MODern History SE1 - Saturday 14th September 2013

A fabulous sounding street festival called MODern History SE1 takes place in Lower Marsh in Waterloo this Saturday, 14th September from noon until 7 pm. It is billed as "a celebration of music, art, fashion and culture... by spinning the clock back 50 years, Lower Marsh will be taken right back to it's 60's heyday and the market's most successful era".

The event will feature:

• Vintage scooter rally across London's bridges, from Tower to Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/events/561292677268866/
• Vintage market featuring vintage clothes, scooter spares and a host of other themed stalls.
• Vintage food - Pie 'n' Mash, toffee apples and old ice-cream vans.
• Vintage shop fronts - Shops will be dressed as they were in the 60's with a reproduction of newspapers and magazines.
• Live music stage on the piazza at the end of Lower Marsh mapping the influence of black music on British artists.

There will also be a number of well-known DJs playing a variety of genres from blues and ska through to reggae to indie. Venues and set times as follows:

Train to Skaville @ CARRIAGE, 34 Lower Marsh

Noon - Dave Edwards
1 pm - Smiler
2 pm - Chad
2:30 - Big Bob
3:30 - Dave Edwards
4 pm - Jerry Dammers
6 pm - Surprise guest

Blues x 6 @ WALRUS, 172 Westminster Bridge Road

Noon - Big Bob
1 pm - Nikki Shaw
2 pm - Rob Messer
3 pm - Smiler
4 pm - Dave Edwards
5 pm - Ryan B
6 pm - Guy Joseph

Kool Britannia @ HORSE, 124 Westminster Bridge Road

Noon - Miss Wicked
1 pm - Ian Punter
2 pm - Jerry Dammers
4 pm - Paul Tunkin
5 pm - Ian Punter
6:30 - Miss Wicked

Tea time with Lil' Koko - 25 September

It's tea time! Nestled in the heart of Shoreditch, the Time For Tea vintage tearoom is the setting for a one-off afternoon tea with a difference. Your host for the day is the effervescent Kate Pieroudis (aka Lil' Koko) who promises a fine selection of cakes (including Lavender Cake, Oh-My Chocolate Cake, and scones) while her Italian friend Chiara serves up Crostata and Tiramisù (my favourite Italian dessert).

In between preparing the tea, DJ Lil' Koko (Ronnie Scott's, Nightjar) will also be spinning vinyl to get you dancing. And pianist Dom Pipkin will be stopping by from 6pm to tinkle the ivories too. Open from 2pm - 8pm. Free admission.

Time For Tea,
110 Shoreditch High Street,
London,
E1 6JN

The S&M Cafe in Essex Road has closed down

I've just discovered that the S&M (Sausage & Mash) Cafe on Essex Road in Islington has closed down. Despite its inconsistent service and menu over the years, I rather liked the place as it kept the English Heritage listed cafe (originally Alfredo's, opened in the 1920s) in use as an old-fashioned style eatery (albeit a rather expensive one).

I've no idea yet what will become of the premises with its beautiful, original decor, but will update you as I find out more.

It seems that the S&M chain has now shrunk down to just one remaining location (in Spitalfields) as the Portobello Road branch also closed down some time ago. The food there is good, though I've unfortunately found the service quite slow and unfriendly at times.

Official announcement here: www.sandmcafe.co.uk/islington.php

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/

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

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/

Amato is no more

Sadly I've just seen that Amato on Old Compton Street has closed down. This was the place to get the best cakes in Soho and as such it will be sorely missed.

Things could be worse though, as the site is to become a branch of English restaurant / tea house Richoux. Watch this space for news of its opening.

You can read my review of the Piccadilly branch of Richoux here: www.londondossier.info/cafes.htm

New Piccadilly Cafe closes forever on 22 Sept

As you may have read in the press, this Saturday - 22 September 2007 - is sadly the last day of business ever for The New Piccadilly Cafe, one of the few original cafes left in central London and a Soho institution. It has been there since the early 1950s and still has its wonderful original interior.

The place is likely to be completely demolished so get down there while you still can for one last cup of tea (best avoid the coffee) and a sad farewell to one of Soho's most colourful locales.

Be warned though, it is likely to be extremely busy and you may well have to wait to get a table.

The New Piccadilly, 8 Denman Street, Soho, W1. (020) 7437 8530
(nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus)

for more info see also:
www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/sep/08/saturday.whereidratherbe
www.urban75.org/london/piccadilly.html