John Simons and The Ivy Look

2010 will surely be remembered as the year that the Ivy League look returned to menswear in London. Penny loafers, Harrington jackets, Oxford button-down shirts, knitted ties and herringbone tweed suits are all over the high street and have had numerous mentions in the press this year.

The man who first championed the look in the UK in the late 50s, John Simons, opens his new shop on Tuesday 7th December. The address is: 46 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7QR

For further information on this legendary modernist and Ivy League gentleman's outfitter, check out his website: http://johnsimons.co.uk/

To find out more about the Ivy League style and its connection to the modernist look of the 1950s and 1960s, I would highly recommend you check out The Ivy Look, which was published this Autumn and serves as an excellent introduction to the style, with many great period illustrations, photos and advertisements. Written by well-known mods about town, Graham Marsh and JP Gaul, this pocket-size book focuses on the Ivy look as interpreted and adopted by London modernists over the years.

The Ivy Look: Classic American Clothing - An Illustrated Pocket Guideis currently available to buy brand new from Amazon for just £6.50 (including free UK postage).

The Skatalites live - Wed 24 Nov

The legendary Skatalites play live at the Bloomsbury Ballroom on Wednesday 24th November. This is apparently their only London show of 2010 and their first London gig in two years. If you've not seen the band before, make sure you don't miss this! Although many of the original Skatalites have now sadly passed away, the band still features original members Lloyd Knibb on drums and Lester Sterling on alto saxophone.

Tickets: £22.50 (plus booking fee)
Venue: Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House, 37 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4DA

For more info and to buy tickets vist: www.agmp.co.uk

John Smedley Sample Sale - 16 Nov

The next John Smedley Sample Sale takes place on Tuesday 16th November 2010 from 10am to 6pm.

John Smedley make some of the most beautiful and finest quality knitwear available anywhere in the UK, but their pieces don't come cheap. Their sample sales are open to all and are the perfect way of picking up some lovely items at a fraction of their retail price. You'll find end of range and slight imperfect garments, but arrive early as the best stuff sells quickly - especially in the most common sizes.

Payment methods of cash, debit, visa and mastercards are accepted.

Where? The Rootstein Hopkins Space, London College of Fashion, 20 John Princes Street, London, W1G 0BJ. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus.

Spirit of Soul @ Cafe de Paris - Fri 5th November

The next Spirit Of Soul club night takes place on Friday 5th November, 2010. Resident DJs Paul Leney and Jerome Anderson (Jazzcotech Dancers) are joined by guest selectors Jean-Paul Séculaire (Right On!) and Retro Russ (Unknown FM) for a session of classic and rare soul, disco, boogie, jazz-funk, Latin rhythms and club classics from the 1960s to the present day. The action takes place in the VIP Room (aka The Soul Room) of the exquisite Cafe de Paris, located just off of Leicester Square. To find the Soul Room, enter the main room, go downstairs and through the far right-hand corner door.

Admission on the night is £10, but email paul@right-on.org in advance with full names to get on my exclusive half-price discounted guestlist.

Times: 10pm - 3am
Admission: £10 (£5 with guestlist)
Address: Cafe de Paris (VIP Room), 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL
Website: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135416139834101
Venue website: www.cafedeparis.com

Note: Cafe de Paris operates a strict "over 21s" door policy and smart dress code. Sportswear is not permitted.

Win an all-expenses-paid night out in London!

COMPETITION:

Win an all-expenses-paid night out in London with man about town, Jean-Paul Séculaire!

One lucky reader will win the opportunity to accompany Jean-Paul to some of London's top night spots on Saturday 30th October, as he takes you out for a night to remember.

Dinner, drinks, burlesque show, dancing and coffee are all included in this unique and exclusive prize. You will meet at 8pm for an apéritif and be escorted all night until early the following morning by one of London's last old-fashioned gentlemen.

All you have to do is write in to info@londondossier.com with a little about yourself and the reason you would like to win this prize. The most enticing entry received by midnight on the night of Sunday 24th October shall win. The winner will be notified by email on Tuesday 26th October.

Good luck!


