The Angel of Bow Pub, Open Mic, 11 January 2023. We performed a set at this popular open mic night hosted by Archie Shutter
Winter Solstice at the Royal Sovereign, Clapton. Weds 21 December 2022. We celebrated the Winter Solstice with live music, dance and a bonfire ritual. We crowned the King and Queen of Misrule with cake and meade.
United by Music Ygra, Shkembe Soup and ShunTA! fundraising gig in aid of Ukrainian crisis at the Post Bar, Tottenham.
This was the second round of the United by Music initiative – a beautiful musical evening, where we came together to once again support those suffering in Ukraine, due to the ongoing conflict. We donated all the profits to British Red Cross Ukrainian Appeal and it was an unforgettable night, where we stood together in unity against evil and soothed our hearts with beautiful sounds from Eastern Europe.
We absolutely loved going to the ‘Dance Around the World, Festival of World Dance’ on Sunday 30th October 2022. Fiona ran a ‘Gypsy’ dance workshop which was great fun and well attended. Our performance of three songs was wonderful and the organiser thanked us and said “We have received many, many warm words of praise for all the performances and teaching at the event. Your beautiful, vibrant and elegant dancing was really mesmerising and delighted the audience… We love having Shkembe Soup at the event.” Anne, organiser, DATW. Here’s their website for all news https://www.datw.org.uk/
We danced around the water at The East End Canal Festival on both Saturday and Sunday on the 16th and 17th July 2022 near The Art Pavilion in Mile End. This is a free community event in Mile End Park and canal in July. There were boat trips, exhibitions, entertainment, stalls, workshops and much more.
To find out more about Regent’s Canal visit the Regent’s Canal Heritage website
Some photos from the East End Canal Festival 2022
We played on the Victoria Park Bandstand as part of the Victoria Park Bandstand Season Summer 2022 organised by Victoria Park Friends on Sunday 10th July 2022. We also had the pleasure of being on the bandstand with Linda’s belly dance troupe and London City Brass.
Photo of Victoria Park Bandstand gig
Summer Solstice with the Gallery Cafe was golden. We celebrated the summer solstice with golden wings, veils, a summer breeze and so much more.
Tara’s Street Party on the 18th June 2022 was full of rainbows, unicorns, dancing and the bouncy castle was bouncing. It was lovely to meet all the folk on the street and we all enjoyed each others generosity and spirit. It was a lovely community event and I suspect will happen again and again.
We had a truly sizzling spring spectacular night on the 7th May 2022 at The Royal Sovereign E5 8R. Everyone was so happy and dancing so much the pub was bouncing.
We loved performing at Age UK’s Lewisham and Southwark Jubilee party on the 1st June 2022. We joined in the bbq, performed outside to a lovely crowd of people, who danced, sang and swayed the afternoon away. There was lots of love in the air and a great mix of performers all afternoon.
We loved performing for the first time at Small World Festival, 6th June 2022. Everywhere around us was filled with magic, colour and laughter. We enjoyed watching lots of other brilliant bands and sitting by the enormous fires all around us. Have a look at Small World Festival June 2022 facebook page here
On Saturday 29th January 2022 we performed our first gig of the year at Biddle Brothers with ShunTA as presented by Sad House Daddy.
To see the music video we made for the Poplarism! Digital Festival in May 2021 see this youtube link A Love Letter to Tower Hamlets by Shkembe Soup | Poplarism! – YouTube
We had a fab evening performing at Mel’s party on the 4th December 2021 at the Moustache Bar, Dalston
We performed at Chatsworth Road on the 9th October 2021 to celebrate Tara Fairy’s Healing Space Hackney. It was a beautiful afternoon on the street.
Read Sally’s blog about this experience on the Poplar Union website Poplarism! Digital Arts Festival: My Experience
On Sunday 6th September 2021 we had a ‘Gypsy Jam Sandwich’ event in Springfield Park. E5 9EF. We picnicked with lively music and dance! We enjoyed a Balkan Gypsy Dance Workshop led by Linda (which bought many women together in dance) followed by the Balkan Village Band and lastly our band Shkembe Soup.
