Annoucement: The London Social Events Blog has moved

Dear friends of The SaVVy Cub®,

We have moved to our new home at http://www.savvyclub.co.uk/blog/

Please adjust your bookmarks and come and visit us!  We look forward to your company.

Once there be sure to sign up to receive our newsletter and be amongst the first to hear about our events!

Kind regards,

Kim Rix

 

The SaVVy Cub®– 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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Vacation in London? Bespoke itinerary to suit YOU

London – it has everything. It is modern and vibrant yet steeped in history. It is a leader of fashion with some of the best shopping in the world. Its inhabitants are friendly and welcoming and its restaurants offer some of the finest dining of any European city. And of course, it is home to our Royal family.

 

Is it any wonder London attracts millions of overseas visitors each year.

 

But because there is so much to see and do, when you come to London how on earth do you start to plan your trip? How can you find the best of the best?

 

Well, you have two options: either spend hours and hours on the internet browsing one of the 300 street markets, 300 museums and galleries, 6000 restaurants and cafes, 5000 pubs and bars and that is even before you get to theatres!

 

Overwhelmed? Don’t worry I did say there were two options. The alternative is to find someone to do all the hard work for you.

 

No matter what your budget, a bespoke vacation in this vibrant city and surrounding area can be yours.

 

You could take in:

 

• A London dinner cruise on the Thames
• A tour of Shakespeare’s Stratford and Warwick Castle
• London city tour by bus
• London Eye flight

 

Or for the more extravagant of you:

 

• Afternoon cream tea at the Wolseley or The Ritz
• A private helicopter tour over London
• A shopping trip to Harrods, Selfridges or Harvey Nichols
• Lunch or dinner at Claridge’s, The Ivy, Bentley’s, The Fat Duck, Le Quat’ Saison

 

All you have to do is provide your travel dates, budget and details of what interests you. It is as simple as that.

 

So next time you come over to London, take the easy option and experience the true vibrancy of this exciting city.

 

Kim Rix

CEO

The SaVVy Club – Leave the crowds behind with your own exclusive tailormade itinerary and tour of London.

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How To Throw A Stylish Cocktail Party

Guests in elegant clothing, soothing background music, indulgent food and superb drinks – these are all the things that spring to mind when you think about a cocktail party. Read on to find out how to get this essential mix of ingredients just right.

Consult your diary

Decide on the time and date of your party. Make it an evening social event as it will be the perfect way for friends to wind down after a day at the office. Cocktail parties are normally held between 6pm and 10pm but if it is in full swing there is no need to cut it off at that time.

Little Black Dress

We all love to dress up but rarely get the opportunity. A sophisticated dress code will help to create the right mood. Make sure you stipulate on your invitations what the dress code is going to be.

Food

An eight course banquet is not required – Hors d’oeurves (canapés) and small portions of food are the order of the day. To match the occasion you will have to look beyond bowls of nuts and offer small quantities of indulgent foods.

Go for caviar on toast, sushi, fresh oysters, strawberries dipped in chocolate etc. About 5 to 10 bites per person would be ideal.

Drinks

Of course the cocktails will be the main attraction. Unless you are a confident mixologist, get an expert in to do it for you. Always make sure you have plenty of ice and suitable glasses; martini in a pint glass won’t really be appropriate. Champagne is always well received either as it is or used in cocktails.

Seating

It is important to provide some seating but don’t go mad. You want people to mix and not sit down in their set social groups. Approximately 1 seat for every 2 guests will be about right.

What else? Well, don’t forget the background music and low lighting. And remember that smiles are contagious so, as the host, smile and relax. This feeling will spread throughout the party.

That’s it, in a nutshell. Go on, have some fun and throw yourself a cocktail party!

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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What’s on at the Theatre? Under the Blue Sky

There is nothing unusual in a director starting out as an actor. But Anna Mackmin, who directs the West End revival of David Eldridge’s Under the Blue Sky, took a more scenic route than most.

