Natty Bo presents Killer Dillers - Sat 29 Nov

Natty Bo's Killer Dillers club night returns to central London for a second outing on Saturday 29th November. This time the venue is Guy's Bar near London Bridge - another club owned by The King's College Student Union, so expect the same super cheap drinks prices. Natty tells me this venue is more intimate and more atmospheric than Tutu's, though I'm not sure whether this one has a view of the river.

Musically you can expect another phenomenal night of 78rpms from Natty and Count Sizzle covering blues, jazz, swing, calypso, mento and Latin sounds so don't miss out!

Killer Dillers (part 2) @ Guy's Bar
St. Thomas Street (through courtyard), London Bridge, SE1 9RT
9pm - 2.30am
£5 admission

Festival New Orleans @ The O2 - 24-25 Oct

New Orleans r&b and funk legends Allen Toussaint and Dr. John are to headline a free festival at The O2 this weekend along with a large line-up that covers blues, r&b, gospel, jazz and other old-school musical genres associated with the Crescent City.

The festival is possibly the largest ever celebration of New Orleans music and culture outside of the USA and runs from 4pm til 11pm on Friday and 3pm til 11pm on Saturday. Admission is absolutely free and there is no need to book - just turn up. As well as all the live music across 3 stages, there will also be traditional cuisine on sale and even a recreation of the legendary Bourbon Street.

Festival New Orleans @ The O2
Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX
Nearest tube: North Greenwich (Jubilee line)
(but be warned there are closures on the Jubilee line on Saturday)

For full details visit www.theo2.co.uk/inside/festival-new-orleans.html

To read more about Allen Toussaint check out: www.nynorecords.com/allen.shtml

New club night from Natty Bo - Sat 25 Oct

Natty Bo - resident at Gaz's Rockin' Blues club and one of my favourite DJs - is hosting a new night called Killer Dillers this coming Saturday 25th October.

Along with DJ Count Sizzle and guests, this is to be a night of "hot music from the 1920s-1950s" all played on 78rpm records. Think jump blues, calypso, mento, hot jazz, swing, cumbia, etc.

The action takes place at KCLSU (King's College London Student Union) and, being a student venue, drinks are super cheap (beer from £1.50, £2 for a vodka). Even better is the fact the night runs til 4am.

Details as follows:

Killer Dillers @ KCLSU (Macadam Building)
Saturday 25 October
10.30pm - 4am. £5 on the door
Surrey Street, London, WC2R 2NS (nearest tube: Temple)

R&B allnighter with Big Joe Louis live - Sat 18 Oct

Blues and r&b fans, don't miss this! On Saturday 18th October I will be DJing at a Rhythm & Blues allnighter at The Hootananny in Brixton alongside a live set from the fantastic Big Joe Louis - one of Britain's greatest blues voices.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Big Joe Louis has lived in Britain since the 1980s and has been twice voted "Best UK Male Blues Vocalist". His band The Blues Kings are widely considered one of the best in the UK.

As well as recording with David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Van Morrison, Big Joe Louis has played with artists such as: Lazy Lester, R L Burnside, Big Jack Johnson, Homesick James, Louisiana Red, Big Bad Smitty and Big Lucky Carter to name but a few.

His albums for Blue Horizon and Ace Records are highly acclaimed and his latest dancefloor 45 "Go Go Train" has won him popularity on the mod scene.

You can expect a rockin' dancefloor set from Big Joe Louis to get you on your dancing feet and I'll be keeping the vibe going before and after with some killer diller 50s and 60s r&b and soul platters as well as some ska thrown in for good measure.

To top it all off, admission to this night is absolutely free. But arrive early to guarantee admission!

Full details as follows:

Right On! Rhythm & Blues Allnighter @ Hootananny Brixton
Saturday 18th October. 10pm - 4am
95 Effra Road, London, SW2 1DF. (020) 7737 7273
(nearest tube: Brixton)
Admission FREE

For more information about Big Joe Louis and to listen to some of his music visit myspace.com/bigjoelouis

New venue for the London Calypso Tent

The London Calypso Tent run by the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC) is one of the UK's only authentic live calypso venues. It takes place annually during the summer in the run-up to the Notting Hill Carnival. As a visitor in past years I can highly recommend The Tent for its great atmosphere and music. If you are lucky you may even get to hear some "extempo" (extemporaneous improvisation).

