Saturday nights at The Last Days Of Decadence

Starting in March, the sumptuous Art Deco Last Days Of Decadence bar/club in Shoreditch is launching a series of weekly Saturday night extravaganzas featuring live music, burlesque and DJs spinning vintage dancefloor sounds.

I've been booked to DJ there myself on Saturday 21st March and will be joined by big little (or little big, depending on how you look at it) jazz band The Andy Williamson Buzztet plus divine burlesque beauty Chrys Columbine.

The night runs from 8pm till 2.30am and admission is just £5 all night. The club is situated at: 145 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE

To find out more about this lovely venue, visit www.thelastdaysofdecadence.co.uk

Penny Reel meets Rock A Shacka - Fri 27 Feb

A night of old-school Blues dance vibes coming up later in the month, as Japan's ska master Tommy from Rock A Shacka records meets London's foundation reggae journalist and collector Penny Reel.

Musical Fever is the name of this promotion and they describe their musical policy as "jazz and r'n'b through boogie-woogie, ska, rocksteady, reggae and roots; through soul, Latin and Afro"

If you heard Penny Reel DJ at Right On! a few years ago you'll know you can expect some serious ska rarities from this veteran collector who bought his first Blue Beat single back in 1961.

And as Rock A Shacka is the label that brought out the official reissues of Prince Buster and Gayfeet rarities and unreleased tracks a few years back, I would expect some real rarities from Tommy too.

Details as follows:

Musical Fever presents a night of pure Jamaican Vibes
@ The Others (above snooker hall)
6-8 Manor Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16 5SA
Advance tickets: £6 (more on the door)
9pm - 3am
Sound system supplied by Gladdy Wax

For more info visit www.myspace.com/musicalfever67

Seydou Keïta's photography at Tate Modern

If you haven't seen it yet, you still have time to get down to the Tate Modern for their exhibition of Seydou Keïta's excellent photography, titled "50 Works". But do hurry, as I believe the work is only on display for another couple of months.

Seydou Keïta (1921-2001) was one of the most celebrated photographers in West Africa. From his studio in Bamako, Mali where he lived and worked, Keïta took about 20,000 portraits between 1949 and 1963.

To find out more and to preview some of the photographs in the exhibition, visit:

www.tate.org.uk/modern/explore/room.do?show=1333&code=10&action=1

Jean-Paul Séculaire at Jukebox Jam - Fri 13 Feb

Well, it's nearly my birthday again! Where does the time go?! I was planning to celebrate at Chick-A-Boom, but unfortunately the Vibe Bar have cancelled it for the time being. So instead I'll be guest DJing at the excellent Jukebox Jam club night on Friday 13th February (don't worry... I ain't superstitious!)

It's a great session in a well-known East End boozer-cum-arts venue and features live bands and DJs playing 50s and 60s rockin' R&B, Southern soul and Jamaican ska. I haven't been there for some time as Chick-A-Boom always fell on the same night, so I am really looking forward to returning. Details as follows:

Jukebox Jam @ The George Tavern
Friday 13th February. 8pm - 3am
373 Commercial Road, London, E1 0LA
£4 before 9:30pm then £6 (£4 for members)

Live music this month will come courtesy of the relaunched Blue Beat label house band No. 1 Station plus a solo set from blues pianist/vocalist Cookie The Cutter.

Please note that the venue only has a 150 person capacity, so do be sure to arrive early if you're coming!

For more info check out www.myspace.com/jukejam