Thursday 26 October 2023.

Thursday 26 October 2023. I went to two events tonight...gallery then EUROPE gig See my Facebook page for photos and videos. 6.30pm to 8.45pm. MADDOX GALLERY - new gallery launch party - 12 Berkeley Street , Mayfair, London W1 Over 200 guests at their huge new space , that's over three levels and over 3000 square feet. Guests include RONAN KEATING and his wife. Also ex page 3 model JACKIE ST CLAIR and husband. Also Ronnie Woods son TYRONE WOOD. Huge photographs including one of BILL NIGHY who visited the gallery in the afternoon. Also a great one of Man City striker ERLING HAALAND. Complimentary Gusbourne English Sparkling Wines and some very yummy Whisky Sour cocktails. In his ‘Storytelling’ exhibition, David Yarrow's photography transcends mere images. He intricately crafts narratives in London-themed works like London Town, Oliver, and By Order of the Peaky Blinders. From reimagining classics to capturing wildlife, Yarrow's storytelling mastery shines. At 7.45pm David Yarrow gave a speech. then EUROPE live at The Palladium. Europe play the second of two shows at this venue as part of their UK & European Tour. I have seen them several times from when 'The Final Countdown' was a big hit for them. The band, with millions of album sales under their belt and a No1 smash in 1986 across 25 countries with the legendary The Final Countdown received an award from YouTube in 2022 for the first Swedish band ever to receive a BILLION views for any one song. The Time Capsule tour will take in 18 concerts across Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, The Netherlands and the UK, including two nights at the famous The London Palladium. These anniversary shows will consist of a career retrospective "evening with" performance featuring all the hits together with deep cuts and fan favourites from all of their 11 studio albums. Joey Tempest "Thanks to you guys out there – we are honoured to still be here today, making records and touring the world. 40 years ago we had that dream and here we are 11 albums later. We look forward to seeing you all in September and October for this very special tour!" ------ Europe played two sets tonight , but I missed the first set that included ' Rock The Night' and 'Carrie' as I was at the gallery event earlier. The band played around 80 mins in the second set. Singer Joey Tempest still has the women swooning. Plenty of good songs played , and final track of the night was a mega ' Final Countdown: SECOND SET by EUROPE played tonight.. Always the Pretenders Ninja Prisoners in Paradise Sign of the Times Space Oddity (David Bowie cover) (Acoustic) Last Look at Eden Open Your Heart Memories John Leven (bass solo) More Than Meets the Eye Drum Solo;(William Tell Overature with Ian Haugland introduction) Ready or Not Superstitious ( With Here I Go Again Whitesnake cover in the middle) Encore: Cherokee The Final Countdown --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Wednesday 25 October 2023. I went to two events tonight. 6pm to 8pm. MALEVO - press preview - Embassy of Argentina, 49 Belgrave Square, Belgravia, London SE1. Over 100 guests are here including The Ambassador. Pounding drums, puffed chests, thundering feet – this is scintillating Argentine dance as you’ve never seen it before In a blistering and exhilarating take on the traditional Argentine Malambo, Malevo brings its blazing raw talent to the UK for the very first time. This dynamic all-male troupe has created a performance that not only pushes the Malambo style beyond its limits but gives audiences an extraordinary visual and sensory experience unlike any other. The South American sensation Malevo was created by director, choreographer, and dancer, Matías Jaime. The company has reimagined the Argentine dance of Malambo; taking what is a traditional Argentinian folkloric dance and elevating it to a fiery and modern heights. They infuse the dance with elements of flamenco and pulsating drumming live onstage. The choreography combines the use of boleadoras – a leather and stone hunting tool used by Gauchos – with pounding movements, energetic stomping (zapateados) and lightning footwork (cepillados). Malevo has worked with the likes of Latin pop star Ricky Martin, reached the semi-final on America’s Got Talent, and has performed all across the world, from New York to Osaka. Now these bad-ass men in their leathers are turning up the heat in London. At 6.40pm we had a 10 mins preview of the show, with around 20 performers. Pretty amazing to see it up nice and close. Complimentary Argentine wines, canapes and pastries. It is on at The Peacock Theatre next week from 31 Oct to 04 Nov. Tickets are from £18 via www.sadlerswells.com then 8.30pm to 11.15pm. RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - OPENING GALA PARTY Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2. Over 300 guests in the ballroom area of this very nice hotel. Canadian film producer ELLIOT GROVE is the host. Actor TIMOTHY SPALL presents the Icon Award to Director DAVID YATES , who is best known for directing the last four films in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise all the way from ‘Order of the Phoenix’ to ‘The Deathly Hallows Part 2’, is set receive the Raindance Icon Award for his work in the film franchise as well as his contributions to cinema Since 1992 Raindance reaches out and supports the new generation of creative and innovative filmmakers both in the UK and around the world. The Raindance Film Festival runs in Central London allowing international filmmakers to enjoy a West-End premiere with a truly London experience. The festival welcomes 16,000+ visitors each year including buyers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers, producers, press, and film lovers in general. There is a 1920s swing band playing and a DJ too. We have complimenary prosecco, wines, beers, canapes and desserts. Some photos and a video of the event is now up on my Facebook page.

Posted 26th October 2023