Party on the "beach". Un hasta pronto para DJ Johnny...

Nothing better than spending the evening on the beach in a warm night in summer! Well, the lack of beaches in London does not halt my very good friend Johnny, DJ and PR, from having the best farewell party at the riverside in the London's South Bank.

We actually had to wait two hours for low-tide but then was all about music, drinks and partying.

The DJ in action

Just getting there...

Photographer Alessandro Lourenzo displayed his work about Ibiza

The parties organised by Johnny are not just about music and the best DJs in town, but also about art and diversity. So, once again, we had a great and even more special and happy time...

...

Este domingo pudimos, por una vez (y por favor que siente precedente), disfrutar de lo más parecido a la playa que puede tener esta maravilla de ciudad. Bajo el Festival Pier, en una ya no tan rara, muy cálida, noche de verano, tenía lugar una fiesta única, la despedida (temporal, breve) de Johnny, brasileño, DJ, Relaciones Públicas, un tesoro. Dos horas tuvimos que esperar para que la marea dejara espacio a la música, las cervecitas y hasta las exposiciones fotográficas. Y es que estas fiestas van más allá de la música, son también ventana a lo multicultural y al arte.

In London... They say it'd be the last warm day of the summer

South bank again… Well, we were enjoying a 30 Celsius and the news said that it was the last day of the summer… The National theatre has great terraces, an enjoyable bar and lovely views, along with these folding chairs, which everyone can use for free (not so in Green, Hyde, or whichever other park around London).

Pleople watching the performance, part of summer activities and events at the National Theatre. Below, a group of musicians on the Embankment bridge.

The Southbank centre offers a wide range of activities

Who says that London hasn't got a beach...

They said it would be the last sunny, warm day of the summer… I didn’t believe it…

Jazz is all around

Jazz is always beyond of what we might think. Whether you love it or not, jazz festivals have been the star of this summer. This has been my week of events: Last Wednesday, at the Café in the Crypt (St. Martin in the Fields), where I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my friends and we had the best time, dancing while listening to Fabulations. The atmosphere was superb!

And just two days later I found myself in Canada Square having a great evening with Omar Puente and his band. The sounds from Cuba and its Guantanamera made the audience go salsa!

For more jazz events information go to http://www.jazzinlondon.net/

Green Britain Day

Today is the launch of the annual event, designed to inspire the nation to work together to take action and lower Britain's carbon footprint in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games and to promote sustainability. What's more, we can join the Team Green Britain. It's free, you'll get advice on living a greener life and could save a few pounds.

You' ll also have a chance to win a day at the London 2012 Games...

Do something green today!

+info: http://www.teamgreenbritain.org/

Worldwide...

You are The World

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Millones de personas, en los lugares más recónditos del mundo siguieron ayer el funeral del Rey del Pop, más endiosado que nunca y a punto de ser canonizado en una ceremonia, la de ayer, que tras la confusión de los últimos días causó sorpresa por su emotividad, transparencia y fantástica organización. Al fin y al cabo, es verdad, se trataba de despedir al artista más universal de todos los tiempos.

Me gustó escuchar a todos cantando aquel mítico “We are the world”. Me gustó el niño Shaheen. Me gustó que fuera una ceremonia negra, protagonizada por afro americanos, y me gustó el histrionismo del reverendo.

"Some people are gay. Get over it"!

Open closets, rights, freedom, joy… Doctors, teachers, sports people, army, policemen, fire fighters, sex workers, politicians, performers, artists, lawyers, journalists, older people, proud parents, children…

British Airways, Pearson, NHS, HM Revenue, Arsenal, Councils, Facebook, Amnesty International… Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, heterosexuals... Londoners and tourists. All together, celebrating changes, across central London, in the Pride Parade 2009. All still fighting –outdoors– for equality.

Pictures: Marisol Estévez
More: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeMVgMaIWlM

Pride of London

There will be pride and enjoyment this weekend in London. The 4th of July (Independence Day in the USA, independence gay's day in the UK!) is the date chosen to celebrate the Pride Parade and diverse events all around the Londoner West End. The Parade will go from baker Street to Trafalgar Square, where the Festival will commence and so will be all around Soho area, where the streets will be closed just to celebrate the most colourful day of the year!

For more information: http://www.pridelondon.org

The pursuit of Happiness (in capital letters)!

I felt that all the way was just to get there. To come, on one bright, lively day to Brighton. Our encounter was unexpected and sudden. There you were, the my never overstimated sea side!

Two years, eight months, 26 days and all make sense. The unstoppable life: fight, work, fight, promotion, learn, fall, stand, fight, English, English, English, fight, go on, keep going, go ahead… travel, cry, laugh, fight, miss, be, passion.

Happiness: In your pursuit I’m being myself.

