Our favourite things to do in London this month – words Sarah Jones
The top four: a round up of our favourite things to do in London this month.
Immorality Auction
Fancy becoming a character in the next bestselling novel? Well here’s your opportunity thanks to the remarkable charity, Freedom from Torture. Helping all of those that are suffering from the effects of torture in the UK, the charity has launched their latest auction called ‘Immortality’ which offers the chance to have your name immortalized in literature, written by a best selling author.
Writers involved include Tracy Chevalier (best known for her novel Girl With The Pearl Earring which was adapted into the 2003 movie with Scarlett Johansson) and Booker Prize winner Ian McEwan plus many many more.
The bidding is online via the site www.immortalityauction.org but there is also a live auction in London, taking place at Sixty One Whitehall on the 17th November – where there’s canapés, drinks and author readings. Plus it will be hosted by fellow author and comedian Alexei Sayle.
Tickets for this event is £60 and all funds raised from the auction will go to Freedom from Torture, providing invaluable support for torture survivors in the UK.
The online auction closes at 22:00 (GMT) on Wednesday 16th November 2016. Top bids will be carried over into a live auction, taking place on 17th November.
Sixty One Whitehall, London SW1A 2ET
For more information visit: www.immortalityauction.org
Hair by Sam McKnight
Sam McKnight is the legendary hair stylist whose career spans decades. Open now at Somerset House, Hair by Sam McKnight is a major exhibition celebrating the master hair stylist’s remarkable 40-year career. An integral part of the fashion industry, McKnight has been instrumental in helping to develop the images of Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Princess Diana to name a few.
Embankment Galleries, Somerset House WC2R 1LA
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
A must visit every year; the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is never a disappointment. Running from 18 November to the 2nd January 2017,
Festive favourite includes The Magical Ice Kingdom (it’s the biggest ice and snow sculpture experience in the UK), Ice Skating and of course, the Ice Bar.
There’s no where better to sip on mulled wine on a cold winter’s afternoon than here! Ticket prices vary, dependant o the attraction.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2016 is the leading international competition, open to all, which celebrates and promotes the very best in contemporary portrait photography from around the world. Showing from the 17th November to the 26th February 2017 at the Natonal Portrait Gallery, it offers a chance to view photographs by talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established professionals.
The competition features a diverse range of images and tells the often fascinating stories behind the creation of the works, from formal commissioned portraits to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE
