RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL 2008. Part Two.

As some will know already, the 'Rhythms' team has been getting a bit of bad press regarding moving from the town centre to a green field site at the rear of The Priory. So why the bad press ?
As I understand it, it is because (a) people are going to have to pay a small fee to get in, and (b) There will be no re-admission once you are in.

I'm not going to go into the why's and wherefore's here, 'cos I've done it on the myspace site and it's also up on Pete Perry's Switchboard/widgeripoo site so you can read it at either one. Suffice it to say that those wanting something for nothing are at liberty to jerk off whenever they like !

It is a question of 'responsibility' and Rhythms is taking responsibility for its patron's wellbeing whilst they are on the site, so if you want a read then please click on http://www.myspace.com/chrisrippleparnassus
Thank you.

This has been a public service announcement (I think).

The Royal British Legion Gig.

Hey ho, we got through it all despite one of the audience needing an ambulance called in the middle of Smokin' Dick Burns' set, which caused both Grant Meaby and I to cut our sets right down to the bare minimum...

So we got to the C.I.U. club in Stevenage High Street knowing we were going to be one short as our Joy T.Chance had a serious case of laryngitis and couldn't speak above a whisper. The R.B.L. had their meeting, I said hello to my friend Dave who used to come to our singer/songwriter gigs in the nineties, we set up the P.A. in about 10 minutes and Grant introduced the evening...

Eve Killip went first and I think really should have gone second as Eve is one of our quieter poets anyway, but she held her end up as always and got herself some applause. She was followed by Graeme Lloyd who proceeded to make the audience laugh... Always a good sign.

Brian Robert Neal decided to give the complete 'Budgie' trilogy, and good as they are, most people in the room wished he'd wrung their sodding necks a little earlier. It is quite difficult to keep an audience at the best of times and as soon as their attention starts to go is the time to knock it on the head but unfortunately Brian just plowed on... Too long.
Then, just as Smokin' Dick Burns was about to start his set, Michael had his epileptic seizure...
One of the problems with epilepsy is that sometimes people bite their own tongues in the middle of the attack and poor old Michael was no exception so with the poor guy's claret everywhere, an ambulance was called for safety's sake and he was addmitted to hospital for observation.
Smokin' Dick, now sadly not really smokin' finished a bit earlier and Grant followed him to the mic' followed by myself...

Rushed... That's the word, and unfortunately it felt like that at the end of the event. Oh well, I won a box of choc's in the raffle.
Dave said he enjoyed it and would pass on my best wishes to Barbara, his other half, who had decided not to go out that night. I passed on a few websites she might like to have a look at and that was it... Bloody shame I never had the chance to do anything from 'Metman', even tho' he'd given me permission to do so, but five minutes instead of fifteen ??????
No chance.
Never mind... We live and learn for next time and send our get well soon messages to
Michael H.

Now it's back to Rhythms Of The World and trying to fill my stage with talent...

Mark Astronaut and friends, Al Damidge, Chris Bowsher & Martz & Spandex Ballet at Club 85

Sometimes you just get that feeling when something you've set up is off and running under its own momentum and it just breaks all expectations of everything even you thought of...
You ever had one of those feelings ?
I got one last night at the Ripple Rocks On Strangely gig at Club 85.

Mark and the Otters had done their final (maybe) gig with Joe the Bass in Brighton the previous night and were all as knackered as a band can be who didn't get to bed before 4.30am so he started off with just Dom' on guitar and later by new bass player, Lucio. He's different to Joe, no doubt about that but he's gonna fit right into the mix without any bother at all. Great start.

Al Damidge hit the stage with poems and songs and I have to admit, poetry wise he was excellent. A bit nervous, but then who wouldn't be if they'd scarcely gigged for ten years ? He ended with a few songs and I loved it. Loved all of it. Nice one Al, I'll get back to you for another one, one of these days.

Then Chris Bowsher and Martz his keyboard player (both of whom play in Military Surplus/R.D.F.) hit the stage for one of those spots that transcend any thought you had of what they are about. Blinding set.
I work in a band (Bass Relief) which uses poets and musicians, and Chris and Martz do the same. If you see a gig advertised where one of the bands is named The Faction, check it out 'cos it might be Chris and Martz and they are definitely something to hear. Same as I've said about Al, I'll be back for you guys again.

Spandex Ballet headlined and I have to say I really don't know what it is about Chris and Leon ? Everytime I see them they are good to great, but everytime they work for me they are even better. They just seem to get all the verbals together for my gigs like they're saving them up for it. A pair of great local lads (or is it larrikins) supremely talented, well, they must be 'cos they're both in about four or five bands, and funny as fuck...

If you didn't manage to get there, then you missed a great gig in which every artist exceeded every expectation I had of the event.
Sheer class, every one.

I managed to get a couple of shots of Spandex and Chris & Martz but missed out on Mark and Al but I know Chris Bowsher took some so I'll see if I can blag a couple...
Watch this space.

And this coming Thursday April 3rd we have...

Yes, it's all go at the Cozmic house at the moment.
For those who have asked after the poor puss (Cozmic the cat) no, he has not had to have his eye operated on and removed as yet 'cos he seems to be reacting well to the medicine but it's early days and we have to be hopeful.

Here's the next parnassus event.
We've never yet done one for The British Legion, sorry, Royal British Legion so it'll be going down as a first, but I'll let you know how we get on after the event.
Right now I'm off to helm the Ripple Rocks on gig 'cos that's tonight at Club 85.
See ya...

Ripple rocks on... strangely again.

Yes, it's that time of year again so here's a flyer to look at while you decide...
It all takes place on the 30th March at Club 85 in Hitchin. I'll see some of ye'z there.

RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL 2008.

So...
We're up and running and I'm booking the Arcadeclectic Stage again which I have to admit is more fun than most things in this life. Ok, it can be quite daunting trying to start with a blank canvas when you are responsible for the smallest stage of the lot and can only fit a fourpiece with drumkit on it or five piece without drums which limits us somewhat, but we are running from midday until 9pm both Saturday and Sunday so we can fit in some of the more eclectic and esoteric artists and bands who otherwise would probably not have got a look in, and get a few new poets too.

I've got all but one of my local band wishlist but you'll have to wait for their names as that info' will not be released until the programme is out so please don't stop me and ask, as a refusal to impart that knowledge can for some reason cause offence and you lot should know me by now... I don't mind causing it. So stay cool people... All will be revealed as soon as...
Besides... Once I've booked them the gobby little oiks go around telling everybody they're playing it anyway.

RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL 2008 IS ON...

Well ain't that good news ?

Yes, it's back... Hitchin's very own 'RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD' Festival is on...
So book a weekend in your diaries.

JULY 12th and 13th 2008 is the date and Hitchin (I mean come on... where else would it be ?) is the location... and what is more it's not even spitting distance from the town centre...
So... here we go again... The Arcadeclectic Stage is being booked from this moment on.