Tue 1 May, 2012 The Culturist London’s cultural highlights this May Despite the incessant rain (has it stopped…?), we’re attempting to look to summer at UJ HQ. We’ve got a proverbial pick and mix of May-time events for you, with a heavy helping of fashion (both a Louboutin and Hermès exhibition), photography (Terry O’Neill), and fashion photography (Rankin), as well as some options to escape city life: Cowley Manor, IMS, Venice or Indian pop up Bukhara. None of these appeal? Then surely a trapeze school in Regent’s Park will. PHOTOGRAPHY: Terry O’Neill Infamous Raquel Welch on the cross; Brigitte Bardot, cigarette in mouth, windswept hair across her face. Both are iconic images by British photographer Terry O’Neill, whose Infamous exhibition will showcase his most powerful shots to date, including unseen works. His intimate, backstage reportage-style shots span all types of celebritydom from 60s rockstars and 70s babes to Winston Churchill. May 1 - June 8, free 5-7 Dover Street, W1S 4LD FASHION: Christian Louboutin at the Design Museum and HermÈs Leather Forever Two legendary French fashion houses exhibit this month. First up is Christian Louboutin at the Design Museum, where 20 years of intricate design and red-soled style will be celebrated. Then there’s Hermès Leather Forever: 12 interactive rooms complete with saddles, silk scarves, Kellys, Birkins and presentations from craftspeople straight from the Paris workshop. They’ve even created four unique bags (one for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to mark the occasion. Christian Louboutin May 1 - July 9, £10 Design Museum, Shad Thames, SE1 2YD Hermès May 8 - May 27, Free 6 Burlington Gardens, W1S ESCAPE: The RCA Sculpture Exhibition at Cowley Manor Whether it’s an out-of-city picnic or a May Day break you’re after, make Cowley Manor your destination. The country house hotel sits in the Cotswold countryside, and has partnered with the Royal College of Art and Coutts this summer to commission a sculpture competition - the best submissions will be displayed through the 55 acre gardens of the house. We say, make a trip of it and stay (go for a split level room in the stable block, and make use of the chic C-Side spa and indoor/outdoor pools). May 3 - September 30, rooms from £175 Cowley Manor, Cowley, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NL INTERNATIONAL: PalazzinaG Venice Pop Up Nothing says summer more than a regatta. Good job Venice is hosting the America’s Cup Regatta this month then. Apart from the obvious race-watching, this means party time. Phillipe Starck’s PalazzinaG Hotel have a goody: an exclusive three day event which will see DJ Kitt Proudfoot (of The Box and The Arts Club in London and Blue Marlin and KM5 in Ibiza) provide the soundtrack, Brigitte Armengos (Space, Pacha) head the entertainment, while Luigi Francella takes on the food with an exciting Venetian menu. All against a backdrop of Phillipe Starck’s modern-meets-lavish design and the Grand Canal. May 11 - 14, packages (including 2 nights and access to all parties) from €1850 San Marco 3247, 30124 Venice, Italy To book for events call 020 7405 5838 or email hq@meredithbespoke.com FOOD: Bukhara Pop Up Renowned New Delhi restaurant Bukhara visits London this May for a pop up directed by designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia (who was also behind the recent Agyness Deyn short film for The Luxury Collection). Expect intimate dining and rustic cooking from northwestern India: the original restaurant is known for its marinated, tandoor-cooked meats and giant naans. The booking line is now open. May 17 - June 1 Sheraton Park Tower, 101 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RN To book call 020 8045 0715 or email bukhara@nyloncommunications.com SHOP: Rankin Contains Nudity at Other Criteria Again with the nude. Other Criteria presents Contains Nudity, an exhibition of Rankin’s most celebrated female nude works, in their new photography room. The 12 prints will be available to buy, and the exhibition coincides with the launch of the second issue of Rankin’s fashion and lifestyle magazine Hunger. Alongside the nude shots there’ll be images from the new issue on show, as well as one portrait of the Queen thrown in for good measure. May 10 - June 21, Hunger Magazine £4.95 Other Criteria, 14 Hinde Street, W1U 3BG LAST CHANCE: Ibiza International Music Summit With only 500 delegate badges available and the dates fast approaching, it’s high time you booked IMS if you’re in the biz. Speakers include DJs (Diplo, Luciano, Loco Dice, Paul Oakenfold) and big name executives from the likes of Twitter, Youtube, Vice, Foursquare and Creamfields, while topics range from emerging markets and Ibiza’s year of change to publishing and technology. And then there’s the opening parties… May 23 - 25, €320 Ibiza Gran Hotel, Passeig de Joan Carles I, 17 07800 Ibiza Town, Spain SWING: Gorilla Circus There’s a first time for everything. Including flying trapeze classes in Regent’s Park. London’s only outdoor trapeze school has set up for the summer. Go for a much-needed adrenalin boost, some outside the box exercise and great views of London all rolled into one. There are two-hour drop in sessions for beginners, while high fliers should try a full-on four week course (but don’t quit the day job). Until September 2, 2-hour classes £23.50 Regent’s Park, Outer Cir (by Ave Road), NW1 SPOTLIGHT Marcus Wareing Q&A Marcus Wareing is an internationally acclaimed chef who has been achieving Michelin Stars since 1997. Having worked at some of London’s top restaurants (L’Oranger, Pétrus, The Savoy Grill), he now runs The Gilbert Scott at the recently revamped St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. UJ caught up with Marcus to get the lowdown on what tastes make him tick. Click here to read the interview. To book Taste By Appointment at The Gilbert Scott or other upcoming events click here. READ MORE Snowbombing Leap of Faith Here at UJ HQ, we weren’t so sure about Snowbombing. The name, the youthful logo, the photos of people partying in - gasp - costume. Twice we declared it wasn’t our bag and declined attending. But then we thought, why not. Live a little. And after just returning from a memorable trip to Mayrhofen, we’re definitely glad we took the Snowbombing leap of faith. We’ll be the first to admit, we were wrong. We loved it! Click here for our SB highlights by JC LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2012 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free daily mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.