Concert: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Tonight .. hmm. Well, I was supposed to go on another Invigorate pub crawl. Until I got the shock on Monday of being notified that I had been removed from the group! and when I tried to ask the organiser what was going on, I discovered he'd blocked me. Not to mention, when I thought to check yesterday, he'd unfriended me on Facebook! Well now, and I've known that guy for years. Goes to show, you never do know with people.. whatever his reason for removing me (probably because I don't tend to go on hikes), it seems terribly cowardly to block me on the message system as well! Never mind, Wednesdays are the most popular weekday for Meetups, and I can always find something else - indeed, instead, I was delighted to be headed with London Classical Music and Theatre Group to a London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) concert at the Royal Festival Hall! Nice, cheap tickets available - as usual - with TAC, who send you a promo code to book on the LPO website. So, bye-bye Invigorate - I'll miss this group, it was one of my friendliest, but if the organiser is going to behave like that..!

After what turned out to be a less-than-satisfactory job interview, what I fancied was a KFC - so I took myself down there, for a change. Haven't been in so long. And it has changed - they now have termini where you can place and pay for an order. So I did - my usual boneless banquet, except they now have sweet chili chicken bites as an option, so I chose them as well. I mightn't have if I'd known how long they'd take! On the plus side, I got so many different people fiddling with my bag in the meantime that I got several rounds of cutlery (sporks), straws, napkins..

In the upstairs seating area, I have to say, it looked cleaner than the last time I was there. And so I proceeded to stuff myself. The beans I always have as a side were lovely, the chili bites were lovely, and worth the wait - except, with all the other food, I couldn't finish them. But I have to say, the major event - the chicken fillets - were a major disappointment. Seriously, I remember when KFC really was finger-lickin' good! I remember the special recipe being delicious. This, however, was just chicken in overcooked breadcrumbs - tasteless and stodgy. That recipe was their USP, and if they're no longer using it, I won't be back.

After that, it wasn't long before it was time to head to the concert. Covid checks on the way in. I seemed to be first there, although it ain't easy to spot people - unless they did what our organiser did, and obligingly carry something obvious. Well, we did all meet up eventually, and a lovely, friendly bunch it was. A good chat was had until it was time to take our seats.

I'm not usually this close, here! And it was lovely to be so close to such a large sound. Meantime, the tall guy a couple of seats over was remarking to his companion that this is a really comfortable venue for him, he never feels cramped. So, you have been told..

All Russian composers tonight. The concert started with a piece I hadn't heard before, but was completely blown away by. The Kingdom of Silence, by Victoria Borisova-Ollas, is so evocative that I was transfixed. Starting with something sounding like bells, it moves through a dreamlike state - and swept me along with it. Equally evocative - if rather more depressing - was Shostakovich's Second Violin Concerto, which followed. If I had to describe it in one word, that would be "angst".. The soloist treated us to an extra piece that I'm not familiar with - and while he left the stage in one piece, the same can't be said for his violin, which had a bit fall off..

The second act was all Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony - composed, as the program notes told us, when he was convinced that Fate itself was out to destroy him. The notes also mention that he threw himself completely into it - and it certainly shows. One to blow off the cobwebs, this, and one for those who love the dramatic. Me, I loved it - so did everyone around me. Busy clapping between all movements - seems to be a thing now, and what harm - was followed by enthusiastic applause when they really were finished. I was surprised they didn't get a standing ovation, actually! But an excellent concert.

Afterwards, we all spent ages chatting - the poor security guard was most patient with us, as he waited to close up. One had to leave early, but the rest of us headed in search of a pub - and I think we found a good one in Topolski, one of those businesses under the railway arches at Waterloo. Friendly staff, and with a classic playlist to die for.. Oh yes, very much what I needed!

Tomorrow, back with the same group for a concert by the 23 String Orchestra at Cadogan Hall. This had cheap ticket offers too, but I booked too late - hey, it's been hectic!

On Friday, Ivan can't make it, but I'm meeting another ex-coworker for a meal at Cote.

On Saturday, back with Cultureseekers - for the first time in person! They're off to the Cinema Museum - apparently only group visits are allowed, these days, and it only reopens the day before. They also have a talk organised. With a choice of two times, I have - of course - chosen the later one! Cash on the day - I'll have to get some.

On Sunday, ooh - London European Club is at a storytelling event in King's Place! Not Crick Crack this time - this appears to be an independent event, a telling of The Little Prince, with piano accompaniment. Sounds lovely!

On Monday, Surrey History Meetup has another Zoom meeting - this one is on Canal History and Heritage.

On Tuesday, my first in-person Meetup with 45+ not Grumpy Old Londoners - a guided walk with Laurence Summers! This is the Feisty Fitzrovia pub tour - and since I used to live there, I can hardly refuse! Another pay-on-the-day, damnit.

Next Wednesday - would you believe, my first Meetup of the year with Up in the Cheap Seats! Well, they're going to see Magic Goes Wrong, which I've been dying to see - again, I could hardly refuse! Yet again, I missed out on cheap tickets - ended up in the Gods, but at the end of a row, and the view should be OK. The Apollo Theatre, tickets now cheapest on the official website. And with all the seats that are still free, you never know, I might get an upgrade.. The ticket was a nightmare to book, mind - when I tried to add my payment details, it gave me an error! Failing to get a response from the box office, I tried the workaround of adding the payment details to my account and checking out again, which worked.

On the 27th, I wasn't really seeing anything - but CT just advertised two shows at 2Northdown that night. So I'm going to both! As you do. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - and finally get to pick up my new phone! But the Stansted Express isn't running again that Sunday, damnit..