In April 2014 fellow Christ Church member Dilys Garrod launched a series of concerts in the Highbury pub: the full story is here. As well as enjoying the wonderful diversity of music I've used these events as a test for my camera. The venue is excellent in most ways except for the low level of lighting, so it's been a challenge to get usable photos. Here are some of them...
April: Cymbiotic percussion duo
Where else could you hear a perfectly-timed marimba duet?
James playing the marimba: note the double sticks in each hand
James and Ross in a drum duet
Ross playing the marimba: he was improvising in response to instructions mimed by a member of the audience
May: Tom Lindsay Jazz Quartet
The Tom Lindsay jazz quartet, led by Tom on keyboard
Tom (right) watches as the group improvise with a member of the audience
Saxophone
Bass and saxophone: it was too dark to get a photo of the drummer
July: Flamenco
No tourist stereotypes here: Ana Garcia and friends gave us an authentic performance of flamenco from different regions of Spain
Music and dancing were full of energy
Music and dancing were full of energy
A blur of colour as Ana dances
Closeup of a red flamenco dress
September: Silent Movies with live piano
The artistry of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin was brought to us by Touring Local Cinema with dramatic piano accompaniment by Tom Adamson
Pianist Tom Adamson talks to an audience member during the break
The films came with free popcorn
Promoter Dilys with projectionist and popcorn maker Ben Benson
October: Celtic Funk
Rowena Knight with her family of instruments which include guitar, mandola, flute and voice. She uses an electronic loop machine to combine these instruments in an endless variety of combinations
Rowena was in near-darkness throughout which made it impossible to get a non-blurred photo unless she stood still!
Rowena with drummer Rob Peters: many of the pieces were accompanied by photo slideshows of scenes from Cornwall and Scotland, which inspire much of her music
The speed of the head deceives the camera!
Drummer Rob Peters and his shadow
November: Zamira Duo
Mary Reid playing the harp
The audience included many younger members who are learning to play one of these instruments