Oxjam Kilburn Takeover

Kilburn has been taken over this month by Oxjam, a festival to raise money for Oxfam. Last week saw the comedy part of the festival. I attended both the open and closing nights on Kilburn High Road. Opening night was at Powers Bar, with an eclectic mix of comedians. A few random hecklers in the front row made the atmosphere a little unusual, but the host Jeff Leach managed to successfully keep us all entertained.

But the closing night at my local the North London Tavern was on top form. A great mix of comedians with an audience that was happy to soak up their entertainment in front of them, rounded off with the brilliant Rufus Hound. There was also some great comedy from Paul Sweeney on both nights, check out his Panda Bear song. As well as the very funny French/English Dutch speaking Eric Lampaert, someone I’d definitely like to see again.

If you weren’t lucky enough to make it to the comedy festival, make sure you have 23rd October in your diary as the Kilburn Oxjam Festival reaches a high with the music takeover. Five venues on the Kilburn High Road are opening their doors and will jam packed with musicians performing for our entertainment. And for the bargain price of £10! The day (which runs from 4pm to 4am I believe) will be headlined by MTV award nominee Rox. The venues for this music event are Powers, The Good Ship, The Kings Head, The Luminaire and my favourite the good old North London Tavern. For more information on the acts or to book tickets click here.

Kilburn does Comedy

So Sunday will mark the one month anniversary of me, Ocean & Lis (not forgetting Marlon the cat) living in Kilburn, the lovely NW6 area of North London. And I have never looked back. So this has spurred on a local blog post for me today.

I've been used to living in the East end or South West and out in the sticks of zone 3 where there was never anything close to home. But Kilburn has everything on my doorstep. A high street with a selection of shops and Brent Cross down the road, but even better some great bars and pubs! The North London Tavern is my local (it is on the corner of my road!) and the Goodship (great for comedy). I do love heading down the road to the Westbury as well and now there is the Betsy Smith, which I am yet to try out.

This Sunday does not just mark when Kilburn gained some lovely new people, it is also the first night of the Oxjam Kilburn Comedy festival. There are some great acts lined up including Alex Zane, Jeff Leach, Gail Porter and the brilliant Rufus Hound. I know I'll be trying to go to as many evenings as I can. And with tickets priced at £5 or £6 on the door it's a bargain for a great cause. Visit the site for more details here.