Buena Vista Social Club - a birthday present!

Today was a beautiful day as we walked down to the station to catch the train into London. We actually had to hurry up the slope to make sure we were on the train, then ten minutes after we started off it ground to a halt - we waited. Eventually the guard and then the driver apologised for the delay - a red signal and then the news that the points were stuck. Nothing for it but to back up to the previous set of points, wait for the line to clear before we could get on our way. Half an hour delay, but then we were off again and arrived in Waterloo half an hour late. Nothing for it but to get the tube, when we were going to bus it up to Gloucester Rd and our hotel for free.We had booked to see The Cult of Beauty at the V&A at 3pm, and we just made it in time. It's a lovely exhibition all about the Aesthetic Movement, 1860-1900 that 'sought to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Victorian era by creating a new kind of art and beauty.' There were indeed some beautiful artefacts on display from pottery to silverware, fabrics and wallpapers to furniture, fashion, photography and interior design. Paintings by the likes of Rosetti, Burn-Jones and Whistler; designs by Morris and Dresser; architecture and interior design by Godwin, Aitchison and Webb were on display - even a projection of the 'famous Peacock Room'. We had a lovely time.

By the time we had finished, returned our audio guides and bought some postcards, we needed to find somewhere to eat before our evening's entertainment. We headed off to Carluccio's and seemed to be followed in by the world and his wife as soon all the tables were full and the place was buzzing. We had a delicious meal with a glass of wine and coffee to follow, and then strolled up Queen's Gate towards the Royal Albert Hall and the concert about to be given by the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club featuring Omara Portuondo. It was a sell out and so the Hall was packed. We had a superb view of the stage, and the lights went down and the first band, Papayera came bursting on, the music started.

 




Papayera is a combo made up of expat Colombians living in London and they play traditional instruments from the Caribbean coast of Colombia including tambora, alegre, llamador and a gaita. The first three are types of drum and the gaita is an indigenous flute, commonly used by the Kogi, Zenu and Kuna Indians located on the Atlantic coast of Colombia. Apparently a gaita is made from a corazon de cardon, which is a plant that is hollow when dry, beeswax and duck feathers. It sounds like a penny whistle but with a bit more tone - it is much longer, maybe a couple of feet long.

The lead singer, Angelica Lopez, was full of enthusiasm and captivated the audience, encouraging all to clap along with the beat, dancing and dazzling us with her vigour. How quickly their hour passed and it was interval time before we knew it.

 Then came the 'main event' and there was a huge roar as Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club came on stage - maybe with not such speed as the first act, but as the music started and the fans quietened down, we were treated to some fantastic sounds and rythms of Afro-Cuban jazz.

 There were several members of the original BVSC band playing and when Omara Portuondo came on to sing, the place went wild. She was a picture in pink and soon the whole of the audience was on its feet clapping and dancing along to the beat. There were encores and cheering, but finally the band left and the audience made their way home.
What a wonderful birthday present!


Buena Vista Social Club
OBVSC
Papayera
Cult of Beauty at the V&A