Category Archives: celebrities

Kennington: celebrity party zone with Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora

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We may be a little late in covering the #DKNYArtworks party that took place at the old Lambeth Fire Station on Whitgift Street earlier this summer, but we have good reason: we pride ourselves on lack of hype here, and we wanted to make sure that when we said that Kennington hosted this summer’s hottest party, nothing was going to trump that. Now in mid-August, it’s safe to say that SE11 can take the crown, after a night that featured Cara Delevingne stagebombing Rita Ora’s set (attempting a duet and showing off her very own take on the twerk), and appearances from an array of London’s bright youngish things including Eliza Doolittle, Henry Holland, Nick Grimshaw, Professor Green, Millie Mackintosh, and Bella Freud.

DKNY Artworks Launch, London, Britain - 12 Jun 2013

The old Lambeth Fire Station is part of an historically important fire brigade complex, sitting just behind a fire practice tower, and the more architecturally remarkable art deco moderne London Fire Brigade Headquarters on the Albert Embankment.

The Old Fire Station - kenningtonrunoff.com

The Dog House: an appreciation

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We once read something online complaining about the Dog House due to its late opening and its liberal use of the pavement for seating. These are the two best things about this Kennington institution. It’s right in the heart of Kennington at Kennington Cross, and the fact that people are always sat outside enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning makes the area feel vibrant. It’s a little rough around the edges and we rarely visit a pub past 11pm nowadays, but when we do, it’s nice to know the Dog House will be open and buzzing. They have window boxes in full bloom at present, and they lend their tables to the Kennington Association for their occasional table top sales. Regulars at the pub include Morrissey* and Steve Lamacq**.

Flowers:

The Dog House flowers - kenningtonrunoff.com

The Dog House at night:

The Dog House at night - kenningtonrunoff.com

And in the day:

The Dog House - Kenningtonrunoff.com

* Clarification here

** Steve Lamacq actually does drink in the Dog House sometimes.

Florence Welch went to South London Pacific, got drunk, and covered Daft Punk and The Gossip with the house band

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South London Pacific (geddit?) is a tiki bar in Kennington. Florence Welch is a Kennington resident and front woman of Florence & The Machine. She jumped on stage while house band Sourberry were warming up, and performed Daft Punk’s Get Lucky and Standing In The Way Of Control by The Gossip. Highlights include her downing a tequila shot then discarding the glass, and stage diving off at the end.

This is the stuff that Kennington Runoff dreams are made of, and we’re not making it up.


n.b. should you read the Daily Mail?

Studio 180

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NME cover stars Palma Violets rehearse at, and played their first ever gig at, Studio 180 on Lambeth Road. This is a house owned by Network Rail that has been converted into artists’ studios by the team behind Make Space Studios. Occasionally it plays host to gigs which are always rammed and atmospheric, not least thanks to the punch that is served. There are also yoga classes and not particularly private parties. It’s cool.

Studio 180 - kenningtonrunoff.com

historic Kennington celebrities

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Charlie Chaplin lived at numerous addresses in Kennington. If you buy a property in Kennington, the likelihood is that Charlie Chaplin will have lived there at some point. Having fallen on hard times, Charlie and his mum spent some time in the Victorian workhouse that is now home to the amazing Cinema Museum.

Van Gogh lived on what is now called Kennington Road. The madness set in only after he left.

The founder of Singapore was from East Kennington. In many ways Singapore can be seen as an attempt to re-create Kennington in Asia.

Bob Marley stayed in South Kennington when St Agnes Place was home to a Rastafari temple, and played football in Kennington Park. Beat that, Hyde Park.