Must See Culture Events
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freenewz.co.uk
One aspect of living in the UK is we are fortunate to be surrounded by culture. From the mysterious stone plinths of Stonehenge to the 1,001 weird village customs like games of football involving hundreds, Britain loves celebrating its history and tradition.
May Day is a time of year that has held a particular significance for centuries, ushering in the start of summer. In Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man this is still commemorated in much the same way these area's Celtic ancestors will have done.
 Edinburgh's Beltane Festival commences on the evening of 30 April. Upwards of 15,000 revellers congregate around the city's Calton Hill, barely a five-minute stroll from its main thoroughfare, Princes Street. Far from being a disorganised party, this event has become so popular that it is properly organised. Many ancient elements are incorporated in the amazing spectacle, with performance art, music inspired by myths, exuberant dancers and fire-eaters.
Have a camera at the ready as many of the official performers are dressed in striking pagan costumes. As those brave enough spit out fire from their torches, you'll capture some amazing photographs, set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh's skyline.
A matter of a few weeks after Beltane, Scotland's capital gears up for the Edinburgh Festival. The world's largest arts festival, this occurs every August and includes several overlapping ‘mini festivals' such as the books festival, the official festival, the Fringe festival and the jazz festival.
The largest of these, the Fringe, is running from the 3-27 August this year.
Grab yourself a Fringe programme (available free from tourist outlets throughout the city centre). This contains a full listing of events, ranging from comedy to drama, dance to music, and check out the range of venues. A huge amount of the events are free, particularly the street performances that take place at The Mound (two minutes from Waverley Station) or the High Street.
Tags: culture, scot, free, festival, pageant
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Edinburgh Art Galleries
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freenewz.co.uk
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is a city that wears its artistic credentials on its sleeve. The so-called ‘Old Town' nestles around its famous castle in a huddle of buildings, some dating back to medieval times. But the New Town, to the north, constructed by visionary architects during the Georgian period, is an artistic wonder.  Nestling amidst these beautiful buildings and tree-lined squares are a number of art galleries. Foremost amongst these is the Scottish National Gallery, consisting of two large interconnected buildings. This is located on The Mound, the winding road connecting the Old and New Towns, leading down to Edinburgh's most well-known thoroughfare, Princes Street. The gallery is also a five-minute stroll from Waverley Station.
Although a fee is charged for certain exhibitions, gallery admission is free. These magnificent columned buildings house some of the world's most renowned art collections. At any one time you can stroll around 25 displays, with a choice of nearly 60 events to attend. The art collections are also diverse. You can view breathtaking masterpieces, from vast landscapes by Titian to a Rembrandt self-portrait. Children are made welcome, with workshops allowing tomorrow's budding Turner Prize winners to create their own work.
The gallery is served by shops selling art books and other souvenirs. There is also a comfortable café, with outside tables available.
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a 10-minute stroll away, further into the New Town. Recently renovated, admission here is also free (except for one-off exhibitions). The gallery contains many portraits of prominent Scots, from historical figures to contemporary stars of stage and film, both as oil paintings and stunning photographic studies.
One exhibition to look out for is ‘Playing for Scotland – the making of Modern Sport', tracing the evolution of Scotland's national teams in many sports. This will be running until December 2014 – but don't leave it until the last minute!
Tags: art, galleries, exhibitions, portraits, painting
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London’s Art and Museum
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freenewz.co.uk
When people speak of art in London, they will immediately mention either the Tate Modern or Tate Britain in passing conversation. It is a knee jerk reaction, and such is their notoriety, people tend to ignore the other places this great city has on offer. No doubt these two are exceptional national art galleries housing some of the finest artworks in the world, one taking a candid look over modernity, the other has a more nostalgic and traditional collection.
