Dear Catastrophe Waitress and things like that......

Another few weeks without writing a blog....the weather having played a big part in this again.  Today I should have been writing about East Finchley Festival but as it got cancelled due to a water-logged site, I won't be! 

Friday saw the first night of an occasional club of mine, "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (named after the Belle & Sebastian song for those who didn't know).  I no longer want to go out to clubs at 11pm and have to put up with night buses full of drunk annoyances so, for purely selfish reasons, I put Dear Catastrophe Waitress on in a favourite bar of mine in Crouch End - Kiss the Sky.  DJs for the night were local lad, Bob Stanley (he of St Etienne and muso fame) and Darren Beach.  I decided on a "no obscure tracks" rule for the club - just good indiepop, indie, 60s, britpop, punk etc.  (Perhaps some swedish tracks for another time - not sure if Crouch End is ready for that quite yet).  Thanks to Darren for playing Swing out Sister....it doesn't really fit into any category other than one I've made up called "Random bands that Cath likes".  The bar was full, cocktails were consumed, the crowd looked happy and there was even some dancing, so I think for a first night, it was a success.  Am considering some themed nights for another time - perhaps 90s indie (Neds, Poppies etc) or punk.  We will see.

Those of you that know me well will know I've put clubs on for a very long time now.  I don't generally go very long without doing something. 

Seeing old pics go up on Facebook yesterday reminded me what a great club Sweden Made Me was.  3 of us put the club on in a little upstairs room in a pub in Brighton every month for something like 4 years & practically every one of those nights during the first few years was packed out.  The DJs only played tracks by swedish bands/artists (hence the name of the club) and it proved EXTREMELY popular with Brightons' swedish students particularly.  They came, they drank Kopparbergs, they danced to Broder Daniel - and so did we.  Maybe it'll be resurrected sometime soon but it will never be quite the same as it was in the mid 2000s.

Another Sunny Day was another one of my club nights - in Stockholm originally.  I lived there for a few months (not nearly long enough) and put my club on every Monday night in a bar/restaurant called The Sugar Bar.  For someone who planned the club from England and didn't even see the venue until I moved there, I didn't do too badly.  Every Monday, I put an indiepop band on and had some djs.  Some great, great swedish bands played and I made good friends.  I also learnt how to use a cash register, deal with swedish ID, and get by with pigeon swedish if needs be.  Another Sunny Day still exists, in Brighton, with friends now looking after it....and looking after it well!!!

Pop Klubb has been another huge success, started originally with friends in Newcastle.  The club was (and still is) held in a little old social club which, during the day, is full of old men drinking pints and playing dominos (probably!).  Our first night all those years ago was just a handful of people watching my friends' band Your Favourite Question.  Now, years down the line (and no longer my baby), Pop Klubb is hugely popular, packed out every time with an amazing reputation, not only in the Toon.  Guys, I'm proud of you.

There have been other nights here and there.....good nights, rubbish nights....etc.etc....and there will probably be more.  

 

You can't beat a good launch.....

Happy Jubilee Day folks....and of course you m'am....knowing you'll be reading this before heading out on a boat with the corgis.

Free Thursday struck again this week - 3 royal cheers for that!  It was an exercise in itself trying to figure out what things to go to, which we could fit in, and which we unfortunately had to forego.  This week alone there was the usual favourite of Carnaby Street discount night, an exhibition at our friends The Society Club Shop, an exhibition at Proud Camden and a night at Signal Gallery.  Too much to do, too little time.

First stop - the launch of the Icecreamists book "Vice Cream".  Greeted at the door with apple vodka cocktails, which were completely delicious, and continuing with raspberry concoctions and prosecco.  Thank you ice-cream folk - a very nice start to a Thursday evening indeed.  I finally sampled the Lady Goo Goo....breast milk ice-cream.  I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (or ice-cream) but I'm open to a lot of things and it was as good as anticipated.  It reminded me of those bottles of milk you got given as a small in primary school.  I will be trying the Vice Lolly (made with holy water and in the shame of a green pistol) next time round!

