As E17ers know, there’s always something happening around Walthamstow, and last night was a particularly busy evening. There were a range of events happening around the area, and in true dedication to the cause, we tried to get to all of them!
The Speak Easy was particularly popular
First stop was the Love Easy at the William Morris Gallery. The night was run by Craft Guerrilla, and there was a range of crafts and vintage items to check out. There was also a Speak Easy for some liquid refreshment, a tombola (had two goes, didn’t win – nightmare) and the Shellac Sisters were spinning vintage 78’s on wind-up gramophones. It was good fun and it’s great to see the Gallery busy and being used like this.
From there we were looking for somewhere to eat around Blackhorse Road. We ended up in Yasar’s, a kebab restaurant and take-away opposite The Standard. We’ve never been before, but it was lovely! Good atmosphere, nice pictures of old Walthamstow on the walls, and tasty food. I tweeted that I was there, and it turns out that it’s a bit of a favourite of E17ers! The lamb shish kebab was delicious, Mrs Stow Scene had a nice falafel kebab, and tweeters tell me that the kofte is also tasty.
Nightfires rocking The Standard
Next up was Nightfires playing at The Standard. Nightfires are a Chingford band and have been going for about a year. The gig was rocking and their material worked well live. Their sound reminds me of some of The Automatic’s heavier moments, particularly on ‘The Wreck’ and new song ‘The Christchurch Brainwash’. With gigs coming up in Islington and Camden over the next few months, Nightfires are a band to watch.
We left before the Cream tribute band to get a cab down to the Hornbeam cafe near Bakers Arms, for their Valentine music night. Acoustic folk rockers The Scumbags were half way through their first set, so we settled down with a couple of bottles of Pitfield’s Eco Warrior to enjoy. I have to say, the whole event at Hornbeam was brilliant. They had food, a DJ and the atmosphere was fantastic.
The Scumbags at Hornbeam
The Scumbags were also superb. Their second set was a bit more pacy and covers of ‘Kinky Afro’ by the Happy Mondays and ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis went down a storm. Hornbeam was open into the early hours and, after making a reservation for a vegan Sunday lunch, we called it a night.
All three events were really good fun and I love being able to have a night out like this in E17. Looking forward to the next one already!
Vintage Cabaraoke are bringing a touch of glamour to Walthamstow on Friday 4 March (although we’re obviously pretty glam already) with their Spring Fling evening. The event promises vintage 78s, live music and vintage karaoke. And, seriously, what is better than karaoke? Nothing, that’s what.
Walthamstow Scene 