Concert: Chicago Blues Explosion

Tonight, I headed to Chicago Blues Explosion in the January Blues Festival at the 100 Club. Tickets from See Tickets (ST) - just a shame their early bird tickets were sold out. My companion from last night thought that sounded good, and booked too - we planned to eat beforehand at Bistro1. Lordy, it's years since I was last there!

I made it there early - and, cold as it was, went straight in. I was seated straight away, and ordered a bottle of wine to be going along with, as well as a starter for myself in due course, she not having arrived yet. I had it half eaten when she came through the door - apparently her internet had stopped working (a common complaint in these parts) and she'd got lost.

I had calamari, which I wouldn't have again - it was very rubbery. I see that on previous occasions I had the deep fried brie - must remember that in future! The beef bourgignon, I'm happy to report, however, was as delicious as ever. She was feeling a bit off after last night's meal - had two starters, rather than a starter and main, and proclaimed them exactly what she needed, nice and light. We both squeezed in an ice cream dessert. Conscious of time, we noticed that asking for the bill was the first time all night we'd had a delay in service..!

Well, we scuttled off to the club, about a 10-minute walk away - on Oxford Street, we weren't quite sure where it was, until I spied a queue. Sure enough, that was it.. and what a frigid night to make us wait outside!

We shuffled in, showed our tickets, and gave our names, to the guy with the checklist, and got a stamp. For some reason, it wouldn't imprint properly on my wrist, so I got it on my palm! Anyway, downstairs has a cloakroom, with a £2 per item charge. I wasn't going to bother, but was glad I did, in the end - when the club got full, it was stifling, and it was good not to have to carry my coat!

Photos of famous previous artists line the walls - this place has been around a while! We got drinks at the bar, and positioned ourselves near the stage. There is limited seating, but you'd have to get there by 7 at least to get a chair! (We kind of managed 7.30). A DJ played for early arrivals - live music started at 8.15. Despite dire warnings from someone in the queue, the ladies' toilets, at least, were quite sanitary - covered in interesting graffiti, yes (such as the life advice for ladies in one cubicle, one nugget being never to vote Conservative..). Not much toilet paper, though.

First of the live acts was Jamiah Rogers - a lively guitarist, who put my companion in mind of Jimi Hendrix. Quite the performer, he was constantly interacting with the audience, to the point where I really thought he'd jump offstage at one point. Terrific music, though.

And so to the bigger hitters - we had John Primer, who's played with many the great performer:

He was then joined by Billy Branch. And I swear, they fairly raised the roof!

Fantastic music. Unfortunately, the press of the crowd was something I'm not used to, and I had to retreat to the rear for the latter part of the concert, where there was a bit more oxygen. But wow, this is a great blues venue! Great to see them all gather for a jam at the end.

Tomorrow, with TAC for a classical concert at King's Place (nice and close). This is the Kirckman Society for young artists, presenting Connaught Brass. 

On Thursday, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around.. Mind you, the lady that sold me my ticket for Mandela was in touch afterwards to say that the theatre is offering a free link to a livestream of the full show! and she was asking me what day would suit. This being one of the options, I figured it'd be a good way to avoid the cold of Canary Wharf..

On Friday (unusually, it's usually Thursday), back with Watkin's Bookshop for a book launch. This is Fifty Forgotten Books by R. B. Russell. Occult theme, as usual. Let's see whether I can avoid falling asleep this time!

On Saturday, back at King's Place - this time it's the Crick Crack Club, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!

On Sunday, back with Cultureseekers for the Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum. Assuming it's not curtailed due to transport strikes - there is a warning on the museum website that galleries might have to close early!

On Monday, I've finally booked for Best of Enemies at the Noel Coward Theatre. This play concerns a series of debates on US television between liberal writer Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in 1968 - the interesting twist here, given the time and place we're talking about, is to cast William Buckley as black! Had my own seat review on Seatplan to guide me in picking a seat - this is one of those restricted view/legroom theatres. And despite all the theatre offers flooding my inbox, I found the cheapest tickets for this on the official website! Mind you, what with ST doing the selling, I found myself with a second, unexplained, booking fee..

For the next week or so, it's all Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! Next Tuesday, for some reason, I hadn't seen their advertised event to see Orlando, based on the book by Virginia Woolf, and showing at the Garrick. For this, however, I found the cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (OLT).

