Feel August in April with award winning comedy promoters Knock2Bag as they squeeze into their skinny jeans and head East for their bi-monthly residency. Expect duckers, divers, movers, shakers, mincers, wincers, dodgers, bodgers, misters, blisters and tongue twisters.

Starring:

• The Human Car Crash of Light Entertainment and star of the Edinburgh Festival 2011 smash Dare to Dream NICK HELM.
• Curator of cringe, the charmingly awkward DAVID TRENT.
• Stand-up, writer, performer, director, actor, BAFTA winner and all round genius WILLIAM ANDREWS.
• Established TV comic and star of BBC 3′s Tittybangbang, BBC 2′s Bellamy’s People and her own Radio 4 sketch series LUCY MONTGOMERY.
• Surreal sketch group ROBIN AND PARTRIDGE.
• Host for the evening is rising star ED GAMBLE who is co-writer and host of the cult phenomenon Peacock and Gamble podcast.

Watch Nick Helm on BBC 3′s Russell Howard’s Good News:

Doors: 8pm
Tickets: £10 in advance

Book Slam takes a special sojourn to the city-by-the-sea for the Brighton Festival. Tonight’s special line-up features Booker shortlisted novelist JON MCGREGOR reading from his new book ‘This Isn’t the Sort of Thing That Happens to Someone Like You‘; Scottish novelist and poet JACKIE KAY sharing her latest collection of luminous short stories ‘Reality, Reality’; and SAPPHIRE, the sensational US poet and author of ‘Push‘ (filmed as Precious) and ‘The Kid’. Hosted by FRANCESCA BEARD.

For more details check out the Brighton Festival website

WALA- its a LIFE LINE!! The 2 Jonz Benefit.

LIVE:
Ebo Taylor, Konkoma, FOKN Bois (M3NSA and Wanlov the Kubolor) and Yaaba Funk

DJS:
Duncan Brooker (Strut Records), DJ Frank (Sofrito)  & Mr Hagan (with FOKN Bois)

HOSTED BY:
Rita Ray (BBC World Service)  & Max Reinhardt (Late Junction BBC Radio 3)

Musicologist, musician and professor at University of Accra, Prof John Collins had his life swept away by floods in Ghana last autumn and at roughly the same time legendary world music journalist Jon Lusk (Rough Guide, fRoots, Songlines, BBC Online etc)  suffered a major stroke and so we thought it would be a great idea if we could get together and make a benefit happen to help both and this is it…

Soundway and Strut have been holding the most  wikkid, kicking and indeed, hard and happenin’ Afro parties at the moment and what with that and their association with both Jonz … they are indeed the cats to enchant the masses. They are bringing highlife superstars Konkoma (Soundway), Ghanaian Afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor (Strut) and their dancefloor pulverising DJ’s to the party. And then while we were putting this amazing bill together, London’s favourite Afrofunk warriors Yaaba Funk cancelled everything in their diaries to join us. And then…..the Ghanaian Nu-Wave joined in too: Fokn Bois (Wanlov the Kubolor & M3nsa). Like M3NSA said:

We’re sleeping on a hero. This man is not only preserving our music, but our history and more importantly our culture and unique identity. Its rather unfortunate that he’s not getting the support he deserves but here is a good place to start.  And FOKN BOIS are honoured to be a part of this.

This massive cohort of Artists have lined up to be a lifeline..now we just need a generous audience to fill Rich Mix to make the Lifeline a reality!!!  Let us make it count!

PS Wala means life in the Ga language

Check out the video for M3NSA’s song ‘No One Knows’:

Skagboys Launch Part 2

The Skinny and Book Slam present part two of the launch of IRVINE WELSH‘s ‘Skagboys‘, as we head to Edinburgh where it all began. Among those joining Irvine at The Caves will be his favourite DJ, CRAIG SMITH, who features in many of Irvine’s books, and stand-up poet, World Slam Champion and armchair revolutionary ELVIS MCGONAGLE, bringing his unique brand of razor-sharp comedy and political satire to proceedings. This is literary nightclubbing like we used to do before we read books. Glowsticks are positively encouraged, sitting down is not.

Check out the Book Slam website for more info…

Skagboys promo video:

‘Skagboys’ launch Part 1

Book Slam teams up with our old friend and the ‘Poet Laureate of the chemical generation’, IRVINE WELSH, for our two-part launch of ‘Skagboys‘, the prequel to ‘Trainspotting‘ and surely the most hotly-anticipated publishing event of recent years – Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Tommy are back!

Among those joining Irvine at The Scala will be his longtime sparring partners DEAN CAVANAGH and BOB MORRIS, alongside East Village resident, STUART PATTERSON, on the decks, plus the darkest magic with the lightest touch from BARRY AND STUART, and the electronic hoodlum that is DRUMS OF DEATH. This is literary nightclubbing like we used to do before we had children. It’s a standing event, so don’t bother bringing your sitting pants … bring your dancing shoes instead. Irvine will be exclusively signing copies of ‘Skagboys‘ for the first time from 9pm.

Check out the Book Slam website for more info…

Skagboys promo video:

Drums of Death – Won’t be Long video:

James Murphy and Frankie Knuckles lecture in London, plus production masterclass from Tony Nwachukwu and DJ set from Hudson Mohawke.

Offering a small taster of what life at the Academy is like, the evening of intimate discussions, taking place at Red Bull Studio London, will feature DFA/LCD Soundsystem honcho James Murphy and living legend of house, Frankie Knuckles, digging deep to give some unique insights into their journeys within music. Founder and mastermind of what is perhaps the most important band to come out of New York since the turn of the century, James Murphy’s influence on the worldwide music scene can’t be overstated. From forging the cowbell-laden, punk-funk, indie-dance sound that defined an era, to bowing out with a sell-out show at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the LCD Soundsytem/DFA names are synonymous the city’s musical pedigree.

