Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens

One aspect of London that has always fascinated me was the use of space. All throughout London people find creative and neat ways to occupy space. London is not filled with housing complexes, instead it has many creative areas where people can go to do all sorts of activities. From what seems like millions of parks and green spaces to the areas of the undergrounds where people are performing, people are constantly outside and doing something. 

Maybe it's because I am coming from America where we do not walk around as much, have great green spaces as such or because I have not acknowledged all of the wonderful of my hometown and taken it for granted. Here in London or the UK or Europe as a whole, there is so much more history behind all of these wonderful spaces.

A little while ago we, as a class, went to Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759. Alongside Kew Gardens in London, Kew. As well as being one of London’s top visitor attractions, Kew is also a world leader in plant science and conservation. The mission of Kew Gardens is to discover and describe the world’s plant and fungal diversity, protect the world's plant life for our future, promote the sustainable use of plants and inspire an appreciation of plants and the environment.

Throughout its history, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has made important contributions to increasing the understanding of the plant kingdom with many benefits for mankind. Today it is still first and foremost a scientific institution. With its collections of living and preserved plants, of plant products and botanical information, it forms an encyclopaedia of knowledge about the plant kingdom.

Random Peacock 

Lorraine & I at Kew Gardens

Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti

Gregory's Review: Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti

Where: The Tricycle Theatre (Nearest Tube: Kilburn Station)

When: 11 October - 24 November 2012

Cost: £14 - £22

Audience: 16+

Rating: ★★★★

Edmund Kean, one of the greatest actors of his generation, has collapsed on the stage at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. A young African-American actor, named Ira Aldridge (1807-67), was selected to fill the lead-role as Othello.

This play sets in 1833, where there has never before been a black actor to play at the Theatre Royal. Set in a time where the public is rioting over the recent abolition of slavery, how will the fellow cast members, audience and critics respond to the revolution in the theatre?

Adrian Lester did a dynamic job encompassing two roles, both the young Ira and the elder Ira, as there are several flash backs that take place in the production. The play opens and closes in a dressing room, where the revolutionary Ira Aldridge is preparing to play King Lear.

While some of my fellow American classmates were not too impressed with Lester's accent, I feel he did an excellent job impersonating a 19th century African-American classical actor. Red Velvet is only the beginning for Adrian Lester as he is warming up to play Othello at the National next year.

It is quite inspirational to see how far the theatre industry has come as Adrian Lester has surpassed Ira Aldridge, as he is playing roles at various prestigious theatres that Aldridge could have only dreamed about in his times. 

Me & Eugene O'Hare, who plays Pierre Laporte in Red Velvet

Young Man Touring Europe

Young Man: Perform at the Borderline

Young Man

Earlier this month Grass House and Les Mistons, both local bands from London, opened for Young Man. Young Man is a band all the way from my hometown, Chicago, came to London. Young Man, like all bands, has a story to tell. While the "Young Man" on the guitar and the main vocalist is Colin Caulfield from St. Paul, Minnesota, the group is composed of several talented "young men." Emmett all the way from Cleveland, Ohio did his thing on the guitar and accompanied Colin on the mic. Next up there was Joe Bailey on the bass who was holding it down all the way from Greensburg, Indiana. Then there was Jeff Graupner on the synthesizer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And last but certainly not least, Darien Williams from Chicago, Illinois represented my city well on the drums!

Colin, Emmett, Joe and Jeff all attended Loyola University in Chicago where they met. It was not until Colin published two solo-records that the band was formed. Darien, the most recent addition to Young Man, filled the vacant spot after the former drummer left the band, which he learned about via Facebook last November.  Shortly after in early December Darien found himself at Colin's house auditioning for the spot. A few weeks later he was told he was in the band and they began touring in January. Almost a year and a half ago, they recorded the first full band record (vol. 1) in Chicago, which was released last May. Keep your eye out for the next record, Beyond Was All Around Me (#BWAAM) which will hopefully be released in April. This record was recorded with Nicolas Vernhes in his Studio, which is known as the Rare Book Room, in NYC.

Darien on the drums

Traveling around the world is one of the most life changing experiences. "This has really been my dream since I was a kid, to be able to play music all over the world," said Darien Williams. While Darien is the drummer of the band, he also describes himself as "a traveler, explorer, and [one who] loves seeing new places and different cultures." What better way to see the world than to do so while playing music and getting paid? While this is their first time touring internationally, Darien says this certainly is only the beginning. Hopefully we will see these young men touring the UK again shortly. Keep an eye out for Young Man around Europe as they will be here until December!

One might think that touring the world playing gigs maybe a bit much for young men, however while "it can be a very tiring experience for most people... playing in a different city every night and seeing the crowd is what gives [Young Men] energy to keep going!" said Darien.

Darien's #1 Fan

Set list included: Josie, Do, Thoughts, Fate, Unfair, Scrape on A Knee, School. There was also an encore where Young Man performed 21. During the encore the crowd was so sad to see them go, at one point a man even began to throw 60 quid (nearly 100 USD) onto the stage at Darien.

Monday 12th November 2012, 7:00 pm

By: Gregory H. Brookins Hinton

Random Night Out

I used to think of NY as the city that never sleeps. However, after being in London I feel like there is so much to do. I never know where I will end up. Even when I go out with one set plan, I always wind up somewhere completely different. Being in London truly has been an adventure. From the pub culture, to the club scene, even to the more quiet nights chilling in the flat with friends I am having the time of my life. Being abroad in London has exposed me to so much, things I feel I would have never experienced back in the states. It is something that I wish everyone could have the opportunity to experience. With under a month left, time is running out and I am trying to do all I can while I can. While I know we are approaching the end of my Grinnell in London adventures, I know that it is only the beginning and surely will have to come back to Europe at some point in my life. hopefully sooner rather than later!

Chillin at a pub in Camden w/ Lorraine, Aniela & Luisa

Flat 6 - even our nights in are amazing! Glad I got the opportunity to get to know some other Grinnellians!

Sherlock Holmes Museum 221b Baker Street

The Sherlock Holmes Museum 221b Baker Street London NW1 6XE  England With over 240 museums in London, there are museums on a wide range of topics. There are the traditional museums which focus on the preservation of historical artifacts, the museums which typically focus on artwork, both modern art and ancient art works, and then there are the entertaining museums. Nevertheless all museums no matter what size serve a very important function. Some would argue that the Sherlock Holmes museum is “gazing museum” with lesser value than a museum like the British Museum, while others would argue that it serves as an educational purpose where people are able to see where Sherlock Holmes “lived” during the Victorian era. It is apparent that the museum puts on a performance that deceives people into believing he was not in fact a fictional character. Therefore, the museum uses the space not only to educate and inform, but also as a stage of performance and deception.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson "lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After the novel was written, it was later turned into a museum and even recognized by her majesty. The house is protected by the government due to its "special architectural and historical interest", while the 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained for posterity as it was kept in Victorian Times. The house that houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum was built in 1808. Some question whether it can even be described a museum because it is dedicated to fictional detective. Museums are typical defined as a place where objects are exhibited. In other words one could describe the Sherlock Holmes Museum, or 221 b Baker Street, as a museum as it is a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, and even cultural interest are stored and exhibited. Nevertheless, it was a rather unique and interesting experience. Perhaps if I were more into the mysteries and adventures of Sherlock Holmes, I would be a bigger fan.

Letters written to Sherlock Holmes