She trained at Central, but ‘didn’t have the self-belief or talent’ and jobs were hard to come by. But she didn’t immediately swap acting for telling actors what to do. Instead she worked with her sister who had set up a design company making women’s wear. Mackmin thrived on the adrenalin of running a business so much that she turned down such acting jobs as percolated through to her. She discovered she wasn’t an actress when she read the first play of Charlotte Jones.

‘I read it and literally sat up in bed and thought, I know how to direct it.’ Sure enough, in 1997 Mackmin directed Airswimming at the Battersea Arts Centre, then took the unusual step of commissioning Jones’s next two plays. ‘We set up a company, raised enough money to pay her for In Flame, then out of my own pocket I paid for Humble Boy.’ The first went from the Bush to the West End, the second was mounted in the Cottesloe.

Mackmin directed Orlando Bloom in a revival of David Storey’s In Celebration in the West End. ‘He came to me and said, ‘I’m 30 this year, I’ve spent the last decade being an elf and a pirate and I need to grow into myself as an actor and the only way to do that is to feel the fear.’ That’s an extraordinary starting place for somebody who has absolutely no need to put himself though the strain of working onstage for the first time. His profile allowed me to choose a play that I’ve always loved.’

Mackmin returns to the West End with Under the Blue Sky, another favourite play first seen at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 2000 which gets its chance in the limelight thanks to a cast led by Catherine Tate and Francesca Annis.

‘I love the play,’ says Tate. ‘I have been a fan of David’s for a long time and was also very keen to work with Anna, so when the opportunity arose to work with them both I was delighted.’

The play’s structure calls for tight directorial control, as there are three scenes, each featuring a pair of characters – all of them teachers – whose stories of failed love are intriguingly interwoven.

Guest Blogger: Barry Grant, Ambassador Theatre Group

The SaVVy Club® An exclusive social events club – Theatre Evenings are a great way to relax, unwind and enjoy the spectacular talents of London’s West End shows.

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12 Top Tips for your Christmas Party

You may not want to think about it just yet. You are probably in denial that it is only three months away. But one thing is certain – Christmas is lurking just around the corner.

The festive season brings with it a myriad of parties which is great when a pile of invitations appear on your doorstep, but a nightmare when you are the one that has to organise them. Therefore, in association with Penniblack catering, we have come up with 12 top tips to help take the stress out of organising your Christmas party.

1. Start to plan your event in September or October to avoid disappointment. Book your chosen caterer and venue in advance as Christmas is a very busy time for everyone and before you know it your event is right round the corner.

2. If you are making a lovely winter hot pot for your party, ensure to cook it the previous day, as that way all the flavours marinate together, the meat tenderises, and the overall taste is much more powerful.

3. Think about the Christmas colour scheme – reds, greens, golds, silvers, oranges. Complimentary flowers like holly, sprayed ivy, berries. Book your flowers well in advance as the florists often run out of stock on the day. If you are making the food yourself, get some extra sprigs of holly, and Christmassy flowers to garnish your canapé platters.

4. Lighting is very important. I like to use little tea lights around the tables, complimented with red, orange and yellow rose petals. You could also use Church candles of different heights, tied together with Christmassy ribbon and sprigs of holly, as a very effective centre piece or even on a mantle piece. Scented candles are wonderful for achieving a warm welcoming feeling on arrival.

5. For a seated dinner, again it looks lovely if you tie red and green ribbon, along with a sprig of holly, around your napkins.

6. It is nice to offer a welcome drink for your event. A winter punch on arrival is very popular. I suggest Pimms, with warm apple juice, cinnamon and cloves, or alternatively a cool fresh Kir Royale. I like to garnish my virgin cocktails with brightly coloured edible flowers.

7. Always get your alcohol on a sale or return basis, that way you can over order, and be confident you won’t run out of anything. Remember you cannot return open or damaged bottles.

