Following an unfortunate set of circumstances involving a train, an unhelpful ticket machine, an absent parent and a financial miscalculation I had my son for company for my return to the studio last Monday. He used to come every week a few years ago when my week started with the routine of doing food shopping for my mum while he “entertained” his nanny, then joined me for a meal a local restaurant and then sat in on my show, amusing himself quietly in studio two whilst I worked my Old Git magic on air ! Sometimes he would bring a whole crew of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and some Spiderman characters to play with on the floor, but he didn’t find it funny when I said I’d brought them along this time for old times sake in case he got bored – he is nearly 15 years old now !!!
As always, it was great to get back on air after a break and I don’t think the show turned out too shabby, even though the day’s earlier events robbed me of a little time to get fully prepared. Judge for yourself by tuning in at 5pm today or catching up via the “Listen Again” facility – select the latest ‘Cool Soul’ file …
“Brentwood Over 30s Night”
Holiday Inn, Brentwood, CM14 5NF
Room 1 : DJ Phil Indulgence “90s Club Classic, R n B & Chart”
Room 2 : DJ Matt Jackson “Jazz Funk & Soulful Anthems”
Special Guest DJ : Greg Edwards
9pm – 2am ; Tickets £15 in advance
http://www.indulgence-events.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/248680415706596/
Harry’s Bar, High Street, Billericay, CM12 9BQ
“Soul, Jazz-Funk, Weekender Anthems, Dancefloor Classics”
https://www.facebook.com/events/1471081739663660/
(Every 2nd Saturday of the month)
The Divers Arms, Central Parade, Herne Bay, CT6 5JQ
DJs: Tom Edgar, Pete Hayes & Tommy Boy
https://www.facebook.com/events/400852250394907/
(Every 2nd Saturday of the month)
The Spread Eagle, Queens Road, Brentwood, CM14 4HD
“Funk Soul & Disco Night”
8pm – Midnight ; Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/BrentwoodSpreadEagle/?fref=ts
Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, RM16 3HS
DJs: Brian The Rev Kelly, Jon Ovel, Mark Lee, Selwyn
Special Guest: Stretch Taylor
“Soul Pavillion & Jazz Funk Basement”
Tickets £15 – (01375)891402
7.30pm – 1.00am ; Over 30s only
https://www.facebook.com/events/6391511124501633/
(Every 3rd Friday of the month)
The Bread & Cheese, London Road,Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1AA
“100% Soul, Funk, Disco & Old Skool Club Anthems”
8.00pm – 1 am ; Free Entry ; Over 25s
http://www.soulfulseduction.co.uk/
(Every 3rd Friday of the month)
The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TW
“Rare 60s & 70s Soul Night”
DJs: John Browne, Tracy Shaw & guests
7.00pm – 1.00 am ; £5 on the door ; Tel (01892) 544700
https://www.facebook.com/events/567113217020515/
(Every 3rd Saturday of the month)
The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0JT
“The Very Best In Jazz Funk & Soul”
7.30pm – Midnight – Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/soulatthecricks/
https://www.facebook.com/events/629557000770044/?active_tab=about
Old Regent Ballroom (Upstairs), Corringham Road,
Stanford Le Hope, Essex, SS17 0AQ
Guest DJs: Mark Gurcha Collins, Brian Maguire,Unkle Funk
7.30pm – 1am ; Tickets £7
https://www.facebook.com/events/1812444949057553/
The Edge, High Pavement, Basildon, SS14 1EA
“Old Skool Disco & 80s Club Classics”
DJs: Wayne D & Gary Walden
8pm – 1am ; Tickets £5 in advance, £8 OTD
https://www.facebook.com/events/1897672213640752/
(Last Sunday of the month)
Frankies Wine Bar, Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM2 6JL
DJ: Paul Kidley & guests Elliot M & Max Fernandez
5.30pm – 1.00 am ; Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/events/1608409869275297/
(Every 1st Friday Of the Month)
“The Big Zero Soul Night Out”
The Spread Eagle, High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7EJ
DJs: Merve The Swerve & Brian Kelly plus guest
“Old Skool Soul & Club Anthems, R’n’B & more…”
8.30pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/groups/116110315208484/?hc_ref=ARRb586cE4MEIv8bO0bT-q6pvlZuU_ZY9byeQ5iLMb2wMKCKmpxH_JgZnEoT_HsCpDI
“Jackie Wilson Says” – LIVE !
