Tonight was Roda de Choro with Alvorada, back at The London Jukebox with the World Music Meetup. The Meetup group couldn't seem to agree with the venue on how long the gig was.. I figured I'd stick to the same times as before. But arrive a bit later, as I found the wait very long on Friday.
During the day, behold if I didn't hear from someone from the Man with the Hat's old groups! He was thinking of coming tonight, and asking how the venue was and whether the group would be meeting. I could tell him all about the venue, but said that sadly this group organiser wasn't into the social element. Anyway, we made a rough arrangement to meet there.
There were a couple of guys with guitar cases on the bus - speaking in what sounded like Spanish or Portuguese. Gee, I thought, I wonder.. sure enough, they got off with me, and entered the venue ahead of me, where they explained to the lady at the door that they weren't officially with the band, but had come to play.. that's the kind of thing this was, you see, and it was this place's first time hosting it, apparently. They just kind of attract musicians, who join in a massive jamboree..
Well, as I was giving my name, there the chap appeared, having spotted me, and told me he'd managed to reserve a table down the back! Now there's organisation. He'd found the organiser - who turns out to be the restaurant manager - and cajoled her into squeezing us in. Lovely - and this time, he ordered food, and I ordered a little - although I'd eaten before coming out. And I must say, it was very nice - crispy garlic bread, and I had a bit of his curry, which, as he pointed out, had a most unusual taste. Which was very pleasant.
For most of the night, we were the only two at the table, although the manager came over and told us that another of the group was around the other side, and she'd told her where we were. And of course, the chat turned to the Man with the Hat, and how we haven't seen his like since. And group recommendations. That third person did meander in our direction eventually - as my companion remarked, he supposed we ought to have had a sign for the table! She chatted for a bit, but was sat on the other side from me, and with all the noise, I could hardly hear what she was saying. When my companion left us briefly, she took herself off again - as I remarked to my companion on his return, when you're in a group that doesn't make a habit of socialising, you come not to expect it.
The music, BTW, was excellent. That kind of music that you can kind of keep going forever - like Irish trad, in that respect. They'd set up a table in the stage area, which, when I came in, was laid with the most spectacular range of musical instruments. And as people started to join in, they just - used the instruments! or their own. And in the limited space available, the audience salsa'ed. Short video here.
So, excellent, laid-back vibe. However, there is only so much you can take of what is essentially a set of very similar tunes, and none of us stayed to the end. Still, highly recommended. And many thanks to my companion for paying for my food and second drink! Hope our paths cross again. The next two days, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Tomorrow is Tartuffe, by Molière, at the National.
Tuesday is a show called Bare: A Pop Opera, at The Sainsbury Theatre.
On Wednesday, I'm back with Let's Do This for another meal at Tas, meeting at The George again beforehand.
On Thursday, I'd have loved to go with UITCS for Season 7, the last of Pinter at the Pinter. Unfortunately, when I checked, although they still had tickets - they were either standing or a minimum price of £93 for that night. Nah, don't really want to go that badly! Never mind, the London European Club is off to a concert of French Chansons: The Sparrows of Paris, at Old Mary's. That's a most acceptable choice! Then I'm back to Ireland at the weekend again.
And on the 25th, I am back with UITCS to Sadler's Wells for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch! This time though, it's Bon Voyage, Bob. And with cheaper tickets in the back row of each of the lower levels, I'm in the stalls for the first time in ages! Annoying overhang, but hey, they're the cheapest seats, and I get to avoid all those stairs, for once.
Showing posts with label The London Jukebox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The London Jukebox. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 February 2019
Friday, 15 February 2019
Concert: Rum Buffalo
I was thinking of film for the rest of the week, too - but the offerings at the top of the list weren't that attractive. Instead, the World Music Meetup came to my rescue with three gigs in a row at The London Jukebox, not so far away. Having been to a gig with this organiser before, I didn't expect to meet anyone - but the music sounded good to me. Tonight was Rum Buffalo.
The ticket (Eventbrite) said 6pm, the Meetup group said 7. I arrived just before 7, and the place was almost deserted. It turns out to be an Indian restaurant, and you take a seat by default - a sign at the door asks you to wait to be seated. The lady beside it checked my name off a list, and told me where to take a table - nearer the stage if you haven't booked a meal, it seems. Not that you can't eat anyway - they give you menus just in case, and I ordered a glass of extremely good house white.
It's a long and narrow place, stage in the middle. 8pm came and went, and no sign of any music. The other attendees of my group did come though, and ironically sat right beside me. We chatted briefly, but predictably there was no sign of the organiser. And seeing that they wanted to chat between themselves, I left them to it. The place didn't start to fill till well past 8 - and sure enough the band didn't come on till after 9. I'll know in future. Just as well I had my phone to keep me company!
The band, happily, were well worth it - and despite being so close to the stage, I didn't really find it too loud. They have a rocking vibe with a slightly unusual twist.. I was toe-tapping all night, and the area in front of the stage was soon full of gyrating bodies. Turns out this was their last gig for a while - they're off to record their first album! Mind you, they did have a carrier bag of £5 cds if you wanted - I didn't have any cash anyway. I guess they played just about everything of theirs that you can find on YouTube. And good luck to them! They're exceedingly good.
