Kristiina tuning her theorbo just before the Portrait Players’ delightful concert at the Handel Hendrix House on Monday afternoon. Given the location Handel featured largely in their programme although not just Handel but the players that he particularly favoured. Such as the tenor John Beard who performed in almost every one of Handel’s English language oratorios and created roles in ten of his operas. They ended with Claire’s rousing rendition of Handel’s splendid Solitudini Care, Amata Liberta, in praise of the joys of solitude.
Are you coming to The Portrait Player’s concert here on 24th September? Book here for concert and 17th century supper.
On the 24th the focus will not be on Handel, although I suspect he might make an appearance. Instead it will be Purcell and his contemporaries who were both fascinated and inspired by the amazing creative women who hosted the ‘salons’ of 17th century Paris and dazzled audiences in London’s theatres and opera houses.
Soumik in Dalston
Have you ever been to Dalston Eastern Curve Garden? If not, you should definitely go.
The garden was created in 2010 on the old Eastern Curve railway line. It was the result of a partnership between Design for London, Hackney Council and local residents to explore ways to address Dalston’s deficiency of quality public space. It was planted with wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs and butterfly bushes and six large raised beds were installed for growing food. Since 2012 the garden has been managed as a social enterprise – offering a green space for everyone to enjoy all year round in a built up area which is sadly lacking in both greenery and space. They have a café, selling hot drinks, cakes, home-made soup, bread, wine and beers the proceeds from which pay for the operation of the garden and for a year-round education programme and community events. These include regular ‘Woodburner’ nights of concerts and gigs on their outdoor stage at the end of the garden. Which is where I found Soumik Datta, my lovely and very successful sarod playing friend on whose doings I have reported several times.
He was playing with his long time collaborator, tabla player Gurdain Singh Rayatt and bass player Nina Harries. You can see a clip on their Instagram Stories here or listen to the few minutes I recorded below.
The garden is rather magical at night – and not too cold although we are of course still officially in summer. I also noticed, rather too late, that you could get excellent looking pizzas on site to eat while you were listening to the music.
The garden is literally across the road from Dalston Junction station and five minutes walk from Dalston Kingsway, both on the Overground. Check in to their site to see what is on.
Meanwhile, we have just had a delightful evening with Mia and Declan singing and playing Zadie’s poems set to Jonty’s music – report to come shortly.
For other future happenings in at Hampstead Lane and elsewhere – see our Upcoming Events page.
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