Support from “Higher Ground”
Cliffs Pavillion, Maritime Room, Westcliff-on-Sea.
8pm – Midnight ; Tickets £10 – Tel: (01702) 351135
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/events/1193619457407042/
The Edge, High Pavement, Basldon, SS14 1EA
“The Very Best In Soul, Jazz-Funk & Soulful House”
DJs: Brian “The Rev” Kelly & Wayne “Funky” D plus guest Ian Holmes
8pm – 1am ; Tickets £7 in advance or £10 on the door
https://www.facebook.com/events/1978835842366047/
The Havering Well, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0QA
DJs: Tony Treble & Gary Walden
“Summer Soul Classics, Anthems & Soulful House”
7.30pm – 12.30am ; Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/events/160493341331825/
“The Essex Soul Collective”
Ambleside Social Club, Ambleside Drive, Southend on Sea, SS1 2UP
“Northern Soul, Motown, RnB”
DJs: Mandy O’Connor, Kev Mahoney, Neil Walker & Guest
7.30pm – 12.30am ; Tickets £5 on the door
Lobster Smack, Haven Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0NR
“Jazz, Funk, Soul, Boogie, Latin & Afro & Soulful House”
DJs: Jonny Layton, Mark Messent, Brian “Rev” Kelly
8pm – 1am ; Wristbands £7 in advance only –
Call / Text (07989)591399
Langdon Hills Golf & Country Club,
Lower Dunton Road, Bulphan, RM14 3TY
DJs: Ian Holmes, Jonny Layton & Bigger
8pm – 1am ; Advance Tickets £10
Available from Crazy Beat Records, Upminster
Call (07914) 115439 or (01268) 548444
https://www.facebook.com/events/248680415706596/
BARRU, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea
25th 26th & 27th May 2018
“Bless The Funk Weekender 2018”
The Kursaal, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
JFSR DJs … plus a bowling competition !
Full details via : www.blessthefunk.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/events/2023415814600652/
29th & 30th June / 1st July 2018
“Hayling Island Summer Soul Weekender”
£195 pp inc 3 nights accomodation & breakfast / evening meals
Bookings on (02392)460044
https://www.facebook.com/events/1890528194546287/
3rd 4th & 5th August 2018
Tickets now on general sale – £69 !
Live sets by : Atlantic Starr, Fatback Band, Deniece Williams & Britfunk Association
Full details on the website :
https://margatesoulfestival.co.uk/
Friday 4th May – Mon 7th May
Friday 28th September – Sunday 30th September
“Glitter Fridays” (Starts 20th April 2018)
The George II, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW
Room 1: “Soul,Disco, Funk & Boogie”
Room 2: “House Grooves & Old Skool”
https://www.facebook.com/thegeorgeIIhornchurch/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGeorgehornchurch/
Bar Zero, Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DZ
DJs on rotation : Deano, Geoff Lawrence, Mikey Porter, MJ
Free Entry ; 8.30pm – 1am ;
Over 25’s – Smart Casual Dress
(also “Anthems Night” on Saturdays – DJ: Dave Rothwell
First Friday: Zero Soul Night Out – Spread Eagle, Rayleigh
Third Friday: Soulful Seduction, Bread & Cheese, Benfleet
Third Friday: Soul Kitchen, Grey Lady, Tunbridge Wells
Second Saturday: Brown Sugar, Spread Eagle, Brentwood
Second Saturday: Soul By The Sea, Divers Arms, Herne Bay
Third Saturday: The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
Fourth Friday: Getting Funky At The Inn, Inn On The Green, Billericay
Last Sunday: Overroast Of Joy, Frankies, Hornchurch
Do you know of any soulful, jazzy, funky gigs taking place in 2018 ? Let me know the details whether you are a DJ , promoter or a punter and I can spread the word to fellow “Old Gits” in this space !
The Old Gits Soul Show is on Gateway 97.8 in Basildon & East Thurrock and also around the world via www.gateway978.com from 7pm–9pm every Monday, also repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website … search “Cool Soul” !