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RULES:

1) There is no alternative to this prize, cash or otherwise, so the winner must be available to meet in Central London on Saturday 30th October at 8pm.
2) If the winner is unable to take up the prize for any reason, or if Jean-Paul has not been able, after making reasonable efforts, to make contact with the winner, Jean-Paul reserves the right to award the prize to an alternative winner, in which case the first winner chosen shall not be eligible for any share of the prize whatsoever. Jean-Paul shall not have any liability in such eventuality.
3) Only the winner will be contacted. Applicants who have not heard back by the end of Tuesday 26th October have unfortunately not been successful.
4) Travel expenses to and from Central London are not included in the prize.
5) Dinner will consist of a two course meal with wine or soft drink.
6) Alcoholic and/or soft drinks and tea/coffee will be provided in moderation at Jean-Paul's sole discretion.
7) Some venues operate a smart dress code, so the winner must be dressed appropriately. Sportswear is not permissible.
8) You agree that Jean-Paul may cancel the competition and/or prize at any time (e.g. due to illness). Jean-Paul shall not have any liability in such eventuality.
9) Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
10) The winner must carry proof of identity and proof of age with them on Saturday 30th October.
11) The competition is not open to members of Jean-Paul's family. Friends/acquaintances of Jean-Paul may enter, but their entries will not be given any preferential treatment.
12) Jean-Paul's decision on all matters relating to the competition is final.
13) Jean-Paul shall have no liability for any loss, damage or injury that may occur to the winner during the night out.

Legacy In the Dust - The Four Aces Story screens in Dalston

Critically acclaimed documentary, Legacy In the Dust - The Four Aces Story, will be showing on Wednesday 20th October and Wednesday 10th November at Open the Gate, The Black Culture Cafe in Dalston.

The screenings will be followed by a discussion with the film's director, Winstan Whitter.

Legacy In The Dust tells the story of the hugely influential Club Four Aces in Dalston, which opened in the 1960s and went on to become one of the most popular reggae clubs in London during the 1970s. Against local opposition the club was demolished in 2006 to make way for for new developments.

Times: 7pm till 11.30pm
Admission: £5
Venue: Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ

For more information about the cafe, visit http://openthegate.org.uk/

After Hours Club at Coco De Mer - October 2010

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Mind Yuh Business vs Set The Tone - Sat 16 Oct

Mind Yuh Business takes on Set The Tone 67 in a friendly battle of the DJs on Saturday 16th October.

In what looks like being a great night of 60s and 70s soul, funk, boogaloo, ska, rocksteady and reggae, resident DJ Tim Keenoy is joined by top guest selectors Dean Rudland (Ace, BGP, Blue Note, Fania) and Dr Bob Jones to take on the Set The Tone 67 crew: Stephen Saunders, Dean Thatcher and guest Ricky Barrow.

Times: 8pm - 4am
Admission: £7 before 11pm then £9
Venue: The Dex Club, 467-469 Brixton Road, London, SW9 8HH

For more info check out: www.myspace.com/mindyuhbusinesslondon

P. P. Arnold live at The Pigalle - Sat 9 Oct

60s soul legend P. P. Arnold is playing live at The Pigalle Club this Saturday, 9th October.

In this brand new show, P. P. Arnold joins Digby Fairweather and his Half Dozen for a "cocktail of Pat's hits and her favourite songs ranging from soul, jazz/funk and R&B to ballads".

Best known for her hit "The First Cut is the Deepest", P. P.'s beautiful singing voice and soulful interpretation of the song led Cat Stevens to say that hers was the definitive version.

Tickets: £10.00 (without dinner)
Doors: 6:30pm. Show: 9pm.

The Pigalle Club
215-217 Piccadilly
Westminster
London
W1J 9HN

For table reservations contact - 0800 988 5470 | reservations@vpmg.net

For more info check out: www.thepigalleclub.com

100 Club to close?

According to The London Evening Standard, The 100 Club may close its doors by the end of the year:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23880916-closure-threat-to-100-club.do

I've yet to speak to anyone at the venue about this myself, but will keep you informed as I find out more.

It would be a very sad day indeed if one of London's finest and most historic music venues (it opened in the 1940s) closes down.

Film listings - September 2010

Soulboy (certificate 15)

New release Soulboy is a good fun film based around the English Northern soul scene of the 1970s. It has a great 60s soul soundtrack and some excellent dancing. The plot is basically a typical coming-of-age romance story, but the believable acting, interesting backdrops and sub-plots maintain interest. The ending lets the film down slightly, being predictable and rather cheesy, but over all this is an enjoyable film and worth seeing - especially if you have an interest in 60s soul, 70s England or the Northern soul scene.

