From: Sylvia Rushbrooke
[info_at_quecumbar_dot_co_dot_uk]
Sent: 09 August 2015 02:26
Subject: FW: Calling QuecumBar Patrons,
loyal friends and sponsors - Music the
only universal language
Dear Patrons, Loyal Que Friends and Sponsors
The universal language of music has no borders it joins and
unites, whilst spreading joy and magic into the heart..
Le QuecumBar the temple and home of Django Reinhardt Gypsy Swing
has been here for 13 years promoting and supporting Djangos music, stars of the
Gypsy world and the music's world wide musicians.
It grieves me to have to send news that we are struggling for
survival; on my return from Samois Gypsy Swing Festival, I had a bill for a 50
% increase in my rent, back dated a year, courtesy of my landlords Enterprise
Inns -
I have in the past attempted to persuade the landlord to sell to
me and still wait......after 4 years of being dangled
I have been forced to close on a Wednesday to cut costs
something that I found deeply upsetting when we have provided live music 7days
a week, 50 weeks a year, for 13 years.
Staged approx 4,500 live music events, made 9 cds, and hosted
the only Gypsy Swing Festival in London.
We have hosted master classes to encourage and nurture new
musicians coming to the ranks of Gypsy Swing
We provide spare instruments and amplifiers for visiting
musician, some donated by generous sponsors.
We promote and support the positive culture of Gypsy artists and
others in the genre, welcoming all into Le QuecumBar
We promote the networking of musicians with musicians and
customers with musicians securing bookings for bands and spreading the word
The roofs leaking and other such dull matters get in the way of
the timeless magical music that we continue to experience and stage against all
odds, we have a new CD on the go by 2 vibrant young Italian players who live in
London, Gypsy Dynamite and hope to put together a live album of the Rosenberg's
last visit if they approve the quality etc of the recording, done by a student
who gave his time for free for the experience of working with such talented
musicians.
In the meantime Steve has done a great job of starting a
kickstarter crowdfunding campaign as below -
Patron Biel Ballester has already pledged to help by composing 5
songs for 5 persons who agree to pledge £500 and will play those 5 compositions
when he comes to London
We have been deeply moved and heart warmed by the pledges in the
first week, some from persons who have never been here ....
As many of you know my 90 year old mum who used to visit the bar
regularly and get so much pleasure from the music, has been my main focus for
the last few years since being placed in a care home with dementia, I visit her
daily and battles re proper care has stolen my time and energy
Please visit our kickstarter link and above all pass on to all
who care about live music in independent intimate setting, too many have been
lost forever, the power is in the numbers.
Please support our campaign in some way, there are many ways
help can be given, offering services, time, ideas to raise finance, sponsor
something we need, ie roof repair, new awning, repair our Django sign that fell
down, help us restore our Django hand painted poster outside ....... please
visit our project
There are few independent music venues left and none doing what
we do and have done for so long with such a dedicated team.
Wednesday 26 August we have a kickstarter party
bands have donated their time to play, if you or anyone you know
is in London come and join us
or pass the word along and help preserve some musical magic
Thank you all as always for helping keep Gypsy Swing alive - and
other Gypsy music from around the globe
Please see Steves email below
Many thanks and regards
Sylvia Rushbrooke~Proprietaire
Le QuecumBar & Brasserie
“London’s world premier Gypsy Swing venue”
42-44 Battersea High St
London SW11 3HX
0207 787 2227
info_at_quecumbar_dot_co_dot_uk
All music listed on www.quecumbar.co.uk
Want to hear what our music is like? now you canwww.youtube.com/watch?v=5OYY-GZVhqk
Unique live music venue specialising in promoting Django
Reinhardt - Gypsy Swing and those who perform it. A style born in 30's
Paris drawing on nearly 2000 years of Gypsy culture.
Home of Le Q Records capturing live moments of musical magic and
Le QuecumBar Allstars
http://quecumbar.co.uk/quecumbar-allstars/
Proud to have the support and approval of our world class
musician patrons:
Angelo DeBarre;
guitar, French Gypsy.
John Jorgenson; guitar, clarinet USA
Dave Kelbie; rhythm guitar; UK
John Etheridge; guitar, UK
Lollo Meier; guitar, Dutch Gypsy
Robin Nolan; guitar, UK
Hank Marvin; guitar, UK
Andreas Oberg; guitar, Sweden
Stephane Wrembel; guitar, France
Ritary Gaguenetti; guitar, French Gypsy
Biel Ballester Trio; guitar, Spain
Gary Potter; guitar, UK
Moreno; guitar, French Gypsy
Kevin
Nolan; rhythm guitar, UK
Aurore
(Voilqué ) Quartet; violin, vocals, France
Tommy
Emmanuel; guitar, Australia
Stochelo
Rosenberg; guitar, Dutch Gypsy
Tcha
Limberger; violin, guitar, vocals, Belgian Gypsy
Kussi
Weiss; guitar, German Gypsy
Aurelien
Bouly; guitar, French Gypsy
Ducato
Piotrowski; rhythm guitar, Polish Gypsy, UK
From: Steve Tennison [mailto:steve_at_quecumbar_dot_co_dot_uk]
Sent: 08 August 2015 13:36
To: info_at_quecumbar_dot_co_dot_uk
Subject:
Dear Le Q Patrons,
I’m writing to you directly to let you know some news from London regarding Le QuecumBar.
Earlier this year, a rent review was carried out by our landlord. This was disastrous for us. Not only was the rent increased by over 50%, it was also backdated. This time of year, i.e. the summer in the UK also stops us from earning enough turnover to pay the overheads. It’s a critical time for the future of being the world’s foremost Gypsy swing venue.
It’s not all bad news though. Being the positive and pigheaded individual that I am, and installing these values into my manager, Steve, together we’ve come up with a plan to help us over this bad period. We’re using a method of crowd-funding to get through, now, and in the medium and long term.
Not only does it achieve this, if funded, but it’ll also help us secure another 13 glorious years of being the sole, unique and iconic venue supporting the musicians of the genre we all love. Our project plan refocuses us, addresses some long standing issues, and will get bums on seats, which we ultimately need to sustain a rental increase. The plan will see us working even closer with the Sinti communities and we’ll work to address social inequalities through our work. All areas of our project address the needs of the venue, Le Q Records, our musicians, new and existing customers and our local community.
You can see our project plan here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/111238720/preserving-the-uks-temple-of-jazz-manouche-le-quec/backers/report/index
You will notice that people are asked to pledge their financial support in return for rewards.
Being Patrons of Le QuecumBar, can I kindly ask that you
forward this crowd-funding opportunity to all your contacts, especially those
who understand your key role within the Gypsy jazz world. We must succeed. It
would be fabulous if we exceeded our goal. You can reassure your contacts that
they can pledge anonymously to this project. The crowdfunding website
(Kickstarter.com) is trusted, verified and secure, and it’s simple to use. Just
follow the link above.
If you have any specific questions, please contact Steve (steve_at_quecumbar_dot_co_dot_uk)
Steve Tennison
Manager
Le QuecumBar: The Hot Club of
London & Le Q Records
T: +44 (0) 207 787 2227
F: +44 (0) 207 787 2225
M: +44 (0) 7494442997
We're currently crowdfunding.
Clink on the Kickstarter.com logo below to find out more:
We use that social media thingy!
Follow us/like us...whatever:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/le.quecumbarlondon
Twitter: _at_quecumbar
Instagram: lequecumbar
YouTube: GypsyswingSW111