writer & journalist
by Sara Valle-Martínez London is a metropolitan city with over nine million inhabitants roaming its streets, taking red double-decker buses, and pushing and fighting to get a seat in the Central Line at rush hour. If you step outside you realise a few things right away. First, the city is a melting pot – a …
Continue reading "Pollution in London: Will Sadiq’s plans make a difference?"
Written and captured by Sara Valle-Martínez People gathered on a Monday night in indie venue Lafayette in London to see what the actor-turned-singer Maya Hawke had to offer. South African singer Manu Grace opened for a crowd of expectant fans with a set of groovy beats and unguarded lyrics. Standing on stage in her green velvet dress with her guitar and …
Continue reading "Maya Hawke at Lafayette in London with opener Manu Grace"
by Sara Valle-Martínez Imagine the following scenario: you spend hundreds – sometimes thousands – of pounds on a tattoo design by your favourite artist. Just a few days later, when you’re finally able to share your beloved body art with the world after the tedious healing process has ended, your employer tells you that you …
Continue reading "Tattoos at work: does body art mean a lack of professionalism?"
Text, photos, and infographics by Sara Valle-Martínez If you’ve ever thought about buying in bulk, you might’ve been put off because of the inconvenience of having to carry empty containers to the shops or the high prices of organic food. But there are ways to make bulk shopping cheaper - while helping the environment at the …
By Sara Valle-Martínez Sonus faber pay tribute to the titans of music history, from those on stage to those working behind the curtains, with their new award-winning Homage collection. The Homage New Generation melds artistry with cutting-edge innovation to elevate the listening experience to new heights. All the squares in the company’s ethos are checked. …
Continue reading "Sonus faber’s Homage New Generation Launch Event"
By Sara Valle-Martínez (ARCHIVE: Originally published in 2014) Three years after the play’s first revival since the 1950s, this new production of Accolade still has the ability to surprise its audience. Featuring a host of witty and raw characters, Accolade deals with writer Emlyn Williams’ belief that we all have something to be ashamed of. Director Blanche McIntyre took a chance in restaging this 50s …
Continue reading "Accolade at the St James | Theatre review"
By Sara Scheeres and Sara Valle-Martínez. Photos by Sara Scheeres When you walk into the Sylvanian Families store in Finsbury Park, it feels like a coming-of-age film, right when you get to the scene where there's a flashback to the main character’s childhood. Everything has a sepia filter and when the protagonist looks down, they realise …
Continue reading "Sweet goodbye to nostalgia: Sylvanian Families store closes in Finsbury Park"
By Sara Valle-Martínez Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) will cover whole of Greater London from 29 August 2023. Drivers will face a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads from next year, as part of the mayor’s attempt to clean up the city’s toxic air and tackle the climate emergency. …
By Gülsüm Bölük, Fatou Coulibaly, Sam Sorabjee, and Sara Valle-Martínez Nag’s Head business owners in Holloway feel disconnected from the upcoming community Christmas event to be held this weekend. Islington Council announced yesterday that a Festive Lights Event will take place in Nag’s Head Marketon Saturday, November 19, with Islington’s Mayor, Marian Spall, switching on the Christmas lights. …
Continue reading "Festive spirit lacking before Saturday’s Christmas event"
By Sara Valle-Martínez, Lauren Spencer and Gabriela Yorgova Breweries might have to serve warm beer amid blackout warnings from the National Grid’s chief executive, and Holloway hospitality businesses are worried they might have to close down. John Pettigrew said earlier this month Britain could be affected by the winter blackouts from 4pm to 7pm during …
Continue reading "Warm beer? Industry workers speak out amid economic crisis"
Sara Valle-Martínez 