Talk to Me
Talk to Me is a group that has taken it upon itself to encourage Londoners to talk to one another, which would at least neutralise northerners' main line of attack against that London (guess what: we have busy, interesting lives, we don't need to talk to one another on the tube). Anyway, this weekend, they plan to convert some New Cross bus stops into "talk stops". They say:
Talk Stop Challenge Time: 1-5pm
Location: Bus stops on New Cross Road
We'll be rebranding rebranding several bus stops in central New Cross into ‘talk stops' during Talk to me SE London week! Talk Stops will be created by Patricio Forrestor, SERFs, Emily Gardner, Nicky Donald, John Reed, Loraine Smith, Sylvia Dos Santos and Dani from Prangsta.
Visit the site for more details.
Talk Stop Challenge Time: 1-5pm
Location: Bus stops on New Cross Road
We'll be rebranding rebranding several bus stops in central New Cross into ‘talk stops' during Talk to me SE London week! Talk Stops will be created by Patricio Forrestor, SERFs, Emily Gardner, Nicky Donald, John Reed, Loraine Smith, Sylvia Dos Santos and Dani from Prangsta.
Visit the site for more details.
Kitchen54
"Inspired by the classic favourites of The Americas and Caribbean, Kitchen54 takes the best bits and serves them to you. Real southern style BBQ, Creole Gumbos, Cornbread and our Grandma’s style doggie bags to take home."
Details and tickets available here.
310 NX Road
Peter Austin from Goldsmiths writes:
A pop-up record shop in the heart of New Cross will open on Saturday (19 October) in association with NX Records, a collaborative independent label from Matthew Herbert’s Accidental record label, and Goldsmiths, University of London.
Launched just six months ago as a platform for Goldsmiths students from the BMus in Popular Music, NX Records has already hosted live shows, produced an acclaimed introductory mix-tape and is now proud to announce the opening of the NX Records Pop Up Shop.
The first venture of its kind in New Cross, the shop will be open until Saturday 23 November, and will offer a unique record-buying experience in a lively, friendly atmosphere.
The most desirable new vinyl and CDs from a range of labels, limited edition releases from NX Records artists and friends unavailable elsewhere, and unique handcrafted releases and zines will also be on offer.
From mainstream to underground, the BMus in Popular Music at Goldsmiths embraces popular music in its many forms: rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz, experimental and commercial. It is also the programme that produced Mercury Prize 2011 nominee Katy B, and James Blake – also nominated for the Mercury Prize and a 2012 Ivor Novello award.
Honouring Goldsmiths' commitment to the local creative community and to a new generation of upcoming artists, the shop will also host talks, workshops and Q&A sessions from industry experts, and one-of-a-kind, intimate in-store performances from NX and other local artists including Holy Milk, Thefft, Buffalo Ink and Crewdson.
Goldsmiths recently announced it will be creating new recording studios at 286 New Cross Road for the use of its students from the Department of Music. Once completed, it is hoped the professional-level studios will be available for public hire.
For more information about the pop up shop visit http://310nxroad.tumblr.com/
The Economist on East London Line
Last post based on an Economist article for a while, we promise, but a few people tipped us off about this one and it's relevant to London's "great inversion", as well as our daily commutes.
Last week, the magazine focused on the London Overground's impact on areas along its route and claims the TfL-run model is likely to be rolled-out to other services as a result of its success, with the South Eastern service among the most likely to be taken over:
Since it opened in 2010—with extensions in 2011 and 2012—the London Overground changed two things. First, the way that commuters get around the capital has shifted. In 2008, 33m passengers zipped up and down the service. Last year 120m did. Fully 64% of those who use the network are getting to and from work. This initially lightened heavily congested trains on the Southern service (another line running along the route) with 46% of new passengers swapping from other train services...
Second, areas that were once underdeveloped became more popular... In Peckham Rye, another stop on the service in the south-east, average values went up by 24%. In New Cross, also in the south-east, the average value of property sold increased by 12%. Many buyers are young professional families, says Abdallah Osman of Winkworth, another estate agent. By contrast, average property values in Highgate, a leafy suburb in north London fell by 8%, while those in Muswell Hill, also in the north, fell by 3%. As prices go up across London, younger families and rich professionals are pushed farther east...
