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Cool Londoncentric ideas for a birthday gift?

 
 
MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!
15:42 / 11.09.07
As it says on the tin. I'm wondering what I can do for my sister, who lives in London (North, Zone 3/4) for her birthday in a month. Ideally, I'd like to do something cool and London-ish, as opposed to just mailing something from Canada -- but it's a bit hard to arrange something from here, given that I don't have a lot of information about what's up in London Town these days.

She loves music (esp. classical and vocal-centric stuff like old-school jazz), is open to but not totally crazy about modern art, is reasonably cultural and likes quality restaurants with no culinary vetoes I can think of.

Suggestions, London 'lithers?
 
 
illmatic
15:53 / 11.09.07
How about some tickets to the Jazz Cafe (in Camden, which is North or even better yet, Ronnie Scotts? Ronnie Scotts is the ultimate old school London Jazz venue.

I've only ever been to the latter once, but it was absolutely amazing. Not so much for the venue, but for the act - Lonnie Smith.

I don't know if you ever seen the jazz guy off The Fast Show but it's the sort of place he was invented for.

COOOL!
 
 
MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!
16:16 / 11.09.07
Good ideas, but unfortunately both seem to have booked kinda lame or not-right-for-her acts on and around the actual date. Ronnie Scott's seems a little "Mom and Dad" for her, actually.
 
 
MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!
17:25 / 11.09.07
Anybody ever been to a jazz club called the "Vortex"?
 
 
Spaniel
17:31 / 11.09.07
I often like the chance to treat where I live as I would if I were a tourist. London's really good for that, I'd imagine. So how about getting her tickets to a show or the new Planetarium or something equally touristy?
 
 
MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!
18:17 / 11.09.07
New Planetarium? INTRIGUING. The aforementioned Vortex club has a good-sounding pianist playing around her birthday but I don't know how it is as a venue (their Web site says it's wonderful, but really, would they say otherwise?).

Big-time theatre is too expensive.
 
 
Spaniel
18:24 / 11.09.07
New Planetarium? INTRIGUING.

I hear it's very snazzy.

Also, what about the IMAX cinema?
 
 
illmatic
15:27 / 12.09.07
Anybody ever been to a jazz club called the "Vortex"?

Yes, and like most things based in Stoke Newington, it was great. Nice food, nice venue though I never went for the jazz, only the karoke. However, it has moved to Dalston, and I haven't been to the new venue. Dalston is a bit hard to get to if you don't know your way around. Out east, no tubes.
 
 
doozy floop
21:50 / 13.09.07
I never went to the old Vortex but can vouch for the new one: it's quite smart for Dalston, really, and I think 'intimate' would be the word. I know nothing about jazz but it's meant to be one of *the* places for the good stuff. And it's just off the main road with all the buses and near the train station, so not hard to find if you're vaguely familiar with London public transport...
 
 
MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!
12:20 / 05.10.07
Well, I've just attempted to buy some tickets for a show at the Arts Depot in North Finchley, close to where she lives -- hopefully using her address will mean the tickets will get sent to her no problem.

The Vortex looks really cool too, but in the end I opted for the most transport-lite option.
 
  
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