October 2014
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
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Ken Burns find out about the man and his new series Football: Heisman Hopefuls & NFL rolls into Wembley Interview: YouTube sensation Christina Bianco
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Issue 737 October 2014 PUBLISHED BY SP MEDIA FOR
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Departments: News, Article ideas, Press releases: editor@theamerican.co.uk Advertising & Promotions: advertising@theamerican.co.uk Subscriptions: theamerican@blueedge.co.uk The Team: Michael Burland, Content Director + Motors, Music & Sport michael@theamerican.co.uk Sabrina Sully, Content Director & Community Contact sabrina@theamerican.co.uk Daniel Byway, Content Executive dan@theamerican.co.uk Virginia E Schultz, Food & Drink (USA) virginia@theamerican.co.uk Michael M Sandwick, Food & Drink (UK) mms@theamerican.co.uk Mary Bailey, Social mary@theamerican.co.uk Alison Holmes, Politics alison@theamerican.co.uk Jarlath O’Connell, Theater jarlath@theamerican.co.uk
©2014 Blue Edge Publishing Ltd. Printed by Advent Colour Ltd., www.advent-colour.co.uk ISSN 2045-5968 Main Cover: Ken Burns; Circular Inset: Braxton Miller, Image ©Ohio State Athletics; Square Inset: Christina Bianco
@TheAmericanMag
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he Scottish Referendum is done and dusted, and life goes on - see page 42 in this issue for Dr Alison Holmes’ world view. The Thames is kept at bay (page 10), Ken Burns keeps making extraordinary documentaries (page 14), the area around the new Embassy is developing (page 19), great musicians tour (starting page 26) and there’s some wonderful art exhibitions and plays being staged (page 30). Oh, and The American continues to bring you the best all round coverage of American sports this side of the pond - starting on page 46 you’ll find previews of the Wembley NFL games, the MLB playoffs, the new NHL season, the Ryder Cup, the new America’s Cup set up, and a Sideline on who’s going to be who in the Heisman. Enjoy your magazine,
Michael Burland, Content Director michael@theamerican.co.uk
Among this month’s contributors
Dr Alison Holmes Now an academic at Humboldt State, Alison worked in the UK for the BBC, ran BritishAmerican Business and speechwrote for the US Ambassador.
Jarlath O’Connell Our chief theater reviewer’s spotlight on the British theater scene tells you what’s a hot ticket – and, just as importantly, what’s not.
Mary Bailey Is there anywhere around the world Mary hasn’t traveled? Now based in London, she explores the best Britain can offer the adventurous expat.
Read The American online at www.theamerican.co.uk The entire contents of The American and www.theamerican.co.uk are protected by copyright and no part of it may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information in The American is accurate, the editor and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or any loss arising from reliance on it. The views and comments of contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.
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in this issue... 8 Samuel Franklin Cody: pioneer and expat 10 High and Dry: London’s Flood Defenses 12 Matt Evers and Habitat for Humanity 13 Competition: Meet and See Matt Evers 14 Ken Burns and The Roosevelts 18 Competition: Win The Roosevelts DVD 19 Nine Elms - Site of the new US Embassy
20 Renouncing US Citizenship 26 Joe Bonamassa interviewed 28 Beth Hart chats to The American 41 Drive Time: VW Golf 42 Politics: Interdependence & Nationhood 46 Sports: NFL at Wembley, MLB Playoffs, NHL Preview, Ryder Cup, America’s Cup
4 News
24 Food & Drink
54 US Social Groups
6 Diary Dates
30 Arts, Theater, Books
62 A-List Products/Services
22 Coffee Break
44 American Sports
64 Tail End: Peggy Lee
2 October 2014
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The American
NEWS Jill Biden at Invictus Games and the Tower
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r. Jill Biden planted a poppy at the Tower of London, September 13 as part of an ongoing art installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas Of Red, which marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. (See www.poppies.hrp.org.uk) Dr Biden is the wife of US Vice President Joe Biden. She was here in her role as the head of the US Presidential Delegation to the Invictus Games. In her role as Second Lady, and as a military mom herself, she also works with the Joining Forces initiative (www.whitehouse.gov/ joiningforces) to bring attention to the sacrifices made by military families. She went on to meet and support the US team members. “These games really show the spirit of the military and how they persevere and their resilience,” said Dr. Biden, who later joined Prince Harry to watch a game of wheelchair basketball at the Copper Box Arena and at the Games’ closing ceremony. Dr Jill Biden planting a remembrance poppy at the Tower of London
Save Venice experts restoring the glories of the flood-damaged city
Save Venice - Stay in Luxury
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New York charity working to restore historic buildings in Venice, Italy, has teamed up with a recently modernized ancient palace, once home to the Doge of Venice and host to Mozart, to raise awareness of the charity’s activities. Save Venice was established in response to the damage caused by the 1966 floods, the worst in Venice in the last century. It has raised more than $20 million to restore over 400 works of art and architecture in collaboration with the Venetian Superintendencies of Monuments, Fine Arts and Museums. More than 30 current projects include the restorations of the Church of Sebastiano and Carpaccio’s Saint Ursula Cycle in the Accademia Gallery.
Patrons of Save Venice can now base themselves at Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro during their time in Venice. The Palazzo, the main façade of which is listed by the Belle Arti, has been sympathetically restored into eighteen high specification apartments. The concierge can store shopping bags, make restaurant and ticket reservations and book water taxis for guests, who can relax in the palace’s peaceful secret garden and enjoy a complimentary coffee or Prosecco. New buyers of the apartments receive an Associate Membership to Save Venice. Prospective buyers of the apartments, which start at €870,000 - the main piano nobile apartment is priced at €4.9m - should contact Venice Sotheby’s International Realty.
Price quadruples to ditch US citizenship
Tanager Talks
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IMAGE ©AARON LASSMAN
4 October 2014
ommencing September 6, renouncing US citizenship now costs $2,350, more than quadruple the old fee of $450. Under Secretary of State Patrick Kennedy said, “Demand for the service has increased dramatically, consuming far more consular officer time and resources.” Next month The American looks at the Embassy’s Citizen Services department which deals with renunciation and much more.
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nvestment advisors Tanager Wealth Management have a blog that you might care to look at, not just to look after your money, but think and laugh too. ‘Tanager Talks‘ covers topics from the expected ‘Guide to FATCA’ to ‘A Half-Century of Advances in Women’s Health’, lacrosse, wine and weddings. Expert expat contributors include Alan Newman, a behavioral psychologist with a focus on economics, and ace sports commentator Mike Carlson.
‘UK’sTop 10 Child Friendly Country Retreats’ CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER
THE GREAT BRITISH CLUB Founded in 1908 as the UK’s first Country Club, Stoke Park is set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland. Members join to take advantage of the unique combination of the traditions of an exclusive members’ club and the best of today’s sporting, leisure, entertaining and hotel facilities. Facilities include: 49 bedrooms & suites (5 AA Red Stars), award winning Spa, 27 Hole Championship Golf Course, 3 Restaurants & Bars including 3 AA Rosette winning Humphry’s, 13 Tennis Courts (indoor, grass and artificial clay), Indoor Pool, Gym, Studios, Creche, Games Room & Playground. 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from Heathrow Airport. For more information on the different type of memberships available please call 01753 717179 or email membership@stokepark.com
www.stokepark.com
The American
List your event in The American: email editor@theamerican.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1747 830520
Highlights of The Month Ahead
There’s much more online at www.theamerican.co.uk Sports Bar & Grill Piccadilly Circus 36-40 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DW www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk Good food and drink plus sports, now in a fifth London location at Piccadiily Circus.
Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture at the American Museum in Britain Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD www.americanmuseum.org info@americanmuseum.org Telephone: 01225 460503 In this month’s highlight, Kansas City native Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL, one of the world’s most distinguished political analysts, gives the annual Churchill lecture. He will address the origins of the special relationship between the UK and USA and talk with the audience about the approaching American and British elections. Tickets £20, members £15. The museum is the only one outside the US to showcase the nation’s decorative arts. Exhibitions: The Colourful World of Kaffe Fassett and New World, Old Maps. Pee Wee Ellis plays Jazz, and there are Patchwork, Dulcimer, US History on TV, Peyote Stitch Beading, Kachina Dolls, and Halloween events. See the website for all the museum’s activites.
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Food Festivals Around the UK October is a monster month for festivals of food. Here are just a few of the many worth investigating: October 1st to 31st Great Bath Feast, the biggest in the South West, www.greatbathfeast.co.uk; 2nd to 5th Cake and Bake Show, London’s Earls Court, www.thecakeandbakeshow. co.uk/london; 4th to 5th Melton Mowbray Food Festival, home to the pork pie, www. meltonmowbrayfoodfestival.co.uk; 8th to 27th London Restaurant Festival, a citywide celebration of eating out in the capital with special menus and offers, www.londonrestaurantfestival.com; 9th to 12th Falmouth Oyster Festival, www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk; 10th World Porridge Making Championships www.goldenspurtle.com; 13th to 19th Chocolate Week, www.chocolateweek. co.uk; 18th Ely Apple Festival, cooking, stories, folk music and Morris dancing, all about apples, ely.eastcambs.gov.uk Prescott American Autumn Classic Prescott Hill, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Glos. GL52 9RD October 4 to 5 Live music, classic American motors including Trans Ams, Ford Hot Rods, Chevys, Mustangs, even Donald Trump’s original stretch Cadillac.
Knightsbridge Village VIP Party Theo Fennell store, 169 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 6SP knightsbridge-village.com info@knightsbridge-village.com October 7 The club for parents living in Knightsbridge & surrounding areas celebrates its first birthday in style with a jewelry display and cocktail master class. Invitation only, email to ask about joining. Horse of the Year Show NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT www.hoys.co.uk October 8 to 12 Horsey competitions and events. Tewkesbury Mop Fair Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire www.tewkesburyfairsociety.co.uk October 9 to 10 In the C12th, workers attended Mop Fairs in October dressed in their best clothes and carrying a tool of their trade until a local employer hired them. Those with no specific skills took mops. Modern Mop Fairs are now fun fairs with rides, at towns inc. Stratford upon Avon and Warwick. Brighton Comedy Festival Various, Brighton BN1 & BN2 www.brightoncomedyfestival.com October 10 to 25 American Rich Hall brings his fantastic Hoedown to town on the 23rd. Also stars Jack Dee, Adam Hills and Simon Amstell. World Conker Championships The Shuckburgh Arms, Main St., Southwick, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 5BL www.worldconkerchampionships.com October 12 Find out who’s Conkers are stronger.
London Horror Festival Various, London www.londonhorrorfestival.com October 13 to 31 A chilling ride through the scary side of the performing arts. Dance Umbrella Various, London www.danceumbrella.co.uk 020 7387 0031 October 13 to 31 International dance in the capital with performances, outdoor events, talks, photo exhibitions and installations. Family Arts Festival Various, UK www.familyartsfestival.com October 17 to November 2 2,000+ events for all generations include dad dancing in Battersea, a world
premiere WW1-themed concert, free dancing in high rise flats in Birmingham and a giant family picnic in Bristol.
Halloween Various, UK On and around October 31 Don’t be surprised to see ghouls, goblins and ghosts roaming the street as Britain embraces Halloween. Many events are aimed at families and children, although watch out for those designed to spook even the most staunch of adults. See www.spoonful.com/halloween for a great list of crafts, decorations, recipes and costume ideas. Or Google Halloween at Leeds Castle, Longleat, Alton Towers, Black Country Living Museum or Holkham Hall at Wells-next-the-Sea. There are Halloween Moon Rides in London and even a Spooky Halloween Dog Walk at the Spaniard’s Inn, Hampstead.
The House That Will Not Stand Tricycle Theater, 269 Kilburn High Rd, London NW6 7JR www.tricycle.co.uk 020 7328 1000 October 9 to November 22 New Orleans, 1836. Following an era of French colonial rule and relative racial acceptance, Louisiana’s ‘free people of color’ are prospering. Beartrice has become one of the city’s wealthiest women through her relationship with a rich white man. But when her partner mysteriously dies, the foundations of freedom begin to crumble.
BERKELEY CASTLE (Gloucestershire) Visit the oldest castle lived in by the original family. American, Royalty and Shakespeare connections. Special events throughout the year. www.berkeley-castle.com +44 (0)1453 810 303 david.exworth@berkeley-castle.com
THE MAYFLOWER (Rotherhithe) The co-owner of this stunning ancient pub captained The Mayflower, which set off from here in 1620. Decked jetty & upstairs candle-lit restaurant. Open 11am - 11pm Mon-Sun. Booking advisable. 0207 237 4088 info@mayflowerrotherhithe.com
The American
Americans in Britain:
Samuel Franklin Cody (1867-1913) He may have borrowed his surname but he was a true original, as Gary Powell explains
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his cowboy, showman, aviator and aircraft designer squeezed every ounce of potential from a life prematurely cut short by a tragic accident. Cody was born Samuel Franklin Cowdery in Davenport, Iowa and spent his childhood shooting, riding and training horses. He transferred these skills to the travelling circus entertaining Americans as part of a Wild West show by the time he was twenty-one. Samuel met his wife, Maud Maria Lee, in 1889; it was on the couple’s marriage certificate that the surname Cody first appeared. The newly-weds crossed the Atlantic shortly after their marriage and toured England with a successful shooting act that gripped the entertainment-hungry English public. However this partnership was to be short-lived as Maud was forced to return to the States in the autumn of 1891 due to ill-health. By now Cody had met Elizabeth Mary King, a married woman whose husband died shortly after Maud’s departure. Cody and Elizabeth became inseparable; Elizabeth and her four children adopted the name Cody and for many years Elizabeth
8 October 2014
was accepted as Cody’s lawful wife, although his marriage to Maud was never legally ended. The Cody Family toured England’s music halls and theatres with a Wild West show, demonstrating their horsemanship and shooting skills. It was c.1900 that Cody met a man who changed his focus and ultimately put him on a path that would carve his name into the chronicles of British aviation history. French balloonist Auguste Gaudron introduced Cody to balloons and kites at an exhibition at Alexandra Palace, North London, which launched his love affair with flight. Cody, with the help of two of his sons Leon and Vivian, developed ground-breaking kite designs capable of increased lifting power, higher altitudes and a capacity to carry several men; patenting a kite called the Cody Kite in 1901. Cody began to develop close ties with the British military – he identified that balloons (used for military observations) could only be used in favourable wind conditions, where his kite designs were more robust and weather-durable; he went on to develop his War Kite which the Brit-
ish Admiralty purchased and used operationally. Cody’s aeronautical career was even more impressive, having a significant role in the design of Britain’s first powered airship Nulli Secundus (Latin for Second to None) which flew from Farnborough to London in 1906, with Cody at the controls. Cody’s achievements in aviation went from strength to strength; establishing the first official British distance and endurance flight records in 1909. Cody died on 7th August 1913 while testing his latest design, the Cody Floatplane, at Farnborough, Hampshire, England, aged just forty-six. He was buried with full British military honours in Aldershot Military Cemetery; an estimated 100,000 people paid their last respects to a true aviation hero. Gary Powell is a retired London detective; he is the author of Square London, a social history of the London square. His latest book Death in Disguise is published in October 2014 (History Press). He also conducts several walks around the darker side of London. garypowellauthor.co.uk
IMAGE ©ANDY ROBERTS
The American
High And Dry Mary Bailey explores London’s main flood defence
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n 1953 a huge storm in the North Sea flooded large parts of London, killing 307. Something had to be done and the result was the building of the amazing Thames Flood Barrier, downriver from Central London at Woolwich Reach. Whatever your views on the reality and cause of global warming there is no doubting the need of this protection. The Barrier has been raised 174 times since its completion in 1982. The Thames Barrier, as it’s widely known, closes under storm surge conditions and protects 48 square miles of East London. It’s one of the largest movable barriers in the world. When raised its gates are as high as a 5 story building and they are as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Operated by the Environmental Agency, as are all London’s flood precautions, it goes into action to protect London from the North Sea of course, but also under periods of high flow over Teddington Weir. Teddington is upstream of London, near Richmond in Surrey, and it is where the tidal effect ‘stops’. The concept of the Barrier’s rotating gates was devised by Charles Draper in the 1950s from his parents house in Wood Green, London. He was inspired by a simple, small
10 October 2014
household appliance, a brass gas tap. I like the fact that a great invention can often come about through the work of ordinary people in modest circumstances. Closure of the ten gates takes one and a half hours and they are tested once a month. Dates are given but should be confirmed, as of course floods are unpredictable and can upset anyone’s timetable. A map shows how London would look if sea levels continued to rise and there was no barrier. Parliament, the O2 area, the Isle of Dogs including Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge would all be flooded. Quite a thought. The Barrier is in more and
Left: Like knights standing against the tide - The Thames Barrier Below: Map of the Thames flood plain if sea level rises
more use so there may be need to enlarge it in time. The Thames Barrier has a small museum which shows a ten minute video and quite a good café. It is not expensive, less than £5 per adult and there is room for children to run about. Across the river is a new and lovely park. Get to The Thames Barrier by the Jubilee Underground line and get off at North Greenwich,where there are several buses to take you to the site. If you are less interested in the details of the structure a good way to view it is to get on one of the Thames Boats at Westminster Pier (signposted Thames Barrier or ask the staff ). These sail round the Barrier and back with a good view. They have coffee and give a commentary, but the boats cannot drop you off at the Barrier as it is a private pier. Big children like the Thames Barrier as well as adults. I took two twelve-year-olds who were silently impressed for hours. Budding engineers? Who knows! If you want details of programmes or more information phone the Thames Barrier Information Centre, 020 8305 4188, remembering that anything to do with tides can be a bit odd.
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The American
Matt Evers IMAGE ©SNOOTY FOX IMAGES / CHILLI MEDIA
Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity
American Matt Evers is a world champion figure skater who was headhunted by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean to work on the highly successful Dancing on Ice series for ITV1 in the UK. In the US Matt is equally known for his established broadcasting career. He presented CMT’s CowboyU, was the ‘voice’ of NBC, has hosted premier live events including Legends on Ice in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, has On Ice and Snow on The Travel Channel, and two shows on The Food Network UK. Matt (37) is the latest celebrity Ambassador for leading charity Habitat for Humanity, which has a vision for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live and housing poverty and homelessness are eliminated. Here he explains about the loves in his life: being an American in London, his leading ladies, and getting his sleeves rolled up to support Habitat for Humanity.
12 October 2014
Taking to the ice
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grew up in the suburbs of the Twin Cities…Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota…the land of 10,000 lakes. I didn’t set off as a child wanting to be an ice skater. I received a pair of skates from my Grandfather for Christmas when I was 8 years old. He also surprised my cousin and I on Christmas morning by freezing over one of the pastures in his horse farm. We skated all winter. From there it was a case of going to our local outdoor ice rink and taking some lessons as I seemed to excel in skating from the start. One thing led to another and group classes on the outdoor rink turned into private lessons at a proper skating rink the following year… Throughout high school I hadn’t even thought of competing in skating post school. I wanted to study journalism and biology.
Winning the Junior Pairs title at the 1998 US Championships I was thrust into an elite level of pairs skating from the world go after I was asked to come train at the University of Delaware, at that time one of the Olympic training centers in the States. It wasn’t until my partner Heather Allebach and I won our first US title and offers for “paid” work started to come in for various events and shows that I realized skating could be a career. It was a wonderful time but time seemed to fly by, with training 8 hours a day, shows and travel.
Being headhunted by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
I was working as an actor and presenter in LA and skating hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’d been out of the skating world for almost 10 years when I got the call from ITV to join the first series of Dancing on Ice.
WIN A VIP PACKAGE! The Screen Actors Guild had been on strike for a couple of months. All television work has shut down and I had gone back to bartending in Venice Beach so when the offer came it was a no brainer… skating and TV. However as my ITV producer will recall I didn’t even know where my skates were. Having Torvill and Dean in the same sentence as my name was mind blowing.