On the 25th, we're off to see John Bishop at the Leicester Square Theatre. Love him, so I booked as soon as I saw this advertised - one of the few things for this month that I booked last month! Not that it seems to be selling out..

On the 26th, we're off to The Vaults Festival - specifically, The Welsh Lxdies, a bilingual show about the women of Wales. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 30th, we're heading to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from OLT.

On the 31st, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I'm back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I've got a front-row ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

On the 1st, back with the Horror Book Club - Lordy, that means I need to read a book! :-) I suppose I can use my flights for that. This time, it's The Ballad of Black Tom, based on the Lovecraft story, The Horror at Red Hook, but told from the perspective of a black man. Which means I should really read that, too.. Nice, I'd like to get back to some Lovecraft! I've read the summary of that, and am a decent way through the book club's book. Again, it's in the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

On the 2nd, I'm on my own for My Son's a Queer (but what can you do?), a musical at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 3rd, my first meeting of the year with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We're off to Wigmore Hall, to listen to the Hagen Quartet play Mozart. They're Austrian, so that's appropriate.. I just need to remember not to drink the ultra-expensive sauvignon blanc!

On the 4th, well, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are back to Greenwich again. Now, I have been there with him before.. not sure how "new" this one will be, but hey, it was a great day last time!

On the 5th, nothing on Meetup appeals massively at the moment - I might go for a walk along the Ken's Events route, if I feel like it! (on my own). Or Over 40 Living the Life has advertised a walk along the New River.. I'll have to see, as I have to pay to sign up (refunds given to those who then come). And I might well change my mind..

On the 6th, my first actual event with that group. We're off to How Not to Drown at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East - the first event of theirs for which I couldn't get a cheaper ticket! So I decided, if I couldn't beat them, I might as well join them. True story of an unaccompanied, 11-year-old asylum seeker.

On the 7th, excited to be headed to see Derren Brown in Showman, at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Modern magic! Cheapest tickets with OLT again.

On the 8th, off to The Lehman Trilogy, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Based on the true story of the bank that collapsed. Got the last £39.50 ticket!

On the 9th, back with UITCS for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. Turns out North London Friends are headed to it the same night - what, are they now copying this group, as another group did some time ago? (since closed down). And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th, I'm headed to Allegiance, starring George Takei in a musical based on the true story of his time in an American internment camp during the Second World War. Showing at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Bistro1

Today, I arranged to have lunch with Helen - she's squeezing in a trip to London before the infamous strikes start, tomorrow! We arranged to eat at Bistro1, and booked a table. Now, when I went to book, they advertised a Groupon voucher for a meal for two - great, except when I phoned, I was told it wasn't valid in December! Never said anything about that on the voucher. So I've got a refund on the voucher, and they said they'd inform the restaurant that it was no longer valid. Meantime, poor Ivan was out of town this week for work and missing all the fun - and so, the other day, on the train back from a stay with the family, he floated the idea of an all-day social, some weekend. Starting today. I explained to him that I was seeing Helen today - "Bring her!" sez he. Helen was ok with them joining us, so he and another arranged to meet us.

..Unfortunately, both came down with the flu, or something similar, and we were back down to two again. What the hey. What with all the WhatsApping, I was delayed - and wouldn't you know it, the buses are all experiencing problems and diversions again. Plus, I had to change my coat when I saw it spitting rain outside, just as I was to leave - now, THAT wasn't forecast! Anyway, what with all that delay, the only realistic option for getting there at 1pm was to take the Central Line - which, for once, was manageable. Why, I even got a seat...!

Getting off at Tottenham Court Road, it occurred to me that it's a long time since I did so. Nice decor. Terribly complicated to figure your way out of. I needed to head down Charing Cross Road - so I should have taken the Tottenham Court Road exit. NOT the Charing Cross Road exit - unless you want some doorway right nearby - because your access to Charing Cross Road is completely cut off by the hoarding that's been there for years, blocking the pavement! (Crossrail works, I believe.)

Well, I made it eventually, just about on time - she was delayed, and I decided to head straight in, it being too cold to stand outside. I then completely confused the guy by saying my booking was earlier than it was - my head was all over the place - and he completely missed the bit about there now being half the number of people. Never mind, he showed me to a table directly opposite the door - so, easily visible as you come in - and gave me four menus. And while I was waiting, I ordered a bottle of white.

