2010: The Start of a Great Year!

Back from my New Year's retreat, relaxed and ready to take on the world - bring it! 2010 is definately the year of all great things I feel it in my bones!! Well as promised, I WILL be updating the blog on a reg-u-lar so make sure you follow my blog, but to keep even more up-to-date with what your No.1 Recessionista is doing and the randomness of my life, follow me in Twitterland. Don't be afraid to drop me an email just to say hi di hi either at Metsthrifty@gmail.com - I promise I'll be nice :-)

First thing's first, the "get at 'em before their gone"- events & deals ending in early 2010 that you recessionistas need to know about:

1. Seizure, 151-189 Harper Road, London, SE1 *Last day Sunday 3rd January 2010*. Art lovers and curious cats alike, if you are wondering what to do on Sunday 3rd January 2010 after all that eating, drinking and partying over the holidays, head to Harper Road early in the morning. No, I'm not sending you a random council flat in Elephant & Castle for the fun of it, I'm sending you to catch one last glimpse of Seizure, Roger Hoirns' most ambitious piece of contemporary art.

"75,000 litres of copper sulphate solution were pumped into the council flat to create a strangely beautiful and somewhat menacing crystalline growth on the walls, floor, ceiling and bath of this abandoned dwelling. [Artangel.org.uk]"

Photo: Couri-Mora, London

Nominated for the 2009 Turner Prize and commissioned by Artangel and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, this is one piece of unique art work worth giving up the chocolates and the TV for. No booking required and best of it, it's absolutely FREE! Sunday 3rd January is the last day so make sure you pop down there bright and early. Opening times 11am - 5pm. (Note: many people have been turned away from 3pm onwards due to the volume of people - you have been warned!) Due to the nature of the artwork, I'd advise wearing very solid soled shoes (so no, not your dainty dolly shoes). For more info on Seizure and Richard Hoirns, visit the Artangel website.

2. Prezzo £10 Menu Voucher, Nationwide. After your arty morning or for those wanting to complete their Christmas holidays in style, head to Prezzo to take advantage of their Starter, Main Course & Drink for £10 (including wine or Peroni for you alchie's). Not bad for a set menu with faves such as [starters] bruschetta, mozarella garlic bread and [mains] margherita pizza, spaghetti bolognese making appearances. Register and print off your voucher HERE. Hurry! This offer ends Sunday 3rd January 2010!

3. 50% off at La Tasca, Nationwide. Italian not your thing? How about some Spanish tapas! Head down to your local La Tasca for a meaty 50% off all main menu food items... YUM! Print off the voucher HERE. This one ends on Monday 4th January 2010 so you better get your tango toes into gear!

4. Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Revolution, The Barbican Centre, London, EC2Y 8DS. Back in December I told you all to get your hands on a pair of FREE tickets to see Pied Piper. Hopefully you listened and you've either gone or are off to see the production on its last day, Sunday 3rd January. If you didn't, unfortunately you're too late as the show is now SOLD OUT! Lesson: carpe diem, 'seize the day' (and don't lose out!) This was definately a TOP show, the dancing talent was mind-blowing and it was so positive to see the Children of Hamlet were picked from inner London schools following dance workshops and open auditions, the scene where they did their own lil' body popping an dance moves had me feeling all gushy inside :-)

Photo: Robert Day

5. Into the Hoods, Queen Elizabeth Hall (Southbank Centre), London, SE1 8XX. For those wanting to treat the kids, the other half or get together with a group of friends/family and have a feel-good night out, head down to the Elizabth Hall @ Southbank Centre before Sunday 10th January 2010 to watch Into the Hoods. You will find yourself bopping and singing away to the sounds and beats of John Legend, Bassment Jaxx, Kanye West, and Timberland in this urban fairytale. Lil Red dreams of becoming a real singing soulstress a la Mariah Carey (and gets ripped off by her manager, Wolf), Raponzel want to be a bad-ass female MC (Trina/Missy Elliot stylee), Spinderella is the finger talented DJ and Jaxx aspires to be the next Timberland (heaviest beats producer). Sure, the storyline isn't too complex or striking but the amount of work and dedication that has gone into the production is clearly displayed. The dance scenes are flawless and the incorporation of well-known tunes is on point and clearly appreciated by the audience - the cast bowed to a standing ovation - I kid you not! Fave scenes? The old peoples' home getting down with a grandpa doing the booty pop! LOL.

Learn more about the show HERE and book tickets HERE. Prices range from £15 - £27.50 for adults with 50% off for the kids. Top top: rear stalls seats priced at £20 (e.g. KK) have got just as good a view as the more expensive seats closer to the stage (e.g. FF)! Don't miss out - this show will get your 2010 started on a high! BONUS! Get to the Southbank Center at 7pm and you will be treated to [FREE!] entertainment courtesy of London based hip hop crew, 29th Chapter. Performing on the Front Room stage, the crew treat the audience to live peformances of their existing songs and freestyles of random objects in the audiences' bag (from TicTacs to headphones to BodyShop Body Butter!) - great way to pump up the audience and get the evening started.

Photo: Into the Hoods

That's all for now folks, hope you manage to make use of these last minute recession busting deals. Don't worry, for all my fellow food lovers I will have a dedicated post with all the New Year food deals following shortly along with a helping of other NY recession busting posts!

ENJOY! Mets Thrifty xoxo