Looking for music in London tonight?

Then may I recommend the Dorten Yonder CD launch, 8.00 o' clock, upstairs at the Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street, London NW1 2HR?

Dorten Yonder are: Richard Cryan, Maggie and Pete Eiseman-Renyard, Janette Lawrence and Neil Rogers. Plus sets from special guests Keith Beechey (harp) and Hannah Chutzpah (performance poet) - but the reason to go is that the band came together to record a set of songs by Maggie Eiseman-Renyard, and the songs really are something special.

I wish I could be there - I did quite seriously consider making the trip to London, but it really isn't a good time (we're not at the Lakes Comics Festival for the same reason). I shall, however, be listening to Resonance FM at two o' clock this afternoon, when Neil, Jan and Pete will be talking about the CD and playing some tracks (there's a repeat at 8.00 am on Monday morning).

Declaration of interest: my brother is in the band. That's how come I've heard them in rehearsal, and am so excited that the CD is finally launching.

A small birthday celebration

Today is Alan Garner's 80th birthday.

I was beginning to think I had invented this fact, because everyone is keeping so quiet about it, but his unofficial website confirms his date of birth. Perhaps it's a surprise party?

Anyway, here's my contribution: a nice little story I found while I was poking around the web. "Forty years ago I 'won' Alan Garner in a Puffin Club competition..."

Happy birthday, Mr Garner!