Sylvie Simmons Reading and Q & A in London (and Chorleywood)

[John Etherington]

Sylvie is listed as giving a reading from her Leonard book and a Q & A at Rough Trade East (off of Brick Lane, East London) on Thursday 13th June at 7.00pm. Currently it says that no wrist-band is necessary and that people should just turn-up. Thanks to Andy Barnes for bringing this to my attention. Here's the link:

http://www.roughtrade.com/events/2013/6/115

[lizzytysh]

That will be a lovely event, John.

[John Etherington]

Lizzy - it will be good to see Sylvie again. Although I've spoken to her on the phone, we haven't actually met since Jim Devlin's book launch in the late 1990s.

[lizzytysh]

She's still every bit as delightful

[John Etherington]

Update - I've just heard that you will need a wrist-band for the event, and I believe that means you would have to buy a copy of Sylvie's book from Rough Trade East to get one.

[lizzytysh]

Hope you'll still go. It makes a great gift!

It could also mean that you need to RSVP and get on the "Will Attend" list?

[Mordy]

Thanks so much for pointing this up, John. I shall be there. I'm currently reading the book on a Kindle (good for on the train), but deeply frustrating as when I picked it up last night the battery was completely flat. So, happy to buy the book!

[Mabeanie1]

There are a number of London/ SE UK events now listed on Syvie's website http://www.sylviesimmons.com:

13th June, London
Afternoon: The Radcliffe & Maconie Show, BBC 6
Evening: ‘I’m Your Man: Sylvie Simmons : in conversation with The Quietus’ Luke Turner’
There’ll be a Q&A, a book signing and, if you ask, a song.
Rough Trade East, Brick Lane, 7pm
http://www.roughtrade.com/events/2013/6/115

18th June, London
‘The Night Before the Night Before the Night Before Leonard’
To mark Leonard Cohen’s return to London for yet another sold-out concert at the 02 Arena, Vintage Books will release a paperback of the UK edition of ‘I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen’ (which from the US and Canadian editions in having more photos from Leonard and friends’ personal collections printed throughout). This very special night at a very special arts venue three days before Leonard’s concert will celebrate not just the book launch but all things Leonard. Featuring rare film footage, words and music, with special guests. Not to be missed!
The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, Bloomsbury, London WC1 (details soon)

20th June, Chorleywood
‘The Night Before Leonard’
Words and music, at the much-loved bookshop at the end of the Metropolitan line.
Chorleywood Bookshop, 4 New Parade, Chorleywood, Herts. (details soon)

21st June, Greenwich, London
Leonard Cohen at the 02 Arena. No, Leonard, despite being a uke player himself, has not recruited Sylvie into the band, but she’ll be in the audience!

23rd June, Brighton
‘Ace Stories at Hotel Pelirocco’
6pm-8pm
An evening of words and music.
Hotel Pelirocco, Regency Square, Central Brighton
http://www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk/extras/ace-stories (details soon)

25th June, London
A special Leonard Cohen evening with rabbi Frank Dabba Smith at the Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue. Conversation and music.
8pm, 39 Bessborough Rd, Harrow (station: Harrow on the Hill)
Free!

Not living particularly near London, I won't be going to any of them (apart from the one at the O2 where Sylvie will not be appearing) but hopefully others will be able to make use of the info.

There is also an event in Berlin on 11 June - details to come.

Before all that, there are several events this month in Sydney and New Zealand.

Wendy

[comehealing]

My apologies if this has been posted elsewhere.

Saw this great video of Sylvie in discussion with Liel Leibovitz:

http://wwborders.tumblr.com/post/504212 ... ie-simmons

Love the brilliant performance with ukulele at the end too!

[John Etherington]

Thanks for posting the link, comehealing... Sylvie's numerous gigs have resulted in a very polished performance. I could have handled many of the questions posed in this video myself, but Sylvie excels (as proved in her book) with her elucidation of Leonard's encounter with Ramesh Balsekar and his 1970 tour of mental hospitals. I hope the tape eventually gets an official release (Songs From an Asylum, or LC Sings Looney Tunes?)! However, Sylvie doesn't do quite so well when questioned about the success of "Hallelujah". Felicity Buirski once nailed it in a personal conversation when she said words to the effect that it was due to a collective and possibly unconscious spiritual yearning. Meanwhile, I would prefer Sylvie sticking to her writing skills rather than embarking on her ukulele excursions. She also (unlike Judy Collins) had the audacity to end the song with "sincerely L. Cohen". Come to think of it, so did Tori Amos, but at least Tori managed to imbue the song with the requisite amount of pathos.

[comehealing]

Hi John,

No problem....I love your suggestion of album title, "Songs From An Asylum".

Hope that management has taken note!

[John Etherington]

Tickets now on sale for Sylvie Simmons gig at the Horse Hospital, Bloomsbury (link below). Rumour has it that Sylvie is planning to ride onstage on a stallion (and if Boris Johnston is not present, there will also be an absent mayor).

http://www.thehorsehospital.com/now/syl ... ard-cohen/

[HelenOE]

Yes, but will she be riding bareback?

[John Etherington]

Two more Sylvie Simmons London gigs:

19th June, London
Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man. Reading, signing and song
Waterstones, Convent Garden, 6pm (ends 7pm)

26th June, London, Soho
A night of Leonard Cohen at the legendary 12-Bar
Demark Street, tbc

[Olwen]

When you follow the link it says on the site that you go and purchase the book on the 6th and get a wrist band then. Or whats left will be available one hour before the performance on the 13th.