Posted on

OPEN Ealing – free music this Friday lunchtime

profile01

Friday 6th July 12.30-1.30pm  free admission

Garry Smith plays a resophonic guitar and plays mostly with a slide but isn’t primarily a Blues performer. Instead he relies mostly on self-penned songs and instrumentals and covers of songs by such people as Tom Waits, Steve Earl and Richard Thompson. Of course, there may be SOME Blues. There may also be English or Irish folk music. His aim is to go beyond the repertoire expected of the instrument and to explore the possibilities open to the slide guitarist. He has recently performed at the Bracknell Guitar Festival and supported artists such as Steve Tilston, Sarah McQuaid and Peter Case.

For more details and to listen to Gary perfom, visit his My Space page.

Refreshments will be available to purchase. We will be serving sandwiches, quiches, cakes and hot and cold drinks.

Posted on

At last! – Lido Junction in West Ealing is safe to cross

Last Friday (15th June) marked the successful end of 5-year effort by WEN and many others to make it safe for pedestrians to cross at the Lido Junction. The lights now have an all-red stop phase to allow safe crossing in all directions.

West Ealing Neighbours and its partners the Five Roads Forum and Kingsdown Residents Assn thank everyone involved in Lido Junction Project Group and many others for campaigning for, negotiating for and finally implementing a safe crossing at this notorious junction. Thanks to the Council and TfL for their hard work to reach agreement on this and we now hope everyone will feel confident that they can at last cross this junction safely.

Posted on

Fatal shooting in West Ealing this afternoon

A man has been shot dead and a woman seriously injured in a shooting in Felix Road, West Ealing this afternoon. A police helicopter was seen circling overhead shortly after.

More news as we get it

Update 10.30pm

Man of 32 was shot dead and a woman in her late 20s has been taken to hospital after a shooting in a flat in Felix Road. The flat looks to be in Glenpark Court, the new block built on the dog-leg corner, where Felix and Alexandria Roads meet and oppposite St John’s School.

A Felix Road resident says of the afternoon’s events ‘Lots of police and ambulances including the Air Ambulance. Police came door-to-door asking whether we have seen anything suspicious. Police conducting searches in front gardens and have also brought a police sniffer dog. Lots of media interest including the Sky helicopter which took some aerial shots and then left. Have had calls from Daily Mirror and 2 from Daily Mail asking whether we knew what was happening. Some coverage on LBC who had a live reporter in Felix Road.’

It’s not clear if the police are looking for anyone in connection with the shooting.

Update 28th June

A man has been charged with the murder of Dothan Gordon and the attempted murder of a woman.

 

Posted on

Fundraising comedy night at OPEN Ealing on Friday at 8pm

As part of its fundraising for the move to new premises in West Ealing this summer OPEN Ealing presents its second comedy night this Friday at 8pm with:

29_JohnLuke1Crop

 

John-Luke Roberts

Writer of Spats on BBC Radio 7. Time Out says ‘constantly inventive and playfully mischevious … a talent to watch’.

Nathaniel Metcalfe

‘Brilliant and unusual and very funny’ – Josie Long

Phil O’Shea

‘Fantastic newcomer with a surrealist bent’.

 

Tickets £5. Students £3. To book call OPEN on 020 8579 5558

Posted on

Du Bellows’ singer Jade is star of Drayton Court music night

I went to the Drayton Court last night for the Eel Daddy organised music night. Oddly enough, it was the first time I’ve been there and it’s a good venue. It must hold about 200 maximum and it was pretty full last night. There were three bands playing. Du Bellows and Blushing Bones are local and the headliners were Simon Townshend’s band.  For my taste, Du Bellows were the best of the three. Their Welsh lead singer Jade has a memorable and powerful voice which works really well on their bluesy numbers. She teamed up with guitarist T J after an an open mic night at Ealing and have developed their own style. Take a listen to Jade’s voice  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBcxGB8KR88  I think she’s a bit special.  And don’t overlook Blushing Bones. I don’t think the sound balance was right for them last night as Tessa Shrubsall’s voice got a bit lost but they too are well worth a listen http://www.myspace.com/blushingbones and great credit to Tessa and Blushing Bones for organising the night. Let’s hope the Drayton Court can build its reputation as a music venue.

 

 

 

Posted on

Post Jubilee blues? – Music at Drayton Court on Friday and comedy at OPEN Ealing next week

I’ve booked my ticket to see Simon Townshend play at Eel Daddy’s gig on Friday at the Drayton Court. (Unusual name Eel Daddy but I think there’s a reference back to Eel Pie Island which was a big jazz and blues venue in the 60s). I’m curious to see Simon Townshend play. He’s the younger brother of The Who’s Pete Townshend and Simon has played with The Who and has a good track record in his own right. The event is organised by local group Blushing Bones who are well worth a listen as well – saw them at OPEN Ealing a while back. Should be a good night. More details – http://www.facebook.com/events/222263417884216/

Then next Friday (15th) a Fundraising comedy night at OPEN Ealing.  I’d better declare an interest as I’m involved with OPEN but take a look at the website for details – www.openealing.com Tickets £5 or £3 for students.

