Concert: Winter Blues

The week starts with a run of concerts! This evening, back with CT, for a Winter Blues concert at Union Chapel. Looking at the map, I discovered there was a Greene King pub - The Hope & Anchor - right down from it, so booked a table there for food.

Not that they had any table ready when I arrived! Never mind - the friendly chap (dressed in biker/S&M style) behind the bar had a look at what was available, and moved stuff from one table by the jukebox. Said it was just his girlfriend's. She seemed to make an appearance later on, didn't seem phased to find her stuff evicted. Then there was no menu, so I asked for one. Now, this might be a Greene King pub, but they don't have your standard Greene King menus - they're smaller affairs, kept behind the bar. And neither do they have the range of your average Greene King pub! Again, never mind - I had the fish n chips, and a glass of wine. And I can testify that the fish n chips was very moreish - not as large a portion as at your average Greene King pub, but that's not always a bad thing! In fact, it was repeating on me all evening..

Great atmosphere here though. It's a music pub, and I could hear a thump-thump sound from the downstairs concert area all evening.. decent soundtrack in the main bar too. I was only here once before, for a play (they have a theatre upstairs), and didn't eat here on that occasion - would happily do so again though. And by the way, this being just down from where I was around Hallowe'en, I'm getting really impressed with this area. Hey, you never know, when the time comes for me to move yet again.. Mind you, it's a popular area, so I guess it's probably not gonna happen - people renting rooms in popular areas tend to be very ageist, and I've now passed the max age they want. I swear, London seems to be turning against me - can't seem to get a job, don't dare change flat for fear of not getting another as good..

Anyway, I left for the chapel in good time - my ticket said the concert started at 7.30, I arrived at 6.45. Just as well, considering the size of the queue! Happily, it was moving - I was to discover that most had gone in already. Interestingly, the bag check lady asked specifically whether I had chewing gum..! Inside, the bar is upstairs - I didn't bother. There is a kind of stall with snacks and soft drinks - had a huge queue, and I didn't bother with that either. These, you can bring into the main space - not alcohol. I was delighted, mind, to find that we had seating - albeit pews, which felt very hard by the end of the night. My ticket had said "standing"!

The concert actually started at 7.15 - pity all the folk who arrived closer to the official start time! And it was sold out - at least where I bought my ticket. First up was Errol Linton. Now, I should state from the outset that I don't know an awful lot about blues, less about Gospel music - I've certainly heard them, but hardly knew any of the songs I heard tonight. Doesn't stop me from liking them though, and this was very enjoyable.. the steady rhythm, however, kind of lulled me to sleep.. I felt myself dropping off a couple of times.

After the interval, we had Sarah Brown. They made something of a big deal of her - I don't know whether that's because she already is a big deal, or they're trying to make her one! I didn't notice any TV cameras, mind. She did have an interview onstage before her performance, though:

Now, you certainly wouldn't sleep through her performance! She is a fine singer - again, I hardly knew any of the numbers. Nor did I have the emotional reaction of some others in the audience - I heard people outside afterwards describing how the show "moved [them] to tears". Hmm. Not me. But her voice did quite raise the roof. She also spotted her old choirmaster in the audience, and invited him onstage for the emotional finale of Amazing Grace (her niece, actually, is the backing singer on the far right, and that lady in sunglasses, dressed in white, is actually blind, and Sarah was raised with her):

Very good concert. Interestingly, on the bus back, I was sat near a fancily dressed couple - they hadn't been to this, but I snatched a glimpse of something he was holding, which read "The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders"; she was talking about a reception they'd been to. They actually got off at my stop.. Sure enough though, they headed for the posher flats, on the other side of the road..

Next, I have a run of Meetups.. Tomorrow, back with the World Music Meetup (and TunedIn London), for the Omar Rios Trio, playing at St. Ethelburga's. Also available online, it seems - and now also sold out!

On Wednesday, back with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group, whom I haven't been with in weeks.. this is for the Handel opera, Jeptha, at the Opera House.

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - for the first time in over a month, very unusually for me and this group! This is for Phantasmagoria - yes, a horror play, again too late for Hallowe'en, tsk! Showing at Southwark Playhouse - so I've taken out another PAYG subscription (five tickets for £75, no expiry). Terrific value.

On Friday, back with London Hot 100: Socials, Music & Sport - for a meal at Franco Manca. Never actually been to this chain - had to happen eventually, I guess! Anyway, great group, and RSVPs are already closed.

On Saturday, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this time for The Magic of Covent Garden: Secrets & Surprises. And Helen is coming to this one, good stuff!

On Sunday, an Indian friend of mine is celebrating Diwali by booking a meal in an Indian restaurant - TBD. I've said I'll go.

Next Monday, back on a walk with the 45+s - this time, though, it's Paul's Monday Historic Pub Crawl from Rotherhithe to Tower Gateway. Which has the advantage of being around my current area! not to mention headed home, roughly, for me..

On the 14th, still with the 45+s, but now back with Laurence - delighted to be able to make his walk on The Bombing of London! Unemployment does have its advantages.. Jeez, that'll be five days in a row where I get fed as part of the outing..!

On the 15th, back at last with Buddies on Budget (BoB) in London, who are headed to the Belgravia Lights Switch On! V Christmassy..

On the 16th, I'm with a new group - London Smaller Theatre are headed to Soho Theatre to see the comedian Leila Navabi. So I'm giving her - and them - a shot!

And on the 17th, I'm back to Ireland again, for the weekend..