The London Dossier: News

Natty Bo presents Killer Dillers - Sat 29 Nov

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:28:00 +0000

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

Greg Foat Trio live - Thu 27 Nov

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Modern jazz pianist Greg Foat (aka Golden the Gigolo) is playing live with his trio in Soho on Thursday 27th November. They will be on from around 9pm.

The Greg Foat Trio live @ The Sun and 13 Cantons
Thursday 27th November 2008
21 Great Pulteney Street, Soho, London, W1F 9NG
FREE entry

To find out more about Greg Foat and listen to some of his music, visit www.myspace.com/thegregfoatgroup

DJs battle all weekend - 21st & 22nd November

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Maybe it's something about the cold winter air that makes us DJs feel all competitive, but the last ever Wheelie Bag Clash took place last Sunday at the 100 Club and now there are two more clashes to look forward to this coming weekend!

First of all is The Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash on Friday 21st November in Clapton. I am taking part in this myself and would love to see some of you down there. It's hotting up to be quite a night so make sure you bring your whistles and make some noise! For full details see my previous blog post here.

Then on Saturday 22nd November some of the biggest revival reggae DJs in London are gathering to clash in Dalston. Names include Gladdy Wax, Tiny T and Asher G (The Rocksteady Daddy). One things for sure, this will be quite a contest with some amazing tunes being showcased. Especially as the winner will walk away with £1000 (the winner of the Sagaboys Clash just gets a trophy!)

Details as follows:

I Remember That! (clash and dance) @ Bar 512
Saturday 22nd November 2008
512 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AE
10pm - 5am
admission: £7

URGENT - Ronnie Scott's night CANCELLED - 15 Nov

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:44:00 +0000

I am extremely sorry to announce that just half an hour ago I received a phone call telling me the management of Ronnie Scott's have cancelled my night there tomorrow (15 Nov). Apparently they double booked the venue and forgot to tell the promoters and DJs until this evening! Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this decision.

As you can imagine, I am shocked and upset by this. In seven years DJing and promoting this has never happened to me before and I would never have expected a world-famous venue like Ronnie Scott's to display this level of unprofessionalism.

All I can do is offer my sincerest apologies to you all. Especially for the unbelievably short notice. If I had any idea this could have happened I would never have arranged the night there.

Not only has this messed up my weekend and wasted many hours of my time spent in promoting and preparing the night, but around 150 people have also had their weekends messed up including people who were going to celebrate their birthday there and some who had planned to travel from outside London like those from Brighton & Hove and even the Midlands. I really hope this hasn't put anyone out of pocket.

Please could I ask you to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be planning on attending tomorrow night? I would really hate for anyone to waste their time and money travelling down there.

I can only apologise again and assure you I will do everything in my power to never allow this to happen again at any venue I DJ at in the future.

Thank you for the music

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:48:00 +0000

More sad news today. I was shocked to read of the death of legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba - also known as Mama Afrika.

You can read the story here: www.miriammakeba.co.za

This comes just days after the death of Byron Lee whose band The Dragonaires were responsible for some of the finest ska, rocksteady, calypso and reggae recordings of the 1960s.

Despite the joy the news of Barack Obama being elected the first black president of the United States has brought to the world, this is a sad time as we have lost so many inspiring musical heroes during the last few weeks, including one of my all time favourite singers - Alton Ellis.

Read more about the passing of Alton Ellis, Byron Lee and other Jamaican greats here

Other legends who have just recently passed away are Levi Stubbs (lead singer of The Four Tops), Dee Dee Warwick (soul singer and sister of Dionne Warwick) and Andrew "Mike" Terry (Funk Brother and Detroit saxophonist who played on so many of the great 60s soul tunes).

This coming weekend I am playing Right On! sets at The Vibe Bar and Ronnie Scott's and am dedicating the sessions to the memory of all these wonderful singers and musicians. I will be paying tribute by playing many of their fantastic and life-affirming recordings. Their music will live forever.

Beanos record shop to close

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:31:00 +0000

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

Adam of London launch website

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:23:00 +0000

Excellent West London menswear boutique Adam Of London have finally caught up with the 21st century and launched a website.

