Festivals – a British summertime tradition

Sandip fills us in on the best London festivals, and where we can find out more!

From Glastonbury, to Reading, and to my own local Godiva festival; summer festivals have truly become a part of the British establishment. According to Virtual Festivals UK there are now over 500 festivals in Great Britain alone. But why have they grown in popularity in recent years?

To some, it could be said, a festival is more than just music and camping. It brings all sections and classes of society together to enjoy the mud, the madness, the sun and the rain. No matter what the conditions, festivals can be a great social leveller.

Festivals take you out of the mainstream; Glastonbury has become something of national institution, with it being on many a person’s list of ‘must dos’. A festival takes you out of your comfort zone and offers a range of experiences, and now more than ever it says a lot about you, your personality and your identity. Wearing the wristband for weeks after you arrive back home just shows that the festival is about more than the music, it’s about making a statement.

The festival can be a great place for young people to experience the freedom of youth, their own music and to express their identity. The British festivals are about more than just the music; from local to national festivals the experience becomes a part of your sub-culture, the thing that makes you different from everyone else. They have become a part of the British summer because they givefestival-goers  a child-like freedom: the outdoors, open air, camping with friends, the freedom of expression and being yourself. At a festival there are no constraints. The festival promise is quite simple; you’ll have a good time, with good people and probably a few stories to tell.

Now that summer is here there are lots of festivals for you to experience without leaving the capital:

13-24 June Hampton Court Palace Festival
This is you could say, the more refined festival experience, a slightly more civilised affair. There’s no mud, but it still could be lots of fun. Think grown up concerts in the beautiful grounds of the palace

5-6 July Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time at Hyde Park
The capital’s rock anthem show spectacular with artists such as Bon Jovi, Kasier Chiefs and the Rolling Stones.

12-14 July Wireless Festival
Moves from its traditional venue in Hyde Park to the Olympic Park for 2013. With acts such as Jay Z, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake performing over the weekend, it’s bound to be an awesome experience.

19-21 July Lovebox
Scape Living’s very own local festival. It’s being held in Victoria Park, which is a stone’s throw from Scape East. Artists playing this year include Plan B and Azealia Banks. This is a festival said to be great for those allergic to camping, and being so close to Mile End it couldn’t be in a more perfect and ideal location

These are just a few of the many festivals being held over the summer. A full comprehensive list of national festivals can be found here, and all the London summer festivals are listed here.

Whatever festival you go, we promise it will be an experience you’ll never forget; a truly British summertime experience.

Book review: The Hunger Games

Our blogger Sandip has reviewed the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Find out what he thinks below, and whether you might want to read it for yourself. Keep an eye out for his reviews of the film version too!

The Hunger Games trilogy offers a fascinating insight into a world that is not far separated from our own. The story takes place in Panem, built in the ruins of North America. Following the Dark Days, the authoritarian rule of the Capitol was installed, and the twelve Districts of Panem were created. The Hunger Games is an annual ritual and a tool which the Capitol uses to maintain its fragile autocratic power over the twelve Districts.  A boy and a girl both between 12 and 18 are chosen from each District, and they must fight to the death in an arena. The Hunger Games is a dark and twisted reality show, which makes our own seem quite harmless. The catch is this – only one of the 24 chosen tributes can live and be called the victor.

The opening novel sets the scene for the trilogy. It centres on the character of Katniss Everdeen, a tomboy-hunter from District 12. When the two tributes are chosen, Katniss volunteers when her younger sister Prim is chosen by the ballot. She and Peter Mellark are the tributes, and representatives of District 12 in the seventy-fourth Hunger Games.

The novel is simply written, engaging and thought-provoking. You soon feel the pain of Katniss as she embarks on a journey of a lifetime; her journey soon becomes your journey. The Hunger Games has numerous stories that intertwine with one another. For example, the tragedy of the star-crossed-lovers from District 12, who have both been thrown into the Games where only one, can survive. However, there is also the fragility of the authoritarian rule of the Capitol to consider. Throughout the novel, there are subtle hints to open defiance of the Capitol’s rule. It would only take a spark to set off the revolution and this comes at the end of the novel, setting the scene of revolution for the next two novels in the trilogy.

To turn to the novel as a whole, its plot is simple but perfectly balanced. The amount of violence and the rich descriptions of the deaths of the tributes is finely balanced with the story’s romantic angle. Katniss is both a complex and a fascinating heroine, and you soon become engrossed in her life and journey through the Games. Its story is dark, and yet fascinating, and offers disturbing connections to our own lives. Themes such as authoritarian rule, the threat of war and revolution eccentric fashions all combine to create a rich setting to the story.