We were pleased to take part in the Canal Club Community Garden ‘Celebrating Creative Communities’ event on Saturday 5th September 2020. It was part of the SAVE OUR SPACE community art weekend. For more information on the campaign mail to canalclubcommunitygarden@gmail.com or call 07812 991 373.
Sunday 31st August 2020, Bank Holiday weekend on the Village Butty. We had a blast and there was even a rock n roll raid during our performance. Love came out the winner.
Sunday 19th July 2020, Shkembe Soup ride again! On top of the Village Butty – a floating community hall, 4pm. Find us somewhere on the Regent’s Canal. With lots of other live music. Live music comes out of lockdown at last!
The Vic’s Acoustic Moonshine Open Mic, from 7.30 to 11.30 pm. The host says ‘I am very pleased to announce that the resplendant Shkembe Soup will be with me again this Thursday 5th of March at The Victoria! Come for some beautful gypsy music, delicious dancing and angelic harmonies! All are welcome to play, if you’re not too worried about following Shkembe Soup… ;). All welcome. Free entry.
LDN-SE1-Mardi Gras, 25th February 2020 at the Blackfriars Settlement Celebrating Pancake Day/ Mardi Gras / Carnival in Southwark, London SE1. 2pm. Organized by Mint Street Music Festival.
Thursday 6 February 2020, at the Victoria Pub, 186 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 4QH. 8pm til late as part of the monthly Open Mic night. Come down with or without your instruments for a fun evening in a fab pub.
Sunday 2nd February 2020 Shkembe Soup at The Eleanor Arms Pub E3 5JP Come and join us at this fantastic local pub. From 8pm and jamming at 9pm so bring yourself, your friends and all instruments – small and large. Free event.
Shkembe’s Solstice shin dig! Saturday 21st December 2019 at The Royal Sovereign, E5 8RL. Free event. Come and celebrate the Winter solstice with Music and dance ! Wild Gypsy folk vibes with a hint of rock and roll and some magic glitter thrown in! Followed by Stax of Soul xmas party.
Saturday 7th Dec 2019 at The Lacy Nook as part of the HighSTREET ADVENTures organised by Walthamstow Council, for Fusion cuisine from the Balkan Peninsula, accompanied by Shkembe Soup at Today Bread, 137 Hoe Street, E17 4RT. 7.30pm. Non diners also welcome – mulled wine & negronis available!
Biddle Bros Thursday 28th November 2019 7.30 pm til late. Sad House Daddy presents Bottles of Blues. For full details see the facebook event
FEEL THE RHYTHM WITH SHKEMBE SOUP at the Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9LP on Friday 15th November 2019 7.30 – 10.30 pm.
Rollright Fayre with friends. 12-14th July 2019, Kigstone Farm, Little Rollright, Warwickshire OX7 5QB
Sunday 6th July 2019 as part of the first ever Stokebourne Festival 5-6 July 2019. See the link for the full programme details and tickets. Location: St Matthias Church (the garden). Stokebourne Festival 5-6 July 2019. See the link for the full programme details and tickets. Location: St Matthias Church (the garden), Wordsworth Road, LONDON, N16 8DD.
It’s all in aid of the vital rewiring and relighting work without which the magnificent St Matthias Church – Stokey’s only Grade I-listed building – could close. Read more here Hackney Gazette.
Saturday 29 June 2019. Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Summer Fair 2019 12 midday to 5pm.
Sunday 16 June 2019 as part of the Victoria Park Bandstand Season 2019. Sunday from 2pm. See Victoria Park Friends facebook site for full programme.
Saturday 8th June 2019 4pm onwards Anchor and Hope Pub 15 High Hill Ferry Clapton London E5 9HG. We scattered joy and brought wild dancing and singing. We brought new songs and old, from east and west and up the road.
Friday 24th May 2019 Eve. Paper Vintage Dress Bar Mare Street, London E8 1HR
Saturday 30 March 2019 as part of the Meet in the Street Roadblock XR Tower Hamlets. From 11.30am Visit Extinction Rebellion Tower Hamlets facebook site for their latest news.