Dancing with some of the UK’s most popular celebrities - and rumors of a romance with Pamela Anderson
I would never kiss and tell! Each of the celebrities that I worked with was completely different. Total apples to oranges. I will say though that teaching Heather Mills, being an amputee, was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Torvill and Dean and I had to rethink how to skate and change the basic techniques of the sport to accommodate her situation. Heather learning to skate on national television sent a shock wave through the amputee community and really gave hope to children and adults with disabilities.
Being an American in London
An American in London… sounds like a new reality TV show! I love London. However, I still love my homeland. Once you get past the traffic on the Hammersmith Flyover… the months of rain… forgetting to pay your congestion charge… weeks of no sunshine... Tube strikes… the rain… it’s an incredible city! The entertainment industry is the same as back home in LA. What I love about the UK is the culture and the history. Growing
up in Minnesota we lived in one of the oldest parts of town and our house was just pushing 100 years old. Here I have friends that live in cottages that are 600 years old. Plus I’m infatuated with the Royals! You can find me hanging outside Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle trying to catch a glimpse.
Becoming Habitat for Humanity’s latest celebrity Ambassador?
I’ve followed and supported Habitat for Humanity for decades now back in the States. Friends of mine lost homes in hurricanes that hit Florida in the early 2000s and I would go down to help them rebuild and clean up. I saw a H4H building site first hand and was so impressed with what the charity does I knew I had to get involved somehow. I received a mailing in the post when I first moved into my house in London saying “Habitat for Humanity needs you!” - it was a sign. I called straight away to get in touch with the UK chapter and the rest is history.
Planning a Habitat for Humanity trip to build homes in Africa or South America I have always wanted to do that. It’s on my bucket list. I can’t wait to put the tool belt on and start hammering away!
If you’d like to find out more about the work of Habitat for Humanity GB, please go to www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk or email info@habitatforhumanity.org.uk
Matt’s latest project is a UK tour in November of skating professionals and celebrities and he has kindly offered a prize for six lucky readers to see the show and get to meet him. Matt says: “The Professionals on Ice was a brainchild of mine and my business partner for many years. Last year we got our first tour off the ground and did six cities across the UK. This year we are doing an eight city tour with Planet Ice and Silver Blades Ice rinks, kicking off on the Isle of Wight on October 24th then visiting Basingstoke, Cardiff, Coventry, Manchester, Liverpool , Widnes and Milton Keynes. It will be great to welcome and meet six readers of The American to any of the shows. I set out a goal to continue the promotion of skating here in the UK for youth and adults. This is the only touring skating show that is fully professional and if you haven’t seen real pro skaters on big ice… you have GOT to see us fly down the ice at 25 miles per hour. We are also having a couple of celebrity guest stars, names to be announced soon, and skaters from the local clubs to get the public behind their very own local talent. Dancing on Ice may have left us but The Professionals on Ice are back! www.theprofessionalsonice.co.uk To enter the draw to meet Matt Evers and see The Professionals on Ice simply email your name and contact details, with MATT EVERS in the subject line, to: theamerican@blueedge.co.uk by midday October 21st.
You must be 18 years old or over to enter this competition. Only one entry per person per draw. The editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative. Tickets are for The Professionals on Ice and are not transferable. You are responsible for any travel, accommodation or other expenses.
October 2014 13
The American
The man behind those insightful documentaries, Ken Burns IMAGE COURTESY PBS AMERICA
Ken Burns
The documentary maker is renowned for his coverage of American history over the years. The American asked what inspired him now to focus on the Roosevelts for his latest series.
M
y collaborator, Geoffrey Ward, and I, have had a fascination with the Roosevelts for more than 30 years. Geoffrey’s written two celebrated books on the early life of Franklin Roosevelt, and we bumped into the Roosevelts in a number of the films we’ve made. They are the most important American family in politics. The family touched more Americans than any other, and had greater influence. There’s tons on Theodore, little bit less on Franklin and less on Eleanor, but nobody had put all three together as a compelling family drama before. It’s almost Shakespearian. They engage age-old questions; what is the role of Government, what can a citizen expect from that Government, what is the nature of leadership, how does character contribute to leadership? And then how is a leader’s character formed by events? Both Eleanor and Theodore had childhood traumas, Franklin was stricken by paralysis at age 39. We see these amongst more familiar events: the late 19th century with all its economic tensions, the First World War, the Depression, the Second World War, the Cold War. To see these from the perspectives of people that we know personally, that’s why we call it an intimate history. We’re not lacking in the top down version, we just felt that the bottom up, the psychological viewpoint, was important to help us understand these extraordinary people and the events that they
14 October 2014
directed or were directed by. Their story’s filled with complex tragedies, success and huge political power, but also the familiar problems and joys of ordinary life, and betrayals, illnesses, alcoholism, madness, death. Over the 104 years of our story, from 1858 when Theodore Roosevelt was born to 1962 when Eleanor, his favorite niece, died, you have history firing on all cylinders. Was it difficult to filter out what couldn’t be used and what ended up in the documentary? That’s my job. First and foremost, I’m paid to take things out. The proverbial cutting room floor is never filled with bad things, it’s always filled with wonderful things that just didn’t fit. Raw history is a set of incoherent events and trying to superimpose a narrative on things is a delicate task, one that we spent more than six years, with this film, working on, massaging, begging, cajoling and making those difficult decisions. Did you find out things about the Roosevelts that you didn’t know before? I don’t make films about something I know about, I make films about things I want to know about. The former is telling you what you should know, it has the veneer of homework. Instead I share the process of discovery. I hope I’ve been able to share the complicated, irresistible force of Theodore Roosevelt, the miracle of Eleanor’s human
spirit despite a desperate childhood with two very complicated parents her icy mother, a great beauty, who called Eleanor ‘Granny’ because she was disappointed in her daughter’s looks and her father, a hopeless alcoholic - actually insane - who died, and she idealised him the rest of her life. Eleanor was orphaned at very a young age, she was fearful of everything, and she learned to master fear well before her husband told Americans that the only thing they had to fear was fear itself. I’m a Lincoln man. Until this project Abraham Lincoln was by far and away the best President in my estimation. Franklin Roosevelt has risen to parity with Lincoln in my eyes, and that is about as shocking for me a discovery as I could make, and I’m happy to ask Abe to move over and share the limelight with Franklin. Many people compare Lincoln to Barack Obama, do you see yourself producing a documentary on Obama in the future? Absolutely. Race is the central subtheme in American history after the nature of freedom, so the first African-American President is very, very interesting to me. I’ve spent a lot of time with him in and out of the White House, and I’ve just interviewed him for another film on Jackie Robinson, the first AfricanAmerican in the American game of baseball. Give me 15 or 20 years, enough time to allow the historian’s perspective to be sharper, and I will
The American
be interested in doing something on Barack Obama for sure. People are less aware of the lives of Theodore and Eleanor Roosevelt than Franklin – were you seeking to readdress that balance? I think so. During the 19th century, everyone knew everything about George Washington, they knew his speeches, every bit of his biography, and it was important to memorise those speeches, even where he slept during the revolution. If George Washington can be lost, everybody can be lost. What happens in the avalanche of information this age produces every day, is that we seek - consciously or unconsciously - to find simple, conventional ideas about everybody.. Oh, TR is this, Eleanor is this, FDR is this... these are perhaps useful, perhaps serviceable, but they betray the truth, they betray the great complication and the great drama of it. We have to say look, there’s more here. All of them are dimensional, full human beings who, when you get to know them,
you can’t help but admire, but also understand their flaws. Franklin played a particularly important role in the Transatlantic relationship, especially during the Second World War, is that something you were keen to get across? Very much so. His distant fifth cousin Theodore Roosevelt had been an internationalist, Franklin inherited that. When Americans felt that their efforts in the First World War had been not necessary - they understood the centrality to the allied victory, but they did not feel that it was worth it and they went back into an isolationist posture - it was Franklin Roosevelt and he alone who manoeuvred, through sly manipulation, his country out of that posture and into the Second World War. First forging a relationship with a distant ex-minister, out of Government, out of power, named Winston Churchill, and then forging one of the greatest relationships in the history of the world in the prosecution of the war with then Prime Minister Churchill.
Churchill and Roosevelt certainly fostered the special relationship, is the Special Relationship still important in America? Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s was not without contention, Roosevelt was determined to try to convince Churchill that the old empire had to go, that the colonised people had to be liberated. Churchill resisted that and felt that this was a betrayal, and a ganging up on him by Franklin and Josef Stalin, which was not the case. But there’s an interesting and complicated dynamic there, the trust and friendship they had for those critical years, the most important event in human history, the greatest cataclysm in human history – these were the two most important men from the side of right and good. Would Eleanor have had such success, with regards to the formation of the UN, if FDR hadn’t passed away when he did? She would have played a great and important role but I think it would have fallen to him. We thought that
October 2014 15
The American
Theodore Roosevelt on the campaign trail in Hannibal, Missouri, USA
when Franklin died - a very moving moment that is extended in our film to twenty minutes - that we would have to make a race for our end credits. That is not the case. In fact Eleanor takes the baton. Her accomplishments are amazing. At 63 years old Franklin looked like a 95 year old man. He had spent himself, just as Theodore did. Theodore looked like he was 85 and he was only 60 when he died. I’m older than Theodore was when he died! Both of these men were, as David McCullough says, incandescent light bulbs at high intensity that just burned out. Are those powerful moments, like Franklin’s death, important for telling the story? I’m interested not in excavating the dry dates and facts and events of the past, the dry shards of archaeology. I’m interested in an emotional archaeology. I feel compelled to
16 October 2014
IMAGE ©CORBIS
qualify that, because too often emotion has meant sentimentality and nostalgia, the enemies for ‘good anything’ - good newspaper and magazine articles and good documentary films included. We tend to retreat to the safety of a rational world where 1 and 1 equals 2. But the founders of the United States would speak about the higher emotions, this strange improbable calculus where 1 and 1 equals 3. We get it from our art, our science, our faith perhaps, we get it from our love and our relationships. This is hugely important to every human being, you, me, and every one of your readers and my viewers, yet we tend not to deal with that sort of stuff. I’m interested in that improbable calculus where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and the difference is not sentimental or nostalgic, but a complex emotional set.
Your documentaries provide a lot of catharsis as well... These are journeys for us as filmmakers, and we just want to share them. We have the same feelings, the same structure as most human beings, what we are attempting to do is communicate. Somebody once said that art is the transfer of emotion from one person to another. The Roosevelts is a rich portrait of three very complicated, deeply flawed but extraordinary human beings. In the end that’s what we human beings do. We tell each other stories, and mostly those stories are about the actions of other human beings. Did you ever see yourself having such success as a documentary maker? Uh, no. It’s been incredibly satisfying, but I live in a tiny little village in New England and have done all my work from here, so I get a kind of perspective that doesn’t let me dwell on that. The historian Stephen Ambrose said more Americans get their history from my films than any other source, but at the same time, I just put my pants on one leg at a time. I am happy to just share with all my fellow citizens, and now others, what we’ve done. It’s great that we now have access to your work via PBS America... Yes, so exciting, and I can’t wait to get to the UK when I can. We did an event at the British Film Institution on September 23rd, with Lord Puttnam, and it was a wonderful, wonderful thing. Finally, What’s the best thing about being Ken Burns? Ohh my family! I’m the father of four daughters ages 31 to 3. My oldest has already produced two grandchildren, and I’m now collaborating with my oldest daughter.
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COMPETITION
Above: Franklin Delano Roosevelt shakes hands with a miner in Wheeling, West Virginia (October 19, 1932) Below: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt outside their home in New York City, 1927
The Roosevelts:
An Intimate History
The latest in Ken Burn’s stunning portfolio of documentaries on American history, premieres in the UK on PBS America every Sunday at 8pm from 19 October (Sky 534 & Virgin 243). You can buy the full series (7 episodes, 14 hours) on DVD now for £39.99 from pbsamerica.co.uk/shop For the chance to win a copy of this seminal history of the Roosevelt family with The American, courtesy of PBS America, simply answer this: QUESTION: Which of these toy names was inspired by a member of the Roosevelt family? a) Rocking Horse b) Teddy Bear c) Diabolo HOW TO ENTER:
IMAGE © CORBIS
email your answer, name and contact details to theamerican@blueedge.co.uk with ROOSEVELT in the subject line by midday October 31st. Good luck!
18 October 2014
You must be 18 years old or over to enter this competition. Only one entry per person per draw. The editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative.
PROMOTION
Embassy Gardens: Gardens:
Luxury Riverside Living at the Heart of Nine Elms A
s the US Embassy prepares to move south in 2017, the spotlight continues to focus on one of the most exciting areas of London, Nine Elms and its much talked about development, Embassy Gardens. Nine Elms, based on the south bank between Vauxhall and Wandsworth, is undergoing significant regeneration. 195 acres of land is being transformed into one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods – a thriving community with stunning residential apartments, schools, cultural venues, offices, shops and green space right on the river. At the epicentre will be Embassy Gardens, the Ballymore Group’s ambitious mixed-use development including almost 2,000 luxurious homes; suites, one and two bedroom apartments and breath-taking penthouses. The properties at Embassy Gardens exude luxury, with each element of the design carefully considered, from the minutiae of kitchen specifications to the creation of communal amenities and landscaped gardens. The architecture of Manhattan’s Meatpacking
district in the 1930s was a key design influence. Abundant light, air and space are intrinsic throughout – each apartment has access to winter gardens or a roof terrace, some with views out over the River Thames to Chelsea and Pimlico beyond. Aesthetically, the properties themselves are of the highest calibre with oak parquet floors, fully glazed floor to ceiling windows, marble-tiled bathrooms and thermostatically controlled comfort cooling and heating, ideal for the unpredictable British weather. With Embassy Gardens likely to attract busy professionals, the stresses of everyday life are mitigated with the inclusion of amenities on-site including a gym and a new Waitrose supermarket. In the Ambassador Building will be the Eg:le Private Residents Club, encompassing a business centre, cinema, fitness centre and a private lounge that will be available for hire with professional staff able to cater for parties or corporate events. The health spa boasts a 16m pool, steam room and sauna and a yoga and dance studio.
Parking onsite solves one of the problems raised by urban-living, and a 24 hour concierge provides security and no more missed deliveries. Residents can also utilise JOHNS&CO’s Details service, a bespoke concierge offering providing assistance including cleaning, car valeting and key cutting. All homes sold out rapidly when Phase 1 launched in 2012, however there is still a chance to secure a home at the development through JOHNS&CO. It is the sole agent for the re-assignment of properties at the scheme and as the only management company recommended by Ballymore, will also have access to homes for rent. With the first properties due for completion in 2015 there will no doubt be opportunities soon for prospective tenants. JOHNS&CO (www.johnsand.co) is the only property management company with access to the marketing suite at Embassy Gardens so do get in touch with Jerome Ubando, client relationship manager at Nine Elms if you would like to arrange a visit on-site or find out more about the opportunities available.
October 2014 19
The American
Renouncing US Citizenship Janice Flynn looks at the costs and the pitfalls of taking this massive step
T
hese days, it is not just Tina Turner who is opting to give up her United States citizenship. According to the US Treasury Department which publishes the names of those who renounce US citizenship or long term Lawful Permanent Residents who formally abandon their US residency, in 2013, 2,369 people renounced US citizenship or long term Permanent Residents gave up their ‘green cards’, a record high. This number seems high but is insignificant compared to the 779,929 individuals who naturalized as US citizens in 20131 and the 999,553 who became US Lawful Permanent Residents (i.e. “green card” holders) in 20132. Despite the relative insignificance of the numbers of those who are renouncing, the act of renunciation is something that many more expat Americans have been considering in recent years. But why are so many Americans now suddenly considering giving up on of the most coveted passports in the world and what are the ramifications of doing so? Many who choose to renounce instead have estate planning worries or wish to simplify their lives and not be subject to two countries’ tax filing requirements, particularly if they never plan to move back to the
20 October 2014
States. Or there are those who were born abroad to foreign parents and have lived the bulk of their life in another country, feeling no affinity with the US. The recent implementation of FATCA (“Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act”) which took effect on July 1, 2014 seeks to target noncompliance of US taxpayers with foreign bank accounts and requires banks and other financial institutions to report certain information on US accounts to the IRS. Any financial institution which fails to comply faces penalties, which has resulted in those banks that do not wish to comply with FATCA to cleanse their customer lists of US citizens. If a person wishes to renounce their US citizenship they must do so at a US Embassy or Consulate. In general US Consular Officers will not allow someone to renounce their US citizenship if doing so would make them stateless and require that those who wish to renounce to have an additional nationality. In addition, the act of renunciation is irrevocable and the former US citizen is treated as a foreign person when entering the US and therefore they are subject to US immigration law and no longer have the benefits of US citizenship including the ability to sponsor family members
for US visas. Lastly, there may be US exit taxes if the person has assets of more than $2 million. Many of my clients are concerned about their ability to enter the US after renouncing, for example if they have aging parents still living in the US and worry that they may need to become caretakers at a later stage in life or if they would wish to work or travel to the US for business. Those who renounce are subject to US admissibility rules once they no longer hold US citizenship. For example, those with certain arrests or convictions for the types of offenses that would make a person inadmissible to the US and thus effect their ability to visit the US after renouncing. Also, the Reed Amendment codified under INA §212(a)(10)(E) makes a former US citizen who renounced for the purposes of US tax avoidance ineligible for entry to the US. It is the US government’s burden to prove that a person renounced US citizenship and to date, it is virtually impossible to enforce against a former US citizen. Despite this, I always explore my clients’ principal reasons to renounce US citizenship to determine that would not have any issues with gaining entry to the US as a visitor after renouncing citizenship.
IMAGE ©JOHN M CROPPER
The American
While the process of renouncing is fairly straightforward, it is important to discuss the procedure at the US consular post where the person wishes to renounce because for some it can be a daunting prospect to go into a US Embassy or Consulate to renounce US citizenship. In addition, most posts do not allow a US citizen to be accompanied by a lawyer during the renunciation. The financial cost can be burdensome in light of the possible exit taxes that may be due upon renouncing and also the US Department of State’s August 28, 2014 published rule increasing the fee to renounce by a whopping 422% from $450 to $2350 which took effect on September 12, 2014. The
US Department of State indicated the reasons for the fee increase are based on a recent Cost of Service Model and factors such as the time for American consular officers to spend in accepting, processing and “adjudicating” these cases.3 In addition to the US consular officer’s work to be done prior and during a renunciation, “the final approval of the loss of nationality must be done by law within the Directorate of Overseas Citizens in Washington D.C. after which the case is returned to the consular officer overseas for final delivery of the Certificate of Loss of Nationality to the renunciant.”4 The US Department of State states in the published rule that the demand for providing the
service of renouncing US citizenship has increased and therefore has taken up more of the consular officers’ time and resources and the reason it gives for the fee increase is because it cannot see any public benefit for providing this service below the full actual cost. In conclusion, the act of renunciation comes with the costs of a possible exit tax and can limit a person’s ability to travel to the US. If you are considering renouncing your US citizenship it is important to gain expert tax and immigration law advice prior to doing so.
Janice Flynn is a US licensed lawyer focusing on the practice of US visa & nationality law in London in the Law Firm of Janice A. Flynn Office Footnotes: Address: Third Floor, 6/7 Hatton 1) See http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/ois_natz_fr_2013.pdf Garden, London EC1N 8AD. 2) See http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/ois_lpr_fr_2013.pdf +44 (0)20 7092 6830 3) See https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/28/2014-20516/schedule-of- www.usvisasolutions.co.uk fees-for-consular-services-department-of-state-and-overseas-embassies-and janice@usvisasolutions.co.uk 4) Ibid
October 2014 21
The American
Coffee Break GENERAL QUIZ ➊ What official US holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October?
➋ October was what number month in the ancient Roman year?
➌ Enology (or Oenology) is the science of making what?
