Channel is Somerset House’s new curated online space for art, ideas and the artistic process.
16 November 2022 – 15 January 2023
Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon welcomes visitors this winter for an unparalleled skating experience in the heart of the capital. A beloved staple of London’s winter season, Skate transforms Somerset House’s spectacular neo-classical courtyard into a magical festive destination, complete with a picture perfect 40ft Christmas Tree featuring dazzling decorations by Skate’s headline partner Moët & Chandon around which skaters and spectators can toast the glad tidings of the season.
A host of festive experiences for all ages will be available to enjoy on and off the ice across the season, from a new series of rink-side deck takeovers from contemporary DJs, artists and collectives at Skate Lates with UNIQLO, to the ever-popular day-time skating lessons with Skate School. For 2022, the courtyard will feature a bigger skate space, welcoming friends, family and loved ones to celebrate time together on the ice.
Skate Lates with UNIQLO returns throughout the season with a new series of late-night takeovers from a specially curated line-up of DJs and artists making waves in the contemporary music scene. On 17 November, ESEA Sisters, a platform creating space for women, trans*, non-binary and genderqueer people of East and Southeast Asian heritage, kick start the Skate Lates series with an evening celebrating the latest sounds from new and upcoming acts. South-London based DJs and label Deptford Northern Soul Club takeover the rink-side decks on 2 December with the infectious sounds of Northern Soul, whilst Lexii brings the ultimate late-night party vibes to the rink on 9 December with their floor filling underground club mixes. Music promoter, record label and events producer nonclassical present the best in new classical, experimental and electronic music on 8 December. Manara, a favourite of underground club circuits across the world, whose recent residencies include BBC Asian Network and NTS, brings her signature fusion of South Asian sonics and club bangers to the rink on 13 January. A special Skate Lates on 24 November celebrates Somerset House’s major winter exhibition, The Horror Show! which explores how ideas rooted in horror have fuelled 50 years of creative rebellion, hosted by DJ Mark Moore and featured The Horror Show! artist and musician Martin Green.
For those looking to brush up on their skating skills, or first-time skaters looking to build confidence on the ice, the ever-popular Skate School returns with a new series of professional coaching sessions for adults and children with National Ice Skate Association (NISA) instructors. There will also be special Kids Club sessions for children aged 6-10, allowing children to take their first glide on the ice in a safe, fun, friendly environment supported by skate stabilisers and experienced ice marshals. Stabilisers will also be available to children throughout all Skate sessions on a first come, first served basis. Groups from 4 to 15 people can also book sessions with a Skate Mate, a dedicated ice marshal who can be booked to provide support and guidance on the ice.
The season will see the return of Chilled Out Skate sessions, which take place on selected weekday mornings and run at a reduced capacity, designed for skaters who benefit from skating in a quieter and more spacious environment, or are looking to take their first steps on the ice in a relaxed setting. The rink is open to wheelchair users across all skating sessions, as well as hosting two dedicated skate sessions for wheelchair users on 27 & 30 November. Wheelchair accessible facilities are available throughout, and from 25 – 27 November, Somerset House will be working with Mobiloo to provide a Changing Places toilet which features an accessible toilet and changing room space with an electric hoist, changing bench, and friendly attendant on-hand for any assistance required.
Those looking to unwind off the ice can do so in the style, comfort and warmth of the Skate Lounge by Moët & Chandon. Here visitors can enjoy a glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial, a classic Champagne cocktail or a Mulled Apple Spritz with the perfect rink side view. In the courtyard, Hotel Chocolat’s Chocmobile will be on hand serving up warming winter cacao delights on-the-go, from decadent hot chocolates to chocolate goodies. Visitors can also browse an exclusive pop-up store from Hotel Chocolat at Skate in the West Wing, where a range of luxury chocolate gifting will be available, perfect for those in search of an indulgent gift, or a treat for themselves. Throughout the run, a series of chocolate masterclasses and tastings for adults led by Hotel Chocolat experts will also be available to book.
