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For us here at The Amazing Blog, spring weekends can never come soon enough. It seems that as we get closer to summer, getting out and about on Saturdays and Sundays becomes much more anticipated. While this weekend offers many different events, there are these two that we must highlight for our readers. One is attending the new Stories venue from The Mothership Group that opened earlier this month and the other is the annual RAW Wine Fair. Both are certain to provide you with a relaxing and social environment accompanied with good food and great drinks. Which is perfect because, quite honestly, I cannot think of a better way to start the weekend than with a nice big glass of wine

The Mothership Group has become well-known for both their Book Club and Queen of Hoxton venues in Shoreditch and now, with Stories, they are adding a new addition to their soiree repertoire. Over in East London’s Broadway Market, Stories will be a lively brunch restaurant complete with a magnificent collection of  cocktails. However, yummy food and drinks are not all that they’ll offer. Much like their other venues, Stories promises to continue their creative take on socialising by fusing drinks and food with creative thinking and special events. Creative Director of the Mothership Group, Heather Lawton, has pulled together a panel of local creatives to ensure that this daytime hub is not only a delicious place to dine but also an inventive creative collection. For local creatives, thinkers, or anyone looking for a vibrant and intriguing atmosphere, Stories is a must.

For a nice concluding event to your weekend, the Old Truman Brewery will be hosting the annual RAW Wine Fair this Sunday and Monday. Boasting itself as the UK’s Biggest Independent Artisan Wine Fair, this event is truly a ‘must experience’. With over 150 growers from all across the world will be showcasing their best wines. But don’t forget to try the local UK wines as well. And for all of you true wine aficionados, the fair will also offer exclusive tastings, incredible food pairings and lectures from the world’s leading experts. Attendees at last year’s event claimed it to be ‘the best wine fair ever…’  So personally speaking, I’ll definitely try and swing by here.

We’ll be attending both Stories this Saturday and conclude the weekend with the RAW Wine Fair. Both events are sure to be fun environments to go with friends for a perfect quick bite and drinkies. For more information on Stories and other Mothership Group events be sure to check out their website. And for a complete guide to the Raw Wine Fair including a detailed wine list refer to this website here. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you there?

We at The Amazing Blog are always keeping an eye out for weekend events and creative endeavours. So when we learned that the Sundance Music and Film Festival would be returning to London, we knew we had to investigate more – and what a better way than to attend the festival yourself. I was fortunate enough to receive tickets to two different films last weekend. On Friday I saw The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete and on Saturday I saw BlackFish. Both films, as the theatres, were incredible.

For those of you that are not familiar with Sundance, it is an American based festival that specifically features independent films. This year the festival was hosted in the marvellous (and massive!) O2 Arena. Over 12 full feature films as well as numerous short production were shown several times throughout the weekend. After each showing the director addressed the audience to answer any possible questions – truly a unique opportunity. The festival is also filled with music, panel discussions, and if you are lucky… celebrity appearences.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete is easily one of the best films I have seen in quite some time. It is the story of two children, Mister and Pete, trying to survive a summer in the projects of Brooklyn, New York. The events the boys encounter are tragic and everything but predictable. It is a tale of hardship, struggle, and perseverance. While it will certainly pull on your heart strings it will also pinch a couple nerves. A must see for these upcoming summer months.

Saturday’s film was of a different genre. BlackFish is a documentary on the killer way Tilikum who has tragically killed several trainers while in captivity. Blackfish explores the extraordinary nature of killer whales as well as the corrupt aspects of captivity. This film is not for the light heart. It is emotionally wrenching and challenging, but if you can handle that it is a dramatic story and an informative discovery. I highly recommend this film to those who love documentary. It’ll be in theatres starting the 26^th of July.

While I was only able to see those two films, I can assure you that every movie shown was absolutely stunning. If you are in need of some new recommendation, the feature list from last weekend’s festival is an excellent place to start. And for those that didn’t get a chance to attend Sundance this year, keep your eye out next spring. It seemed widely approved and the managers claim that they would love to return to London again next year.

Camden Lock is easily one of my favourite places to be. Their eclectic street markets, shops, restaurants and bars make this one of the most interesting areas to spend the afternoon. So, naturally, I am extremely excited to tell you about the We Make London’s market event located in Camden Lock’s Middle Yard. When we at The Amazing Blog learned of this event, I couldn’t wait to find out more. They run all summer long to showcasing talented designers and creators.  Occuring every first and third Friday these markets are the perfect way to spend a weekend, at least as long as the sun continues to shine!

We Make London is a creative organisation dedicated to supporting British designers, artists, and makers. Their event at the Camden Lock is a promotional market to help creators get their name and work known. Booths and market stands fills the charming Middle Yard of Camden Lock allowing shoppers to discover high-quality handmade delights. At each given event there are up to 30 hand-picked exhibitors showcasing and selling their goods. Most products are eco-friendly and all are hand-crafted. They sell things such as jewellery, clothing, fine and graphic art, beauty products and toys. This fair allows you to meet the people who actually create and design these products and allows you to interact with them. So take a refreshing break from high street monotony and step into the exceptional world of handmade craftsmanship.

The We Make London Markets have been open since April 5th and will continue through September, so you have plenty of time to check this event out. They are open from 10am-6pm and it’s free entry. There really is no excuse not to go and check it out. We Make London also offers a book titled, “Inspired:London” that also showcases each creators work in a beautifully gallery. For more information on this exceptional markets or any other upcoming events head on over to their website. We hope to see you there next Friday the 3rd of May!

The Amazing Blog are always in for a good work-out, or at least that’s what we like to think. This Sunday, on the 21st of April, the 2013 London Marathon takes place – and as Londoners we couldn’t be prouder to say that it is the largest annual fund-raising event on the planet.

Every year, approximately 30,000 people join together to run the 26.2 mile marathon through the streets of London. Not to worry if you’re not a professional sportsman (not that we are either!), the London Marathon is open for everyone – from beginners who walk the course, to professional athletes who treat it as a race. Each participant chooses a specific charity to sponsor their efforts. And with 50 different charities on the list, we are sure to find one that fits you.  If you’re like me, and are sure that you won’t handle the full run, you can still join the marathon by cheering and supporting all the runners from the sideline.

The race starts in Greenwich and Blackheath and goes East up to Woolwich and goes back West crossing Tower Bridge and continuing on the north side of the river to Canary Wharf, heading back to Buckingham Palace. While running you’ll get to see some of the London’s famous landmarks, including the ever-so-big London Eye and the beautiful Tower of London.

Although the entry system for this Sunday’s marathon is closed, you can still apply for next year’s Marathon on their website – here you’ll find helpful information and tips on how to prep for the big day with guides that cover training and injury advice. Whether you’re supporting from the sidelines or sweating it out the track, at the end of the day the winners are the charities!

Spring has begun and so has the time to buy your festival tickets. Not much of a party-goer, but do arts make your heart flutter? We at The Amazing Blog have you and your inner-artist covered.

The Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival is UK’s original contemporary graphic arts festival returns in April for an 11-day celebration of graphic art, design and illustration. It’s where graphic art and design galleries, collectives and publishers sell a wide range of work by artists and illustrators from around the world in customised spaces within Somerset House.

Besides admiring artworks and limited-edition prints from the industry’s elite and emerging talents, the festival will be running an exciting and eclectic mix of quirky family workshops, lively evening events and creative forums each day.

This year’s highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the Shaun the Sheep model-making workshop by the award-winning animation studio Aardman. More workshops will be announced nearer the event, but they’ve certainly made us excited already. The event starts from the 18th – 28th April, and you can get your ticket for £8 at sommersethouse.org.uk.