OK, they're not all mad, but it's IFC that brought us Stetson Stan, Major Catastrophe, Bernard Puckett's poetry and the man with the goat (Polish bagpipes), not to mention nearly everything else that happens at their Christmas party. To name but a few.

"From the fiercely traditional to the frankly eccentric", their blurb once said, and quite rightly too.

I should point out to those who don't know that I'm an ex-resident of the club. So (a) I know what I'm talking about (b) I must be mad too (c) these are my friends I'm talking about, no real disrespect intended. I love it to bits. (About time we went back there for an evening, I've been thinking recently).

BTW, yes - Sharps and Musical Traditions and the Cellar Upstairs are all well worth a visit.

That's about it for Central London I think, after that you get out to Twickers (already mentioned) Herga, Orpington and Croydon, all far from central, and no doubt others. See Folk London for full details.

Anahata