Visitors in search of mouth-watering winter food and seasonal festive tipples need look no further than Skate this season. Nestled in Somerset House’s West Wing, Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia, is a cosy, magic Alpine dining experience from pop-up legend Jimmy Garcia, in partnership with Switzerland Tourism, bringing the tastes of the Swiss mountains to Skate. Championing delicacies from across three Swiss regions of Bern, Lucerne and Valais the decorative chalet-themed restaurant invites visitors to indulge in a seasonal menu of winter favourites, serving the very best in festive feasting. There is something to cater to the tastes of all skaters, from signature Traditional Suisse Fondue, with Black Truffle and Vegan options, to Berner Platte (Roasted pork belly with slow braised pig cheek, pancetta laced mash, sauerkraut and apple Schnapps jus) and Älplermagronen (Macaroni in Swiss cheese with wild mushroom and cream sauce, with the sweet taste of apple). For those with a sweet tooth, decadent desserts await, including Winter Swiss Mess (Bernese Oberland Meringue, whipped cream and fresh winter berries), finished off with a Kafi Luz (fresh coffee with Swiss Schnapps and vanilla ice cream). An array of cocktails including Moët & Chandon French 125 and Kirsch Fizz, Salted Caramel Espresso Martinis and an extensive wine list will also be on offer. Private dining rooms from 10 – 28 people, or full restaurant hire for up to 110 guests will also be available for those in search of the perfect setting for a festive get-together with friends, family or colleagues and enjoy a range of bespoke sharing packages.
Somerset House will be working with schools and local community groups to offer 1200 free Skate tickets throughout the run.
Skate ticket prices range from £10 - £22 adults / £7.50 - £11 for children including skate hire (a booking fee will apply). Prices may vary throughout the run and we advise early booking to secure the lowest price. Groups of four (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) can enjoy a family discount offering 10% off tickets. Skate Lates tickets range from £15 - £22 (plus booking fee) and include skate hire.
Sessions sell out quickly, so it is advised that visitors book tickets in advance. A small number of walk-up tickets will be available on the day.
American Express partners with Skate this year as its Preferred Payment Partner.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Dates & Times: Wednesday 16 November 2022 – Sunday 15 January 2023
Tickets: Opening hours vary, please check the website for further details
ABOUT SOMERSET HOUSE
Step Inside, Think Outside
As the home of cultural innovators, Somerset House is a site of origination, with a cultural programme offering alternative perspectives on the biggest issues of our time. We are a place of joy and discovery, where everyone is invited to Step Inside and Think Outside.
From our historic site in the heart of London, we work globally across art, creativity, business, and non-profit, nurturing new talent, methods and technologies. Our resident community of creative enterprises, arts organisations, artists and makers, makes us a centre of ideas, with most of our programme home-grown.
We sit at the meeting point of artistic and social innovation, bringing worlds and minds together to create surprising and often magical results. Our spirit of constant curiosity and counter perspective is integral to our history and key to our future.
ABOUT MOËT & CHANDON
Moët & Chandon was founded in 1743 by Claude Moët and elevated to international renown by his descendant, Jean-Rémy Moët, who dreamt of “sharing the effervescence of Champagne with the world.” From royal court to red carpet, Studio 54 to Grand Slams, Moët & Chandon has been bringing people together around thrilling, extraordinary moments. With the largest, most diverse vineyards in the region, the House offers a universal & versatile portfolio of champagnes for every occasion and palate. Easy to love, each creation – from the iconic Moët Impérial to the refined Grand Vintage Collection, the glamorous Moët Rosé Impérial to the refreshing Moët Ice Impérial – dazzles and delights with a broad spectrum of flavors and aromas to capture the astonishing breadth of its terroir. Through Natura Nostra, Moët & Chandon’s long-term sustainability program, the House works to protect biodiversity in the region and, since 2009, Moët & Chandon also supports philanthropic initiatives through Toast for a Cause. For nearly three centuries, Moët & Chandon has been the champagne of choice to mark both significant events in history and personal celebrations, enhancing each toast with the spark of effervescence.