But if you are .jpg "Image By: tompagenet") planning a trip to London in the near future, you have to be proactive if you want to take advantage of all the free things that are on offer, and go beyond the Tate. A message to all culture vultures hoping to sample the high art and museums: do your homework, as research is essential. Here are some ideas for culture hungry tourists looking for some free adventures: Most of London foremost art houses and galleries are free to enter, and only the really special one-off exhibitions will charge an entrance fee usually. One place great for a wander around to see Britain's Monarchy in all their glory is the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery which can be accessed via Trafalgar Square tube station. Another place which is definitely worth keeping an eye out for is The Wallace Collection, a short walk from the bustling shopping Mecca of Oxford Street.
It is much the same story with the majority of London's premier museums, which are by and large free to enjoy. One of the best is the Museum of London, which has a reputation that extends far and wide for its amazing artefacts and important objects. Here you view treasures through the ages of Royal Britannia's long history, from the history of London all the way back to Roman times.
The Geffrye Museum is another institution which gives a peculiar insight into the British psyche as it holds an amazing array of English domestic interiors and antiques. Much of its vast bounty of art pieces express what it was like to live in London for the everyday folk, as well as the aristocracy. The Horniman Museum is also one to look out for on your ramblings, as long as you can get your head around the huge stuffed walrus!
Tags: Tate, National Gallery, Free, London, Museum
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London’s Shopping Streets
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London is massive city, awash with cultural diversity and sources of free entertainment, as long as you know where to look. This can be a problem for someone new to the city, trying to unlock the various streets which are perfect for a spot of window shopping. Here is a list of popular areas which are perfect to explore, while enjoying the sights and avoiding the huge prices.
 Portobello Road: This is located in the Notting Hill area of London and is one of the most interesting places to visit. There are all matter of boutique knick-knack shops, clothing sales and food stores. The Grain Shop is a cheap option food place which heaps out a healthy sized portion of tasty vegetarian options and homemade casseroles. Every Saturday the street turns into a huge sprawling market, selling reasonably priced antiques and vintage clothes, which are beautiful to look at on a long walk. TV chef Jamie Oliver is a big fan of George's Fish Shop at the top of the road, and has called it the best chippy in Britain.
Also, a trip down Portobello would not be complete with a schmooze around the Hummingbird bakery which is world renowned for its extravagantly decorated cakes, which personifies American baking at its best which a fine collection of cupcakes and pies.
Brick Lane: Brick Lane is a short walk away from Liverpool St. Station, and is nestled in the shadow of the financial district around Spitalfields Market. It has long been a place where London's youthful Indie scene like to congregate, make friends and have a dance around the many bars and clubs. The whole area is a window shopper's paradise, so walk around and enjoy.
East London has long been associated with a rough around the edges look and is an extremely colourful and creative place. There is 1001 Café, and The Big Chill which are good for a passing visit and have no entrance charge before 12.
Vibe Bar is also a perfect place to sit down outside with friends in the summer, and there is an amazing jerk chicken place in the corner if you enjoy Caribbean flavours. The Curry Houses around Brick Lane are numerous, and strolling by them, exchanging banter with the proprietors is always a good laugh.
Tags: Portobello Road, Brick Lane, Shopping, Notting Hi...
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UK Record Stores
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freenewz.co.uk
The UK has a fine array of Record Stores to visit all year round where you can leaf through old sleeves of vinyl, while relaxing to the vintage sounds playing out of the speaker system. The way people engage with music is ever changing, digitalism is the next frontier, but it is always nice to revert back to the way it was, when music was tactile and needed to be physically purchased over the counter to be enjoyed.
Some record stores are  more niche than others as is to be expected, so if you r tastes are more suited to esoteric genres like hardcore death metal, you are probably not going to find what you want in Harold Moores Records. Targeting your search is key. Many Record Stores have gained an obsessive following over the years, and here are a few of the best loved music shops to be found in London:
Rough Trade – This world famous distributor is situated on the ever trendy Brick Lane, in the shadow of Bar 1001 and The Big Chill. Go inside and find the walls branded with the signatures of all the famous bands who have ever adventured there, Franz Ferdinand and Japanese Voyeurs, to name a few. The store celebrated its 35th birthday in 2011 and this temple to Indie music is still going strong.
