opposed to extending the zone into the borough of Kensington and Chelsea. If the proposed extension doesn't effect where you live right now, consider that the zone may be extended east and south in the future. (SR)
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CD REVIEW: Plump DJs, Saturday Night Lotion |
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Finger Lickin'
Available 27 June
£7.99 (Amazon)
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In a slice of string-pulling that would shame the work of poor Geppetto, the Plump DJs' new album arrived in a flurry of PR handiwork. The title was a closely guarded secret and the campaign centred instead on a made-up fragrance "for the clubbing generation" that promised to "transform you into an object of intense desire". A launch party was held to promote the scent where — just as in the ending of The Wizard of Oz — the Plump DJs swung round and you realised it was all a ruse. Hmmm. The record itself offers nothing unexpected, packing 17 tracks of the high-octane hip-hop, electro, pop samples and heavy bass lines that make breakbeat in general, and the Plumps in particular, so popular. (ND)
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STREAM: Beats in Space |
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With his Beats in Space show, mixed live from WNYU's studio in New York, Tim Sweeney plays the best bits from several genres — be they classic industrial or psychedelic Nordic disco — breaking new tunes while embracing the classics. He's also got some top-tier guests. With this instalment, Optimo's Twitch stops by for a turn on the 1200s and Crosstown Rebels' Damian Lazarus drops an electro set in support of his new Bugged Out! release. Finally, check one of the finest mixes ever aired on the show — the Avalanches' set, which seamlessly fuses everything from the Beach Boys and 2-step riddims to the Chemical Brothers and Guns N' Roses. It's enough to make aspiring DJs throw their decks out the window. (CJN)
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Twitch: Beats in Space mix (Electro/disco)
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Damian Lazarus: Beats in Space mix (Electro/techno)
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The Avalanches: Beats in Space mix (Turntablism/eclectic)
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| Header Design: |
| Eduardo Bertone |
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| Editors: |
| Joe Colly | | Lucy C. Davies | | Nick Doherty | | Francesca Gavin | | Sascha Lewis | | Mark Mangan | | Colin J. Nagy | | Shiraz Randeria | | Jonathan Schultz | | Philip Sherburne | | Claire Smith | | Kieran Wyatt |
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| ABOUT US |
| flavourpill LONDON is a free weekly mailer covering music, arts, and cultural events in LONDON. All listings are pure editorial, never paid advertisements. No money is accepted from venues, artists, or promoters. Read more about us, and spread it... |
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| FEEDBACK |
| Please let us know what's on your mind, any and all feedback — comments, questions, ideas, or rants. |
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| EVENT SUBMISSIONS |
| To let us know about an upcoming event that you think belongs here, please email us at events. |
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| Contributors: |
| Clare Aitken | | Nick Clarke | | Adam Connors | | Jessica Crombie | | Jason Doyle | | Seb Emina | | Rebecca Givan | | Chris Harris | | Bobby M | | Milan Miletic | | Joanne Oatts | | Naomi Tarszisz | | Robbie Wolstenholme | | Alex Zamora |
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Production: |
| Anjuli Ayer | | Sander-Martijn Milks | | David Morrow | | Dayo Olopade | | Sameer Shah | | Marcella Veneziale |
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© 2005 Flavorpill Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
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