Beanos record shop to close

After threatening to close some time back and then downsizing instead, it seems Beanos record shop in Croydon is sadly now to close down for good.

I've just received this message from David Lashmar, the owner:

"A severe and, I believe, permanent downturn in music retail has forced me to realise that I can no longer continue to finance this business as I have done for the last two years. Since, in fact, when we announced that we would have to close back in 2006.

Regular subscribers to our 'beamails' will know that we have had several exclusive special offers. Our last beamail explained that we were still experiencing desperately poor trade and that we were extending our 'Half Price Sale' to the general public during October.

Unfortunately this did not provide the boost in sales that we expected and I have had to take the decision to wind down BEANOS. After well over thirty years this is very difficult for me.

However, I will now have the time to devote myself totally to the design and launch of 'MARKET PLACE' our exciting way to revitalise this fine building.

RIGHT NOW

We are selling off all we have left and there is plenty! A lot that has never been on display will be coming out on a daily basis. Since this is the final demise of BEANOS as a Record Dealer we will have to stop buying in any more items. It feels strange to say that after years of encouraging you to sell to us. Changing times, I guess.

So, although Beanos as a record dealer will disappear fairly soon, its spirit will live on in Market Place as this will be run with the same flair and incorporate a lot of the design ideas that made us so famous. It is also going to be run on innovative principles which will guarantee somewhere really special. It will be busy, colourful, exciting and safe. It will not be anything like the tatty indoor markets that seem to spring up everywhere. I have spent a long time looking at other indoor markets and I know exactly what to avoid. I will be sending a further beamail fairly soon giving more details of how this will be structured and, believe me, this will be a fantastic project and will re-vitalise this area of town. I did it with Beanos and I will do it again!

But, I am sure you must realise how much I am going to miss the shop. It has been my life since it first opened in 1975. It has given me great rewards and been a major part in the musical lives of thousands of our loyal customers, many of whom I know personally and will miss greatly. However, I hope that you will continue to support my new scheme and help to make Market Place as great a success as Beanos was.

We will still have our doors open well into 2009 as we sell off all that we have left and I will continue to email you with news as we convert the ground floor into something very exciting, in fact, you will see what we are building when you come in and, if you want to have a look at what we have done with the top two floors, just ask to have a preview.

This is both a sad time and an exciting time for me. Although I might be of a retiring age I am not of a retiring nature so, please take note, David Lashmar has not left the building!"

To find out more about the new Market Place venture visit: www.beanosmarketplace.co.uk

Alternatively you can contact David by email at david@beanos.co.uk

The final Rakehell's Revels - 18 December

Sadly there is now to be just one last ever Rakehell's Revels. This will take place on Tuesday 18th December.

Whether you are a regular, or have never been before, make sure you get down to this! It is your last chance to enjoy one of London's very best nights out.

I still don't know what exactly has prompted this club night to come to an end, though I am determined to get to the bottom of it.

I've never DJ'd at the club before myself, but I am honoured that David Piper has asked me to play a set at this final shindig. There will be many other DJs on the night too, so the individual sets are likely to be shorter than normal, but it should be a great fun night for everyone involved. I'm certainly very excited at the prospect of playing some tunes to the up-for-it crowd at this exquisite venue.

Remember to put on your finest threads for this too, as there is a strict smart dress code. This is one night where it really is worth dressing to the nines to match the glamour of the venue.

For full details see the listing here: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm#tue

The end of Rakehell's Revels

More unhappy tidings to report: Rakehell's Revels – one of London's top club nights, and one of my favourites – is to come to an end.

Rakehell's has run every Tuesday (excusing summer breaks) for a few years now. The final date was planned for mid December, but last-minute news just in informs me that next Tuesday's Halloween bash (30th October) will be the last until two farewell finales in December.

I have so far been unable to ascertain the exact reason for this premature finish, but will let you know as and when I find out more.

In any case, it is a real loss for London's club scene and I strongly advise you to get down to these last three sessions. I am sure that they will all be very well attended, as Rakehell's is an extremely popular night, so do get down early to ensure you get in.

I'm honoured that host David Piper has invited me to spin a few tunes myself at one of the December finales. I'll post the date and details when this is confirmed.

