Concert: London Philharmonia - Bruckner's 8th Symphony

Last night, a Meetup group called LGBTQ Culture Lovers was headed to a performance of Bruckner's 8th symphony by the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall. Now, I don't want to go with them - I don't swing that way - but hey, nothing to stop me going on my own! Heading to The Archduke for food beforehand.

I walked, feeling strangely sprightly - got there slightly late, being somewhat distracted by a light show on the church of St. Martin in the Fields, which I passed en route:


As usual, I got a friendly welcome - and was taken upstairs (could do without that, dragging my laptop bag). Got a window seat again. Had their gorgeous pumpkin soup, and the chicken - had to run after all that to get to the concert in time, and didn't quite finish the chicken. Would you believe, upon seeing I'd left some, they decided I didn't like it, and took it off the bill! Well, ok.. I wasn't going to complain..

Over to the Royal Festival Hall, and I was on the side with the glass lift. Being on Level 5, I took it, hoping against hope.. and yes, it's singing once more! Ah.. it was lovely..

I was in the Rear Stalls - happily, no-one to one side of me, so I could dump all my stuff:


Someone was in the Royal Box - I didn't recognise them. Ah, but I did enjoy the concert - running for about 90 minutes straight through, and I might have fallen asleep, hectic as my life is: but this kept me engaged throughout, insistently passionate as it was. A lovely evening, in fact.

I shopped on the way home, and was delighted to catch the bus, which wasn't moving off - it turned out to be broken down, and we had to get on another. Then, when I did get home - although it wasn't too late, I got caught up in things, primarily the surprise release of the new U2 EP, Days of Ash (as it was released on Ash Wednesday). Packing a political punch as it does, what with listening to it and reading about it, it ran too late to blog..

Tonight, heading with a friend to the Menier Chocolate Factory to see Fallen Angels, by Noel Coward. He's booked a table for us beforehand at Casa do Frango - must be off soon.

Now, tomorrow is our ex-colleagues' monthly get-together. There was talk that it might clash, but now it looks as though it won't. Phew. Sadly, Martin is, as usual, too busy to make it.

Then, four nights of Meetup. On Sunday, I start two nights of horror, with The Hideout again for the first time in over two weeks.. was supposed to be Psycho Killer (stars Malcolm McDowell), but its UK release seems to have been delayed. Hope to see it at a later date, it looks good, some Satanic elements - from the writers of Se7en. Instead, we're headed to Cineworld to see Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die - an apocalyptic thing, the trailer looks funny. Directed by Gore Verbinski, stars an unrecognisable Sam Rockwell as a visitor from the future, here to save us from the hell of AI. Meeting in Victory House beforehand - and yay, that means I can eat in my fave Bella Italia! Ah, I've missed them..

And on Monday, when I saw Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) were going to Dracula, well.. showing in the Noel Coward Theatre, by the time I came to book, "cheap" seats were in short supply. There was one left in the Balcony - £50, and predictably, no legroom. There was one left in the Grand Circle - decent seat. £85. I got that one. Eating beforehand in The Salisbury, nearby.

On Tuesday, I'm trying out a new Meetup group; London Music Showcase - Gigs & Drinks specifically exists to promote the Piano Smithfield bar. So I'm trying out the gig there that night - cheap tickets on TAC, as apparently with all theirs. I'm eating in The Old Red Cow beforehand - gee, seems you know there's a place for you if they respond immediately to your booking enquiry; if you don't hear, it's a no.

And on Wednesday, back with UITCS for I'm Sorry, Prime Minister in the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Eating in Bella Italia Strand for that one.

On Thursday, going to see Dara O' Briain, yay! Booked ages ago - he's in the Hammersmith Apollo.

And I'm finishing off the month with two more Meetups - next Friday, back with La Isla Flamenco Club, ole! Back in the gold Bar in the Colab Tower for a show called Identidades.

And on the 28th, back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies for his rescheduled Southwark: Seedy and Sublime walking tour.

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