8. Allow for around 3 – 4 glasses per head, when planning your glass hire. Your guests will undoubtedly put their glasses down, forget about them, then grab another full drink

9. If you want to offer your guests a substantial meal but don’t have the capacity to seat them all, or it isn’t in the budget with all the necessary equipment hire costs, then bowl food is a very popular choice. Small rice bowls filled with mini meals, like ‘roast turkey, tiny roast potatoes, sage and onion dumplings and Madeira jus, or little brie cakes with salad and cranberry sauce to name a few. Allow 3 per head, and accompany with 5-6 canapés for the best effect. If you feel the dessert bowls are too filling you could opt for some sweet Christmas canapés like Hot Christmas pudding, with brandy sauce, served on a spoon, or shot glasses filled with hot chocolate fondant and Chantilly cream.

10. I love to wow my guests with a finishing touch of a sprinkle of edible gold on top of my dessert canapés.

11. My perfect venue for Christmas would be an old listed building with open fireplaces, situated somewhere very central to all my guests.

12. Trying to come up with a unique Christmas present for a loved one? A selection of 100 canapés delivered to your home?

Guest blogger: Charlotte Pennicard http://www.penniblack.co.uk

No matter how unusual or special your reason for a party or event, The SaVVy Club® offer a bespoke service that caters to your every need. We can arrange flowers, transport, catering, stationery and music. Simply get in touch to discuss your important occasion and we’ll get to work designing your bespoke event right down to the last detail.

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Would you want this to happen to your body once you’ve passed-on?

I came across this very eerie article today – 10 things your body can do after you die.

One suggestion that caught my eye was no.2: ‘Unwind with a few friends’ – Victorian social events. During the late 19th century, it was popular for wealthy families to host mummy-unwrapping parties, where the desecration of the dead was followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Now that would be a unique idea I hadn’t thought of (I wonder why). I wonder if it’s even legal.

It isn’t mentioned in Matt’s article, but I’m going to have my ashes turned into diamonds and auction it off to the highest bidder – a much better idea! How about you?

Kim Rix
CEO – The SaVVy Club®
London’s exclusive social events club offering stylish, exclusive & memorable 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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You’ll Never Be Stuck for Restaurant Ideas Again

We all have our favourite restaurants and eateries, but what do you do if you want to try something new? How can you find the perfect venue for that celebratory meal?

 

Well, The SaVVy Club^® has just added a new service to its already impressive portfolio. Now, not only can we help you find that stylish and memorable social event, help you book your dream holiday and take care of your every day needs through our concierge service, we can also help you find the perfect restaurant.

 

Our new online restaurant booking service is available to everyone. Just visit the website and click on ‘Restaurants’ to access this new facility.

 

The restaurant booking service provides a searchable list of restaurants within the UK. You can search by location and event type. So whether you are looking for the perfect place for an intimate anniversary meal or to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, The SaVVy Club’s^® search facility will provide you with the inspiration you need.

 

The service is available 24 hours a days, 7 days a week. Once you have chosen your restaurant simply choose from one of the available special offers or the à la carte menu and book. It’s as simple as that.

 

 

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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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Entertaining clients – be the perfect host

Whether you are the eternal wallflower or the life and soul of the party, when it comes to schmoozing your clients you are going to have to shine. Not everyone is comfortable with entertaining clients. But there is no getting away from the fact that it is a vital part of relationship building.

Face-to face meetings are the most effective way of strengthening your business relationships. But everyone knows that, therefore everyone is doing it. If you want to be remembered by your clients, be innovative, stand out from the crowd. That’s not to say you have to embark on an extreme sports hospitality regime – bungee jumping, wing walking and bobsleighing aren’t for everyone. But value your clients and they will value you.

So how can this be achieved? Simple. Listen to them. That’s it in a nutshell. A simple comment made during a routine phone call could give you a vital insight into what makes them tick; a favourite sport, hobby or restaurant. Make a note of it – they will be suitably impressed when you entertain them in a way that is tailored to them.

Whatever event you decide on you must ensure your clients receive 5 star treatment. Be innovative, tailor the event to your client’s interests (not yours), pay attention to detail and be the perfect host. Leave nothing to chance. By following these simple guidelines your clients will value you as much as you value them.

Kim Rix – CEO – The SaVVy Club^® – London’s first Boutique Events Club where members experience VIP Social Events unavailable elsewhere.

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