A basket of bread and butter kept me going till Helen arrived, full of stories of gangs of people headed to Winter Wonderland - definitely a good idea to go midweek, if you can. We chose pretty quickly, ordered, were served pretty quickly. I had deep-fried brie and beef bourgignon, she had calamari and fish n chips. And we were well-served - for my part, I have to say, the bourgignon sauce was delicious. Ice cream for both of us, with a choice of flavours - my chocolate unexpectedly came with chocolate chips! And including the bottle of wine, three courses for two people, for just over £50 including service, isn't bad value - not least for central London, you think?

Afterwards, we wended our way down to Covent Garden - heading into pretty much every chocolate shop, and every tea shop, en route..

When we'd fought off enough crowds (including in what is apparently the largest stockist of Moomin merchandise in the world), we headed for restorative drinks in the nearest Caffe Nero. Where we were lucky to get seats - and luckier when a couple vacated the winged chairs by the window, and I legged it over there while Helen queued to order! Yes, a lovely bolthole and respite from Christmas madness. And after, our buses left from the same stop, mine coming first. Happy Christmas Helen, roll on the next time!

Tomorrow, ironically, I'm on another Groupon deal - this one seems to be valid, though. I'm headed to & Juliet, a very non-Shakespearian take on the classic heroine, including a pop soundtrack, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Running at Shaftesbury Theatre.

On Tuesday, back with North London Friends for Fairview, at the Young Vic.

On Wednesday, back with the Crick Crack Club for a night I'm really looking forward to - Ben Haggarty and Jan Blake again, combined with my favourite, Clare Murphy, and Jordan Campbell, will treat us to a night on the theme Sovereign, at Rich Mix. It's the last in their series called the "alternative tarot", where four storytellers take turns to expand on variations on an archetypal theme, and hold a Q+A after. Unfortunately, Ivan, who would've loved this, is out of town again.

On Thursday, back with UITCS for Three Sisters, at the National. Also signed up with Love London Arts, Theatre, Music & Stuff for this - the last time I tried to integrate the two, it didn't really work! It'll be interesting to see how it goes this time. I'll try to gravitate more towards them this time, as I missed them completely the last time. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

Restaurant: Bistro1

Yesterday evening, we had our monthly team social. We decided to go for a meal somewhere good in Soho I'd been before - and after some detective work, I discovered it was Bistro1. Invited some people outside our teeny team, too.. fortunately, although they had a late meeting, it finished early and they got out in good time. I was happy to disabuse all of my companions of the notion of taking the Tube - at that time of the evening, it would've been horrendously crowded. And, of course, the bus is cheaper and less polluted, and you see more.

They were delighted to find that the bus was almost empty! Perhaps not so delighted when it dropped us in Holborn - there must have been roadworks, because no buses were travelling past there. So, that was a longer walk than anticipated. Not too bad, though - we arrived just after the time of our reservation. This time, they showed us to a table on the ground floor:

I remembered correctly - this is a good place to come. Mellow music played in the background. Toilets are down the stairs marked "Stairway to Heaven" (whether you're supposed to read that going down or coming up, I don't know). Service, as before, was fast and friendly, a diverse menu could be guaranteed to serve something you'd like, and the food - although not gourmet - was pleasant and filling. This time, I had a rather tasty lamb steak with mash and peas, in gravy, with some deep-fried brie to start. Someone had sea bream, someone had a blue cheese burger.. I don't remember what everyone had, but by and large, plates were cleared. Although it was perhaps not a great idea to order THREE plates of meze!! ;-) Too much food.

As usual, my boss is of the nature to replenish empty wine glasses - not with full ones, but with bottles. So I was pretty sozzled by the time we staggered outside - and quite happy for him to hail us a cab. More drinking was done back at the office - yes, it was a late one, and with a morning meeting (which I was in for, thank you!), I headed straight home after - no blogging. Another great social, though - it's so good to get to know people outside of the constraints of work.

