featuring
Gabrielle Aplin Issue 15
CONTENTS
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Music Gabrielle Aplin 07 British Invasion Playlist 11 Christopher Jefferson 13 Mogli 15 Fashion A Look Back on #LFW 17 3 Photographers shoot the same model: London Edition 23
Culture Sarah Abbott 33 Good Eats: London Edition 35 Wesam Keesh 39 Parker Bates 41 Words of Wisdom: Elysia Rotaru 43 A tourist’s guide to London 47
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TEAM
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Editor in Chief Carol Wright is a Junior studying Journalism and Business Entertainment at American University. She realized at the age of eleven that photography was her passion and it was photography that ultimately led her to create Nyota Magazine. Carol is also passionate about public speaking and was given the chance to give a TEDx Talk at the age of seventeen where she talked about the lessons she learned from creating Nyota. Carol loves to create and hopes that wherever life takes her in the future, photography will be at the center.
Art Director
Nicole Cox is currently a Junior, majoring in Graphic Design at American University. Starting at a young age, Nicole has always enjoyed creating art, whether it was writing stories or painting with watercolors, she always found a way to create, but she never expected the computer to be used as another medium for her creativity. Thanks to the help from her college professor, Kate Resnick, she was able to explore her interest in Graphic design and hopes to one day pursue a career in the field and become a User Interface Designer.
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FEATURES Gabrielle Aplin Christopher Jefferson Mogli Sarah Abbott Wesam Keesh Parker Bates Elysia Rotaru
CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Molloy Raissa Sapardan Mariana Dongo-Soria Maggie Mahoney
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EDITOR’S LETTER “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” - Samuel Johnson This Samuel Johnson quote has been on my mind since I first arrived in London back in January. I had traveled to London two times prior to studying abroad and was aware of the history and beautiful architecture but two week-long visits did not prepare me for what it would be like to live and work in London for three and a half months. Each day has felt as if I’m walking through a dream. Although I have a routine and I can make my way around this place still hasn’t been able to feel real. It’s almost as if I’m on some sort of extended vacation, one that I never want to end. It’s difficult for me to encapsulate how I’ve felt here and to express how amazing it has been to live here but I thought I’d try by focusing a large part of this issue on England. On its food, on its beautiful architecture, on its fashion and on the talented people that are born and raised here. I hope you enjoy all this issue has to offer and that it inspires you to grab your passport and book the next flight to London. With Love, Carol Wright @_carol_wright
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Gabrielle Aplin Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Ellen Offredy
Did you do any creative writing before you got interested in songwriting? Yes! I taught myself to play instruments so before then I was writing, painting, generally making stuff. When I was able to play a few chords I managed to stick my words and chords together and discovered how to write songs that way. Did growing up in England inspire the sound and feel of your music in any way? I guess so. I grew up rurally I guess and went to college in Bath, so being surrounded by nature and also having the contrast of spending my week in a city probably had some effect on my music. Though the internet was really starting to buzz with musicians and bands from all over the world and I was also really into discovering new things when I started. Who were some artists that you often listened to growing up? Growing up it was a mixture of what my parents played me and what was on the radio at the time. Bruce Springsteen, The Carpenters, Joni Mitchell and lots more! What motivated you to start posting videos of yourself singing on Youtube? I never really had a motivation really. I wasn’t really obsessed with any 8
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YouTube at the time either. It was a way to share my music with people and it was more something I was discovering as I did it I guess. I was just rolling with it! Since you started out posting on Youtube your thoughts on the industry and social media may be a bit different, but do you feel as though social media has changed the music industry in a drastic way?
enjoying experimenting with production and writing quite personal songs and unravelling my brain a bit. I cannot wait to share the tunes that I have been working on. What advice do you have for aspiring singers? Be inspired by others, but develop those inspirations into who you are. And have fun!