➍ Founded in 1585, what was the name of the ill-fated British colony in present day North Carolina, later given the nickname ‘The Lost Colony’?
➎ The American flag was first raised over new territory on October 18th, 1867. What was it and who did we get it from?
➏ Oneirophobia is a fear of what?
5 9
8 2 7 3 9 4 8 2 6 3 6 1 2 7 7 5 3 4 6 5 1 7 8 4 2 It happened 50 years ago...
➓
a) ironing b) wine c) dreams
➐
What was founded on October 25th, 1945? a) American Humanist Association b) United Nations c) The Reason Project
➑
Which country celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October?
➒
What ends at 2am on the last Sunday in October in the US?
Quiz answers and Sudoku solution on page 63.
22 October 2014
October 14th, 1964: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wins the Nobel Peace Prize. Which US citizen received it in 2009?
It happened 100 years ago...
⓫
October 19th, 1914: USPS first uses an automobile for deliveries. What price was a First Class stamp then?
It happened 150 years ago...
⓬
October 31st, 1864: Nevada becomes the 36th State. What is the name of its capital?
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The American 1 Upper James Street Soho, W1F 9DF 020 3145 1000 www.bobbobricard.com Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick
Bob Bob Ricard W
alking into Bob Bob Ricard feels like boarding the Orient Express. Opulent and cosy, it all oozes a sort of old world charm. Brass fixtures, blue leather banquettes, marble tables, terrazzo floors, patterns everywhere and the lighting is fabulous. I swear I dropped 10 years in the soft glow. I’d go back just for that, but there is much else to go back for. BBR opened in 2008 but this year has seen the addition of a fabulous club room. Geared for a younger crowd, this room is open from Thursday to Saturday and an upscale dress code is enforced. Throughout the restaurant, every table is equipped with a “press for champagne” button. Who can resist such temptation? Not belonging to said younger crowd, I was quite happy to dine upstairs. Old world charm is definitely more suitable to my age. The menu is Russian and English luxury food. Classic dishes, beautifully prepared by a very competent kitchen. We were presented with a selection of starters accompanied by shots of Vodka. A slug of ice cold vodka not only gets the party going, it clears the palate between zakuski (hors d’oeuvres). A simple
24 October 2014
Russian salad (potatoes, peas and carrots with mayo) was garnished with black truffle, turning it into a bite of heaven (£3.75). Grilled oysters Mitterrand with parsley and garlic butter (£9) and baked oysters Brezhnev with parmesan and black truffle (£11) were both excellent, cooked just enough to heat the oyster while keeping its fresh succulence. Sea bass ceviche (£11.75) was fresh and tangy and the venison tartare with raw quail egg (£9.50) was smooth and delicate, with just a hint of gaminess to set it apart from its beef counterpart. The highlight however was the lobster pelmeni (£12.50). Traditional Russian dumplings stuffed with lobster and served with a lobster bisque. A burst of delicious flavor. All this was beyond gluttony, but I would not have missed any of it. I was just glad there wasn’t a “press for vodka” button! Chateaubriand for one is a pricey £39.50. Of course we had to have it. Aged for 28 days, this gorgeous piece of meat was cooked perfectly and sliced like butter. The accompaniments of potato fondant, mushroom confit and Madeira sauce were all perfect, earthy and rich. For balance, I wanted something
on the lighter side. The waitress suggested baked sole with vermouth sauce, stuffed with smoked sturgeon on a bed of spinach (£25.50). The smoked sturgeon was naturally salty, so it was a pity that the otherwise delicious sauce was salty as well, making the dish one dimensional. The only flaw from the kitchen all night. A side of carrots and parsnips in beef dripping with honey and thyme (£4.50) was wonderful. Beautifully caramelized veg with a good balance of sweet and salt. A glass of 2010 Puligny Montrachet and a 2008 St. Julien, both at £13.75 were excellent wines, though the pour was a bit short. It is worth noting that BBR prides itself on serving high end wines at the best prices in London. Bottles range from £27 – £1,929. Strawberry and cream soufflé (£7) and salted caramel ice cream (£4.75) rounded out the evening in style. The soufflé was perfect, like strawberry air, and came with a strawberry coulis that was poured in its center. The service was impeccable, gracious and friendly. We wanted for nothing. Now I keep looking for my “press for home delivery” button!
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The American
JOE BONAMASSA The American caught up with the blues rock superstar to talk about his new album and a whole lot more
D
ifferent Shades of Blue, Joe Bonamassa’s new album, was released in September on Provogue in various versions including a limited edition CD including 64-page Hardcover Digibook, 180 gram black vinyl, and a picture disc. How is it different to his previous work? “There are no covers,” says Joe, “and I had a hand in writing everything, with some really great cowriters. It’s something I’ve owed the fans for a very long time. We have an a cappella song and an instrumental version of a Ray Charles tune. I wanted to write a song with Robben Ford so we did ‘Heartache Follows Me Wherever I Go’, and I wanted to write a song like Little Feat so you get ‘Trouble Town’.” The clue’s in the album’s title. It’s ‘impressionist blues’, like 19th century French painters, different styles of the blues but seen through Bonamassa’s eyes. ‘Oh Beautiful’ starts like a field recording of an old Son House track, Joe’s voice standing alone before a ‘70s blues rock guitar crunches in. ‘Love Ain’t A Love Song’ is New Orleans funk, ‘Living On The Moon’ big band R&B, while ‘Never Give All Your Heart’ sounds like Free playing with Pete Townshend, ‘I Gave Up Everything for You, ‘Cept
26 October 2014
the Blues’ allies a Kansas City swagger to a Stevie Ray Vaughan shuffle and the title track is just plain epic. And it all works. “It works, because it’s true. One of my favorite records is Truth by Jeff Beck which has a Yardbirds song, a straight blues tune, ‘Morning Dew,’ then all of a sudden you get an acoustic version of ‘Greensleeves’! There’s no rhyme or reason to that, but it all works. I don’t know where the industry got the notion that every song should sound the same and be in the exact same genre or the roof will fall in.” At 37, Joe’s young in blues terms. “November 8th this year I will have been 25 years in the business. Some would say that’s worthy of a silver pen, others that I’m a crazy glutton for punishment. I was twelve when I played on-stage with BB King in 1990 and I’d been playing for a year before that.” In 1990, a lot of people listening to guitar-based music would have been into LA-style poodle rock. “LA-style poodle rock? I like that! [laughs] I live close to the Whiskey and the Rainbow and in 2014 a lot of people still resemble that remark.” But why did the blues grab him? “Because it wasn’t that,”
he spits. “I wasn’t supposed to like the blues. I was supposed to like Ratt and all those bands. Much as I respect and like the guys from that era that I know, that was pop music at the time and pop was the enemy. I don’t even know what pop is now - it’s a cat with a MacBook Pro and a turntable.” How did Joe come to play with BB King? “When you’re a twelveyear-old from a small town in upstate New York [New Hartford] who plays blues, you get a lot of media coverage. Many ex-girlfriends have seen a TV piece from back then that’s online and told me, ‘you haven’t matured at all since then, in fact you’ve retrograded!’ [laughs]. I’m fine with that. I have the worst case of ADD in the world, but it helps in my job. That’s why I switch subject, switch guitars... “I added up all the pieces in the catalog the other day and it’s 31 fifteen solo studio albums, DVDs, side projects, in fourteen years. The live DVDs add a face, unfortunately [laughs], to the sound. And music sounds different every night. It’s a road thing.” You expect deeply impressive technique from Joe, and many people describe him as a great tech-
The American Guitar freak Joe Bonamassa with own-design Gibson Bona-byrd ©RICK GOULD
nical player. “I don’t know why I get the ‘technical’ rap. Maybe because I play fast. Maybe somebody started saying it on the internet... By the way, I have decided to accept that everything you read on internet forums is true, well thought out and written without any malice or jealousy whatsoever!” Apart from recording and touring Joe keeps busy with his webcast Pickup Radio in which he gases about axes. He also runs his own record label, J&R Adventures and does his own slick marketing, with merchandise like JB-branded guitars, straps and slides - does he like the business side of things as well as the creative? “We recently hit a new high - or low! - we offered a Bona-Summer Pack: you got a barbecue apron, cooking utensils and a Frisbee! A lot of artists are in the music business, but they stop at the first word. You gotta make more than you spend.” Joe also founded the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes the heritage of the blues to the next generation, funds music scholarships, and aims to supplement the loss of music education in public schools. “You’ll never get a blanker stare than when you ask a roomful of people for
money for music education for kids. You hear ‘Why do kids need music?’ Well, they do better in math, in science, they’re generally not on the street stealing stuff...” Finally, what’s the best thing about being Joe Bonamassa? ...hmm ...I get free guitar picks in any guitar store I go into!
Joe Bonamassa is playing four shows at the Hammersmith Apollo, London on March 17th, 19th, 20th & 21st, 2015. Read the full version of this interview in which Joe talks about his British and Irish guitar heroes, Aerosmith and lots of guitars at www.theamerican.co.uk
October 2014 27
Bet h Hart The American
The former Star Search winner and Joe Bonamassa collaborator now stars at the Albert Hall
B
eth, you’re playing at BluesFest * at the Royal Albert Hall. Have you played there before? I haven’t, but I’m so looking forward to it, I hear it’s an amazing place. Robert Cray will be there, I remember hearing his records for the first time and thinking he was so cool. It would be so good to sing with him. How did you start in music? Originally I wanted to play the stand up bass, but at school they didn’t have any of those left, so I said, give me the biggest one you got - and out came this cello. At one point I was playing with four orchestras at once. But I never had ‘it’ - you know, that special thing. Recently I got another cello, and I sat down to play it and the sound that came out was a car crash crossed with somebody killing a cat, you know? [laughs] I must have forgotten the bowing! I’ve always played the piano, since I was four, and the guitar too. When I’m writing songs the music always comes first, so I play an instrument. Later I start getting a feeling of what the song should be about - something I’m feeling inside, something important. The words come last. I love poetry, and I like to try to make the verses poetic but the choruses short and memorable. Talent show winners these days all seem to be generic, versatile, adaptable ...and forgettable. You won Star Search in 1993, but you have a unique voice, with that raw, bluesy, rocky edge - where did it
28 October 2014
come from? I didn’t want to do Star Search. A friend of mine would record backing tapes, take them to the bars and clubs around Hollywood and sing a couple of songs to the tapes, but we didn’t make any money. Then I started going down to South Central LA where they don’t give you a second chance. It’s like The Apollo in New York, they give you one song! If they like you, they love you and they put dollar bills on the stage while you’re singing - if they don’t like you, they boo you off and throw you out of the club. I learned how to grab an audience and give them what they want. My friend said I should go on Star Search but I thought it was lame - back in ‘93 it wasn’t big like American Idol. And it was on cable - cable’s cool now, but not then. But you got $50 for going on the show, and I never thought I’d get anywhere but I won it. I got a lot of money, and a record contract with Atlantic. I blew the money and lost the contract after two albums, which was the best thing that could have happened. I ended up singing on the streets with just my guitar, and really enjoying myself. You’ve always been intense on stage, but early on it manifested as stomping the stage, smoking cigarettes, swearing, drinking... I won’t say you’ve mellowed, but now the intensity seems to simmer and burn inside the songs. When I did Don’t Explain, the first album with Joe Bonamassa, I
didn’t think that singing songs by my heroes like Billie Holiday, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, would work with me dressed as a man, drinking and cussing, so I got some heels, put myself in a dress - for the first time ever - and I liked it. I thought it was growing up, and I thought my psychiatrist, Dr Robert Davidson, would think it was really good. Instead he told me I was hiding, that I wasn’t being my own self, and why wasn’t I writing and singing my own songs, I shouldn’t be doing covers. I was so angry I didn’t see him for a year. I went to another psychiatrist, but after a while he told me I should go back to Dr Davidson. I begged him to take me back and I’m so glad he did. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be around now. He changed my medicine, and I could work and enjoy life. I loved songwriting and performing but - and it sounds strange as it’s what I’ve always done - I was never comfortable with the sound of my own voice. It’s only really since I started singing the blues and soul with Joe that I’ve started to enjoy listening to it. But I don’t want to limit myself to the blues and soul. I’ll keep doing it, and write my own songs and sing and play them in a more personal way as well. Would you say you’ve matured? I suppose ...well, my live shows are still pretty intense. I like to give it all on stage. Your back story sounds like it’s from a novel - jail, drugs and alcohol addiction, suicide attempts,
The American Beth Hart, the survivor who bacame blues queen, grunge rocker and vamp, IMAGE ©JEFF KATZ
self harm, psychiatric hospitals... When I was very young I was out of control and people said there was something wrong with me, in my head. I never believed them, and my parents didn’t either. I became a drug addict and an alcoholic and I could blame my behavior on that. Sometimes I stopped taking drink and drugs and found other ways to get high, like cutting myself. Then I got clean for several years and still found myself in psychiatric hospitals. I couldn’t blame it on the substances any more. I was properly diagnosed with bi-polar eight years ago and now I have the right doctor and the right medicine. And a wonderful man [her road manager, and now husband, Scott Guetzkow] who loves me and keeps me together. We’ve been together for fifteen years and without him there’s no way I’d still be here. Now bi-polar is something you have, not something that defines you? Exactly! Finally, what is the best thing about being Beth Hart? The best thing is the awareness ...on a good day, the awareness that I’m not dead! I’m alive, and I might be a hundred and forty two, but I can sing and make music - how cool is that? And I can be with and kiss the wonderful man who I share my life with. * BluesFest runs from October 26th to 31st with concerts, masterclasses, workshops and talks from 1pm and evening headline acts including Gregory Porter, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison And Sheryl Crow. Beth Hart performs on Thursday 30th.
October 2014 29
The American
Giovanni Battista Moroni
Sackler Wing of Galleries, Royal Academy, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3ET October 25 – January 25
William Morris, La Belle Iseult, 1858 ©TATE IMAGES
Anarchy and Beauty: William Morris and His Legacy 1860-1960
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE October 16 to January 11 An exhibition on Victorian artist, writer and visionary thinker William Morris’s concept of ‘art for the people’ and his legacy. Portraits, personal items and fascinating objects, many on public display for the first time, as well as the work of contemporaries including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones, and craftspeople such as Eric Gill, Bernard Leach and Terence Conran, show how Morris’s legacy continued into C20th, influencing radical politics, the Garden City movement and the Festival of Britain in 1951.
30 October 2014
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Queen Elizabeth I (‘The Ditchley portrait’) © NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON
The Real Tudors: Kings and Queens Rediscovered
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE to March 1, 2015 While you’re at the NPG, check out the most complete presentation of the portraiture of the Tudor Monarchs staged to date. Works from the Gallery’s collection are presented alongside exceptional loans and a prized possession of each monarch, together with recent research (part of the Making Art in Tudor Britain project), to help visitors understand how and why such images were made. This will be part of a larger exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris, in 2015.
The first comprehensive exhibition in the UK to showcase the works of the Bergamo artist Giovanni Battista Moroni (c.1520-1579), widely regarded as one of the greatest portraitists of all time. A contemporary of Titian, and one of the most important painters of the Northern Italian Renaissance, his genius lay in his ability to capture both the exact likeness, character and inner life of his sitters with a rare penetrating insight. Depicting members of the society in which he lived, his portraits convey a humanity, particularly in his portrayal of the regular people of Bergamo of his day, and are remarkable for their unprecedented realism, vitality, directness and immediacy, in many ways ahead of his time. The exhibition will present Moroni not only as a distinctive portraitist but also in his lesser-known role as a religious painter. Giovanni Battista Moroni, Young Lady, c.1560-65 Oil on canvas, 51 x 42 cm ©PRIVATE COLLECTION
The American
DON’T MISS ... The Art of the Brick®
The Old Truman Brewery, Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR to January 4
Red Saunders, Women Levellers of the English Revolution, 1647, 2012-14. Inkjet Giclée Hahnemuhle print. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ARTIST
Young Masters 2014
Lloyds Club, 42 Crutched Friars, London EC3N 2AP - by appointment, contact celia@thecynthiacorbettgallery.com September 16 to December 5 Sphinx Fine Art, 125 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LP October 14 to 31 The Young Masters Art Prize, which celebrates contemporary artists from all over the globe who pay homage to the skill and traditions of the past, was instigated by American gallery owner Cynthia Corbett three years ago. The shortlisted 30 artists are joined by 15 shortlisted ceramicists, for the inaugural Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize. The artists include commercial photographer (Rolling Stone, Time Life, GQ, The Sunday Times Magazine) Red Saunders, whose stunning photographs are inspired by the paintings of Rembrandt, Velazquez and Caravaggio; textile designer Alice Palmer who uses industrial machines to create knitted artworks in a tapestry style; and young painter Caterina Voltolini whose self-portraits take influence from the style of Italian artists Fra Angelico and Giotto. Jane Hammond, All Souls Canterbury, 2014 162.6 x 139.7 cm COURTESY THE ARTIST & GALERIE LELONG, NEW YORK
Jane Hammond: No Assembly Required
Sims Reed Gallery, The Economist Building, 30 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AU October 16 to November 14 American artist Jane Hammond’s first UK exhibition, with the latest addition to her well known Butterfly Map Series, All Souls Canterbury, depicting the UK, created for this exhibition. The series began after a mass of Monarch butterflies visited the flower boxes of her New York apartment windows on the afternoon of September 11, 2001. Hand-drawn maps are combined with paper butterflies, digitally scanned from actual specimens, then collaged to handmade bodies and antennae.
Nathan Sawaya,Yellow, 35” x 13” x 28” © NATHAN SAWAYA
The work of US artist Nathan Sawaya, CNN has declared this one of the world’s ten must-see exhibitions, already attracting millions of visitors in the USA and the PacRim. These are large scale LEGO® brick sculptures, many human figures, and include recent interpretations of some of the world’s most famous artworks, such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earing, plus a six meter TRex dinosaur skeleton constructed from over 80,000 bricks. Nathan Sawaya, whose previous career was as a successful corporate lawyer, started playing with LEGO as a child and just never stopped. He explains: ‘I use LEGO bricks as my medium because I enjoy seeing people’s reactions to artwork created from something with which they are familiar’.
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Fully Committed!
IMAGE ©CATHERINE ASHMORE
The American
By Becky Mode Menier Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU 020 7378 1713 www.menierchocolatefactory.com Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
F
ully Committed is side-splittingly funny, so much so you wish people weren’t laughing so loudly because you miss out on some great lines. Set in the basement office of a fashionable, upscale New York restaurant, it’s a one-man show and one feels every sinew of it has been etched from the bitter experiences of jobbing actors who’ve ever labored waiting tables. The central protagonist is such a ‘resting’ actor, now reduced to putting up with the abuse from those trying to book for this fancy spot, only to discover to their horror that the place is “fully committed”. It was first seen in London ten years ago when it was the premier production at the great Menier Chocolate Factory and the first one of its many transfers. American Mark Setlock, who co-crafted the piece with writer Becky Mode, is back to direct and their trump card here is in the casting of Kevin Bishop, one of Britain’s most supremely talented comic actors (famous for Star Stories or The Kevin Bishop Show), as Sam. Not many actors could mount this
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Matterhorn of comedy. It is only 75 minutes long but within it are packed so many rich characters, all of them needing to be perfectly distilled so they become distinctive. This calls for someone who is an outstanding mimic, has perfect coming timing and tons of energy. Bishop has all three in abundance and this is a virtuoso comic triumph. Bishop voices all the characters telephoning for reservations as well as the restaurant staff upstairs, who harangue poor Sam via the intercom. A special red phone is set aside for the hotline to the Chef, a gloriously neurotic and sadistic character. Bishop’s triumph is in making us warm to Sam, who is unceasingly patient, ever resourceful and always diplomatic in the face of such harassment. The restaurant with its rigid pecking order is a perfect microcosm for the society and Sam, being on the bottom rung, literally has to deal with the s*** at times. He’s no victim though and he soon learns that in getting acting jobs he has some currency, in that he gets easy access to the powerful producers, whose hysteri-
cal assistants clamber for not just a table, but the right table. The range of characters is a complete joy. There’s the snooty French maitre d’ (who won’t talk to ugly women), the Latino kitchen staff, the coke-fueled Super-Model’s male assistant who frets over every detail of her “vegan taster menu for 25” including the position of the lighting sconces. There’s also swishy A-Gays, restaurant critics, Mafiosi with deep pockets and, from out of town, Southern belles, Kuwaiti potentates and baffling Japanese. Not getting that table might be a hint you are on the slide therefore “You are ruining my life” is not an untypical cry. Of course not far from the Menier on any given night, numerous London Sams are undergoing similar agonies. London has since then arguably eclipsed New York as the capital for these ritzy ‘dining experiences’ with their ridiculous waiting lists, but it’s testament to the universality of this piece that it translates so well and indeed it has enjoyed hit productions all over the world.
