Festival of Tango

Today, the second of five Meetups in a row: back with Buddies on a Budget - this time, for a tango show in the Scoop! My first time this year, imagine.. and it was a scorcher. My new flatmate, who's in charge of security there, said he'd keep an eye out for me, but I didn't spot him.. It was actually starting before we were to arrive, but I was sure we'd see plenty! And we'd avoid the worst of the heat. Sponsored by the Argentinian Embassy, apparently. I booked to eat in Cote at Hay's Galleria beforehand, it's quite close. And hallelujah, no bus dramas - I was close enough that I could walk everywhere today.

I took a scarf, afraid of sunstroke - and was kind of glad of it. Made my way to Cote - service was an improvement on last time, but I still had trouble finding the toilets, with no-one available to ask except the guys behind the bar, and they were patently under orders not to speak to customers! When I did find someone, it was to discover the ladies toilets were upstairs. Other than that, it was a lovely meal.. and they left the door open, sending a nice breeze wafting through. I had a sorbet to finish - it was hot enough for it. Even asked for some tap water, which came nice and cold.

As usual on my way to the Scoop, I stopped off in M&S - would you believe, they don't do small wines anymore! Blast - that was always a tradition of mine. Of course, they sell wine at the Scoop, but it was nice to bring my own.. I got a bottle of water and made my way there. To find the others, stood at the edge. We left soon afterwards, finding seats in a decent position, facing the stage. I spent much of the time watching an intriguing tourist video, on loop, from the Argentinian tourist board - lots of beautiful scenery, scenes of steak on the grill and people dancing. It really would tempt you to go.

As to the actual show - there were a couple of displays of dancing, and a few shouted instructions to the many audience members who participated, but mainly, it was just an opportunity for people to engage in dancing if they felt like it. Not so much to see, honestly. The sound guy came with baby in tow:

I got a rather nice glass of wine - but after a couple of hours, it seemed obvious that there weren't going to be any more displays, and we dispersed. Nice way to spend a sunny day, though.

The next two days, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - tomorrow, we're off to Farm Hall, in the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Based on true events, it's the story of a group of German scientists, detained in England during the Second World War. I'm eating at Angus Steakhouse.

On Tuesday, off to Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith. Not a standard pop fan story, this tells the tale of what happens when a young female fan's adoration for her pop idol is shattered..

On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks - this is the St. James' Walk.

And on Thursday, film again (!) - a feature at the Prince Charles, who are re-showing It's Such a Beautiful Day, the animated film by Don Hertzfeldt, which will be accompanied by his new short film, Me. And of course, that'll be accompanied by a trip to Bella Italia (Cranbourn Street) .. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.