But the continuing success of the Overground will not come smoothly. TfL predicts that several parts of the line will be crammed with commuters by 2016... Squeezed buses and Tubes in the East End have not seen the decline of 6m passengers originally predicted. New passengers have simply taken the place of those who have swapped to the Overground.
For the full article, click here.
Last week, the magazine focused on the London Overground's impact on areas along its route and claims the TfL-run model is likely to be rolled-out to other services as a result of its success, with the South Eastern service among the most likely to be taken over:
Since it opened in 2010—with extensions in 2011 and 2012—the London Overground changed two things. First, the way that commuters get around the capital has shifted. In 2008, 33m passengers zipped up and down the service. Last year 120m did. Fully 64% of those who use the network are getting to and from work. This initially lightened heavily congested trains on the Southern service (another line running along the route) with 46% of new passengers swapping from other train services...
Second, areas that were once underdeveloped became more popular... In Peckham Rye, another stop on the service in the south-east, average values went up by 24%. In New Cross, also in the south-east, the average value of property sold increased by 12%. Many buyers are young professional families, says Abdallah Osman of Winkworth, another estate agent. By contrast, average property values in Highgate, a leafy suburb in north London fell by 8%, while those in Muswell Hill, also in the north, fell by 3%. As prices go up across London, younger families and rich professionals are pushed farther east...
But the continuing success of the Overground will not come smoothly. TfL predicts that several parts of the line will be crammed with commuters by 2016... Squeezed buses and Tubes in the East End have not seen the decline of 6m passengers originally predicted. New passengers have simply taken the place of those who have swapped to the Overground.
For the full article, click here.
The half-term children's theatre pub crawl
Helen writes:
Waggly Tales Theatre Company is performing our original show, The Magic Tea Kettle, at family-friendly pubs in southeast London this autumn half term (Thursday 31 October – Saturday 2 November) and as part of the Lewisham Fringe Festival on Sunday 3rd November. The show, which had a sell-out run in June this year, is for kids aged two to seven - and babies come free.
The Magic Tea Kettle, inspired by a Japanese folktale, is packed with music, mayhem, magic and oodles of laughs. When cheeky Prince Arnold is turned gloomy and dull by a Moody Fairy, his best friend Sophie the Witch has to break the spell. Luckily for hr, help is at hand from a rather smelly but very magical Badger Tea Kettle. Waggly Tales also offers post-show workshops with the cast and director.
The Magic Tea Kettle show dates:
Thursday 31 October: The Ivy House, Nunhead, 11.30am and 2pm
Friday 1 November: The Herne Tavern, East Dulwich, 11.30am and 2pm
Saturday 2 November: The Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead, 11.30am and 2pm
Sunday 3 November: The London Theatre, New Cross, 11am
Tickets: £5-10 Book online via www.wagglytales.co.uk
Waggly Tales Theatre Company is performing our original show, The Magic Tea Kettle, at family-friendly pubs in southeast London this autumn half term (Thursday 31 October – Saturday 2 November) and as part of the Lewisham Fringe Festival on Sunday 3rd November. The show, which had a sell-out run in June this year, is for kids aged two to seven - and babies come free.
The Magic Tea Kettle, inspired by a Japanese folktale, is packed with music, mayhem, magic and oodles of laughs. When cheeky Prince Arnold is turned gloomy and dull by a Moody Fairy, his best friend Sophie the Witch has to break the spell. Luckily for hr, help is at hand from a rather smelly but very magical Badger Tea Kettle. Waggly Tales also offers post-show workshops with the cast and director.
The Magic Tea Kettle show dates:
Thursday 31 October: The Ivy House, Nunhead, 11.30am and 2pm
Friday 1 November: The Herne Tavern, East Dulwich, 11.30am and 2pm
Saturday 2 November: The Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead, 11.30am and 2pm
Sunday 3 November: The London Theatre, New Cross, 11am
Tickets: £5-10 Book online via www.wagglytales.co.uk
Gospel to Garage - Black History Month
The Black Panther Newspaper 3-28 October 2013 - This small exhibition contains rare and original Black Panther Newspapers from 1969-71. Supervised readings are available upon request but you will need to wear gloves!