This year The Tent is moving from its old home - The Yaa Asantewaa Arts Centre in Maida Vale - to a brand new one: The Tabernacle in Powis Square. This venue is the home of Carnival Village - a new organisation formed to support carnival arts in the UK and comprising the Ebony Steelband Trust, Mangrove Y2K, the Association of British Calypsonians, and Yaa Asantewaa Arts.

The opening night of The Tent is Friday 25th July and it then takes place on Fridays during August (see flyer for dates)

For more information about The Calypso Tent and to book tickets visit the Carnival Village website (where you can also find details of their other events): carnivalvillage.org.uk

Burlesque Social Club launch party - Sat 26 July

Chaz Royale (aka Chaz Royal) - the man behind the excellent annual London Burlesque Festival - is launching a new night called The London Burlesque Social Club which will take place at two locations each month. Taking place on the last Saturday of each month at The Apothecary in King's Cross and the first Thursday of each month at Madame Jojo's in Soho, this new night will showcase the best in Bawdy Burlesque, Cabaret & Vaudeville - locally & from abroad.

Every month the Social Club promises a rotating cast of Burlesque Strip Teasers, Variety & Novelty Acts, Slap Stick Comedians, Hilarious Hosts & Hot DJs playing vintage sounds to rock the dancefloor until the early hours. I have been invited to do a guest DJ spot at the launch party on 26th July at The Apothecary and am really looking forward to it. Especially as visiting American burlesque artiste Sienna Sinclaire will be putting on an exclusive performance. Details as follows:

Date: Saturday July 26th
Venue: The Apothecary
Location: 3 Vale Royal, N7 9AP (next to the Egg Club)
Nearest tube: King's Cross
Doors: 9pm - 3am (show 10pm - 1am)
Price: £15.00

Good news is that I have been offered a '2-4-1' concession for all my readers. This means that two people can go along for just £15 (instead of £15 each).

To take advantage of this great offer, just email your full name to chazroyal@hotmail.com mentioning my name: Jean-Paul Séculaire.

NOTE: Offer expires on 25th July at 12 Noon.

For more info about the Burlesque Social Club (including full line-ups) vist: www.myspace.com/londonburlesque

New London jazz nights

You may have heard that I've stopped running my Home Cookin' nights for now to concentrate on other ventures. But worry not, for London has been blessed with not one but two new monthly jazz nights!

First up is Freedom Sound @ The Three Blind Mice on Ravey Street in Shoreditch. This venue used to be Smersh which was one of my favourite bars (and the first place I ever tried absinthe!)

Freedom Sound runs on the first Wednesday of every month and promises a "twisted look at the many sounds of jazz [...] the unexpected, unpredictable sound of freedom".

Second is an exciting sounding night at The Old Queen's Head in Islington called Jazz On The Road (inspired by Jack Kerouac's famous 1957 novel)

The launch night is Thursday 17th July and it will then take place on the 3rd Thursday of every month. The aim of the club is to:

"reproduce the style and the spirit of the Beat Generation dancing wildly to Be Bop and Mambo, whilst combining with London's Club Jazz Movement that has remained vibrant since the 80s."

Which sounds just like the idea behind Home Cookin'!

Expect live music plus jazz dance from Maki & Kola of The Jazzcotech Dancers as well as DJs Koichi Sakai and Kay Suzuki spinning dancefloor jazz.

Of course I should also mention that Favourite Things is still running every Monday at the new Proud venue in Camden. This night features live jazz plus DJs including the great Hugo Mendez from Soundway Records.

For full details of all these nights check out the Club listings page:
londondossier.info/clubs.htm

Magic Theatre @ The Bloomsbury Ballroom - 19 Jul

I mentioned the launch of the Magic Theatre club back in November 2007. Well, they are about to hold their 4th event on Saturday 19th July and are moving from the Rivoli to the amazing looking Bloomsbury Ballroom in central London. Venues don't come much more exclusive than this!

The idea behind the Magic Theatre is to create a "magical event in London for whoever you are and whoever you want to be". The Bloomsbury Ballroom has been chosen for its "sumptiously exotic interior [...] the perfect place to make a grand entrance [...] in all your finery against the dramatic backdrop of La Belle Epoque".

Of course no ball would be complete without dancing, and to that end there will be vintage sounds from DJ Nick Hollywood (Club Montepulciano) and 60s-influenced live band The She-Creatures.

Tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the door and the event runs from 8pm-3am.

For more info visit: www.magic-theatre.co.uk

The Five Aces live - Sat 5th July

Glasgow's finest Rhythm & Soul group, The Five Aces, will be playing a rare London gig on Saturday 5th July at The Hootananny in Brixton.

The Hootananny Brixton is a new live music venue which has a programme of gigs covering ska, soul, funk and jazz.

The Five Aces (and their other incarnation, The Bottleneckers) are a great band, so I'm chuffed that I've been asked to DJ at this night. I DJ'd for them once before a few years ago at an open-air gig in Italy, but they went by the name of The Boogaloo Investigators at that time.

Doors open at 8pm with DJs from the Pigsnoots club warming things up. The band will be on at around 10pm and then I'll be on afterwards spinning a two hour set of 50s and 60s r&b and soul. The Pigsnoots DJs will take over again until 4am to finish off the night.

Like most of the Hootananny's gigs, admission to this night is free, and knowing The Five Aces I expect this to be a real jumping jamboree, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes!

If you're not familiar with the band, you can listen to some of their music on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/thefiveaces

The Hootananny is located at:
95 Effra Road (corner of Brixton Water Lane), SW2 1DF

For more information about the venue visit: www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk

The Shingaling Thing club returns - 19th July

Two of my favourite DJs, Mark Ellis and Will Bourton, are relaunching their much-missed London club night - It's A Shingaling Thing! - at The Apple Tree pub on Saturday 19th July.

The Shingaling Thing at The Net Bar on Hanway Street was one of my favourite club nights because, quite simply, nowhere else played the same sort of quality jazz and Latin tunes. Amazingly it's been around 5 years since the last one, though in that time both Mark and Will have been busy DJing at other nights, such as my Home Cookin' jazz session.

Mark and Will are joined for this relaunch by special guests French Fred and Jo Sadler (both of whom guested at the club back in the day), so expect a top-notch mix of dancefloor jazz, Latin boogaloo, R&B, 60s soul and reggae.

The Apple Tree is found at: 45 Mount Pleasant, London, WC1X 0AE

Admission to the night is free and it runs from "8 til late".

100 Club gets Council's knickers in a twist

Sad to report that Westminster Council do not seem to share my passion for the art of burlesque.

A few weeks ago the 100 Club ran a retro night that featured burlesque dancers. Apparently there was a member of Westminster Council in attendance who decided that the degree of undress broke the 100 Club's license. This means that the club has had to have all their operations reviewed.

Unfortunately it also means that the all night license for this Saturday's 6Ts Northern soul allnighter has been rejected. But all is not lost; the night will still go ahead, but will finish at the earlier time of 3am.

I've been told that the 100 Club owner was due to meet with the Council this week so fingers crossed the situation can be resolved. More news as I hear it.

For more information on the 6Ts Rhythm & Soul allnighters visit http://www.6ts.info/
For more information on The 100 Club visit http://www.the100club.co.uk/

London Burlesque Festival - 2nd-6th April

Tonight sees the start of Chaz Royale's second annual London Burlesque Festival. This is a 5 day extravaganza spread across 8 separate venues and featuring dozens of British and international performers as well as live bands and DJs.

Burlesque has been growing in popularity in London for a few years now, and features regularly at club nights like Lady Luck as well as dedicated nights like The Whoopee Club and The Flash Monkey. There are even popular burlesque lessons and courses springing up. But this has to be the biggest showcase to hit London yet.

I've been invited along to the launch party tonight and will be reporting back... so watch this space!

For tickets and full details visit www.londonburlesquefest.com

Tighten Up returns - 7th March

Good news for reggae lovers: Tighten Up is back in a brand new venue from Friday 7th March 2008 (and is planned for the first Friday of each month thereafter)

Rhum Jungle is the name of the venue and it's located beneath Cotton's Caribbean Restaurant. It's an atmospheric basement club which should suit the night right down to a T.

As ever, the music policy is: Ska, Rocksteady, Vintage Reggae, Roots, Old-Skool-Dancehall and Dub from residents Mistah Brown and Tim P with The Mighty Champion MC on the mic.

Admission is free before 10pm and the only dress code is: No hoods allowed.

For full details check the London Dossier club listings or visit: www.dancecrasher.co.uk

The 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off - SAT 23 FEB

I'm very pleased to be playing another Right On! style set this coming Saturday. I've been invited to join resident DJ Simon Stretch on the decks at his Stormy Weather night at Barrio North - a bar opened last year dedicated to vintage and underground music.

We will be spinning a mix of 1950s-1970s black music - all off of original 45s. Expect to hear some fantastic rockin' r'n'b, 60s soul, funk, jazz, ska, reggae, mambo, calypso, boogaloo and whatever other aural curiosities spring to mind.

Simon and I DJ'd alongside each other at the last Rakehell's Revels and complemented each other perfectly, so I am really excited at this chance to DJ with him again.

Details as follows:

Stormy Weather presents the 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off
@ Barrio North, 45 Essex Road, London, N1 2SF (tube: Angel)
SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2008
8pm til 1.30am; FREE entry

Home Cookin' after-party - Sunday 10th February

Well, this Sunday's Home Cookin' looks like being a really busy one! I've had great response to my promotion and we've even been recommended in this week's Time Out magazine. For full details on the night see my earlier blog post or check out www.right-on.org

If you're thinking of coming, please do get down early, as the band will be on at 7.30pm (you don't want to miss them!) and the night finishes at 10.30pm.

However, for those of you who don't have work the next morning, I can now confirm we will be holding a Right On! style after-party at a secret West End venue (to be revealed on the night). This will feature across-the-board vintage black music from the 50s, 60s and 70s played by special guest DJs Texas Ranger (Trojan Explosion), Mark Professor (Trojan Explosion, Reference Library), Truck Turner (Reference Library) and David Atkinson (Brighton).

Texas Ranger (pictured above at Right On!) and Mark Professor are famous for their sweet reggae selections whilst Truck Turner and David Atkinson are better known for playing dancefloor jazz. However, all of these DJs have vast record collections and play a whole range of styles: from jazz, soul and r&b through to ska, reggae and Latin boogaloo. One things for sure, they all know how to rock a dance.

This is truly going to be an unforgettable night, so I do hope you can make it!

DJ Jean-Paul @ Ronnie Scott's - Fri 25 January

Some very exciting news - I've been invited to guest DJ upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho. Needless to say, this is something of a dream come true for me! It's a weekly night called Walking In Rhythm which has a music policy very similar to Right On! - i.e. the best of vintage black music. This gives me a rare opportunity to play a mixed set like those I play at Right On! I'll be bringing along a bit of everything: jazz, soul, rhythm & blues, doo wop, funk, ska, calypso, reggae, boogaloo, mambo, samba and more - all on original vinyl.

The session is held in the smart upstairs bar at Ronnie Scott's which was given a complete facelift when the club was refurbished a year or so back.

For those who don't know, Ronnie Scott's is probably the UK's most important and famous modern jazz venue. It opened in Gerrard Street in 1959 and moved to its current premises opposite Bar Italia in Frith Street in 1965. Like Ronnie Scott's, Bar Italia is also still going strong and is the perfect place for a late night cappuccino after Ronnie Scott's kicks out at 3am.

This is going to be a night to remember, and until I find a perfect new venue for Right On!, this should be a fix for anyone who has been missing it as much as I have. It's only a fiver to get in too - or free if you get there early enough - so being skint shouldn't be a problem either. And who knows, if I draw a big enough crowd maybe they'll invite me back!

The details are as follows:

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's (upstairs bar)
Date: Friday 25th January
Time: 7pm - 3am
Admission: FREE before 9pm / £5 before 11pm / £8 after 11pm
Address: 47 Frith Street, London, W1D 4HT
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

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

Home Cookin' - Sunday 9 December

HOME COOKIN' - Blue Notes, Pie and Mash

Sunday 9th December 2007

Jean-Paul Seculaire presents a brand new FREE Sunday evening session of bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, Latin jazz, funk and blues selected from his collection of LPs and 45s.

Come down to this legendary whiskey cafe in Islington to hear some of the finest jazz ever committed to vinyl whilst drinking and making merry with like-minded souls.

And if you're feeling peckish and in need of a good Sunday dinner, why not try out the delicious Pie and Mash (vegetarian pies also available).