I'm back. Just as the sun is...

Sunny spells

Well well well. It seems that I haven't had any interesting news lately... On the contrary, I have too many things going on!

But, as I left the blog at the beginning of last winter, it might be a good idea to re-start it with the new season, this summery spring. Despite of the rainy start of this week, we could enjoy a lovely sunny weekend. I so I left here these pictures trying to trap the warm weather somehow!

Kensington Roof Gardens. Friday and Saturday nights (find more: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/clubs/roof-gardens-review-18472.html)

Hammersmith riverside: any time

So, be ready for the summer!

Photos: Marisol Estevez

My London...

Rainbow Oxford Street.; Picadilly Circus; London eye; sand sculptures and sunset; Hammersmith Bridge

In London... End of summer

The last massive events of the summer will take place this weekend around the South bank area and Hyde Park.

THAMES FESTIVAL
Tango, jazz, films, carnival and more it’s what you will find in and around the Thames area in London. Taking place this weekend (13-14) between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, the festival brings Londoners together in the very heart of the capital to dance, make sculptures, listen to music, watch movies, drink, eat, enjoy performances, sing, play on the beach, sail on the Thames and party in the streets (Adrian Evans, Festival Director)
find out more:www.thamesfestival.org
photo: ignacio izquierdo
Los londinenses “se lanzan” a las calles durante los meses de verano, sin importar las frescas temperaturas o las lluvias que nos pueden acompañar de forma intermitente durante todo el periodo estival a los que aquí vivimos. Los ingleses llaman Carnaval a cualquier tipo de romería o festejo al aire libre y así caribeñs, latinoamericanos, africanos disfrazan sus cuerpos y caminan sus procesiones paganas por esta ciudad, entre los meses de julio y septiembre. Toca el turno al Festival del Támesis, el más londinense de todos, pero no por ello el mas conocido. Lo mejor del Festival, su entorno, entre los puentes de Westminster y el Tower Bridge. Música en vivo, deportes, baile, películas, concursos de fotografía, decenas de actividades más para para los “locals” que para los turistas. Creo…

BBC PROMS IN THE PARK
Pac your picnic and enjoy the end of 2008's PROMS in Hyde Park this Saturday. The program will include the performance of the Spanish tenor Jose Carreras. Gates open 4.00pm. Entertainment on stage from 5.30pm. Tickets: £25
find out more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/promsinthepark/london.shtml
José Carreras cerrará este sábado en Hyde Park la temporada de conciertos clásicos al alcance de todos los publicos, BBC PROMS. La organización nos invita a llevar el pic-nic al parque y disfrutar de los conciertos al aire libre. El coste de las entradas es de 25 libras.

Venezuela... in London

BBC PROMS 2008

A Prom means a Promenade Concert, or a concert where part of the audience stands in a "promenade" area of the hall. The BBC Proms is an annual music festival which take place at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, running this year from the 18 July to 13 September and comprising over seventy Prom concerts. There are over 1,000 standing places available at each Prom. The traditionally low prices allow you to enjoy world-class concerts for just £5!
Do not miss:
Prom 37
Ravel La Valse
Anders Hillborg Clarinet Concerto (Peacock Tales)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Gustavo Dudamel conductor

Dudamel had the greatest performance last year, when conducted the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela in a passionate performance. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6q7RCAcaBk

PROM 50
Bach day

BBC Proms es un festival anual de música que tiene lugar en el Royal Albert Hall, en Londres. Desde el 18 de julio y hasta el 13 de septiembre, miles de personas pueden disfrutar de más de setenta conciertos Prom. De hecho, hay más de 1000 plazas disponibles de pie en cada Prom al reducido precio de 5 libras. No se pierdan esta temporada la Prom 37 y la 50.

More information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/whatson/

In Galicia...

Me das tu pan en tu mano amasado,
me das tu pan en tu fogón cocido,

me das tu pan en tu piedra molido,

me das tu pan en tu pilón pilado.

Me das tu rancho en tu palma arropado,

me das tu lecho en tu rincón sumido,

me das tu sorbo, a tu sed exprimido,

me das tu traje, en tu sudor sudado.

Me das tu dame de mendigo,

me das tu toma de pobrero,

tu clara fe, tu oscuro desabrigo,

y yo te doy, por lo que dando espero,

el oscuro esperar con que te sigo

y el claro corazón con que te quiero.

Andres Eloy Blanco

In Galicia... Celebrating

FELIZ DIA DE GALICIA

In Colombia...

Liberada Ingrid Betancourt

La ex candidata presidencial pasó seis años secuestrada por las FARC
Muy entera tras su rescate, Betancourt ve su liberación y la de otros rehenes como “una señal de paz para Colombia”.

foto: leonardo muñoz (http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/)