Hey, London! Let’s Have a Drink!: The 100 Pubs Project

So, what originally was going to be getting 100 people to buy me a drink in London changed to finding 100 people to just go out for a drink with. Then that changed as well to its current incarnation of 100 drinking establishments. Basically, it’s the 100 Pubs Project.

Pubs for me seem to embody much of my experiences here in London. Although not necessarily unique to the Big Smoke, pubs are quite integral in the social fabric of many Londoners (with some exceptions). When tourists come to the city, many of them feel like they have to go to an authentic pub to have that proper pub experience.

Part of the reason for this project is for me to find out about more places in London. Currently I live in Holloway, work in Islington, dork out in Bloomsbury, muck around in Hackney Downs and that’s it. Although there are fabulous pubs in these places I’ve mentioned, I would like to get out of my normal haunts and check out some other grand places I’ve seen on buses that look interesting, places that friends may recommend and take me out to, or other areas that may be famous or infamous for some reason or another.

Depending on the pounds in my pocket, I plan on going to the set-upon pub or other drinking establishment, sampling a pint or half-pint in the establishment, maybe some food if food is served, and sitting around.  Might even bring some of the mountains of reading I’m required to do for my courses at SOAS.  I’ve invited, well, anyone in London interested in sitting around with me at the pub of the moment, though I imagine a lot of these adventures will be embarked upon alone.

An excursion into the pubs of London will dovetail quite nicely with my academic interest in drinking habits of people, especially those which are part of a cultural construct. The pub, which is quite notable in British culture, is the best setting for this, along with bars for a glimpse of what the young (and those who like to think young) are doing. I’m also interested in the status/class textures woven into some of these drinking establishments. Are pubs a more egalitarian place? Are we all the same in the eyes of the bartender? Is it important to note that Biddles in Hackney doesn’t take credit or debit cards? So, yes, I’m going out to pubs and bars for research. No, really.

Want to come along? Expect the first of the hundred to be noted soon. Though not today, because I’m planning on going to the BFI tonight for Shanghai Express.  ”Planning” being the operative word, but maybe I can duck into a pub beforehand.

RS21 and Audubon Hobnobbery

Last Friday, the 30th of May, was a big day.  There was quite a bit of action going on around town, and I was out to claim a modest piece of it, even if that piece consisted of events which overlapped each other.

The opening of RS21 at the Maitland Art Center was that evening from 6 to 8, showcasing work from such installation artists as Andrew White, Brigan Gresh, Doug Rhodehamel and Martha Lent among many others.  Also, from 6 pm until 8 pm, Audubon Park Garden District was having its thing known as “That Friday Thing.”  This month was a Beer Tasting with promises of hot dogs and pretzels.  Clark, my roommate, is an avid fan of beer, hot dogs and pretzels, so he was the one who acquired the small flyer for this event and affixed it to our fridge.

Oh boy.  Two events, one evening.  Can Doreen make it to both?!

The answer: Yes… for the most part.

After getting home from work, I kinda fancied up and drove over to the RS21 opening at the Maitland Art Center.  It was my first time being at the center, so I was quite lucky I was able to find it without getting lost, considering I forgot to consult with the Google before departing from my house.  The entry fee was five bucks, which gave me access to the interior-exterior, or rather, the courtyard which was soon to be the nucleus of the hobnobbing, but at the time I got there, was an open area with a food table set out and the little bar table slowly  being set up.

I wandered around a bit, taking in the rather charming environment that makes up the Maitland Art Center, and then came upon an unexpected sight:

Doug’s work is the only work I have photos of because it was outside.  I didn’t take photographs of the other installation work inside the meandering rooms of the art center, as my camera is completely crap and wouldn’t have taken a decent picture even if Man Ray was holding the damn thing.  By the by, did you know Man Ray and I share a birthday?  Just thought I’d mention it.

Also thought I’d mention that the food at the event was amazing!  Seriously, I went back for seconds, or maybe even thirds.  Delicious veggie quesadilla triangles coupled with delectable dips, little goat cheese tartlets and a super-tasty raspberry thing were just amazing.  My gosh, just thinking about it all makes me want to eat again.  I don’t know who the caterers were, but I hope they continue to cater the shows I happen to go to.  Delish!

If you’d like a far better account of what went on opening night at RS21, have a look at this article from the Winter Park Examiner.  The show will be running until the 13th of July, so you have the whole month to go and peep in a peephole, speak into a microphone, or trod clumsily over a clay animal.  For a full list of artists, have a look at the Facebook RS21 event posting.

On to the Beer Tasting…

Audubon Park Garden District is a relatively recent entity, at least to me, although the organisation makes sense.  There are some pretty awesome businesses along Corrine, some of whom I hadn’t visited prior to the Beer Tasting, so the event was quite successful in getting new people coming into stores.  Although I don’t really see myself getting anything from the bridal store (ever), Sweet Boutique seems like a wonderful place for cute dresses–although if I were to buy any more clothes, I think Marie or Clark would have me in a headlock. Even if those bodies in the stores getting swigs of beer don’t ever visit again, should later conversation bring up a query of where to get some good fishing equipment, Orlando Outfitters would be brought up, or something along those lines.