Friday 15 March 2019 Magical Balkan Music Night in Aid of Remembering Srebrenica from 7pm Balabam 58-60 High Road, London N15 6JU.
Friday 7 March 2019 International Women’s Day. Org by Tower Hamlets Homes.
The Telegraph at the Early of Derby Thurs 7 February 2019 with Archie Shuttler. See a snippet of dancing to Ghostriders. See a snippet of dancing to Gypsy’s, Tramps and Thieves
WeCaN: Women’s Events Collaboration and Networking
Sunday 27 January 2019. From 7pm. Upstairs at the Ritzy, Brixton, Oval, London. SW2 1JG.
Winter Solstice with Shkembe Soup at The Anchor and Hope, 15 High Hill Ferry, Clapton, London E5 9HG. Friday 21st December 2018 from 19.00.
Scatter your sovs with Shkembe Soup on Saturday 1st December 2018 from 19.00 at The Royal Sovereign, 64 Nothwold Road, Clapton, London E5 8RL. Includes viny djs playing soul, funk and popcorn music. See the fb event page.
Thursday 1st November 2018, with the Commie Faggots at Biddle Bros 88 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0QR.
Saturday 24th February 2018, Magical Balkan Night in Aid of Remembering Srebenica at Babel ART House, 86 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7PA. Join us for an evening of music, dance and poetry in aid of Remembering Srebrenica. There will be performances by the Shkembe Soup and the London Gypsy Orchestra. If you are a fan of Balkan music already or would just like to discover a new musical adventure – you can not miss it! All the funds raised during the event will go directly to Remembering Srebrenica, a fantastic British charitable initiative committed to using the lessons from Srebrenica to tackle hatred and intolerance to help build a better, safer and more cohesive society for everyone.
Friday 23rd February 2018, with the Commie Faggots at The Royal Sovereign 64 Northwold Rd, London E5 8RL.
Friday 16th February 2018 Valentine’s at Babel ART House, 86 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7PA. From 8pm til 11.30pm.
Friday 19th January 2018, at Babel ART House, 86 Stock Newington High Street, N16 7PA. From 8pm til 11.30pm.
Thursday 21st December 2017, Winter Solstice at The Royal Sovereign, 64 Northwold Rd, London E5 8RL. From 7pm til 11.30pm.
Saturday 18th November 2017 at Babel ART House, 86, Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7PA
Saturday 21st October 2017, part of the Stoke Newington Music Festival at MostArt Centre, 86, Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7PA. Here’s the event listing for all the bands playing at MostArt.
Sunday 9th July 2017, performance as part of the Park Life Community Fair and Dog Show, Mile End Park, Event Field from 12 midday til 17.00. We are performing from 12.30 to 13.30. Free event. All welcome. Read more @mileendpark Facebook.
Saturday 8th July 2017, performance as part of International Night at All Saints, Edmonton Church St, N9 9AT, Edmonton with other performers, including a steel band and Bulgarian dancers. Food and drink. Ticketed event organised by the church social club.
Sunday 2nd July 2017, from 13.00 with WTW Big Band, Broken Swing Band and Ruby Galore. Finishes around 18.00. Part of the Victoria Park Bandstand Season 2017 and LGBT Pride Picnic. See the Victoria Park Friends Group on Facebook for the latest information on the Bandstand Season 2017.
Friday 30th June 2017 Sea Enemies // Ayo Bamidele // Shkembe Soup. N5 Live at The Gunners, 204, Blackstock Road, London N5 1EN 19:30-23:00. Free event. See full details in the blog here.
Saturday 24th June 2017, the Co-op 40th private birthday party.Wednesday 21st June 2017 at the Royal Sovereign public house, Clapton, E5 8RL to celebrate the Summer Solstice and world music day. From 7pm til late. Free event.
Saturday 17th June 2017, in the afternoon as part of The Great Get Together weekend in celebration of Jo Cox’s belief that we have ‘far more in common than that which divides us’. Canal Club Community Garden, overlooking the Regent’s Canal and Victoria Park, on Sewardstone Road, E2. Follow the Canal Club Community Garden on Facebook and see more details. Free event.
Shkembe Soup. Whirling and swirling music and dance 