Gospel to Garage 3-28 October 2013 - A new artwork by N. Kidd and Rosanna Mary Thompson, specially commissioned by NXL. This huge work takes a retrospective look at the importance and influence of black music in the Western world in the 20th century – as well as our entire exhibition space!
LOOM large at the Amersham, October 12th
Where were you on 10:30pm on Friday 1st February 2013??? I’ll tell you where I was, in a packed room of gig goers watching the most exciting live band I've seen in a long time with one of the most charismatic and energetic front men in recent memory tear apart the Amersham Arms with a brilliant and frantic set that left everyone watching in awe of their raw power and thirsty for more.
Since that unforgettable night LOOM have gone from strength to strength, blowing away audiences all over the country and even playing Hyde Park with the Rolling Stones. And now they are coming back south of the river, to the depths of South East London, to the Amersham Arms. If you were there the first time you know what they can do, if you weren’t there now is the chance to catch them in this awesome venue.
Full details here and tickets here.
Fork, Cork and Talk
The London Theatre Autumn Season
The London Theatre team writes:
Tomorrow - FREE EVENT! come at meet your local neighbours from New Cross, Deptford, Brockley and Lewisham as the local MEET up group has their monthlt social at our venue. All welcome.
This Sunday - FREE COMEDY NIGHT! this isn't a standard comedy club, instead you will see a mix of stand up, musical comedy acts and sketch groups. Starts 8pm
Next Week and beyond...
- GASLIGHT by Patrick Hamilton
- SMOKING WITH LULU MACBETH JULIUS CEASAR SALO
Also 26th Oct to 10th NOV THE LEWISHAM FRINGE FESTIVAL over 30 plays, solo shows, children shows, music and dance each lasting no more then a hour!
BEER LOVERS! We have just taken a shipment of Meantime Draft Yakima Red which we are serving double chilled! www.thelondontheatre.com
Brockley booze crew
Following swiftly after Patchwork Present is another local digital startup business, EeBria.com. Technically, it's based in the further-flung parts of New Cross, but its founder is local and it's about booze, so... David explains:
EeBria.com is a new way to buy alcohol online – buying direct from the best small independent producers in the country, from craft breweries to artisan distilleries and English wines. When you order you are buying direct from the producer, and they ship direct to you, with a personal touch.
We currently only sell bottles (hence the absence of the Brockley Brewery!) but have got some fantastic producers including Kernel Brewery and Brew By Numbers in Bermondsey and the hottest new brewery at the moment Siren Craft Brew. Spirits include Sacred Spirits, the City of London Distillery and Strathleven Distillers.
The list will continue to grow, with five more expected in the next week. We also hope to be recruiting in October and would love a local resident with a love of craft drinks to join us – I’ll get in touch again at that time.
EeBria.com is a new way to buy alcohol online – buying direct from the best small independent producers in the country, from craft breweries to artisan distilleries and English wines. When you order you are buying direct from the producer, and they ship direct to you, with a personal touch.
We currently only sell bottles (hence the absence of the Brockley Brewery!) but have got some fantastic producers including Kernel Brewery and Brew By Numbers in Bermondsey and the hottest new brewery at the moment Siren Craft Brew. Spirits include Sacred Spirits, the City of London Distillery and Strathleven Distillers.
The list will continue to grow, with five more expected in the next week. We also hope to be recruiting in October and would love a local resident with a love of craft drinks to join us – I’ll get in touch again at that time.