Off to the launch of the A to Z of Mod book at the Fred Perry shop next.  Well done Messrs. Baxter and Hewitt for getting such a crowd together.  Nice tunes, courtesy of Dave & Smiler, nice (but slightly warm) cider and lovely folk to chat to.  Phil Daniels & Gary Crowley in attendance.

Final stop - Trishas in Greek Street.  I've heard about this place many a time as friends have been going there for years.  A little cellar bar, behind a door I will probably never find again, full of old photos and with tons of Soho history.  I think it's probably only wine, beer or water....no poncey stuff like prosecco....but it's welcoming, interesting and I will return....if I can find that door!  Dave - where was it again?????

Jubilee Weekend & sadly for her royal ladyness.....probably a wash out.  While the sun came out briefly yesterday, we headed to Newburgh Street for their little street party.  Free strawberries & cream, non-alcoholic fruit cocktails, pimms (if you were quick!) & chocolate.  We watched a rockabilly band, queued for a piece of the humungous chockywockydoodah jubilee cake, cut by Russell Grant (complete with crown) and a giant drag queen reminiscent of the amazing Leigh Bowery and had a lovely time with the mod folk.

So that dear frock fans is it for today.  If you're doing Jubilee type things, enjoy, fill your boots and take a brolley.  

And....we're back in the game!

Fear not Frock fans....I have returned!  After weeks of doing nothing worth writing about, all is back to normal it seems.

The rain ruined so many things and I thought it was never going to stop but there is a weather god thankfully and the sun has shone for the past week.

One of the perks of being self-employed is being able to take time off in the week and this week I have done.  A long lost friend who deserted the UK for the Land of Oz returned for a visit so we caught up over a scrummy lunch in one of my favourite "cheap deal places" - The Mediterranean Cafe' in Berwick Street.  I've probably mentioned it on many an occasion but it deserves it.  Good, cheap food & lovely staff who remember you.  There's always space inside & out, and it's a great people-watching spot.  Bar Italia next.  Not a celeb in sight however.  Guaranteed as soon as we left, Paul Weller or someone equally interesting dropped in.  We headed off to Covent Garden at probably the worst time of the day - finishing work time!  Everywhere was packed and annoying, with the rucksack brigade getting under foot as per usual.  A mojito in Long Acre was well needed.  We finished off at the Burberry Shop discount evening.  Now I'm not a fan of Burberry normally but I would have paid good money for some macs and bags if I'd had it.  The fizz flowed and the canapes kept coming.  If I actually knew what any of them were I would tell you. 

More visiting friends on Friday and more eating, drinking and sunshine antics.  Brick Lane for lunch in Cafe' 1001, a look in the vintage shops, Swedish Orgasm cocktail in Exit, beer garden catch up with yet more visiting friends, Jerk Chicken at the Street Feast food market and a cheeky rose' to finish off at The Bricklayers in Old Street.

It does seem that all I do is eat & drink doesn't it?  It's probably actually true but I'm going out before the sun goes in and the rain starts up again!  Inbetween the eating & drinking, I headed to the Can't Buy Me Love Vintage Market at the Boogaloo yesterday.  It's nice to have the stalls in the courtyard again.  Lots of clothes for sale this time round.  Unfortunately not really my style.  More 60s & 70s frocks please stall-holders.

And finishing off.....Brick Lane again today....on what could well have been the hottest day of the year so far.....for the Art Car Boot Fair.  Lots of stalls with cheap artwork etc by famous folk.  Notable people - Billy Childish, Pam Hogg (looking fantastic)....and Jarvis Cocker wandering around in inappropriate clothing for such a hot day.  I would have liked to see the handbag disco & the Jarv djaying but the heat is too much today for a little pale-skinned creature like myself.

More good stuff going on this week so expect another lot of rambling soon.  Ciao lovelies x

St Swithin - Do one!

Another blog and it's still raining.  The ark is under construction and I'm about sail to off to warmer climes.  Enough is enough.

