PrettyInScarlett

Laura Beth Salter So far M and I are enjoying our new home in Durham - made it to see the Lindisfarne Gospels and had a fun trip in and around Alnwick. However for a pair of music fans the lack of a proper record shop is probably the biggest downside (although the lovely people at Spillers Records do have an online shop...). We were therefore very keen when I spied that the art & culture folk at Empty Shop were promoting a one-day pop-up record shop, Hot Potato Records. Our first visit around midday saw the transformed premises (formerly used as Blockbuster on North Road) hosting a steady stream of customers browsing the racks of LPs and CDs from Newcastle based Reflex Records as well as labels Discount Horse, Box Records, Plan-It-X, Cruel Nature Records and more. Plus free tea and coffee! Enjoying the vibe and browsing away, between us we chose LPs by Sigur Rós, Bonobo, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club plus 5 curiosities from the bargain boxes. Mixed bag but 3 out of 5 good ...

After our sojourn in Worcestershire, M and I have now relocated to Durham, north-east England. Still early days but I am slowly finding venues and event listings. The end of June saw us at Hill Island Microbrewery 's mini festival at Alington House - fruit beers!! Shades of Ottawa, especially the raspberry.... The last week, along with summer (yay!) saw the opening Streets of Brass from this year's Brass: Durham International Festival . Walking in along Framwellgate Bridge on Saturday 6th we were greeted by the enthusiastic and entertaining performers from Brassy B, whom we could hear down in Fowlers Yard . Fowlers Yard had a 10th anniversary festival/open day; we tried the delights of Leonard's for lunch, plus a swift drink from the Hill Island folk. Our brief Brass experience continued with Oompah Brass in the Market Place. Fantastic playing and also very, very funny; treats included covers of Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', plus 'Crazy Li...