After a 2-year break, one of Ireland’s best-loved and most unique festivals, Body & Soul is back but not in the usual format you would expect. Now a concise 3-day event (Summer Solstice 17th-19th June), numbers have also been reduced to elevate the experience, with half the tickets available and ‘a trust and be rewarded’ secret ticket commitment: purposefully launching without naming confirmed headline acts and with unparalleled creative experiences under wraps. This kind of system is certainly intriguing, could it be the start of something similar for other festivals? What we do know is that the 2022 theme is Betwixt & Between (apt) and that the festival will completely transform the grounds, woodlands and lakes of Ballinlough Castle. In the teams’ own words, ‘The strikingly smaller will be a grown-up affair, meticulously curated, and will reimagine the festival experience with a fusion of brand new artworks spanning disciplines including music, dance, comedy and performance’. There are set to be secret stages and intimate performances, running alongside Michelin star chefs, drag queen brunches, art installations and spoken word performances… And just about everything in between. With just 5,500 weekend tickets available (pre-sale already sold out), book fast to avoid disappointment. Tickets: Weekend camping tickets at 250 (euros) can be purchased online at https://bodyandsoul.ie/ticket-info Dates: 17th-19th June 2022 Address: Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of Body & Soul festival #bodyandsoulfestival #festival

The eco-friendly electric boat company GoBoat makes a splash in the city as they open early this year! All London sites are now open, meaning you can charter an electric boat from Paddington, Kingston or Canary Wharf. Groups of up to eight people can hire a boat and set sail down London’s waterways without the need for a license. Guests can choose between one, two or three-hour trips and enjoy a leisurely cruise with the boats travelling at speeds of 4km/hour (the experience is both dog and child friendly with life jackets and buoyancy aids provided). You can now book online here: goboat.co.uk Locations: GoBoat London (Paddington), GoBoat Kingston and GoBoat Canary Wharf  | Time: 09:00 – 19:15 Prices: 1 hour – £95 2 hours – £135 3 hours – £175 4 hours (Kingston only) – £205 *No prior boating knowledge is necessary as staff give a full tutorial before setting sail. Written by Lenny Wright Photography courtesy of GoBoat #boat #goboat #sail

A fabulous tequila and mezcal show is returning to London this May; La Piñata, the only tequila and mezcal show open to the public in the UK. Now in its second year, the show will be popping up at London’s Tabacco Dock, celebrating agave spirits and Mexican culture and giving guests the unique opportunity to sample a huge range of Tequila and Mezcal in one dedicated space. With over 20 producers set to talk visitors through their ranges of tequila and mezcal, hear from the likes of The Lost Explorer Mezcal, The Butterfly Cannon Tequila, Dangerous Don Mezcal and Vivir Tequila. This year’s show will see the addition of a bar serving refreshing Paloma’s and Margaritas, which can be enjoyed with the wonderful Mexican and Latin American street food offering. Guests can also join in a range of masterclasses at the festival, where they will be diving deeper into the subject and appreciation of mezcal. Tickets: Available from Eventbrite For more information visit: www.spiritssociety.com/la-pinata Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of La Piñata #laPiñata #Mezcal #Tequila

Following an explosion of 5-star reviews for the scandalous drag-tastic parody, Mulan Rouge has returned to The Vaults with an extended schedule, running until the end of August. After the shows epic few years in theatres, The Vaults have welcomed back this camp cabaret with open arms and hearts. A four course feast and cocktails fit for the green fairy accompany this infamous show of kings, queens and in betweens, celebrating the resilience and resurgence of marginalised creatives in London. What’s more is that we have been gifted a glorious gift for all of our readers, in the form of a 15% discount. Use the code STAR15 for 15% off, and leave your gender at the door, or risk bringing dishonour to us all. Show written and directed by ShayShay. Produced by The Vaults Times: Wednesday – Sundays at 7.15pm, until 28th August 2022 Tickets: From £35 For more information visit: www.mulanrouge.co.uk Address: The Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of The Vaults and Mulan Rouge #mulanrouge #thevaults