Soulboy is showing at the Empire Cinema Leicester Square until Thursday 23rd September

Empire Cinema
5-6 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA
http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/

http://www.soulboythefilm.com/

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Metropolis - restored and reconstructed (certificate PG)

Fritz Lang's much-lauded 1920s film Metropolis is currently showing in a restored and reconstructed version - the longest since its first release. Visually, this film is as impressive today as it must have been in the 1920s. The design, filming, special effects and scenery are generally breathtaking. Most of this can be admired early on however, and at around two and half hours in length, Metropolis is hard work and feels rather too long. Much of the acting has dated badly too and borders on the ridiculous at times. What redeems it however, is Brigitte Helm's astounding performance as the Maschinenmensch (machine-human). The film is well worth sitting through just to see Helm take on this exciting and erotic role toward the end of the story. Although the soundtrack has its moments, it does not always complement the action and becomes tedious after a while. It has too little variation, coming back for example to a reptitive Marseillaise-esque theme later in the film. It is definitely worth seeing Metropolis on the big screen though and marvelling at its visual impact that easily puts many of today's films to shame.

Metropolis is showing at the ICA until Thursday 30th September

Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
http://www.ica.org.uk/

Bande À Part club night - Sat 2nd Oct

I'm really pleased to be DJing at the Bande À Part club night on Saturday 2nd October.

This is a fantastic session with a music policy not dissimilar to my Right On! club. Expect some great jukejoint sounds from the 1950s and 1960s aimed at the dancefloor. Think rhythm & blues, black rock 'n' roll, soul, ska, reggae, calypso, mento and Afro-Latin rhythms. I'll be joining resident DJs Cousin Benson and Vinyl Warrior on the decks to showcase some of my latest vinyl finds alongside some old Right On! favourites.

Located just off the main Shoreditch strip of Old Street, The Troy Bar is a cosy, one-floor venue with a great layout. Booths offer tucked-away seating and the bar area is separate from the wooden dancefloor, allowing dancers space to shake a leg. This is a session not to be missed!

Bande À Part @ The Troy Bar
10 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6NG. (020) 7739 6695‎
8pm - 3am
FREE before 10.30pm, then £3

To find out more about the club check out: www.myspace.com/bandeapartlondon

Notting Hill Carnival 2010

Well Carnival is almost upon us once again and it looks like we may even have some sunshine (fingers crossed!)

As they do every year, Time Out London magazine have produced a map of the area showing all the sound systems.

You can view this printable map (without key) online here:

www.timeout.com/img/london/features/2010-Notting-Hill-map.jpg

They have also produced an online Google Map (with key), which may or may not be more useful. Check it out here:

www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110377225760210522619.00048d9d83dc70d1cf877&ll=51.520867,-0.206337&spn=0.018692,0.04077&z=14

The three must-visit sound systems are:

9 - Gaz's Rockin' Blues
Gaz Mayall has the most colourful sound in town. This year's theme is the Roaring Twenties, featuring a guest set from legendary sound man Duke Vin.

11 - The Gladdy Wax Roadshow
Veteran soundsystem operator Gladdy Wax and guests play old reggae, ska and rocksteady.

20 - The Latin Rave Street Jam
Carnival's only all-Latin soundsystem mixes the new sounds with some fantastic vintage salsa, Latin jazz and mambo.

Soho News

Here's an update on a couple of Soho stories I discussed here a while back.

First of all, it seems news of star barista Avni's departure from Bar Italia was greatly exaggerated. Having left for only a few weeks, Avni returned to take up the evening reins on the famous Gaggia machine once more. Suffice to say, late-night cappuccino lovers are in safe hands.

