Newsletter - 14 April 23

One historic local venue is back, another is threatened 🎶

Grab a coffee, here's your Friday morning essential read, from Camdenist.

 LIVE MUSIC: How Dingwalls made (then briefly lost) its name  

It was great to hear that Camden Town's iconic live music spot,

Dingwalls

, owned by equally legendary London promoter

Vince Power

, has wrestled back use of its historic name. But how had is been 'lost' in the first place? And how did the name of a defunct wood packaging factory owner become synonymous with hosting the biggest bands in the world?

 SUPPORT LOCAL: Save MAP Cafe 

In more turbulent local venue news, MAP Studio Café had an unexpected visit from bailiffs last month, repossessing the building after 30 years as a cornerstone of Kentish Town's music and social community. Fortunately owner Chris has managed to reopen, but only by spending (and losing) thousands of pounds in the process. It was good to see the fundraiser over Easter mobbed with supporters, but the future remains uncertain.

  • 💵 Make a pledge to the crowdfunder to keep this vital cafe, bar, recording studio, live music venue, chess club, radio station, record label, comedy club, t-shirt shop and Alma St Fair hub (phew!) well and truly alive for years to come.

  • 📷 Discover just why MAP is so important in this photo story 

  • 🎧MAP recently did us this Camdenist exclusive Spotify playlist, so that's the soundtrack to your next couple of hours sorted....

 BRUNCH: Primrose Hill on a sunny spring morning  

The first hint of sunny days hails the return of lazy weekend strolls in the park with a destination for protracted brunching the reward. The neighbourhood that's positively bristling with such options is Primrose Hill, which is we we've painstakingly eaten our way through most of 'um. 

 GIGS: Our pick of who's playing locally this week 

 listings in association with 

 ELECTRONIC, HIP HOP, R&B 

 ALINA PASH 

Join the Ukrainian singer songwriter for a special evening featuring her distinctive sound that combines Carpathian sounds with Hip Hop, R&B and Electronic music. All proceeds will be donated to Support Ukraine.   Fri 14 April

 AFRICAN  SONA JOBARTEH at Roundhouse (pictured)

The first female virtuoso player of the kora, Sona Jobarteh comes to the In the Round Festival stage bringing rich influences from her cultural heritage combined with a modern style. 

  Sun 16 April 

 INDIE  LILO at St Pancras Old ChurchNewcomers Christie Gardner and Helen Dixon have been friends since they met aged 11. Their harmonies and acoustic arrangement offer audiences a moment of calm and contemplation.   Mon 17 April

 BLUES, GOSPEL, JAZZ  TJ JOHNSON'S PEAK OF THE WEEK at Jamboree

Enjoy jazz, blues, gospel and country from one of the UK's finest jazz and blues singers for free this Wednesday afternoon.   Wed 19 April

 FUNK, PUNK 

⏩ DAVE OKUMU & THE 7 GENERATIONS

 

The Mercury nominated artist and producer will be performing songs from his latest, deeply personal album supported by 30 singers at the start of their careers.

 

 

 Thurs 20 April 

Discover ALL the gigs across Camden (and the rest of London) on Halibuts.com

 GOSSIP: More juicy bits from Camdenist 

The big upstairs room at

The Colonel Fawcett

pub has just transformed into an interactive social darts and pool venue.

Camden Darts Club

lets teams play the high-tech boards while sinking the pub's extensive selection of quality booze and 081 Pizzeria's acclaimed food ⏩ A

 opened yesterday at Swiss Cottage Gallery,

Kitchen Sink Realism: The Next Round

. It explores the social context of the pub and ideas surrounding British working-class culture, and has been curated by the Central Saint Martin’s undergraduates in partnership with Camden Council, and their collection of historic works of art from the 1950s to the 80s. ⏩ Fans of pootling along the local waterways will love that King's Cross' 

London Canal Museum

have just started their summer season of boat trips, which include a cream tea cruise, and the exciting Islington Tunnel trip, that takes you

. ⏩ Clerkenwell's excellent

London Metropolitan Archives

have just opened

, a show featuring fascinating records of the stories of Londoners of African, Caribbean, Asian and Indigenous heritage who lived and worked in the city between 1560 and 1860. ⏩ Camden Town Unlimited are searching for local market traders, performers and artists who'd like to play a part in the 2023 edition of their Camden Inspire festival when it return in late summer. Email them to express your interest.

Camdenist is collaborative and transparent by design. We invite all locals to participate, so we've built a form where you can send us ideas, propose features, and even contribute your own work.

 Well worth following...