Happy Mondays returns
Happy Mondays comedy nights return to the Amersham Arms in New Cross with a sell-out Stewart Lee gig next week. Tickets are stupidly good value and the pub is a great comedy venue. Organiser Jon says:
We have lots of good comedians coming up. Headliners include:
9th September - Stewart Lee (SOLD OUT)
23rd September - Rob Beckett
7th October - Robin Ince
21st October - Susan Calman
11th November - Arthur Smith
25th November - Pappys
9th December - Lucy Porter and Marcel Lucont
All gigs are MC'd by Brockley resident Holly Walsh! Tickets are still just £5. Full listings at www.happymondayscomedy.co.uk
We have lots of good comedians coming up. Headliners include:
9th September - Stewart Lee (SOLD OUT)
23rd September - Rob Beckett
7th October - Robin Ince
21st October - Susan Calman
11th November - Arthur Smith
25th November - Pappys
9th December - Lucy Porter and Marcel Lucont
All gigs are MC'd by Brockley resident Holly Walsh! Tickets are still just £5. Full listings at www.happymondayscomedy.co.uk
She Makes War at the Amersham Arms
Wednesday 14th Aug @ Amersham Arms £4 on the door.
Event details here.
Tickets available from WeGotTickets.com
Tom writes:
Bright Lights is back for August, its gonna be a good'un with some seriously talented artists. First up, She Makes War.
SMW is the DIY solo project of Bristol based multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and digital polymath Laura Kidd, whose second album “Little Battles” was released in April 2012.
With support from...
Shama Rahman Band, Worry Dolls, Joe Innes and the Cavalcade and Steve Walker.
Event details here.
Tickets available from WeGotTickets.com
Tom writes:
Bright Lights is back for August, its gonna be a good'un with some seriously talented artists. First up, She Makes War.
SMW is the DIY solo project of Bristol based multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and digital polymath Laura Kidd, whose second album “Little Battles” was released in April 2012.
With support from...
Shama Rahman Band, Worry Dolls, Joe Innes and the Cavalcade and Steve Walker.
The Bechdel Test Film Club
Lora: You're aiming high.
Steve: Why not? It doesn't cost anymore. Don't you believe in chasing rainbows?
- Imitation of Life
The Bechdel Test Film Club's founder Lucy Smee writes:
I started a monthly film club recently (first one was in June) and it's going to be every month on the last Wednesday of the month, the next one being 31 July at 7.30pm. It's free entry and upstairs in the Gallery at The Amersham Arms. I'd be very grateful if you could bring it to the attention of your readers.
The name of the club is The Bechdel Test Film Club. We screen films that pass the test:
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man
Here's the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BechdelTestFilmClub
People can like it to keep up to date with future events and suggestions for films and so on.
And here's the Facebook event page for July's event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/150136791845504/
We're showing Imitation of Life next, so if anyone's planning to come, bring some tissues.
Films that also pass that test include: Aliens, Step Up Revolution and Sharknado. Exciting times lie ahead.
Steve: Why not? It doesn't cost anymore. Don't you believe in chasing rainbows?
- Imitation of Life
The Bechdel Test Film Club's founder Lucy Smee writes:
I started a monthly film club recently (first one was in June) and it's going to be every month on the last Wednesday of the month, the next one being 31 July at 7.30pm. It's free entry and upstairs in the Gallery at The Amersham Arms. I'd be very grateful if you could bring it to the attention of your readers.
The name of the club is The Bechdel Test Film Club. We screen films that pass the test:
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man
Here's the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BechdelTestFilmClub
People can like it to keep up to date with future events and suggestions for films and so on.
And here's the Facebook event page for July's event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/150136791845504/
We're showing Imitation of Life next, so if anyone's planning to come, bring some tissues.
Films that also pass that test include: Aliens, Step Up Revolution and Sharknado. Exciting times lie ahead.
No 178 New Cross Road
No 178 New Cross Road is a new cafe for New Cross Gate, which opened earlier this month. The cafe is operated as a social enterprise and serves an eclectic mix of food, from kedgeree and salads to granola, bacon sandwiches and pancakes. Unexceptional from the outside, it's been fitted-out beautifully inside.
Please let us know what you think.
New Cross Library summer season for kids
Our summer reading challenge for kids is themed ‘Creepy House' and starts from 30th July. Get creative with arts and crafts (mainly Thursdays 2-4pm), magical mystery walks and picnics every Friday (11am-2pm; just turn up).and storytelling sessions (mainly Wednesdays 2.30-3.30pm).