Tonight is gonna be film, and frankly I'm glad to be on my own - I haven't the energy to be social, today! Top of the list is Green Book, again Oscar-nominated and just previewing this week. Viggo Mortensen plays an Italian American bouncer, hired to chauffeur a black concert pianist on a tour of the Deep South. In the 60s. Ouch. True story. Ironically, I got an offer for free tickets for it - for the last three days only! Bah. Anyway, today the closest I could find it showing is in the Everyman Baker Street. And wouldn't you know it, premium tickets only. Huh. Anyway, booking hasn't been heavy - but if you look at the seating plan carefully, it's mostly sofas - which can only be booked for two. So I kept a close eye on the single seats, and when I saw they were half booked just now, I booked one myself. S'posed to snow tonight - hope it doesn't lodge, or it could be a fun trip home! I brought my Yaktrax, just in case.

Tomorrow, film again - determined to get all the big hitters seen! So, tomorrow I'm finally seeing The Favourite - Olivia Coleman plays Queen Anne, with Emma Stone as Baroness Masham, and Rachel Weisz as her cousin, the Duchess of Marlborough, vying for her favour. All Oscar-nominated. I was going to see this in Rich Mix, but the only showing tomorrow is quite early - and the boss moved all today's meetings, including the evening one, to tomorrow, following our social. So that was out, and I'm now seeing it in the Vue Islington. I booked, because that's cheaper with them - and was happy, as ever, to donate to the MediCinema charity, which they support, and which brings cinema to hospitals.

On Thursday - I found a new walk! Courtesy of Walking in London, as usual. The Blood and Tears Walk (I guess there isn't any sweat) has been running for years, it seems. And the guide seems to have a good sense of humour, which should be interesting as he trails us around, looking for serial killers.

And on Friday, back on my first proper Meetup for two weeks, as I meet Up in the Cheap Seats again, for Cougar, at the Orange Tree. Got one of the last four seats on the lower level.

Dinner: Bistro1 & Ballet: Jewels

Last night, London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) was off to see The Goat - or Who Is Sylvia? with Damian Lewis, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. I managed to get a cheaper ticket - however, our team member was visiting from Stockholm, and it was her last night.. and you know, I wasn't that pushed about that play anyway, and trying to avoid those LDAM people who object to members buying their own tickets.. So I hung around the office. Drinks, sensibly, were in the office, which is well stocked - and finally, some of us decided we were hungry, and headed for dinner with no firm idea of where we were going.

Meandering through Soho, we finally lit on Bistro1. Crowded on ground level, but they offered us a table in the basement, which was just fine. Décor is enhanced by these ornate, stained-glass mosaic lights:

We skipped starters. Our visitor and I had beef bourguignon - sadly, I can't remember what the guys had, I was so intent on my own! Besides, I was more than a bit tipsy - I'd imbibed heavily in the office, and we shared a bottle here as well - and for some reason the bottles in the cooler looked rather large to me, I do remember saying that! As I ended up finishing this bottle as well, I decided I'd better order a dessert to absorb it, even though I was the only one having one. And do you know, it was all excellent - the beef bourguignon was tasty and filling, the lemon sorbet I had for dessert really lemony. Fantastic value for central London, for £20 a head including tip! Must remember it for the future.

Today, April started with the Man with the Hat (long time no see!). Both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! went to see the ballet Jewels at the Royal Opera House. He's not scheduling so many things lately, and this was something of a rare treat. Anyway, some of us arrived before him - but after directing some to the best lifts to take, I was left to my own devices. Got a glass of wine, took my seat in the slips.

Well, I had planned to dress appropriate to the theme, in something like a jewel colour; how fortunate that the colour I picked was one they also had (I hadn't checked). First up was a ballet called "Emeralds", to the music of Fauré, to be followed by a sassier piece called "Rubies", to the trains of Stravinsky, and finishing off the evening was a piece called diamonds, set to an extravagant score by Tchaikovsky. And despite the lack of story - which did bother some - the whole affair was gorgeous to look at (as you might expect). The dancers for each piece, of course, wore sparkling costumes of the appropriate colour, the sparse stage lined with backdrops of the same colour. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and the final extravaganza sent us away dazzled.

To The Sun Tavern afterwards, where we'd booked most of the first floor, as usual - and unusually, we took up most of it, too! I grabbed a seat at the end, ordered food - tried the onion rings for the first time, they were quite good. Wine was courtesy of the Man with the Hat, who was to be seen measuring out lines of glasses of it at the bar, before taking himself off. The rest of us had an enlightening chat.. Watch this space.

