If you like short diaries because they get the message across without much fuss, here's one for you.
In London - central London, not some out-of-the-way little suburb - St James Church near Piccadilly Circus has given a bit of its churchyard for use as the site of an artwork and performance series titled "Unwrapping Bethlehem". This is a 12-day festival which opened December 23rd. In looking for write-ups on this project, the Google-thingy directed me to this piece at a website I've never even heard of called Independent Catholic News. Being an atheist, I was hesitant, but figured what the Hell - information is information. Here's the scoop:
The world-renowned violinist Nigel Kennedy is one of the performers taking part in a twelve day festival of music, art, poetry, film, comedy, food and dance at St James Church, Piccadilly. The festival opens on Monday 23 December with the unveiling of the 'Bethlehem Feast' a major art installation, created and hosted by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, with lighting design by Willie Williams (who has worked with names including The Rolling Stone, U2, Lady Gaga and Complicite) and the screening of a specially-commissioned film to play on the installation created by Damien Hale, Luke Halls and Sam Pattinson of the Treatment Studio.
Over the course of the 12 days, there will be stand up comedians, music, performance art, movies, paintings, poetry, a FEAST on January 3rd, etc. Check out the vids below the Linguini D'Kos:
First, the YouTube video announcing the event:
CLICK THIS LINK
Here is a video which introduces some people who live in and near Bethlehem and takes a quick tour of Bethlehem by car:
CLICK HERE TOO!
Here is a partial lineup of the London events:
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AT ST JAMES CHURCH, 197 PICCADILLY
Monday 23 December, 6pm – Unveiling of major art installation
Sunday 29 December, 7.30pm – Slammed Up – an evening of slam poetry with 2012 World Slam Champion Harry Baker, Zia Ahmed, Bridget Minamore and Dizraeli
Monday 30 December, 7.30pm – Stand Up Against the Wall comedy evening with Mark Steel, Dave Cohen, Ivor Dembina and Andy Zaltzman
Thursday 2 January, 7.30pm – Film Screening of Jeremy Hardy vs the Israeli Army introduced by film maker and Bethlehem resident Leila Sansour
Friday 3 January, 7.30pm – Bethlehem Feast with Ottolenghi – World-renowned chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi present a Bethlehem Christmas Supper.
Saturday 4 January, 8pm – A debate: ‘Both sides of the Barrier: Separation or Security?’ (Speakers include Jeff Halper, founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions ([CAHD])
Sunday 5 January, 7.30pm – The Bridge performed by ground-breaking virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy and friends, with singers from the Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips, and the celebrated Palestinian singer Reem Kelani
For all you London Kossacks (and those wealthy enough to travel to the event),
here is the link for tickets.
Enjoy!