November sport

Goal! East End WI goes to the football

Three newbies, a family of football fans and an Arsenal member… 

In an addition to our usual monthly meet-ups, we've had a sporting trip to watch Arsenal women v Manchester United women.  

For those of us new to football matches, there were lots of surprises – the family atmosphere, the applause for good play, the pitch being sprayed at half time, that at women’s matches, fans are not segregated, and the sousaphone (pre-match brass band).

We chanted, we shouted, we laughed, we joined in with a Mexican wave… Manchester United won. But a good time was had by all.

Many thanks to Natasha for organising.

Our November talk

What is cabaret?

This month, Canadian actor, singer and voiceover artist Debbie Bridge gave us the fascinating and entertaining story of cabaret, from its origins to today.

Debbie took us through the difference between cabaret and music hall, its experimental performance, the mixture of art forms involved, how the small venues were often run by women and how different the styles of cabaret were in Europe and in the speakeasies of the States.

We heard how cabaret became an escape from hard times and a place where people could be themselves.

We saw how the art of posters tells us about how cabaret was presented and about the attitudes of the day.

Laughs were had with Debbie’s wry version of Memories and we heard her operatic voice, in Italian.

We learned how cabaret faded as TV and rock ‘n’ roll grew – then about how it was growing again until the challenges of lockdown.

Looking at modern London, Debbie gave us the inside story on where cabaret still thrives, and the value now of shows in small venues. 

In an evening with chat and questions throughout, we rounded the talk off with a lively Q&A.

A huge thanks to Debbie for an enjoyable talk – and particularly for stepping in with such style at the last minute.

Find out more about Debbie’s work, talks and workshops here.

Monthly Coffee Morning - Friday 25th November 10.30am, Queen Mary Café

81 Mile End Road. E1 4UJ. Part of Queen Mary, University of London, they also welcome all comers. Bus routes 25 and 205, nearest tube Stepney Green on the District line.

Our November walk

A Spitalfields wander – our November walk

Places of learning, places of worship, the comings and goings of communities, art, façadism, fabrics and reformers... our November walk took us through Spitalfields' layers of history and labyrinth of stories.

Our sociable café stop was at The Buxton.

Many thanks to Heather and Sally for researching this walk and arriving with maps and books at the ready.

Coming up in November

 

Cabaret, exploring Spitalfields and clever coffee... all coming up in November

Saturday November 12th – Monthly Walk – 11.00am 

Meet 11.00 outside the Bishopsgate entrance to Liverpool Street station and we will move onto to Spitalfields and its surrounds. Plenty of bus routes and various underground and overground options for travel. Combining routes from Walk East, Tower Hamlets Walk for Health and a lovely little book, On foot in the East End. The route gives a chance for coffee breaks.

Thursday November 17th – Monthly Meeting – St Margaret’s 7.00 for 7.30pm

With a last minute change to the programme as the Co-op are unable to join us for their talk, join us this month to greet Debbie Bridge, actress and voiceover artist who will entertain us with a talk What is cabaret? – cabaret from its origins to today. We will have the usual selection of drinks and nibbles.

Friday 25th November – Monthly meet-up for coffee – 10.30am

On the recommendation of one of our members at October’s coffee morning, this month we will meet at Queen Mary Café, 81 Mile End Road. E1 4UJ. Part of Queen Mary, University of London, they also welcome all comers. Bus routes 25 and 205, nearest tube Stepney Green on the District line.