Absolutely. It’s completely changed how songs are released, and how you present them. There’s not really a tradition anymore. But I think social media is an amazing way to keep in contact with people and to build relationships with fans. How did you come up with the name for your label? Does Never Fade have a special meaning to you? Never Fade is the name of one of my releases and it was the second song released on the label before we decided to work with other artists! Your sound has changed throughout your different projects. Is this because you like to experiment or do you not want to be put in a box when it comes to your sound? I don’t really try and be or create a certain sound. I just make what I want to make at the time I want to make it! I like experimenting! If I was making the same album over and over I’d be so incredibly bored! But I don’t really think about it too much. It’s also way less of a change and more of a development. I don’t compare every song I write or idea I have, but if they were all placed on a timeline the development would be obvious. What inspired your new song ‘My Mistake’? Can you walk us through the process of creating that song? The process was so easy. I just didn’t want to write that day, my brain wasn’t having it. So we decided to not try, and My Mistake happened! Can you tell us anything about your upcoming album? If so, what can listeners expect? It’s structurally, a singer-songwriter album. I’ve really focused on writing good songs that I love. I’ve been 10
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Invasion
Playlist
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Mine // The 1975 Silence // Grace Carter Thursday // Jess Glynne February 3rd // Jorja Smith My Mistake // Gabrielle Aplin We Bring Our Friends // Ariel I’ll Come Too // James Blake Life on Mars? // David Bowie Bennie and the Jets // Elton John Here Comes the Sun // The Beatles
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Christopher Jefferson Interview by Carol Wright Photo by Annie Shak
When did you know that you wanted to be a performer? I was never the type to shy away from attention. I’ve always loved performing at talent shows/showcases. So, I would say at a very early age. How did the opportunity to be a part of “American Soul” come about? My team actually acquired the audition. I heard it wasn’t easy, so I’m very grateful for them (Robin Nassif/Erik Staehle). What drew you to the role of JT Tucker? I believe JT’s “good guy-bad situation” scenario pulled me in. There are so many people who go through that. It’s a story I definitely wanted to tell. Through working on the show have you learned anything new about Soul Train or Don Cornelius?
What has it been like working with Kelly Rowland and Kelly Price? Do they give you any advice or pointers on set? Kelly Price and Kelly Rowland are the kinds of people who’ll fill a room with presence without saying a single word. It was incredible. Kelly Price actually gave me singing advice! Outside of acting and singing, what are some of your creative outlets? I like to meditate, paint, or do anything that involves creating really. There are so many different worlds to creating. What advice do you have for aspiring singers/actors? Winners are ordinary people with extraordinary determination. Keep pushing!
Yes! Who knew Don was so hardcore? 14
Mogli Interview by Carol Wright Photo by Isabel Hayn
Whether it’s through a song or a film you’re always telling a story. As a child were you drawn to books and telling stories? I started reading at the age of 4 and read over a thousand books until I was ten. I just could not stop! It’s so fascinating how a story can make the world stop. I really hope I can get people to stop thinking and worrying and just be in the moment with my music and my concerts. Fashion, film, and music are all creative fields. Did you ever have anyone trying to deter you from pursuing a career in those areas? I am so lucky that no one dear to me ever did. I think it’s because everyone can feel how truly happy it makes me. When you pursue your dreams it should only ever matter how it makes you feel, though, not anyone else. Where do you pull inspiration from for your music? Songwriting is a very intuitive process for me. I don’t write many notes or get inspired by anything specific. I have phases where I am like a sponge and collect all the emotions and inspirations inside of me until I feel like I have something to say. Then I go into the studio to let it all out. What was the process for creating your “Another Life” music video? Did you create storyboards? I told my story of the song and explained what the song means to me to the director and together we created scenes that reflect that, and fit the visual vibe that I was after. The lake could be an ocean and the restaurant could be a bar – what counts is that the story and the emotions are real. We decided on locations and moods beforehand but everything that happens in the scenes was improvised on the spot. 15
What inspired you to get into the realm of sustainable fashion and beauty? I started to follow some Eco-bloggers on Instagram and watched the documentary “The True Cost” on Netflix. As soon as I realised how dirty the fashion industry is I didn’t wanna be a part of it anymore but I love fashion and expressing myself through it. So I researched and found many cool sustainable brands and got into vintage clothes. You can’t do everything right but I hope to inspire others and show them that you can be fashionable, sustainable, and have fun. What was the hardest part of starting your fair fashion clothing line? To find someone to produce it where I can truly monitor that they are fair & sustainable. I decided to work with an existing label of a friend instead of starting one in the end because I love their small family business in Nepal. You’re only 25 and have already started building a career in so many different areas. What’s next for you? The music video for “Another Life” was my first real acting experience and it was so much fun! I would love to do more of that. I also have a finished script in my drawer for a movie I’d love to bring to life. I don’t know yet if I wanna direct, produce or star in it but I want to make it happen at some point. Right now music makes me so happy that I want to focus on that. What advice do you have for aspiring singers? Write songs until you find your voice. Write songs until you find a sound that you love – until you truly feel you have something to say. Only then start reaching out to people. No one knows you’re out there creating so there is no rush.
