RIGHT ON! returns - Saturday 17th February, 2018

RIGHT ON! @ Hanway Social - Saturday 17th February

After more than 10 years' absence, London's much-missed vintage black music club night returns next month for a one-off 15th anniversary dance. Back in the West End where it all started, the night's new venue is an authentic old-school basement club with late-night bar and separate dancefloor. Expect nothing but the best vintage sounds from the all-star DJ line-up, which features some of the UK's top selectors:

JEAN-PAUL SÉCULAIRE (Right On!),
MARK NORTON (Gene Drayton Unit / The Fantastics),
TEXAS RANGER (Unique Radio / Trojan Explosion / Heritage Inn),
NATTY BO (Gaz's Rockin' Blues / Ska Cubano / Top Cats),
and the mighty GLADDY WAX (Notting Hill Carnival / Wax Unlimited).

DOORS: 9pm - 2am
ADMISSION: £10
VENUE: Hanway Social (basement)
ADDRESS: 20 Hanway Street, London, W1T 1UG
NEAREST TUBE: Tottenham Court Road

For more information visit www.right-on.org

Tropical Lounge launch party - Sunday 6th July 2014

Check out this new night of vintage Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin music and dance! The launch party takes place on Sunday 6th July with myself, Coco Girl, and the inimitable Natty Bo and all joining hostess DJ Lady Kamikaze on the decks for a mix of mambo, cumbia, boogaloo, calypso, mento, ska, samba, bossa nova, son and more. What better way to spend a Summer's Sunday evening?!

Admission is FREE and the event runs from 7pm until 1am.

Tropical Lounge @ Floripa,
91-93 Great Eastern Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
EC2A 3HZ

http://floripalondon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tropicalyard

The London Dossier is back

As you can see, I've got The London Dossier website back online — but now it's all hosted here on Blogger. I've uploaded most of the old content, with the exception of the club calendar. I no longer have time to update a calendar of events on such a regular basis, so instead I will probably add a page with links to regular club nights and other event promoters. Watch this space!

I do hope you enjoy browsing the site. Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below.

Right On! - new vintage black music website launched

Well, I mentioned in my last post that I've been busy working on a number of projects. One of these I can now reveal — a brand new website for Right On! promotions to celebrate 10 years in the business (how time flies!)

Although I have plans to add more content, the bulk of the site is now finished and live on the web, including lots of different genres of music you can listen to. So, if you like vintage black music, be sure to check it out and join the mailing list!

www.right-on.org

London Dossier update

You may have noticed that this blog has been very inactive of late. And you may have noticed that the main site has gone down altogether (my web host suddenly disappeared without warning). In fact, I've mainly been updating people via the London Dossier Facebook and Twitter accounts.

I've worked on the London Dossier for over 10 years now, but have been taking a step back recently to work on other projects (some personal and some public). I've also been thinking hard about whether or not to relaunch this site and, if so, in what format. For the time being I will probably re-upload the main site as it was but without the club calendar. I will also leave this blog in place but it will serve more as an archive than anything else. There's only so much time I have in the day and over the last year or so my priorities have changed.

So to summarise, the London Dossier will remain for now, but in a less active state. I would advise anyone interested in more regular updates to "like" Jean-Paul Séculaire's London Dossier on Facebook and/or follow @londondossier on Twitter.

Jean-Paul Séculaire - upcoming DJ sets - Aug-Sept

It's been a frightening and painful time for London and the UK recently, but it looks like things are starting to get back to normal again now. I say it's time to start getting out again!

I'm still working on relaunching the Right On! club night. Unfortunately, the venue I had lined up fell through at the last minute, but I am now researching alternatives. If you haven't already, do join the mailing list via www.right-on.org and "like" the Right On! Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rightonclub

Although there's no date for Right On! yet, I do have upcoming gigs at two other excellent, vintage black music nights in North London over the next couple of weeks. Details as follows:

Saturday 20th August, 2011
Sweet 'n' Dandy @ The Horatia
98-102 Holloway Road, London, N7 8JE
8pm - 2am. FREE before 11pm, then £3
www.thehoratia.co.uk

Friday 2nd September, 2011
Crawdaddy! @ The Wilmington Arms
69 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RL
7.30pm - 12.30am. FREE
www.thewilmingtonarms.co.uk

Hope to see some of you out on the dancefloor soon!

