Time marches on

Time Marches On

The now monthly round-up as time really does march at too great a speed to keep up....

Lancaster Round Table's BeerFest, March 3^rd to 5^th , added an Open Mic to the many attractions of the opening night. A happy band of judges, having manfully and womanfully tested themselves to their best for the awards, were met by not only the stout of heart and liver, those stalwarts of real ale consumption, but also with music and comedy from artists and mad old biddy respectively. The acts were “volunteered” and presented by The Stonewell Family and its many affiliates. A brilliant start to an excellently organised festival.

French Connection and friends, on Thursday 17^th, included Ros and Andy, sax and trumpet still wandering the town well into Sunday, joining on and Off the Rails at The Stonewell Tavern. Sweet sax from Ros blended with smart, sassy, sultry blues from Suzi Snowden out on day release... Sax followed singer to The Gillow, where Ros's raw improvised earthy tones shook the socks off the usual low-down out-to-grass afternoon collection. Meanwhile Howard Haigh intricate on guitar and maestro Dione on Darabuka drums at 1725 perfectly complemented the Spanish/Mexican atmosphere. Protegee Christiana progressed from hard, accurate fingering to confident, gentle and assured strings as the late afternoon mellowed.

As indeed had I.  It was the work of a dedicated columnist to complete an extensive Sunday Stagger with Lancaster Comedy Club topping the bill at The Borough. Rob Riley compered with his usual blend of charm and abuse, introducing “child” star Adam Staunton whose innocent looks and small stature meant he could get away with blue murder, and did.  Funny man, and you could put him in your pocket and take him home afterwards.  Mick Ferry, a very professional headline act, had no qualms in approaching taboo topics with nicely-judged lack of subtlety.

Ben Ruth's funksters The Commotions @ The Dalton Rooms were a wind up rather than down. Energetic, over the top, I'm too old for this: time off, please!

Friday 18th's Spotlight showcased Rachel McGladdery AND Trev Meaney on the same billing...what a line up! It was quite a night.

Pascal the Rascal's informed ramblings set the scene. Daisy Barlow was engagingly gauche on guitar, powerful raw voice balancing quirky home-grown lyrics.

“Microphone Man” Simon Baker kept the show just about on track with some surreally inspired stalling between vanishing acts. His microphone wrestling act was sublime.

Deep and powerful verse, imprisoned in the yearning souls of his characters and finally released in song, came from Gulliver Brodbank.

The eagerly-awaited Rachel McGladdery had even more to offer.  Following last month's Open Mic debut where she was cut short in her prime (and very uncomfortable that can be), the girl was taking no prisoners.  Her searingly honest expose of a hopelessly alcoholic dad, delivered with piercing clarity to the end, was well worth waiting for.  Next Billie Halliday in the raw: endearing genius hopelessly addicted to emotional meltdown and delivered in empathatic blues.  Rachel is full of surprises. Keep tabs on her next: I will!

No less refreshing, Trev Meaney (last month's winner) pulled out all the stops with his inspired idiocy: a well 'ard plonker complete with nasty armchair and stale beer; hoovering fantasies (don't ask); and the Chelsea Belt silicone blues. Trev guests at The Continental, Preston, for Wordsoup on the 24th

Neil C. Young at The Stonewell provided a pleasant wind-down. They really can turn an acoustic trick or two.

Only duff bit to Friday was rubbish fish and chips at the much-vaunted new chippy in Market Street. Still, when they learn to serve with something approaching a smile instead of a tray full of grease, dip the batter properly and increase the portions, they might be o.k.

Coming up

On Thursday 24th, French Connection at The Stonewell Tavern play host to the BBC, filming So You Think You Can Dance at 2pm, or so I've been told. Fine jazz, some dance, what more do you want?

Saturday 26^th at The Robert Gillow: Baksheesh, babushkas and probably bazoukas as another mad Russian Night kicks in.

Monday 28^th

Sue Parish wafts out March on the gentlest of wings at The Robert Gillow, her trio with Andrzej Baranek and Frank Grimes holding new promise along with fond memories as they swing from trad to thoroughly modern. 9pm, free

Meanwhile Jazz Unlimited dispel any remaining sanity (there's never a lot) at the J.O.G.  Trad Jazz and old diehards.  Brilliant.

Thursday 31^st 5-7pm

Arteria in Brock Street launch yet another superb collection with Flourish ('scuse the pun), running 29^th March to 11^th June. The eclectic collection of arts and crafts, locally inspired, includes textiles and accessories, ceramics and glass. To die for.

That's it for March, folks. Roll on the summer!