December 19, 2009
December 18, 2009
Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
Youngsters who complain that ‘plants are boring’ may change their minds at this new $2.45 million garden. Everything is oversized and designed around a giant meandering vine. Each of its major parts teaches lessons about the birth, growth and reproduction of plants. Children can climb onto a seven-foot seed and peer into small windows to view the precious and fragile beginnings of a new plant. The grand opening on August 26, between 11am and 4pm, is guaranteed to be popular.
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December 17, 2009
Miu Miu
Florence’s designer fashion shopping scene is definately looking up. The latest addition to the city’s glossy ‘alta moda’ stores is Miu Miu, Prada’s young line. Just off Piazza della Repubblica and next door to the new Savoy Hotel, the shop is displaying an enticing collection of autumn ready-to-wear for men and women – snappy leather jackets, double breasted pea coats, sleek trousers and tailored skirts in autumnal red, camel, cream and grey. There are also the bags and accessories that Prada is famed for, and some wonderful 1940s-style peep-toe shoes.
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December 16, 2009
L’Astor
Chef Eric Lecerf is an extremely talented young chef, and in the five years since he launched this hotel dining room it’s become one of the finest contemporary tables in town. Lecerf serves one of the best midday bargains in town, a 298F menu that includes a starter, main course, cheese, dessert, wine, mineral water and coffee, impeccably served and impeccably cooked. A recent lunch was a tour de force that left us very impressed, from a sublime navarin d’agneau to gossamer slices of dried granny smith apple served with a creamy tea-flavoured custard for dessert.
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December 14, 2009
Martyn Bennett + Scuba Z
The versatile multi-instrumental Bennett still foregrounds his beloved bagpipes but is straying further and further into dance territory these days.
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December 13, 2009
Tracey Rose
Multi-talented Tracey Rose integrates a wide selection of techniques and media in her work, including video, projection, photography and silk-screen prints. In this startling exhibition Rose explores aspects of time and light in video, while delving into issues of race and gender in a way that challenges and unnerves the viewer reminding them of the multiple perspectives and identities in an ever changing world.
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December 12, 2009
The North Sea: A Selection from the Netherlands Photographic Collections
Since the North Sea has provided inspiration and backdrop for Dutch photographers for almost 150 years, the imposing and historical ‘New Church’ has chosen to exhibit 150 original photographs which feature this country-defining body of water. Besides reflecting some unusual techniques such as gum prints and Jan Zeeger’s first colour negative, there are pictures of the building of the North Sea Canal, sinking ships, a crashed Fokker airplane, stranded whales and obligatory beached humans engaging in leisure time.
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December 11, 2009
December 8, 2009
November 24, 2009
Saints Training Camp
It’s difficult for outsiders to comprehend the New Orleans obsession with its hapless professional football team, the Saints. Often called ‘the Ain’ts’ for their losing ways, the team went 3-13 last season and 15-33 during the last three years under the legendary Mike ‘Da Coach’ Ditka. Yet, hope springs eternal and the team’s 2000 training camp is being hailed as a new era with a new coach and a new emphasis on teamwork over stardom. Training camp is being held at a nearby college campus and the public is invited to attend the twice-a-day workouts, free.
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