Winchester - posh buskers
Apr 23rd, 2010, 06:29 AM
#1
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Winchester - posh buskers
I am not always a fan of buskers, particularly not the sort who have canned music and amplifiers, but Sunday was an exception.
I was walking up the main street in Winchester, and a couple in evening dress were performing opera. I am no expert, but they sounded pretty impressive to me, so I listened to the aria, put some money into the hat, and moved on,
One hundred yards later, a small asian man in jeans, but a frock coat was playing the violin accompanied by his ipod and amp - again really really good - playing Mendelssohn and well worth a donation.
A little further on, a man paying the blues - excellent voice, good guitar work. If I had paid a few quid to see him in a pub I would have been well pleased. He was selling CDs and I almost bought one. Another small donation into the guitar case.
and finally, a "crusty" with a recorder - he was rubbish
Street performers and buskers can be a pain, but three of the four in Winchester that day had really added to my enjoyment of the walk.
I was walking up the main street in Winchester, and a couple in evening dress were performing opera. I am no expert, but they sounded pretty impressive to me, so I listened to the aria, put some money into the hat, and moved on,
One hundred yards later, a small asian man in jeans, but a frock coat was playing the violin accompanied by his ipod and amp - again really really good - playing Mendelssohn and well worth a donation.
A little further on, a man paying the blues - excellent voice, good guitar work. If I had paid a few quid to see him in a pub I would have been well pleased. He was selling CDs and I almost bought one. Another small donation into the guitar case.
and finally, a "crusty" with a recorder - he was rubbish
Street performers and buskers can be a pain, but three of the four in Winchester that day had really added to my enjoyment of the walk.
Apr 23rd, 2010, 09:00 PM
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That Sundsay might have been exceptional. But for a few days a year, it's what living in Winton's all about:
www.hatfair.co.uk
www.hatfair.co.uk
Apr 25th, 2010, 07:44 AM
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Regret missing Hat Fair.
We could use more and better buskers in this town.
In the Kansas City Plaza a few days ago, my daughter and I listened to an older man and teenage girl doing rhythm and blues. She had an especially terrific voice, so we gave them a few dollars. Time to get up and leave is when they start "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)."
We could use more and better buskers in this town.
In the Kansas City Plaza a few days ago, my daughter and I listened to an older man and teenage girl doing rhythm and blues. She had an especially terrific voice, so we gave them a few dollars. Time to get up and leave is when they start "Get Your Kicks (on Route 66)."
Apr 25th, 2010, 10:27 AM
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I saw posh buskers in Cambridge too - one of them even had a cello.
I don't mind them on the tube, either, as long as they're playing by the escalators or in one of the corridors (rather than going up and down the carriage with an accordian and an urchin, accosting everyone).
I don't mind them on the tube, either, as long as they're playing by the escalators or in one of the corridors (rather than going up and down the carriage with an accordian and an urchin, accosting everyone).
Apr 26th, 2010, 06:19 AM
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Sounds like it would be a fun change of pace. You say most of the better acts are in the evening? The website doesn't have the 2010 schedule listed yet.
I checked on viamichelin and they show it to be about 1.5 hours each way. I can live with that. I might try and see a castle or estate on the way in the morning and early afternoon, then leave the rest of the day for some entertainment.
Thanks again.
I checked on viamichelin and they show it to be about 1.5 hours each way. I can live with that. I might try and see a castle or estate on the way in the morning and early afternoon, then leave the rest of the day for some entertainment.
Thanks again.
Apr 26th, 2010, 06:36 AM
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Winchester's packed with things too see: Britain's best cathedral (yes it is - it's got all the Saxon Kings in it as well as Jane Bloody Austen), King Arthur's Round Table, the college (where all the best people were edumacated), the watermeadows, St Cross and a very good museum (winchester used to be the Capital City - so has lot's of good stuff) plus the town itself is nice.
It's also packed with pubs and places to eat - some of which are very good indeed. (Most of the pubs are good - I should know. I've been thrown out of most of them).
The performers just pitch up and play during the day and then pass the hat round (hence the name). In the evening it's professional acts - usually by the Buttercross (well it was when I did it many many years ago).
As to when the "best stuff" is on - that's a matter of taste. The noisier stuff is in the evening - rock bands, alternative circuses etc.
There's also literature in the Guildhalll - poetry readings etc. plus stuff for kids and the like.
It does get busy and it is probably the global centre of rich white kids with dreadlocks for a week. (I didn't have dreadlocks).
You could do a lot worse and it would give you a glimpse of England that you won't get on the tourist trail.
ps I'd go on the train - parking is a nightmare.
It's also packed with pubs and places to eat - some of which are very good indeed. (Most of the pubs are good - I should know. I've been thrown out of most of them).
The performers just pitch up and play during the day and then pass the hat round (hence the name). In the evening it's professional acts - usually by the Buttercross (well it was when I did it many many years ago).
As to when the "best stuff" is on - that's a matter of taste. The noisier stuff is in the evening - rock bands, alternative circuses etc.
There's also literature in the Guildhalll - poetry readings etc. plus stuff for kids and the like.
It does get busy and it is probably the global centre of rich white kids with dreadlocks for a week. (I didn't have dreadlocks).