Bar Italia, 22 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4RP. (020) 7437 4520

The second story relates to the premises of Amato. As I reported some time ago, this once great patisserie sadly closed down. It reopened as a branch of Richoux, with a restaurant, rather than patisserie, focus. However, that venture did not last long and closed down again shortly after opening. The same premises was then set to become a branch of pizzeria chain Made In Italy. Despite the number of other pizza restaurants in Soho, the wonderful Made In Italy restaurants on The King's Road and Islington's Upper Street made this welcome news. The restaurant is now open and having eaten there the other night, I am happy to report that I was most impressed. Although rather cramped for space (due to the large number of tables squeezed in), the food is divine. Possibly the most authentic Italian pizza in London. Wood-fired ovens, fresh ingredients and home-made mozzarella ensure these pizzas served "a metro" are a cut above the rest. Although I dislike service charges being added to the bill (I strongly believe these should depend on a customer's own discretion), the edge was taken off this annoyance by the limoncello I was served "on the house".

Made In Italy, 14 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 4TH
www.madeinitalygroup.co.uk

Free James Hunter concert - Sun 12 Sept

Great news for fans of James Hunter. He is to play a free outdoor gig on Sunday 12th September as part of this year's Thames Festival. Appearing on the Lady Luck Jive Stage (apparently being set up this year on the forecourt of the Tate Modern) from 8pm - 9pm, this is chance to catch London's most soulful singer for free on his home turf.

It's only now James is so (deservedly) famous that one really appreciates how special it was to hear him busking on the streets of Soho a few years back. These days he plays all over the US and UK in some of the countries' most prestigious venues.

Although the festival looks like a great fun weekend, this has to be the highlight. Take a tip from me and don't miss this no matter what the weather!

Find out more from the Thames Festival website: www.thamesfestival.org

Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Fri 10 Sept

Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band will be performing live on Friday 10th September at popular Hackney warehouse venue Passing Clouds. DJ support comes from Koichi Sakai (Afrobeat Vibration, Jazz On The Road).

Anthony Joseph is "a talented writer with a powerful imagination" [Linton Kwesi Johnson]. Not just a jazz poet, Joseph is also a novelist, academic and musician. He was born in Trinidad, moving to the UK in 1989. His publications include 'Desafinado' (1994), 'Teragaton' (1997) and 'The African Origins of UFOs' (Salt, 2006). In 2004 he was chosen by the Arts Council as one of 50 Black and Asian writers who have made major contributions to contemporary British literature. In 2005, Joseph served as the British Council's first Poet in Residence at California State University, Los Angeles.

Anthony Joseph performs internationally with his band The Spasm Band. Their second album 'Bird Head Son' is currently out on Heavenly Sweetness records. Hear some of their music and find out more from Joseph's website:

http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/

Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band live
Friday 10th September
@ Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, London, E8 4AA
8pm - 3am
£6 before 10pm, £8 after

The London Calypso Tent

The annual London Calypso Tent returns on Friday 30th July and runs on every Friday up until the Notting Hill Carnival at the end of August.

The London Calypso Tent has been running for the past 18 years, firstly at The Yaa Centre and now at the Tabernacle. Performing, will be members of the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC), such as The Mighty Tiger, Lord Cloak, Brown Sugar and Giselle. The Groovy Soca Competition is on 20th August and the Monarch Competition takes place on 26th August.

As well as members of the ABC, there will also be appearances from an international calypso artiste from the Caribbean, the Junior Calypso Monarch from Trinidad and Tobago, and the Calypso Monarch from Canada. The final line-up will be confirmed nearer the event.

Carnival Village presents The London Calypso Tent
@ The Tabernacle
34-35 Powis Square, Talbot Road, London, W11 2AY
(020) 7221 9700

www.tabernaclelive.co.uk

Recommended gigs in July & August

Here's a list of some exciting sounding gigs coming up over the next month. Follow the links for more information. I've not seen Manteca or Solomon Burke live in concert before myself, but regular readers of this blog will know that I cannot recommend Mud Morganfield or James Hunter highly enough.

Wednesday 21st July
Mud Morganfield (eldest son of Muddy Waters) live @ The Jazz Cafe
www.jazzcafelive.com

Thursday 22nd - Friday 23rd July
James Hunter live @ Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Sunday 25th July
Solomon Burke live @ The Jazz Cafe
www.jazzcafelive.com

Friday 20th August
Manteca live @ The 606 Club
www.606club.co.uk

You Are Here: The best places to meet & work in London

When not DJing at The Stag O Lee Club, Ben Olins is working for Herb Lester Associates finding ways for organisations to talk to their customers through books, magazines, pamphlets and broadsides. His latest brain child is this excellent little map of Central London, showing the best venues to meet and work.

