This was the view which greeted our guests as they arrived for our jazz party last Sunday – through the gate by the side of the house, pick up a drink on their way through the patio and on into the garden. The sun was shining (but not too much), the chairs were all laid out, the early arrivers had grabbed the best seats by the pond…
– and the food was all laid out ready to go. A prodigious number of cheeses (thank you Waitrose), lots of crudités and dips and great piles of strawberries, dates and grapes in the back ground just waiting to be unwrapped.
Soon the garden was filling up…
… all ready for the arrival of the lovely Sol Grimshaw and his trio who we tucked in under the apple tree so that they would not get fried by the afternoon sun.
And here is just a little snippet – first very clearly of them playing and then of them accompanied by the gentle buzz of conversation.
We had a glorious mix of guests – Salon Music regulars, fellow gardening volunteers from Highgate Cemeteries and Hampstead Heath, new Highgate neighbours and old neighbours from Belsize Park, FreeFrom Food Awards colleagues, old university friends and a fair sprinkling of family. However, I am delighted to say that everyone seemed to get on a treat, mixing and mingling or just sitting it out and enjoying the music, the sun and the garden.
Definitely to be repeated next year – when hopefully I shall be rather less clueless and manage to take some pictures! This year I failed completely but fortunately was rescued by Olive Simpson, Tina Vadaneaux and Jo Houston who, bless them, took lots and passed them on!
NB If you want to see a bit more of the garden, check in to the last couple fo posts on Walks on Hampstead Heath.
A busy September
No less than three concerts coming up in September so if you have not yet done so, please book up.
Wednesday 4th September 6pm – Highgate Rush Hour concert
Jonty, Zadie, Declan and Mia
Our first Rush Hour Recital. Zadie’s cycle of poems, Roma Indicta, set to music by Jonty, sung by Mia and accompanied by Declan – plus songs by Fauré, Rainier and Benjamin Britten. Relax after a hard day with a glass of wine and an hour of gentle music.
£15 to include a glass (or two) of wine. For more details and to book go here.
Tuesday 24th September 6.30pm – Highgate
The Portrait Players, Claire (soprano), Kristiina (theorbo/lute) and Miriam (cello/viol da gamba) love playing the music from the 17th and 18th centuries but they are also fascinated by the brilliant creative women who were the inspiration for so much of it. £30 for the concert, supper and wine. For more information and to book go here.
Sunday 29th September 12 noon – Highgate – 10a South Grove
Highgate Society Sunday Lunchtime concerts are delighted to welcome back the Lior Solomons Wise Trio – Lior (on piano), Jonah (on drums) and Ed (on bass) for another delightful jam session. They will be playing old jazz favourites but also some of their own compositions. £15 for the concert and a glass of Bucks Fizz – book here.
For other future happenings in at Hampstead Lane and elsewhere – see our Upcoming Events page.
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