Les Barker hits Sydney this week

Subject: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 02:40 AM

Just in case any Sydney 'catters have missed this, I thought I would start a thread here about Les Barker, who is coming to my folk club. If you would like to come, and have not booked yet, better send me a PM - or ring or email me if you know my numbers. We are only a small venue, and we are filling fast. Here is the notice I have sent out to Ausworldfolk:


"Les Barker will be in town for just a little while, and we have been able to arrange a concert featuring this amazing and popular poet from the UK, this Sunday 17th April, at 2pm at North By Northwest Poetry and Folk Club - at the Cornucopia Cafe in Gladesville. This will be his last Sydney appearance this time around.

Some of you will have seen him before - maybe at the recent National Folk Festival, and for you, no description is necessary. For those of you who have never seen him, I will attempt to convey something of the Les Barker experience, although inevitably, this will not do him justice. The last time I saw him, I ended up coughing and spluttering from laughing so hard. One thing is certain - he is one of a kind! Here are a couple of quotes which might help.

"Les Barker writes strange poems and comes from Manchester. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He's written 72 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. His poems have spawned a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic, to name but two." - a self-description

"Les Barker proves that poetry can indeed be entertaining, dazzling the audience with poems from his huge range of published works. His cardigan clad, unassuming manner on stage as he peers shyly at the audience through his spectacles, and his soft Manchester accent delivers the brilliant flow of words and ideas, leaving the listener gasping with laughter."   - Gulf News, New Zealand

Whatever you do, don't miss seeing Les Barker at the Cornucopia! Entry will be at the special price of $15/$12. Booking is strongly recommended to ensure entry.There have been a number of bookings already and we are filling up fast, so let me know as soon as possible.

The Cornucopia is one of the best acoustic venues in Sydney. There will be refreshments for sale and BYO's are welcome. It is in the grounds of the Old Gladesville Hospital, corner of Victoria Rd and Punt Rd Gladesville. If coming by car, enter by bottom gate in Punt Rd. Once inside grounds, take first turn left, up towards Victoria Rd, then bear left again, and turn left at the top, near the fence. Building is a two-storey stone building on your left, with the sign "Cornucopia Coffee Shop". Pedestrian access is from Victoria Rd if travelling by 500/501 bus."

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 02:46 AM

Oh, I also meant to mention that he is doing two 45 minute sets at North By Northwest, so you will be getting an hour and a half of Les Barker!

If you are in a slightly different neck of the woods, or if you'd like to see him more than once, he is also going to be appearing at other venues during the week - at Sutherland on Thursday, Hornsby on Friday and Illawarra on Saturday.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 02:58 AM

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 03:17 AM

We certainly will, Sooz.

BTW, Les's website is here:

http://www.mrsackroyd.com/

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 04:02 AM

Hey all you ockers, go and see Les he's totally brilliant.

eric

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:48 AM

Jenny. An hour and a half is not enough :0)

I an sure his performance will be talked about for months.Enjoy

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:04 AM

Good for Les - One of the funniest and wittiest men I know !!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:47 AM

We would love to share the fun, not to mention the occasional serious poem.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:48 AM

I hope if he has any material left unsold, he can leave it with friends to sell it for him, rather than lug it back home again. We could be informed about that if it happens, surely?... :-)

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 08:18 AM

Hmm. That could be a good idea Robin. I'll mention it to Steve, his manager.

An hour and a half is not enough :0)

Amen to that, GUEST - I know exactly what you mean!

Charlie mentioned the occasional serious poem. He is not so well known for those, but his serious poems are wonderful, too.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 08:25 AM

I'm sure those of us who live at other ends of the country might be able to help him dispose of any leftovers...

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 02:55 PM

Take clean underwear and don't mention my name!!!

If you do, he will at best, turn pale and tremble, at worst, run screaming from the venue and never darken your doors again!

Enjoy him... he's a sweetie and I love him dearly.

LTS

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Dave Earl
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 03:07 PM

And remember that Nobody Hugs A Hedgehog :-)

Dave Earl
(whose partner is also an Les Barker fan)

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 03:58 PM

Oh Sydney, you're gonna LOVE this man!! Go if you can!!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 09:33 PM

Yeah - being all too aware of how lovable he is, I am beginning to visualize people lining up at the door/hanging off the rafters/perching on the coffee machine just to get in. All I can say to those coming is - book soon (if you haven't), come early, and ENJOY!

FOUR DAYS TO GO!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 01:09 AM

How dare he come to Oz when I ain't there....sigh...

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Chris/Darwin
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 02:24 AM

If you miss him in Sydney why not come up to Darwin for 1 May???

Chris

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:46 AM

Follow him around the world with the aid of this stalkers' gig list - sorry, I meant Fans gig list.....

Tread softly, and carry a big cake.

LTS

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:45 AM

Les is too small to hit anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you dont enjoy him, it is your fault and you need a fun injection.

