by Library Admin | 11 Aug 2024 | Cricklereaders, Cricklereaders Read
In her first historical novel, Zadie Smith transports the reader to a Victorian England transfixed by the real-life trial of the Tichborne Claimant, in which a cockney butcher, recently returned from Australia, lays claim to the Tichborne baronetcy, with his former slave Andrew Bogle as star witness. Watching the proceedings, and with her own story to tell, is Eliza Touchet – cousin, housekeeper and perhaps more – to failing novelist William Harrison Ainsworth.
From literary London to the Jamaica’s sugar-cane plantations, Zadie Smith weaves an enthralling story linking the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved, and the comic and the tragic.
Cricklereaders are always happy to have new members – join by applying here: Cricklereaders Book Group
by Library Admin | 10 Jun 2024 | activities
We’re delighted to welcome The Sonora Quartet to the library. Formed in 2022, Sonora is composed of four second-year RCM instrumentalists, Maria Noskova, Emily St Clair, Maya de Souza and Alex Boyd-Bench. Very enthusiastic and dedicated to chamber music, they have had coaching sessions and masterclasses with members of the Sacconi, Marmen and Pavel Haas Quartets, as well as with Krysia Osotowicz and Susie Mezaros within RCM; in addition, they have received external coaching at MusicWorks Sundays with Ralph de Souza (from the Endellion Quartet) and Catherine Manson and Michael Gurevich (from the London Haydn Quartet). They have performed at the RCM, St Mary Abbots Church and the Austrian Cultural Forum, and have also been lucky enough to have premiered and performed works written for them by fellow RCM composers, including ‘November’ and ‘Away’ by Asher Joyce and ‘Quiberee Bay’ by Rieko Makita. The Sonora Quartet was amongst three RCM quartets selected to play Van Bree’s Allegro for Four Quartets in RCM’s Super String Sunday 2023 alongside the Alkyona Quartet, and is one of three RCM quartets currently on the RCM String Quartet Platform. Recent repertoire includes Haydn Op.17 No.4 in C minor, Mozart K.428 in Eb major, Brahms’ String Quartet No.2 in A minor and Haydn Seven Last Words.
Head over to our booking website to secure your seat.
by Library Admin | 10 Jun 2024 | activities, CrickleUkers, FRONT PAGE NEWS
Due to popular demand, we’re extending the timing of the monthly Ukulele jam, CrickleUkers, by 30 minutes. From Friday 5 July, the sessions will start at 1900, rather than 1930. This will hopefully give all the beginners enough time to get a few chords under their belt before joining the main group in the front of the library.
Also, a reminder that we have about 10 spare ukes to lend out, so no need to buy one before coming along to have a go.
It’s also fine to bring snacks and drinks to share on the night.
Looking forward to seeing more of you there soon.
by Library Admin | 18 May 2024 | FRONT PAGE NEWS, fundraising, triathlon
On 1 June, Susan and Gordon Kennedy are taking part in the annual Blenheim Triathlon alongside other local athletes in the Kensal Tri team, to raise funds for the library. It’s no mean feat, and they deserve your support. All the money they raise will go towards funding programmes and activities at the library, so show them some love and sling them some dosh!
https://www.justgiving.com/page/kensaltrikennedys
by Library Admin | 26 Apr 2024 | events, FRONT PAGE NEWS, news
We are delighted to welcome back the talented and entertaining Bow Django, east London’s premier latin-influenced jazz band.
Bow Django comprises guitarists Ienne and Chris, bassist Casper, clarinettist Jenny, violinist Peter, and vocalist Annie.
The band was formed when a group of friends got together to play gypsy jazz in an African cafe in Bow in about 2018. However, it really got going in the ‘tween and post-Lockdown periods when the group met in Victoria Park each Friday for a couple of hours to play for themselves and a dedicated group of distanced audience.
The natural choice for parks, street parties, cafe culture and libraries, their music – uptempo and infectiously optimistic – can’t fail to get your feet tapping.
Get your tickets here.
