April’s first adventure was launched on the River Lea, where we had a new kind of trombone poetry event (maybe TP+) where original tunes on trombone were accompanied, for this event, by Williams Cumberbatch on congas and David Fernandez on drums.
Hordes of Hackney Wick poetry fanatics clambered onto the little pontoon, desperate to get copies of Better Late Than Sorry. Many tumbled overboard, to be swept away by the deadly currents. Fortunately, no books got wet, at least not until after they’d been sold.
It was an inspiring month, notably the evening with Oplepo, a Norwegian knees-up at the European Poetry Festival, and two launches: at the British Library for the Spanish Riveter and at Birkbeck College for a new podcast, Radio Myles, devoted to a key cultural figure, Myles na Gopaleen, alias Flann O’Brien.
Another European delight, denting the doormat, was the arrival of a 1000+ page book of rare texts by Georges Perec. Review to follow, maybe next year.
Meanwhile, work continues on a shipload of new poetry books, at least one of which must appear this year.
MAY DATES – including a rare trip abroad
Monday 1 May, 20:00 doors, 20:30 start
Mick Collins Legacy Jazz Orchestra
Sundridge Park Working Mens Club and Institute
134 Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley BR1 5AF
Thursday 4 May, 19:30 ?
Roberta Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
99 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF
– improvising ensemble comprising some of these players:
Alan Wakeman : saxophones
Gabriel Keen : piano & keyboard
Mark Roberts : percussion
Mike Walter : saxophone & synthesiser
Paul Taylor : trombone
Lu Edmonds : cumbus
13 Pearson St., London E2 8JD
near Hoxton Overground Station
Friday 12 May, 19:30
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB
St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ
Saturday 13 May, 13:00
Roberta Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
4a Station Way
London SE15 4RX
Sunday 14 May, 11:00 start
Superior Brass Band
COVENT GARDEN MAY FAYRE & PUPPET FESTIVAL
St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9ED
Friday 19 May, 18:00 – 21:00
Trombone Poetry (short set) + sundry turns
ROTHERHITHE VOICES
Deli Felice
40 Albion Street
Rotherhithe SE16 7JQ
free admission
Saturday 20 May, 13:00
Roberta Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
4a Station Way
London SE15 4RX
Saturday 20 May, 19:30
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB
Audley End Rd, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH
Saturday 27 May, 13:00
Roberta Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
4a Station Way
London SE15 4RX
Sunday 28 May
Galloway, Scotland