Pergola Paddington, one of London’s most loved rooftops, will see its biggest transformation to date with its brand new summertime pop-up Pergola Paraiso. From the 28th of April, visitors can expect fire performers, dancers, live percussion and DJs until late. Pergola Paraíso, inspired by the balmy beaches of Mexico, will be home to pop-up restaurants from Crudo Cevicheria and Dos Mas Tacos, an extensive menu of Margaritas, a centrepiece dance floor and much more. The beach club is Tulum-inspired, offering guests an immersive drinking and dining experience like no other. Pergola’s food hall-style seating will be replaced with an abundance of Mexican plants and foliage, traditional rattan furniture, hammocks, kilim rugs and hanging ornaments for a lighter, more luxurious atmosphere. There will also be bookable cabana-style day beds, ideal for al fresco celebrations with friends, from lunch dates through to late-night parties. Unlike previous pop-ups, Pergola Paraíso will largely remain free to enter with no need to purchase a ticket. The venue will host weekly ticketed ‘Dusk’ events showcasing dancers, fire performers, live percussion and DJs bringing Tulum-style boho flamboyance to West London. Address: 4 Kingdom St, London W2 6PY More information visit: www.pergolapaddington.com Written by Lenny Wright Photography courtesy of Pergola Paddington #alfresco #Paddington #PergolaPaddington

180 Strand is an interesting building. Not only is it home to TikTok, it’s also home to an exciting co-working situation and a regular slate of happenings and exhibitions, thanks to the enormous underground footprint the building boasts. The latest exhibition is ‘Future Shock’; a vast audio-visual feast for the senses that is all about blurring the physical and virtual worlds to ‘challenge viewer perceptions’. Curated in association with the Fact magazine, expect a mix of light, sound, smell, and environmental elements to delight and excite the senses. Multiple artists created works specifically for ‘Future Shock’ offering a mix of AI and 3-D digital mapping, generative and interactive algorithms, to imaginative laser work. Some pieces are purely film, while others are purely audio, but all offer the viewer an absorbing mix of atmosphere that doesn’t just make for an immersive stroll; the experience soothes the soul. Most are specifically commissioned for this show, meaning you won’t have seen them before. Some standout pieces are specifically through holographic projections and ground-breaking electronic music. Make sure you spend some time at ‘Daydream V.6’ by Paris-based Noemi Schipfer and arch Takami Nakmoto. The room is a dual-colour, multi-screen show that mesmerises you as it creates different patterns and weaves between compositions. The result is a meditative experience that captures the viewer and stays with them long after you’ve finished updating your Instagram. Artists at ‘Future Shock’ include Ryoichi Kurokawa, UVA, Caterina Barbieri and Ruben Spini, Lawrence Lek, Actual Objects, Gener8ion, Weirdcore, Gaika, Nonotak, Ben Kelly, Hamill Industries, Ib Kamara, Ibby Njoya, Object Blue and Natalia Podgorska. ‘Future Shock’ is open 11am – 7pm at 180 The Strand until 28 August 2022. To book your ticket, visit: https://180strand.seetickets.com/timeslot/future-shock Written by Paul Armstrong Photography by Jack Hemes #180TheStrand #Art #FutureShock #thestrand

Foodies take note, you are running out of time to buy tickets to this year’s Taste of London, arguably one of the most important dates in the calendar for food lovers. Taking place in open-air surroundings of the iconic Regent’s Park, over 150 artisan producers will be on show at the event. Running from 15th – 19th June, the festival is known for its line-up of top chefs, restaurateurs, and artisan producers. With its biggest birthday celebration of the summer, the schedule is set to have an even more gastronomic line-up to mark the occasion. Guests will be invited to embrace different cuisines from around the globe and enjoy fun and educational activities, workshops and demo’s. Enjoy the taste of different cuisines from all over the world: – Discover Spanish flavours at Bibo by Michelin-starred Dani Garc​​ía which will be serving up Andalusian tapas – Award-winning Italian restaurant Cin Cin will be plating up authentic Italian eats – Dalston’s Angelina are bringing their unique Japanese and Italian fusion dishes – Juici Jerk will be bringing the flavours of the Caribbean with their popular jerk chicken – Drums & Flats, will be making their first festival appearance to introduce South London Soul Food This is just a taster of what to find, there will be a lot more street food stalls to discover, along with bars and workshops to get involved in on the day. Don’t miss out on the tastiest event this summer, discover new talent, and get a taste of never-seen-before dishes from your favourite chefs and restaurants. Whether you’re planning a day out with your friends, family, colleagues or a loved one, grab your tickets today. For more information and to book your ticket visit: www.tasteoflondon.com Address: Regent’s Park, Outer Circle, London, NW1 5HA Written by Jordan Crowley Photography by Jenna Foxton #regentspark #tasteoflondon