London Fashion Week Words by Carol Wright Photos by Raissa Sapardan and Mariana Dongo-Soria
Each year fashionistas from all over the world gather in ‘The Big Smoke’ for a week of fashion shows and events. Two of our contributors got the chance to get an inside look into the frenzy that is London Fashion Week by attending the Tolu Coker runway show, ZL by Zlism presentation, the i-am-chen runway show and Fashion Scout’s: One to Watch show. Allow the bright colors and unique garment construction to give you a glimpse into the beauty found in between all the madness.
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ZI by zlism
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1x1 Studio
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i-am-chen
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AurĂŠlie Fontan
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Shie Lyu
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Three Photographers Shoot the Same Model:
London Edition Photographers: Amanda Molloy, Raissa Sapardan, Carol Wright Model: Mariana Dongo-Saria It was a warm, sunny day in London. An occasion that had to be celebrated by grabbing our cameras, a Canon Rebel T6i, Sony a6300, Nikon FM2 and an iPhone XS Max respectively, and heading outside. Our shoot started in Victoria and from there we wandered, soaking in the sun with our cameras hanging loosely around our necks.
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y name is Amanda Molloy and I’m a 21-year-old photographer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with portrait photography, I love to shoot live music. My favorite places to take pictures in London are Shoreditch, Kensington, and the viewing level of the Tate Modern.
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i, I’m Raissa Sapardan, 20, currently based in London, having fun. I love doing shoots where I can show emotions and stories through movements and an underlying vibe of relaxation and lack of inhibitions— and Nyota has always given me the creative freedom to do it.
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y name is Carol Wright I’m from New Jersey and am the Editor in Chief of Nyota. I love portrait and fashion photography and I ended up shooting these photos with my iPhone because I had forgotten my SD card that day.
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Sarah Abbott Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Lilly K
When did you become interested in acting? Ever since I was very little, I loved to put on shows for my family. As soon as I started watching Disney channel, I knew I wanted to be an actor. When I was 7 years old, I went to an open audition call in my town and was signed by an agency. I was super excited! When I filmed my first commercial, I felt so comfortable on set and had so much fun that I knew acting was for me. What about “Mommy’s Little Princess” interested you? I was very interested to play a character that was so different from who I am in real life. The character that I play, Lizzy, is a little girl who had a rough childhood until she was adopted by a mom named Juliana. When Lizzy takes a genetic test that shows she’s related to a royal family in Germany, she starts acting like she’s an entitled princess and would do anything to get the life she wants. Since the character is so very different from me, I love that I was able to experiment with it. What did you do to get into character and play Lizzy? I spent a lot of time reading the character description and storyline. I thought about what kind of a daughter and a friend Lizzy would be based on her experiences. I also looked up the director online and watched another film he had made. When learning my lines, I thought about how Lizzy would be feeling at that moment based on her past and what kind of life she would want now. You act in a lot of thrillers or scary movies and tv shows. Do you ever get scared on set? Actually, no, I don’t get scared on set because I under-
stand it’s not real and we are telling a story. I see all the props, camera operators and the makeup artists behind the scenes, so it’s not as scary as it seems on TV. When I filmed my first thriller, Lavender, I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but everyone on set was so helpful, kind, and caring and made sure I felt comfortable. What draws you to those darker roles? Do they allow you to stretch yourself as an actor? I enjoy all the different roles I have played, but I especially like the darker roles. The darker roles usually require a large range of strong emotions such as fear or sadness. It’s like I can jump into someone else’s life and it’s very exciting. Darker roles are challenging, but fun at the same time, and I love it. You’ve been nominated and have won two Joey awards. How does it feel to get recognized for your work in that way? It feels wonderful to know other people have watched what I have done and enjoyed it. I loved meeting and being together with other young Canadian actors. I felt happy, proud and so grateful for all the support I’ve received from my friends, family and the public. What’s your advice for aspiring actors? I would tell aspiring actors to always treat every opportunity the same, no matter how big or small. Each audition is a chance to show what you can do, a chance to perform. There is a lot of rejection, but for each rejection, there will be another opportunity. I try not to be sad for too long about the roles I didn’t get but celebrate the ones I did or will get in the future. Being an actor takes a lot of hard work and you have to believe in yourself, but the most important thing is to have fun! 34