 

Posted on

Toe tapping Cajun and soaring folk music – Ealing is getting better and better for live music

I’ve been lucky enough to go to two live music events in Ealing in the last 24 hours and I’ve really enjoyed both. Last night I was at the Ealing Club to see the Creole Brothers play their version of Louisiana Creole music. The Ealing Club has a key place in the history of British Blues Music and these twice monthly music nights are beginning to reestablish the club as an important part of Ealing’s cultural scene.

Back to the music. If you’ve been to the club you’ll know it’s tucked away down the steps by an estate agent opposite Ealing Broadway station.   As we walked down the steps to the entrance I could hear the sound of Cajun music.  It was a great sound to hear and got even better when we went inside.  Sitting in a circle were musicians of all ages thoroughly enjoying playing their music. Their joy spread to everyone listening and before long people were up and dancing.

The main event of the evening was the Creole Brothers. Without realising it we happened to be sitting near them as they waited their turn to play. One played the accordion and the other a fiddle. Cajun music has a powerful driving rhythm that soon has your feet tapping and the singing in French seems to fit the rhythms so well.  A great night out.

This lunchtime at OPEN we had the soaring voice and very skilled cello playing of Laura Victoria. Laura should have been joined by Sarah-Jane Miller but Sarah was ill so Laura played solo. At first the cello seemed an odd choice of instrument to accompany her modern take on folk music but it worked beautifully. Her voice is so expressive and soars and dips, delighting the audience. Laura’s hour long set included many of her own songs interspersed with at least one jazz classic. Whether singing unaccompanied or making the cello fill the air with multiple sounds, Laura was compulsive listening. I thoroughly recommend you give her a listen –    www.lauravictoriamusic.com

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Fight in Dean Gardens… followed by an armed robbery at the NatWest bank

 

As I was walking to OPEN Ealing this morning I noticed part of Dean Gardens was cordoned off. Apparently there was a fight overnight/early morning and one person has been taken to hospital and another arrested.  The fight looks to have taken place in clear vision of one of the newly installed CCTV cameras. It’s an interesting question as to whether the newly installed CCTV acts as a deterrent or as a means of identifying and apprehending offenders?

Not long after this there was an armed robbery at the NatWest Bank on the corner of the Lido Junction. Seems the robbers got away with some cash.

Friday 1st June

A passer-by said ‘As I walked through Dean Gardens this morning (Thursday), there was a group of 8 people, 2 of which were slightly broken away, one was very aggressive towards the other (on crutches) and was pushed over onto the floor.  The separated 6 also seemed to be about to fight with each other.  They’d clearly been drinking, one I could see from my distance was holding a bottle still.  I scooted through pretty quickly and called the police who said they’d send a patrol round immediately.’

Posted on

Free folk music at OPEN Ealing next Friday lunchtime

OPEN Ealing, a new arts centre and creative arts platform in West Ealing, is proud to present folk musicians, Laura Victoria and Sarah-Jane Miller for a free lunchtime concert on Friday 1st June, from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

Sarah-Jane Miller’s Northumbrian roots and love for Romany and English traditions influences her musical style and she captivates audiences with her poignant songwriting and high-energy delivery. www.myspace.com/sarahjanemillermusic

Laura Victoria also originally from Northumberland performs original and traditional songs of love and life. Along with her striking ability to play the cello, Laura has been quoted as having a “powerful and individual vocal presence” (fRoots). Furthermore, Bob Fischer of BBC Radio Tees recently described her musical style as “absolutely unique – a brilliantly strange and haunting take on folk music”. www.lauravictoriamusic.com

United by their interests of exploring and interpreting traditional folk materials both Sarah-Jayne and Laura and will be performing a special set of solo and duo pieces for OPEN Ealing.

Join us on Friday 1st June 2012 for lunchtime music and snacks from 12.30 to 1.30pm
At OPEN Ealing 113 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 5TL
0208 579 5558  |  www.openealing.com

Posted on

West Ealing Jubilee Craft market – musicians and performers wanted

The next West Ealing Craft Market is in St James Avenue on Saturday 2nd June – the Jubilee weekend. With a bit of luck it may even be sunny!  It would be good fun to have some live music and other street performers involved to make a bit of a special occasion.  If you’re interested in volunteering to play or perform between 11am and 3pm do please email us at westealingneighbours@gmail.com .  At the very least I’m sure we can supply you with something to eat and drink.

As we get the market established we’re keen to make music and street performance a regular feature of the market so even if you can’t make it in June do still please email us.