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The American
Little Revolution By Alecky Blythe Almeida Theatre, London N1 1TA, 020 7359 4404, www.almeida.co.uk
L
ittle Revolution is an 85 minute documentary in search of a play. It utilises Blythe’s verbatim theater approach, used so successfully in the amazing London Road at the National Theatre. This involves Alecky spending many hours audio recording real people, usually in communities going through a crisis, and fashioning a play from it. Here the focus is the ‘riots’ which took place in Hackney and across London in August 2011, sparked off by the shooting by the police of Mark Duggan in Tottenham. After editing the conversations as for a radio documentary, the actors on stage then wear earpieces and, listening to a playback, replicate the voices, aping their characters exact intonations. The technique however gets in the way of the performances especially in the group scenes and only really works when single characters are interacting with her. Here she plays herself. Overall the effect is mimicry not acting. Director Joe Hill-Gibbins has reconfigured the venue in the round (I‘m bored with this now) to create
34 October 2014
a stripped back community hall. As well as a cast of professional actors playing the key local residents she met, the piece employs 31 locally recruited people who act as a “community chorus”. The problem with just hearing from those she happened to bump into is that we’re left with a very unbalanced, fragmented and sentimental telling of story which is a lot more complicated. There are no perspectives from the rioters themselves (unlike The Guardian’s excellent ‘Reading the Riots’ research which gets excerpted in the programme), no youth or social workers who deal with this every day, no teachers and importantly no police, whose behaviour here, no matter how ignoble, needs to be understood. Her binocular vision also fails completely to acknowledge the key role that TV news helicopters and social media played in fanning the flames of this indiscriminate and copycat looting, which the media rushed to label as “riots”. Amazingly the piece lacks politics which would be fine if it
Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell IMAGE © MANUEL HARLAN
delivered some sort of metaphorical resonance instead. But it doesn’t. We just get dismal literalism. The local black people are “colorful” and to balance it, a little, we get gormless middle class hipsters. We hear one dissenting voice, a resident running a youth group who has little sympathy for his charges. But it never explores how representative he might be. Any real research would reveal for example that there was no consensus amongst BME communities that Mark Duggan was a saint. A Frederick Wiseman-like epic documentary might have achieved the effect she was after but that’s impossible in just 85 minutes. That might also require something she seems incapable of doing and that is taking a position. You can do all the research you want but at some stage you need to put it away and figure out what you want to say and then say something. Ultimately it is as patronising as a flimsy anthropology project and here it is fashioned into an amuse bouche served up before dinner on Upper Street.
The American
IMAGE © BRONWEN SHARP
The Lion B
enjamin Scheuer is a multi talented thirtysomething singersongwriter from New York who in this autobiographical one-man show demonstrates just why he recently won the Cole Porter Award for song writing. Watching this show, however, the TV shows Thirtysomething and Dawson’s Creek spring to mind, the link being self-absorption set to a plaintive, guitar-driven score. It was his father, a distinguished Math Professor, who gave him his love of music but theirs was a difficult relationship and Ben bridled at the old man’s “icy condescension”. Playing in a teenage band was his joy but his grades suffered and soon he was grounded, producing a seething resentment. During this estrangement his father suddenly fell ill and died before they were able to make up. A family move to
England followed (with his English mother) and a sojourn in a Public School after which he fled them and their judgements to return to New York to try his luck as a singer-songwriter. At Grand Central Station he met a freckly girl called Julia but she soon abandoned him to satisfy her urge for world travel. Then he really hit the buffers when he developed a rampaging bone cancer, which nearly killed him. A (short) life crowded with incident therefore and enough raw material for any artist. As an instrumentalist he is exceptional and here he uses no less than six guitars to help tell his story. He is also blessed with an engaging stage presence and a boyish, Preppie, charm. His flair for crafting a great lyric is obvious but if this show has a flaw it is that the ‘songs’ (musical highlights as the
Written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer St James Theatre Studio, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell piece is practically sung through) are not given enough room to breathe. One can’t help feel that if there was less contextualising, the songs might have more impact. Songs, after all, are meant to be selfcontained creatures. They shape an emotion. Here, they’re sewn together using a mushy underscore, which mostly detracts from their potency. In an odd way his over-sharing means he hides from us. Cabaret is the art of being yourself (which is why so many actors are bad at it) but you’ve got to trust your ability to communicate directly to a small room and the script must be invisible. There is no doubt he’s destined for greater things however and indeed he’s back in the UK opening for Mary Chapin Carpenter on her UK tour this month (October).
October 2014 35
The American
Hay Fever By Noël Coward Directed by Lindsay Posner Theatre Royal, Saw Close, Bath BA1 1ET Reviewed by Maureen Young
F
elicity Kendal, the much loved star of the British stage and small screen, gives an entrancing performance as Judith Bliss in Noël Coward’s stylish and witty 1920s drama Hay Fever. Retired actress Judith’s domestic life at her country retreat in Hertfordshire is played out in an atmosphere of continual chaotic melodrama, ably supported in this by her gamine daughter Sorel, (a great performance by Alice Orr-;Ewing), her son Simon and novelist husband David – bohemian drama queens all. Ms Kendal’s Judith is both graceful and playful, outrageous and poignant and a masterclass in the art of comedic timing. Drawn unwittingly into this domestic maelstrom are four visitors invited independently, each by one of the four family members and coincidentally on the same weekend. Subjected to varying scenarios of cool disinterest, playful flirting
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Alice Orr-Ewing, Felicity Kendal and Edward Franklin ©NOBBY CLARK
and irrational emotional declarations, the guests are each played with mercilessly by one or other of the Bliss family, who seem impervious to their visitors’ various degrees of growing discomfort. Michael Simkins is perfectly cast as the rather self–conscious diplomat Greatham (invited by Sorel) trying to behave with impeccable decorum but finding himself totally out of his depth when confronted with the sudden irrational, emotional attention of Judith. Celeste Dodwell also gives a very creditable performance as Miss Coryton, the shy young flapper invited by Judith’s husband David. Equally up to the mark is James Corrigan as Sandy, who, originally invited as Judith’s plaything ends up in the amorous clutches of Sorel. In contrast Sara Stewart’s ostensibly sexually simmering Myra was slightly leaden and not an easy fit
with Edward Franklin’s youthful besotted Simon. The cleverly designed set incorporates a stairway as well as French doors to the garden giving scope for dramatic exits and entrances. The staircase is used to great effect at the end where the guests try to steal away unnoticed in the morning. The set furnishings and excellent costumes convey beautifully the style and elegance of the period. This is a fine production, well directed by Lindsay Posner, with a very good cast, but it is Ms Kendal’s bravura performance that makes it really special. Thoroughly entertaining. As we go to press this Theatre Royal, Bath, production is on a short run in Richmond, London, then on to Brighton, before Australia in December. Hopefully it will be in the West End in 2015.
IMAGE ©TRISTRAM KENTON
Dangerous Games Conceived, directed and choreographed by Michael Flatley London Palladium, Argyll Street, London W1 Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
J
ust as the English are aghast that one of their most formidable cultural exports has been that Hyacinth Bucket woman, many Irish (or at least those in Ireland) often wince at the international phenomenon that is Michael Flatley. Of course he’s as Irish as Yankee Doodle Dandy and what he’s pitching is an idea of Ireland. The smarter Irish accept this and the Irish Tourist Board don’t complain as they couldn’t buy the publicity he’s given the country over the past 20 years with packed out shows the world over to audiences of millions, most with no connection with Ireland. Like George M Cohan before him, Flatley, from the south side of Chicago, is a consummate entertainer. Riverdance, which began as a humble interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, could not contain him. It was in a way too Irish, too meek. Like those Oirish tourist shows at Bunratty Castle it was done with a sly wink – “Shure this is just for the Yanks”. Flatley changed all that, for he doesn’t operate at the level of irony. He is totally un-cynical and trades instead on tugging the heartstrings. This new show opens with a blast of self-justifying rhetoric about defeating the odds and being true to your dream. It’s Rocky with taps. The reason for his success is obvious the very minute the first of many dance lines fill the proscenium arch. These massed ranks of
tappers produce a visceral reaction in the audience, like the Rockettes, but with balls. Flatley’s troupe has no weak link in it and their speed and poise is exhilarating. The house lights come up as if to acknowledge that this is communal. You’re at a (Celtic) revivalist meeting. But how do you stretch ‘that song’ and ‘that dance’ into a two hour show? Riverdance got round it by going all multi-cultural which isn’t Flatley’s bag. He incorporates some Celtic myths of dubious provenance to give it a superstructure. His own aesthetic though is totally Hollywood action movie of the Vin Diesel variety. He’s also influenced by sci-fi and here he fashions a ‘Robojig’ section where Robocop like figures dance a hornpipe. But Robocop was 1992! For the curtain numbers he’s imported Nadine Coyle from the pop group Girls Aloud to warble some sub-Mariah fare but she’s really just peripheral and wanders on with the appearance of a bewildered hotel guest who just drifted into the wrong wedding reception. In Act Two he crystallises his narrative and we get to fret over whether the topless cloth-cap wearing hunks (think Abercrombie & Fitch do IRA) defeat the forces of evil, here presented as masked bad’uns (Isis crossed with S&M). Needless to say the Lord of the Dance, a warmly charismatic James Duggan, zaps ‘em with his moves
and wins the blonde girl (Saoirse) but not before thwarting the malign overtures of a gymnastic temptress called Morrighan. Women eh! The sexual politics here could inspire PhDs but in summary his females run the gamut from Barbie to Rock Chick, while the men are solid, dull and pugilistic (think every John Ford movie). They’re also curiously badly dressed, apart from our hero who gets to smoulder in leather britches. But this is not the show for sexual politics or indeed for thought. It is what the French would call “Une Grande Spectacle”. The lighting and projections are state-of-the-art but often artless. The effect is like being in the cinema with suitably ear crushing sound added. Dance purists might carp about whether the taps are recorded, music critics might bemoan the authenticity of the female eye candy on the fiddles (dueling blondes no less) but, let’s face it, this is a Vegas show and the audience adore it. Unlike the bland Cirque du Soleil, its counterpart in global domination, it is at least geographically grounded in an identifiable culture, if at times its whimsy sends it off to Glocca Morra. Very late in the day the maestro himself finally appears and it is akin to a Second Coming. This Eternal Showman knows how to wallow in a curtain call and keep the encores coming. 60 million punters and counting already know this.
October 2014 37
The American
Forbidden West End: Christina Bianco The singer, impressionist, Edinburgh Festival diva and YouTube megastar joins Forbidden Broadway in London. The American finds out how she got there.
C
hristina Bianco’s journey to the bright lights of (Forbidden) Broadway and London’s West End began in Suffern, New York. Forgive us, good people of Suffern, but The American’s team has never heard of your town. We’re sure it’s lovely. “It’s OK,” explains Christina, “it’s a small town 45 minutes from New York City. But many people all over the world think they know Suffern because an episode of Sex In The City was set there. Unfortunately they completely fabricated everything about it, except its name. They made it look like it was all farmland and wilderness. The must have missed the strip mall when they got off the highway! “Both my parents grew up in the Bronx, and when they got married they wanted to settle close to where they grew up. At an early age they realized how much I loved to sing and perform and they always supported and encouraged me. Being close to the city it was easy for me to see the theater and participate in summer programs and everything the city had to offer. I grew up in a very musical home, there was always music playing, of every genre. My mother is a gifted piano player, she was in a band in high school, but she never did it professionally. My father worked in radio
38 October 2014
so there were always cassettes and records and CDs around the house.” Italian-American families always seem to be musical. “Yes - people always ask me how such a big voice comes out of such a little body - I’m really short - and I say I’m Italian, we’re born yelling!” Most people will first have heard of Christina on YouTube. Videos of her singing ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart,’ Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ and ‘Let It Go’ from Disney’s Frozen in the voices of a myriad of divas have totalled nearly fifteen million views at the time of writing. She impersonates, among many more, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Adele, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Bernadette Peters, Bette Midler, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Edith Piaf, Gwen Stefani, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Alanis Morissette, Idina Menzel, Kelly Clarkson, Kristin Chenoweth, Liza Minnelli, Norah Jones, Patti LuPone, Shakira, Zooey Deschanel and, er, Sarah Palin. She had done a lot on stage before, but was YouTube Christina’s big break? “I posted a few for family and friends just for fun, as you do, three or four years ago. The ‘Firework’ one went ‘semi-viral’ and Capital FM radio in England asked me to do something for them. Shortly thereafter I was making my British
debut at the Hippodrome Casino, so I thought it would be nice - we’d book a few shows and cancel one if they didn’t sell. In August of last year I posted the ‘Total Eclipse...’ video and never did I imagine it would change my career so much. The Hippodrome shows all sold out and we added more. Treat yourself and take a look, and keep an eye on YouTube for her new videos. “I’ve always performed, but only recently have I added the impressions. Now my audience is not only cabaret-lovers, but young kids who like the contemporary impressions like Britney Spears, and an older crowd who know me from the Paul O’Grady television show in England - they like that I do Edith Piaf.” Christina does well over 50 voices and is adding more all the time - one new impression is the young singer and actress Ariana Grande. “I’ve always been such an Anglophile. I joke that I was born on the wrong continent. All the kids at school would rush home and watch Full House and Family Ties, and I’d be watching Absolutely Fabulous and Blackadder. I love speaking impressions too and I’m working on Miranda Hart - a very different voice from mine. Katherine Parkinson from The IT Crowd is my all-time favorite right now. [Christina gives a
The American
spontaneous burst of Katherine - it’s right on the button]. I even sneaked her into Forbidden Broadway for a line, just to crack myself up! In New York Christina was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her part in Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab. “I got very lucky - I always wanted to be in that show. I went to see it as a kid and had all the CDs. When I was cast in the show it had been running for 28 years and I thought I had a job for life! The edition I was in was when the writer, Gerard Alessandrini, announced he didn’t want to do it any more! To do it again on an even bigger scale in London - my favorite city - I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” Has London lived up to Christina’s expectations? “I love New York City, but the few things I don’t like about it, I think London has got right. Perhaps I’m still looking at it through rose-colored glasses but I think there’s so much history here, there’s a built-in understanding and respect. It’s cleaner, especially in the Tube, and they take a little more care. They don’t tear down as many landmark buildings like in New York. My city’s probably going to kick me out next time I go back!” Christina comes to London fresh from starring in her show Divallusion at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. “There’s nothing like the energy in Edinburgh, but it was a whirlwind - I had a gig in the States the night before I flew to Edinburgh, did 22 shows in 22 days then flew back to the States for a wedding and back to London for Forbidden Broadway rehearsals.” Offstage, Christina loves nothing better than reading classic and history books and her plans include visiting the British Library and
taking literary tours and walks. She loves Jane Austin and would love to visit Georgian Bath, “We don’t have anything like that in the States,” and the Lake District is calling too. Finally, what is the best thing about being Christina Bianco? “Right now it’s getting the opportu-
nity to take advantage of everything that the YouTube social media world has presented me with. I always wanted to travel, and my favorite thing to do is perform, so to get to do both together and to fill venues in places where I don’t really know anyone is really special.”
October 2014 39
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BOOK REVIEWS
The Washingtons of Tring
by Murray Neil Tring & District Local History & Museum Society 44 pages, £5.95 ISBN: 978-0954986025
I Joke Too Much - The Theatre Director’s Tale By Michael Rudman Capercaillie Books, £9.99 272 pages ISBN: 9781909305823 “That’s enough of your damn jokes” growled Arthur Miller, which gave Anglophile theater director Michael Rudman the title for this soufflé of a memoir. Rudman comes across here as witty and urbane but also solid, reliable, patient and even tempered, in fact the epitome of the perfect English gent. He’s nothing of the sort however being a born and bred ‘Texan Jew’. Educated at Oberlin College in Ohio and then Oxford, where he became drama society president, he got his break as assistant to John Neville at Nottingham Playhouse in the dying years of the old Repertory system in the mid ‘60s. By the ‘70s he had his first Artistic Director job, at the gritty and socially aware Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. Budgets there were meagre but he reflects that “If there is no set there can be no design concept and interpretation becomes more important than creativity”.
40 October 2014
Sage words indeed. Next he ran the Hampstead Theatre during a golden period when it premiered classics like Abigail’s Party but, he concludes, “Small theaters seldom produce plays that work in large ones”. Then Peter Hall nabbed him to run the National Theatre’s Lyttleton during one of its beleaguered periods. On subsidised vs commercial theater he reflects that “where money drives the ego rises” whereas in subsidised houses big stars often put up with “just enough”. He’s had many West End and Broadway successes under his belt and even survived directing Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman. His career hit the buffers though when running Chichester Festival Theatre. That Christmas he relates how he had cards from 5 different lawyers, each involved in various aspects of his then imploding professional and personal life. There are few who could match his experience in everything from British regional theaters to Broadway and this book is a feast for theater lovers. Highly recommended. – Jarlath O’Connell
Murray Neil is a Brit with a keen interest in American history. On a tour round Civil War sites in Virginia, his long-suffering wife Janice announced that she was “battlefielded out” and suggested visiting Ferry Farm, where George Washington chopped down the famous cherry tree. Neil was not keen, but is now grateful for Janice’s prodding as the trip gave him the inspiration for this booklet - inadvertently, as they missed Ferry Farm but ended up at Pope’s Creek Plantation where George was born. The Washingtons of Tring follows the first president’s family tree back to Britain, specifically to the place from which the bloodline set off for the New World. Washington’s family may have originated in Scotland, but it was from Tring in Hertfordshire that George’s great-grandfather John emigrated in 1656. At 44 stapled pages, this is a slim volume, but it is packed with historical information and some interpretation and is copiously illustrated with 30 drwaings and paintingss, a map and a family tree. It makes for a fascinating read, and a useful guidebook if you want to trace Washington’s family back through the years to Tring, a short journey and easy from London. A highly recommended trip. – Michael Burland
The American
Style AND Substance T
here’s one problem with Volkswagen’s Golf – decades of success. They’re so ubiquitous it’s easy to look past them without a second glance. But for the car-buyer, as opposed to -spotter, that could be a big mistake. We took a look at the seventh generation of the evergreen hatchback, celebrating its 40th birthday this year, to see if it’s a good choice for expatriates. First impression: slight confusion. I thought the delivery guy had brought a Polo. But a Golf it was. Neater, svelter, less boxy than previous iterations, despite being slightly wider and longer than the last model, and over 200 pounds lighter. Once inside, it’s definitely a Golf. High quality materials and sophisticated design make the interior a good place to spend journeys. I installed two teenagers in back to check for space. They’re used to VW compacts, the family runabout is a Bora (Jetta) V5 bought as a temporary vehicle - a quarter-million miles later we still can’t bear to part with it. They were cramped for legroom ...until I realized I’d run my seat all the way back. Despite being a 6 footer with longish legs I had to slide it forward to reach the pedals. Verdict? “Loads of room, Daddy!” There’s no leather in the GT ...and it’s not missed. Instead you get grey ‘techno’ fabric contrasting with Alcantara panels on the grippy, side-bolstered front seats. Smart and effective, like the matt black
Fine design - Golf shines at American Museum in Britain’s Kaffe Fassett exhibition
plastics offset by piano black panels, aluminum-alike inserts and subtle light-strips on the doorcaps. Handy pools of light shine down on lurking puddles as you open the doors. The infotainment system has great sound quality with iPod connection, Jukebox (load all your albums to the 64 GB hard drive), DVD drive and DAB/FM/AM radio, allied to an accurate, informative satnav with a choice of fastest/ shortest/eco-friendliest routes and a reversing camera, all controlled from the 8 inch color touch-screen. The GT badge implies speed in comfort, but it’s also labelled BlueMotion, which means energysaving. Can it balance these two objectives? No problem. In mixed traffic including countryside heaven and cross-London rush-hour hell we achieved a creditable 51mpg (62 is claimed). The automatic start/stop was responsible for much of this fuel-saving, but it was intrusive in this diesel version, if only because of the gruff start-up noise.
