Kitty In The City...

Having spent a week in the burbs-lovely neighborhood, just not urban-it was time to venture into the center of all things Manchester. My boots weren't made for walkin', but I opted for style over sensibility. Never know who a girl might run into in the BIG city!

Chauffeur driven on the Magic Bus

About 40 mins. later...let out at Piccadilly, Kitty was in the City. Certainly I had the tourist air as I sauntered about sans direction amidst the indigenous hustle 'n bustle. My main missions were to locate a piano bar & to seek out the jazz club I'd read about online. Since all was truly foreign to me and I hadn't bothered with a map, I just roamed about organically. Unfortunately, my camera settings were funky, so some of my photos are crap! (they'll not be included here)

Canal Street-aka The Gay Village...should be a freakin' piano bar here somewhere!

Where would you look for a piano bar? Besides, y'all know I gravitate toward the laissez-faire, live, live, live vibe assured to be found anywhere the rainbow flag hangs! Think again. Just discos here all along the canal. The cafe tables are barely visible in the photo, but they're jam packed on this most gorgeous day. Best day so far, weather wise!

I can always sniff out a Jazz Club. Found it! Matt & Phreds!!!

Too early for jazzers, but they kept the light on to wink at distant travelers like me. Good job fellas! I never would've have found this gem otherwise. Streets in this older neighborhood haven't had a face lift yet, and I could sense a hint of danger in the cramped alleyways between the sex shops, head shops, music shops, pawn shops, and a cute vintage/tea shoppe getting a head start on the coming gentrification. The jazz doesn't begin til 10p. Hhhmm... wonder what it's like at night around these parts? A little sightseeing anyone?

Manchester Cathedral where the Queen will visit tomorrow for an ancient ceremonial Maundy Service. According to the clock, jazz worship won't begin for hours!

Seems like I'm drawn to old religious buildings. I literally stumbled upon the Manchester Cathedral looking for the ever elusive clove cigarette. Bam! There she was in her glory. The evening paper noted tight security for the venue in preparation for the Queen's visit with Prince William. Looks like royalty just got delivered to my doorstep! Good thing I'm not into babies, 'cause their version of tight security could be breached by any Princess trying to snag her Prince. Where are my slippers? On with the details... The Maundy is a ancient ceremony dating back to the 12th Century where the Sovereign distributed Alms and washed feet on Holy Week Thursday. Certainly, the foot fetish thing has been abandoned, since the gifts of food & clothing have been replaced by a bag of specialty Royal minted silver coins. . The coin-filled pouches (contents equal to the Sovereign's age) will be presented by the Queen to 81 women and 81 men- specially chosen in recognition of their service to the Church and the community. This is the 1st time the Maundy has come to Manchester. The feet washing could add some real spice here!!!

The old and new juxtaposed, City Center

Town Hall-just before the shadows fall

Did I mention the Queen's private lunch at Town Hall Thursday? She and Willie Boy will walk from the Cathedral to Town Hall for a special reception. Maybe my misdirection made that walk a bit trekkish? Could it have been the boots? The Queen will undoubtedly be wearing sensible shoes. Any way, enough about HER...back to me, me, me!

Matt & Phred's sign said they opened at 5pm. With a little more than 1/2 hour to wander, I checked out the canopied market in St. Anne's Square. Sorry, didn't whip out the camera for this. Perhaps I spent to much time in Pike Place Market and am a tad jaded by allure of photographed produce & crafts? On the other hand, could I have been just a wee hungry for a snack? The latter sensation brought on by the sight of handmade, provincial sausages with small sample cups on hand for potential buyers had me drooling ever so slightly. I looked around for the toothpicks. There must have been desperation in my eyes-not to forget the drool-cause the seller dude lifted the little sample cup in my direction. As I squeaked out a barely audible, "toothpick?", the guy next to me shoved in his chubby little fingers, munched, and purchased a couple of the little darlings. He & seller glanced in my direction as if to say..."what's the toothpick for?" When in Rome... I snagged a couple of varieties. God, they were fantastic! Everybody knows I love my meat, but at £3 ea. for a smallish wiener I decided to slip away in the crowd. Geez, just get me to Matt & Phreds!!! Up til now Starbucks has kept my ice supply flowin' and jazz tunes in my ears. Pitiful, isn't it? I've come full circle.

5pm...iced out and ready for a real libation, I head back to the jazz den. The place is beautiful! Not in a fancy way, but more upscale than the whole-in-the-wall I'd expected from the look of its' exterior. I know! Can't judge a book by the cover (and Stevie added, "can't judge the look by the lover"). Great stage, baby Grand Yamaha, full bar, sound system! You know I was in heaven. I sat down to a 1/2 pint of Red Stripe and chatted with Dave the friendly bartender who convinced me to venture back out later on my Magic Bus to actually catch the music. At this point it was only 6pm, and though I'm more than capable of hanging out in a watering hole for many hours I thought better of it and went home to grab a snack & a To Go (Princess is on a budget!).

Finally...the comfort of a dark, smoky jazz club!

Like I said earlier, Dave pep talked me into a solo City Center nighttime adventure. Boots still strapped on, 3rd time's a charm on my Magic carpet, a To Go in hand... I go for it. The photo doesn't really tell the story. Didn't want to use a flash and ruin the atmosphere, but the joint was jumpin'!! Gilad Atzmon's Quartet was innovative, funky, and pretty hot! http://www.gilad.co.uk/ The charismatic & talented Gilad will be in Denver for lectures on his book and to play music later this month. Apparently, he's politically opinionated and worried he won't last long in the States. Don't know about that, but the man can blow!!! Top off the tremendous music with meeting new pals, Chris & Ron, who saved me a Cinderella run for the Magic carpet home at ten to twelve. I got to stay out later, got door to door transport, and I had a blast of an evening! Tonight...karaoke???