For tomorrow, I booked a guided walk through Islington - Between the Wars - with London for a Tenner or Less. Funzing, so I could cancel, provided I did it in time - and then I decided I'd rather go to a film. Top of the list are a couple of documentaries, and the one I'm more interested in is Tickling Giants, about a comedian and chat show host in Cairo who's always sticking two fingers up to the authorities, and getting in trouble for it. (I've been particularly interested in Egypt since I visited, back in 2000.) It's showing, that day only, in the Curzon Bloomsbury - walking distance from me, nice! Seeing that it was starting to fill up, I booked, and cancelled Funzing. Again - I have a litany of cancelled Funzing events, these days!

On Monday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club - at Soho Theatre this time, for an evening of Greek mythology entitled Atalanta, brought to us by the able Ben Haggerty. You know, now that I'm a Westminster resident, I have a Westminster card, which - among other things - entitles me to £1 off at this theatre! Pity I didn't yet have it when I booked this..

On Tuesday, Let's Do London - for less! is back at the Opera House, for Madama Butterfly. I'm in the slips, as usual. Was telling this to one of my colleagues - he's seen it, apparently, and was very impressed.

Wednesday - why, it must be summer! Welcome back, London Literary Walks - good to see you. We're on The Composers' Walk - apparently a repeat. And yay, we're meeting in Caffe Nero - I can have a chocolate Milano.

On Thursday, I'm with the World Music Meetup, for a free concert of Iranian music at the Brunei Gallery. It's been a while for me, with both group and venue.. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again, and a meeting with my birth and adoptive mothers on the 8th. That's assuming we can agree on a venue - we had decided on Greene's, but there's no parking, my mother can't walk any distance, and while she had agreed to take a taxi, she's now gone and changed her mind. I've asked whether the venue can be changed - no word yet; it's more awkward, as we're still communicating through a social worker.

On the 10th, I'm back at the Wanamaker Playhouse - always a favourite - for The White Devil, a Jacobean tale.

On the 11th, I got a cheap ticket to the Caine and Kane comedy show, in Brixton.

On the 12th, I'm with LDAM to see Don Juan in Soho, with David Tennant, in Wyndham's. Just down Charing Cross Road - nice!

Then I'm back to Ireland for Easter - on Good Friday, my (adoptive) mother and I are off to La Bohème, at the University Concert Hall.

On the 18th, back in London, and back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, for a talk on the Science of Paranormal Activity. Unless I get a better offer, in time - it'd have to be a good one, I'm interested in this!

On the 19th, London Literary Walks is off down Brick Lane - and so am I.

On the 20th, I have my usual placeholder of free comedy in Hammersmith - courtesy of Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. Of course - much like Funzing - I usually end up cancelling these, when something better comes up.

Ditto the 21st - or I may go to the cinema that day. As usual, watch this space..!

On the 22nd, I'm off to see the Naked House Cleaner! Venue to be revealed just the day before.. ooh!

On the 23rd, I'm on a walk of Hampstead Village Highlights, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts. Be good exercise, leading up to my own sponsored walk in September, in aid of Cats Protection.. Helen and I are going as Dick Whittington and his cat. She's the cat.

The 24th, another summery treat! The Man with the Hat is taking both groups to the Globe (ah, it's been too long..). For one night only, the Comedy Store Players will regale us with Shakespeare-inspired improv. As usual, London for Less than a Tenner standing in the yard, Let's Do London - for less! in lower gallery seats. Which is where I go - couldn't take standing for that long.

The 25th, London European Club again - it'll have been a while! They're off to an informal evening of classical music, in Peckham.

The 26th, London Literary Walks is doing the Sloane Ranger.

The 27th, Helen and I are on an Underground treasure hunt, courtesy of Walk, Talks and Treasure Hunts. TFL goodies to be won, it seems.. Then back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - which I'd forgotten was a bank holiday, or I'd have stayed over an extra day!

Instead, for 1 May, I've booked The Ferryman, with LDAM, at the Royal Court.

And 2 May, those same three Funzing groups have advertised a talk called Origin of Vampires: Fact or Fiction?