Overall, this is a book best suited to adults, and provides a compelling read. As Katniss begins to take control of her own life, you as the reader become more involved in unpicking the complex story. The opening novel ends when the revolution’s wheels have been put into motion, when it seems the rule of the Capitol can be defeated; if the people of the Districts believe it can happen. The opening novel to an extent leaves many questions unanswered, and as we go onto the sequel Catching Fire, Katniss is no longer safe. The Capitol wants revenge.

Film Review: Olympus Has Fallen

Sandip has reviewed another film for all our WordPress readers. See what he has to say about Olympus Has Fallen below…

The White House is under ground attack. Never would we think it possible that this iconic American political institution could be attacked and taken. Until now, and Hollywood has placed the destruction of this American landmark in the hands of terrorists, rather than the usual aliens or robots.

Olympus is a code name the US secret service use for the White House. The film synopsis is quite simple, and quite surreal. The attack comes from a group of ruthless North Korean terrorists; it takes just 13 minutes for the building to be overrun with the aid of a giant army plane, which takes out another iconic American landmark, the Washington Monument. The only hope that America has to save its president, and launch the counter-attack to regain control, is Mike Banning. Equipped with a lot of guns, a lot of guts and a whole load of patriotism; Gerald Butler’s Banning is America’s only hope.

The film is action packed, from start to finish. What’s striking is how we can place the tense Korean peninsula situation within the real world events unfolding today. Although as the film progresses the links to tensions with Korea are removed to the background, and the plot is predominantly based on the character of Mike Banning, Secret Service agent. The opening sequence shows him making a split second decision in a life and death situation, and eighteen months later he still bares the mental scars. Since demoted to the Treasury, once the attack on the White House begins he sees his opportunity to prove himself. After the attack the film moves on to deliberations at the Pentagon with acting-President Morgan Freeman; with the president and his senior ministers having been taken hostage.

From start to end Olympus Has Fallen is both brutal and violent, but achieves a great realism and authenticity. Blood and gore is a continual feature of the film; the action sequences are fluid and conveyed with full clarity and realism. The question that we’ll leave unanswered so as not to ruin the film for you, is whether Banner can save the president. Gerard Butler is back to his best as a somewhat ruthless action-hero; he is the lone operative on whose shoulders the fate of the American nation rests upon. For those of you well versed in your Korean-American history- the film does centre on nuclear tensions; with Butler roaming the corridors of the White House to prevent the Koreans from activating the nuclear missile system, and unleashing hell onto the American nation.

The film is full of high action thrills; and there is the inevitable final showdown between the bad guys (Korean terrorist Kane), Mike Banning and the president. To some it might seem this final showdown has an inevitable conclusion, and is something of anti-climax, failing to capitalise on the tensions built up throughout the film. The plot might be unsatisfactory for some, but Olympus Has Fallen provides action enough, and escapism into a world and situation that could only occur on the big screen.

Keep an eye on the Scape WordPress and Blog for more reviews and tips for all students!

Students and Criminal Records

It could be easier than you think to make a stupid mistake while at university and wind up with a criminal record. Here’s what you need to know to maintain you future job prospects.

London is one of the best cities to experience being a student; there is so much to do and so many people to meet. It’s easy to find fun in this exciting capital, but sometimes you can get caught up in all the action and forget yourself. It’s times like these that you may be in real danger of jeopardising the rest of your university career. We’re all for making the most of your time at university, but what’s the point in working for a degree if you make yourself unemployable by taking your fun a little too far?

A loss of judgement
Alcohol is an unpredictable drug; it affects us all differently. Some nights we’re impossible to shut up, chatting, laughing and generally being the life and soul of the party. Sometimes we can get a bit weepy about…well…we never really know exactly what it was about. Perhaps drinking also brings out a more daring side of you, one that throws caution to the wind, or maybe on other occasions you seem to lose your common sense. It’s no surprise then, that we’re far more likely to get ourselves into trouble with the law after a few drinks. Taking a short cut through private property and running off from a taxi without paying may seem like harmless fun when you’re in high spirits and under the influence, but these actions are illegal and really can get you into some regrettable hot water.

No matter what your offence, if you are caught by the authorities (and let’s be fair, they will probably outsmart you if you’re drunk) and get charged, you’ve earned yourself a brand spanking new criminal record.

A lasting impact?
Unfortunately, a criminal record can seriously influence your entire career, especially if you’re planning for it to be one in teaching, care-work or anything to do with children. Some employers won’t check your criminal background and even if they do, minor offences aren’t always going to be a huge issue. But at the end of the day, it’s challenging enough to secure a job once you finish university; why make it harder for yourself? If an employer is trying to decide between a suitable candidate with a criminal record, and one without, it doesn’t take much to work out  whose getting that rejection letter.