Good Eats:
London Edition Photos & Words by Maggie Mahoney
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ngland may not be known for its cuisine, but London is a wonderful city for foodies if you know where to look. Below are some restaurants listed by food category that I recommend for both delicious meals and positive dining experiences. Best Brunch It is nearly impossible to narrow down all my favorite breakfast places in this city and to be fair, most London cafes are sure to have yummy pastries and a good selection of coffee and tea. However, I have chosen some brunch options that really stand out for unique and quality food. My three favorite places (that also won’t require a several hour long queue on a Sunday morning) are The Good Egg, Lantana, and My Old Dutch. The Good Egg, located in Kingly Court within Soho, serves delicious middle-eastern-style dishes such as Shakshuka, alongside some more traditional brunch favorites like egg and cheese bagels and French toast. They also offer well-priced cocktails from mimosas to expresso martinis to liven up any morning. The experience at The Good Egg is a lovely one besides the food. The service is quick and polite, getting visitors a table promptly and remaining attentive during the meal. I would highly recommend the Iraqi Aubergine Pita if you are a fan of Mediterranean-inspired dishes for a flavorful twist on brunch food.
My Old Dutch
Lantana is another wonderful option if you are looking for a low-key cafe vibe with amazing coffee and breakfast. This cafe is modern and cozy, serving up Australian food and a wide variety of drinks from alcoholic options to smoothies, teas, fresh-squeezed juice, and house soda. I would highly recommend their unique twist on fresh toast, served with poached pears, orange mascarpone and pistachio crumble. Other brunch options include smashed avocado toast, corn fritters, duck hash, grain bowls, and more. Finally, if you are looking for a homey and classic breakfast favorite: the American-style pancake, look no further than My Old Dutch. Serving mainly pancakes, crepes, and waffles, My Old Dutch does not hold back on the flavor or portion sizes when it comes to breakfast. However, if you are in need of something more savory, they do offer a classic English breakfast and some egg options. I would highly recommend their butterscotch pancakes with strawberries, blueberries, maple syrup, and cream.
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Best Pizza
Best Burger
If you want some delicious, gourmet.,thin-crust pizza, Homeslice in Neal’s Yard is the place to go. You can expect a bit of a queue depending on when you come, however, the wait is worth it. The restaurant is tucked away and cozy, perfect for friends and family. They serve pizza by the slice or whole pies. You can’t go wrong with their classic margarita pizza.
If you want a classic burger with plenty of flavor and a casual dining environment, check out Dirty Burger in various locations throughout London. They offer the classic dirty burger, alongside double bacon burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and vegetarian options like the cop-out burger (mushroom patty) and beet burgers. Soda, milkshakes, beer, and fries (both regular and sweet potato) are available as sides.
Dirty Burger
Wagamama
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Best Chain Although this chain option isn’t native to London, I would still highly recommend it if you are in want of some Asian cuisine. Wagamama offers everything from curries to ramen and rice bowls in locations all throughout the city. Wait-times are short and the
restaurants tend to have a great ambiance: the perfect mix between casual and date-night. My go-to order is the classic chicken ramen for a filling and tasty hot meal.
Best Desserts I am a big dessert girl, especially when it comes to ice cream, so choosing the best places to find frozen treats was difficult. However, my top three are as follows: Milk Train, Snog, and Kaspa’s Walworth. If you are looking for both aesthetic and high-quality ice cream creations, Milk Train in Covent Garden area is the way to go. They offer build-your-own creations along with some specialty desserts such as ice cream for movie-theater lovers: vanilla swirl, topped with caramel popcorn. All ice cream cones can add candy floss for an extra few pounds. Snog is more of a chain classic for if you are in the mood for frozen yogurt. Their original tart flavor is refreshing and healthier than its other alternatives, however, they serve classic like mango yogurt and chocolate as well. Finally, Kaspa’s is the one-stop-shop for all things dessert. Do you want an ice cream sundae, a cake, hot cookie dough, a chocolate-covered waffle? Kaspa’s has all of this and more for good prices and in large portions. Not to mention the restaurant itself is aesthetically pleasing and family friendly.
