Film: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

For today, I was thinking of a film. After I deleted all the stuff at the top of the list that wasn't showing today, I was left with The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Never heard of this person, but it turns out to be the story of a transgender gay activist, who died in mysterious circumstances. I couldn't even find a trailer, but the story sounded interesting enough. Showing at the Curzon Aldgate only, and practically sold out when I checked - so I booked.

Just as well it was an evening showing - it was late when I got to bed, and again, it gave the day a chance to cool off a bit. I left it a little bit tight to eat before leaving, and wouldn't you know - with just a couple of bites left to go, the building's fire alarm goes off! Perfect timing, sez I, gobbling down the last of it and the last of my wine. Left the washing up till I got back, and left them to it. They're charging residents £250 for setting off the alarms now, you know..

Well, my plan was to take the bus from Oxford Street - but when I got there, wouldn't you know it, it was delayed, and now wouldn't get me there in time. Plan B - Tube - and the station was just across the road, handily. My God, it was hot down there though - and when I got off at the other end, I was glad to have Google Maps, without which I'd never have found the cinema, tucked away behind hoardings as it was. I scuttled straight for the screens, happily brandishing my e-ticket on my phone to the usher, who directed me, and explained that the aircon was out of order in that screen, so if I wanted to leave within 20 minutes, I'd get a refund. Oh, okay. There was also water outside the door - I passed. Actually, it wasn't too hot in there, and the reclining seats were lovely. If a bit jerky.

Well, this seems to have been part of the East End Film Festival. A chap was giving a speech as I came in - I pretty much missed all of it, but never mind. And we were then straight into the feature. Which was just as well, because I found it very long. Now, I'm glad to see this community, which so often doesn't have a voice, get some positive attention. We got to know several of the deceased's friends, saw footage of the deceased, met some very nice people, generally quite gentle folk.

Essentially, this story focuses on one activist who decides to reopen the case before she retires, and goes from pillar to post trying to find the truth behind what was officially designated a suicide. Spoiler: she comes up with several theories, but proves not a thing, and ultimately posts the whole lot off to the F.B.I., since she doesn't have the funds to pursue it herself through the courts. Bit of a damp squib, then. And it seems to be more the former roommate of the deceased, who dies of cancer in the course of the film, who was the real activist - the subject of the title seems mainly to have been famous for dressing flamboyantly. If (s)he was famous for anything else, it wasn't mentioned. Hey-ho - if this is a particular interest of yours, go see. Otherwise, stay away - it's terminally boring. Boy, am I sick of "worthy" films getting high ratings.. At least it was over early, I got a bus home, and a nice, cold drink on the walk from the bus stop.

For tomorrow, I was thinking of a film again. I hadn't booked anything, then got an email from Kensington Classical Music yesterday, who are headed to a concert that evening. Well, I considered it, but as well as the fact that I could get cheaper tickets from the venue (and would then have the fun of avoiding them), I figured I'd rather go the film I had in mind. Der Müde Tod (Destiny) is a German silent film from the 20s, about a girl who does a deal with the Devil, so she can be reunited with her dead lover. Right up my street. (Wonder Woman is higher rated.. but no thanks.) Closest venue is the BFI, and when I checked, it was nearly sold out! So I booked, finally. Gosh, it's ages since I've been there - I can just feel those lovely, plush seats.

On Tuesday, I have one of those £3.60 tickets, to a play called The English Heart, at the Etcetera Theatre. The closest interesting thing to me that they had on their list, basically.

On Wednesday, I've (ahem) provisionally booked for free comedy in Greenwich, with Random London, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon & Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. I'll probably end up going to a film instead.

On Thursday, I'd originally booked for free comedy in Hammersmith, with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London. Also advertised with Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK (twice). Instead, I'm back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night have a talk on Urban Legends of the Tube. Of course, I can cancel up to 48 hours beforehand without penalty, and indeed, I got this one for free anyway, for filling a loyalty card for LDN Talks @ Night, having been to three talks (more, but anyway). But I'm unlikely to do so - sounds interesting, there's a lack of decent alternatives, and anyway I'm not sure I could get my free ticket transferred to another talk.

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and on Saturday my mother and I are off to the Limerick Sings International Choral Festival - always worth a look, and the gala concert takes place in the University Concert Hall that night.

On the 26th, I'm headed to some comedy for £3.60 - this one's at The Tabernacle. Gosh, that's quite close to the site of the dreadful fire this week - I might take a wander up that direction.

On the 27th, I'm back with the London European Club (LEC) at last - an evening of Welsh stories and writing at the London Welsh Centre. Be lovely to see some familiar faces!

On the 28th, I had booked with Random London, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich and London Live Comedy (again) for free comedy in Greenwich (again). And then I switched to West London Improvised Comedy Nights, who have a show at The Lillie Langtry, which is closer - indeed, very close to where I've lived longest in London. However, some more folks I haven't seen in a while - a couple of members of the Man with the Hat's old groups - are headed to a concert at the Royal Academy of Music, with London Social Detours. The concerts are free, but the group is charging a Meetup fee, so I'd normally just go on my own - but I want to meet these folks, so I'll stump up.

On the 29th, yes, once again I'd booked for free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London. Also advertised by London Live Comedy, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK (again, twice). But then I'd booked to go with the LEC to a talk on the relationship between Britain and France, at the LSE. Would've been interesting, but sod it, I then realised I have a late meeting that day, and with the talk starting quite early, it's a non-starter. Didn't want to rebook the comedy, having cancelled it. So I had a look at what else was on Meetup - and discovered something interesting. I hadn't been getting a wide variety of things on the main Meetup site - but they've mercifully improved the app. Which is what I happened to consult when I realised I'd have to cancel the talk, since I didn't have a laptop to hand. And lo, the app had LOADS more events. Seriously, there's a real disconnect between the app and the main website. Tons of interesting stuff. And on the app - well, a group called Ealing Ladies Social Group was headed to Terror, at the Lyric Hammersmith. Which sounded the most interesting of all. Not the group, mind, which has far too many rules and regulations for my liking - and they're closed to new members anyway. Nothing to stop me going myself, though..

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again! Not usual for me to go two weeks in a row.. more details below. On 3rd, London Dramatic Arts is off to see The Mentor, at the Vaudeville Theatre. Expensively, as usual. I'm going as well - cheaply, courtesy of Amazon Tickets. Sat in the Grand Circle, I should be able to avoid them.

On 4th, I cancelled more free comedy in Hammersmith (Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, London Live Comedy, and Discover LDN.UK) for another Funzing talk - The Psychology of Dreams. As advertised by London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. Cancellable, but I'm so far unlikely to do so.

On 5th, back with the LEC, for a concert of Greek music at Sands Films. Looking forward to that - I love the venue, but haven't fancied the last couple of concerts they've had there.

On 6th, I'm booked for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, London Live Comedy, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK. Whaddya think the odds are I'll actually go?

Then comes a weekend I've been looking forward to for a while. Long-anticipated, the European leg of U2's 30th anniversary tour of The Joshua Tree kicks off in Twickenham on the 8th & 9th. 'Mare of a place to see them - after I saw them there in 2005, I swore - never again. Happily, I now know someone living down that direction! :-) Helen is also coming with me to the first concert, and I'm staying with her for the weekend. Which sorts transport for the first night - she'll drive. The second night, I'll head back by bus - the train is an absolute nightmare. Anyway, this would have been a weekend in Ireland - hence the trips back two weekends in a row, preceding it.