We’re not suggesting that London students are irresponsible, we’re just giving you a heads up; small actions can have surprisingly large consequences. The good news is that if you do already have a criminal record and you’re feeling like it’s the end of the world, there are a number of different organisations who can help you. Start off by talking to the Careers Service at your university for advice, or find more general advice from the National Careers Service. You may find that if a number of years have passed since a conviction it may no longer show on your record. When seeking employment, you could also consider starting small and working your way up. At all times, be honest about your history; it’s highly likely that an interested employer will do a background check, and an unexpected, undeclared mark on your record will look far worse than one that you’ve had a chance to explain. Especially if you can demonstrate what you’ve learnt from the experience.

There are many more articles on our Scape blog, covering topics from maximising your social life to maximising your career; why not have a read?

Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum – Exhibition Review

Our blogger Sandip Kana explores another of London’s great exhibitions. The subject of this one is the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the fate of their citizens after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Can you believe in just a matter of 24 hours that two cities of the Bay of Naples were buried instantly by a volcanic eruption? The tragic story of Pompeii and Herculaneum is well known; their inhabitants were buried and preserved for generations under mountains of ash and discovered over 1,500 years later. Thanks to the tireless work of archaeologists, we now have an insight into the ordinary and extraordinary Roman life of the two cities. A new exhibition at the British Museum allows visitors to glimpse life in the Roman Empire on the eve of such a terrible natural disaster.

There are over 250 artefacts on display, providing us with a taste of the daily life of the Romans: jewellery, paintings, marble wall panels, brooches, furniture, mosaic designs and more can all be seen, some preserved in astounding fashion. There are also impressive casts made by archaeologists at Pompeii, which capture the fate of animals and people at the exact moment of the eruption.  In some cases whole families can be seen huddled together as the lava approaches; a cast of a dog symbolises how the eruption affected all aspects of the Romans’ lives – nothing was left untouched, but much was preserved.

One of the best things about this exhibition is the ordinary citizens of the two cities and their story and history. Of all the artefacts, one that struck me and many others was a marble stone from Herculaneum. At first it looks ordinary, but once you see that one side reads ‘this is the property of Marcus Nonius Dama’ and the other ‘this is the wall of Julia’ you begin to understand the human nature of the items on display. The stone was in fact a very early boundary marker between the two owners; the dispute being between the two former slaves.

A unique aspect of Life and Death… is its focus on the stories of the citizens, alongside the usual array of artefacts. You come to learn people’s names, how they lived and interacted with each other. You learn the story of their lives, destroyed in an instant, and then perfectly preserved for over a thousand years.

Amongst the items on show from the ill-fated cities are some that have never been seen outside of Italy. The exhibition, unlike that on the Mughal Empire, looks deeper into the personal and ordinary lives of the people in question through an observation of their everyday possessions. You’ll experience their lives before the eruption,  in areas such as the home, garden, and at work, and this personal journey the organisers argue will, (and I agree) reveal parallels with our own lives today, despite being 2,000 years apart. Like the British Museum suggests this exhibition really does bring ‘the Romans to life in the heart of London.’

Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum is on at the British Museum until 29 September 2013.
Student ticket: £12.50
Adult ticket: £15.00

From Scape East: take the Central Line from Mile End to Holborn

From Scape Greenwich: take the Jubilee line from North Greenwich, change at Waterloo for Northern line to Tottenham Court Road

2013: Summer in London

Can 2013 match up to last year’s event-filled summer?

If you were lucky enough to be a student in London over last summer, you’ll have been treated to some pretty spectacular sights and events. The queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the sort of occasion that doesn’t come around too often, and despite the rain, Londoners flocked to the banks of the Thames to celebrate. Likewise with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics – never before have Britons felt so justifiably excited and patriotic. You could be forgiven for thinking that last summer was a one-off, and that you’ll have little to look forward to in London this year. Not so – take a look at just a few of the events on offer for London’s student population in summer 2013!

Champions League Final (25 May)
Football is Britain’s national sport, and the Champions League Final is the defining event of the footballing calendar. This year, the final is being hosted in London’s Wembley stadium – you’d have to be a miracle worker to get your hands on a ticket, but flock to any of London’s pubs on May 25th and catch a bit of the excitement as football fans pull on their shirts and see who’ll be crowned kings of Europe. There will also be a Champions Festival at the Olympic Park, so you can really get into the spirit of things!

London Wonderground (6 May – 29 September)
If sport isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy throughout the summer in London. The London Wonderground is a festival of performance art, cabaret, circus rides and attractions taking place by London’s Southbank Centre. Last year, 800,000 people flocked to the inaugural event, so expect this summer’s event to be even more successful and popular.