For full details on Rakehell's Revels see the review on my Club Guide here: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm

Do also check out the great Rakehell's Revels CDthat came out a few months back.

Michael Garrick live - Sat 13 Oct

Legendary British jazz composer/pianist Michael Garrick will be performing live with his new Quartet this Saturday 13th October at The Pizza On The Park to launch their new DVD "Inspirations" (based on their album of the same name).

Having seen Mr Garrick play in a small group format a year or two ago at The Spice of Life, I cannot recommend this enough. This should be a gig to remember for all modern jazz fans.

I've been told there will be an admission charge, though I am not sure how much this will be. I'd advise checking with the venue in advance on (020) 7235 7825

Address: Pizza On The Park, 11 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY
(Hyde Park tube station exit 4)

Michael Garrick is now on MySpace where you can listen some of his wonderful music. Check out his page here:
http://www.myspace.com/michaelgarrick

You can find the Pizza On The Park website here:
http://www.pizzaonthepark.co.uk/

Note that Pizza On The Park's lease will apparently be expiring shortly, which will unfortunately see an end to their programme of live music.

Steinberg & Tolkien closes down

I heard this news a while back, but forgot to post anything about it. Popular King's Road vintage clothes shop Steinberg & Tokien have apparently closed down.

Though geared more towards women than men, I still have fond memories of this place. It was in this quirky little boutique that I bought my first silver tie clip many years ago.

Full story from Time Out here:
http://www.timeout.com/london/features/3330.html

The Spitz to close after 11 years

More sad news... yet another London landmark is to close.

Despite a well supported campaign to keep it open, The Spitz is being forced to close after more than a decade as one of London's most popular alternative music venues. Its last night of business in its current premises will be Thursday 27th September.

The Spitz is a project of registered charity The Dandelion Trust and is currently hoping to relocate.

The Spitz is not the first alternative music venue in recent years to be threatened with closure in the name of 'progress'.

The same thing happened to the Vortex jazz club not long ago, though fortunately they have now settled into a new home. The Dive bar in Soho was not so lucky as that closed its doors forever a couple of years back.

And despite campaigning leading to it being Listed, there is also still an ongoing battle to return live music to the Rayners in Rayners Lane - former home of Club Ska (see http://www.clubska.com/)

Press release regarding The Spitz's last night below:

"The Spitz marks its last night at Old Spitalfields Market on Thursday 27th September with a very special celebration. Inspired by Art Kanes world famous 1958 photograph of jazz musicians in Harlem, "A Great Day in Harlem", we will stage "A Great Night in The Spitz" gathering together all the fantastic jazz, blues and folk musicians who have played at the Spitz in our eleven year history at Old Spitalfields Market.

"A Great Night in The Spitz" will be staged on both floors of The Spitz. In the Spitz venue a rolling improvised all star jazz jam with Miles Danso and The Spitz Jazz Collective at its core will feature all the magnificent London jazz musicians who have played at the Spitz including Gwyneth Herbert, Seb Rochford, Peter Wareham, Tom Herbert, Bukky Leo, Terry Edwards, Shri and many more. On the ground floor in The Spitz Bistro, Sandy Dillion heads up a very special night of blues and folk with Pete Molinari, Monc and more.

The evening begins at 7 pm sharp in The Spitz Bistro to the ethereal harp playing of Kat Arney. This will be the last music event The Spitz holds at 109 Commercial Street, we look forward to seeing you at The Spitz party to end all parties! £15 adv"

To buy tickets for this event visit: http://wegottickets.com/event/21636

For more information about the Spitz and its last few remaining shows at Spitalfields visit: http://www.spitz.co.uk/

The Spitz is currently based at:
109 Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6BG

Push Bar to close

Another of Soho's basement dive bars is to bite the dust. News just in this week that Push - home of the Piccadilly Blues Club and Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint nights - is to close down. The last night that Push will open for business is Saturday 23rd December 2006.

Push is a small dive bar on Dean Street run by charismatic manager Joe. It has hosted many cool nights over the few years it has been open. Sweet But Deadly was launched there before moving to the Pleasure Unit and I even DJ'd there once myself.

Still, it's not necessarily all bad news for fans of good music, as there is a rumour that the place will be turned into a blues bar of some description. As soon as I have any further info I will let you know.