Girls Aloud at O2, Liza Minnelli Cabaret: London Weekend
The O2 is about to be taken over by Girls Aloud for three nights of pop hits.
The band is running through its greatest-hits album “Ten,” which features singles such as “Sound of the Underground” and “I’ll Stand by You.” Cheryl Cole’s solo success has not stopped the act, formed though a TV talent show in 2002 and still making records such as “Something New.”
March 1-3 at O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX. Information: http://www.theo2.co.uk, http://www.girlsaloud.com/ and +44-20-8463-2000.
Saturday
An exotic aroma wafts through London’s Gagosian Gallery.
In 1975, artist Robert Rauschenberg moved himself to an ashram in Ahmadabad, India and made art from a mixture of mud (used for building huts), spices and paper pulp. Two of his fragrant “Unions” are now in an exhibition.
The main focus of the “Jammers” exhibition are the pristine stitched fabrics -- like stretched-out saris -- that Rauschenberg made in Florida in the ’70s. They’re unlike his earlier art, which was made with trash picked off New York streets; for samples of that, visit the Barbican’s “The Bride and the Bachelors” exhibition.
“Jammers” ends March 28 at the Gagosian Gallery, Britannia Street, WC1X 9JD. For information: http://www.gagosian.com or +44-20-7841-9961.
Gagosian is within walking distance of Caravan, an all-day cafe owned by New Zealanders. The coffee is first class, the food is good and there’s Prosecco on tap. The venue is housed in a warehouse dating back to 1851 in the new Granary Square development. Information: http://www.caravankingscross.co.uk/ or +44-20-7101-7661.
Saturday Night
It’s your last chance to see the Old Vic’s punchy revival of “Kiss Me Kate” -- the story of a divorced actor couple who reappear together on stage. Glamorous Lilli Vanessi (Hannah Waddingham) hopes to win back her ex (Alex Bourne). He’s busy romancing another blonde and avoiding a pair of dopey gangsters.
The Trevor Nunn staging, Cole Porter music and fine dancing make “Kiss Me Kate” a fun night out. The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB: http://www.oldvictheatre.com, +44-844-871-7628, to March 2.
The Anchor & Hope, along The Cut from the Old Vic, is a destination for London food lovers. It has won numerous awards, including Gastro Pub of the Year and London Dining Pub of the Year. It doesn’t accept reservations (except for Sunday lunch) so it’s wise to arrive before 6 p.m. if you want to eat before the show. Information: http://bit.ly/gnpy6v or +44-20-7928-9898.
Sunday
“Cabaret” comes to the South Bank.
The Oscar-winning 1972 musical will be screened free of charge in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night. And that’s not all: Liza Minnelli herself will shimmy on the main stage Friday as she revisits such favorites as “Money Makes the World Go Round” and “Mein Herr.”
It’s all part of the Southbank Centre’s yearlong festival of 20th-century music (“The Rest is Noise”), currently focused on prewar Berlin, with talks and concerts and a London Philharmonic Orchestra performance of “The Threepenny Opera.”
Information: http://southbankcentre.co.uk/therestisnoise or call +44-844-847-9913.
(Farah Nayeri writes for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Lewis Lapham on history, New York weekend guide and Jeremy Gerard on U.S. theater.
To contact the writer on this story: Farah Nayeri in London at farahn@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
Girls Aloud
Simone Joyner/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud.
Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud. Photographer: Simone Joyner/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Hannah Waddingham (Lilli Vanessi) and Alex Bourne (Fred Graham) in "Kiss Me, Kate'' at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Trevor Nunn's production transfers from the Chichester Festival to London. Photographer: Catherine Ashmore/Jo Allan PR via Bloomberg
'Kiss Me, Kate'
Catherine Ashmore/Jo Allan PR via Bloombe
Jason Pennycooke,and company, in "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Old Vic Theatre in London. The story switches between the onstage production of a musical and problems between the cast backstage.
Jason Pennycooke,and company, in "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Old Vic Theatre in London. The story switches between the onstage production of a musical and problems between the cast backstage. Photographer: Catherine Ashmore/Jo Allan PR via Bloombe
'Unions'
Mike Bruce/Gate Studios/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
Two artworks from the "Unions" series by Robert Rauschenberg. The works, which emit an exotic aroma, are made of mud, paper pulp and spices, and are on display in the "Jammers" exhibition.
Two artworks from the "Unions" series by Robert Rauschenberg. The works, which emit an exotic aroma, are made of mud, paper pulp and spices, and are on display in the "Jammers" exhibition. Photographer: Mike Bruce/Gate Studios/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
'Gull (Jammer)'
Robert McKeever/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
"Gull (Jammer)" (1975) by Robert Rauschenberg. The work is part of a series produced by Rauschenberg in Florida and on show at the Gagosian Gallery in London through March 28, 2013.
"Gull (Jammer)" (1975) by Robert Rauschenberg. The work is part of a series produced by Rauschenberg in Florida and on show at the Gagosian Gallery in London through March 28, 2013. Photographer: Robert McKeever/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
'Mirage (Jammer)'
Robert McKeever/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
"Mirage (Jammer)" (1975) by Robert Rauschenberg. Made of sewn fabric, the work is part of a series inspired by Rauschenberg's stay in an Indian ashram, and on display at the Gagosian Gallery in London through March 28, 2013.
"Mirage (Jammer)" (1975) by Robert Rauschenberg. Made of sewn fabric, the work is part of a series inspired by Rauschenberg's stay in an Indian ashram, and on display at the Gagosian Gallery in London through March 28, 2013. Photographer: Robert McKeever/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Gagosian Gallery via Bloomberg
Caravan restaurant in London. The casual eatery serves Asian-influenced seasonal food. Source: Caravan via Bloomberg
Seared tuna, cheese and peanut wontons, avocado with chili, and goat's curd with lentils at Caravan. The London eatery has an eclectic menu. Photographer: Richard Vines/Bloomberg
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