Clark and I arrived on the Audubon scene late at a bit past 7 o’clock, thanks to my previous engagement at the RS21 opening, which didn’t leave us much time for the beer scavenger hunt we were to embark on.  Yes, beer scavenger hunt.  Our tickets for the event consisted of a map of the Garden District along with a list of participating stores, bars, restaurants and cafes where we would receive beer tastings and a signature from the proprietor, shop assistant or whomever on duty.  Get all the signatures, and you get a free draft beer at Big Daddy’s or Redlight Redlight.  Score, right?

Well, not exactly.  Due our belated entry into the tasting and to some dilly-dallying in Park Ave CDs, where Redlight representative extraordinaire Teege was pouring out the tastiness and the regular cast of characters in Park Ave were being their usual brand of awesome, Clark and I were unable to complete our beer cards prior to some of the businesses closing for the day.  Also, the hot dogs much promised to Clark were sadly sold out by the time he stood in line for them.  As Clark helplessly watched a woman walk away with the last FOUR hot dogs, and I tutted at the closed status of three businesses, we both walked away from the event slightly disappointed.  An event such as this shouldn’t be only two hours long, especially when the point is to entice potential shoppers to poke around one’s wares and perhaps enjoy a sandwich or slice of pizza while on the walk.  Even people who had been there since 6 o’clock were a little disgruntled because they had spent too much time in one store or another, or finding out that, hey, there’s signatures they could gather for more beer, as one group had belatedly realised.  After noticing ourselves that we had only twenty minutes to get a whole gang of signatures from places scattered along Corrine, I was beginning to pop into these shops, barely stopping to give an appreciative nod at the products for sale, before running out again to the next shop on the list.  I didn’t have time to even finish my beer tastes before bustling into the next store.

Boo for that.

But still, there was fun to be had, whether poking around Park Ave CDs with beer in hand or noshing on warm pretzels at Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux.  Nyam, nyam.  Clark and I eventually met up with Joe and Fran at Big Daddy’s, where we hung out before I drifted over to Stardust, which was really busy that night thanks to the walk and also because of the Critical Mass group, along with the regulars whom I see there every day… because I go there every day.  Afterwards, it was back home before going out (yet again) to Peacock Room.  Friday night was a busy night.  I hope I won’t have to repeat that type of “power hobnobbery” anytime soon.

LARVA action

Doug Rhodehamel has something going on this week: LARVA.  For those of you without Facebook accounts, here’s the 411:

LARVA
an installation by Doug Rhodehamel

Will’s Worm! Will’s Worm! Party Time! Excellent!

On Tuesday May 26th I will create a giant, inflated, larva-like structure in the lovely Orlando Florida cozy spot that is Will’s Pub.

This will be my first attempt at something like this. If all goes well, it should look really really cool!

Speaking of really cool, A Scissors, as well as Algarhythm will be making some music!

All for the unbelievable price of FREE!

Recap:

- Big air filled Larva.
- Music by: A Scissors.
- Free!

The event is scheduled from 6 pm until 9 pm.  For those of you unfamiliar with Will’s Pub, or haven’t yet been to its new location, the address is 1040 N Mills Ave, 32803.  I’ve actually got another engagement I may wind up going to that day that won’t be nearly as fun, but hopefully I’ll be out in time to at least catch some of Doug’s newest installation and drink a beer at Will’s.

Hobnobbing it up at Will’s Pub

On the 21st of February, our friend Brian was playing with his band at Will’s Pub.  Clark and I made plans to go, and we enlisted the company of the art-awesome supercouple of Orlando, Mike and Marie.  Because Will’s Pub was so close, we opted to walk from M&M’s abode, which took all of perhaps ten minutes or so.  In the meantime, we walked past what was no doubt a happening night at the Orange Building on Mills, and crossed Mills Avenue in a haphazard fashion.  Hao would be join us later in the evening.

Unfortunately, by the time my friends and I got to Will’s, Brian’s band had already played, and we didn’t even see him in the bar.  We saw his blue car parked outside, but it was the only evidence we had that he was there.

Alas.

Still, the other bands we did catch playing at Will’s Pub that evening were exceptionally good.  But first, let’s talk about Will’s Pub.