Sounds of the Universe – The spectrum of music here is broad and challenging thanks to its affiliation with Soul Jazz records, the masters of reissue and eclecticism. You can find anything you like here, from the early Jazz and swing records to grime and dubstep, which can be found on the first floor. A whole host of Brazilian and world music tracks can be unearthed in the basement.
Honest Jon's – This is music haven is situated on the bustling market street of Portobello Road in North West London. This encompasses music for the true collector, with a range of jazz, soul, reggae revival, soul and global music to be enjoyed on both CD and Vinyl. It is well documented how this legendary music proprietor lent former worker James Lavelle £1,000 to set up Mo' Wax in the early 90's, without was at the forefront of alternative rap.
Tags: Record Stores, Rough Trade, Vinyl, Honest Jon’s, ...
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Cheap Thrills: London Street Art
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There are innumerable galleries dotted around London where a creative minded traveller can indulge in a colourful canvas and eye catching print of some of the city's finest artists. Even better than this, there are huge installations of street art that can be found in various locations and these are constantly being added to, so bring a map, a flask of coffee, and be ready for the unexpected.
 One of the newest expressions in the world of art since the 1980's has been the graffiti movement. Now this is not the stuff you find on a disused rail carriages sitting around Queen's Park, not by a long shot. This represents the well-conceived images of established names in contemporary art, producing thought provoking works on walls and buildings around the capital. Why not have a tour of all the biggest and best works by the world's premier street artist Banksy, who has been prolific on the streets of London for a number of years. If traveling around the shopping streets of Oxford Circus, why not take a detour to the Post Office yard on Newman Street, and see a Banksy in all its glory there. It's impossible to miss.
This has been cited as the biggest Banksy in existence, and shows a small boy on a ladder with an extended brush, who is being watched all the while by a security guard, as he paints the words in huge white letters: One nation under CCTV.
Other artists worth checking out: Roa – talented Belgian artist renowned for his depictions of massive animals in black and white, Invader – French graffiti proponent working in London since '98, Phlegm – Sheffield born artist with a strong background in comic illustration, his style is heavily influenced by the dip pen and etching techniques of his self-published body of work.
Tags: London, Street Art, Banksy, Graffiti, Invader
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Upcoming Book Signings
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freenewz.co.uk
London bookstores are great places to catch your favourite authors and celebrities in book signings and readings. If you live in the London area, or happen to be passing through, then a book signing can be a great (not to mention free) way to spend a few hours. There's nothing like the joy of being able to meet someone you admire as much as your favourite author or celebrity, and a book signing lets you do that. If you are interested, then here are a few upcoming book signings in the London area. 
February is a month that will be filled book signings, particularly towards the end of the month. On February 28th in the Plymouth New George Street Waterstones, visitors get a chance to meet John Van Der Kiste and buy signed copies of his books. Various Waterstones have booked many different authors to come to their locations, and you can catch the complete list of dates and whereabouts on their website. February also holds other events such as book readings and group book clubs for those interested.
March holds many author events which you can attend completely for free. Steve Taylor will be attending a book signing event in honour of The Boy and Me on March 3rd in Croydon. The same day Jim Eldridge will be helping Carlisle in their World Book Day Celebrations, while signing copies of his World War I children's series.
For book lovers, there's not much that's more fun than going to a literature event. Not only can you meet your favourite authors, you can also socialise with others interested in the same things as you are and find new authors to read more about. You get all this fun and excitement for free, and there is not a better price than that.
Tags: Book Signings, Bookstores, London, Children
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National Portrait Gallery
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freenewz.co.uk
Not everyone is interested in educational activities and entertainment, but for those that do, museums can be the pinnacle of enjoyment. The only thing better than a regular museum is a free one, and luckily for those living or travelling in the UK, there are many of these. Free museums are almost always just as good as the paid ones, as they are usually supported independently and therefore have a more focused approach. One of the best free museums in the country is the National Portrait Gallery in London.
