Keeping It Peel

Thank god that’s summers over, roll on dark evenings and Christmas that’s what I say. Finally I can go out again with my make up on and not feel like a clown under a spotlight. I do like a bit of sunshine, Frisbee in the park and sitting outside the pub on a warm evening, but for three months? I am now fully rested and ready for a new season of art openings, after-parties and more.

I’m gearing up for a big weekend ahead. I’m going to be 28 on Saturday and I have been getting over -excited about having a whole day and night to celebrate. I am taking my life in my hands by going Ice skating at Lea Valley Ice rink, roller-disco style. I’m frantically searching for a tutu as we speak. The afternoon session is between 3pm and 5pm and the evenings ‘disco’ is between 8.30pm and 10.30pm. I just hope I don’t start drinking too early, for the kid’s sake as well as my fingers.

Then I’m going to a Mentasm Party in Stoke Newington. It’s good to see an alternative venue still going strong in this area since the closure of The Eye and the temporary closure of Barden’s Boudoir due to licensing issues.These parties happen in a private venue just of the High Street and usually go on all through the night. The band playing on my birthday are called Circulus; a medieval psychedelic rock band that I saw at the Tapestry country and western festival in Cornwall this summer. There is always guarenteed dancing and a great atmosphere and an entry price of only £4.

Then on Sunday there is a Stolen records night on at The Spitz which is always the perfect calm to the end of a mad weekend. The evening showcases the new talent from the independent record label set up to release the fractured and melodic. Even rock bible Kerrang was softened into describing the nights as “achingly beautiful soundscapes swathed in white noise”!Stolen is on the last Sunday of the month with Pete and the Pirates and The Palistines are among the bands playing for the October event.

The Spitz has also got a John Peel evening on 13th Octoberas part of the very first John Peel Day, on the anniversary of John’s last show and celebrating the great mans life and unmatched contribution to music. Quite what this entails I’m not sure but I think more information will be available on the Spitz website soon.

Lea Valley Ice Rink
Lea Bridge Road: £6

Thursday 13 October
John Peel Day: Merz + Babar Luck
Keeping it Peel: £10
www.spitz.co.uk

Sunday 30 October
Stolen
www.stolenrecordings.co.uk
FREE