Arcadia England

This week we have been looking forward to summer, not only for the sun but for the summer semester.  We have given you advice from past students and budgeting tips. Today we are moving away from advice and into clubs and societies that are running at the London Center during the Summer semester.

Free London

With budgeting in mind, one of the clubs for the summer semester is Free London. It does what it says on the tin. London's free activities are endless, from museums and open galleries to sports events and film screenings. Our very own Kimberley Aparisio, has whittled the long list down to four unique cultural experiences.

1. Saatchi Gallery -

   The gallery that is dedicated to contemporary art, including current exhibit Pangaea: African and Latin Art

2. Sir John Soane’s Museum Candlelight Opening

   Take a step back in time and witness the museum lit by candlelight on the first Tuesday of each month. Architect Sir John Soane designed the Bank of England and was an avid collector of art, and his home was a shrine to that art.  Soane’s home was established as a museum via an Act of Parliament in 1833.

3. La bohème

   A live screening in Trafalgar Square, part of the BP Big Screens. The film is set on a freezing Christmas Eve, a struggling poet meets a beautiful, fragile young woman who will change his life forever… Let yourself be carried away by the emotional power of The Royal Opera’s exquisite and realistic production of La bohème. Immerse yourselves in the colourful artists’ quarter in 19th-century Paris, where every moment is precious, and paying the rent is the last thing on anyone’s mind. If you’ve never been to an opera before, this is the ideal place to start.  Puccini’s magical, heart-tugging music, performed by a superb cast, is guaranteed to captivate you – you may even find you know some of the opera’s wonderful melodies.

4. Lunch Poems

   Listen to emerging poets read in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.  Come and listen to new poetry ad have a picnic in the park.

All activities will be accompanied by Kimberley so if you were to have any questions regarding your visit, Kimberley will be able to answer them.

Talk Sport

A list of clubs and societies would not be complete without some kind of sport. This is where Phil Cable saves the day with his Talk Sport society, which again, the name gives it away. This society will give you the chance to discuss British sports with others that are crazy about sport.

The society will be split into 2 parts.

1. The club will meet every Tuesday and alternate between the London Center and a near by pub. Each week,  the society will discuss and debate about what is currently going on in UK sport. There will be a main focus however the discussions will be mainly regarding the current weeks sport.
2. The second part to the society will have an online element of 'Challenge Phil'. Each week during the meet and online, Phil will send out a list of selected fixtures for the coming week. You can then pit your wits against Phil in guessing results. Each week there will be points won depending on how many results you guess and throughout the semester there will be a league table. To make this even more exciting there are prizes to be won!

If you like the sound of these clubs and societies then be sue to sign up during orientation. Also, good luck to all those who enter the 'Challenge Phil' competition. All the London Center staff are routing for you to beat Phil.

Creative Writing

Natalie Crown has recently published her first novel The Wolf's Cry and she is looking forward to talking all things books with you. This is not an academic workshop. Is it intended as some fun for all book lovers out there. Whether you are already a writer, or if you simply fancy trying it out - this group is for you.

Each week will be themed but the idea is that there are no constraints to your imagination. This group will meet weekly at 1pm on Thursdays.

Weekly themes will vary from POV, dialogue, genre, character and more. And of course, all members can take away a free copy of The Wolf's Cry if they so wish.