You could do a lot worse and it would give you a glimpse of England that you won't get on the tourist trail.
ps I'd go on the train - parking is a nightmare.
Apr 26th, 2010, 06:56 AM
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BTW does this make me a posh busker? My agent may have had something to say about that.
CW - Posh? Possibly. Busker? Won't strap the thing on for less than serious money. (BTW "the thing" is a guitar. I'm not that sort of boy)
CW - Posh? Possibly. Busker? Won't strap the thing on for less than serious money. (BTW "the thing" is a guitar. I'm not that sort of boy)
Apr 26th, 2010, 07:28 AM
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Any pubs specifically you'd recommend? They have to allow ankle biters, well 11 and 13 yo kids. I know that probably knocks out all your favorites. 
I will go back and have a look at Winchester in more detail, and wait for the Hat Fair schedule to come out. It's good to mix the activities up a bit because too much of the same (even a good thing) doesn't work as well in our house as mixing it up a bit. The whole event sounds like fun.
Is Winchester the cathedral the Ken Follett books are based on? I finished World Without End about a month ago.
I will go back and have a look at Winchester in more detail, and wait for the Hat Fair schedule to come out. It's good to mix the activities up a bit because too much of the same (even a good thing) doesn't work as well in our house as mixing it up a bit. The whole event sounds like fun.
Is Winchester the cathedral the Ken Follett books are based on? I finished World Without End about a month ago.
Apr 26th, 2010, 07:46 AM
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Any pubs specifically you'd recommend? They have to allow ankle biters, well 11 and 13 yo kids. I know that probably knocks out all your favorites.>>>>
It does.
The pubs in and immediately off the High St get rammed. They are fun in themselves - lots of jam sessions etc, but probably not for little ones.
If I was doing this, firstly I would only go if the weather was good as it's an outdoors event. Then I would go for the morning, which I would do as a tourist and see the Cathedral (which is where pretty much all this stuff happens - well the grounds.) Then walk through to Kingsgate St where the college is and eat at the Wykeham Arms (i'd check first that they still let kids in - they used to. It's not cheap.).
Other good paces to eat are the Vine on the Square, what used to be called the Market, also on the square (it's changed its name and I can't remember the new one but it's about 50 yards from the Vine .) The Bakers Arms - a further 50 yards.
Plus you have the usual chains - mainly in Jewry St (Winchester's small - ask a local). The best of these is the Loch Fyne in what used to be the Elizabethan (It's an Elizabthen house) which is an excellent fish chain.
On Hatfair weekend a lot of the usual rules don't apply. This is a good thing and maybe not such a good thing. BAsically it's an open air party.
Willit is the guy to answer this as he's much more up to date than I am.
It does.
The pubs in and immediately off the High St get rammed. They are fun in themselves - lots of jam sessions etc, but probably not for little ones.
If I was doing this, firstly I would only go if the weather was good as it's an outdoors event. Then I would go for the morning, which I would do as a tourist and see the Cathedral (which is where pretty much all this stuff happens - well the grounds.) Then walk through to Kingsgate St where the college is and eat at the Wykeham Arms (i'd check first that they still let kids in - they used to. It's not cheap.).
Other good paces to eat are the Vine on the Square, what used to be called the Market, also on the square (it's changed its name and I can't remember the new one but it's about 50 yards from the Vine .) The Bakers Arms - a further 50 yards.
Plus you have the usual chains - mainly in Jewry St (Winchester's small - ask a local). The best of these is the Loch Fyne in what used to be the Elizabethan (It's an Elizabthen house) which is an excellent fish chain.
On Hatfair weekend a lot of the usual rules don't apply. This is a good thing and maybe not such a good thing. BAsically it's an open air party.
Willit is the guy to answer this as he's much more up to date than I am.
Apr 26th, 2010, 07:50 AM
#17
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With kids in tow, possibly Bishop on the Bridge (Down near the large statue of Alfred the great) - not the greatest of pubs, but decent enough, and you can sit out on the terrace and watch the ducks on the river.
I like "The Black Boy" - a short walk along the river - very very strange decor, but a nice outside area, friendly place and excellent beer.
I like "The Black Boy" - a short walk along the river - very very strange decor, but a nice outside area, friendly place and excellent beer.
Apr 26th, 2010, 07:53 AM
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Is Winchester the cathedral the Ken Follett books are based on?>>>
No idea. It is Barchester in the Barchester Chronicles, and is also where Tess is hanged in The Thomas Sodding Hardy novel.
And then there's the Whole Jane Bloody Austen thing (she lived in Winchester, died in Winchester and is buried in Winchester Cathedral. The mare.). But don't let that put you off the Cathedral -it's magnificent (make a point of seeing the Library. You have any 1200 year old books where you live? We've got lots.)
No idea. It is Barchester in the Barchester Chronicles, and is also where Tess is hanged in The Thomas Sodding Hardy novel.
And then there's the Whole Jane Bloody Austen thing (she lived in Winchester, died in Winchester and is buried in Winchester Cathedral. The mare.). But don't let that put you off the Cathedral -it's magnificent (make a point of seeing the Library. You have any 1200 year old books where you live? We've got lots.)