Run by former mod Adam Shener, Adam Of London has been in business for many years selling well-cut mod style suits, coats and shirts but has never had an online presence until now. Although the layout is quite simple and still seems a bit buggy, the site is fairly easy to navigate and it is even possible to purchase online.

Check it out here: www.adamoflondon.com

Adam Of London is located at:
Unit 11, Portobello Green Arcade, 281 Portobello Road, W10 5TZ
Telephone: (020) 8960 6944

Fantastic London - free films at The Birkbeck Cinema

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:57:00 +0000

Titled "Fantastic London", The Birkbeck Cinema is currently showing another series of films presented by the London Screen Study Collection. The theme of the series is "London re-imagined".

These screenings are free and take place every Tuesday at 2.30pm. 9th December is the finale and highlight of the series - another chance to catch "London Loves" which was shown last month in Trafalgar Square as part of The London Film Festival. This is a harvest of excellent rarities from London's archives including clips of Fluffers cleaning the London Underground, Eel and Pie Houses and "The Elephant Will Never Forget" from 1953 which documents the moving story of London's last trams.

The Birkbeck Cinema is located at: 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PD

For more information, including full programme, contact Angela English on a.english@bbk.ac.uk

Skatalites live at The Albany - 5th December

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:34:00 +0000

The world's greatest ska band, The Skatalites, are to play live at The Albany on Friday 5th December. This is their only London date this year so don't miss it!

These internationally renowned veteran musicians are true masters of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Original members Lloyd Knibb, Lester Sterling and vocalist Doreen Shaffer are complemented by talented musicians like Cedric "Im" Brooks and Vin Gordon (aka Don Drummond Jr).

"The Skatalites - Jamaica's answer to the Motown house band and Booker T. and the MG's combined" - Rolling Stone

The Skatalites live @ The Albany
Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG
Friday 5th December
Doors: 7.30pm

Tickets: £15 in advance or £20 on the door. All tickets are standing only.

Box Office: (020) 8692 4446
www.thealbany.org.uk

For more information about the Skatalites, visit their website: www.skatalites.com

Jean-Paul enters DJ Clash - Fri 21 Nov

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:56:00 +0000

I'm taking part in the the 2nd Annual Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash on Friday 21st November 2008 and need your support. Admission is free so come down and cheer me on! Last year I came second out of twelve DJs, losing only to Daddee Samson. I'd never taken part in a clash before so wasn't quite sure what to expect, but this year I am fully prepared and want to win the cup from him!

Crowd response plays a big part in judging the DJs, so the more people who come down and clap and cheer for me the better.

The Sagaboys are one of Europe's leading Soca crews and they have many talented soca and reggae DJs amongst them. The music played at this clash is primarily soca and reggae, though there should also be a freestyle round where anything goes (soul, funk, rare groove, etc.)

Like last year, I will be representing the foundations of these genres with my collection of rare calypso, mento, rocksteady and early reggae on original vinyl. If you love this music then please come along. You'll hear some great tunes and be supporting one of the few DJs in London playing old-school calypso to the masses.

You'll also hear some fantastic music courtesy of Daddee Samson, Lady Heartbeat and others, who will certainly be putting up quite a fight.

Details as follows:

The 2nd Annual Sagaboys DJ Cup Clash
Friday 21st November 2008
@ Sam Uhriah House
136 - 142 Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0QJ
9pm - 2am
FREE entry

Defending the 2007 cup: Daddee Samson

Registered contestants so far: Jean-Paul Séculaire (Right On!), Junior Passion (Klimax Radio), Musik Lover, Paradise Vibes, Zigzag, Nexus, DJ Serenity (Klimax Radio), Lady Heartbeat

MC for the night: Sagaboy Phil Fingarz (Tempo Radio)

You can hear the radio jingle on my MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/rightonclub

Right On! weekend - 14-15 November - Vibe Bar & Ronnie Scott's

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:53:00 +0000

I'm extremely sorry to announce that I just received a phone call telling me the management of Ronnie Scott's have cancelled my night there tomorrow (15 Nov). Apparently they double booked the venue and forgot to tell the promoters and DJs until this evening! Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this decision.

