Flamenco: Solera

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for Solera - flamenco with Paco Peña. ¡Olé! Eating at The Wilmington again- and could go a little earlier, it being a bank holiday.

Mind you, I didn't have all day to get ready - got up very late, having taken so long over the last post! And then, Google Maps having told me to be out for a certain time, and me being out for that time - it turned out the bus had been 10 minutes early! So, getting the next meant I was a little late. En route, two teenage girls got on at the central, exit doors, made their way upstairs without paying - even when the driver tried to get their attention, one just looked at him, then followed her companion. I swear, it's impossible to police fare-dodgers..

Never mind, there wasn't a problem at the pub, they had plenty of space. On serving duty were a guy who turned out to be French Canadian (as he told the next table), and the guy who was so helpful to me last time, who turned out to be the assistant manager. As the Canadian guy seated me, he asked whether I wanted still water.. sparkling.. a cocktail?! :-) Anyway, perhaps it was just where I was sat, or the lighter crowd, but I found it so much easier to get their attention this evening.

And do you know, after last time, I considered not having the steak - but the best alternative was fish n chips, which was the same price.. so I had the steak. Because in general I prefer it. And it was good, the chips lovely. I dunno, perhaps it was me last time.. I was in time for dessert, and had a couple of scoops of honeycomb ice cream, which was very nice indeed. I tell you though, that assistant manager is a bit over-enthusiastic! It's not that amazing.. but hey, I'm not complaining about a happy waiter. As usual, the bill came in an interesting container:

Got to the theatre first - it was just me and the organiser - but not in time to get a seat.. we were at a standing table again, chatted until it was time to go in. I was in one of those isolated seats to the side, at the rear of the Second Circle, again:

This show takes the form of the old teaching the young - the first half has them in a rehearsal room, and TBH, that was the part I preferred. I'm an easy sell, I love the dance, the music, the song.. and for me, one of the loveliest pieces was a kind of face-off between Paco Peña and a younger guitarist. But yes, I loved the show from start to finish. What I also liked about this was that it isn't a standard flamenco show, with the costumes and staged pieces - this is a kind of homage, as I say, the old teaching the young, and costumes are irrelevant. Just for the love of the art. I'm not an expert, but I could listen - and watch - forever. Finishes with two shows tomorrow - I do recommend it!

The next two days - barring last-minute offers I can't refuse - I'm thinking documentaries, both in cinemas of which I'm a member. Tomorrow, looking at Everybody to Kenmure Street, a documentary (Emma Thompson takes part) about a movement of Glasgow locals when a couple of their neighbours face deportation in a dawn raid! Was looking at it before, but didn't go - happily, it's on much closer now, in the Garden Cinema.

And on Sunday, thinking of Underland, a documentary about people working, and researching, underground. Showing in the Barbican, which is closer, but only in the morning - so I'll probably look at going to the Curzon Bloomsbury in the evening. Handy for shopping, of course..

Next three days are Meetups again - on Monday, I'm with London Museums A-Z for a trip to the BM to see the exhibition on Sufi Life and Art. Off to Penderel's Oak afterwards, as usual.

On Tuesday, I'm with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - I just couldn't resist Mayerling, it's my favourite ballet. Showing at the Opera House, and I'm eating at Cote Covent Garden beforehand.

And on Wednesday, back with UITCS for Marie & Rosetta, another Motown biographical musical, at Soho Place - eating at Bistro1 beforehand.

On Thursday, more storytelling with the Crick Crack Club - this is Island of Love, another Story Pick + Mix, at Next Door at Theatre Deli again. Again, it's related to Greek myth - this is the story of Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, from a Cypriot storyteller. I tell you this though, I won't be eating in La Spezia again after the last time, it just isn't worth it!

Next Friday, the second of the year's concerts from Rune, in St. Bartholomew the Great! This one is A Merveillous Swevene: Dreams & Visions, and again I'm eating in the Old Red Cow beforehand.

And on the 11th, I'm with a new Meetup group called, ahem, Get a Social Life! Well, see, they're doing a daytrip to Glastonbury and Cheddar Gorge - I've already booked my tickets for Glastonbury Abbey and the Cheddar Gorge caves. Sadly early start - but it is a long way..