It's pretty quiet at the moment as rain has continued to prevent much play but never mind, I'm here in a nice flat, with a nice cup of tea, some crappy tv and the heating on.  Could be worse.

I went to my old homestead of Brighton for a very short break on Friday, unfortunately for a visit which included a trip to the dentist.  The love that I once had for Brighton seems to have gone, sad though it is.  I think that perhaps I've been spoilt living in one of the nicer parts of London these days but being greeted at the station by the sight of hen parties in inappropriate clothing with inflatable genitalia (that sounds like they themselves had inflatable genitalia - not what I meant!) did nothing for me.  They were everywhere, being loud and obnoxious, getting under your feet and generally being a nuisance.  A few people have commented that Brighton never used to be this bad but I think perhaps we all just ignored the hen & stag parties, junkies and annoyances.  They were probably always there.  My suggestion to you hen & stag parties - Blackpool is lovely apparently & it's there, just waiting for you.  Ann Summers shops and 50p shots a go go.  See ya!

As much as I disliked the above, it was nice to see some friends and my most favourite little girl in the world.  Dolly I love you.

We dodged the showers yesterday, braved the rail replacement bus and headed to my old haunt, The Spread Eagle in Camden.  The legend that is DJ Wheelie Bag was running a little event called Shindig, as part of the Camden Crawl Festival.  DJ Wheelie Bag is new to me but he apparently IS a legend to those in the know.  He managed to pack out the pub, played great vinyl from his funny little dj trolley with twirling half naked Barbie Dolls attached to it, had grown rockabilly types playing Buffalo Bingo for Poundland prizes and gave out Wagon Wheels. Our mate Mr Edwards played some great ska, we drank prosecco and watched a Johnny Cash tribute band.  Much fun was had.

I'm off....that ark won't finish itself.

It's raining men....

or actually, just raining rain.  I wish I could add a "hallelujah" at the end of that but it just isn't appropriate.  It's rained for at least 3 years now and I've had enough.  My one "waterproof" coat isn't actually waterproof at all and my beloved dome umbrella has blown inside out, past repair.  I pray for a day when the sun shines and all is well with the world again.

Another short blog from me again this time round.  I've been working and trying not to spend money on things I don't really need to spend money on.  It's going to be an expensive month for various reasons so staying in has become the new going out....slightly.

I've been plugging away on the freelance front and have got some more clients.  Marketing is part of my daily routine still though until I have enough work to fill my week, every week, and I'm making enough to keep me in the manner to which I am accustomed!

In celebration of getting some new clients, I treated myself to a massage last weekend.  If I could, I'd go every week but that sort of thing is a long way off yet.  I go to a salon called Oxygene just down the road and they're great.  I sometimes feel for them having to work on my knotted shoulders (from years of bad posture).  They probably have to have a massage themselves afterwards!  Not sure if it's a sign of a good massage or not but this time round, I felt particularly light-headed when I left and couldn't find the exit!

All I've done apart from work I think is go out to eat a bit.  Since I wrote last, Hot Pepper Jelly and The Railway Tavern have been on the list.  I love Hot Pepper Jelly and it's obvious that the rest of Crouch End do too.  I havn't had a bad lunch there yet and I'm happy to say that the afters (particularly chocolate & guinness cake) are as good as the sandwiches.  And as for the Railway Tavern, gone are Jimi Mistry and Max & OB from Hollyoaks but the Sunday Roasts are a winner - todays pork, followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding and a side order of vicious cloudy cider went down a treat.

And with this episode of Cath -v- Food, I'm off.  Next time I will have more of interest to write about, with a trip to Brighton and a Bank Holiday Weekend.

Mid-month ramblings....

I've realised that no blogging has occurred since the beginning of April.  Were you concerned Frock Fans?  My silence is probably due to "not doing very much of interest" and "mostly doing work this weekend".  Boo I hear you say.