Tired of meeting in faceless coffee bars like Caffé Nero and Starbucks, Herb Lester Associates decided to compile a list of places that seemed ideal for a meeting; some chosen for their charm, others for their convenience.

With artwork by Michael Newhouse, You Are Here is a very attractive and useful pocket guide to some of the best places to meet in London: whether for business or pleasure.

Available for just £3 including postage, the map can be bought online from Herb Lester Associates website via Paypal.

I am told that there are more maps in the works too, including an historical one of London's 1960s hotspots.

Find out more from:
http://herblester.com/you-are-here/

The Black Cat club - Sat 10 July

Promising sounding night coming up on Saturday 10th July at intimate new "pop-up" bar, The Silver Bullet, in Finsbury Park.

DJs Dean Chalkley, Si Cheeba and special guest Snowboy promise a mix of rhythm and blues, soul, ska, boogaloo and "other hipster treats".

London Dossier on Facebook

The London Dossier now has an offical page on popular social networking site Facebook. So, if you're a member of Facebook, feel free to become a fan and post to the wall or discussion boards.

Check it out here:
facebook.com/pages/Jean-Paul-Seculaires-London-Dossier/130987186919967

Right On! vs Wreck It Up! - Wednesday 16th June

I will be taking part in a "reggae sound clash" style Battle of the DJs on Wednesday16th June, 2010.

This one-off, special, FREE event sees me take on the precocious young WRECK IT UP! crew (Eli and Renata) on their home turf - 93 Feet East's pink bar in Brick Lane (opposite The Vibe Bar where I used to run Chick-A-Boom). Expect some seriously big tunes, rewinds and version galore, with Eli and myself battling on the mic.

Following the established music policy of the Wreck It Up nights, this clash will be covering the best of "Golden Age" Jamaican music:

foundation BLUES and SOUL, shuffling SKA, swinging ROCKSTEADY, and of course, stomping, funky REGGAE.

The winner of this clash will be the "People's Choice", so come on down and make some noise! This will be an event to remember.

Admission is FREE and the night runs from 7pm - 11pm, being a mid-week session, so get there early as the clash will start promptly.

Right On! vs Wreck It Up!
@ 93 Feet East (pink bar)
150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
Wednesday 16th June. 7pm - 11pm.
Free admission.

Sonny Rollins @ The Barbican - 20th November

A long way off still, but believe me, this is likely to sell out months in advance, so I thought I'd better give you plenty of notice. In fact, many of the best seats have already gone! Legendary post-bebop saxophonist Sonny Rollins returns to the London Jazz Festival in November to celebrate his 80th birthday. I was fortunate enough to catch him when he played at The Barbican in 2006 and can highly recommend seeing him live.

Sonny Rollins live @ The Barbican
Saturday 20th November 2010
Doors: 7.30pm
Tickets priced between £10 and £75
Info / booking: www.barbican.org.uk

If his performance in 2006 was anything to go by, Rollins is still on incredible form, with the energy of a man half his age. Playing with a new band, Rollins will be selecting material from his six decades in jazz (during which time he has recorded for labels as revered as Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside and Milestone). This will undoubtedly be another magical night and I would expect a calypso or two in his repertoire.

You can find out more about Sonny Rollins from his website: www.sonnyrollins.com

The Filthy Six album launch

It's not long since London's hippest Hammond organ combo, The Gene Drayton Unit, called it a day after 9 glorious years. But there is an exciting new group on the block looking set to fill the gap left by the GDU:
The Filthy Six.

Signed to Acid Jazz, The Filthy Six released their fantastic debut single two weeks ago, and I am pleased to report there is an album on the way. The release date is 7th June and to celebrate there will be a launch party on Thursday 10th June @ The Queen Of Hoxton.

Acid Jazz presents Get Filthy
@ The Queen Of Hoxton, 1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX
Thursday 10th June
Doors: 8pm
Admission: £8 (£6 concessions)
DJs: Eddie Piller and Dean Rudland
Venue website: http://www.thequeenofhoxton.co.uk/

You can find out more about The Filthy Six and listen to some of their music on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/thefilthysix

Derrick Morgan live in London

Legendary Jamaican ska/reggae singer Derrick Morgan will be performing live in concert in both North and South London over the coming few weeks.