Right On! meets Bande À Part - Sat 4 June

After the success of our encounter in 2010, I've been invited back to Shoreditch's premier vintage black music night, Bande À Part, to play another Right On! style set.

You can expect a fantastic mix of jukejoint sounds from the 1950s, 1960s and beyond, aimed firmly at the dancefloor, from myself and resident DJs Cousin Benson and Kimihiro Oue: RHYTHM & BLUES, DOO WOP, BLACK ROCK 'n' ROLL, SOUL, SKA, REGGAE, BOOGALOO and more - all on original vinyl.

Located just off the main Shoreditch strip of Old Street, The Troy Bar is an atmospheric, one-floor venue with tucked-away booths and a separate bar area, leaving dancers all the space they need to shake a leg on the wooden dancefloor.

Right On! meets Bande À Part
@ Troy Bar, 10 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6NG
Saturday 4th June, 2011. 8pm - 2am
FREE before 11pm; £3 afterwards

To find out more about Right On! visit www.right-on.org

If you'd like to RSVP to the event on Facebook visit:
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=213982018621214

The return of Right On!

I am planning to relaunch my respected and much-missed vintage black music club night, Right On!, this year and am currently working on the website and online presence. To that end, I have just created a page for the club on popular social networking site, Facebook. If you would like to be kept informed of the club's relaunch via Facebook or would just like to show your support or network online with fellow fans, please join the page by following the link below and then clicking the "Like" button (you will need to be logged into Facebook).

www.facebook.com/pages/Right-On-promotions/148484661874417

Of course the best way to stay informed is to join the mailing list by emailing me at paul@right-on.org

It would also be much appreciated if you could help spread the word to fellow lovers of vintage black music. Let's bring the club back with a bang!

To find out more about Right On! check out www.right-on.org

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.

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

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.

London Dossier feature by The Londonist

The Londonist have just published an interview they did with me about The London Dossier site. Check it out here:

londonist.com/2009/11/the_london_blogger_interviews_31_th.php

I notice The London Dossier was also mentioned by Stitch & Bitch who were interviewed last month (thanks for that!):

londonist.com/2009/10/the_london_blogger_interviews_xx_st.php

A Swingin' Halloween All-Nighter

Plenty happening this Halloween, but if you're a fan of swing or rhythm & blues, then the place to be is Swing Mon Amour @ Charlotte St. Blues - a lovely, spacious, new venue with wooden floors.

There'll be hot swing from Top Shelf Jazz and I'll be on the decks alongside Tim's Jumpin' Jive (Hellzapoppin') to keep your bones shakin' till 4am to the sounds of r&b, jump blues, rock 'n' roll, swing and hot gypsy jazz from the 1920s-1950s.

So whether you're a Lindy Hopper, jiver, or just a lover of good old vintage music, come along and raise hell on the dancefloor!

Swing Mon Amour - All Night
@ Charlotte Street Blues, 74 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4QH
Saturday 31st October. 11.30pm - 4am
£15 (£10 in advance)

I'll also be DJing at the weekly Swing Mon Amour Tuesday session on 20th October and admission is free. So if you fancy a mid-week dance or just want to check out the venue or get a taste for the sort of music I'll be playing on Halloween, why not pop by?

For full details of both nights, visit: www.johnjohnrecords.com/swingmonamour/

Carnival After-Party - Sunday 30th August

If you're looking for a carnival after-party this Sunday, there's only one place to be: Ginglik in Shepherd's Bush.

I'll be DJing there myself, alongside Natty Bo (Gaz's Rockin' Blues / Ska Cubano / Top Cats) and Count Sizzle, plus live music from The Severed Limb.

Expect to hear a real mix-up of roots music from the 1950s-1970s; from sexy calypso, cumbia and mento to Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae, all the way to dirty funk, jazz and rhythm 'n' blues.

Date: Sunday 30th August 2009
Address: Ginglik, 1 Shepherd's Bush Green, London, W12 8PH
Times: 7pm - 2am
Admission: £6 before 10pm then £8
Venue website: www.ginglik.co.uk

Swingin' at The Jazz Joint with JP - Tue 30 June

I've been invited to DJ alongside JazzMonkey at The Jazz Joint @ The Last Days Of Decadence this coming Tuesday, 30th June.