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 09:55 AM

Tonight one of my friends was deciding whether to go - she had a operation recently & doesn't want to bust her stitches. Cos she has laughed herself into stitches at his concerts before, but she can't afford to risk these stitches.

maybe I'll buy her a book & get it signed!!

sandra

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:50 PM

That's a difficult call Sandra.... I was given a cassette of his the day after a C-section...... I can sympathise, but sometimes it's worth the risk.

LTS

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 07:46 PM

And as Mae Weat once probably said: Come Early and Often!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: mandoleer
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 07:49 PM

Next time, try and book the Mrs Akroyd Band if you can. Probably a bit expensive, but you'd get Les in there as it doesn't perform without him... Even funnier than him solo.

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 08:44 PM

I'm sure they are, but he was on a solo tour this time. He seems to come this way every couple of years, so I might ask him what the chances are next time.

THREE DAYS TO GO!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 11:25 AM

Jenny - the Mrs Ackroyd band appears to be the cream of British talent, probably a tad above our budgets. And could a festival afford to pay them what they deserve??

sandra

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:05 PM

I know what you mean Sandra, but ya never know. The National pays up pretty big for the right people, I think.

Anyway, I'm very happy just to have Les for now.

Here's another link to a good new folk website set up by the Folk Federation, and guess who's on the front page as the top story? :-)

JAM - NSW Folk Federation

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:27 PM

I came across a Periodic Table the other day.

Anyone intrigued should look on the IgNoble website.

Those that don't understand - just wait for Les's Table Pome.

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:38 PM

Heh heh - the Table Pome - I know it well!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 12:42 PM

Just don't take it home on the bus....

LTS

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: alison
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 07:14 PM

well I had dinner with Les last night & passed on your regards Liz.

what a lovely man.

he did two wonderful brackets at Sutherland and won a lot of new fans.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 11:14 PM

It's gettin' close now. Only two more days till he's at North By Northwest. Can't wait!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 03:16 AM

Ah thanks.. did he quiver in fear and dread? I love that feeling of power.... Don't know why... anyone would think I disrupted his concerts and made lots of noise.....!

LTS

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 05:41 AM

Perish the thought Liz! You'd never do something like that, would you. Would you? ;-)

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 02:17 AM

Sydney should hit him back next week

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 04:08 AM

Less than 24 hours to go now!

John is making signs to guide people into the grounds with dachshunds on them pointing the way - I don't think he put erections on them tho :-)

Jenny

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: alison
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 06:12 AM

He didn't quiver Liz, he just sort of went a bit quiet - sort of stunned!!.... he did mention something about "wells that a good thing about being all the way over here in Australia."

I bought one of his books - didn't realize he was such a good photographer...... some gorgeous photos....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 12:32 PM

Ah yes, but he has to go back some time doesn't he Liz. On the other hand, by the time we're finished with him, he might be quite glad to go back - heh heh!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 07:12 AM

we had a great afternoon - the coffee shop tables were removed & about 70 chairs were crammed in. It was the biggest attendance we've ever had.

Les seems to need a summer cardi as the day was hot (will summer never end?) but he survived that to have the audience in stitiches (good thing my post-operative friend did not attend) & tears (I was trying to get a pic to the woman in front who kept wiping her eyes). The audience joined in heartily (& some members ever gave cheek too) and everyone had a ball. He also sold lots of stuff, so the next time he's here folks will know even more of his wonderful pieces.

Les performed 'Voicemail' which I found on The Annex a few days ago & cracked up over, but it was immeasurably funnier when he performed it. He also did the famous "Dachshunds" poem, 'The inflatable boy', The civilised world', reprised 'Deju Vu" several times, and so much mores more.

I was surprised how many of his poems I remembered from seeing him once at the national, however my brain is still full & I can't remember other titles, but the audience joined in enthusiastically all the way thru. And I found out that several songs I've heard over the years are his, too, including 'Slop John A' is one we sing at the shanty/seasong sessions on the "James Craig"

I bought Tubular Dogs & The Stones of Callanish & am currently playing "The Harvey Andrews Chorus" for the third time. Now do I repeat that track again? Nah, I'll just play "The Gift"

no doubt JennyO will gvie a fuller review

sandra

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: JennyO
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 09:19 AM

Maybe a fuller review tomorrow. Right now I'm content to sit back and look back on what was a very successful afternoon. John did his usual job of heckling from the front seat, which he does so well - and of course Les loves the audience interaction. The floor spots were great too.

Then we had some time afterwards to chat to Les when we took him out to dinner. John found, much to his delight, that Les is keen on train modelling, so they had plenty to talk about. Later, we polished off some more wine at Barry's place, and John sang some of his train songs. I was sorry when we finally had to say goodbye and go home. What a delightful man he is! Come back soon, Les!

Subject: RE: Les Barker hits Sydney this week
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 10:20 AM

His former house in Manchester had a model railway spreading all the way through it! I'm wondering if his present abode in Wales has had the same treatment.

Jenny - You're right.. he can run but he can't hide...... Bruahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa....

LTS