Wimbledon (24 June – 7 July)
For one month of the summer, you’d be forgiven for thinking that tennis, not football, was the top of London’s sporting priorities. Wimbledon is always a marquee event on London’s summer calendar, and after losing last year’s final before beating arch-rival Roger Federer to take gold at the Olympics, British number one Andy Murray could be in with a shout of claiming a first British Wimbledon title in 77 years. You might even be lucky enough to pick up tickets to this one, especially with their queue on the day system. If you don’t, you can catch the action on the big screens on ‘Henman Hill‘, just outside the courts.

A royal baby (July?)
Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton in the summer of 2011 was marked by a national holiday and street parties up and down the country. This year, it was revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant, and the royal baby is expected sometime in July. Expect the occasion to spark the same scenes of celebration here in the capital that the royal couple’s marriage encouraged two years ago.

Camden Fringe (1 August – 31 August)
While the Edinburgh fringe gets all the plaudits, its little brother in Camden is fast challenging that supremacy. Now in its eight year, the Camden Fringe is a great place to see established comedy acts and to spot the potential stand-up stars of tomorrow. If you’re looking for a laugh this August, the Fringe is the place to be.

So, while this year may not boast the spectacle of last year’s Olympic success, London’s summer of 2013 is set to be just as exciting and eventful! If you’re a student living in London, keep an eye on Scape’s blog, Facebook and Twitter for more information on London events, nightlife and more.

Tiger Territory at London Zoo

Our blogger Tyra checks out the latest addition to the capital’s much-loved zoo

ZSL London Zoo’s newest exhibit opened on 22 March 2013, the 186-year-old site has been redeveloped to make way for its brand new enclosure – Tiger Territory – home to the newest zoo arrivals Jae Jae and Melati. Scapers can now admire the budding romance between Europe’s two most important Sumatran tigers. Locking eyes across the 27,000sq ft Indonesian-inspired habitat in Regent’s Park, the burgeoning lovers fell in love at first sight after being paired by the global breeding programme for endangered species. Originating from Sumatra in Indonesia, Sumatran tigers are critically endangered in the wild with an estimated population of 300. Zookeepers have high hopes for the birth of the first tiger cubs at the zoo.

Five times the size of the previous tiger enclosure, the new exhibit has been carefully designed to suit the big cats’ needs perfectly, as well as carefully planted to mimic the tropical foliage of the island of Sumatra.

The exhibit features tall trees for these excellent climbers and high feeding poles to encourage their natural predatory behaviours. When the tigers are not paddling in the pool, they will be lounging on the heated rocks in indoor dens.

Tiger Territory will definitely inspire you to treasure the big cats and maybe even think about your role in their survival.

Internationally renowned ZSL London Zoo has been entertaining and delighting visitors since 1847. With over 760 exhilarating animal species, highly innovative exhibits and architectural heritage, it is no doubt a great day out!

Catch a glimpse of the incredible Penguin Beach; and step in to the tropical heat of Rainforest Life where you will find red titi monkeys, armadillo, and sloths. Embark on a journey to the twilight world of Nightlife filled with bats and nocturnal wonders, fly free with beautiful butterflies in Butterfly Paradise; lose yourself in the tranquil underwater world of exotic fish and amazing coral reef displays; get breathtakingly close to the giants in Gorilla Kingdom and don’t miss the action in the amphitheatre!

Check the events board on your way in for the latest live events and immerse yourself in the interactive animal experience including spectacular ‘Animals in Action’ displays, feeds and demonstrations and the glorious sight of tropical birds in flight on the display lawn.

There are a number of catering outlets across the Zoo – Aquarium Kiosk, The Pavilion restaurant, Animal Adventure Café, offering a wide range of delicious, hot meals and sandwiches, salads, snacks, fruits, ice creams and drinks. Grabbing a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee is a great way to recharge your batteries after exploring the exciting wildlife.

Before you visit, remember to download the free ZSL London Zoo app, available on Android and iPhone. Simply search for “London Zoo” in your app store.

Tiger Territory – ZSL London Zoo

Tiger Territory – ZSL London Zoo

Location
Outer Circle
Regent’s Park
London
NW1 4RY

Nearest Underground station: Camden Town

Directions from Scape East: From Mile End take the Central line to Tottenham Court Road and change for the Northern Line to Camden Town. It’s a 15 minute walk from here, full directions can be found at www.zsl.org/how-to-find-us.

Directions from Scape Greenwich: From North Greenwich take the Jubilee line to London Bridge and change for the Northern Line to Camden Town. It’s a 15 minute walk from here, full directions can be found at www.zsl.org/how-to-find-us.

Tickets: £23 online, £25 at the gate / Students pay £21 online, £23 at the gate. Your entry fee contributes to London Zoo’s conservation projects across the globe.

Phone: 020 7722 3333 / Bookings: 020 7492 1561

www.zsl.org / www.zsl.org/tiger-territory

Opening hours: 10am-5.30pm daily