London Rebranded

Fancy catching a black cab from Cityside to Noho via Midtown? Me neither. Here's my BBC News feature.

Carnival fever

When a feather-clad cast of several hundred danced to calypso beats through west London's streets for the first Notting Hill Carnival in 1964, few would have thought the event would develop into the vast and vivid expression of multiculturalism it is today.

I was lucky enough to be BBC News' online reporter for 2010's carnival.

Here is the trilogy of features I wrote.

As a gargantuan glistening golden dragon, strapped onto 16-year-old Vernon Francis' back, turns onto Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Carnival's carnal throng can be seen far into the distance.

The carnival has grown from an essentially Trinidadian template of mobile steel bands, into Europe's largest street party, with performers embracing cultures from the Caribbean and beyond.

As the sequins shimmer, feathers flutter and steel drums rumble at this weekend's Notting Hill Carnival, organisers will be thinking "you ain't seen nothing yet" as they look forward to 2012.

Banksy gallery eviction

Pete Doherty read poetry there, Kate Nash performed there and in the basement stood a six-metre high Banksy mural.

But now developers plan to replace the iconic Foundry pub with an 18-room art-themed hotel. I interviewed the squatters the day before they were evicted.

Tube strike chaos

Commuters marched out of central London's Kings Cross station, armed with their most comfortable walking shoes, A-to-Zs and stiff upper lips. Here’s my BBC News report.

In the summer time

The festival season is upon us. But some of us aren't convinced.

For some, simply hearing the word Glastonbury, conjures up images of waking up in a mud-sinking tent with the prospect of a day's swamp fishing for their worldly belongings.

If you're one of those people, then perhaps London's festivals are more appealing. You can see your favourite artists before catching the last tube home and wake-up fresh faced after a decent night's sleep.

Here's my BBC guide to the biggest and some of the more bizarre festival offerings this summer.

Art attack

My exclusive story on how police in riot gear were sent to raid a central London gallery after it put a fake bomb in the window.

Bronson art on Tube

A victims' charity has said it is "astonished" artwork by notorious British criminal Charles Bronson has been put on display on the Tube.

The drawing, which depicts a head with three faces poking out of a straitjacket, went on display at Angel station in north London in April.

Here's my BBC News exclusive.

Gangs of London Fields

London Fields has in recent years become a destination for east London's young, fashionable, arty crowds to congregate.

On a Saturday in May, people flocked to the Hackney park, to make the most of one of the hottest days of the year so far, be it to sunbathe, drink cider, meet friends or people watch.

Then, in the middle of the afternoon, two gunshots were fired that ended the festival atmosphere.

Pitched up in Parliament Square

London's Parliament Square, home to the statues of Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, is a popular attraction for visitors to the capital.

Tourists gather to enjoy the sights and take photos of the Gothic towers of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

But, over the past two weeks, its green and pristine lawns have steadily been transformed with a sea of peace protesters' tents and flags into what has been dubbed Democracy Village.

I went to take a look for BBC News.

Election 2010

Here are a couple of the BBC features I wrote for the general election:

Mayoral question for East End

Bangladeshi battle in Bethnal Green

Tunnel Vision

Roman goddess of love Venus, a Gay Times magazine cover model and a graffiti face.

Not the most likely trio, but all three have featured on posters censored for use on the Tube by Transport for London (TfL) or its advertising contractors. Here's my BBC feature.

‘Hijab’gate

A plan to install headscarf-shaped arches at both ends of east London's Brick Lane has been criticised by local artists and residents.

The arches are part of a £1.85m "cultural trail" proposed by Tower Hamlets Council for the street.

But local residents, including artist Tracey Emin, have said the plans are culturally insensitive. Here's my BBC News feature.

‘Tombstone’ Tower

Shoreditch in London's East End is famous for its resident artists, who say they draw inspiration from the historic buildings and strong social fabric of their surroundings.

But a 51-storey skyscraper has been given the go-ahead despite opposition from a local campaign group, supported by famous artists including Tracy Emin and Rachal Whiteread.

Doing it for the kids

Last Christmas Day, more than 2,000 children and young people arrived on the doorstep of a south London school, eagerly expecting lunch, entertainment and presents from Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of the Kids Company Charity.

Ms Batmanghelidjh took some time out to talk to me at BBC London about her childhood, her style and what she would do if she had the power to transform childcare services in Britain.

Feeding the 2,000

Presents wrapped? Turkey basted? Getting ready for Christmas is exhausting for most of us.
But imagine planning your Christmas Day party for a guest list of 2,000.

Now suppose that every one of those guests is a child or young person who does not expect to receive presents and has nowhere else to go on Christmas Day.