After inspiring all in attendance at 2011’s Academy in Madrid,  New York native and house music founding father Frankie Knuckles makes a welcome return, commenting: “I’m so looking forward to joining the good folks at Red Bull Music Academy in London for the next lecture series. I’m honored to be a part of these sessions that help bring a greater focus to what today’s music and production is all about. I love being a part of it all.”

The session will also include a production masterclass from CDR man and long-time Academy tutor, Tony Nwachukwu and a DJ set from Warp man and 2007 Academy graduate, Hudson Mohawke.

To secure your place, sign up at redbull.co.uk/rbmalectures from 10am on Tuesday, February 28.

For a second year JW Seasonnaires is collaborating with BUSC Main Event to bring Apres Ski vibes and exclusive JW Seasonnaires clothing to 3000 University Students

As official clothing + Apres sponsors of BUSC Main Event JW Seasonnaires will be providing an exclusive range of BUSC branded merchandise (only sold in resort) and a big week of après ski.

JW Seasonnaires will be presenting the BUSC Opening Ceremony + mid week we will be hosting the notorious JW Seasonnaires Winter Warehouse party – bringing you the best in underground British music and entertainment.

Sunday 25th – JW Seasonnaires present BUSC Opening Ceremony: 21.00 – 12.00am – Simplex / Shy FX ft Stamina MC

Tuesday 27th – JW Seasonnaires Winter Warehouse Party: 21.00 – 01.00am – Real nice / eLdoko / MJ Cole ft MC Karizma

All week après Ski at Goastall with Nina Nesbitt + guests

Throughout the week we will be selling the official Main Event clothing range designed in collaboration with BUSC: Hoodies/Tees/Party Pants/Headbands – at Seasonnaire prices

For tickets to the Main Event visit buscevents.com

Doors: 6.30pm, stuff starts at 7.30pm sharp!

Tickets: £6 in advance / £8 on the door

Book Slam says Tuesday’s the new Friday and it’s time to start the weekend: – with our favourite babamukuru and contemporary British literature’s master storyteller, WILLIAM BOYD, celebrating the publication of his new novel, ‘Waiting For Sunrise‘; poet, teacher, retired army major, qualified accountant , Randy Newman fan and photographer, MARTIN FIGURA; Ninja Tune maestro behind the masterpiece that is ‘There Is‘, JONO MCCLEERY. All stuck together with sticky back plastic and Shep’s spittle by the post-romantice maverick ROSS SUTHERLAND.

Book Slam Podcast:

Book Slam’s 43rd podcast chops the dead wood, sets it ablaze and then burns an effigy of it, on it, so to speak … Suffice to say, Elliott Jack and Francesca Beard (pictured, © Nick Cunard) introduce Jon McGregor and his brilliant collection of short stories ‘This Sort Of Thing Doesn’t Happen To Someone Like You‘, Rachel Rose Reid waxing Dickensian, Heidi Vogel being highly vocal and an ace new short story from Charles Beckett. Elliott steps out of the shadows, Francesca removes his spectacles and says, ‘Miss Jones …’

Listen to the current Book Slam Podcast here

DONG – where Hip-Hop & Comedy collide – electric slides into Spring with a Superstar line-up of dope Comedians, DJs, Dancers, Videos and Hip-Hop Karajoke(y)!

The Line up includes:
The human beatbox genius BEARDYMAN
Chap-Hop superstar MR B GENTLEMAN RHYMER, who’s on a one-man mission to introduce Hip-Hop to the Queen’s English
Ex-rapper, comedian and bloody good entertainer DOC BROWN
Internet phenomena and rising star of the UK’s comedy and improvisation circuits CARIAD LLOYD.

Hosted by MC FERGUS CRAIG who is a regular on BAFTA nominated BBC sketch show Sorry I’ve Got No Head.
“He is a complete natural on stage with a brilliant grasp on observation” – Chortle

Sony Award winning KISS FM radio show presenter BIG TED on the wheels of steel

And there’ll be exclusive videos; performances from the DONG Break Dancers; prizes for the best dressed B-Boy (or Girl) and HIP-HOP KARAOKE so throw on your Phat Gold Chains and get ready to bless the mic and be a Suburban superstar! Word to your Mothers!

BEARDYMAN COMEDY CLIP

Book Slam has teamed up with Canongate Books and XL Recordings to celebrate the life of legendary poet, novelist and hip hop pioneer, Gil Scott-Heron with the launch of his posthumous memoir, ‘The Last Holiday‘, at the sumptuous Clapham Grand. Twenty-one years ago, Gil traversed America with Stevie Wonder to gather popular support for a national holiday for Martin Luther King. This 41 city tour provides the framework for a remarkable tale of a unique life.

A stellar line-up at Book Slam includes host, the inimitable Salena Godden, dynamic young poets Kate Tempest and Ben Mellor, and iconic DJs and tastemakers Jamie XX and Gilles Peterson playing a one-off, back-to-back musical tribute to the great man.

For more on Gil Scott Heron including a short film of part of the last interview he did before he died and to check out exclusive readings from ‘The Last Holiday’ visit Cannongate’s website.

Visit the Book Slam website for more info.

Jamie xx’s stunning remix of Gil Scott Heron’s ‘New York is Killing Me’:

‘I’m New Here’ from Gil Scott Heron’s final album: