How to give your clients the Glyndebourne Experience

Are you interested in an evening of luxury? I thought so – this is one for all opera lovers. Leave the hustle and bustle of City life behind and indulge in a magical black tie evening at Glyndebourne. Enjoy the privilege of top seats, a world class performance and first class company.

Glyndebourne is presenting Englebert Humperdinck’s (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel for the first time in the 2008 Festival. Described by Richard Strauss as ‘a masterpiece of the highest quality’, the opera combines romanticism, lyricism and exuberant playfulness in a vibrantly rich orchestration that is clearly influenced by the music of Brahms and Wagner.

Follow this link for a luxurious tailor-made event that will ensure you and your clients will experience the best of everything.

Read this little gem of a book before you go http://www.ovalbooks.com/bluff/Opera.html

For more tips on how to impress your clients download this document: http://www.savvyclub.co.uk/files/The%20SaVVy%20Club%20In%20Professional%20Advisor%20followup.pdf

The SaVVy Club® – an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

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A rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of London’s cultural scene

I was on the tube this morning and spotted an advertisement poster for Open Rehersal which took my interest. For one weekend in September (26-28), venues, spaces and backstage areas, usually inaccessible to the majority of us, will be opening their doors! How fabulous!

As one of London’s most exclusive social event clubs, we are always striving to give our members unique experiences at London’s ‘difficult to access’ places. It’s not easy, that’s for sure – therefore, opportunities like this are gold-dust and will surely quench your cultural thirst!

Events will include a sneak around the BBC, a free voice workshop, various exciting art happenings in secret locations, an open rehearsal of the ENO’s new production, a look at the British Library Sound Archive and much much more.

Here’s the full list of cultural events , as there are far too many to mention here.

Have a good time – it’ll take some careful strategic planning to get the best out of the weekend! If you want my advice…try not to cram in too much. Quality, not quanity is my philosphy!

Kim Rix
CEO – The SaVVy Club®
An exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

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London + August = Nottinghill Carnival 2008

It s London and its August, so that can mean only one thing, prepare for a supercharged eruption of noise and colour – it is carnival time!

During the last weekend of August, Notting Hill is transformed into a sea of music, colour and outrageous costumes with over one million people partying like they’ve never partied before.

Second only to Rio, Notting Hill is the biggest street carnival in Europe. Flamboyantly dressed revellers will dance their way along its three mile route to the sound of steel bands, reggae, soul, hip-hop, funk and drum and base music.

It is a time of fun, merriment and excess. But be careful, it is all too easy to get carried away with the party atmosphere. Indulge a little. Forget the strict diet (if you happen to follow one) just for one day. You’ll be doing so much dancing and gyrating that the odd burger will soon be worked off.

Keep yourself hydrated preferably by drinking plenty of water rather than alcohol. By all means indulge in a glass or two of your favourite tipple but be careful as it is all too easy to get carried away. You’ll be high enough on the atmosphere without needing the aid of alcohol. Mind you, if you are donning a rather scanty costume a glass or two might give you the courage you need to venture out into the street!

Carnival time is all about having fun safely. Enjoy the spectacle. Let your hips sway to the beat of the music. It’s OK, no one is watching you. Let your hair down and let the carnival spirit take over.

The SaVVy Club^® – “Connecting People to Exclusive Events”
Who else wants to have ‘once-in-a-life-time’ experiences and socialise with the highest quality people in London?

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There’s no need to feel lost in London

Whether you have just arrived or been in London for a while, I am sure you have noticed that we Brits can be a strange breed.

We are well known for our reserve which at times can make us appear standoffish, but if you take a bit of time to understand our customs and get to know us, you’ll realise that we are quite a nice bunch really.

When arriving in a new city it is all too easy to bury yourself in work rather than getting out and seeing the sights around you. After all, finding out about what is on and where to go can take a lot of time and energy. Therefore, whether you are here with your family or on your own, it can be rather daunting finding your way around a new city.

Admittedly, our world famous (or should that be infamous) weather doesn’t lend itself as a motivating factor to ‘get out there’ and experience our culture. Perhaps you are unsure where to start? After all there are few cities that can match London’s diverse social scene. It has so much to offer: the Royals, famous museums and galleries, Wimbledon, afternoon tea, local pubs, oodles of historic buildings, exhibitions and markets to name but a few.

If you are finding that a lack of time and local knowledge is stopping you from getting out and experiencing what our great city has to offer then there is a solution. It will mean never having to spend another lonely night in front of the TV.

I thought that might grab your attention. Are you interested? Do you want to learn more? Well, how about trying a pre-organised social event. They are a great way to enjoy some exclusive VIP experiences and to meet like-minded people – the networking opportunities are endless. All you have to do is browse through a list of forthcoming social events and book; it’s as simple as that. You will then be able to sample all the luxury, culture and history that London has to offer.

So now you are in London there is no excuse not to be out there enriching your British experience. There is so much to see and do, so don’t miss a second of it.

The SaVVy Club^® – Who else wants to have ‘once-in-a-life-time’ experiences and socialise with the highest quality people in London?

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Hänsel und Gretel at Glyndebourne

Are you interested in an evening of luxury? I thought so – this is one for all opera lovers. Leave the hustle and bustle of City life behind and indulge in a magical black tie evening at Glyndebourne. Enjoy the privilege of top seats, a world class performance and first class company.

Glyndebourne is presenting Englebert Humperdinck’s (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel for the first time in the 2008 Festival. Described by Richard Strauss as ‘a masterpiece of the highest quality’, the opera combines romanticism, lyricism and exuberant playfulness in a vibrantly rich orchestration that is clearly influenced by the music of Brahms and Wagner.

Don’t forget, to enjoy your evening at Glyndebourne:

• Look good. There is no longer any formal dress code for attending the opera, but Glyndebourne expects its guests to be wearing black tie for its performances during Festival season.
• Know a little bit about the opera you are attending. This can be achieved in numerous ways, of course; Glyndebourne, for example, offers “opera bites”, which are introductions to a selection of its repertoire.
• No matter how arresting or engrossing the performance is, please try not to sing/hum/tap along. It may not go down well with your neighbours!
• Remember the difference between your bravo/brava/bravi and brave for the performers – one certainly wouldn’t want to cause offence by getting the gender wrong (some of the performers are less than elfin)
• Finally, enjoy it! It’s quite a spectacle, and bear in mind how long it has taken the company to prepare the opera – there’s a reason for the term “operatic”.

Based in London, The SaVVy Club® is an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

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The Merry Wives of Windsor

The original Globe may no longer be with us but Sam Wanamaker’s dream to bring The Globe back as a fitting tribute to the great Bard has thrilled audiences and brought the Shakespearean experience to life.

 

Each year we are treated to stunning performances of his work. This year amongst the well known titles is The Merry Wives of Windsor, a truly wonderful comedy first published in 1602.

 

If you are familiar with Shakespeare, you could well be forgiven for thinking that he was not only a great writer but also a precursor to the great Jules Verne when it comes to sci-fi style time travel. No, you didn’t blink and miss the scene where the cast travel to the centre of the earth, I was thinking more along the lines of the way Shakespeare anachronistically places the wonderfully colourful character of Sir John Falstaff in a contemporary setting of the Elizabethan era (circa 1600) when he previously appeared in plays about the medieval King Henry IV set around 1400! He has aged remarkably well.

 

It is a wonderful piece of penmanship and the only Shakespeare play that deals exclusively with the cotemporary Elizabethan era and in particular the prejudices of middle class England.  

 

An evening at The Globe is like stepping back in time. The surroundings and the artistry of the actors and production team create a real sense of history – something that should be experienced by all visitors to London.

 

The SaVVy Club^® are organising a truly memorable evening on the 5^th October 2008 – the final performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor. To find out more information call 01280 818782 or apply for your  Guest Pass. To see what other exclusive and stylish events we have to offer check out our forthcoming social events calendar.

 

Sally Ormond

The SaVVy Club^®

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Private Tours, Exclusive Tours and Director’s Tours

Here are a few events that we have on offer for your pleasure at the moment. We extend the opportunity for you to experience the magic of our bespoke social occasions.

Buckingham Palace Tour & dine at Mosimann’s
Would you like an exclusive look round Buckingham Palace after the Palace has closed to the public? This rare privilege gives you the opportunity to view the state rooms – of which there are 19 – which house some of the greatest treasurers from the Royal Collection. But what makes this event so special is that you will also be led round some parts of the Palace that are never open to the public by a Palace historian.

Champagne and Director’s Tour of Kensington Palace
Even with SaVVy standards, this event is one of the best! Set amidst the tranquillity of Kensington Gardens in the heart of West London, Kensington Palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years. This is your opportunity to enjoy the Director’s tour of Kensington Palace led by Nigel Arch, the palace Director. Champagne and canapés will kick off this historic evening as you explore the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria.

Experience the Glyndebourne Opera Tour – Hänsel und Gretel
Leave the hustle and bustle of City life behind and indulge in a magical black tie evening of Opera with The SaVVy Club® at Glyndebourne. Enjoy the privilege of top seats, a world class performance and first class company.

A Gastrotour of Borough Market with Celia Brooks-Brown
Do you love your food? Do you enjoy trying something new? Well, there is nothing that TV Chef and food writer Celia Brooks-Brown doesn’t know about food. Why not join her and broaden your food horizons with a unique insider’s view of London’s vibrant culinary hotspots.

What have you got to lose?
If you are a busy, professional individual who is interested in meeting other discerning busy professional individuals, then take a look at our social events calendar. If you would like to experience one of our events, call us today on 01280 818782 or apply for a Guest Pass or Membership.

The SaVVy Club^® – an exclusive club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

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Discover Holland Park

Opera Holland Park is a summer opera company which produces an annual season of opera performances staged under a temporary canopy in Holland Park. The Dutch Garden Lounge is a stunning setting and one that is impervious to the rather unpredictable British summer weather as all perforances take place in the fully covered auditorium.

The canopy was installed in 1988 and was initially used for a variety of music. However concerns about noise levels led to an increasing focus on opera from 1989, with productions staged by a variety of small opera companies. For the 2007 season, the theatre was expanded by the addition of a spectacular new canopy underneath which is new seating and other improved facilities.