The 2 liter common-rail turbodiesel plant gives as much acceleration and velocity through the 6-speed autobox as you’ll need on Britain’s congested, camera-infested roads, especially in Sport mode. Handling is unnoticable. Which is a good thing. No matter what the UK’s crumbling roads could throw at it the Golf handled it, shrugging off potholes and ruts. So, is there anything to criticize about the seventh Golf? Yes, but you’d have to be snippy. The autodip rear mirror takes up a lot of windshield real estate – you have to peer round it at left junctions. Road and wind noise is surprisingly loud. It’s a bit tricky to exit the passenger (left) front door elegantly as the seat holds you firmly in place. And the boot could be a smidge bigger. Er... Is the Golf VII a car you’ll fall in love with like, say, an Alfa Romeo? No. Will you respect, admire and rely on it? Absolutely, just like previous generations of arguably the best hatchback ever.
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Interdependence Can it live in harmony with a nation’s individual identity? asks Dr Alison Holmes
N
ot long ago, this column considered the situation in California (currently considering splitting into six pieces) and compared it, tongue in cheek, with Scotland, as far as their referenda on their positions in the world. I asked whether there is ever such a thing as a ‘civilized way’ to split the governance and government of a place - any place - into its constituent parts? ‘Devolution’, and its deadly cousin ‘Secession’, are big words and great care must be taken with fire and even sparks when traveling such dry, tinderbox roads. The campaign in Scotland has reached its climax - a vote against independence, at least for now - and a tiny voice suggests it is not California, but Crimea that will make the better basis for comparison in future. Nationalism has a checkered past, at best. One commentator, speaking with a Scottish voter who changed his vote from ‘Better Together’ to ‘Yes’, asked him why? The articulate and engaged voter made some interesting but potentially worrying comments, not only for Scotland but for the future of democracy: he flipped his vote because the Yes campaign consistently used the language of internationalism and spoke of Scotland’s place in the world. He wanted to understand the global forces at work and be in a better position to
42 October 2014
deal with them - directly. The irony is that to reach his ideal of cosmopolitanism he first had to declare all things Sassenach unacceptable and make a grab for financial assets that have been shared for decades or centuries, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among his fellows. Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, recently considered the idea that Crimea marks the end of this current era of globalization. Global branding and a rush of economics to the head throughout much of the ‘80s and ‘90s swept all before it in what seemed, to many, a headlong effort at homogenization, yet the new millennium has brought the nationalist pendulum swinging back with a vengeance. Leonard argues that the increasingly regular tiffs between various states and the icons such as McDonalds are harbingers of that backlash and will only increase. Leonard is basically coming round to the idea posed some time ago by this author that these movements, despite their own belief that they are entirely unique, are part of a much bigger picture in terms of the cycles of globalization. The Scottish voter wants to be part of the bigger world, but he already has his wish, given that he is joining the legacy of nationalist,
secessionist and anarchistic movements throughout history in previous eras of globalization - and that are spreading once again around the world today. The current story of Crimea, told with one eye on its past, offers some instructive points. During the Balkans crisis of the 1990s, that region was often set out as a ‘crash zone’ between civilizations, a theory offered as a way to comprehend the deep and apparently unforgivable stories of neighbor against neighbor. Belgrade, we were told, had been a veritable Vienna, a cosmopolitan hub that disintegrated into a Hobbesian world of all against all with alarming alacrity. Crimea, in contrast, was not a hub from which such ideals emanated, but an outpost, a bastion of civilization against the nomads and the tribes of the steppes - until said nomads ended up in control. For four centuries, it was the core of the Crimean Khanate, a Turkic vassal of the Ottomans, but encompassing all the surrounding territories and still managing to maintain relative sovereignty. This kind of precarious existence continued into the modern era as it became part of the Russian Empire in 1783, and was passed to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1917 after the Russian Revolution. After World War Two, it became the Crimean Oblast,
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IMAGE ŠELIZABETH ARROTT,VOICE OF AMERICA
but in 1954 was transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. With the fall of the Soviet empire, it became the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 1991 - but only within the newly independent Ukraine. Crimea has always been separate, but somehow conjoined by circumstance with hostile and uncertain neighbors. Neither truly Russian nor Ukrainian, Crimea steadfastly remained a mixture of centuries-old tribes and clans, brought together, only to be a vassal to powers outside. Even if one accepts the idea that the nationalists of Scotland are at one with other nationalist causes in the world - and many Yes campaigners would doubtless mistrust that assertion as a trap - what does the story of Crimea have to do with Scotland?
Russian-troops with no ID at Simferopol Airport, Crimea
Nothing and everything. Both are nations of mixed tribes and conflicting loyalties. The nomads and the tribes of the steppes may have little in common with the crofters and shepherds from the highlands to the borders, but both are proud and largely autonomous nations. Scotland produced both a declaration of independence - the first such documented event in history - as early as 1320, as well as a complicated union of the crowns in 1707. Crimea continued to mint their own coins and use their rulers’ names in Friday prayers as the Khanate and negotiate constitutions with the Soviets. The symbols of sovereignty are present at every turn, but inextricably linked to others at all times. What does independence gain that cooperation has failed to produce? What was won or lost by being at
one and the same time separate but together - joined but not joint? There is no way to turn back time to discover what might have happened if Crimea had been able to withstand outside pressures to preserve their peninsular world - or to see what Scotland would be like had they not stepped into the Union. The referendum in Crimea has been declared by most governments and bodies as illegal, yet polls as far back as the 1990s indicated that the ethnic make-up of Crimea is overwhelmingly Russian and the sentiment to rejoin Russia or at least break away from Ukraine - was strong. Scots also argued that they long desired a break from the United Kingdom but were denied the choice. It is a relief that their referendum was a peaceful one. However, the most important
October 2014 43
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Alex Salmond, First Minister, at the re-opening of Glenglassaugh Distillery IMAGE ©JOHN PAUL PHOTOGRAPHER
question is not found in a referendum on devolution or even secession, but in the crisis of legitimacy at all levels. The idea that we can have many identities without sacrificing any one to another, or that the gains of recognizing interdependence and the pooling of identity do not destroy the individual’s voice is a conundrum we must urgently resolve. World War One is now widely recognized as the collapse of order at the end of the most recent era of globalization. The current wars are not ‘global’, but their tactics and rhetoric - and savagery - continue to spread to other local/regional/nationalist conflicts. The question asked in that previous column bears repeating: Should I stay or should I go? Either way, be very careful what you wish for.
NEVERENDUM
‘Stay’ was the resounding view of the Scottish people and the air of the morning after was redolent with the sound of swearing. David Cameron vowed to devolve more powers to Scotland. Gordon Brown vowed to ensure those promises are upheld. Perhaps the most interest-
44 October 2014
ing vows, however, are those of the First Minster, soon to be ex- leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond. He did a great deal of swearing prior to polling day, promising to honor the vote - whatever the outcome - and making him the first to break his word. For now, politicians must praise him to the skies, because volunteering to leave the leadership of a party is akin to a political funeral in that it prohibits colleagues and opponents alike from speaking ill of the ‘dead’. Yet even the heaped accolades and compliments have not stopped Salmond from accusing Westminster of ‘tricking’ the electorate, thereby not only breaking his promise to honor the result, but insulting the Scottish people by asserting they didn’t understand what they were voting for. Further, neither the outcome nor the acclaim have stopped him from making what could become a more ominous vow: he will carry on the fight for independence. Slipping the stays of leadership, Salmond has freed himself to once again stir the ancient fires in Glasgow and elsewhere. He will doubt-
less preach civic nationalism, but continue to serve his true masters of division and secession, viewing any Scot who might dare to believe their future lies in the United Kingdom as one who can nae be a leal Scot. Like many nationalists before him, Salmond has not and will not honor the spirit of the referendum, even if he appears to honor the numerical result. He will fight on for his own narrow view of the Scottish nation and of what Scottish identity is - and should be forever. Dr. Alison Holmes is Asst. Professor of International Studies and Politics at Humboldt State University in northern California. Previously, she lived in the UK for over 20 years and worked in national politics and at the BBC, ran the London office of BritishAmerican Business and was speechwriter to the US Ambassador. A PhD in International Relations (LSE) she has been an Associate Fellow at the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford, Pierre Keller Fellow of Transatlantic Studies at Yale, and a Churchill Memorial Trust History Fellow.
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IMAGE © GARY BAKER
The American
NFL International Series Gary Jordan previews the upcoming matches at Wembley
T
he ninth and tenth editions of the NFL International Series games roll into London’s Wembley Stadium over the coming month to once again showcase everything the game has to offer, whether it’s tailgating in the Fan Plaza as part of your pre-game experience, or just enjoying all the big plays and hard hits on the field as the teams battle it out for a priceless win. First up on 28th September, we have the Oakland Raiders as the home team, against the Miami Dolphins. The infamous “Black Hole”, the denizen of the most hardcore Raiders fans, will be relocated for one week into the heart of the famous stadium. Oakland may need more than just fervent fan support as the team has not had the best of starts this season. The decision made in the off-season to go with rookie Quarterback Derek Carr hasn’t paid off just yet, and we’ve yet to see the full explosive potential of Linebacker Khalil Mack, who was selected fifth overall in this year’s draft.
46 October 2014
One Raider that will be sure of a big cheer is Manchester born Menelik Watson. The 25 year old Offensive Tackle is enjoying his second season in Oakland after impressing during pre-season. Their opponents were pioneers in terms of playing in the International Series games, they were narrowly defeated by the New York Giants back in the first regular season game to be played here in 2007. They have had a mixed start to the 2014 campaign, enjoying a comeback win against New England on opening day, only to fall to another division foe Buffalo the following week. Look for some big play action from their star Wide Receiver Mike Wallace, if given time Dolphins QB will have a good day against a weak Raiders defense. Another key in the game will be the hard running of Knowshon Moreno who is enjoying a new start in his career in Miami after being let go by Denver early this year. Just four weeks later we have the second of the three London games
this year, as the Detroit Lions play the Atlanta Falcons, with the Georgia based team being the hosts. This game will be another first for the NFL as it has a 1.30pm kickoff time, which translates to an early breakfast game for those watching in the States. So what can fans expect in this one as they eat their cereal? The match will probably be won and lost through the air as both teams have hugely talented QB-WR tandems to call upon. Atlanta are bouncing back well from a truly awful 2013 and Matt Ryan will be looking for his, now back from injury, favorite receiver Julio Jones. On the opposite offense Matthew Stafford will be scorching the air with Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. The pair is always an impressive duo to watch and when on top of their game they’re virtually unstoppable. London NFL fans have never had it as good as they have in 2014, and I’m sure we are well on the way to having our own franchise to cheer on soon.
The American
The Playoffs Jay B Webster gears up for the MLB season finale
B
y many metrics, October is the pinnacle of the American sports calendar. Just as the NFL and college football are back on the gridiron and the NHL is pulling the skates back on, Major League baseball is getting ready to write another script for a memorable run to World Series glory. There were highs and there were lows over the course of a season filled with long hot summer nights, and whether you agree with it or not, the second wild card again brought more drama to more teams fighting for their shot at October success, even if it turns out to be just one single game. The wild card game itself hardly feels like making the playoffs really. It’s more like a play-in game to make the proper playoffs, but in the record books, it counts as earning a playoff berth. On the field, the Orioles, Nationals and Angels didn’t leave a lot of suspense in their respective divisions. A year ago the Angels finished a distant 18 games behind the A’s. This year, a September hot streak, coupled with struggles in Oakland saw a one-game Angels
48 October 2014
The Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout racked up monster numbers in the second half of the season IMAGE ©KEITH ALLISON
lead balloon to double digits over a two week span. After a slowish start, Mike Trout put up more usual monster numbers over the second half, and he’ll get the first chance to leave an October impact in his young career. After losing in heartbreaking fashion the past two post seasons to Justin Verlander and the Tigers, the A’s went all-in during July, trading for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jon Lester in an effort to match up pitcher for pitcher come playoff time. But at some point along the way, the A’s forgot how to score runs, losing 21 of 30 games at one point, going from six games up in the AL West to a double-digit deficit. The Orioles may have run away from a weakened AL East this year, but not without a cost. The loss of stars Manny Machado and Matt Wieters to injury were compounded when slugging first baseman Chris Davis was suspended 25 games for violating baseball’s substance abuse policy. While Davis was hitting just .126 at the time of the suspension, he had slugged 26 homers and driven in 72 runs. For a team that
thrives on the long ball, questions remain as to whether the Orioles can overcome so many losses to make a deep October run. It was good to see meaningful baseball being played in September in Kansas City for the first time since the Reagan administration. The Royals were the antithesis of the Orioles’ powerful offense, relying on good old-fashioned ‘small ball’, solid defense and a lights-out bull pen to stay in the hunt. Over in the National League, the Nationals played consistent if largely unspectacular baseball throughout the summer to stay atop the NL East. The Brewers held on to the NL Central lead for over 100 days before the Cardinals took advantage of a catastrophic collapse in Milwaukee. Despite spinning their wheels for much of the season, Mike Matheny and the Cards did what they seem to do every year, which is win when it counts most and find a way to be relevant in September. Recent history has shown that the Red Birds are very hard to write off at crunch time. And having Adam Wainwright to run out to the mound when you
IMAGE ©ROBERT COUSE-BAKER
America’s Cup 2013 Oracle Team USA
America’s Cup goes Pro need a win doesn’t hurt either. On the left coast, the Giants and Dodgers slugged it out in a highly entertaining push for the NL West. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke form as devastating a one-two punch as there is in baseball, but third starter HyunJin Ryu’s shoulder was a cause for major concern in mid September. While Kershaw and Greinke are as good as they come, it’s asking a lot for two arms to carry a whole team for two months of critical baseball games, no matter how good they are. So who steps up to grab the glory this year? Pitching is so important come October, and teams with top-flight pitching will always have an edge. But October has a way of seeking out heroes in unlikely places. The focus is often on the superstars, but they often get pitched around or don’t come to bat when things are on the line. Baseball in October demands that someone step up when it counts most, and it’s not always who we expect. Remember Jonny Gomes’ three-run homer for Boston in a must-win Game 4 of last year’s World Series, to name but one? It’s what makes October baseball the thrilling spectacle that it is. Someone will take up the mantle of hero and run with it on the biggest stage of all again this year. And we get to sit back and see who will be.
Sailing’s set to get the F1 treatment, says Sabrina Sully
T
he America’s Cup organizers have appointed Dr. Harvey Schiller as Commercial Commissioner for the 35th America’s Cup, in a move to bring possibly the last of the great amateur challenges into the megabucks pro world. The Commercial Commissioner, a new role at the America’s Cup, is responsible for supervising, managing and protecting the commercial interests of the Cup, working closely with the competitors, the Regatta Director, and the America’s Cup Event Authority. This step change in the oldest international sporting trophy, which has remained firmly in the ‘gentlemanly’ sport category ‘til now, is being driven by billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, together with the main international players, including of course, Sir Ben Ainslie the hero Brit tactician for Oracle USA last year. Their aim is to make an international brand as big as football, soccer and Formula 1 racing, earning megabucks, rather than expending them. Sir Ben said that the strong teams for last year’s challenge got on so well and it has grown from that. Dr Schiller confirmed at the London press conference “This used to be a Tier One sport way back and it’s time to get its place back up there with the world’s leading sports.” He will be concentrating on the broadcasting rights for the 35th America’s
Cup, which begins in 2015 with the America’s Cup World Series, many of which will be hosted by the competing teams and raced in venues around the world. Racing will be in AC45 wingsailed catamarans and according to Luna Rossa’s Max Sirena, the boats might be converted to foiling AC45s before the first event. This feeds into the main events in 2017, which will narrow the field to just two: the top challenger and the defender, Oracle Team USA, who will then face each other in the America’s Cup Match which will be held either in Bermuda, San Diego or Hawaii (Ellison owns an island), decided by the end of the year. The skippers for the six teams of the 35th America’s Cup are: Oracle Team USA (USA) – James Spithill Artemis Racing (SWE) – Nathan Outteridge Ben Ainslie Racing (GBR) – Ben Ainslie Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Dean Barker Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) – Max Sirena Team France (FRA) - Franck Cammas
So, it looks like we’ll have to put up with the commercialisation, the America’s Cup, with its knife-edge technical innovation, comparable with F1, is overdue this makeover. The good news is that we will get exciting racing regularly now, good TV coverage, and sailing will be restored to its proper place as a major international sport.
October 2014 49
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THE
NHL’S NEW NARRATIVES Jeremy Lanaway looks forward to the new season
T
he first puck-drop of the 2014-15 NHL season is fast approaching, giving fans the occasion to ask ageold questions about the state of the league. Which team made the best moves in the off-season? Which one will ice a roster deep enough to climb the rungs of their divisional ladder? Which one is cellar-bound? Every fan worth their salt has the answers, of course, but only the league’s points column – which will receive its first injection of twos, ones and zeroes on 8th October – will reveal which answers are more than armchair speculation. But predicting the winners and losers is only half the fun. Getting abreast of the storylines about to unfold is what the pre-season is all about.
Bending the rules
The NHL Competition Committee, the NHL Board of Governors and the NHL Players Association have approved a number of minor tweaks to the league’s rulebook. The rule changes, devised by the NHL’s thirty general managers six months ago in Boca Raton, Florida, are meant to boost offence – something that the league, owners and GMs have coveted for several
50 October 2014
years. Some of the changes include increasing the width of the goalie trapezoid from eighteen to twentytwo feet; expanding the scope of tripping calls; and getting teams to switch ends between the third period and overtime. Widening the trapezoid will provide goaltenders with more leeway to handle the puck outside the crease, but it will also produce more goalie giveaways, leading to more goals. Tweaking tripping calls will prevent defenders from making contact with the puck and then tripping forwards will a lunging sweep-check – a tactic that has been on the rise in recent years. Getting teams to swap ends after the third period will cause overtime to become more like the middle frame, when defencemen have to cover more ice to make a change on the fly, giving forwards a distinct advantage over them. Analysts predict that overtime will see a spike in goal-scoring, bringing it closer to the scoring percentage of the second period, in which 36 percent of the NHL’s goals are scored (compared to 30 percent in the first period, and 34 percent in the third period).
Pacific push
Last year’s Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings – who lifted their second chalice in three seasons – have become the gold standard of the league, and it’s no wonder that they call the Pacific Division their home. In fact, three teams from the ultra-competitive grouping – the Kings, the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks – finished among the league’s top ten teams, with 100, 111 and 116 points respectively. The Sharks stuck to the script and nosedived in the playoffs last spring, becoming only the fourth team in the NHL’s 97-year history to lose a series after winning the first three games, but they have the roster talent, experience and drive to maintain their status as one of the league’s top teams in the regular season – and more than ever before, they have something to prove. However, it looks like the real threat in the Western Conference will be the Ducks, whom many are tipping to be the last team standing come spring. Their off-season acquisition of all-star centreman Ryan Kesler, who agreed to waive his no-trade clause with the Vancouver
The American
PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
The Thrill of NHL, here provided by Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and the LA Kings
Canucks to go to a Cup contender, gave the team’s already talentheavy roster a further boost. Only time will tell if the Ducks will succeed in translating their on-paper dominance into another 116-point season, especially with the Kings looking to expand upon their dynasty, but the Ducks certainly have all the pieces needed to build a franchise season.