All I can do is offer my sincerest apologies to you all. Especially for the unbelievably short notice. If I had any idea this could have happened I would never have arranged the night there.

Not only has this messed up my night and wasted many hours of my time spent in promoting and preparing it, but another 100 or more people have also had their Saturday night messed up including people who were going to celebrate their birthday there and some who had planned to travel from outside of London.

Please could I ask you to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be planning on attending tomorrow night? I would really hate for anyone to waste their time and money travelling down there.

I can only apologise again and assure you I will do everything in my power to never allow this to happen again at any venue I DJ at in the future.

Fortunately tonight (Friday the 14th November) is still happening, so come down to Chick-A-Boom at The Vibe Bar to hear me and Mistah Brown plus special guest Andy Smith (Portishead, Jazz Cafe, Lost & Found, Document, etc.). We'll be playing plenty of ska, reggae, Northern soul and rockin' rhythm & blues.

Chick-A-Boom @ The Vibe Bar
Friday 14th November
The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
8pm - 1am. £5 (NB. over 21s only)

Festival New Orleans @ The O2 - 24-25 Oct

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:54:00 +0000

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

Dr. Sketchy's relaunch @ Proud - Mon 27 Oct

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:14:00 +0000

London's only burlesque drawing event, Dr. Sketchy's, relaunches this month at Camden's famous photographic gallery and bar, Proud Galleries.

A unique take on the idea of live drawing, the principle of Dr. Sketchy's is to: "comb London to find the most beautiful burlesque dancers, the most bizarre circus freaks, and the most rippling hunks of man". You then get to draw them for three hours. Interspersed with this are crazy contests to win art supplies and other prizes.

Dr.Sketchy's was started in New York in 2005 by illustrator and performer Molly Crabapple, and has since spread to 57 cities around the world, including London, Rome, Paris, Tokyo, and Melbourne. There are UK branches in Brighton, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dr. Sketchy's London was started in December 2006 by lingerie designer Ruka Johnson and has been running in various London venues ever since.

Hosted by cabaret performer Dusty Limits, the relaunch night features a Halloween themed burlesque performance from UK Burlesque artiste, Leyla Rose.

Dr. Sketchy's @ Proud, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH
Monday 27th October. 8pm - 11pm
Advance tickets: £8.50
On the door: £10 / £8.50 (with student ID)
Suggested dress code: All Hallow's Eve

For more information visit: www.drsketchylondon.co.uk

New club night from Natty Bo - Sat 25 Oct

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:40:00 +0000

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)

New exhibition from Twinkle Troughton - 7-19 Nov

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:54:00 +0000

Running from 7th-19th November at the Evil Gallery in Shoreditch, "Never Shall Be Slaves?" is a solo show of new paintings by cult artist Twinkle Troughton.

Following on from her last solo show - "Cor Blighty" - in late 2007, Troughton has continued with the theme of Britishness, but her work now shows a darker direction. The paintings in this new collection contain elements that in a way we are all slaves to, such as the media, fast living, drugs and material goods. Troughton wishes to make us think about our fixations with accumulation and consumption as well as the way we treat each other.

Born in Coventry and raised in Leamington Spa, Twinkle Troughton moved to London to study fine art and received her BA in 2001. Over the last few years she has developed both her technique and her trademark of bold and bright, slightly surreal paintings which, whilst paying homage to the pop artists of yesteryear, also conjure up nostalgia for a Britain which has seen change at an ever-increasing rate over the last decade.

With commissions from the likes of Damon Dash and Howard Marks under her belt, as well as being shortlisted for the Celeste Art prize in 2006, Twinkle Troughton is a name to watch out for. She is currently represented by the Stella Dore Gallery on Brick Lane and exhibits frequently in London as well as throughout the UK and Europe.

Never Shall Be Slaves? @ Pure Evil Gallery
7th November - 19th November 2008
Private View: 6th November
108 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4RH
Opening hours: 10am-6pm or by appointment

For more information visit www.stelladore.com
or email twinkle@twinkletroughton.co.uk

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:49:00 +0000

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

Roy Shirley memorial concert - 30 Aug

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:42:00 +0000

The friends and family of rocksteady legend Roy Shirley are hosting a memorial concert on Saturday 30th August.

