Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Sunday 21 January 2024.

Sunday 21 January 2024. Big family lunch party to celebrate my mum's 90th birthday. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Saturday 20 January 2024. RYAN LONG live at Shepherds Bush Empire. New York comedian with multi - millions of views on YouTube plays the last night of his UK tour , and his third London show on his tour. ---------- Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight and maybe 500 seated folks here in the stalls and Level 1. We have three support acts tonight. ERIC FETTY on at 8pm for 12 mins. DANNY POLISHCHUK on at 8.12pm for 20 mins. FRANCIS ???? On at 8.50pm for 10 mins. RYAN LONG arrived on stage at 9pm for his 65 mins set. Plenty of anti-woke and non-pc routines were good to hear. Subjects included lots of dick and pussy rants, along with religion , LGBT , fat people, politics , racism ,etc. At the end of his set, Ryan said he would be meeting fans at the back of the stalls for a free chat and photo. All the acts had some very funny routines, and some average routines. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Thursday 18 January 2024....5.15pm to 10.15pm... Launch Party - 26 Leake Street, Waterloo, London SE1. Events management company Camm & Hooper has acquired the venue 26 Leake Street, which resides in three renovated railway arches in London's Waterloo. It comes after Camm & Hooper revealed it is amid a period of "ongoing growth", having secured Platform, a 35,000 sq ft space in Glasgow, last November. 26 Leake Street is an 11,000 sq ft space that has previously held drinks receptions, music events, corporate functions and fashion shows for brands such as Smirnoff, Amazon, Fendi and Adidas. The venue can host up to 1,200 standing guests or 450 seated banquet diners. The event company has a portfolio of seven sites, which includes Tanner Warehouse in London's Bermondsey, Jeru Mayfair and Platform Glasgow, and has committed to acquiring additional venues in Scotland, Manchester and Leeds. --------- A big crowd of around 400 or 500 guests here tonight. Lots of things going on including an acoustic guitarist playing a few tunes, magician , djs, street performers, a fun photo booth and a graffiti wall with markers and spray cans and stencils. I sprayed a tote bag with the words Sex Pistols on it.. See my Facebook page for a photo of it. At 7pm we had a welcome speech by the CEO of Camm & Hooper. An army of staff coming around with food and drinks all night along with the many bars and dessert stations. Complimentary drinks and food included a dozen different cocktails , prosecco , wines , beers , bowl foods, canapes, up desserts and a sweets and pick n mix counter. An excellent event. --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Wednesday 17 January 2024...I went to two events tonight... 6.15pm to 6.45pm. OMOROVICZA - showcase - 60 South Audley Street, Mayfair ,London W1. They opened this London Flagship in Nov 2023. Having opened in Budapest three years ago, the founders now bring their cult luxury products and skin therapy treatments to London’s Mayfair, with a newly opened store on South Audley Street. The space has been designed by Tina Vaia, and Ed Milton of EJM Studio, and features two treatment rooms, a cocooning relaxation area, a courtyard, and a boutique. Complimentary Waitrose champers and white wines for all the guests then 6.50pm to 9.15pm. ANDY WARHOL - BEYOND THE BRAND - private view -Halcyon Gallery , Mayfair , London W1. Can it be possible that there’s a Warhol we haven’t seen? Yes, apparently, quite a few, and ten of them will be on view to the public on the UK for the first time from this week. Andy Warhol’s rarely seen original Ads paintings were created in 1985, as a set of ten painted canvases and a portfolio of prints. Each depicts Warhol’s hand-made, vividly coloured take on a different famous advertisement, from Apple Computers to Chanel No.5, Volkswagen cars to Lifesavers (a sweet a bit like fruit polos, since you ask). Other Andy Warhol's on show here included .. 1972 Marilyn 1972 Mao 1986 Cowboys and Indians A female DJ was playing tunes in the background. Complimentary Taittinger champers and canapes for the 100 plus guests. See my Facebook page for a few photos from the event.