August 2, 2010

St John’s Smith Square

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Smith Square, SW1 (020 7222 1061)

Westminster tube. Box office 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, or until
start of performance on concert nights; from 6pm and at weekends for
that evening’s performance only. Tickets ?5-?30. Credit MC, ?TC, V.

Website: http://www.sjss.org.uk

Situated in the heart of political London – the Houses of Parliament
are a couple of minutes’ walk away, while the HQ of the Conservative
Party is in the square itself – St John’s church has been a concert
venue for almost 40 of its 270-plus years. It now hosts a regular
programme of concerts of varying degrees of quality. Though the
acoustics aren’t great for larger ensembles and it’s not an especially
comfortable place – wrap up in winter – it’s a winning venue boosted
immeasurably by its crypt, which holds a lovely, secluded and even
faintly romantic bar and restaurant.

 

July 25, 2010

Jose Luis Pareles

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This crooner, known as the James Taylor of Spain, is one of the biggest sensations in the Latin music world. For over 30 years now, he has written some of the loveliest songs in the Spanish tongue. As a performer, he is a match for Iglesias, Miguel or any other Latin superstar. Tonight, Jose Luis Pareles comes to Miami to play from his latest album, ‘Me Han Contado Que Existe Un Paraiso’.

 

July 15, 2010

St Martin-in-the-Fields

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Trafalgar Square, WC2 (church 020 7930 0089/ concert info & box office 020 7839 8362)

Charing Cross tube/rail. Admission lunchtime concerts donation requested; evening concerts ?6-?16. Credit MC, ?TC, V.

One of those little
curiosities that help to make London what it is, St
Martin-in-the-Fields is not, as its name might suggest, set in an
idyllic, pastoral location. Rather, it’s right on Trafalgar Square
overlooking one of the capital’s most dangerous traffic hotspots. Once
inside, though, it’s easy to forget where you are, such is the
tranquillity of the church. The series of lunchtime recitals (1.05pm
Mon, Tue, Fri) largely features student musicians performing a wide
range of music. This is supplemented by weekly concerts on Thursdays,
Fridays, Saturdays and some Tuesdays at 7.30pm, invariably including
baroque repertoire. The lovely Caf?-in-the-Crypt is a great place for lunch, though be sure to get there promptly as it fills up quickly during the week.

 

July 6, 2010

La Torre

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Edificio Focsa, Calle 17, entre M y N (553089)

Open noon-midnight daily. Main courses $16-$24.
Air-conditioning.

It’s hard to believe that such an ugly building can house such a sumptuous restaurant. The 36-storey Focsa structure was once called home to thousands of Russian bureaucrats, who were stationed here in the post-Revolutionary years. Now the Russians are gone, its claims to fame are the expensive top-floor restaurant, the national TV studios and the biggest supermarket in the area (on the ground floor). Stunning views and Havana’s best French chef (who, as this guide went to press, was due to move to 1830 Club 1830 ) have kept the expense account punters coming back to The Tower time and again. Expect to blow $50 per head, as you won’t want to miss either the starters or the wine. The menu includes a variety of imported meats to ensure a high-quality meal. If you want the views without emptying your wallet, the adjoining bar does excellent cocktails from $3 a shot. A word of warning: in late 2000 a lift in the building fell 28 floors killing four people, including the proprietress of La Torre; it was unclear at press time how this would ultimately affect the restaurant.

 

June 2, 2010

La Nueva Escuelita

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301 W 39th St at Eighth Ave (212-631-0588)

Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority. Thu-Sun 10pm-5am.

Escuelita used to be a seedy Latin drag club. Now, it’s a rather less seedy Latin drag club, but no less entertaining for that. Though it’s oriented toward gay and lesbian latinos, all are welcome. The music is generally high-energy, heavy on the merengue and banging Latin/tribal house. The drag shows are not to be missed. The Sunday tea dance is hosted by the incomparable Harmonica Sunbeam, a wacky drag queen comedienne with universal appeal.

 

May 30, 2010

Josè Carreras

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The opera season in Rome rarely matches those in Naples or Milan, often relying on flying visits from one of the three tenors for the occasional thrill. Give thanks, then, that Josè Carreras is in town for ‘Arias and Songs of the Mediterranean’, the all-encompassing title for a recital of music by Puccini, Gounod, Bizet, Leoncavallo and Tosti. Now celebrating 30 years as a top tenor, the honey-voiced Carreras teams up with Lorenzo Bavaj, who also provided piano accompaniment at recent successes in Pesaro.

 

April 24, 2010

DSC01830

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DSC01830

 

March 8, 2010

Inside Voices

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The last of a series of shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of the San Juan Evangelista Music Club brings local Gospel choir Inside Voices, regular and respected performers in jazz clubs around Madrid. British soul singer Sheila Cuffy, herself something of a veteran on the Spanish club circuit having been singing here since 1993, leads the troupe. Inside Voices are a mixture of local and imported talent and the repertoire includes many Gospel and soul classics, as well as numbers such as ‘Oh Happy Day’ and ‘Amazing Grace’.

 

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