Changing of the guard?
Thanks to strong drafting in recent seasons and even stronger player development programmes, several youthful upstarts are poised to knock the league’s marquee teams – the Boston Bruins, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Pittsburgh
Penguins – from their usual perch atop the standings. The Colorado Avalanche, coached by the alwayspolarising Patrick Roy, finished third in the league last season, and have the talent and hunger to build on this in 2014-15. Ditto for the St Louis Blues, who picked up centreman Paul Stastny in the off-season in an effort to build on the 111 points that they amassed last season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who possess arguably the top sniper in the world in their captain, Steven Stamkos, whose hunger for success is palpable. Of course, for these up-andcoming teams to actually come up in the standings, they’ll need to beat – on a night in, night out basis
– the league’s elite. Are the Bruins, Blackhawks and Penguins ready to crest the hill of their success, or are they intent on holding onto the league’s priciest real estate? The Blackhawks and the Penguins still have the personnel to maintain their dominance, and the Penguins have a lot to prove after underachieving last season, not only to themselves and their fan-base, but also to their new head coach, Mike Johnston, who faces the daunting task of proving himself as a rookie head coach in one of the league’s top markets. As for the Bruins, well, they’re the Bruins, so pushing them down the standings will be far from easy. Things are about to get very interesting.
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The American
Eagle Eyed Runners and Ryders - Darren Kilfara looks at the USA’s chances in this year’s Ryder Cup
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n early September 2006, I went to a corporate golf outing at the Duke’s Course in St. Andrews hosted by Colin Montgomerie. (No, I wasn’t being punished.) The Ryder Cup was being held at the K Club in a few weeks, and I was the only person in attendance who would be rooting against Team Europe; thankfully I’ve repressed much of what happened that day, but I do remember that my foursome played a par 3 with Monty, and as we walked from tee to green I asked him what he thought of the four rookies in the American squad. “To be honest, I’ve not really heard of them before,” he smirked. That year’s rainy slog through an Irish bog may have ended my obsession with the Ryder Cup. 2002 was bad, losing at the Belfry (again); 2004 was hopeless, but it felt like a freak one-off facilitated by Hal Sutton’s captaincy, and at least Oakland Hills was a proper golf course. 2006, at an unworthy venue with little history, or drainage, to speak of, was just depressing. And of those four rookies, Zach Johnson won the very next major championship and has become an excellent Tour Pro, but the other three…well, you’re a better man and
52 October 2014
bigger golf geek than I am if you still remember the names JJ Henry, Vaughn Taylor and Brett Wetterich. I’ve dredged up these memories because somehow, I’ve felt even less optimistic this year than I did in 2006. Rory McIlroy is apparently the new Tiger Woods after all; McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose are 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the latest World Golf Rankings. The highest-ranked American player, Jim Furyk (7th), last won a tournament in 2010. Most importantly, Europeans almost always raise their games for the Ryder Cup, while Americans often lower them. If the USA can’t win when it has the better squad on paper, how can it win when it doesn’t? And yet... the more I think about it, the less depressed I actually feel. Here’s why: 1) The Ryder Cup is a three-day sprint, not a referendum on two years of worldwide results, anything can happen. It often does.
2) Form is temporary, and the form which Team USA lacks is the sort you need to be consistent in 72-hole strokeplay events, not matchplay shootouts. Much ink will be spilled in hyping the recent form, or lack thereof, of the 24 participants before the event. Ignore it all. 3) Class is permanent, and strength in depth matters. As of the start of September, the average World Ranking of the 12 US players is 16.25; the European average is 18.58. By comparison, the average ranking of the 2006 US team was 29.41…and that team included the three best players in the world. This Ryder Cup feels like a mismatch – it isn’t. 4) The captains always somehow matter more than they ought to, and Watson vs. McGinley in Scotland feels like Hannibal vs. Varro in Italy. I like this matchup a lot. But really, nobody knows anything about the Ryder Cup. It’s a crapshoot which screams “small sample size”: don’t get sucked into thinking a few tosses of the dice have any predictive value for the next one. Tom Watson won’t, and he’ll make sure his players won’t either. Team USA will be fine. It’s on, y’all. Darren Kilfara formerly worked for Golf Digest magazine and is the author of A Golfer’s Education, a memoir of his junior year abroad as a student-golfer at the University of St. Andrews. His new book is a novel called Do You Want Total War?
2014 captains Tom Watson & Paul McGinley IMAGE ©ANDREW REDINGTON/GETTY IMAGES, COURTESY VISITSCOTLAND
The American
Football losses mounting? Worry not, writes Richard L Gale, at least for Heisman hype
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hin up (to use a Britishism) – it’s all still to play for. Just two weeks into NFL season, sports statisticians assail us with the staggering analysis that teams that start 2-0 do significantly better than those that start 0-2. By the time you read this, we could be four or five weeks in, but no matter, in the scramble for a Super Bowl berth, hope springs eternal. You can win a division at 8-8 (and 7-9 isn’t unknown), so even if your team is 2-6 at the end of October, that still isn’t curtains. College football is another matter, as different a dynamic to the NFL as cup versus league, match play versus stroke play. While the NFL throws a lifeline to teams that find form late (good news for the NY Giants, who’ve started the season looking like strangers to one another), college football demands a rush to judgement. Play is barely underway and those inter conference games are already hobbling the hopes of would-be contenders, and establishing the pecking order of which conferences are elite, and which conference champion will drag an asterisk like an anchor when the Playoff committee begins its conversations.
The Big Ten is already in trouble. Michigan State lost to Oregon, Ohio State to VTech, Wisconsin to LSU... The Big Ten has made a case for their champion to be left out in the cold. Of course, early-season stumbles don’t hurt as badly as late-season pratfalls. If USC runs the table from here on, beats UCLA, takes care of in-form Notre Dame, and slaps the quack out of Oregon in December, the loss to Boston College probably doesn’t weigh them down. Some teams just have more wiggle room than others, either through vestigial claim as a preseason national contender, or through a back-loaded schedule full of the right calibre of foe. Virginia Tech’s loss to East Carolina probably requires they win all the way to an upset of an unbeaten FSU in the ACC championship game. The very definition of a ‘serious contender’ in college football may be a team that’s still in the conversation with a loss. USC may still be. Most of the SEC could probably sustain one bruise and play on. But in the first year According to Woody Allen, 80% of success is showing up. Braxton Miller didn’t make it to the opening snap, Ohio State didn’t survive its non-conference games, and the Big Ten, like Miller, is suddenly old news. © OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
of the playoff committee, I’m not sure anybody is in the running with two losses. For this year at least, an unbeaten from a mid-major probably trumps even a two-loss Alabama, if only to make a point. Some of the other Power 5 teams may not even be able to spare one. Could Oklahoma lose one in October and still be in the playoff mix? Maybe. Baylor? Texas Tech? Less likely. By the way, the last time a unanimous National Champion from a conference other than the SEC had even a single loss was 1993 (Florida State). The same is less assuredly so of Heisman contenders. In the past 10 campaigns, 6 winners helmed unbeaten teams at vote-counting time, and one more had a single loss. The other three, with 3, 3 and 2 losses respectively, were players with legendary show reels and reps: Tim Tebow, RGIII and Johnny Football. They also took most of those losses in the month of October, before rolling all media before them in November. A player can win a Heisman with October losses, a National Championship less so. For the NFL, the conversation hasn’t started. For college playoffs, it’s about not playing yourself out of the conversation. For the Heisman, it’s talking yourself in. September isn’t the end of the conversation, but it is the end of introductions. If Heisman voters don’t know the name when October calls – whatever his win-loss – he won’t be in the discussion come December.
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American ORGANIZATIONS
American Friends of Gladstone Library Britain’s only Prime Ministerial library. www.gladstoneslibrary-us.com annette.lewis@gladlib.org American Friends of the Jewish Museum London Stephen Goldman Tel. 020 7284 7363 stephen.goldman@jewishmuseum.org.uk www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/american-friends American Friends of the Lyric Theatre Ireland Crannóg House, 44 Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast, BT9 5FL, Northern Ireland Angela McCloskey info@americanfriendsofthelyric.com www.americanfriendsofthelyric.com/
An index of useful resources in the UK Is your group or organization fundraising or running an upcoming event you would like more people to know about? Does your free entry need amendments? Would you like a profile article about your organization? Let us know – we rely on you to keep us up to date! Telephone 01747 830520 or email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk.
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999 (NOT 911) 101 nhs.uk 111 0845 4647
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CIVIC & SERVICES American Church in London Senior Pastor: Rev. John D’Elia. Sunday School 9.45am, Sunday Worship 11am, child care provided. 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD Tel: 020 7580 2791/07771 642875 www.amchurch.co.uk churchsecretary@amchurch.co.uk American Institute of Architects 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX 020 3318 5722 membership@aiauk.org, www.aiauk.org American Citizens Abroad (ACA) 5 Rue Liotard, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland +41.22.340.02.33 info.aca@gmail.com www.americansabroad.org
54 October 2014
American Friends of the National Portrait Gallery Stacey Ogg and Charlotte Savery, Individual Giving Managers 020 7312 2444 individualgiving@npg.org.uk www.npg.org.uk/support.php
American Red Cross RAF Mildenhall 01638 543742 After Hours (Toll free) +001 877 272 7337 red.crossv3@mildenhall.af.mil
American Friends of the Philharmonia Orchestra Jennifer Davies, Development Director jennifer.davies@philharmonia.co.uk www.philharmonia.co.uk/support/friends/afpo/
American Friends of Historic Royal Palaces Chris Martin and Harriet James 020 3166 6321, harriet.james@hrp.org.uk www.hrp.org.uk/supportus/donatingfromtheusa
American Friends of the Royal Court Theatre U.S.: Laurie Beckelman, Beckelman and Capalino +1.212.616.5822 laurie@beckcap.com UK: Gaby Styles, Head of Development 020 7565 5060 gabystyles@royalcourttheatre.com or info@afrct.org
American Friends of the Almeida Theatre, Inc. USA: 950 Third Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10022 UK: Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London N1 1TA www.almeida.co.uk/supportus/individual-support/ american-friends American Friends of Chickenshed Theatre USA: c/o Chapel & York PMB293, 601 Penn Ave NW, Suite 900 S Bldg, Washington, DC 20004 UK: Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 4PE www.chickenshed.org.uk
American Friends of Sadler’s Wells USA: 222 Park Avenue South, 10A, New York, NY 10003 +1.917.539.9021 americanfriends@sadlerswells.com www.sadlerswells.com/page/american-friends UK: 020 7863 8134 development@sadlerswells.com
American Friends of the Royal Society http://royalsociety.org/Overseas-Donations American Friends of St. Bartholomew the Great U.S.: John Eagleson 2925 Briarpark, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77042 UK: 20 7606 5171 admin@greatstbarts.com
American Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery 020 8299 8726, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk American Friends of English National Opera (ENO) American Friends Coordinator London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES 0207 845 9331 Americanfriends@eno.org www.eno.org/support/individual/memberships American Friends of the British Museum The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. 020 7323 8590 www.britishmuseum.org American Friends of the Donmar Inc. 020 7845 5810, sdittmer@donmarwarehouse.com www.donmarwarehouse.com/p46.html
American Friends of the Royal Institution of Great Britain U.S.: c/o Chapel & York Limited, PMB #293, South Building Washington, DC 20004 UK: The Development Office, Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS 020 7670 2991 kdodd@ri.ac.uk www.rigb.org
American Friends of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust U.S.: John Chwat, President 625 Slaters Lane, Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22314 +1. 703.684.7703, info@americanfriendsofsbt.org www.americanfriendsofsbt.org American Friends of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Inc. U.S.: Diana Seaton, Executive Director 61 Londonderry Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830 +1.203.536.4328 diana.seaton@afvam.org www.afvam.org UK: 020 7942 2149
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American Friends of Wigmore Hall U.S.: c/o Chapel and York, 1000 N West Street Suite 1200, Wilmington DE 19801 UK: 020 7258 8220 mhosterweil@wigmore-hall.org.uk
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 66-68 Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2PA 020 7584 7553 adcockmp@ldschurch.org https://lds.org.uk http://mormon.org
American Museum in Britain Director: Dr Richard Wendorf Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. 01225 460503. Fax 01225 469160 info@americanmuseum.org www.americanmuseum.org
Church of St. John the Evangelist Vicar: Reverend Stephen Mason. Hyde Park Crescent, London W2 2QD 020 7262 1732 parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com www.stjohnshydepark.com
American Women Lawyers in London www.awll.org.uk info@awll.org.uk The Anglo-American Charity Limited Jeffrey Hedges, Director. 07968 513 631 info@anglo-americancharity.org www.anglo-americancharity.org The Association of Americans Resident Overseas 34 avenue de New York, 75116 Paris, France + 33 1 47 20 24 15 www.aaro.org Anglo American Medical Society Hon. Sec.: Dr. Edward Henderson, The Mill House, Whatlington, E. Sussex, TN33 0ND. 01424 775130 ed@themillhouse.eclipse.co.uk Association for Rescue at Sea The UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Association does not have an American Branch but to make a tax efficient gift to the RNLI, contact AFRAS. Mrs. Anne C. Kifer P.O. Box 565 Fish Creek, WI 54212, U.S.A. 00-1-920-743-5434 ackafras@aol.com Atlantic Council Director: Alan Lee Williams. 185 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UF 0207 403 0640 or 0207 403 0740 acuk@atlantic-council.org.uk Bentwaters Cold War Museum Erroll Frost c/o Bentwaters Aviation Society, Building 134 Bentwaters Parks, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2TW 07588 877020 info@bcwm.org.uk Bethesda Baptist Church Kensington Place, London W8. 020 7221 7039 office@bethesdabaptist.org.uk http://bethesdabaptist.org.uk/ Boy Scouts of America Mayflower District Executive: Cristina Priddy The Old Coach House, 81A London Rd, Brandon, Suffolk IP270EL 075 9210 1013 crpriddy@bsamail.org British American Business Inc. 75 Brook Street, London, W1K 4AD. Tel. 020 7290 9888 www.babinc.org ukinfo@babinc.org British American-Canadian Associates Contact via The English Speaking Union – esu@esu.org
Has your group done something you’re proud of? Tell us email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk
Circumcision Matters Problems arranging circumcision for your new-born? Call 020 7390 8433. www.circumcisionmatters.com Commonwealth Church Rev. Rod Anderson, PO Box 15027, London SE5 0YS www.savestmarks.com Democrats Abroad (UK) Box 65, 22 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JE Regular updates on events, chapters throughout the UK, DAUK newsletters: www.democratsabroad.org.uk 020 7724 9796 www.democratsabroad.org/group/united-kingdom Register to vote/ request Absentee Ballot: www.votefromabroad.org Farm Street Church 114 Mount Street, Mayfair, London W1K 3AH Tel: 020 7493 7811 www.farmstreet.org.uk Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1155. Director: Ms. Polli K. Brunelli UK Toll Free Tel: 0800 028 8056 US Toll Free Tel:1-800-438- VOTE (8683). www.fvap.gov vote@fvap.ncr.gov Friends of Chicksands Priory (12th Century) Founded in 1975 by USAF personnel and British employees at RAF Chicksands Julie Benson 01525 860497 friendsofchicksands@gmail.com www.chicksandspriory.co.uk
International Community Church (Interdenominational) Pastor: Rev. Dr. Barry K. Gaeddert Sunday Worship: 10.30 am, Chertsey Hall, Heriot Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9DR Active Youth programme. Church Office: 1st floor, Devonshire House, 60 Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2AF. 01932 830295. churchoffice@icc-uk.org www.icc-uk.org Junior League of London President: Suzy Bibko; Office Admin: Ruth Linton CAN Mezzanine , 49-51 East Road , London N1 6AH Tel: 020 7499 8159 Fax: 020 7629 1996 jrleague@jll.org.uk www.jll.org.uk Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 19 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2PT. Tel: 020 7713 2030 Fax: 020 7713 2031 info@jdrf.org.uk www.jdrf.org.uk Liberal Jewish Synagogue 28 St John’s Wood Road, London NW8 7HA Services 6.45pm Fridays and 11am on Saturdays except for first Friday each month when service is held at 7pm with a Chavurah Supper. Please bring non-meat food dish to share. 020 7286 5181 ljs@ljs.org Lions Club International Lakenheath & District 105EA, 15 Highfields Drive, Lakenheath, Suffolk IP27 9EH. Tel 01842 860752 www.lionsclubs.org Lutheran Services, St Anne’s Rev. Timothy Dearhamer. Lutheran Church, Gresham St, London EC2. Sun 11am-7pm. 020 7606 4986 info@StAnnesLutheranChurch.org www.StAnnesLutheranChurch.org Methodist Central Hall Westminster, London SW1H 9NH Services every Sunday at 11am and 6.30pm. Bible study groups & Monday guilds also held. 020 7222 8010, church@mchw.org.uk www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk North American Friends of Chawton House Library US Office: 824 Roosevelt Trail, #130, Windham, ME 04062 +1.207 892 4358 UK Office: Chawton House Library, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SJ 01420 541010 www.chawton.org/support/nafchl5.html