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Wesam Keesh Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Benjo Arwas
Did a particular TV show or movie spark your interest in acting? Nothing specific but I was a big fan of “In Living Color”. I loved the physical humor of the show. And I think the first film I loved was The Wizard of Oz. I probably watched that over 100 times but I did cry the first time I saw it. The wicked witch scared me. What about “For The People” interested you? I remember reading the pilot and being very engaged in the story as well as the characters. Jay read as a very fun and loving character with underlying strong convictions on what he believes. Do you feel as though you can see yourself in your character, Jay? Absolutely. There’s a little bit of every character in me that I play and vice versa. I think you have to have that connection in order to understand and have empathy for the character. Do you have a favorite storyline from season 1? No favorite episode but I do love episode 2 from season 1 where Jay has to defend a Nazi. The episode deals with some of my favorite philosophical debates from free speech, judging people based on preconceived notions versus facts, and right for a fair and unbiased trial. What can we expect from Season 2? 39
More gut-wrenching cases that will make you question which side you’re on, certain relationships get even hotter while others get frigidly cold, and of course, more of my great hair. If you weren’t an actor what do you think your job would be? It would be an honor to serve in the U.S. special forces. Navy Seals, Army Rangers, or Delta force Do you hope to do more film work in the future? Of course. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? Train every day. Work smart/hard. Study. Find out what successful people have done to become successful and emulate them. Evolve but stay true to your morals and values. Experience all that life has to offer. Don’t complain. Be positive but realistic. In the beginning, get your finances solidified and in your spare time pursue your passion. It’s hard to pursue your passion when you can’t feed yourself or afford a roof over your head. If you’re tired, doesn’t matter. If you really want to do this, it takes early mornings and late nights. Find your anchor. Find your balance. And most importantly…. Ask yourself WHY?. Why are you doing this? For who are you doing this? What happens if you don’t reach your goals? Figure out your objective, your motivations, and hold yourself to a high standard of accountability. Be a good person.
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Parker Bates Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Amanda Ramon Styling by Lisa Cameron Grooming by Emily Zempel
What about acting interested you?
Are there any parts of Kevin you can relate to?
I always loved being in front of the camera. I started modeling when I was 2 years old and then I went into commercials when I was 6.
I don’t have much in common with Kevin, but I thought it was cool that Kevin grows up to be an actor. Kevin and I are very athletic and have similar styles but our personalities are very different.
What do you bring to the role of young Kevin Pearson in “This Is Us”? In the episode when it was Jack and Rebecca’s anniversary, the writers pulled from my Instagram that I love to cook, so they had me make a special anniversary dinner; Cornish Hens. “This Is Us” takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. How has the show pushed you as an actor? They have tested me in lots of ways making me stretch and grow. It’s very hard to cry in the middle of a scene, but I worked on it and I was able to do it. The experience definitely helps in the audition room when faced with tough material. What is it like working on a multigenerational drama? Did you, Logan & Justin ever get together to discuss how you were going to portray Kevin in the show? No, we did not. We don’t really get to spend a lot of time together. So, I try to pay very close attention when I am watching the show. I always watch Logan and Justin’s scenes carefully and try to bring how they portray Kevin back to young Kevin.