It is the perfect venue for a relaxing evening of entertainment. The Dutch Garden Lounge is a beautifully finished glass-fronted lounge that overlooks the celebrated Dutch Garden of Holland Park. It is an enviable location to entertain and network with clients before the performance and during the interval.

So why not give your clients an evening to remember, and more importantly make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Sally Ormond
www.savvyclub.co.uk
London’s first Boutique social events club offering stylish, exclusive & memorable events

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2008 – The Year of the Foody?

This is definitely the year of the foody. If you love food, (let’s face it, who doesn’t?) we have just the event for you.

Taking place between 19th and 22nd June in the gorgeous setting of Regent’s Park is ‘One of the World’s greatest food festivals’ (Time Magazine, October 2007), Taste of London.
The event will be hosting over 40 of the capital’s top restaurants including Le Gavroche, L’Atelier du Joel Robuchon, China Tang and Café Anglais who will be serving up signature dishes in sample sizes.

You may also get the opportunity of meeting world class, Michelin starred chefs including Tom Aikens, Angela Hartnett, Gary Rhodes and Atul Kochhar who will be showing off their renowned culinary skills. This year’s festival will be visited by world famous chef and food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Hugh’s new River Cottage Spring programme is on C4 at 9pm on Wednesdays.

For the first time ever, 2008 sees Taste of China which offers a unique culinary journey through China showcasing the nation’s best food, drink, destinations, cultural arts and entertainment.

The SaVVy Club^®
London’s first boutique social events club

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How did you spend your May bank holiday weekend?

How did you spend your bank holiday weekend? Relaxing with the family? Generally switching off from work and indulging a bit of ‘me’ time?

When you run a high-end social events club in London, switching off is never that easy.  Married for nearly 2 years, my husband has become accustomed to the fact that every meal in a London restaurant, luxury holiday, dinner party or any celebration we attend is an opportunity for research and to learn something new. I am always on the look out for ideas, useful information and ways to bring my members the very best stylish and memorable events to ensure that they have a packed and varied social events calendar to enjoy.

 

Taking the express train from Paddington, our weekend started half an hour later when we arrived at the African Queen (a cruising hotel and restaurant), moored alongside Mapledurham House and Water Mill, near Reading. Apparently the house was the inspiration behind Wind in the Willows.  ‘Toad Hall’ is Mapledurham House and ‘The Wild Wood’ behind the house is where Badger used to live.

 

  

 

Our hosts, from South Africa, Andy and Bonny were very welcoming and introduced us to our fellow shipmates (8 other couples) before setting sail on our sunset cruise.

Our cruise itinerary took us through Mapledurham Lock, Whitchurch Bridge (for Panbone), Reading, Sonning and Marsh Lock (for Henley-on-Thames) where Local MP Boris Johnson was not in evidence – too busy becoming Mayor!

 

Moored up outside Uri Geller’s house (famous for his claim to be able to bend spoons and keys with his mind) we stopped to look at The Mill at Sonning – an 18^th Century flour mill that has been converted into a Dinner Theatre. Guests enjoy a home-cooked meal before watching a performance and after the show can enjoy drinks in the bar. The locals told us that before the existence of the Theatre, Sonning was just a sleepy little village. Now in its 26^th year, a lot of well-known actors (eg Dame Judi Dench) have performed at the theatre, putting Sonning well and truly on the map – and tickets sell like hotcakes for every show.

 

There is another little gem in Sonning though, The Bull Inn which is mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome’s ‘Three Men in a Boat’. This traditional English 16^th Century inn offers friendly hospitality, an excellent selection of real ale, and first class bedroom facilities – the perfect place to rest after a night at The Mill.

 

After stopping for a wonderful lunch we indulged in a very relaxing horse and cart ride. Led by Ian Smith of Country Ways, our journey started at Darkwood Farm in Nettlebed. Four burly Suffolk Punches were shackled up and took us through the beautiful countryside passing Antony Worrall Thompson’s gourmet Restaurant, The Greyhound Pub, along the way. 

Having already organised a river cruise for the final day of Henley Regatta on July 6^th, I was keen to investigate what other vessel charters are available for comparison.  Hobbs of Henley offer a range of boats catering for parties of 12 to 200, but the magnificent beauty that really caught my eye was the luxury motor yacht owned by Thames Executive Charters – lush leather and mahogany interior, seats 12 and probably more suited to the tastes of The SaVVy Club members.

 

Of course, all this research does have its perks. As well as generating some ideas for more stylish and memorable events for The SaVVy Club, our bank holiday weekend was relaxing and really helped to re-charge the batteries. Whoever said “a change is as good as a rest” was spot on. It was wonderful to have a change of scenery; to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City for a while and to have the opportunity to slow down and enjoy our beautiful countryside. 

 

Written by Kim Rix – CEO – www.savvyclub.co.uk

London Social Events Club – The SaVVy Club^® is London’s First Boutique Events Club offering Stylish, Exclusive, Memorable Events for professional individuals.

 

 

 

 

 

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