Down to Margate

Dreamland Cinema

 Margate Pier and Harbour Company 

Sea Ship WIndfarms  

Margate Harbour

Love Lane

Westbrook Bay, Margate Bay 

 Old Town

Henrys, Old Cameras

Camera: Fuji X100

A day trip to the original British seaside holiday destination via high speed javelin train from St Pancras, less than two hours home to beach, nearly an hour off the pre javelin time from Victoria. A visit to the Turner Contemporary, a wonderful space. Rodin's 'The Kiss' framed by a huge glass wall looking out to sea. Tracy Emin stuff was very Tracy Emin. A wonderful space and location, right next to Margate Old Town a few small streets of retro shops, cupcake cafes and all kinds of drinking establishment from cockney 'boozer by the sea' to inevitable hip bar , but again by the sea. Nice.

Then to Shell Grotto, The main high street is pretty depressing, poundshops and Primark, even the former Woolworths still lies empty, though there is Henrys with some decent second hand camera kit. So back to the front and perfect cod and chips from Peter's Fish Factory whilst watching the tide come in. A quick trip to buy some rock then back past the rather run down arcades and boarded up shops along the front to the station and the javelin back to giddy London. 

There is a second bright sign of the recovery of Margate on the way back to the station. Dreamland a Grade II* listed cinema from the mid thirties currently under restoration will front a new amusement park of classic vintage rides on the site of what was Ben Bom Brothers amusement park in the 80's that I remember well and many different menagerie/zoo/theme park incarnations in the generations previously.

Finally this classic for you from the mighty Chas n' Dave.

The Angel of the North

The Angel of the North Gateshead

Camera: Fuji X100

Antony Gormley's breathtaking sculpture a monument to the North East's industrial heritage. Weighing 100 tons and anchored to 600 tons of concrete to withstand 100mph winds on the site of a former colliery.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford Designer & Filmmaker

Camera: Canon 5DII

Portrait session with the talented and charming Tom Ford.

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen Sunderland: Stadium of Light

Camera: iPhone4S

Time for a catch up and here is the pic of shots from my handy iPhone from Bruce Springsteen's show at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Fortunately the torrential rain that was incessant during the day held of for a fantastic show seen from the pit. The following day's Manchester show was wetter and shelter in the seats was in order for another marathon show. London's Hyde Park show was a knock out if you were near the front but Live Nation get 1/10 for sound system and even less for cutting of Springsteen and McCartney off for going 11 minutes over curfew. Maximum Profit 1 Maximum Rock n Roll 0. 

Root & Groove Element Rehearsal

 Camera: Canon 5DmkII

Root & Groove Element rehearsing for their recent live show at a studio in North West London.

Check out at sneak peek of them performing Soul Food with a cameo appearance from myself, here. 

Root & Groove Element. Live at The Comedy, London

 Camera: Canon 5DmkII

Busting out of the studio and onto the stage the amazing Root & Groove Element played their first live show at The Comedy in London's West End.

Delivering a set of future classics including tracks from their forthcoming debut E.P. the band were cookin' throughout with Soul Food a stand-out cut. This band are threatening greatness.

Don't miss them at their next show for the E.P. launch on 9th June, check their Facebook page for more details.

Across the Pond - Alistair Guy

Alistair Guy Photographer

 Jay Aston Rock Star

Ashton John Filmmaker

Camera: Fuji X100

This week saw me head down to the Exposure Gallery for the opening of Across the Pond, an exhibition of work by photographer Alistair Guy.

Lots of lovely creative types in attendance and great to catch up with some familiar faces as well as view Alistair's wonderful portraits.

Name checks due to Ashton John, Jay Aston, Sara Shamsavari and Hannah Slaney who I've all had the pleasure of working with in the past and great to catch up with them. 

The exhibition is on until 31st May.