It’s about time I threw another free Spotify playlist your way and it is also, conveniently, about time for me to go on my first road trip since I was a teenager.

Though this weekend’s trip is a little more EuroTrip than cornfields and 500-lane highways, my road trip playlist mantra doesn’t ever change based on destination; pepper the smooth roadie grooves with some offensive rap and tie things up with some old school Girl Talk.

It’s the recipe for musical success. Trust me.

Click here to listen!

(Download Spotify here. It’s free! )

After leaving theatre school in London I ‘graduated’ to Glee (the club, not the show) while I was in Grand Ole American high school. Post high school? My musical-loving, tap-dancing self has indulged only in a karaoke night or ten…

…until I discovered City Academy. What a jazz hand-worthy revelation. With over thirty locations across London, City Academy is London’s leading creative and performing arts academy and caters strictly to those over 18 years of age. Classes include every type of dance imaginable, acting, film making, singing, musical theatre, diva masterclasses (Beyonce, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna etc), Comedy Classes, sitcom writing, screen writing, public speaking and more.

For me? Nothing made sense like their Improvers Musical Theatre Class. Designed to suit those with a bit of musical experience (ideally you will have completed a City Academy Beginners Musical Theatre Class), the 8-week class builds towards a showcase that features numbers will be chosen from all eras and styles of musical theatre. Though I have an unfortunate schedule that makes it impossible to commit to a full course, I was able to trial the class on Week One and completely fell in love. The goal being to nail one number per week, the class – led by the very talented Rebecca Wicking – is fast moving, inspiring, and a laugh a minute.

To spread the musical love, they have very kindly offered one of you the chance to win £250 worth of City Academy vouchers which you will be able to use on any class/classes of your choice! (Keep in mind: one Beyonce Diva Workshop is only £25. You can really have a blast with this prize!)

To enter you must: Like Lela London on Facebook and follow Lela London on Twitter (receive an extra entry for following Lela London on Bloglovin’!) through the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Competition ends May 10th, 2013.

Though I did have to throw in a spot of new Justin Timberlake to the mix (I have been bouncing around to The 20/20 Experience for most of the day), I have been listening to a rather strange compilation of artists this month. Little bit of Funeral for a Friend, little bit of Rudimental, little bit of Alex Winston…lots of good music. Your ear candy. You’re welcome.

Click here to listen!

(Download Spotify here. It’s free! )

Tomorrow is February 1st. Naturally, Valentine’s Day is about to be shoved down our media-consuming throats.

Even as an engaged woman, I can only hear Celine Dion or Marvin Gaye croon about true love (or true getting it on) so many times before I want to rip my ears off and throw them in an empty box of Ferrero Rochers.

For those who feel the same, I have created the Un-Valentines Spotify Playlist. With FOE, Supergass, La Roux, Kate Nash, The Hives, Caesars and more at your disposal, this playlist should be able to get you through the month without feeling like you need to find a boyfriend or watch The Notebook.

And, because I feel like writing infomercial-style, POPULAR LYRICS INCLUDE…
“My worst mistake was that I never let you down…”
“There’s a breeze in the tree singing ‘your black heart, your black heart needs a transplant’…”
“Get your head out of the sand, but it’s too late…”
“It starts out easy, something simple, something sleazy, something inching past the edge of the reserve….”
“I’ll never let you sweep me off my feet…”

Click here to listen!

(Download Spotify here. It’s free! )

Like a lot of the Great British High Street, HMV are having a few dog days at the moment. While their future may be uncertain, HMV – the Oxford Street branch in particular – will forever have a piece of my heart. When I was younger, I would peruse the sparkly and bustling aisles of CDs after spending Saturdays in theatre school. I would imagine that my face would one day replace the CD covers of Lenny Kravitz, No Doubt, Alison Krauss, and Missy Elliott (all stars that the store introduced me to). While that dream may no longer be a likelihood, these photos of HMV Oxford Street in the 1950s will forever encapsulate that fragment of wonderment and importance for me.

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