Got away without paying for the wine - although food was still being served after the band came on (and is nominally served till 11), it tails off pretty sharply once the music starts, the menus being removed from the tables. And I think the restaurant staff go home. With a crowded bar, and my glass already removed, no-one was looking for payment from me. (I'd have had another glass if they'd asked when removing that glass, but they didn't.) Anyway, I'd go back - and have recommended it to my team for a future social.
Tomorrow was Mario Bakuna and Edmundo Carneiro in the same venue - fully seated, this time. But today, ShowFilmFirst, who send me periodic emails with ultra-cheap offers, sent me an offer for £2 tickets to a flamenco show, tomorrow in the Jazz Cafe. Well hey, I love flamenco, so that was that!
Sunday is Roda de Choro with Alvorada, back at The London Jukebox. Now the Meetup group can't seem to agree with the venue on how long the gig is..
Monday and Tuesday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Monday is Tartuffe, by Molière, at the National.
Tuesday is a show called Bare: A Pop Opera, at The Sainsbury Theatre.
On Wednesday, I'm back with Let's Do This for another meal at Tas, meeting at The George again beforehand.
On Thursday, I'd have loved to go with UITCS for Season 7, the last of Pinter at the Pinter. Unfortunately, when I checked, although they still had tickets - they were either standing or a minimum price of £93 for that night. Nah, don't really want to go that badly! Never mind, the London European Club is off to a concert of French Chansons: The Sparrows of Paris, at Old Mary's. That's a most acceptable choice! Then I'm back to Ireland at the weekend again.
And on the 25th, I am back with UITCS to Sadler's Wells for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch! This time though, it's Bon Voyage, Bob. And with cheaper tickets in the back row of each of the lower levels, I'm in the stalls for the first time in ages! Annoying overhang, but hey, they're the cheapest seats, and I get to avoid all those stairs, for once.
The ticket (Eventbrite) said 6pm, the Meetup group said 7. I arrived just before 7, and the place was almost deserted. It turns out to be an Indian restaurant, and you take a seat by default - a sign at the door asks you to wait to be seated. The lady beside it checked my name off a list, and told me where to take a table - nearer the stage if you haven't booked a meal, it seems. Not that you can't eat anyway - they give you menus just in case, and I ordered a glass of extremely good house white.
It's a long and narrow place, stage in the middle. 8pm came and went, and no sign of any music. The other attendees of my group did come though, and ironically sat right beside me. We chatted briefly, but predictably there was no sign of the organiser. And seeing that they wanted to chat between themselves, I left them to it. The place didn't start to fill till well past 8 - and sure enough the band didn't come on till after 9. I'll know in future. Just as well I had my phone to keep me company!
The band, happily, were well worth it - and despite being so close to the stage, I didn't really find it too loud. They have a rocking vibe with a slightly unusual twist.. I was toe-tapping all night, and the area in front of the stage was soon full of gyrating bodies. Turns out this was their last gig for a while - they're off to record their first album! Mind you, they did have a carrier bag of £5 cds if you wanted - I didn't have any cash anyway. I guess they played just about everything of theirs that you can find on YouTube. And good luck to them! They're exceedingly good.
Got away without paying for the wine - although food was still being served after the band came on (and is nominally served till 11), it tails off pretty sharply once the music starts, the menus being removed from the tables. And I think the restaurant staff go home. With a crowded bar, and my glass already removed, no-one was looking for payment from me. (I'd have had another glass if they'd asked when removing that glass, but they didn't.) Anyway, I'd go back - and have recommended it to my team for a future social.
Tomorrow was Mario Bakuna and Edmundo Carneiro in the same venue - fully seated, this time. But today, ShowFilmFirst, who send me periodic emails with ultra-cheap offers, sent me an offer for £2 tickets to a flamenco show, tomorrow in the Jazz Cafe. Well hey, I love flamenco, so that was that!
Sunday is Roda de Choro with Alvorada, back at The London Jukebox. Now the Meetup group can't seem to agree with the venue on how long the gig is..
Monday and Tuesday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Monday is Tartuffe, by Molière, at the National.
Tuesday is a show called Bare: A Pop Opera, at The Sainsbury Theatre.
On Wednesday, I'm back with Let's Do This for another meal at Tas, meeting at The George again beforehand.
On Thursday, I'd have loved to go with UITCS for Season 7, the last of Pinter at the Pinter. Unfortunately, when I checked, although they still had tickets - they were either standing or a minimum price of £93 for that night. Nah, don't really want to go that badly! Never mind, the London European Club is off to a concert of French Chansons: The Sparrows of Paris, at Old Mary's. That's a most acceptable choice! Then I'm back to Ireland at the weekend again.
And on the 25th, I am back with UITCS to Sadler's Wells for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch! This time though, it's Bon Voyage, Bob. And with cheaper tickets in the back row of each of the lower levels, I'm in the stalls for the first time in ages! Annoying overhang, but hey, they're the cheapest seats, and I get to avoid all those stairs, for once.
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