Tell us about your movie, Magic Max. What’s it about and how did you get involved? I auditioned for the lead, Tim and they liked how I portrayed the character. The movie is about this boy that lost his parents (that’s me; Tim), so he has to go live with his uncle. Uncle Max is a bad magician that can’t do anything right, but together Tim and Max learn to help each other. Outside of acting, what do you enjoy doing? I really love to go snowboarding. I also love playing soccer, which I have done since I was 3 years old. I also do gymnastics in hopes that I will be able to do some very serious stunts one day!!! My biggest passion right now is cooking. I’m on the Jr. Chef Council for Great Wolf Lodge and we just launched the new kid’s summer menu! I have two dishes on the menu that you can go and try out! What advice do you have for aspiring actors? The only failure is not to try! If you are doing what you love, then you shouldn’t give up. Keep working hard and believe in yourself! 42
Words of Wisdom
Elysia Rotaru Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Just Dushawn @JustDushawn Styling by Serafini @serafini_official
What originally got you interested in acting? I started off performing at a very young age as a competitive pianist, so I’ve always been on stage, but the actual acting bug bit me in school when I started doing plays. The interest just grew from there, to where I made theater my focus in University and I received my BFA. You have had numerous television roles. When you first started acting did TV attract you more than film? Coming from the theater, I was actually attracted to both TV and film as they are both different mediums; acting for the camera and the way scripts are created are so different. I’ve loved film since I was a little girl, but the beginning of my journey led me to working in TV, but shortly after, auditions and bookings for films came. But to be honest, I just love being able to tell stories, whether it’s on stage, in TV and film, or through voiceover. Tell us about your short film ‘FWD’. Where did the idea for it stem from? It all really stemmed from the genius of my bff and production partner Stephen Sawchuk. He wanted to make a short horror film for fun and asked if I wanted to be a part of it, working with him behind the camera. I was so excited to learn more about the filmmaking process. He had this great idea, giving homage to Scream, one of our favorite 90’s slasher films. We pulled together a small budget, and a great cast, and voila… FWD. 43
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How did it feel to be recognized for the film by winning awards at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival and Oregon Scream Week?
Be patient, do the work, live a full life, and have fun. And remember, “…the present moment is sacred.” Eckhart Tolle
It’s such a magical feeling, and hard to really put in words. But being able to travel to other countries and cities because of something you helped create and share in an environment full of film aficionados and other creatives is really inspiring. And as for being recognized for our work, it fills me with joy, gratitude, and appreciation of the human spirit. In short, I LOVE IT! What’s your favorite film and why do you think other people should watch it? Ahh such a tough question to answer as I have many, but if have to pick one that I enjoy the most at the moment, it would have to be Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, because it’s badass. You also have a Youtube channel. What motivated you to start that? My bestie Shay Mitchell was the one who kept encouraging me to do it. She was always saying how fun and great it would be for people to get to know more of my personality through a Vlog. So, I came up with the idea of FIELD TRIP, which follows my adventures around the world, trying new experiences. We shall see how it evolves. I will admit, it was a scary thing for me to get going. Breaking down the fourth wall, and using YouTube as a platform is a hard thing to navigate, but it’s really fun and helps me learn more about producing, editing, and presenting myself to the world. What type of projects do you hope to work on in the YouTube/influencer realm? What a great question and one I really don’t know the full answer to yet, as there is so much I want to do and explore. But I do know I want to do something featuring my husband Ryan and his passion for golf and travel, and I would like to bring back the feeling of “The Magic School Bus” because I love adventures and learning and having others take part. I feel like “FIELD TRIP: no permission slip required” is the start of it. And there has to be something about beekeeping. Not sure yet but just throwing it out there! What advice do you have for aspiring actors? 46
A Tourist’s Guide to London Words by Maggie Mahoney When taking a trip to London, everyone will tell you to visit sites like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and The Tower of London. Although, that is all well and good, London has so much more to offer than these often crowded and overpriced tourist attractions. So, I’m here to tell you a few of the sights that actually live up to the hype and some more obscure must-see places to go when you visit this city. London can be quite expensive, so free activities are rare to come across. However, London museums serve as an exception to this rule, making them incredibly worthwhile to check out. Two of my favorites are Tate Modern and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Though both are quite well-known and respected, they earn their esteem for good reason; the quality and size of both, gives the museum-goer much to appreciate.