For Alice in Wonderland lovers, the final storytelling event will be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Wednesday 28th August.
We are continuing the usual programme throughout July and August – including our free and very well attended Baby Bounce sessions, street dance, zumba, knitting and poetry workshops.
You can read the full summer calendar here.
For Alice in Wonderland lovers, the final storytelling event will be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Wednesday 28th August.
We are continuing the usual programme throughout July and August – including our free and very well attended Baby Bounce sessions, street dance, zumba, knitting and poetry workshops.
You can read the full summer calendar here.
Bright Lights at the Amersham
Tom writes:
Bright Lights is back, summer is here (kind of) and we've got another awesome night of music lined up for you lucky cat boys and cat girls! The perfect way to cure your Glasto blues...
Ned Roberts
www.facebook.com/NedRobertsmusic.com
Bairbre Anne
http://www.facebook.com/BairbreAnne
www.bairbreanne.com
Tom Jacobson
http://www.facebook.com/tomjacobsonmusic/
Nancy Goose
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Goose
Amalia
http://www.facebook.com/amaliamusik
It's just £4 on the door (£3 with NUS), there's a totally amazing line-up of artists playing an awesome intimate setting. Tickets here.
Bright Lights is back, summer is here (kind of) and we've got another awesome night of music lined up for you lucky cat boys and cat girls! The perfect way to cure your Glasto blues...
Ned Roberts
www.facebook.com/NedRobertsmusic.com
Bairbre Anne
http://www.facebook.com/BairbreAnne
www.bairbreanne.com
Tom Jacobson
http://www.facebook.com/tomjacobsonmusic/
Nancy Goose
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Goose
Amalia
http://www.facebook.com/amaliamusik
It's just £4 on the door (£3 with NUS), there's a totally amazing line-up of artists playing an awesome intimate setting. Tickets here.
New Cross Barclays to close
Reader James writes:
We've just had a letter from Barclays saying the New Cross Gate branch is closing on September 27 this year. Letter has no explanation as to why, just states that the nearest branch from now on will be Deptford.
Here's hoping that: 1) They keep the cash machine as it's the only free one in the area (next closest is a hike up to Sainsbury's) 2) It doesn't turn into a bookies...
Local bank branches help attract footfall to an area, as well as serving a useful function, so this is a bit of a blow for New Cross. Hopefully, something interesting will replace it.
We've just had a letter from Barclays saying the New Cross Gate branch is closing on September 27 this year. Letter has no explanation as to why, just states that the nearest branch from now on will be Deptford.
Here's hoping that: 1) They keep the cash machine as it's the only free one in the area (next closest is a hike up to Sainsbury's) 2) It doesn't turn into a bookies...
Local bank branches help attract footfall to an area, as well as serving a useful function, so this is a bit of a blow for New Cross. Hopefully, something interesting will replace it.
Hobgoblin for sale
Favourite of students and Shia LaBeouf, the Hobgoblin pub in New Cross is up for sale. Costar reports:
Eleven further sites from the Pubs ‘n’ Bars estate are being brought to market by specialist property adviser Christie + Co on behalf of administrator Grant Thornton.
Simon Chaplin, director of Christie + Co, said: “As with the first tranche of Pubs ‘n’ Bars sites we took to market earlier this year, these pubs are in excellent locations and feature some high profile sites in London, where undoubted trading potential.
The Hobgoblin is on the list, with the leasehold available for a bargain £175,000. With thanks to James.
Eleven further sites from the Pubs ‘n’ Bars estate are being brought to market by specialist property adviser Christie + Co on behalf of administrator Grant Thornton.
Simon Chaplin, director of Christie + Co, said: “As with the first tranche of Pubs ‘n’ Bars sites we took to market earlier this year, these pubs are in excellent locations and feature some high profile sites in London, where undoubted trading potential.
The Hobgoblin is on the list, with the leasehold available for a bargain £175,000. With thanks to James.
