Escaping the East End with folk

Sat in a vintage shop at what is essentially a sewing machine table, it has the mood of a back street Parisian café; the sounds of folk and acoustic which starts to drown my ears is somewhat perfect especially for a cold January, Wednesday evening. 

Farrago takes to the window first. The music stops abruptly “Martyn can you get me a glass of water?” continuing, the songs derived from people’s tales of trips around the world bring to life the pictures in my mind; perfect, being in the midst of planning my own mini adventure to Coachella. One line stands out about writing down your life…well here I am. Tales from the dessert there’s more to come…

 

Their final song after a mental trip around the world, the sweet and soft sounds from the melodica bring me right back to that Parisian café…I have to put the pen down and enjoy what’s left of the song.

A row of guitars on parade like a masterpiece of art, which of course they are. The closeness in the room is warming but the front door being open is a sharp reality. 

James McArthur grace the window, from the Parisian café to the field of the UK and Ireland, here’s folk in its true sense - uplifting. Watching people’s expressions as they walk down curtain road expecting to see manikins in the window but instead it’s alive and real. My mind wanders…

We make jokes with the band, back and forth about Coventry - I’m back in the room.

There’s something beautiful about watching someone play a stringed instrument. And the bit I love the most is the little squeak between changing chord, makes it so much more real.

The violin sends shivers down my spine, such a well rounded sound and one I’ve not heard for a long time. I never realised how well the violin and guitar complement each other – naive I suppose. 

The third and final band EvanJack, now the Somerset cider is making its mark, but what can I say…His voice is effortless and emotional. He clutches a vintage looking guitar, perfect for the surroundings. It’s good to hear some drums, and slightly unexpected. It’s interesting that someone so perfect and confident performing, between songs seems so shy, very endearing. 

 
The Music Box is a new folk night – find out more https://www.facebook.com/themusicboxfolk

From booze to burlesque

Out on a Friday night like the rest of the Nation, however I'm sat outside with work friends next to the Thames, it's a beautiful evening, no one can quite believe it's still January; not just because of the weather but because January has to be the looongest month ever. It should be illegal for January to be this long.

So conversation is flowing; as the drinks flow, the topics naturally turns somewhat blue, and they quickly turn to me for two reasons: Single girl dating in London and the discovery that I've finally started my Burlesque lessons.

The tales of dating start to come out, including the unfortunate experience with one 'gentleman', who described his first date as: "I thought I'd pick you up from the tube, go for a drive, we can have chat. Then if you like, I have a 4x4 with tinted windows... we can go and park up somewhere, and climb into the back seat...". ummm No. was my answer, well my exact answer was "that is way too seedy, I feel you would have to give me some cash at the end of the evening"...So I didn't go on that date funnily enough. However the tale doesn't end there, oh no no nooo...so he calls me up, to apologise, fine. He's chatting away, trying to ask inappropriate question, I don't oblige with a reply, he starts to get excited and whimpering down the phone. Yep you guessed it, he's just cum down the phone. Nice, classy. My ear has just been raped. He finishes with an "oh ohhh umm I should probably go". Yes you really should! haha... Is this what dating has come to, wanking down the phone at people? Gents, should this ever cross your mind, word of advice, don't!

Everyone is in fits of laughter, at least it was good for one thing.

So the conversation turns to the burlesque, and the ultimate question, "when is your show?", having only started last Tuesday, I feel somewhat ill-prepared to answer that question. However the lesson was great and a lot of fun, from wiggling your hips and shaking your ass, to pulling gloves off with your teeth. Pulling silly (meant to be sexy) faces in the mirror and trying to wipe the big smile off my face and turn it into something with attitude haha. Next week - de-robbing, watch this space. It's funny though, strutting down the street, in a bar, wherever, no problem but put a group of 20 girls in a room and suddenly everyone is overwhelmingly self-conscious, roll on Tuesday!   

I'll end it there with the final part of the conversation as a director turned to me and said "so you'll be performing at the summer party then?".

