Girl About Town

Posted on March 29, 2007 in Uncategorized

Things got off to a flying start in February, with not one but two launches on the 1st…

First up, Girl About Town (all too briefly, sadly, as it seemed like a wonderful party) popped into the Swedenborg Hall for Legend Press’s launch of The Remarkable Everyday, a collection of short stories.

She couldn’t stay for long, as another launch called – this time for Marybeth Hamilton’s In Search of the Blues at the Boogaloo. This was a brilliant mix of readings by the author and some wonderful Blues recordings. GAT got fully into the spirit of things and sprawled across a comfy chair with a fine malt whisky. And then made friends with a cat which was wondering coolly round the club, and which soon settled onto GAT’s lap to listen to the music.

Place: The Boogaloo
We drank: red wine and Talisker
We ate: GAT concentrated on drinking, listening to the Blues and befriending the random cat, and it seems she forgot to eat at all..!

The next evening, GAT was off to the recording of the BBC Radio 4 show The Write Stuff, their brilliant literary quiz, at The Drill Hall.
With regular panellists Sebastian Faulks and the Independent’s John Walsh, and special guests Mark Billingham and Sabrina Broadbent, this was a great opportunity to hear two episodes of GAT’s favourite book show recorded live, including all the hilarious outtakes!

Place: The Drill Hall
We drank: copious red wine and beers with the guests in the bar before and afterwards.

The next week, GAT went along to The Horse Hospital for the launch of graphic novel and Manga imprint SelfMadeHero, which included a striking exhibition of artwork from the series. Paul Gravett and the creators of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet introduced the evening. The atmosphere was cool, the beer was plentiful and the place was nicely packed. The only slightly sticky moment for GAT was the precarious horse ramp entrance/exit, which she struggled with somewhat in her vertiginous wedge heels, and had to intermittently cling to unsuspecting passing strangers for stability!

Place: The Horse Hospital
We drank: plenty of free-flowing Asahi beer
We ate: highly addictive Japanese nibbles

On 23 Feb, GAT went to Silver Bar in Hanover Square, Mayfair, which for one weekend only was turned into The Chocolate Bar, to celebrate the launch of Heaven chocolate bars. The flowing cocoa-tinted drapes and fluffy cushions certainly set the tone. And with complimentary chocolate bars liberally dotted around, chocolate-themed cocktails and even masseurs on hand to melt away the day’s stresses, this turned into a most decadant and Heavenly Friday evening…

Place: Silver Bar, Mayfair
We drank: cocoa caipirinhas and mocha mojitos
We ate: chocolate, what else..?

To end her month of partying, GAT went along to the launch of Druin Burch’s new book about 18th-century surgeon Astley Cooper, Digging Up the Dead, held at the hugely atmospheric Old Operating Theatre Museum on St Thomas’ Street. The Museum captivated the arriving guests and journalists with its displays of hugely gruesome and eye-watering exhibits of surgical instruments. And the author’s speech which mentioned surgical techniques in the days pre-anaesthetic, which took place in the actual Old Operating Theatre, confirmed this as a very grisly evening, although enormous fun!  GAT joined the author and several guests at the excellent nearby Roast for a post-party dinner, to celebrate with a carnivorous, flesh-ripping feast of various beasts and fowl. (The irony wasn’t lost..!).

Place: The Old Operating Theatre Museum
We drank: red wine, and lots of it
We ate: party snacks aplenty at the Museum, followed by a hearty dinner at Roast.

Socialite’s Tip of the Month:
To get free tickets to see your favourite Radio and TV programmes being recorded, go to the BBC website –

www.bbc.co.uk/tickets. GAT has been to several recordings recently and it really is great fun!