Straynotes still at large.

You'd be forgiven for thinking nothing has happened since the last post. In fact we had a play with Hugh Stanners which went very well. We rehearsed again tonight, as a four piece, with gigs at Olives (30th of April) and Wensum Lodge (14th May) in mind. These are followed by a klezmer wedding later in May. The rehearsal went better than I could have hoped. We already sound very good, if I say so myself, and things can only get better

In the meantime Andy and I have been strutting it as a duo at Dunston Hall, a large hotel just south of Norwich. It used to be the country pile of someone very wealthy but I'm afraid I have no idea who that was. i'll take a picture next time we're there in the daylight (at the end of May) and you'll see it in all its splendour. This picture shows a rather mellow Andy half way through his first, and only, glass of white wine and just before we started the third hour-long set of the evening.

On Sunday we'll be down to a duo again at the Sainsbury Centre. Paul is elsewhere for that one but Andy and I will be filling the place with music between 1pm and 3pm.

Further grindings from The Rumour Mill

A reliable source close to the Straynotes camp has told this blog that Hugh Stanners, that shadowy figure from the Norwich klezmer underworld, is to meet the band this evening at a secret location for a 'let's see how it goes' jam session.

Hugh, accordionist extraordinaire, made an impromptu appearance with Eastern Straynotes at Cafe Marzano last November where the band rocked the Forum in a display that had fire engines in attendance. If this evening's session goes well the Norfolk Fire Service could be putting in some overtime this summer.

No Strings Cabaret

So the three of us turned up at Norwich Puppet Theatre shortly after 5pm for a sound check and then disappeared to a South Indian restaurant on nearby Magdalene Street for a take-away. Back at the venue we disappeared back stage to meet some of the stars of the burlesque scene. We did some waiting in the wings, hearing but not seeing performances, before we trooped onto the stage to strut our stuff. Paul averted the traditional snow-storm but bringing along a file to put all his music in. Andy and I relied on memory and a practised art of blagging when that failed.

Our five klezmer numbers went down very well and it was lovely to see one or two people get up and dance. I like to think there would have been more but the steepness of the rake and closeness of the rows of seats must have made it difficult. The last time I played at the Puppet Theatre was for a showing of Pinocchio almost a year ago. I didn't need to worry about playing to the audience as all the attention was on Gepetto, alias puppeteer Steve Tiplady, and Pinocchio himself. The clarinet tends to make one look downwards and on Friday I discovered I couldn't see beyond the first two rows without adopting a very strange playing position, something I should have tried (and abandoned) in the sound check.

We played in the Kasbah Bar (there was an eastern theme to the evening) during the interval and again had the folk moving to our klezmer/Balkan groove. An exotic, mute beauty was serving wine with her wrist chained to her ankle and her clientele were as cool as midnight in the Arabian desert. Low tables sprinkled with sweetmeats, filmy drapes and a scattering of cushions completed the picture.

Paul had to rush off to another gig at the end of the interval (such is the bassist's lot) and Andy, with childcare duties to perform, went with him. It was left to me to watch the second half which featured a gypsy fortune teller, some fine work with feathers and a bed of nails. I also saw my first male stripper - a comedy spiv routine - who had the good taste to stop while he was still entertaining.

I confess I forgot my camera but there were photographers present, at least one of whom looked like he was a dab hand with a lens, so I hope to track down some pictures to post.

Come to the cabaret

Our next public outing is to Norwich Puppet Theatre for the "No Strings" burlesque evening on February 26th. Appropriately enough, the evening has an 'eastern' theme. Whether or not an 'eastern' is just a 'western', but with wire-fu Samurai warriors instead of horse-ridin' cowboys, remains to be seen. And in case you're thinking that fishnets aren't very eastern, how else do you think the Japanese catch all those blow fish?

Doors open at 7pm, show kicks off at 8pm and the bar closes at 11pm.

Wensum Lodge this Friday

Well the rumours have turned out to be true. Sebastiana will be joining the Straynotes in Jurnets Bar this coming Friday 22nd January. We will be on at about 8.30 in order that Paul can hot foot it to the Black Horse on Earlham Rd for another gig. This will allow the rest of us to sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the bill. I'm told it includes the excellent Horses Brawl.

The Rumour Mill

Eastern Straynotes have been booked to play a short set at Jurnet's Bar on Friday 22nd January. This much we know. But rumour has it that they are to be joined by the wonderful chanteuse and accordionist Sebastiana Mikulova (pictured) with whom they are said to be working up a few numbers especially for the occasion.

Jurnet's Bar, for those not yet in the know, is in the crypt of a 12th Century house on King Street in Norwich, now part of the Wensum Lodge adult education centre. They serve a fine, and refreshingly inexpensive, pint of Adnams along with a range of other beverages. Entry is free and there is always an eclectic mix of acoustic acts to enjoy. Music starts about 8pm as I remember.

Straynotes in New Year's Eve Triffid Scare!

The intrepid Straynotes were, once again, at the heart of the action on New Year's Eve. Andy, calm in the face of danger, continued to play as Jonathan pied piped a rampant rubber plant away from terrified diners at the Loch Fyne restaurant on St Giles Street.

Alex the waitress was the brave photographer.



"Hey, it was nothing!"