Celebrations in Carnaby London Starting on Thursday 2nd June, Carnaby is celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by hosting an array of on-street activations. Visitors will be treated to glitter makeovers, complimentary ice lollies as well as live music performances. Throughout the weekend, you can expect shopping promotions, special menus and discounts from Metal Morphosis, Cahoots, Le Bab, Swatch, Too Faced and Aubin, plus many more. While you’re walking around, don’t forget to bag yourself a limited edition Jubilee tote bag, if you’re quick enough you may get one filled with free swag. https://www.carnaby.co.uk/carnaby-jubilee Tea, Tours and Tipples at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Affectionately known as The Lane, the restored theatre which was re-opened in 2021 by the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge has been visited by every reigning monarch since 1660. For the Queen’s Jubilee they will be hosting tonnes of royal activities including Afternoon Tea by world-renowned Lily Vanili, an after-hours theatre tour, all lubricated with The Queen’s Punch, a brand new cocktail specially crafted for the event. Being the only British theatre on the Royal Charter and the only theatre in the world with 2 royal boxes, where better to celebrate the Jubilee than at the royalist of royal theatres. For more information visit www.thelane.co.uk Royal Lancaster London’s Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea Royal Lancaster London launches a Jubilee themed afternoon tea, available from 18th May – 5th June. Enjoy an irresistible assortment of delicately crafted sandwiches, warm baked scones and deliciously royal sweet treats that will be served in the hotel’s beautiful Hyde Café, and accompanied by a selection of the finest Camellia’s Tea House teas. £34 pp – Wednesday to Friday | £39 Saturday & Sunday. Served between 1pm and 4pm www.royallancaster.com A Four-day celebration in Seven Dials From Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th June 2022, Seven Dials will host an array of live music, on-street entertainment, masterclasses, prizes to be won, and exclusive discounts to celebrate all things 1950s, the decade of the Queen’s coronation! Visitors will be treated to: A 50’s themed stretch class at Stretch Inc Royal Afternoon Tea at the Covent Garden Hotel Flower crown-making workshop, English sparkling wine tasting at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels Burlesque masterclass at Coco de Mer! And much more! Throughout the four days, visitors will be in for a chance to win one of seven luxury Platinum Jubilee hampers filled with prizes from Seven Dial’s iconic brands. www.sevendials.co.uk Jubilee Pre-Show at Nightjar Carnaby with Whitley Neill Nightjar Carnaby are partnering with Whitley Neill on a special early evening ‘Pre-Show’ to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with live piano performances and a luxurious menu of three drinks for just £10 each, available exclusively in the early evening (5pm-9pm). Descend the stairs beneath Soho’s Kingly Court and enter the heady world of extravagant cocktails, old-school glamour and late-night live music! https://www.nightjarcarnaby.com Street Party on Elizabeth Street British bar and dining room, Ganymede in Belgravia, invites you to a stylish star-studded street party on Sunday, 5th June to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. In collaboration with the Belgravia Traders Association (BTA), the free-to-attend street party will take place on Elizabeth Street, running from 11am – 6pm. Guests will be treated to Punch & Judy shows, live music by Itchy Feet, a Photobooth, food and drink from Ganymede and much more. https://ganymedelondon.co.uk #carnaby #carnabylondon #QueensPlatinumJubilee #sevendials

