LIFESTYLE

HELLO LONDON | BRICK LANE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Hello Beautiful Souls! Here is another Hello London Blog. This time of a festival I attended this April in Brick Lane. It was the first-ever Jazz Festival weekend in Brick Lane [also my first Jazz Festival ever]. I got to know a lot of [new] artists through this festival [very happy I did] and saw some artists I already knew and enjoyed. If this is happening next year again, count me in!

Shoreditch and Brick Lane is already a [fun] creative place to be. I discovered some great dumplings this weekend, which you can find in another blog; HELLO GEMS | DUMPLINGS.

The first artist I saw was Judi Jackson. Judi had the most breathtaking voice I [ever] heard. Her live performance was just as brilliant and accurate as her voice on the album. She performed at the Roughtrade Record store on Thursday evening. I am super proud to have my first record signed by her. [Yeah] Such a delightful lady she is.

 

The next night we squeezed in a Nightjar live session. The Nightjar is one of my favourite Vintage cocktail bars in London. The live sessions in the Nightjar are one of a kind. The Cosimo Matassa Project did perform this evening at the Nightjar. I had to purchase their record, called Arabian love call because they were so jazzy. When I am at the Nightjar, it feels like you are back in time, enjoying the music like back in the days. If you go, please try the SoulKiss cocktail, you will [definitely] not regret it.

There were some free Jazz events, next to the paid ones. The Roughtrade Records had a performance of Poppy Adjuda. Cafe 1001 had a lovely saxophonist and DJ performing. Both events were free entrance, but the venues were busy and less enjoyable, maybe because it was for free. [If I am honest]

In the evening, I saw a performance by Cherise in Ninety One. Cherise is a brilliant vocalist – artist. I saw her perform before at the Hidden Jazz Club in Waterloo. Cherise’s performance was lovely as usual. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the venue. The venue was too busy. I had to wait more than 40 minutes for our orders [food and drinks].

Last day of the Jazz Festival, I saw The Bangers Factory at Werkhaus. The Bangers Factory is a brilliant band under the London based trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mark Kavuma. They are [definitely] the highlight of the Brick Lane Jazz Festival [next to Judi Jackson]. Each band member specializes in an instrument. All members had excellent solos. [Of course, ] I had to buy their record as well.

The company and experiences at this Jazz Festival were all great. I enjoyed most of the time and was happy to know so many great artists. My Jazz repertoire got so enriched.

To see all the performances of that weekend, go to my Instagram under the highlights; BRICK LANE JAZZ and part [2].

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#bricklanejazzfestival #hellolondon #londonlife #livingabroad #happy #goodvibes #misswidjaja2022 #mwlifeafter35 #hellogems #jazzfestival #shoreditch #bricklane #JudiJackson #london #theNightjar #RoughtradeRecords #TheCosimoMatassaProject #PoppyAdjuda #Cafe1001 #Cherise #NinetyOne #TheBangersFactory #Werkhaus #MarkKavuma @bricklanejazzfestival @nightjar @cherisemusic @roughtraderecords @judiljackson

 

FOOD CORNER

HELLO GEMS | DUMPLINGS

Hello Beautiful Souls! Another [short] blog, but for dumpling lovers. These are two dumpling stands in [the area of] Shoreditch and Brick Lane, which became one of my favourites.

Tibet Kitchen London  

Tibet Kitchen London is near the Truman Brewery. They have fried or steamed momo dumplings with all kinds of fillings. The momo dumplings are [very] tasty and fill you up.  A tip is to ask for steamed dumplings because the fried ones might be heavy on the stomach.

Dumpling Shack

You will find them in the old Spitalfield Market near Liverpool Street. Dumpling Shack serves delicious steamed dumplings and is very light on the stomach. You can also combine them with some noodles. Both places are very affordable and in creative areas to hop around.

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#hellolondon #londonlife #livingabroad #happy #goodvibes #misswidjaja2022 #mwlifeafter35 #hellogems #staycreative⁠ #hiddenfood #tibetkitchen #momotibet #momo #dumplings #bricklane #shoreditch #dumplingshack #oldspitalfieldmarket #wontondumplings @tibetkitchenlondon @dumplingshack

DRINKS TABLE

HELLO GEMS | THE COCKTAIL TRADING CO.

Hello Beautiful Souls! This lovely cocktail bar is a hidden gem in Shoreditch on Bethnal Green Road. The one thing that draws my attention to this bar is the sign “Takeaway Cocktails”, so you can’t miss it.

The cocktail trading company is a quirky bar with friendly staff. This concept/ bar came to life by three lifelong bartenders who give back to the bar community. On Fridays and Saturdays, the policy is to walk in. No booking is needed.

Some cocktails to try are the Bhuna Colada and The Ron Alejandro. [With all the effort put into each cocktail, you want to try them all] Each cocktail is around a tenner, so this place is not breaking your bank. If you are rusty and on a date [or like to speak to strangers], open their menu and find [some] brilliant tips for initiating conversations. 

I [definitely] had a fun relaxing evening, chatting and playing some old school games. If you like something cosy, this is the place!

A minor update; this gem is lovely on a Friday evening! I love the people, old-school music and atmosphere in this bar. They had a completely new cocktail menu with this beautiful Faberge egg. The cocktails are surprisingly pieces of art.

 

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#hellolondon #londonlife #livingabroad #happy #goodvibes #misswidjaja2022 #mwlifeafter35 #hellogems #staycreative⁠ #hiddenbars #thecocktailtradingco. #classiccocktails #games #afterworkdrinks #cosybar #boardgames #cardgames #shoreditch #bethnalgreenroad @thecocktailtradingco

Updated: 25-06-2022

TRAVEL

ROTTERDAM | DEPOT BOIJMANS VAN BEUNINGEN

Hello Beautiful Souls! This week is a gem from my hometown, Rotterdam. Last month I finally went home and got the opportunity to see the Depot. The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the first public art depot worldwide. They hold a collection of 151.000 art objects. It is a depot and not a museum, but they display some of their art around the building. It is a working depot, which means next to storing the objects, the restoration and research will happen here.

The building is next to the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum. The Depot is an art object by itself. Through the mirrored glass, you will see the beauty of the city. The art collection it holds started in 1849 with the collections of Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans [1767–1847] and Daniël George van Beuningen [1877–1955]. The Depot has a lot of pieces from famous artists, like Rembrandt, Dali and Van Gogh.

One object that stood out for me was this painting from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dog Bite / Ax to Grind, visible in one of the display windows. Inside the building, it feels like a surrealistic staircase to heaven. While looking up, you will see some art in between the floors. It is a brilliant concept and slightly scary to walk on those floors where you can see what is below you. The top floor in summer is mesmerizing. You will get to see 360 degree few of the city centre. To treat yourself, go to the restaurant on this floor. The top floor has a beautiful restaurant to get some snacks and a drink [Dutch style]. 

Tickets are €20,00 and are available here. 

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#hellorotterdam #londonlife #livingabroad #happy #goodvibes #misswidjaja2022 #mwlifeafter35 #hellogems #staycreative⁠ #dali #rembrandt #vangogh #rotterdam #depotboijmansvanbeuningen #rotterdamgems #depot #art #basquiat @boijmans_van_beuningen @boijmans @rotterdam