Held in the basement of this elegant club, The Jazz Joint is a night of swinging jazz; from Charleston and big band swing through to 60s organ grooves, flighty bop and honking R&B stompers. On top of this, there is also live jazz upstairs in the lounge bar.

Beginners and intermediate level Lindyhop classes are held at the beginning of the evening, between 7pm and 9.15pm, so you can learn some steps to try out later in the night. The club session itself runs from 9.15pm til just before midnight.

The Jazz Joint @ The Last Days Of Decadence
145 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE
7pm - midnight
£5 for lesson or club session / £8 for both lesson and club session

For more info check out: www.tomkerwin.com/thejazzjoint
To find out more about the venue visit: www.thelastdaysofdecadence.co.uk

Eco-friendly club night on Easter Sunday - 12 April

This Bank Holiday Sunday (12th April) I will be DJing at Club Surya in King's Cross for the relaunch of The Reference Library club night.

You can expect to hear some fantastic soul, jazz, reggae and funk, as well as other soulful black music from the early 60s to the early 80s - all on original vinyl.

Surya is the world's first eco-friendly nightclub. It runs on green power and uses water-saving devices and carbon-friendly and recycled materials wherever possible. It even has a dancefloor that generates electricity when people dance on it via vibrating piezo-electric crystals!

Other DJs on the night are:

MISTAH BROWN (Tighten Up / Chick-A-Boom)
TEXAS RANGER (Bang Radio / Trojan Explosion)
MARK PROFESSOR (Trojan Explosion)
ANDREW IBI (Home Cookin' / Acknowledgement)
MR NODSTER (Sindecut)
VIRGO (Hoxton's Lost Society)
TRUCK TURNER

Full details as follows:

The Reference Library @ Surya
Sunday 12th April (Easter Sunday). 7pm - 3am
156 Pentonville Rd, London, N1 9JL (5 min walk from King's Cross)
FREE before 10pm then £5

The London Burlesque Festival - 1st-5th April

How time flies! Seems like yesterday I was at the opening of last year's festival, but in less than a week Chaz Royal's International London Burlesque Festival returns for its 3rd year, showcasing the best in British and international burlesque.

The Festival will expose Londoners and burlesque connoisseurs from around the globe to over 100 of the world's top ecdysiasts hailing from North America, Europe, Australia and of course the United Kingdom. The festival will feature a variety of acts, from the nostalgic traditional style of burlesque's early years to 50s 'Bump and Grind' and more modern avant-garde interpretations that are growing in popularity with neo-burlesque's younger set.

There will be several showcases of sizzling striptease, vaudeville variety and burlesque pageantry taking place across London over the span of five nights:

Wednesday 1st April
Opening Press Party 'Glitterati Gala'
@ CAFE DE PARIS, 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D
7pm-1am, Tickets £18.50 - £24.50
www.cafedeparis.com

Thursday 2nd April
UK Showcase Night: *2 Showcases
@ MADAME JOJO'S, 8-10 Brewer Street, W1F
Early Showcase - The Princess Palace: 6pm-9pm, Tickets £24.50
Late Showcase - Burlesque Social Club: 10pm-3am, Tickets £22.50
www.madamejojos.com

Friday 3rd April
Newcomers Contest 'Battle Royale'
@ THE SCALA, 275-277 Pentonville Road, N1
8pm-3am, Tickets £12.50 - £18.50
www.scala-london.co.uk

Saturday 4th April
International Gala 'Jetsetters Ball': *2 Showcases
@ BUSH HALL, 310 Uxbridge Road, W12
6pm-9pm, 10pm-1am, Tickets £24.50 - £29.50
www.bushhallmusic.co.uk

Sunday 5th April
VIP Closing Party
@ CAFE DE PARIS, 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D
Dinner Soiree, Secrets in Lace Fashion Show, Closing Showcase
6pm-1am, Tickets £34.50 - £39.50
www.cafedeparis.com

For full details and performer schedule visit: www.londonburlesquefest.com

Tickets are on sale exclusively from www.ticketweb.co.uk

You can read my review from last year's opening show here

Not sure I'll end up on stage again this year, but I will be behind the DJ decks on Saturday 4th April at Bush Hall for both the early and late shows.

To further whet your appetite, here are some photos from last year courtesy of Elizabeth Shingleton:

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