Concert: The Lucky Dog Jazz Trio

I was back to Ireland for the weekend again. Let's start there, and with my first major flight delay of the year - categorised as one where I'm too late to catch the Stansted Express. Caused by the weather this time, apparently. So, bus it was - I bought my National Express ticket from a machine, as usual (£3 cheaper than buying it from a person!), but did pass the Airport Express desk on the way out. They also go to Liverpool Street, and are cheaper.. but I've never seen where they go from, and didn't know the timetable, so I passed, in favour of what I was familiar with. As usual, I wasn't in time to squeeze on the next bus out, and ended up on the 2am. Arrived home just after 3am - and blast it, after I'd slogged down from where my bus parked and rounded the corner, there was an Airport Express parked right outside my house! Jeez, next time I need a bus, I'll look at them more closely..

Anyway, I was pretty out of it today - but not so much that I had to change my plans. For tonight, I originally booked for This is Black, Double Bill 1. But gee, Civilised London (CL) then advertised another night at Wilton's - featuring, on this occasion, the Lucky Dog Jazz Trio. Now, that'd be a blast! So I booked for that, instead. And given Tuesday night's offering from This is Black, I was so glad about that..! Not only that, but the organisers later got in touch to explain that one of the plays for that program.. isn't actually audience-ready yet! (Amateur hour, I knew it.) Instead, they're organising a series of public readings, to gauge audience reactions. They invited people to get in touch if they wanted to change their bookings. Well now.. so I got in touch, and am getting a refund! Nice..

I'd have been a bit earlier, but grabbed a bite to eat before I left - and then got chatting to my boss about something, just as I was on the point of leaving. Still, I wasn't too late - and gee, when I went in, the bar was as empty as last time! And my group had the same table, near the music, as before - lovely. A nice chat ensued before the show. It wasn't until the show had started, however, that Mary became the first of us to notice that the atmospheric "Wilton's" sign to the rear had gone! Never fear - we asked; and people apparently like to use it for wedding photos, so with a wedding booked on the premises, they've moved it to that room. Temporarily.

They might not have dressed in period style (as per their promotional photo), but the music was of the 1920s - well, one from the 30s slipped in. Catchy throughout, with a couple of slow numbers - they might have suffered some confusion over what to play next (and where the sheet music and lyrics were), but the playing itself was top notch, and they have a terrific couple of singers. Apologies, I can't include videos, which don't embed properly.

Afterwards, a brief chat with the lead singer, and home - blissfully earlier than last night!

Tomorrow, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group - they're at a free outdoor concert in Canada Square Park, called the Magic of the Movies. Again, I'll be watching the weather - promised rain is no longer promised, but it could be cold.

Now, Up in the Cheap Seats is at Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet the same night, at Sadler's Wells - and I was gutted not to get a ticket. But guess what - I got one for the next night! Last seat in the house, in fact.. love Matthew Bourne. This is now sold out completely for the run, apparently.

On Thursday, back with The Embers Collective, who are performing Full Moon Stories at Cafe Cairo.

On Friday, I'm back with the Best Authentic Walking Tours in London (aka Funzing) - for the Sex, Drugs, Sausage Rolls Tour. Unusual for me to find a new walk!

On Saturday, going to see The Doctor, with Juliet Stevenson, at the Almeida. Now, I'd originally booked for this for Thursday, forgetting that The Embers Collective were meeting that day. Can happen when I'm booking lots of stuff. When I realised my mistake, I thought I just wouldn't bother with this - then saw that London Dramatic Arts are going on Saturday! So I switched my ticket to that night, and let them know I was coming too. Now, the organiser is selling tickets for this, and doesn't appreciate competition - or anyone advertising another way to get tickets. Which might be why she deleted the comment I left to explain that I'd be there that night too! I haven't had a message from her either - so I suppose she'll be ignoring me, then. Wouldn't be the first time.

On Sunday, going with CL to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please!

Next Monday, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it.

On the 20th, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.

And on the 21st, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.