Unexpected night at work
I work part-time in a second hand book shop in a bohemian suburb. Recently, someone came into the shop asking whether he could stage a small show and I referred him to my boss, who is known for allowing offbeat happenings in the shop. I didn't expect him to agree to this one but he did. I was asked to stand in for someone else tonight and when I got to work, I discovered that tonight was the night and resigned myself to whatever might happen next. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the show consisted of mainly freestyling, spoken poetry and a little singing. Unfortunately, the lighting is terrible and the space too small to take any good pictures so here are some happy snaps.
The gig was organised by an American named Luke, who moved here with his South African wife in 2014. There was a professional muso who jammed with all of them as they spoke and freestyled, even though he hadn't performed with any of them before. I didn't get his name but he is an accomplished jazz and blues guitarist and singer. Below, he is playing with Dionne Song, who is an impressive freestyler with a voice and style similar to Norah Jones.
The customers were a little bemused and Ozi the architect wasn't happy that he couldn't browse his favourite section because they were in the way so he kept trying to convince me that he used to look like Miles Davis. Maybe when he was younger, I don't know.
I liked this young man's t-shirt although he became rather shy when I asked to photograph him
A cat who lives down the road also popped in to visit so a busy night was had by all!
What a great place to work lots of fun and interesting things going on. A night to remember. 🐓🐓
Great photos, even the cat came to the party, so cute!
Cheetahs do not roar, as the other big cats do. Instead, they purr.
Smuggling a cat out of ancient Egypt was punishable by death. Phoenician traders eventually succeeded in smuggling felines, which they sold to rich people in Athens and other important cities.
Now this adventure. What a great night full of interesting people with character and talent.
Now I know why your a geek, you're surrounded by books and interesting people
This looks like such a fun job. No wonder you are such a knowledgeable person being surrounded with all those books. Looks like you get to meet a lot of really interesting people as well. Are you tempted to take that gorgeous cat home with you?
No, I already have 6 at home
hahaha part about Ozi is funny
Ozi is a very entertaining man, he's a regular
It looks like interesting night. The pictures are also nice and interesting. I like the cat also :)
She's quite fat but she always comes to beg for food
Yeah.. I though also watching the photo that this cat looks like to me big :) And yes.. you are right. The cats won't matter of their size are always hungry, Never refuses a food :D
You work in a bookshop???? I envy you! Trying to imagine the number of books you have access to.
That's the kind of life I want, flowing with the music, learning poetry. Living the arts.
But then you gotta be rich to live this life or else family and other societal norms will chop you up.
Great post by the way, enjoyed it.
P.S Ozi might have actually looked like Miles Davies
Thank you. I've always said that if it wasn't for the books, I'd have gotten a better-paying job long ago. I'm not rich but I have never cared for the opinions of family or society so I carry on with my dirt-poor artistic lifestyle. I couldn't trade my freedom for material comfort and somehow, I have always gotten by.
Ozi may have, there is a similarity around his eyes and nose
You're doing good. As long as it makes you happy right? Trying to revive my bookworm habit, used to be an ardent reading but external pressure drove that down.
Nice reading your post