Catch this intimate performance

FROM Saturday morning story time for children to launches during the week, The Book Lounge has an interesting and varied line up of regular events. Among them is one called Down In The Basement, which takes place on Friday when singer/songwriter Joshua K Grierson will present a performance named Phases.

“I have had a long- standing dream to play this now well-established event series. I approached them to see if I too could be a part of it and they happily agreed,” said Grierson, who has done many intimate shows during his career but has never presented such a wide span of material before.

“This is my first time playing this venue and thus I have no memory to compare it to, but from what I surmise, I can tell it’s going to be much more special than playing a 5 000-seater because of the immediate connection I can make with such an intimate audience; eye contact is so important for me when presenting my heart.”

Grierson said listeners could expect a real cross section of his many years of self-penned material. “I have always enjoyed acts that take the listener on a journey into their world and that is exactly what I intend to do on the night.”

Grierson will be joined by some of his favourite collaborators: Lauren Fowler (voice), Gene Kierman, (voice, guitars, French horn), Gean Burrell (keys) and Wesley Graham Reyneke (percussion).

“I’m looking forward to giving the listener a night where they are allowed to feel every drop of melody, every sway of rhythm, and revealing my soul about matters that I deal with on a daily basis,” said Grierson.

Over the past 15 years Grierson has formed many outfits to present his many different faces. The night will thus comprise a cross-section of much of those years. “I will obviously be playing a great deal of material penned under my Joshua (K) Grierson identity, but I will also present a few songs from my electro outfits, F O L L O W E R and ISUISME,” he said. “The last two bodies of work will take on a slightly different character for the night’s listening but it will retain the feeling I felt when initially writing the material on the guitar or piano.”

Since he’ll be playing the Book Lounge, I asked Grierson what he’s reading.

“I have just started reading Moby’s memoir, titled Porcelain and it’s an exceptional read. Very inspiring.” Tickets are limited, and can be bought and collected in-store, R50 cash only. The performance is on Friday, August 5, at 5.30pm for 6pm. The Book Lounge is at 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town. For more information call 021 462 2425, email booklounge@gmail.com or go to www.booklounge.co.za.

It’s a good idea to sign up for the weekly newsletter so as not to miss any events, special offers (like a 20 percent off the upcoming Bruce Springsteen autobiography) and tomorrow’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child release party from 10am till 12pm. If you can get your head around Harry being all grown up and an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three schoolage children, be one of the first to get your hands on this play script based on an original new story by JK Rowling. It’s the eighth story in the series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End tonight.

The book will be sold at 20 percent discount tomorrow (R300 instead of R375) and there will be fun for all and even a few prizes. Dressing up is encouraged.