Friends of St Jude London Debbie Berger Tel. 07738 628126 debbie.berger@stjude.org www.friendsofstjude.org/london
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner 5th Floor, Counting House, 53 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QN 0207 211 1500 info@oisc.gov.uk www.oisc.gov.uk
Grampian Houston Association Secretary: Bill Neish 5 Cairncry Avenue, Aberdeen, AB16 5DS 01224-484720 wineish@sky.com
Republicans Abroad (UK) Chairman Dr. Thomas Grant chairman@republicansabroad-uk.org www.republicansabroad-uk.org
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Rotaract in Great Britain & Ireland For 18-30 year olds, an international membership www.rotaract.org.uk Rotary Club of London 6 York Gate, London NW1 4QG. Tel. 020 7487 5429 Rotary Great Britain and Ireland www.ribi.org
American Professional Women in London Rebecca Lammers, Flat 9 Hanover Court, 5 Stean Street, London, E8 4ED 075 3393 5064 abwinlondon@gmail.com @USAProWomenLDN www.facebook.com/groups/293890040710041 www.meetup.com/American-Business-Women-inLondon
Canadians & Americans in Southern England 023 9241 3881 contactcase@casecommunity.com Canadian Womens Club 1 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 4AB Tues–Thurs 10.30-3.30 0207 258 6344 info@canadianwomenlondon.org www.canadianwomenlondon.org
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Head Office, West Quay Road, Poole BH15 1HZ 0845 045 6999 www.rnli.org.uk
American Society in London c/o The English Speaking Union 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED info@americansocietyuk.com 020 7539 3400
The Royal Oak Foundation Sean Sawyer, 35 West 35th Street #1200, New York NY 10001-2205, USA 212- 480-2889 or (800) 913-6565 ssawyer@royal-oak.org www.royal-oak.org
American Stamp Club of Great Britain Chapter 67 of the American Philatelic Society. Hon. Publicity Secretary: Stephen T. Taylor 5 Glenbuck Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6BS. 020 8390 9357
St Andrew’s Lutheran Church Serving Americans since 1960. Whitby Road & Queens Walk, Ruislip, West London. (South Ruislip Tube Station). Services: 11 am. 020 8845 4242 pastorvan43@hotmail.com www.standrewslutheran.co.uk Other Lutheran Churches in the UK: www.lutheran.co.uk
American Womens Association of Bristol 0800 0834804 awabristol_membership@fawco.org
Daughters of the American Revolution – St James’s Chapter Mrs Natalie Ward, 01379 871422 nattyward@aol.com or UKDARStJames@aol.com http://mysite.verizon.net/jean.sutton/main.htm
AWBS International Women’s Club [formerly American Women of Berkshire & Surrey] PO Box 10, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4YP. www.awbs.org.uk info@awbs.org.uk
Daughters of the American Revolution – Walter Hines Page Chapter Diana Frances Diggines, Regent dardiana@hotmail.co.uk www.dar.org
T.R.A.C.E. P.W. (The ‘original’ Transatlantic Children’s’ Enterprise reuniting children with G.I. father’s and their families) Membership Secretary: Norma Jean Clarke-McCloud 29 Connaught Avenue, Enfield EN1 3BE normajean78@hotmail.com www.tracepw.org
American Women of Surrey PO Box 185, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3YJ. www.awsurrey.org
The East Anglia American Club 49 Horsham Close, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7HN 01440 766 967 eaacexpats@karej.co.uk
American Women’s Association of Yorkshire The Chalet, Scarcroft Grange, Wetherby Road, Scarcroft, Leeds LS14 3HJ. 01224 744 224 Contact: Carol Di Peri
English-Speaking Union Director-General: Jane Easton Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED. Tel: 020 7529 1550 esu@esu.org
The American Women’s Club of Dublin P.O. Box 2545, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 IRELAND www.awcd.net info@awcd.net
Friends of Benjamin Franklin House Director: Dr. Márcia Balisciano 36 Craven St,London WC2N 5NF 0207 839 2006 www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org
United Nations Association, Westminster branch Chairman: David Wardrop 61 Sedlescombe Road, London SW6 1RE 0207 385 6738 info@unawestminster.org.uk www.unawestminster.org.uk www.wethepeoples.org.uk USA Girl Scouts Overseas – North Atlantic Stem Kaserne Bldg 1002, Postfach 610212 D-68232, Mannheim, Germany. +49 621 487 7025 www.norags.com girlscouts@cmtymail.26asg.army.mil
SOCIAL American Club of Hertfordshire President: Lauryn Awbrey 63-65 New Road, Welwyn, Herts AL6 0AL 01582 624823 amclubherts@aol.com
American Women’s Club of London 68 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LQ. 020 7589 8292 awc@awclondon.org www.awclondon.org American Women’s Club of Central Scotland P.O. Box 231, 44-46 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4BF info@awccs.org www.awccs.org American Women of South Wales 07866 190838 awsouthwales@fawco.org Association of American Women in Ireland aawireland@fawco.org
American Expats of the Northwest of England The Ruskin Rooms, Drury Lane, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6HA. expatsnw@gmail.com
Association of American Women of Aberdeen PO Box 11952, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB13 0BW email via website www.awaaberdeen.org
American Friends of English Heritage US: 1307 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Washington DC 20036. 202-452-0928. UK: c/o English Heritage, Attn: Simon Bergin, Keysign House, 429 Oxford Street, London W1R 2HD. 020 7973 3423 www.english-heritage.org.uk
British Association of American Square Dance Clubs Patricia Connett-Woodcock 87 Brabazon Road, Heston, Middlesex TW5 9LL 020 8897 0723 tricia_baasdc@btinternet.com www.squaredancing.co.uk
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Chilterns American Women’s Club PO Box 445, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, SL9 8YU membership@cawc.co.uk www.cawc.co.uk Colonial Dames of America Chapter XI London. President Anne K Brewster: AnneBrewster@hotmail.com
Hampstead Women’s Club President - Betsy Lynch. Tel: 020 7435 2226 email president@hwcinlondon.co.uk www.hwcinlondon.co.uk High Twelve International, Inc. Arnold Page High Twelve Club 298 Secretary, Darrell C. Russell 01638 715764 russelld130@btinternet.com The Inter-Cultural Society of London Contact: Dr Kenneth Reed, 01753 892698, kjreed37@yahoo.co.uk ticsl.org International American Duplicate Bridge Club Contact: Mary Marshall, 18 Palace Gardens Terrace, London W8 4RP. 020 7221 3708 www.ycbc.co.uk/american.htm Kensington & Chelsea Men’s Club Contact: John Rickus 70 Flood Street, Chelsea, London SW3 5TE. (home): 020 7349 0680 (office): 020 7753 2253 johnrickus@aol.com
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kcwc (was Kensington & Chelsea Women’s Club) President: Anna Groot, president@kcwc.org.uk Membership: potential@kcwc.org.uk www.kcwc.org.uk @kcwc_womensclub
UK Panhellenic Association Contact Susan Woolf, 10 Coniston Court, High St. Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex HA1 3LP. 020 8864 0294 susanrwoolf@hotmail.com
Knightsbridge Village Private invitation-only network for discerning mothers in Knightsbridge, Kensington and surrounding areas. For a limited period The American’s readers are invited to join online with this key: american2014. Membership is £10 per month. info@knightsbridge-village.com www.knightsbridge-village.com
Anglian Shrine Club Recorder/Secretary: Allan David Warnes “Koloma House”, Warren Avenue, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8NP 01328 862001, 07860187333, VOIP 08714084364 Skype batman4499adw allan@allandavidwarnes.co.uk www.anglianshrineclub.co.uk
New Neighbors Diana Parker, Rosemary Cottage, Rookshill, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 4HZ. 01923 772185
W.E.B. DuBois Consistory #116 Northern Jurisdiction Valley of London, England, Orient of Europe Cell: 0776-873-8030 mjack36480@aol.com
North American Connection (West Midlands) PO Box 10543, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands. B93 8ZY 0870 720 0663 info@naconnect.com www.naconnect.com
Women’s Writers Network Cathy Smith, 23 Prospect Rd, London, NW2 2JU. 020 7794 5861 info@womenwriters.org.uk www.womenwriters.org.uk
Northwood Area Women’s Club c/o St John’s UR Church, Hallowell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 1DN 01932-830295 info@northwoodareawomensclub.co.uk www.northwoodareawomensclub.co.uk Petroleum Women’s Club Contact: Nancy Ayres, 01923 711720 nanayrs@btopenworld.com Petroleum Women’s Club of Scotland pwcscotland@yahoo.co.uk www.pwcos.com Pilgrims of Great Britain Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent M16 0NB. 01622 606404 sec@pilgrimsociety.org
Propeller Club of the United States – London, England propellerclubhq.com Royal Society of St George Enterprise House, 10 Church Hill, Loughton, Essex IG10 1LA. +44 (0) 20 3225 5011 info@royalsocietyofstgeorge.com www.royalsocietyofstgeorge.com Stars of Great Britain Chapter #45 Washington Jurisdiction. Lakenheath, England sogb45@yahoo.com http://starsofgreatbritainchapter45.com St John’s Wood Women’s Club membership@sjwwc.org www.sjwwc.org Thames Valley American Women’s Club Membership: Claire Mangers-Page PO Box 1687, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8XT. 01628 632683 membership@tvawc.com www.tvawc.com
Brookwood American Cemetery The American Battle Monuments Commission Superintendant: Craig Rahanian. 01483 473237 Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0BL www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/ brookwood-american-cemetery Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge AKA Cambridge Military Cemetery, Cambridge American Cemetery and Cambridge Cemetery. The American Battle Monuments Commission Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridge CB23 7PH 01954-210-350 damian.lappin@madingleyamericancemetery.info www.madingleyamericancemetery.info Commander in Chief, US Naval Forces Europe US Naval Forces Europe-Africa - US Sixth Fleet www.c6f.navy.mil, CNE-C6FPAO@eu.navy.mil Eighth Air Force Historical Society Gordon Richards/Michelle Strefford UK Office, The Croft, 26 Chapelwent Road, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 9SD 01440 704014 www.8thafhs.org
MILITARY 290 Foundation (UK Confederate Navy memorial) Ian Dewar, President, 2 Thompson Drive, Middleton on the Wolds, East Riding, Yorkshire YO25 9TX 01377 217 442 290admin@onetel.com sites.google.com/site/290foundation
Friends of the Eighth Newsletter (FOTE News) Chairman: Mr. Ron Mackay. 39b Thorley Hill, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM23 3NE. 01279 658619
AFJROTC 073 Lakenheath High School. Tel: 01638 525603
Marine Corps League Detachment 1088, London, England Commandant Mike Allen Creek Cottage, 2 Pednormead End, Old Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 2JS detachment1088@mcl-london-uk.org www.mcl-london-uk.org
Air Force Sergeants Association UK POC Timothy W. Litherland CMSgt, USAF (ret). Chapters at RAFs Alconbury, Croughton, Lakenheath, Menwith Hill and Mildenhall. timothy.litherland@outlook.com www.hqafsa.org American Legion London Post 1 Adjutant: Jim Pickett PO Box 5017, BATH, BA1 OPP 01225-426245 info@amlegionpost1london.org.uk www.amlegionpost1london.org.uk American Overseas Memorial Day Association Dedicated to remember and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in World War I and II, whose final resting places are in American Military Cemeteries or in isolated graves in Europe. info@aomda.com, aomda.com Bentwaters/Woodbridge Retirees’ Association President: Wylie Moore. 2 Coldfair Close, Knodishall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1UN. 01728 830281 British Patton Historical Society Kenn Oultram 01606 891303
Joint RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath Retiree Affairs Office Co-Directors Dick Good & Jack Kramer Unit 8965, Box 30 RAF Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, IP28 8NF 01638 542039 rao1@us.af.mil
Military Officers’ Association of America www.moaa.org msc@moaa.org
Navy League of the United States, United Kingdom Council Council President: Steven G. Franck steven.franck@googlemail.com www.navyleague.org Non-Commissioned Officers’ Association (NCOA) – The Heart of England Chapter Chairman: Ronald D.Welper, Pine Farm, Sharpe’s Corner, Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk 1P27 9LB. Thetford 861643. Chapter Address: 513 MSSQ/SS, RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk. Society of American Military Engineers (UK) UK address: Box 763, USAFE Construction Directorate. 86 Blenheim Crescent, West Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7HL
October 2014 57
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EDUCATIONAL
Reserve Officers Association London Col. B.V. Balch, USAR, 72 Westmoreland Road, Barnes, London SW13 9RY memberservices@roa.org www.roa.org
ACS International Schools ACS Cobham International School, Heywood, www.acs-england.co.uk
Society of American Military Engineers (UK) UK address: Box 763, USAFE Construction Directorate: 86 Blenheim Crescent, West Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7HL London Post. President: W. Allan Clarke. Secretary: Capt. Gary Chesley. Membership Chairman, Mr. Jim Bizier.
Alconbury Middle/High School RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE17 1PJ, UK. www.alco-hs.eu.dodea.edu AlconburyHS.Principal@eu.dodea.edu American Institute for Foreign Study 37 Queensgate, London SW7 5HR 020 7581 7300 www.aifs.co.uk info@aifs.co.uk
US Army Reserve 2nd Hospital Center 7 Lynton Close, Ely, Cambs, CB6 1DJ. Tel: 01353 2168 Commander: Major Glenda Day.
American School in London 1 Waverley Place, London NW8 0NP 020 7449 1200, www.asl.org admissions@asl.org
US Air Force Recruiting Office Bldg 239 Room 139 RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 8NF +44-1638-54-4942/1566 phillip.guffa@mildenhall.af.mil Retired Affairs Office, RAF Alconbury Serving Central England POC: Rex Keegan Alt. POC: Mike Depasquale UK Postal Address: 423 SVS/RAO, Unit 5585, Box 100, RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 4DA Office Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 10:30am–2:30pm 01480 84 3364/3557 RAO@Alconbury.af.mil Emergency Contact: 07986 887 905 2nd Air Division Memorial Library The Forum, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AW 01603 774747 www.2ndair.org.uk 2admemorial.lib@norfolk.gov.uk USAF Retiree Activities Office Director: Paul G Gumbert, CMSgt (USAF), Ret 422 ABG/CVR, Unit 5855, PSC 50, Box 3 RAF Croughton, Northants NN13 5XP 01280 708182 422abg.rao@croughton.af.mil
US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) UK Chapter President: Allison Bennett, bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom USNA Alumni Association UK Chapter Pres: LCDR Tim Fox ’97, timfox97@hotmail.com Vice Pres: Miguel Sierra ’90, mrsierra@chevron.com Treas/Membership Coord: Bart O’Brien ’98, bartonobrien2@yahoo.com Secretary: Matt Horan ’87, matthoran@btinternet.com Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Commander: Ernest Paolucci 24, rue Gerbert, 75015 Paris, France 00 33 (0)1.42.50.96.34 Western UK Retiree Association President: R. Jim Barber, MSgt (USAF), Ret 01280 708182
58 October 2014
American School of Aberdeen Craigton Road, Cults, Aberdeen. 01224 861068 / 868927.
Central Bureau for Educational Visits Director: Peter Upton, The British Council , 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN 020 7389 4004 Wales 029 2039 7346 Scotland 0131 447 8024 centralbureau@britishcouncil.org Council on International Educational Exchange Dr. Michael Woolf, 52 Portland Street, London WIV 1JQ Tel 020 7478 2000 Fax 020 7734 7322 www.ciee.org contact@ciee.org Ditchley Foundation Ditchley Park, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 4ER Tel 01608 677346 www.ditchley.co.uk info@ditchley.co.uk Dwight School London Formerly North London International School Viviene Rose, Admissions Director 6 Friem Barnet Lane, London N11 3LX 020 8920 0600 vrose@dwightlondon.org www.dwightlondon.org
Benjamin Franklin House 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF. Tel 020 7839 2006 Fax 020 7930 9124 info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org
European Council of International Schools Executive Director: Jean K Vahey Fourth Floor, 146 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR Tel 020 7824 7040 www.ecis.org ecis@ecis.org
Boston University – London Graduate Programs Office 43 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7244 6255 www.bu.edu/london
European-Atlantic Group PO Box 37431, London N3 2XP 020 8632 9253 justinglass@btinternet.com www.eag.org.uk
British American Educational Foundation Mrs. Carlton Colcord, 1 More’s Garden, 90 Cheyne Walk, London SW3. 020 7352 8288 www.baef.org anncolcord@compuserve.com BUNAC Student Exchange Employment Program - Director: Callum Kennedy, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0QH. 020 7251 3472 www.bunac.org enquiries@bunac.org.uk
Florida State University London Study Centre Administrative Director: Kathleen Paul 99 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LH. Tel 020 7813 3233 www.international.fsu.edu/london/ intprog1@admin.fsu.edu Fordham University London Centre Academic Coordinator: Sabina Antal 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HQ 020 7937 5023 londoncentre@fordham.edu www.fordham.edu
Butler University, Institute for Study Abroad 21 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4EB 020 7792 8751 www.ifsa-butler.org/england-overview.html
Fulbright Commission (US-UK Educational Commission) Dir. of Advisory Service: Lauren Welch Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling Street, London SW8 5BN 020 7498 4010 www.fulbright.co.uk
Centre Academy London 92 St John’s Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1SH Tel: 02077382344 , info@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net
Halcyon London International School Co-educational International Baccalaureate (IB). 33 Seymour Place, London W1H 5AU +44 (0)20 7258 1169 , hello@halcyonschool.com halcyonschool.com
Centre Academy East Anglia Church Rd, Brettenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 7QR Tel: 01449736404 admin@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net
Harlaxton College UK Campus, University of Evansville Harlaxton Manor, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 1AG. Grantham 4541 4761 01476 403000 harlaxton.ac.uk.