Artists paying their respects on the night include: Derrick Morgan, Owen Gray, Winston Francis, Dennis Alcapone, BB Seaton, Earl Sixteen and Lloyd Brown.

There will also be radio DJs and sound system operators spinning reggae classics.

Doors open from 8pm til very late and the show begins at midnight. Admission is just £10 with all proceeds going to the Roy Shirley Foundation.

The Roy Shirley Memorial
@ The Silent Whispers Club
21-23 Sedgwick Street, Homerton, Hackney, E9 6AA
30th August 2008. From 8pm
£10

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's - 6 September

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:59:00 +0000

After running successfully every Friday for more than 6 months, Walking In Rhythm is to relaunch as a weekly Saturday session upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Club on the 6th September.

Thanks to two fantastic nights earlier in the year, I have been asked back by resident DJ Jimbo to join him on the decks again at the relaunch party and will be playing another three hour Right On! style set - which means nothing but the finest vintage black dance music on original vinyl.

Expect to hear plenty of soul, rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, ska, reggae and boogaloo plus a touch of samba, mambo, calypso and other exciting sounds from myself and Jimbo.

This will be a unique night in one of the coolest venues in London (see photo) - reminiscent of the days when Right On! ran down the road in Chinatown.

And to guarantee a great crowd, I have been given an unlimited free guestlist for all my contacts. So, if you would like to come along without having to pay a penny, just drop me an email ASAP to paul@right-on.org with the full names of anyone thinking of coming along.

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (upstairs bar)
47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT (opposite Bar Italia)
Saturday 6th September
9pm - 3am

To find out more about Ronnie Scott's Club visit their website:
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Duke Vin & The Birth Of Ska - 7th August

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:19:00 +0000

The SERTUC film club presents a private screening and panel discussion of "Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska" on Thursday 7th August.

This documentary covers the arrival in London of pioneering Jamaican soundmen Duke Vin (who DJ'd for me at Right On! back in 2003) and Count Suckle and looks at the effect that Jamaican music and culture had on the UK. These men and the role they played in championing ska music in the UK has often been sadly neglected, so I am very pleased to hear of such an interesting sounding film on the subject. Hopefully this will help give them some of the recognition they deserve from the wider public.

Admission to the screening is free but advance booking is essential.

Location: Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3LS
Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm

You can register by emailing sertucevents@tuc.org.uk or by calling (020) 7467 1220

New venue for the London Calypso Tent

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:04:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:06:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:20:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:47:00 +0000

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

Gladdy Wax @ Chick-A-Boom! - Fri 11 July

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:10:00 +0000

Jamaican sound system legend Gladdy Wax joins me and Mistah Brown at Chick-A-Boom! this Friday. Last time I DJ'd alongside Gladdy was at Right On! in September 2006, so I'm thrilled to have him back on the decks with me for some soul, funk, rhythm & blues and of course not forgetting the scorching ska!

Chick-A-Boom! @ The Vibe Bar (upstairs)
The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1
(nearest tube/train: Liverpool Street)
Friday 11th July
8pm - 1am
£4

Lou Donaldson & Lonnie Smith live - 11 July

noreply@blogger.com (Jean-Paul Séculaire) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:37:00 +0000

Hammond jazz fans take note: Blue Note legends Lou Donaldson and Lonnie Smith (not to be confused with Lonnie Liston Smith) are playing live at The Jazz Cafe in Camden on Friday 11th July.

Though I've never seen Lonnie Smith live, I did see Lou Donaldson in Brighton backed by the New Mastersounds and he did not fail to impress. The press release from The Jazz Cafe says that this group is "a unique sax and organ-led quartet pairing two of jazz's elder statesmen in a boiling swing quartet reminiscent of the great 60s Blue Note combos". Sounds great!

Supporting the group are The Root Source - young Freestyle Records recording artists popular on the jazz dance scene. The keyboard player and drummer are Andy Fairclough and Larry Clack who played a duo gig at Home Cookin' back in February.

For advance tickets and more information visit The Jazz Cafe website