Moet.com. Please drink responsibly.
ABOUT UNIQLO
UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.13 trillion yen for the 2021 fiscal year ending August 31, 2021 (US $19.4 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2021 rate of $1 = 109.9 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.
UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,300 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. In alphabetical order, the other markets are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. U.S. and Vietnam. In addition, UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank in 2010, and today there are more than 15 Grameen-UNIQLO stores, mostly located in Dhaka.
ABOUT HOTEL CHOCOLAT
Luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier Hotel Chocolat was founded in 2004 to make exciting chocolate with three guiding principles – authenticity, originality and ethics that remain central to the brand’s success today. With its Rabot Estate cacao farm, hotel restaurant and bar on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, a chocolate manufacturing facility in Cambridgeshire, UK, and locations across the UK and internationally, Hotel Chocolat occupies a unique space – being able to link all aspects of chocolate from the tree to the consumer. Hotel Chocolat connects the world of sustainable cacao agriculture with the hedonism of top-quality chocolate.
ABOUT JIMMY GARCIA
Since turning his living room in South-West London into a pop up 25-seater restaurant experience 11 years ago, Yorkshire-born Jimmy Garcia's dining concepts are now enjoyed with his catering at events and pop-up restaurants, all over the world and have been celebrated by the likes of British Vogue, The Sunday Times, The FT, Evening Standard, The Nudge, Time Out London and The Telegraph to name a few. Jimmy has also featured on a range of TV shows over the years including Sunday Brunch and This Morning.
In addition to Jimmy’s Pop Ups, his namesake catering company Jimmy Garcia Catering specialise in catering at luxury private parties, events and weddings, delivering extraordinary food experiences. Garnering many accolades along the way, their portfolio spans regularly working with most major brands from Google, Disney, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to Netflix, Warner Brothers, Waitrose, Nike, Samsung and Spotify.
The team share in Jimmy’s raw passion for going beyond expectations. At the heart of all the catering is superb hospitality and their philosophy of ‘no is not an option’, continues to push the boundaries and achieve exceptional experiences through food. No matter the brief, they continually deliver immersive and unforgettable food that guarantees to deliver the wow factor.
ABOUT SWITZERLAND TOURISM
Any country, however beautiful, needs to be marketed. That’s why Switzerland Tourism’s main function is the promotion of Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination. Founded in 1917, Switzerland Tourism is the country’s official national tourist office.
Switzerland Tourism specialises in the implementation of demand-stimulating and creative marketing and PR campaigns across a wide range of channels and platforms. In its partnership with Skate at Somerset House and particularly through the charming Chalet Suisse, Switzerland Tourism aims to present visitors with a snapshot of the authentic Swiss winter dining experience, not least in our partner regions of Bern, Lucerne and Valais.
Based in Zurich, Switzerland Tourism is present in 22 markets worldwide, employing around 240 people. Its office for the UK & Ireland is located in Holborn, London. Please visit MySwitzerland.com to discover more about winter in Switzerland.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS® EXPERIENCES PROGRAMME
Skate is just one of the ways American Express connects its Cardmembers to rewarding experiences and opportunities that matter to them and their businesses through its Amex Experiences programme.
Through Amex Experiences, Cardmembers have access to presale tickets, as well as the best seats and exclusive offers at some of the UK’s most sought-after entertainment events via partnerships with a range of institutions, including The British Film Institute, AEG, Live Nation, Somerset House, and the National Theatre. Amex Experiences is just one example of the powerful backing that American Express provides its customers.
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Promoter: American Express Services Europe Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
UK Enquiries: For more information on how American Express supports its Cardmembers – in life and business – please visit americanexpress.co.uk/whyamex or connect with AmericanExpressUK on Facebook or Twitter @AmexUK
UK Press Enquiries: georgina.thompson@havas.com