The awesome bits of London you've probably missed

I love to walk around London and it's something I actively try to encourage others to do, why because in a city full of alleyways you never know what you're going to find at the end of one.

So i've put together a list of some places you might just not have come across yet...

Lets begin with some historical places of interest.

Watt's Memorial - Acts of Bravery

The days of doing heroic deeds for others seem to be less and less these day and even if you do something exceptional for someone else that even cost you your life, you're not likely to be commemorated in any way....Well in 1880's things were different, thanks to one George Frederic Watt who wrote to The Times proposing a project to mark Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The idea behind the memorial was that stories of heroism would uplift and stimulate people, which London in those days, they probably needed a little uplifting! And in fact we probably still do now, so pop along to see for your self.

So here we have in Postman's park Watt's Memorial - Acts of Bravery, with 47 tablets honoring those who gave their life for others, with stories such as ‘daughter of a bricklayer's labourer, who by intrepid conduct saved three children from a burning house in Union Street, Borough, at the cost of her own young life. April 24 1885.’

Located close to the Museum of London, just through some gates, but blink and you'll miss it! the address is Edward St, London, EC1A 7BX

You can find out more about the memorial and Watt's at  wattsgallery.org.uk

Bunhill fields Cemetery 

Daniel Defoe's Memorial

So without being too doom and gloom staying with the theme of death! We come to Bunhill fields Cemetery, full of a variety of some of the countries great losses of yester year. This cemetery is on the north edge of the city (between Moorgate and Old Street) and is well worth a stroll through.

According to the City of London Corporation website Bunhill has been the final resting place for an estimated 120,000 bodies; the biggest names in here include - William Blake, John Bunyan and Daniel Defoe.

While Defoe's Memorial, erected in 1870 (Defoe died in 1731) after fundraising in 'Christian World' Newspaper saw contributions from over 1700 people, takes centre stage - it's pretty large! William Blake's is most interesting, in the middle of the pathway, always seems to have flowers and people place pennies on the top, which I believe is as he was also a printmaker and used a coin press. It's also said to bring good luck....

There's some seriously old graves in there so well worth a wonder round, and if you're not interesting in graves it's actually a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, peaceful and calm.

You will find Bunhill just off City Road EC1Y opposite Westley Chapel - Hard to Miss the huggge gates!

More to follow....

The end of the year and a start of a new beginning

So here we are at the end of 2011 already, a lot has happened; in the world, in the UK, in London and in your (and mine) personal lives. SO thinking of my new years resolutions, which some one asked me about in the pub last night, made me think of all the things I wanted to do in 2011 and didn't and how 2012 is going to be the year - hey and why the hell not?!

Only Meee! Hello

One of the things I wanted to do in 2011 was start this blog - I got as far as getting the name, well you have to start somewhere! If you're wondering why this name, well this is going to be Lodon at it's rawness (and it just so happens to be my last name haha, good work!) To set the tone, it isn't just going to be about me me me, I mean who cares?? It's more about London's life and my part in it, the little part of this city's history I can call my own. Experiences, day to day things that crop up we all have strange and funny things happen to us, I just want to write them down :-) Places I've found and recommend, places I don't recommend! all sorts really...just London

So I fell into this relationship about 6 years ago not with a guy but with a City...yup no prizes for guessing. And yes it's a really tough one, I have to work hard at it and it always come to bite you on the ass from time to time, but the truth is when it's good it's really good!  

2011 has been a life changing year for me - some ups, some down...New job, became single, moved house, lost 2 stone haha...so it's all change which is going to set me up nicely for new experiences and discoveries in 2012.

Here's what's on my New Years resolutions:
1. Start Burlesque lessons
2. Take more photo's
3. Don't date men who are students, unemployed or still living with their parents!
4. Discover at least one new site or place in London a month
5. Help others discover more about London
6. Make sure I continue to write this blog!

Ok so now we have that out the way let get on with it.

Thanks for reading and I hope you will either find something funny or learning something from this blog...

Emma