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Museums Tate Modern is a beautiful gallery located in the Bankside area of Southwark housing international modern and contemporary art. It contains a wealth of fixed exhibits that offer free admission, along with rotating special exhibitions that often require an additional fee to enter. The current rotating exhibit features the work of notable painter: Pierre Bonnard. The fixed exhibits address topics like media and technology, materials and objects, performer and participant, and the artists role and impact in society. The gallery is a beautiful modern space in and of itself with ample places to sit and take in the art, as well as an extensive gift shop. Tate modern is open Sunday to Thursday from 10.00–18.00 and Friday to Saturday from 10.00–22.00. The Victoria and Albert Museum, although also an art museum, has quite a different appearance and style to the Tate. It is located in the heart of South Kensington 49
nearby to other sights like The Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. It is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, containing over 2 million objects in its permanent collection. Admission is free except for its special traveling exhibits and the museum is open daily from 10.00 – 17.45 and on Fridays from 10.00 – 22.00. Currently the traveling exhibits on display include: a fashion exhibit called Designer of Dreams highlighting the life work of Christian Dior and a Video-games exhibit exploring the interplay between art and the technical for designing, playing, and disrupting.
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Markets London markets get a good reputation for good reason. They are sights where you can find great homecooked food, fresh fruits and vegetables, unique thrifting and artisan crafts. The best market for if you are looking for something yummy to eat is Borough Market in Southwark. They have everything from bread, to cheese, to fresh meat and fish to full meals like samosas, paella, burgers, and mac and cheese. There is definitely something for everyone, even those with food restrictions and it’s a foodie’s dream. They also have plenty of free samples. The market is open from 10 am to 5 pm most days and is closed Sunday and open Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. I would recommend going on a week day to avoid some of the rush because it can become quite crowded on Saturdays.
similarly wonderful having everything from desserts to street food of all types. You can spend hours on hours wandering here and never get bored. Some of the smaller artisan shops are particularly interesting and one-of-a-kind. This is definitely a good place to go on a weekday as well since it has a tendency to fill up on weekends and sunny days.
If you are in the mood for a mix of shopping, eating, and sight-seeing, Camden Market is a must-see. It has iconic sights such as the Amy Winehouse statue, along with street art and a bustling shopping scene. Thrift shops are particularly good in Camden because of the unique finds you can stumble across in the various stalls in the massive winding market. The food is
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For Sight-seeing and Photos There is an exhaustive list of beautiful places in London, but I will try and narrow it down for you significantly here. For a casual strolling experience and a chance to appreciate some beautiful neighborhoods and architecture, Notting Hill, specifically the neighborhoods surrounding Portobello Road are beautiful to explore. Notting Hill is known for its quaint, pastel and white colored homes with Victorian architecture. For movies lovers, it is also a great area to do a self-guided movie scene tour; it was the filming site of the popular romantic comedy of its namesake featuring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The entire area is the perfect backdrop for instagram photos, so be sure to bring your camera and wear something that makes you feel confident. Portobello Road is a perfect area for cafes, thrift shops, street vendors, and performances; the neighborhood really comes to life. If you are looking for a more traditional and structured place to sight-see, St. Paul’s Cathedral fits the bill. It was founded in 1675 and is the mother church of the Diocese of London. Admission to St. Paul’s costs 20 quid (or slightly less if you are a student) however the price feels well worth it for the experience you get. The building itself is beautifully designed. The stained glass, stonework, and mosaic-tiled ceilings that sparkle in the light will take your breath away. Similarly, the space is filled with history, containing many of the crypts of famous British figures such as authors and
royal subjects. For the price, you are able to either take a self-guided tour with an audio guide and headphones or a tour led by a museum volunteer that generally lasts from around an hour and a half. I would recommend the museum tour guides highly since they tend to have a wealth of knowledge and can give you access to certain areas of the building you’d be unable to get to on your own. If you come at the right time, you are able to see one of the various services hosted throughout the day; the cathedral’s choir is renowned and their evening song service receives high praise. Another wonderful feature of St. Paul’s is the view it gives you of the entire city of London from its highest floor. It will take some physical labor and a lot of stairs, but the walk is worth it because the view at the top will not disappoint. Another great general area for exploring is Shoreditch, a hip area of Hoxton perfect for young, creative individuals. Shoreditch is home to some incredible street art, markets, food, coffee shops, shopping, and nightlife. Some of its top attractions include: Boxpark (a food park made out of refitted shipping containers) and Brick Lane (a well-known shopping and food area). Also not to be missed is Old Spitalfields Market and The Columbia Road Flower Market. You can spend days and days exploring Shoreditch and still not see it all. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking to have a good time and have a free day to wander.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
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Notting Hill
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