A crazy week in Portobello.

It has been a busy week. Last Wednesday was Gus Robertson's (razorlight) birthday party at the Portobello Gold. It was a suitably rock n roll affair with a hint of the Viper Rooms about it. Good to see Gary from the Rotten Hill gang and Legendary Club man Gaz Mayall. Especially good to bump into my favourite actress Honeysuckle Weeks who was absolutely glowing in the late stages of pregnancy.

                                           Photos: Marie Elena Ely

I popped into the Castle further down the road to catch James Simmins and friends playing there. Another good thing.

Friday was a little bonkers. I called in to the Westbourne Studio's to catch Wade Bayliss who is putting on a weekly thing there with his band. I managed a rendition of the rock n roll poem with trombone solo which was a pretty interesting experience.

Then on to Delphi's birthday party at the Retro Bar, 50 Bosworth Road North Kensington London W10 5EG [map ] Where Adam Masterson was playing as well as the birthday girl herself. delphi's set was fantastic and full of energy. A lovely night in an interesting new venue.

Delphi

Saturday Night was Loco Cabaret at the Grand Union W9. Great fun. Did the rock n roll poem Video HERE, with a band comprised of Roger Pomphrey, Jonno, James Simmins and others. It was a little on the crazy side. The rest of the acts were great including a virtuoso performance from 'Fishslice' accompanied by Paul Browse.

All in all a great week.

Charli Clark at The Muse at 269.

The Muse is a cafe/bar/gallery on Portobello Road, it was one of  my locals when I lived in the road, It's a great little place. Check it out.

The gallery is showing the work of  Artist in residence Charli Clark until the 17th of this month. It is very very good and full of humour. a mix of video installation, site specific performance stuff, photography and more. GO AND LOOK!

The Muse at 269
269 Portobello Road
London W11 1LR

Poetry is the new rock n roll. Live at loco Cabaret at the Grand Union W9.

Portobello sights: The blue door #1

Rusty in Portobello, pink skies and pies.

My old mate Rusty McGlint has flown in from New Mexico for a few days. I took him to the Tab for a beer. On seeing the gingham tablecloths in the courtyard he burst into tears. 'What's up rusty' I asked.

'It's the tablecloths' he said. 'Remind me of Lula Mae's gingham chaps and handsome homemade pies. I miss that woman bad'.

He put on his pink shades to hide his teary eyes. curious, I asked to try them on. Wow who needs drugs.

Mangrove, Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon in Hyde Park.

The 'Mangrove' Steel band is off to Hyde Park to play on the bill with Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon.

keeping cool on Portobello Road.

Chris Malcolm has been in the area for ever. His new business 'Founded & co' has not. It is at 253 Portobello Road and is cool. Clothes, accessories, shoes, music, art, literature... You know all the essential stuff. Check it out. More HERE There is a sale on at the moment too!

The Countess Alex Zapak. I told you she was a star.

 Performance Artist, singer, theatrical storyteller, fairytail punk and Fantastic woman has just won the TFL Art below prize for June.  Her image is plastered on every tube station in London for a month. check it out and remember her name.

well done alex. You are a star.

Sexual assault by Portobello Road gallery owner.

A sad tale of a Notting Hill art gallery owner sexually assaulting an artist in public has come my way.

There were witnesses to the assault which took place a couple of days ago. I shall be writing much more on this matter.

I have asked the Guy in question if he would like to put his side across... He ain't answered yet.

What this is doing however is drawing out of the woodwork, on facebook, the kind of guy who says: "The place for this is the courts, not facebook". Perpetrators of this kind of assault on women love the courts, it is another opportunity to further humiliate their victims. When the courts address the balance and start recognising victims as victims and stop allowing public humiliations at the hands of sociopaths will be the time to use their system.

It is a man's world.

Crossrail portal at Royal Oak.

Alex Zapak live at the Tabernacle. Not waving but drowning.

Alex was stunning. Nicholas Roeg was in the audience and thought so too. a brilliant night.

Countess Alex Zapak

Performance artist Countess alex Zapak is putting on a free show at the Tabernacle tonight.

Elvis spotted in Powis Square, Notting Hill.

Elvis is alive and well. I spotted him in Powis Square yesterday going into the house that was used as the location in 'Performance' the cult 70's movie starring Mick Jagger and Anita Ekberg. Sorry about the picture quality but I had to move fast.

















Suspiciously Elvis is performing at the Tabernacle on July 8th. should be fun.