That is the challenge faced by Camila Batmanghelidjh and her staff at Kids Company. Read more in my BBC Christmas feature.

Homophobic Hate

Just as gay and lesbian people are starting to enjoy equal rights, homophobic crime is on the rise. I explore why for BBC News.

Poison Doctor

The trial of a doctor who spiked his lover's drinks to try to induce a miscarriage reveals tangled love-lives, twisted with jealousy and deception. Here's my analysis of the case for BBC News.

Staying power

In the winter of 1969, a vicar opened the basement of his church in central London's Soho as a temporary night shelter for the homeless.

Forty years on, Centrepoint looks very different.

Cutty Sark delay

I discovered the reopening of the famous 19th Century ship Cutty Sark has been postponed until the spring of 2011. Here's my piece for BBC News.

Tai Chi record breakers

More than 30,000 people have taken part in a record-breaking Tai Chi session outside Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium.

The display was part of China's celebrations marking a year since it successfully held the Olympic Games.

Here's my TV report for BBC News.

Robot farm

A Chinese farmer who was struggling after several poor harvests has turned his hand to making robots.

Some of his creations help around his house and farm, but he now sells so many they are his main source of income.

Here's my BBC News TV report.

License to Thrill

She spins around a pole in her lingerie. Twisting seductively, she gives a mischievous smile to the transfixed crowd. She winks. Then she removes her stockings and bra.

You may be forgiven for thinking you are surrounded by rowdy men in a strip-joint. But you look around and it is mainly couples and groups of girls in the crowd. It has been a night of glamour, theatre and comedy. A night of burlesque.

The burlesque scene has enjoyed a revival in recent years but that could all come to an end with plans that may see it treated in the same manner as simple strip joints. Is there really much of a distinction anyway?

I find out for BBC News.

Yoga wars

You might think yoga is all about discovering inner strength and peace in your own time. But many of those at this year's British yoga championships have a different view and it's threatening to split the world of yoga in two.

Here's a feature I wrote and a video I shot and edited for BBC News.

MuTate Britain

Pole dancing robots, a giant 3D animated face and a customised MIG jet are among artworks on display at the MuTate London exhibition.

The art space opened this month at east London's Behind the Shutters gallery.

I took a look around and shot and edited this video for BBC News.

Fair deal?

A "deluxe edition" of Leona Lewis's album Spirit has stormed into the chart at number one. But are fans getting value for money from these special releases? I find out for BBC News.

Travis Talk

Dreadful band, but there's no denying their frontman's a "nice bloke". I interviewed Fran Healy from Travis for BBC News.

The Weather Maker

The British have a reputation for being weather-obsessed and presenters have been ridiculed for getting their forecasts wrong.

So how do the forecasters put their bulletins together? I filmed weather presenter Carol Kirkwood behind scenes at BBC TV Centre showing how she prepares for a bulletin.

Here's the film I shot and edited for BBC One's Breakfast programme.

CSI Bournmouth

Bournemouth University has set up a fake bomb factory for forensic science professionals and trainees to practice their CSI-style techniques.

I went down to take a look and shot and edited this film for BBC News.

X-Ray return

Long before Pink and even Courtney Love there was another punk diva who made heads turn. In the 70s Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex wore tooth braces and a military helmet and was rumored to have shaved off her hair around Johnny Rotten’s flat.

She’s back with the band to play a one-off return gig at the Roundhouse on 6 September. I caught up with her…

Dance club 'with a conscience'

A nightclub owner claims he has opened the UK's first eco-friendly venue in London.

Self-styled 'Dr Earth' suggests the dancefloor at Surya is energy-generating, supplying power back to the club.

I went down to take a look. Here’s the video I shot and edited for BBC News.

Beatles memorabilia auction

Iconic rock memorabilia has just been auctioned for millions at Christies in London.

Trousers once worn by Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's drum skin were some of the highlights to go under the hammer.

I took a look at the goods before they went on sale, in a video I shot and edited for the BBC.

Contestants set for jelly comp

This has to be the oddest video I’ve produced so far.

Here you can see entries for an architectural jelly competition, designed by world leading architects such as Grimshaw and Foster, include the ex-wobbly Millennium Bridge.

No place like dome

It has only been a year since Bon Jovi strummed his first chords at the public opening of London's O2 arena.

Since then the former Millennium Dome has become the most popular music venue in the world

But why has the O2, in Greenwich, south-east London, been such a success, and has it damaged other music venues?

Here’s a feature I wrote on the venue and video giving a backstage tour I produced and edited for BBC News.

