I was supposed to be going to a talk tonight. I mean, I'd have gone, but I wasn't that enthused about it - booked it a while ago, when nothing more interesting was scheduled for tonight. And then, the World Music Meetup organised a concert with De Fuego, a Spanish guitar duo. Ah well - Spanish guitar is a magnet to me, so I had no hesitation in changing my plans!
Shoreditch again, so again I didn't want to drive - the route's just too complicated. This time, it didn't start till 9, which gave me plenty of time to get out - so I decided to get the bus, since it's cheapest, and it turned out that the 344, which I can get just down the road, terminates within easy walking distance of the place! I'd be taking it pretty much for its entire route - fair enough, and I checked out my route to the Bedroom Bar on Streetview.
A freezing cold wait for the bus, just like yesterday. The bus itself was nice and warm, which was a relief on thus near-hour-long journey. I did remark, as we went, just how many places are familiar to me on this bus route! It's the bus I'll be taking to the Southwark Playhouse tomorrow.. the bus I'll be taking to The Globe, Thursday of next week.. I noticed it also passes right by the Menier Chocolate Factory, which could yet prove handy! Across the river, it passes Monument Station, heads to Liverpool Street Station and Spitalfields, and finally, I was the very last to leave, on Appold Street - the last stop.
I had to walk straight ahead - or as straight as I could, given road works, cul-de-sacs, and junctions. I passed a map on the way - reassuringly - but actually, didn't get lost at all, eventually coming upon Rivington Street. I turned right there, and immediately saw the bar sign ahead of me, on the right. Approaching the window, I actually spotted what turned out to be my group straight away, sitting inside - as usual with a strange bar, it's not always easy to find the entrance, and the doors at that side turned out to be a fire exit. No, the actual entrance was further down, with a friendly bouncer - who chatted with me about the snow that fell earlier - and plenty of signs advertising De Fuego.
Inside, it's quite cosy - wood floor, fire to the left, in what might be a restaurant section. The bar is to the right, with a small stage at the far end, draped in heavy, red curtains. Standard lamps are dotted about the place, aiding the cosiness - oh, and the back of the stage is decorated with saw blades. Go figure. Yes, that was my table, and I bagged a chair and made for the toilets - weak hand dryer and a kind of foot pull on the door, designed so that you didn't have to use your hands to open the door, after washing them. Too much trouble, I discovered, and used the handle as normal.
The bar had a sign up requiring an £8 minimum spend on cards - bummer, I didn't have cash. The smiley barmaid couldn't have been more apologetic. So I ended up having to have a bag of crisps with my large wine - which came to exactly £8, altogether. Well, they were tasty - if a bit fiery, being of "sweet potato, cheese, and jalapeno pepper" flavour. And I just took my seat as the band took the stage - late, as always with live acts, but not too much so.
I'm afraid, for me, it went downhill from there. They're accomplished enough, but it transpired I just didn't like their music! Well, it was ok, but no more than that for me. The two covers that they performed were far and away my highlights of the evening - Rodrigo y Gabriela's Tamacun, and a guitar version of a piece from Amélie. The rest just didn't make an impression. I should really have listened to their stuff in advance, but I never thought I'd come across Spanish guitar I didn't like!
They played enthusiastically for about an hour, then took a break for half an hour before beginning their second set. My group, sadly, weren't people I know very well, and I didn't gel with them - after a very dull interval, when some folks started to leave before the second set, because it ran too late and they had to get home, I decided to join them. Well, I say "join them" - I walked out alone, since none of the others who were leaving were interested in even bidding me farewell. Relieved to be out, I made my way easily to the bus stop and got home a lot earlier than predicted.
Tomorrow, mercifully, I'm back in familiar and friendly territory with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! to (ahem) The Toxic Avenger, in, as mentioned, Southwark Playhouse. I predict an interesting night, both onstage and off - no crystal ball required.
On Thursday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for The Flick, at the Dorfman (in the National). Oh, and on Friday, they're off to Lawrence After Arabia, in Hampstead Theatre - I got cheaper from the theatre itself, so I'm going separately. They don't like that, but I have a seat upstairs, so it should be possible to avoid them - and, of course, having banned me from linking to this blog on their website, they're less likely to read the blog and find out what I'm doing. And while I don't mind socialising with them - I can happily do without it, on occasion!
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