Medical medley to beat torture
DIARY wouldn’t want to go in for an operation to hear that the doctor was on a job-swap with the church organ player.
That said, we wouldn’t have a problem with a radiologist blowing out a tune on the tuba.
Which is why you should get down to the Cadogan Hall in Chelsea next month to see doctors picking up more unfamiliar instruments for a concert to raise money for the victims of torture.
The concert next month is the brainchild of Michael Lasserson, a south London GP, and Stephen Brearley, a consultant surgeon, who will conduct the European Doctors’ Orchestra in a medley of Beethoven’s best.
The orchestra was founded in 2006 and has played all over Europe.
It’s not likely, but should they need any help in an emergency, pianist Nadia Lasserson will be on hand and, of course, any fainting in the aisles shouldn’t be a problem.
The concert is on Tuesday February 9 at 7.30pm. For more information visit www.cadoganhall.com
Chain training – Mayor’s fitness work-out
CAMDEN Mayor Faruque Ansari was put through his paces on a visit to Kieser Training on Saturday.
The business based in Greater London House near Mornington Crescent Tube station was celebrating its 10th birthday with a mayoral visit.
Long standing, loyal members at the training centre, one of 150 Kieser facilities across the world, were presented with special awards by Cllr Ansari. Among the services offered by Kieser, experts help people with long and short-term back pain, neck pain and knee pain by strengthening muscles. For further information call 08000 370 370 or www.kieser-training.co.uk.
Blaize of publicity for burlesque
THE art of burlesque doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination, but should you have any burning questions about feathers, corsets and rhinestones, a new film released this week could be the answer.
Burlesque Undressed is fronted by Immodesty Blaize, who peels back the curtain to reveal her world of high-octane glamour, showing us the tricks she uses to tease and seduce audiences around the world.
She is joined by veteran burlesque legends who reveal anecdotes from the original golden era, including running foul of the censors and getting jailed for shaking their behinds, even when covered up.
Burlesque Undressed is running a preview at the Odeon in Covent Garden, before gong on limited release. For more details visit www.more2screen.com
Politics of water bombs
IF ever there was a cushy police detail, standing on parade outside Downing Street would be it.
Opening the gates a couple of times a day, perhaps, posing for the odd tourist snap… Nothing too stressful.
Who would be mad enough to try something on the most guarded street in Britain?
So it came as something as a surprise when Diary heard that a woman has been slapped on the wrist for repeatedly throwing water bombs at police officers on the street.
A police spokeswoman told Diary the woman had received an Asbag (an anti-social behaviour action group order), a sort of Asbo without the conditions.
This means that she has promised to stay away from the Westminster street and – presumably – any water fountains.
It’s a funny old world eh!
Doubts about 10 Downing Street!
IT was just as well Gordon Brown wasn’t in the crowd at Bonhams auction house this week.
Diary thought he might want to pick up a souvenir from his spell at Number 10 if he is turfed out at the general election, and what better love-me gift then a 19th-century cast iron Downing Street road sign.
No sooner was it announced the sign was up for auction with a guide price of £6,000, it was withdrawn after doubts were raised over whether it was from London or Cambridge.
A councillor in Cambridge questioned the authenticity of the sign and Bonhams said they will be running some checks.
THE XTRA DIARY