Time: 6pm - 11pm
Admission: FREE
Venue: Filthy MacNasty's
Address: 68 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UU
Tubes: King's Cross, Angel

Finally I'm having a go at doing a pure jazz night. I've been toying around with the idea for a long time now. I had a jazz radio show for a while and now I'm going to be doing it live.

The venue is the famous Filthy MacNasty's whiskey bar in Islington. Paul Hallam's little den of iniquity... perfect setting for this night I think.

This is much more intimate than the venues I use for Right On! and it's a night aimed more at listening to music, drinking, eating and socialising than dancing (though you're welcome to dance if you like!)

Anyway, enough from me... would love to hear your thoughts on this as there aren't many nights like this around. And if you like the idea please do come down if you can, as only with your support will this become a regular event.

DJing at Shuga Push - Saturday 24 November

A bit last minute, but I've just been booked to guest DJ at a club night called Shuga Push this Saturday - 24th November.

This is a night of Blues, Booze 'n' Burlesque. It used to be based at the Buffalo Bar in Islington, but has now moved to a great little 30s New York style Art Deco bar near Euston. Check out the venue online here: http://www.positively4thstreet.co.uk/

Myself and DJ Suave will be playing some swing and jazz early on and then tearin' the place apart later with dirty foot stompin' rhythm & blues platters to get you jumping, jiving, rockin' and rolling.

It's only a fiver to get in, or just a mere 3 quid before 8pm, so it won't break the bank. Get down early if you can as it's a great venue, but quite intimate, so will probably get quite busy later on.

Should be a real nice atmosphere with just music lovers and people in the know down there. There's unlikely to be any troublemakers or late-night drunks passing by, as the venue is central but a little off the beaten track.

The nearest tube station is Warren Street, but it's also just a short walk from Euston Square and Euston stations.

Full details as follows:

Shuga Push @ Positively 4th Street
119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE. (020) 7388 5380
Saturday 24th November. 7pm-1am
£3 before 8pm then £5 (£8 after 11pm)

Hope to see you there!

The Magic Theatre - 24 November

The Magic Theatre is a glamourous sounding new club night coming up at the gorgeous Rivoli Ballroom on Saturday 24th November.

The idea behind the night is to hold to a diverse and magical event for "whoever you are or whoever you want to be". It is aimed at people of all sexualities and gender identities - anyone who loves to dress up and dance.

Musically the night promises to cover 60s Soundtracks, Brazilian, Lounge, Library Grooves, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Sixties Soul, 60s French and Italian Pop, and Jazz Dance courtesy of DJ Weegee. There will also be live music from The Roadhouse 5 who play Rat Pack Jazz, Soul and select Pop.

The Rivoli Ballroom should be the perfect venue for this unique night and was chosen especially as a fitting stage for costumes and outfits that are quirky, sensual and spectacular. In other words, a place to make a grand entrance, and to dance into the early hours.

The Rivoli is one of very few remaining original ballrooms in London. It apparently started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913, before being converted into a ballroom with a large sprung maple dancefloor in the late 1950s. Its beautiful original decor includes red velvet, flock wallpaper, chandeliers and glitter balls.

The club runs from 8pm til 1am though doors will open at 6pm for a Dressing Room, pre-club Costumier and Make-up Service with professional nail technician. Tickets are £12 and the promoters are highly recommending buying tickets in advance due to high interest and a strict capacity of 500.

The Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY (opposite Crofton Park train station)

For tickets and further details visit: http://www.therivoli.co.uk/

6Ts All-Nighters at Jacks cancelled

This message just in from Ady Croasdell who runs the 6Ts Rhythm & Soul Society:

"I've decided to cancel all future events at Jack's due to an unexpected increase in the rent and a decrease in the hours at the last one. I should have notified everyone well before now but Kent's 25th celebrations just took over eveything. My apologies for the very late notice.

"Now we are back at the 100 Club it seems people much prefer going to those dances rather than the ones at Jack's. I'd like to thank Johnny Gamlin for coming to our rescue earlier in the year with the venue, when we really needed it. The first night was brilliant about 400 people enjoying a great atmosphere in the impressive club. However there were only just over 100 at the second and perhaps 150 at the third so it's obvious that 6TS members hadn't enjoyed it as much as I thought they had, or perhaps they were just happy to be back in the 100 Club. Either way Jack's was a short but memorable experience.

"The next 6TS will be at the 100 Club on December 1st, 9pm-6am. The Xmas party is on Dec 20th 9pm-2am. Membership is optional for all 6TS events now."

