Join us for a Christmas Party – 6 December 2022

…. because you deserve it!

Please come along and join us at this spectacular event, in the  newly refurbished “Permission” room (previously Boozey Tea Room.)

Just on the corner of Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square is the fabulously exciting Hippodrome.

As you walk through the Casino to our event on the 1st floor, you’ll be struck by the exciting buzz and atmosphere but also, the vibrancy, and welcoming warmth in this amazing building. This is why we decided to hold this year’s Christmas party here because we know you’ll love it too!

So what can you expect? Well,  apart from the awesome company that you’ll be part of:

Pam Ford

Pam Ford Comedian and Care worker.

A force of nature and nurture, back in London following her successful run of 25 shows at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Former Kent Pub Landlady where she discovered her funny bones and talent for creating relatable comic stories of her life’s adventures.

Johanne Nayarn 

I was Made in England’ 

Much of my artwork is about cultural identity and my experiences of being mixed race.

It also seems an appropriate title as a lot of my time lately has been spent sourcing UK manufacturers to turn designs into products.

‘It started with a pencil’. 

As a child I was brimming with excitement at the prospect of meeting relatives from my father’s birthplace, Trinidad. The visit was inspiring as I heard tales of an exotic island in the sunshine and an exquisite sounding bird called the Hummingbird…..and then there was the pencil. When leaving relatives, we parted with gifts, one of which was a pencil engraved with the family name and joined with the magical word ‘Emporium’. For a child who was desperate to be a character in one of Enid Blyton’s circus stories, the word Emporium conjured up all sorts of dream scenarios. I already loved to draw but never had such a grand-looking pencil to make those marks with. 

This s when my love of art began.

I feel blessed to have been born into a multi-cultural family to hear about – and to see for myself in reality – the colourful landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the individual scenes which were the subject of many tales and folklore of Ireland. Aged 7, my cousin and I went on a ‘Seek the Leprechauns’ expedition looking down rabbit holes in the scenic Cork countryside. I was desperate to find a Leprechaun and wondered, when I did find one, how to get him and the rainbow home to England.

As far back as I can remember I loved to draw and paint, starting with the cartoon character Snoopy, then my own imagined characters. Driven by intense desire to own a tin of Crayola crayons, I drew fast and furiously to get to the stage when I needed to apply colours. 

From early days at primary school, I was school phobic but my mother coaxed me to attend by giving me art materials and toys. It was not all bad at school and sure to say that Art saved the day on numerous occasions. In year 2 of primary school, the teacher marked work with animal rubber stamps for achievement; they were a great incentive.

Winning first prize in the school art competition to paint a picture for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee was also a massive boost to my enthusiasm. I had painted it on the back of a roll of wallpaper. The teacher was an inspiration and had me curious when I found out she had bats in her barn. With the prize money, I purchased my first set of quality paints, an easel, and a how-to-paint book. My brother’s art-loving ‘Hippy’ friend gave me a real sketch book and I remember the feeling of nervousness at the anticipation of making the first marks but yet excitement at the thoughts of where the drawing might lead me.

My mother was a skilful floral artist and gardener, with a great knowledge of all kinds of flowers and grew giant red poppies because she knew I wanted to paint them. My garden was a treasure trove of beauties, the red-hot pokers and snap dragons especially. My family all encouraged my artistic abilities, and I will always be thankful for that.

Another great teacher during the ‘O’ level years really helped me to take my drawing skills to another level. He encouraged imaginative work in addition to traditional life drawing.

Art College was a real eye opener and magical time. The critiques were tough but invaluable. I met great characters at both Colleges. Graphic design taught me about composition and layout of content while Fine Art delved into key elements of drawing and painting, extracting an individual style.

After College, I acquired a studio, the top floor of a listed building in Northwood. It was amazing. I produced a series of oil paintings influenced from my travels to Mexico, Ireland and Trinidad. I displayed my work in many exhibitions and showed the Collection at a gallery in Earls Court – Merz Contemporary Art. 

Jo will have items for sale

Anne Fridal

Dramatic Mezzo Soprano

The Creator of Calypsopera (The fusion of the indigenous music of Trinidad & Tobago  and European Classical Music) St Mary’s Hall & Roedean Alumni

Anne Fridal was born in San Fernando South Trinidad and was educated in England at St Mary’s Hall/Roedean and is a member of the Roedean Alumni. Ms Fridal won a scholarship to study voice and piano at the Royal College of Music, London, England.

She has performed in most of the opera houses of the world including the ROH, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the NYC Opera and has travelled the world with the touring company, Living Arts International.

In 2005, by permission of cultural Minister Joan Yuille Williams and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Fridal brought the production of Porgy and Bess to the Queen’s Hall Auditorium in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Ms Fridal has committed herself to the charity of assisting children to become accomplished musicians and made it possible for many young and talented artistes of T&T to be given the opportunity to perform with a major International Orchestra, The Hungarian National Orchestra. Ms Fridal was also instrumental in persuading her employer, Mr Peter Klein, to invite several of these artistes to the world tour of Porgy and Bess.

Anne Fridal was the first Opera singer to grace the stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah singing the National Anthem of Trinidad & Tobago for Steelband Panorama Finals, accompanied by a steelband orchestra to an audience of over 20,000. Sponsored by the New York Daily News for summer concerts across the Metropolitan District of New York City.

Recordings include ‘From Baroque to Gershwin’,‘With all my love at Christmas’ and ‘The Diva sings Jazz’. Books available;The Song of Life: Parts 1 & 2 , Black Heroes,

3 Kool Kidz, Speeches of the Midnight Robber and 100 Famous Men and Women of the Caribbean.

Ms Fridal has sung the role of Mary, Mother of Jesus in Geraldine Connor’s Musical Drama ‘Carnival Messiah’ on numerous occasions. Ms Fridal was chosen to sing The National Anthem for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, with attendance inclusive of thirty-four heads of State and Former President of the United States, Barack Obama. This was a highlight of Anne Fridal’s career.

Ms Fridal has launched her brand entitled Diva Products and is collaborating with Artist Johanne Narayn called Caribbean Delights. Together they have recently produced Caribbean and Doggie Christmas Cards where Anne writes the sentiments and Johanne illustrates the covers.

Secret Santa 

Bring along your festive-wrapped gift, cost around £8, (this can be a business or personal gift) and we’ll pop it into our special box so that you can pick your gift before you leave.  Oh, what fun!

Who should be there?

• Every businesswoman who deserves a treat, and

• wants to make connections

YOU!

We’re delighted to invite you to join us for this very special end of year, the beginning of new, celebration

The Venue – The Hippodrome

Cranbourn Street, London WC2H 7JH, just across the way from Leicester Square. 

The London Hippodrome was opened in 1900. It was designed by Frank Matcham for Moss Empires chaired by Edward Moss and built for £250,000 as a hippodrome for circus and variety performances. The venue gave its first show on 15 January 1900, a music hall revue entitled “Giddy Ostend” with Little Tich.

We’re bursting with excitement and
can’t wait to see you there!

Buffet, welcome bubbles/1 soft drink included

Be sure of your place, Members and non-members
Come Celebrate with us!

Don’t forget  – BOOKING DEADLINE – 2 DECEMBER

TRAVEL

MAP

REFUNDS POLICY

No refunds

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