The Static Gallery – James Vincent McMorrow.

I was lucky enough to get down to the Static Gallery early to grab a quick interview with one of Irelands up and coming stars James Vincent McMorrow.  This was my first trip to the Static Gallery and as I was unsure of where it was I decided to use the fabulous Google Maps.  From the outside the venue looked...somewhat dubious reminding me of an used factory or warehouse especially as it was on a somewhat back ally.  However, once inside my initial scepticism quickly disappeared.  With a bar on one side framed with fairy lights and some sofas and tables it seemed a quirky and cool place to socialise.  Concrete floors and big wooden beams remind you of its industrial warehouse past, however the odd modern touch bring you into the twenty first century – like the studios with large open windows set above you and the large sound system and stage located in the main room down a few stairs.

The show was spectacular, James Vincent McMorrow blew everyone away and the venue was perfect for his eerie hauntingly beautiful voice as it provided the perfect amount of echo and degree of resonance.  I particularly like the way James described it and will think it sums up the venue very nicely “Slightly unorthodox!”

The Static Gallery is based on 23 Roscoe Lane – across the road from The Raz for those of you who are lovers of that...place!  Keep a look out for shows and other exciting events taking place there over the summer.

For the interview with McMorrow please follow this link  http://mediocremusicblog.com/2011/05/artist-interview-james-vincent-mcmorrow/#more-6261

Cuthbert's Bakehouse

The daffodils are out and the crocuses are almost blooming – it is safe to say spring is on its way.  The past few days have definitely bared resemblance of those crisp, sunny, spring days which we are all longing for, and today three friends and I basked in the glorious sunshine in a new cafe on Mount Pleasant.

Cuthbert’s Bakehouse is a quaint little cafe resembling very much the country cottage.  With a white distressed clapboard counter and sky blue walls it has a very fresh, airy and pretty feel – today the door was left open leaving the sunlight to drench the room and bringing with it the cold spring air.  

The pastel colours used are an immediate way to bring light and freshness into a room, but also add prettiness and cheerfulness, the fresh tulips in the window also help.  The lace curtains, wooden floor and panelled windows also contribute to this dainty cafe’s charm and elegance.  The delicate, upholstered vintage sofa in the corner and the open fire place make this cafe more and more like the little country cottage I can picture myself in when I’m older, with a vegetable plot in the back garden, chickens wandering free and an Aga warming some homemade bread – a very twee picture I know but one can always dream!  For those of you who -like me - have fallen for the beautiful Emma Bridgewater mugs, this is the type of environment where they would fit right in.

Enough about the interior though! Onto the food.  Well as you have most probably already guessed there are a large range of homemade cakes from the classic Victoria sponge to the seductive red velvet chocolate cake!  I had my favourite, lemon drizzle cake but with a twist as it contained blueberries – could this get any better!? It was also mouth-wateringly moist – which is not always the case when regarding lemon drizzle cake, I’m sorry to have to say this but Mark’s and Spencer’s cafe falls into the dry drizzle category!

This is another cafe which is friendly on the student funds with my piece of cake costing £1.65 and a latte with a cute little shortbread heart on the side at £1.60.

Ciabatta sandwiches are at the affordable price of £2.50 with two fillings, cheese and salami or ham and cheese.  Not the most exciting, but considering the price and the size not a bad deal. 

However what the sandwiches lack in innovation the cupcakes make up with variety and imagination with six flavours on offer today, red velvet, lemon and blueberry, coffee, carrot, toffee malteaser and oreo.  As you can see from the photo they all look just as beautiful as they taste (I had the lemon and blueberry one the day before!) and are priced at the low amount of £1.50 if taking away and £1.70 if eating in.  These mouthfuls of delight are perfect for a friend’s birthday or even a tasty treat in between lectures!

This cafe is the ideal place to go – as we did- if you have an hour or so between lectures and fancy delicious cake and affordable coffee!

 

Leaf

I have decided to write a blog, ultimately about everything and anything about being a Liverpool student.  Being a student in 2011is as challenging as it is inspiring, so here is window into the struggles and excitements of the life of a romantic Liverpool undergraduate. Proust, poverty and plenty more!

I will begin with a cafe that I am writing this from, it is as tea cafe called Leaf in Liverpool and promotes a wide assortment of flavoured tea from rose petal to blood orange.  There is something about this cafe which has drawn to back three times in one week, not a pleasant experience for the student bank balance, might I add, despite the low prices.  It perhaps is the bear brick wall.  What is it about bear brick which we automatically associate with cool, quirky, alternative environments, like a bohemian singer’s Soho apartment, or a struggling models New York bedsit? 

Or perhaps it is the long wooden tables with benches resembling a boarding schools dining room.  I personally love this idea of communal dinning; sitting next to a stranger can be a refreshing and intriguing experience.  I also noticed this set up in a chain of cafes in London called Le Pain Quotidien where I once went for breakfast.  It was a very trendy environment and gave me a sort of London, New Yorkesque feeling. I felt rather sophisticated and similar to those prospective, fashionable, early twenties adults which swarm London, all working in glamorous jobs or as glamorous interns, something which without sounding shallow, I hope to shortly be.  A quote taken from Le Pain’s website when describing their “communal table” is “even in the big city, we are a community.”  http://www.lepainquotidien.co.uk/

The next thing which I love about this place is the decoration. The wall in the corner has an array of antique looking plates hanging on it with a mixture of patterns and shapes.  The effect is interesting and different.  It seems at first like an odd idea, but on further inspection is promotes a sort of antiquey and vintage feel, offset by a selection of 1850s style furniture.  Furthermore the hanging baskets and the old fashioned lamp shades, along with the cabinets of delicate, venerable cups and saucers and the deep turquoise velvet curtains all add to this cafes charisma and character.  Not to mention the delicious homemade food - a sandwich will set you back between £2.95 and £3.50, a cup of flavoured tea – depending on size- around £2.20 and a steaming bowl of porridge and jam £2. I strongly recommend a visit!

Leaf is on Bold Street in Liverpool’s city centre.

Leaf also serve an evening menu and hold regular exhibitions and open mic nights, for more information visit.

 http://www.thisisleaf.co.uk/