Expect to hear all his classics from the early r&b and ska days through to the rocksteady and reggae stompers that made him so popular with the original skinhead movement.

I saw him live last year at his sell-out concert at The Hootananny Brixton and believe me he was phenomenal. If you haven't seen him before then don't miss this chance! Derrick Morgan is one of the original "Kings of Ska" along with Prince Buster, Owen Gray and Laurel Aitken (RIP).

First up is his gig in Holloway, promoted by Club Ska:

Saturday 29th May 2010

Club Ska presents DERRICK MORGAN
@ The Gaff (formerly The Old King's Head)
382 Holloway Road, N7 6PN

Info: www.clubska.com
Venue website: www.myspace.com/thegaffclub

This is followed by a return to Brixton's fabulous Hootananny in June:

Friday 25th June 2010

DERRICK MORGAN backed by the Ruff Cutt Band
The Hootananny, 95 Effra Road, Brixton, SW2 1DF
(020) 773 772 73

Tickets: £12 advance
Doors: 8pm - 3am

Info: www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk

Goodbye Deep Funk... Hello The Good Foot

After 15 years, Keb Darge's legendary Deep Funk club comes to an end this month. The last ever night of this groundbreaking session takes place on Friday 28th May.

Starting in June, the night will be replaced by a new weekly session called The Good Foot featuring DJs Snowboy and Healer Selecta.

Not one to mince words, here's the lowdown from the great Keb Darge himself:

"That Keb Darge has gone all fifties, and rockabilly. So we thought it best to get two of the best sixties and seventies men on the planet to replace the senile old twat... Looks like it will be a great night."

This new night promises a music policy of "original and authentic Sixties and Seventies Deep Funk, Soul, Rare Groove, Boogaloo, Mambo and R&B"

You can be sure that the final Deep Funk will be a roadblock session, so I can only advise arriving before the doors open and joining the queue! Alternatively, you may want to get down there this Friday for the penultimate session.

Deep Funk @ Madame JoJo's
8-10 Brewer Street, W1F 0SE. (020) 7734 3040
Times: 10pm - 3am
Admission: £8 (£6 before 11pm)
Venue website: http://www.madamejojos.com/

Lee Konitz @ Pizza Express - 18th-19th May

The legendary Lee Konitz will be playing live at The Pizza Express Jazz Club on the 18th and 19th May.

Konitz is an iconic figure of modern jazz. His career has spanned six decades and he has made seminal recordings along the way with giants such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Dave Brubeck. These shows see him coming to London as a leader for a rare and intimate series of concerts in a two house per night showing, which will all be recorded LIVE for release on the Whirlwind Recordings Ltd record label.

Lee Konitz with his quartet featuring:
Dan Tepfer, Piano
Jeff Williams, Drums
Michael Janisch, Acoustic Bass

@ Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3RW
Two 90 minute shows per night:
7.30pm (doors 6pm) & 10.30pm (doors 10pm)
Admission: £20 / £15 (students)
Booking: www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
Phone: 0845 6027 017

Maria Rita live - Tue 18 May

Critically-acclaimed, Brazilian singer Maria Rita returns to London tomorrow - 18 May 2010 - for another one-off gig. Details as follows:

Venue: Koko, 1a Camden High Street, NW1 7JE
Tickets: £20 in advance from wegottickets.com
Doors: 7pm
Info: http://tensamba.com
Venue website: www.koko.co.uk

Arrivederci to Avni - Bar Italia's best barista

Although modesty prevented him acknowledging the fact himself, Avni was without a doubt the best barista at Bar Italia - and one of the very best in London. He worked the beautiful machine most evenings and nights for more years than I can remember, and was a joy to watch in action.

It was therefore with a heavy heart that I learnt some weeks ago now of the news of his departure. He has finally left the great institution and moved on to other things. Sadly I never got to say goodbye and could find out nothing from his former colleagues of his present whereabouts.

If anyone has any information, please do drop me a line to let me know. Or if anyone reading this is in touch with Avni, then please pass him my best regards from "dottore".

On behalf of myself and all the other late-night coffee lovers who have enjoyed Avni's perfect cappuccini over the years, I say GRAZIE!