Our London: Dancers, business owners, artists and a chaplain on what makes their city so special

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Sian Bayley6 March 2019

London is one of the world's most diverse cities, steeped in cultures from around the world.

Our city is packed with people from a variety of different backgrounds, who come together to make the capital a wonderfully rich cultural hub.

Future London has reached out to just a few of the Londoners who make up our city, to learn more about their stories and their experiences of living in London.

Julia Conway, 19, member of English National Ballet

Natasha Pszenicki

Julia was born in London, but grew up between Greenwich, Connecticut and Florida because the family travelled for her dad’s job.

She was surrounded by dance from a young age, as her mum frequently took her to see the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and the New York City Ballet as well as different companies that toured to Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

“Seeing the incredible dancers grace the stage awed me. As the final curtain went down I always thought, that is what I want to do.”

Visit

“The Courtauld Gallery has a beautiful and diverse collection and I love the feeling of calmness and serenity I get when I’m there.” In her spare time she visits the Royal Academy and explores the city.

Eat

“As a treat, I will go for an afternoon tea — this is definitely a British tradition that everyone should experience. For anyone visiting London, I would of course recommend coming to see English National Ballet perform,” she said.

Stephen Wang, 52, chaplain at Newman House Catholic Centre

Natasha Pszenicki

Stephen is half-Chinese and said “growing up with a name like Wang made me feel a little bit different. But a real highlight was always the huge Chinese family reunion in January every year.”

Walk

“I’d advise anyone visiting London to make sure you walk and don’t spend your whole time on the tube. You will find surprises and see the world from a different perspective. I love walking along the canals and seeing houses from the back, and London Zoo inside out.”

See

The Lumiere Light festival. “I love the fact that London is so alive to the arts and installation art.”

Listen

“I like taking friends to see the cathedrals, especially evensong at St Paul’s or Westminster Abbey. You get to hear one of the finest choirs in the world and see a famous church for free. But as a Catholic it is also part of my personal journey. For me Westminster Cathedral near Victoria is an oasis of calm and serenity in the middle of the craziness of London.”

Kush Saigal, 31, dancer and company manager at The Bollywood Co

Natasha Pszenicki

Kush grew up in an Indian family in Leicester and often took part in traditional Hindu ceremonies with his family.

“The whole way through college and even a few years afterwards, I didn’t want to be typecast in the stereotypical Bollywood role, but then I helped a friend out with a Bollywood show and found it really fun.”

Watch

"The last show I saw was Company and if you haven’t seen it, I’d highly recommend going to watch — it’s hilarious! I love going to shows with friends, and then go out for a drink.

"Soho is always fun and easy to find loads of different places with its secret little nooks on side streets."

Visit

“Basement Sate. It’s a little cocktaVisitil and desserts place, and just looks like a door. You go down the stairs into a private bar, where it’s decked out in art deco.

“The chocolate mirror cake is my fave, but if you’re ‘doing it for the gram’ the presentation of the chocolate cigar is great.”

Daniel Ayim, 27, co-owner of Mixtape Madness and founder, Merge Marketing

Natasha Pszenicki

Daniel believes growing up in Tottenham “where everyone made music and was an MC” inspired him to pursue a career in the industry. “It’s an historic town set in music from Skepta to Adele.”

He now helps young artists move away from crime, and focus on their music.

“If we can make sure their economic growth means they can change their environment, then their creativity will evolve too.

"It’s an intimate experience, but feels good for me when it follows through and changes lives, so those who were at risk are now making money and looking after themselves.”

Listen

“Village Underground is really good for music culture, with their Livin Proof nights. It’s good to head over there to gauge the music playing.”

Visit

He urges Londoners to check out the pop-up activity in Tottenham with lots of music and live shows every week, as well as heading over to the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch to catch emerging artists performing live.

Yana Binaev, 28, freelance artist and photographer

Natasha Pszenicki

Yana grew up in a Jewish household in Russia and Israel, before travelling to Singapore and Bali, where she met a variety of people who inspired her art.

“From a very young age I really cared about diversity, and started embracing language to deliver my work to more people. People hear you better when you speak in their language,” said Yana, who speaks six languages.

“Last year I started documenting people around the streets in a piece I called ‘My eyes see diversity’. I’m also starting a new documentary project on young women of colour, looking at how courageous they are and what they are doing to break stigmas.”

Going out

“Shoreditch is my favourite area, and I love going to the Autograph ABP Gallery there. The Association of Black Photographers hold exhibitions around diversity.”

Food

“There’s this great Caribbean place by Aldgate East called Marees Sauces and Food. It does amazing vegan wraps, and banana pancakes. It’s a beautiful small business.”

Nileeka Bose, 31, manager of The Bollywood Co

Natasha Pszenicki

Nileeka grew up in a Sri Lankan family, and there are a number of different traditions that she still practises.

“We go to temple near Turnham Green and celebrate life events there, when my daughter was born there were lots of prayers.

"I have a busy life in central London, but my Buddhist side grounds me and is a big part of my personality.”

Going out

“I love Battersea Park, it’s just gorgeous and always the first place to visit with my little one.”

To do

Nileeka loves Bollywood dancing, but wants people to know it’s not just a gimmick for a hen party or Indian wedding: “There’s so many different types from classical to high-energy Bhangra and strictly Bollywood, which is more like what you see in the movies. Classical is in many ways the ballet of Indian dancing.

"It is very strict and regimented with beats, and sounds. Bhangra is more like Zumba or fitness.

"It's high energy, from the north of India in Punjab when farmers used it to celebrate their harvest.”

Kurt Henderson, 27, co-founder of the city discovery app NAVA

Natasha Pszenicki

He loves going out in the city, which partly inspired the need for the app. Along with co-founders Tom and Olivia, he wanted to find something “a bit more personal” when going out.

“We were scrolling through blogs and articles to find a good place to go but we felt nothing showed you how a venue was relevant to you. Just if it was good or bad.”

Going out

“I like the free comedy upstairs at the Camden Head, where big acts come there to practise their jokes.

"But I also like going to galleries such as the V&A and more independent ones too.

"Brick Lane is great on weekends, there’s Rich Mix cinema and lots of poetry and spoken word in places like Shoreditch as well."

Drinks

“One of my favourite bars is Black Rock in Moorgate. It’s hidden and so unique. You have to go down these little steps, I end up accidentally walking past it every time.

"The music is incredible, and there’s a massive oak tree in the middle with whisky brewing.”