At risk

As English Heritage releases a list of sites considered to be at risk, I produced videos for BBC News to explore six of them. Nick Higham did the interview for Bowes railway, I did the rest.

Did music fight racism?

It's 30 years since Rock Against Racism was formed to tackle growing racial tension in Britain. A series of concerts reached its climax in east London's Victoria Park on 30 April 1978, when the Clash played to a crowd of 80,000. For BBC News, I asked if the gig had a lasting impact.

Queen of Fashion returns

I was first to interview Dame Vivienne Westwood backstage after her first show at London Fashion Week for nine years. You can hear the interview and see photos backstage on the BBC News website.

Model behaviour

Ever wondered what it's like backstage at a fashion show? I got behind scenes at London Fashion Week to follow a model preparing for the catwalk. Here's the video feature I produced for the BBC.

Gallows humour

Band of the Year according to Kerrang, fronted by the Coolest Person in Rock, according to the NME, Gallows release their album 'Live at the 100 Club' on the same date they return to perform at that venue, 3 March.

I caught up with their bassist Stu, who was on a tour bus somewhere between Boston and Canada. Read the interview here.

Sign of the times

It’s over. After 21 nights, 46 encores and 63 costume changes, Prince’s residency at the O2 arena is finished. I managed to grab a couple of tickets on eBay for 40 quid each. Were they worth it?

Here's my Camden New Journal review.

Futurama

Life-like robots and jet powered backpacks were on show at the Wired NextFest in Los Angeles last weekend. Here's my video report for the BBC.

Ninja Go Go!

Following a sell-out performance at the Electric Ballroom, Go! Team’s new album Proof Of Youth is out this week. I caught up with the band's rapper, North London girl Ninja.

Jet powered

The new world land-speed record for a jet-powered 'street luge' has been set by IT worker Joel King, who hit over 110mph.

You can listen to my interview with him and watch the record being broken here.

Singled out

With downloads booming and bands like the White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys having more success on vinyl, does the CD single have a future? I find out for the BBC news website.

Horse play

Here’s a couple of music pieces I’ve written recently. Firstly, an interview with New Young Pony Club who look set to provide the soundtrack to your summer. Second up is my review of this year’s Rise anti racism festival. Both featured in the Camden New Journal.

Fruit wars

In the 80s, fast-food burger joints flooded UK town centres. By the 90s, coffee shops took their place on every street corner.

But now that the noughties are well established, the new fast food fight is on a rather healthier battlefield.

Read more in a feature I have written for the BBC news website.

Tesco Nation

Tesco has come a long way since its founder Jack Cohen opened a stall selling surplus groceries, making £4 sales and £1 profit on his first day.

For the BBC news website, I investigate how the supermarket has grown from selling beans and biscuits to becoming a major player in almost every area of the retail market.

Remaining Riders still light fires

Paramedics at the Riders of the Storm Roundhouse gig were probably expecting pace maker failures rather than drug overdoses from wrinkly rockers in the crowd.

Here's my Camden New Journal review.

Christmas cracked?

I investigate whether the iconic British retailer M&S is set for a recovery this Christmas, in a feature written for the BBC news website.

Red Hot Roundhouse

Home to The Doors and Jimi Hendrix gigs in the 60s, the Camden Roundhouse has re-opened and is once again emerging as venue of choice for the world's biggest bands.

Read my live review of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, which features in this week's Camden New Journal.

Colourful comedy but banal bands

It was a rather surreal moment on Tuesday night as I sat amongst a row of strangers all doing their best monster impressions. We had been encouraged to do so by the cast of Madman in the Courtyard at Theatro Technis.

Fortunately this was the only slightly embarrassing audience participation us stiff-upper-lip Brits had to endure in this Mugensha Theatre production, which is inspired by Franz Kafka’s The Knock At The Manor Gate, but set in modern Japan.

To make ends meet, a group of writers, based on real Japanese authors, decide to pawn themselves then act out their stories.

It’s easy to become immersed in the play as the audience sits at stage level surrounding the cast.

Each actor has been given freedom by the director to research and develop their character. There is much improvisation as the colourful cast work together with great synergy.

Black comedy transcends the play but there are elements of toilet humour with sound effects too.

Much of the play’s dialogue is in Japanese, although some English phrases are used. There is an English translation voiceover for critical dialogue and a narrator explains background Japanese traditions.

It is visual enough to ensure the plot can be followed through vivacious use of miming, puppetry, costume and props including words written on scrolls spelling out joke punch lines.

The play runs until 21 October although the level of improvisation and audience participation mean it could be worth seeing more than once

This review originally featured in the Camden New Journal.