London’s Soho: 350 Years of Sex, Drugs, and Communism (Re-Air)

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1510480250089

*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*

While the aristocracy of 19th-century London lived in their large mansions along the west side of Regent Street in the district of Mayfair, it was the neighborhood of Soho on the east side where they came to party and have fun. But how did a once open farmland transform into an area plagued by prostitutes, vices, and even European radicals? It's time to explore this colorful neighborhood and its evolving role in London throughout the past several hundred years.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel through London's neighborhood of Soho to uncover its eclectic history over the past 350 years, from its role as an aristocratic enclave, to the troubled years as London’s main red-light district, to its modern revival as the center for the British film industry.

Led by award winning London Blue Badge Tour Guide Pepe Martinez, our virtual exploration using powerful images, video, and Google street view will include:

• An overview of Soho’s rapid transformation, from farmland to aristocratic housing
• The story of the Windmill Theatre, London’s first legal burlesque theatre, which inspired the movie Mrs Henderson Presents
• The relationship between Soho and one of the most famous horror novels in history
• A virtual visit to Carnaby Street to see the world's most fashionable street circa the swinging 60s, and meet the man who helped put it on the map
• A discussion around Paul Raymond, known as the King of Soho and King of Porn
• Notable figures who have passed through Soho in the last 350 years

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Pepe
I was born and bred in London and have lived here all his life apart from a year traveling the world in my 20’s. My professional life began working as a stage manager, followed by 15 years as a Tour Manager leading tours of the UK, Ireland and Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and The Middle and Far East. I qualified as a London Blue Badge Guide in 2011 and was honoured to receive the award for Best Overall Practical Guide. Pepe is a tutor on the London Blue Badge training course. In lockdown he created a virtual tour training programme which has been attended by more than 400 Institute of Tourist Guiding accredited guides around the UK.
The blue badge is the highest attainable qualification for tourists guiding in the UK. London Blue Badge Guides have to pass 11 examinations before receiving their badge. The highly prestigious badge gives exclusive guiding access to many major sites in London including Westminster abbey and Saint Pauls Cathedral.

Testimonials
"Pepe Martinez is such an entertaining presenter, this was so well researched & varied, I learned a huge amount - totally enjoyable, thank you!" -Mary Deam
"Another fantastically interesting presentation by Pepe! They are always perfectly paced and fascinating." -Nicola Hicks
"Pepe does an amazing job taking us along on his bike ride through the streets of London of the past and present informing us of life how it was and is on those streets." -Rosalie Slover
"Clever to simulate a bike ride & do a lot of street visuals. Great stories & historical bits. I like the presenter's humor & manners. Fun to hear the accent too." -Sharon Regan
"Everything!! The virtual motorcycle experience through current London, the history highlighted and Pepe’s amazingly engaging style of presenting a tour. Wow!" -Karen Ansell
"As usual, the great organization, the "make believe" walking (or bike riding) tour, a great mix of history and current buildings and shops." -Elise Russo
"Learned a lot about a fascinating neighborhood." -Lynn Levine
"The whole tour was lots of fun. Loved the stories!" -Sandra Rumayor
"Pepe's deep knowledge and entertaining style." -Catherine Foss
"Pepe did a great job! Loved his whole presentation and especially the bike ride!" -Michele Jeffery
"Historical content and the presenter's personal connections to it. Cycling videos were fun." -Christopher
"It felt like an in-person tour without the travel. Good use of video, visuals and maps. A nice balance of past and present, a few juicy stories to keep things lively (as is appropriate for a Soho-themed event). Well-paced presentation by someone clearly skilled at engaging the interest of a group rather than just lecturing." -Lahring
"So much rich history and nary a detail omitted. Plus it's entertainingly conveyed with delightful dry British humor." -Mardine
"Fun, informative, videos that made me feel I had a good idea of Soho. I could gladly have stayed another 30m and learned more. But I know it's late in the UK." -Jenny
"Love the cycling around Soho. Pepe is a fantastic guide, so full of facts, biographies, fun facts, juicy stories, compassionate tone in telling people's situations, great on film & lit, & the arts in general. The biking mode lets you feel like you are on a live tour, so clever. Great sense of humor & of course accent. :)" -Sharon
" Fascinating information. Nice to have a link to watch at my convenience." -Michele
" Pepe is hands down the best host! The videos that make you feel like you're walking are amazing!" -Carly
" A short but comprehensive history of a small patch of London England." -Caesar
" I thoroughly enjoyed Pepe’s presentation. It moved at a great pace, full of wonderful details, and linking it all as a bicycle tour was genius." -Gerald
" Incredibly well-informed and competent tour guide who has clearly made the adjustment to the digital platform with fluency." -Margaret
" Great to show the introductory map. I liked historical images. I really like the bicycle ride video between sites." -Peter
"I especially enjoy Pepe’s bike ride tours around the area he is describing. He’s so full of historical data and fun stories of individuals. that are unusual & often intriguing. Pepe is a 1st class guide!" -Sharon

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Categories: Virtual, Neighborhoods