Three launches and a riot

Three Launches and a Riot

What a month! The wash roars up the Lune under a full ripe moon shimmering limpidly above the city. Strawberries fat and red drip down stone walls. Dog stretches lazily across my sunbed, shedding hairs. Ah, the month of June when all kind of summer madness can take a person unawares.

To begin, the estimable Mark Coyle has been busy galvanising Lancaster's pubs into putting on yet more music and entertainment.

The Ring O' Bells, pleasant herbal garden at back and Pimm's amongst the well-chosen drinks in the bar, now plays host to Friday as well as Saturday entertainment nights. Launching Friday's event on June 3^rd, old favourite (very old, if the wrinkles are anything to go by) Gran the Gusset Tester limbered up for her Water Witch appearance with tips on how to get Him Indoors back in action without the use of jump leads.

The Water Witch Cabaret Night, first Tuesday of every month, has gained a reputation for off beat entertainment and June's was no exception, Oban and The Skiffle headlining with probably the best fiddle this side of Eire. Bill, Phil and 'Im (not Indoors, though he keeps trying) led the evening followed by newcomer Sazi Riot and a barely restrained Gran.

There must be something in the air: The Thursday Girls are returning to their musical roots with a number in September, fired up by newly-on-board Suzi Riot, ready to cause mayhem along with the best. New blood and old wrinkles: both born to be wild

Arteria's summer event leaped headlong into a new dimension with their latest exhibition SHINE

Scaffolding and art aren't often found in the same sentence, but that is Steve Harris's extraordinary story: a lull in the day job led to his work being recognised by a casual employer.  Now internationally acclaimed,the Heysham based artist exhibits work of rare sensitivity. He has not yet given up the scaffolding!

From different roots altogether (scuse the pun) Richard Shillings' very cool and surprisingly good art is pictured above.  www.landartforkids.com reveals nature's wonders to today's urban offspring : an ethereal, timeless quality to the pieces, poised between science and fantasy. Each is a record of outdoor workshop events, using only natural materials and created direct from nature's bounty.

.Jewellery and crocheted neckwear from www.bohemianpearl.com, slate-framed pictures, covetable cushions and ever-elegant pottery make this collection one of the best yet.

Shine, upstairs at Gallery 23, runs until 15^th October. Details on 01524 61111

The launch of Alex Hulme's E.P. “Wood” at Pickering's Hotel was a bubbly mix of warm welcome, old friends, up to the minute marketing and truly excellent entertainment. A chance to hear Rae Morris, soaring vocals, control and depth beyond her years; Steph Fraser, an engaging engenue manner belying confident guitar and sweet yet powerful voice and unashamedly insouciant newcomer to the area Maxwell Watts with offbeat comedy asides. The main man, Alex, finally on stage, delivered intense, sometimes introverted but enthralling progression from boy-with-guitar to a unique complexity.

At The Stonewell Tavern Ronnie and friends The French connection continue to delight.  In this hotbed of latter day talent, or creche for geriatrics as it has been called, The Thursday Girls now find themselves in an accidental acting troupe with a booking for maritime music and mayhem, along with Baksheesh, Lune Deep and the Saggy Bottom Girls.  All on St. George's Quay during Lancaster Music Festival. Lock up your men: The Dockside Doxies will be on the loose come October.  You have been warned.

A little Hustle on Sunday 26^th did no harm whatsoever, on an unusually sultry Sunday, winding down to the last of Blueswater on Morecambe's seafront courtesy of The Platform, and what better way to finish the weekend?

Coming up: