Concert: Russian Soul

Tonight, I was with Up in the Cheap Seats again, at the Royal Festival Hall for a "Night Under the Stars" - Russian Soul. No idea why, but I though this was with the London European Club (LEC)! Never mind, still have most of my marbles..

It was promised rain, so I dressed accordingly - and it wasn't too bad as I walked down. Left in plenty of time for once, and was the first there - in time to bag the comfy sofa at the end of the bar. In due course, the others arrived - actually, the house was open before they did, but hey, our entrance was literally around the corner of the bar! No rush, then. As I waited, a couple of guys came around to explain that they'd be spending the evening selling badges, in aid of The Passage, a homeless charity. Can't say I ever heard of them before.

Anyway, we eventually moseyed in - we all had side seats, in the same row - although I was down at the far end. Not a problem, being on the side - apart from that side of the stage being cut off. And every time I've sat there, that side of the stage is where the mc has decided to stand! It's a conspiracy, I tell you. Good view of the Royal box though - and d'you know, for the first time I've been there, it was occupied! Princess Michael happened by - seems she's a patron.

I was also impressed by the large, free programmes, left on each seat for us to find. And during the evening, the lighting stayed up enough for me to read it and find out what was going on. The "Night Under the Stars" of the title apparently refers to their annual fundraiser - seems they get together every year, around this date: and would you credit it, I never heard a thing about it! Well now.

"Russian Soul" - so, Russian composers then. We had Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Borodin - as well as the traditional Song of the Volga Boatmen, and will I ever be glad to know what that tune is called! The princess seemed particularly interested in that one, leaning forward. For that matter, the last piece - Borodin's Polovtsian Dances - were obviously the inspiration for Stranger in Paradise, from Kismet! (Well, you take your references where you can get them!) Other highlights included the opening song, the coronation scene from Boris Godunov (Mussorgsky). And, later in the show, we were shown a very moving film on homelessness, following which the Streetwise Opera filed on to perform the Song of the Volga Boatmen.

Truly, a thrilling evening - even if I couldn't understand half of what the mc, Griff Rhys Jones, was saying. A couple of us were upset we didn't have any cash on us - but you can also donate online. And it was also a shame that the two of our group who hadn't done so before didn't have the chance to experience the singing lift on the way out.. it's a sheer joy, and I was delighted that, meeting on that side of the building, I had an excuse to use it on my way in.

It was lashing as I walked back, of course. Tomorrow and on Thursday, I was to be with Up in the Cheap Seats again, which would make four nights in a row with them, as it turns out - Wednesday for Saint George and the Dragon, at the National. Which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, the consensus on Friday between those who had seen it was that the second half is too drawn out. On Thursday, they're off to Everybody's Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo. But sadly, I now have to fly back to Ireland tomorrow night, for a family funeral. At least I was planning to be there for the weekend anyway - it's just starting a bit early.

On Monday, the Crick Crack Club returns to Soho Theatre for an evening called Under the Eyes of Baron Samedi, courtesy of Jan Blake. Delighted to say I persuaded a couple of friends to come along! Hope they enjoy it. Also delighted that the crazy woman isn't coming - despite being a fan of Jan Blake, she couldn't make this.

Next Tuesday, Up in the Cheap Seats again, and we're off to The Secondary Victim, at the Park Theatre.

On the 15th, I'm finally back with The London Jazz Meetup, to see Ben l' Oncle Soul at Cadogan Hall. Really, I'd go with them much more often, but there's so much else on..!

On the 16th, I'm back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted Maud Le Pladec / Okwui Okpokwasili.

On the 17th, I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!

The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On the 18th, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on the 19th, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.

On the 20th, I'm off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre.

On the 21st, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..

On the 22nd, back with Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!

On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..

On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!

On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path! I'm perfectly capable of throwing a drink over her. If the need arises.

On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for tomorrow, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But now, of course, I can't go to that either.. third time lucky, I hope! Then I'm back to Ireland again.

On the 4th of December, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change. And they posted me physical tickets - how retro!

On the 5th of December, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.

The 6th of December sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!

I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 in the morning of the 7th of December, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with LEC! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out.

Back late on the 10th of December, and on the 11th of December - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.

On the 12th of December, I've just booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned that £10 credit! Not so shabby..

On the 13th of December, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - finally advertised on Meetup, through the World Music Meetup, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.

On the 14th of December, my friends who are off to Soho on Monday are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.

And on the 15th of December, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as on the 29th of November, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all.

Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..