Was expecting great things from a soul night advertised at the 100 Club the other day.  Gary Crowley and Ady Croasdell down as djs?  A couple of mod bands?  Couldn't go wrong surely?  If a room packed full of drunk annoying students was your thing, you'd have loved it.  We, however, didn't.  Perhaps I was drunk and annoying once too but that's just no excuse.  Kids - I have personal space issues and a hatred for rucksacks. Please stay at home next time.  Shame about the audience as the music was good and I'd have quite liked to have a dance.  As my fellow 100 clubber that night commented "Thank god I didn't open a new pair of tights"!!!!!!

Easter weekend continued with a visit from a Brighton friend.  We had a quick look round Barboot in Crouch End and ended up in Kiss the Sky for a couple of cheeky Espresso Martinis.  The music in Kiss the Sky was pretty good - Two Tone and Soul, but the Martinis were better.  Note for self - must go during happy hour the next time.

It turned out to be a pretty quiet Easter due to the weather being rubbish, not having much money and there not being much on.  In consolation, we went to check out a new restaurant in Crouch End for a well-deserved lunch - The Blue Legume.  We were pretty impressed with the place - the food was delicious (they had halloumi on the menu - nuff said) and they gave me a discount card for the next time we visit.  The next time we visit, dessert!

Back to the Society Club Shop this week for yet another excellent exhibition/book launch.  This time round - "Punks Dead".  Gorgeous, gorgeous pics of Siouxsie etc.  Siouxsie apparently made an appearance, as did Mark Moore - I didn't see either but wish I had as it would have made my latest "Celebrity Spot of the Day" top quality.  The Society Club Shop & Film Club have been quite a big part of my social life in the past year - thanks Babette, Carrie & Robert!  Long may it continue.

....and maybe next time I write this waffle, it might be half interesting.

Happy April.....

It's gone mid-day so I can't even make up an "ever so hilarious" April Fools blog for you.  Instead, a few rambling paragraphs about nothing in particular.

Since I last rambled, the clocks have changed, I've lost more weight, gained some more (work) clients and not done much else.

I went for a casting to be a Cilla Black looky likey for a Simian Mobile Disco video.  (Nope, I'm not 100% sure who they are either!).  I knew straight away that I wasn't in with a chance when they asked me to do acting type things and talk about religion on camera.  As my entire "acting" experience consists of standing around in bad wigs, generally with "husbands" that are 30 years older than me, I didn't really have a hope in hell.  What I'm looking for, dear casting agencies, is a part where I can keep my hair as it is and wear something resembling normality.  Thanks.

Mother and a friend came to visit for a few hours the other day and we went to Highgate Village to partake in a spot of lunch.  Spotted:  One Mr Diggle, plus a few North London posh folk. 

Society Film Club on Monday showed one of my favourites - Absolute Beginners.  Watching the film when it came out in the early 80s made me want to move to London.  Not that I really considered living in something resembling a squat off the Portobello Road and keeping my clothes in the fridge, but the overall feeling of the film definitely had something to do with me wanting to escape the countryside back then.  The soundtrack is fantastic and includes one of the best Style Council tracks made - Have You Ever Had it Blue?  I seem to remember the film wasn't everyones' cup of tea but it was mine!  Well done lovely Eve Ferret for her part as Big Jill.

And bringing me back up-to-date - I'm here in deepest, darkest, Wiltshire at the moment, for my Gran's 89th birthday.  The said Gran has just cooked a top notch Sunday lunch and refuses to let me do the same until she's lost the use of all four of her limbs.  I'll let her carry on as her Sunday lunches would always be better than mine.  Happy Birthday Gran!

The trip to Grans was the usual eventful affair - having to use the local community bus service which makes me feel positively posh and urban.  Every passenger a character out of League of Gentlemen.  Two mad men commented on my hair colour and no doubt continued to comment after I'd got off.  I'm a sight in these 'ere parts you know.

Wiltshire this time has basically consisted of eating out.  A Lee family meal to celebrate Rays' birthday in Marlborough on Friday, and an English family meal yesterday to celebrate Grans.  I will now live off dust for the rest of the week, to make room for Easter Weekend shenanigans.

Is it cocktail time yet?