Taking place in Soho this May, award-winning premium gin Brockmans latest activation is sure to inspire gin lovers and creatives alike. The three-day event taking place from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st of May will be celebrating everything individuality and honouring the craft of cocktails. Guests will be treated to a host of performances, cocktail masterclasses and musical experiences, running across four different rooms within the Bateman Street venue. In line with the Brockmans brand identity of mixing daring tastes with noble traditions, Brockmans will be transforming the space into a properly improper world with each of the four spaces dedicated to different offerings. Throughout the three day celebration, performances will include: Thursday 19th May Gecko – a London-based artist, whose playful lyrics cover all the big things in life like iPhones, Libraries & Guanabana fruit juice. Gecko has previously appeared at Glastonbury, Bestival and BBC Radio 1 to name a few. Harry Baker – the youngest ever person to win the Poetry World Slam championship will be performing his incredible mixes of poetry, comedy and mathematics. Friday 20th May Ben Lewis – supported by some of the biggest names in the business, he has been a DJ for 15 years and has played all over the world from New York to Ibiza. Jon Udry – is an incredible performer who will be combining juggling and comedy to create a unique performance that has earnt him spots at prestigious events and festivals such as Glastonbury. Saturday 21st May Velvet Thunder – a UK DJ who plays an eclectic mix of world music tracks mixed with funk, soul and disco. Spoken Word Artists Billie – a jazz and soul artist who will be performing an eclectic mix with her band who have been creating musical synergy together for many years. For the full list of performances visit: https://www.brockmansgin.com Dates: Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st of May | Opening Times: Thursday – Friday 5-10 pm and Saturday 12-10 pm 15 Address: 15 Bateman St, Soho, London, W1D 3AQ Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of Brockmans #livemusic #15BatemanSt #brockmansgin #soho #gin

This Summer Solstice, Birch brings us a brand new and exciting summer festival ‘BIRCH ARISING’, a weekend celebration taking place between the 17th – 19th of June. Birch creates spaces in which visitors can rest, explore, connect, work, eat, move, or dance as they wish – all in one place. The three-day event will showcase activities to reset your mind, body and soul, with Disco Vinyasa, Release Reset Meditation, Tarot Reading, Morning Yoga with Harpist, Crystal Healing and Energising Breathwork all taking place in Birch’s 55 acres of beautiful countryside. The outdoor adventure will capture all the magic, spirit and intimacy of festival life, with live music and DJs, incredible food, chefs, pool parties, restorative wellness experiences AND a comfy bed to lay your head on at the end of the night. Just 30 minutes by train from London, BIRCH ARISING will have a maximum capacity of 1,500 set across the Birch grounds and Mansion House, giving it that boutique festival feel. Tickets are open to both members and non-members starting from £55 for a day pass and £110 for the weekend (plus the cost of your room). Birch are even providing professional bookable childcare for all of those with little ones who’d like a night off for a few hours – wow! Dates: Friday 17th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th June 2022 Address: Birch, Lieutenant Ellis Way, Cheshunt, EN7 5HW Tickets can be purchased here: www.birchcommunity.com Written by Lenny Wright Photography by Hollie Fernando #birch #festival #wellness #wellnessfestival

This Summer, Marylebone Summer Festival returns on 18th and 19th of June, with a line-up of live music, food and gift stalls, family activities, shopping and alfresco dining in the heart of central London. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this year’s festival is an open-air cinema, featuring the Oscar and multi-award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody. Showing from 9:00pm on Saturday 18th June, you can kick back in the tranquil surroundings of the open gardens, and watch Rami Malek’s brilliant depiction of Freddy Mercury.  Pre-film activities to enjoy will include free table tennis, as well as a cocktail bar and live music. Tickets for the film go on sale from 12pm Tuesday 3rd May, and can be booked on Design My Night, starting from £15. All profits will go to the London-based Greenhouse Sports charity who uses sport to engage young people and improve their lives. More information visit: https://www.marylebonevillage.com/whats-on-and-features/item/262-marylebone-summer-festival Book movie tickets visit: https://www.designmynight.com//london/whats-on/live-music/open-air-cinema-night-bohemian-rhapsody Written by Lenny Wright Photography courtesy of Marylebone Village #cinema #marylebone #marylebonefestival

Following a two year break, Chestersons Polo in the Park will be kicking off London’s summer social calendar from Friday 10th – Sunday 12th June. Housed at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, the event is the world’s largest three-day polo festival. The festival will feature teams from across the globe, accompanied by a good selection of food and drink pop-ups. The three days will each have different themes, supported by exceptional partners and VIP hospitality. Don’t miss out on the first International Women’s Match on Saturday’s Ladies Day, featuring England Polo and Team USA. This will be a historic sporting moment as no women’s International has ever been played in central London before. Friday 10th June – Cudos International Day presented by CITY AM Saturday 11th June – HPA Ladies Day, presented by Sheerluxe Sunday 12th June – Family Day To book tickets and find out more information visit: www.polointheparklondon.com Address: 17 Broomhouse Lane, London, SW6 3DP Photography courtesy of Chestersons Polo in the Park #ChestersonsPolointhePark