The American
Huron University USA in London 46-47 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4JP Tel +44 (0) 20 7636 5667 Fax+44 (0) 20 7299 3297 folu@huron.ac.uk www.huron.ac.uk Institute for the Study of the Americas Director: Professor James Dunkerley. Tel 020 7862 8879 Fax 020 7862 8886 americas@sas.ac.uk www.americas.sas.ac.uk International School of Aberdeen 296 North Deeside Rd, Milltimber, Aberdeen, AB13 0AB 01224 732267 admin@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk International School of London 139 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LG. 020 8992 5823 www.islschools.org mail@ISLschools.org
Sotheby’s Institute of Art Postgraduate Art studies, plus day /evening courses 30 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EE Tel: 0207 462 3232 www.sothebysinstitute.com info@sothebysinstitute.com Southbank International Schools Kensington and Hampstead campuses for 3-11 year olds; Westminster campuses for 11-18 year olds. Director of Admissions: MargaretAnne Khoury Tel: 020 7243 3803 admissions@southbank.org www.southbank.org Syracuse University London Program Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE http://sulondon.syr.edu
International School of London in Surrey Old Woking Road, Woking GU22 8HY Tel +44 (0)1483 750409 www.islsurrey.com mail@islsurrey.com
TASIS England, American School Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Nr. Egham, Surrey TW20 8TE. Tel: 01932 565252 Fax: 01932 564644 http://england.tasis.com ukadmissions@tasisengland.org
Ithaca College London Centre 35 Harrington Gardens, London SW7. Tel. 020 7370 1166 www.ithaca.edu/london bsheasgreen@ithacalondon.co.uk
UKCISA - Council for International Education 9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 0NX 020 7354 5210 www.ukcisa.org.uk
Marymount International School, London Headmistress: Ms Sarah Gallagher George Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7PE 020 8949 0571 info@marymountlondon.com www.marymountlondon.com
University of Notre Dame London Program 1 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG 020 7484 7811 london@nd.edu www.nd.edu/~ndlondon/lup/future/ introduction.htm
Missouri London Study Abroad Program 32 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7373 7953. www.umsl.edu/services/abroad/universities/ molondon.html web_office@umsl.edu
Warnborough University International Office, Friars House, London SE1 8HB. Tel 020 7922 1200 www.warnborough.edu admin@warnborough.edu
Regent’s University London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS. 020 7486 9605. www.regents.ac.uk exrel@regents.ac.uk
Webster Graduate Studies Center Regent’s College, Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NS, UK. Tel: 020 7487 7505 www.webster.ac.uk webster@regents.ac.uk
Richmond, The American International University in London Richmond Hill Campus,Queen’s Road Richmond-upon Thames TW10 6JP Tel: +44 20 8332 9000 Fax: +44 20 8332 1596 enroll@richmond.ac.uk www.richmond.ac.uk Schiller International University Royal Waterloo House, 51-55 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TX. Tel. 020 7928 1372 www.schillerlondon.ac.uk admissions@schillerlondon.ac.uk Schiller International, Wickham Court School Layhams Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9HW. Tel 0208 777 2942 Fax 0208 777 4276 Wickham@schillerintschool.com www.wickhamcourt.org.uk
Wroxton College Study Abroad with Fairleigh Dickinson University, Wroxton, Nr. Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 6PX 01295 730551, www.fdu.edu admin@wroxton-college.ac.uk
ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS Alliant International University (formerly United States International University) England Chapter Alumni Association Chapter President: Eric CK Chan c/o Regents College London, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London, UK chane@regents.ac.uk, www.alliant.edu
Amherst College Bob Reichert RAreichert26b@aol.com Andover/Abbot Association of London Jeffrey Hedges ‘71, President 07968 513 631 hedgeslon@hotmail.com Association of MBAs Leo Stemp, Events Administrator Tel 020 7837 3375 (ext. 223), l.stemp@mba.org.uk Babson College Frank de Jongh Swemer, Correspondence W 020 7932 7514 babson.alumni@btinternet.com Barnard College Club Hiromi Stone, President. Tel. 0207 935 3981 barnardclubgb@yahoo.co.uk Berkeley Club of London Geoff Kertesz berkeleyclublondon@gmail.com http://international.berkeley.edu/LondonClub Facebook: www.facebook.com groups/223876564344656/ Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/groups/Berkeley-ClubLondon-4186104 Boston College Alumni Club UK Craig Zematis, President +44 7717 878968 BCalumniclub@gmail.com www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/BTN/cpages/ chapters/home.jsp?chapter=41&org=BTN Boston University Alumni Association of the UK Will Straughn, Snr International Development Officer, University Development and Alumni Relations, 43 Harrington Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 4JU 020 7244 2908 020 7373 7411 bstraugh@bu.edu Brandeis Alumni Club of Great Britain Joan Bovarnick, President http://alumni.brandeis.edu office@alumni.brandeis.edu Brown University Club of the United Kingdom President: Tugba Erem. Communication: Patrick Attie Alumni Club & Liaison: Vanessa Van Hoof Brown Club UK, Box 57100, London, EC1P 1RB contact@brownuk.org www.brownuk.org Bryn Mawr Club Lady Quinton, President. Wendy Tiffin, Secretary/Treasurer, 52 Lansdowne Gardens, London SW8 2EF wendytif@ukgateway.net Claremont Colleges Alumni in London Hadley Beeman hadley_beeman@alumni.cmc.edu Colgate Club of London Stephen W Solomon ‘76, President 0207 349 0738 swsolomon@hotmail.com
October 2014 59
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Columbia Business School Alumni Club of London 6 Petersham Mews, London SW7 5NR www.cbsclublondon.org londonadmin@gsb.columbia.edu Columbia University Club of London Stephen Jansen, President london@alumniclubs.columbia.edu www.alumniclubs.columbia.edu/london Cornell Club of London Natalie Teich, President nmt4@cornell.edu www.alumni.cornell.edu/orgs/int/London Dartmouth College Club of London sandra.blacker@outlook.com alumni.dartmouth.edu www.dartmouth.org Delta Kappa Gamma Society International President: Diana Bell dbell_is@yahoo.co.ukwww.dkggb.org.uk Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity London Alumni Chapter. Ashok Arora, P O Box 1110, London W3 7ZB 020 8423 8231 bertela@yahoo.com www.dspnet.org Delta Zeta International Sorority Alumna Club Mrs Sunny Eades, The Old Hall, Mavesyn Ridware, Nr. Rugeley, Staffordshire, WSI5 3QE. 01543 490 312 SunnyEades@aol.com Duke University Club of England Ms Robin Buck buckrobin@yahoo.com Tim Warmath timwarmath@yahoo.com Kate Bennett jkbennett@btinternet.com www.dukealumni.com/england Emory University Alumni Chapter of the UK Matthew Williams, Chapter Leader 079 8451 4119 matthew.eric.williams@gmail.com www.alumni.emory.edu/chapters-and-groups/ chapters/international.html Georgetown Alumni Club Alexa Fernandez, President GeorgetownLondon@Yahoo.com Gettysburg College Britt-Karin Oliver brittkarin@aol.com Harvard Business School Club of London www.hbsa.org.uk Harvard Club of the United Kingdom Brandon Bradkin, President president@hcuk.org Verity Langley, Membership vll@me.com www.hcuk.org Indiana University Alumni club of England Anastasia Tonello, President 020 7253 4855 iuinlondon@yahoo.com www.alumni.indiana.edu/clubs/england
60 October 2014
KKG London Alumnae Association emilymerrell@gmail.com LMU Alumni Club London (Loyola Marymount University) Kent Jancarik 07795 358 681 kent@jancarik.com Marymount University Alumni UK Chapter President: Mrs Suzanne Tapley, 35 Park Mansions, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7QT. 020 7581 3742 MIT Club of Great Britain Yiting Shen, Flat 8a, 36 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6PB 0789 179 3823 yshen@alum.mit.edu http://alumweb.mit.edu/clubs/uk/ Mount Holyoke Club of Britain Rachel L. Elwes, President rlelwes@yahoo.com Karen K. Bullivant Vice-President kkbullivant@alumnae.mtholyoke.edu www.mtholyoke.co.uk
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Notre Dame Club of London Hannah Gornik, Secretary: ND_Club_London@yahoo.co.uk NYU Alumni Club in London Jodi Ekelchik, President alumni.london@nyu.edu NYU STERN UK Alumni Club Matthieu Gervis, President sternukalumniclub@hotmail.com Ohio University UK & Ireland Frank Madden, 1 Riverway, Barry Avenue, Windsor, Berks. SL4 5JA. Tel 01753 855 360 frank@madant.demon.co.uk Penn Alumni Club of the UK David Lapter 07957 146 470 david.lapter@alumni.upenn.edu Penn State Alumni Association Penn State Alumni Association Ron Nowicki 0207 226 7681 pennstatelondon@yahoo.co.uk www.alumni.psu.edu The London Association of Phi Beta Kappa Lydia Dye-Stonebridge phibetakappalondon@gmail.com ww.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5117368 @phibetakappaldn www.pbkldn.org
Princeton Association (UK) Carol Rahn, President Jon Reades, Young Alumni carol.rahn@orange-ftgroup.com jon@reades.com www.alumni.princeton.edu Rice Alumni of London Kathy Wang 07912 560 177 kathyw@alumni.rice.edu Skidmore College Alumni Club, London Peggy Holden Briggs ‘84, co-ordinator 07817 203611 peggyhbriggs@gmail.com Smith College Club of London Kathleen Merrill, President smithclubgb@googlemail.com http://alumnae.smith.edu Stanford Business School Alumni Association (UK Chapter) Robby Arnold, President, robby@blueyonder.co.uk Lesley Anne Hunt, Events, lesley.hunt@blueyonder.co.uk www.stanfordalumni.org.uk Syracuse University Alumni UK Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE SUalumniUK@syr.edu www.facebook.com/SUalumniUK Texas Tech Alumni Association - London Chapter David Mirmelli, Ferhat Guven, Bobby Brents president@texastechalumni.org.uk www.TexasTechAlumni.org.uk Texas Exes UK (UKTE) President: Carra Kane 7 Edith Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8TW 0778 660 7534 carrakane@alumni.utexas.net www.fornogoodreason.com/UKTEMain.htm Texas A&M Club London Co-Presidents Ashley Lilly, Devin Howard london@aggienetwork.com http://clubs.aggienetwork.com/londonamc/ The John Adams Society Contact: Muddassar Ahmed c/o Unitas Communications, Palmerston House, 80-86 Old Street, London EC1V 9AZ 0203 308 2358 johnadamssociety@unitascommunications.com www.johnadamssociety.co.uk Tufts - London Tufts Alliance Vikki Garth Londontuftsalliance@yahoo.com UK Dawgs of the University of Georgia Rangana Abdulla ukdawgs@hotmail.com
The American
UConn Alumni Association ucaa@uconnalumni.com UMass Alumni Club UK Julie Encarnacao, President (0)20 7007 3869 julesje32@gmail.com University of California Matthew Daines (Program Director) 17 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3JA 020 7079 0567 matthewdaines@californiahouse.org.uk University of Chicago UK Alumni Association c/o Alumni Affairs and Development – Europe, University of Chicago Booth School of Business Woolgate Exchange, 25 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5HA +44(0)20 7070 2245 www.ChicagoBooth.edu University of Georgia Alumni Association Neal Johnson, President 07919 057 538 nealjohnsonuk@yahoo.com www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/ chapters/london_chapter University of Illinois Alumni Club of the UK Amy Barklam, President 07796 193 466 amybarklam@msn.com University of North Carolina Alumni Club Brad Matthews, Club Leader 2 The Orchards, Hill View Road, Woking GU22 7LS brad.matthews@alumni.unc.edu http://alumni.unc.edu University of Michigan Alumni Association Regional Contact: Jessica Cobb, BA ’97 +44 (0) 788-784-0941 jesscobb@yahoo.com http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/umich_uk_alumni/ University of Rochester/Simon School UK Alumni Association Ms. Julie Bonne, Co-President 0118-956-5052 julie_bonne@yahoo.com University of Southern California, Alumni Club of London Jennifer Ladwig, President, Chuck Cramer, Treasurer usclondon@gmail.com www.usclondonalumni.org University of Virginia Alumni Club of London Kirsten Jellard 020 7368 8473 londonuvaclub@yahoo.com http://members.aol.com/UKUVACLUB/UVA-london.htm US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) UK Chapter President: Allison Bennett bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom
USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter President: LCDR Greta Densham ‘00 (gretaj@mac.com) Vice President: Tim Fox ‘97 (timfox97@hotmail.com) Secretary: Mike Smith ‘84 (Mike.Smith@polycom.com) Facebook Group - USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter Vassar College Club Sara Hebblethwaite, President 18 Redgrave Road, London, SW15 1PX +44 020 8788 6910, sara.hebblethwaite@virgin.net Warnborough Worldwide Alumni Association c/o International Office, Friars House, London SE1 8HB Tel. 020 7922 1200 Fax. 020 7922 1201 www.wwaa.info admin@warnborough.edu Washington University UK Alumni Club Steven Leof, steven@leof.co.uk alumni.wustl.edu/Community/Pages/London.aspx www.facebook.com/groups/WUSTLLondon Wellesley College Club Farida El-Gammal ‘98, President www.wellesley.edu/alumnae/groups/clubs/intlclubs/ wellesley_uk_club WCLondon@alum.wellesley.edu Wharton Alumni Club of the UK Gina Mok, Pres., yi.mok.wh00@wharton.upenn.edu Yoav Kurtzbard, ykurtzbard@youngassoc.com 020-7447-8800 www.whartonclubuk.net Williams Club of Great Britain Ethan Kline: ethankline@gmail.com
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email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk Yale Club of London Joe Vittoria, President, president@yale.org.uk Scott Fletcher, Events, events@yale.org.uk Nick Baskey, Secretary secretary@yale.org.uk www.yale.org.uk Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Kristin Morgan. Tel: 07812 580949 kristinamorgan@gmail.com www.zetataualpha.org
CIVIL WAR SOCIETIES American Civil War Round Table (UK) Sandra Bishop, 5 Southdale, Chigwell, Essex IG7 5NN sandra-bishop@hotmail.com www.americancivilwar.org.uk Southern Skirmish Association (SoSkan) Membership Secretary, Bob Isaac, 3 Hilliards Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3TA membership@soskan.co.uk www.soskan.co.uk
ARTS American Actors UK Administrator: Kelly Harris, 07873 371 891 www.americanactorsuk.com Savio(u)r Theatre Company Britain’s American theatre company www.saviourtheatrecompany.com
SPORTS English Lacrosse PO Box 116, Manchester M11 0AX 0843 658 5006 info@englishlacrosse.co.uk www.englishlacrosse.co.uk British Baseball Federation/ BaseballSoftballUK 5th Floor, Ariel House, 74a Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QJ 020 7453 7055 www.britishbaseball.org British Morgan Horse Society 01942 886141 admin@morganhorse.org.uk www.morganhorse.org.uk Ice Hockey UK 19 Heather Avenue, Rise Park, Romford RM1 4SL Tel. 07917 194 264 Fax. 01708 725241 www.icehockeyuk.co.uk ihukoffice@yahoo.co.uk Infinity Elite Cheerleading (founded by CAC) 077 9132 0115 http://londoninfinityelite.clubbz.com www.facebook.com/InfinityAllstars Herts Baseball Club Adult & Little League Baseball www.hertsbaseball.com Lakenheath Barracudas Swim Club Open to all military affiliated families. Charlie Midthun, Pres., laken.barracudas@yahoo.com; Head Coach, Dean Reed, smurfathome@earthlink.net www.barracudas.moonfruit.com LondonSports Instruction & competitive play in American flag football, baseball, basketball and soccer, boys/girls aged 4-15, newcomers or experienced players. Sports in a safe, fun environment for children of all nationalities. www.londonsports.com vll@me.com London Warriors American Football Club Kevin LoPrimo info@londonwarriorsafc.co.uk www.londonwarriorsafc.co.uk
We rely on you to keep us informed. Every effort is made to ensure that these listings are correct but if your entry requires amendments please tell us. Send profiles, news or articles about your organization for possible publication in The American. email sabrina@theamerican.co.uk, tel +44(0)1747 830520, fax +44(0)1747 830691
October 2014 61
The American To find out whether you’re eligible to advertise your products and services here, and for rates, call Sabrina Sully on +44 (0)1747 830520. You’ll reach Americans living in and visiting the UK as well as Britons who like American culture and products.
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Comprehensive tax preparation and compliance service for US expatriates inbytheBruce UK and Europe. Established in 1981 and managed L Jaffe, BA JD, we provide a full range of US UK tax services for US America House, 54 and Hendon Lane, London N3expatriates 1TT residing in the UK and have over 55 years of cumulative 020 8346 5237 experience preparing tax returns for US taxpayers. daniel@jaff eandco.com www.jaffeandco.com Please contact us today to see how we can help you. 020 8346 5237
ww.jaffeandco.com 62 Octoberiwn2014 fo@jaffeandco.com 54 Hendon Lane, London N3 1TT
Anji Holland and Associates
Anji Holland and Associates NLP Coaching and Training. Unleash your true potential. Understand what make you and others tick. Achieve the goals you have set. Rid yourself of those negative emotions. London - Bath - Online 07944 647 978 anji@anjiholland.com www.anjiholland.com
Transitions Therapy
Psychotherapy & Counselling for Expatriate Individuals, Couples, Families & Adolescents. London, or via Skype. 07557 261432 transitions_therapy@hotmail.com www.transitionstherapy.co.uk
EDUCATION Castle Education Consultancy Ltd
Tax & Accounting Hub
Greenback Expat Tax Services
Expert preparation of US and UK taxes from our highly experienced CPAs, UK Chartered Accountant and IRS Enrolled Agents US Toll Free: +1 888-362-5032 www.greenbacktaxservices.com info@greenbacktaxservices.com www.facebook.com/greenbacktax www.youtube.com/GreenbackTaxServices
COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Professional service at affordable prices. Fixed fee U.S. Expatriate tax preparation service in London. Federal/ State, Foreign bank account/IRS audits response 152 Burford Wharf, 3 Cam Road, London, E15 2SS +44 (0)20 3286 6445. M: +44 (0)79 1439 3183 kader@taxandaccountinghub.com www.taxandaccountinghub.com
ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES Stephen T Taylor Your American stamp dealer in Britain since 1995. 5 Glenbuck Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6BS 020 8390 9357 info@stephentaylor.co.uk www.stephentaylor.co.uk
Independent education consultancy that works with families on school and university search. 50 Scholars Drive, Penylan, Cardiff CF23 9FE 02920 214424 www.castleeducationconsultancy.co.uk Matthew@castleeducationconsultancy.co.uk
FINANCIAL ADVICE Tanager Wealth Management LLP
Integrated financial and investment advice for US expats living in the UK provided by US expats. Global account consolidation, UK/US savings and retirement planning together with investment advice. Contact us for a no obligation meeting or telephone conversation. 020 7871 8440 www.tanagerwealth.com contact@tanagerwealth.com @tanagerwealth
The American
VISAS & IMMIGRATION
HOUSEHOLD Nonie Property
Visalogic Limited
Setfords Solicitors Family lawyers and mediators with particular experience in expatriate cases. 01483 408780 lthomas@setfords.co.uk www.setfords.co.uk
Trustworthy, reliable, house sitter for those times you want someone to hold the fort! Contact Nonie 0777 578 7057 nonieproperty@gmail.com Full bio with references on http://www. trustedhousesitters.com/house-and-petsitters/25734-pictureframe
Visalogic is a niche immigration company dedicated to providing professional UK immigration advice to businesses and individuals looking at remaining or relocating to the UK. Carl Thomas: 01629 775789 carl.thomas@visalogic.net www.visalogic.net
NOTARIES Edward Young LLP
US Visa Solutions - Law Office of Janice A. Flynn
INTERIOR DESIGN Rolando Luci Edward Young LLP (incorporating Kober-Smith & Associates) is a full practice Notary Public in London. We can solve your problems. Full notary service. By appointment only. 9 Carlos Place London W1K 3AT (near US Embassy) 00 44 (0) 20 7499 2605 notary@NotaryPublicInLondon.com www.edwardyoung.co.uk
Luxury lighting, including American brands, some unique to the UK 01778 218121 www.rolandoluci.co.uk
REAL ESTATE
LEGAL
US-licensed immigration lawyers advising on US citizenship, green cards, visa and US entry issues. Honest, straightforward advice and a high level of bespoke service. Third Floor, 6 & 7 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8AD UK +44 (0)20 7092 6830 US +1 (312) 361-0581 Janice@usvisasolutions.co.uk www.usvisasolutions.co.uk Twitter: FlynnUSVisaLaw
WEDDING PLANNING Extraordinary Days Events
RE/MAX Property Group Chambers of Miss Kristin Heimark
Notting Hill Gate Branch: 49 Cottesmore Court, Stanford Road, London W8 5QW 07511-895090 www.remax.co.uk
Legal services direct to my neighbors, fellow American ex-pats and US Forces personnel stationed in England. 143 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 OUH +44(0)781 126 4290 www.stokenewingtonchambers.co.uk kkh@stokenewingtonchambers.co.uk @stokenewington LinkedIn KristinHeimark
Family, international private wealth, immigration and residential property teams advise international families and expatriates on relocation, wealth management, tax, immigration and all aspects of family law. Abacus House, 33 Gutter Lane, London EC2V 8AR T: +44 (0) 20 7457 3000 F: +44 (0) 20 7457 3240 anna.worwood@manches.com www.penningtons.co.uk @penningtonslaw
Coffee Break Answers
SOLUTION
Penningtons Manches LLP
An American wedding planner in London creating elegant, sophisticated, and unique weddings in England. Bespoke services ranging from full service planning to day-of coordination. 020 7433 0300 info@extraordinarydaysevents.com www.extraordinarydaysevents.com
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1.Columbus Day; 2. Eighth (‘Octo’ means eight); 3. Wine; 4. Roanoke Colony, in present-day Dare County; 5. Alaska (purchased from Russia before the Klondike Gold Rush); 6. c) Dreams; 7. b) United Nations (AHA was founded in 1941 and TRP in 2007); 8. Canada; 9. Daylight Savings Time; 10. Barack Obama; 11.Two Cents; 12.Carson City.
October 2014 September 2013 63
The American
The American’s expatriate canine barefoot UK correspondent checks out the evidence
It would all have been So different if The Beatles’ recording studio was in Newington Butts PHOTO © KATRINA LESKANICH
Abbey Road Studios 3 Abbey Road St John’s Wood NW8 9AY www.abbeyroad.com/crossing O St John’s Wood, Maida Vale Buses: 139, 189, 46, 13, 82, 113, 16
64 October 2014
They’re the most famous recording studios in the world. Abbey Road Studios opened in 1931 when the British composer Edward Elgar recorded ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. But it was The Beatles who made them famous. Most of their records were recorded here including, of course, their last recorded album, Abbey Road. It was the album’s cover photo of the four on the pedestrian crossing outside the studios that turned Abbey Road Studios into a place of pilgrimage for Beatles fans. Now they turn up in droves to pose for photos on the only Grade II listed zebra crossing and add a message to the graffiti on the wall outside.
BUY THE BOOK: Extract from the book Peggy Lee Loves London, available on Amazon. Signed copies can be ordered from Katrina’s website www.katrinasweb.com/shop
World class financial advice for US expats
US expats have unique financial challenges that require specialist advice. Call Tanager Wealth Management on 020 7871 8440
Don’t put your head in the sand... @tanagerwealth contact@tanagerwealth.com | www.tanagerwealth.com Tanager Wealth Management LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tanager Wealth Management LLP is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registered In England and Wales No.OC377053. Registered Office: The White House, Mill Road, Goring on Thames, RG8 9DD
Tanager Ost_Ad AW.indd 1
JAFFE & CO LLP 23/05/2014 14:49
AMERICAN TAX INTERNATIONAL US Expatriate Tax Services Established in 1981 and managed by Bruce L Jaffe, BA JD, we provide a full range of US and UK tax services for US expatriates residing in the UK and have over 55 years of cumulative experience preparing tax returns for US taxpayers. Please contact us today to see how we can help you. 020 8346 5237 www.jaffeandco.com info@jaffeandco.com 54 Hendon Lane, London N3 1TT
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