London will be the center of world attention in 2012 -- and so it was from the very first hours of the New Year. Art collectors belonging to Art Kabinett network enjoyed the chic merriment as reported below.
As the city prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the southern banks of the Thames. The aim: to start 2012 “not with a timid whimper, but a colorful bang,” said Mayor Boris Johnson. The pyrotechnics were produced by Jack Morton Worldwide, with a special soundtrack by Radio 1’s DJ Nihal.
For those who preferred not to stand outdoors all night, Skylon, overlooking the Thames, offered fabulous views. On New Year’s Eve, gala dinner guests watched the fireworks from a private room on the sixth floor of the Royal Festival Hall, then headed back to their table for live music and dancing. Tickets, including a five-course meal, we're £240 ($370) a pop.
Still more sweeping views of the city were enjoyed from Galvin at Windows, on the 28th floor of the London Hilton. The five-course New Year’s Eve dinner, with Champagne and canapés as well as live music : £395.
Saturday Night Ritz
For deeper pockets, the Ritz Restaurant -- London’s most spectacular dining room -- served dinner at £1,150 a head. That ticket (approximately $1,800) bought you a six-course meal, a live-music dance floor, a regimental marching band, a lone piper, and fireworks in the garden. If you had kids with you, they paid a mere £750 each. Just take it out of their allowance.
By comparison, dinner at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester was a steal -- at £495 (including wine) for grownups. The restaurant doesn’t welcome children, so it’s savings all around.
You could have spent less and still be fashionable at Nobu Berkeley Street, which had a special menu at £90, or £150 with matching wines. At trendy Momo’s, the £90 menu included a glass of Pommery and mains such as white truffle risotto and lobster tagine with new potatoes and lobster bisque.
For those who preferred loud music to a sit-down dinner or “Auld Lang Syne,” Kasabian will be taking over the O2. The British quartet is avoiding charges that they’re Oasis copycats by offering more ambitious rock on the album “Velociraptor!”
Double Nutcrackers
Ballet aficionados had two versions of “Nutcracker” to pick from. The Royal Ballet’s stays close to tradition, casting principals Alina Cojocaru (at 12:30 p.m.) and Lauren Cuthbertson (at 5:30 p.m.) in the story of a little girl who sneaks down to peek at her Christmas presents and watches all of her toys come alive.
Choreographer Matthew Bourne presented his alternative version at Sadler’s Wells, with polka dots and pajamas in place of tutus and tiaras.
Sunday Morning
If you’re not too bleary-eyed today, there’s a New Year’s Day parade weaving its way through London, starting on Piccadilly at 11:45 a.m. and heading for Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Street. More than 10,000 performers from 20 countries around the world will take part.
The parade ends at 3 p.m. Information: http://www.londonparade.co.uk/.
