As medics with a variety of interests and a background of A*s at GCSE in subjects we are obsessed with (but have nothing to do with our vocation), HG and I battle to fill our free time attending events with “arty”, “creative”, “alternative” types who find the idea of medicine commendable but with that head tilt “well done you….no thank you very much for me” by-line. Consequently, if we see a fellow doctor in the room it is considered a social catastrophe…”Er, excuse me, but the Royal Society of Medicine is over there, in W1..”
Backhanded, self-deprecating rant done with, it’s time to turn our attention to an “All Eyes On Her” diary date. For 18 months there’s been a big gaping, wordy hole in our lives that we have been trying to fill with THIS event. We refused to let NHS duties dictate any longer, instead battling weather constrictions and travel disruptions to discover the perfect mid week antidote …..and it was well worth the wait! For, on the first Wednesday of every month, Shoreditch House hosts a Literary Salon- advertised by it’s host or salionnere Damian Barr, the author and playwright (future All Eyes On Him award winner?), via Facebook. Now, if any of our readers are put off by the concept of attending a “salon”, particularly one held at a private members club that is notoriously hard to gain membership to, don’t be. Non-members are welcome and we found that being packed into a room like sardines was surprisingly enjoyable thanks to the friendliness of the crowd. We’d probably even admit to slight envy of those who sat at the front of the pack, cross-legged on the floor; highly reminiscent of our favourite part of the day at junior school, story time!
On the night we were there, our ears and minds treasured the sounds of Polly Samson, Jonny Woo and John Waters; but each month Damian invites a variety of promising, as well as more established, authors.
Any readers who want to be a part of London’s literati must attend this event. It is a wonderful collusion of an affair that has Continental origins from the 17th Century, held at one of London’s most popular member’s clubs, advertised by the most powerful 21st Century social media. In the 17th & 18th Centuries the salon was an important place for the exchange of ideas- and blogs are a bit of a modern day equivalent. So, if you were to attend, what would you like to discuss or what books would you like to explore?
To get an invite next time join Damian’s Facebook group. The first salon of 2011 is already in our diaries (Wednesday 2nd February).
John Waters, Damian Barr, Polly Samson and Jonny Woo getting cosy.
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