This gallery is an incredible display of portraits of all sizes, shapes, types, methods, and time periods. You can find the portraits done by all your favourite 16th century portrait artists, or take a look at the more modern pictures. This museum has about 160 thousand portraits in all, each different from the next and all with a certain point of interest.
 There are contemporary portraits of modern celebrities and people of our time. These portraits date back to the 90s and are often photographs or modern paintings. There are also 20th century collections, portraits from the 1900-1990 time periods, and often with weird and wonderful approaches.
Other periods of portraiture include Tudor, Stuart, Victorian, and Regency era masterpieces. The incredible thing about visiting the National Portrait Gallery is that you get to see so many interesting and mysterious people preserved forever through art. Each portrait is different, capturing the soul of the subject in a unique way. Art students interested in painting techniques, portraiture, photography, and other aspects of the arts will be intrigued for hours at the variety and wealth of material.
Overall, the National Portrait Gallery is a great way to spend an afternoon, a whole day, or even a few days of fun and learning completely for free.
Tags: Museums, Portrait Gallery, Photography, Paintings
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Smaller Can Mean Better
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freenewz.co.uk
Do you fancy a getaway with a change of pace? Take a break from the fast lane, and visit the quaint town of Newton in central Wales. It is oozing with history and has several museums. The first mail orders in the world started in this small town and it is also famous for its woollen industry during the industrial revolution. The Textile Museum takes you through the discovery, growth, and eventual decline of the industry. It is a perfect example of a small working-class Welsh town, and what life was like over 100 years ago.
The Oriel Davies Gallery is slightly more modern and keeping in touch with the 21st Century. Innovative local artwork is displayed here, and the gallery is often noted for its quality and pioneering presentations.
Around 12 miles away is another small town called Montgomery. The first notable building you will see is the town hall that was built about two and a half centuries ago, and it is still the most publicly used building in town. Nearby, are the extensive ruins of Montgomery Castle where you can learn more about the local history.  Dolforwyn Castle is also in the same area, which was built by Welsh princes to protect against English invasion, but eventually was taken over by the English. 12 miles in the other direction, you'll find the Andrew Logan Sculpture Museum. This is the only museum in Wales that is named after and honours a living artist. Logan also started the alternative Miss World competitions, and has displayed his works in London, New York, and Sydney.
Also several miles away are the Glansevern Hall Gardens, where you can stroll through 20 acres of intricately shaped lawns and luscious gardens that surround a classical house on the Glansevern River. It will give you hours of walking pleasure with different views wherever you venture.
Tags: Wales, Museum, Newton, Gallery, Gardens
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London for Free
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freenewz.co.uk
Do you live in London or plan on making a visit in the not too distant future? Have you just blown the bank over Christmas, or purchased lots of items in the January sales and want to slow down? Don’t worry, you can still have plenty of fun in the capital city. Check out these intriguing activities — all of which are for free. Try the National Gallery — where you can see over 2000 masterpieces. If you don’t have the time to see them all, do not worry; just look up the artists whose works you want to enjoy, and go straight to their section. There are also free guided tours, where you can listen to the back stories of the artists’ lives and history of their work. If you are interested in science, visit the Science Museum. You’ll be surprised at the oddities and unusual facts that you discover at this world-renowned institution. The museum has won awards for its interactive displays and visitor attractions, and if you are worried that it won’t be great for the younger members of your family, fear not, it was recently named ‘best family venue.’ Have you ever watched the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace? The guards in this area of the Palace are real soldiers that serve active duty for England. When they’re quiet, they allow tourists to take photos with them, and in the nearby Guards’ Museum you can try on one of the real bearskin hats they’ve become famous for. Do you want some real action? You can plan ahead and sign up as a volunteer for many of the ‘green’ activities that the, British Trust for Conservation, offers. These tasks include a wide range of possibilities, like working in the community gardens, planting trees, or helping care for woodlands and nature reserves. You feel good about your contribution to making London even more beautiful, as well as enjoy some time and exercise outdoors.
Tags: London, Gallery, Museum, Tourists. January
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