White Mischief @ The Scala - Sat 10 Nov

I'm very excited to be DJing at The Scala on Saturday 10th November for a night called White Mischief: From The Earth To The Moon. This promises to be a unique indoor festival over 3 floors featuring live music, DJs, burlesque and cabaret.

I'll be DJing in the main room (capacity 500+) supporting ace soul band Lord Large and British Sea Power with a set of 60s soul and other related dancefloor sounds. I'll be on from around midnight til 3am.

Lord Large have been making a great name for themselves with their authentic 60s soul and ska releases on Acid Jazz. If you haven't seen them live yet, you're in for a treat.

For full details see the flyer below or visit: http://www.whitemischief.info/

To buy advance tickets online visit: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=235130

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

Rock'n'Roll Soul on a barge - 10 October

Interesting looking night from http://www.rocknrollsoul.co.uk/

Tighten Up changes venue

Tighten Up - one of London's top reggae nights - has changed venue. They are now based downstairs @ The Embassy Bar, 119 Essex Road, Islington, N1 2SN

The next date is Saturday 1st September and the night is on every first Saturday of the month thereafter.

For full details check out the listing on the London Dossier clubs page: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm

The Black Gardenia

As mentioned in an earlier post, The Push bar on Dean Street in Soho has been taken over by new management. It has now been re-opened and re-named The Black Gardenia.

The venue will now host the Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint club night every single Saturday, featuring resident DJ Jake Vegas (Lady Luck) and occasional live bands (on nights with no band, admission will apparently be free). Moreover the venue also promises great music every night of the week: blues, r'n'b, jazz etc.

The first night of the now weekly Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint is on this Saturday - 13th January 2007 - with a live set from Jake Vegas plus guest DJ Paul P'Vert.

Details as follows:

The Black Gardenia (formerly Push), 93 Dean Street, Soho, London W1.
8pm-1am. Band on 11pm. Free admission before 11pm, £5 after.

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.

Right On!

A huge thanks to everyone who came down to Right On! last Saturday - it was a wonderful turnout and I was really pleased to see so many different people all enjoying the music and grooving on the dancefloor all night.

Respect also goes out to the great Gladdy Wax and Dean Rudland who were awesome and lived up to their reputations once again.

Also thanks to all my door staff, the venue staff and everyone else who helped out in any way (flyering etc.)

I've already got a few nice photos back from the night that I hope to get up online ASAP.

All that remains to say is... watch this space for details of the next one!

Right On! relaunch

My Right On! club night is relaunching on Saturday 23rd September.

Since the last Right On! night in 2005 I have been searching for a new venue and I've finally found one - back in the West End where Right On! started. The venue is called Torts and it's just a couple of minutes from Holborn tube station. It has a late license and opens till 3.30am. To ensure a really good sound I am hiring the legendary Gladdy Wax sound system which plays at the Notting Hill carnival every year. Guest DJs are Gladdy Wax himself and Dean Rudland from legendary Latin record label - Fania. The night has also been chosen as the official launch party for new Fania CD "El Barrio: The Bad Boogaloo" which is due out in late September.

For full details on this exciting night visit www.right-on.org

For more information on Fania records visit www.faniarecords.com

Hi-Hat club news

There's a new Hi-Hat compilation due out on 23rd June. The club itself is moving from The Jazz Cafe to upstairs at Ronnie Scott's in Soho – weekly (on a week day). The CD launch will be held there. More info will be posted here as I receive it.

Hi-Hat promoter and resident DJ - Snowboy - will also be doing a monthly Sunday night in Ronnie Scott's club itself, with all the tables and chairs cleared away plus a live band. It is NOT a Jazz Dance session though - it will be a freestyle night, and, live-wise, one month it may be a Be-Bop group, another a Jump Jive, another a Brasilian one.

To read more about Snowboy visit his website: http://www.snowboy.info/

Stow-A-Way Soul changes venue

After nearly a year and a half at The Soul, Walthamstow's finest regular soul and r&b night - Stow-A-Way Soul - has moved to The Castle, Eden Road - right in the heart of Walthamstow Village and just five minute's walk from Walthamstow station. This venue has it's own dance floor as well as plenty of seating. The launch night night was on Wednesday 26th April and the night returns every fourth Wednesday of the month (next date: Wednesday 24th May).