After a long wait, Will’s Pub has reopened down the street from its old location on Mills to a new location, also on Mills.  The new set-up is a little similar, yet a little different, from the old place.  The first room one enters is the pool room, then the next room is where the shows are held, and then, in the back, is the room with the bar.  Unlike the old Will’s, the new one doesn’t have a glass door to block out the music if you so chose to avoid the band that night.  Also unlike the old Will’s, the bar placement is towards the back of the area, not the front, so there was a bit of confusion as the four of us wandered in, trying to find the bar.  Still, considering the way the rooms/building was set up, I don’t think they could have done it any other way, so I don’t think it’s a proper complaint, all things considered.  My only real valid complaint is the lack of a proper website.  People!  Stop using MySpace as your sole web presence!  Get a proper website, or even a blog!  Anything is better than MySpace!  There are a few other places guilty of using their MySpace profile as a website–Redlight and Stardust come to mind.

The new Will’s Pub has brought the old clientele with it, which is good, although I had to kind of keep my eye on this one guy who was more than a little drunk.  He nearly bumped into me, then spilt a whole entire pint of beer on the Monopoly pinball game.  What a waste of beer!  Unless, of course, it was bad beer.  On the subject of places to relieve oneself (aside from the street outside), I counted three bathroom facilities total, and the night I went, wait time was minimal, so hurrah for that.  The beer stock seemed good enough–not extensive, but quite adequate for a neighbourhood bar.  I was able to get a Hitachino Nest White Ale for my first round, but had to switch to a Woodchuck Granny Smith cider when the bar sold out of HN White Ale bottles.  It’s okay, I guess someone else also enjoys one of my favourite beers.

And now, the bands.  Unfortunately I can’t comment on Brian’s band, but I am certain they were wonderful, despite his later claims otherwise.  However, I would like to talk about Kingsbury, an excellent local band whose music seems to fit into the post-rock genre, although no doubt someone can come up with a better description far more intricate than mine.  They were very good, and I enjoyed their set incredibly.  If you want to hear them, you can get mp3s off their website, kingsburymusic.net.  These mp3s are free, but the band requests that you donate a bit of funds to help the band keep up with band stuff, so it’s the least you can do.  Remember what Radiohead did with In Rainbows?  It’s a little like that.  You can read a review from another blog writer on Kingsbury’s latest EP, Lie To Me, here: Confessions of a Would-be Hipster.

Khann was next, and this band was more for the Mike-Marie-Clark crowd of metal enthusiasts.  At this point I discovered there were 6 credits on the machine at the bar, and got hooked on this game involving pipes and some weird cartoon Einstein character.  I barely noticed Clark leaving, then Mike and Marie left, then Pontiak started and Hao went to go check them out.  I’m kicking myself now for missing much of Pontiak’s show, because they were amazing.  If I could redo the night, I would have stopped after game #2 with Einstein and the pipes and caught the Pontiak show properly.  And I would have avoided getting bumped into (seemingly on purpose) by another drunken guy.  Seriously, he squished me against the wall as I stood behind Hao, who was oblivious, so I shared a “WTF?  Who is this guy?” look with some other young gentleman who did happen to see the bizarre physical near-altercation.  In the end, I just moved away from Mr Bumper, and that was that.  He probably also spilt beer on the Monopoly pinball game, too, as far as I know.

Should Pontiak ever return to Orlando, I shall give them the captive audience that is their due.  If you’d like to read up more about them, here is their band profile on Thrill Jockey.  In the meantime, I’m pleased to have Will’s Pub so close to my ‘hood, and hope to be making the walk there again soon.  I just have to be ready for weirdos who feel the need to bump into me.  I seem to be a magnet for that sort of thing.

Sarah Bon’s Photography, and my moment as Das Modell

My friend and local uber-talent Sarah Bon will be having an art opening on Friday, the 18th of July, at AKA Lounge.  The event is hosted by local music maven DJ Smilin’ Dan, who has dubbed it “Substance 2,” which leads me to expect at least a couple of New Order tracks to be played during the night.

Sarah took some photos of me at work at Stardust, making blueberry scones (as I was burning banana cupcakes in the oven), and she also grabbed me and a handful of her other friends to be used as models for her more portrait-based photography.  I made the joke that all of us would have some kick-ass photos for Last.fm, Facebook, Goodreads and other social sites soon.  I haven’t seen any of the photographs, although I hear my friend Melanie got a sneak peek at some (cheater), so I will be just as surprised as anyone else as to how they turned out.  I’m extra curious as to how the baking ones turned out, as I bought a whole new smock-like apron for the event.  Truly, it was just an excuse for me to get another apron.  I love aprons.

The flyer features one of Sarah’s friends I don’t know too well, but I do remember her being pretty cool when I met her at Sarah and Robert’s place a couple Sundays ago, along with two sisters, and the three of them seemed nice.  The photo looks very rock n’ roll with the eyeliner and the screenprinted gun shirt.

So, if you’ve got seven bucks in your pocket, wallet, sock or brassiere, come down to AKA Lounge on Pine Street downtown and have a gander at some photography, check out some live music, have some beer or other bevvies, and hang out.  I’m not familiar with the bands who will be performing, but I’m sure it will be good times, as good people–my friends–will be in attendance.

But I make no guarantees.