This summer we have been celebrating a very important birthday – 30 years since The Spitz first opened its doors as a live music venue at Old Spitalfields Market. To commemorate this special anniversary and to bring together the community of musicians, music lovers, friends and colleagues behind The Spitz, we have had the pleasure of putting on three public live-music events (so far!) for all to enjoy.
Musicians Arthur Lea, Henrik Jensen and Mussinghi Brian Edwards at the third Spitalbeats event
Each event has showcased a unique lineup, but all made up of some of our best loved Spitz musicians. The nights have featured as part of Spitalfields Markets Summer ‘Spitalbeats’ series – spotlighting live music, street food and community in the market every Friday evening:
Musicians Pete Wareham, Marcus Bonfanti and Miles Danso at the first Spitalbeats event
At The Spitz, we are accustomed to witnessing how music holds the unique power to bring people together, despite their different life circumstances and individual needs and differences. The magic of these events has been being able to share this with members of the public and friends of The Spitz far and wide. Old staff members from the original venue were able to come and mingle with audience members past and present, reminiscing over the days of the weekly Friday night jazz sessions whilst listening to some of the very same musicians that they watched in the venue’s heyday. Being at the original site of the venue was particularly special, and highlights the lasting connections between market vendors, live music promoters and musicians that have all stayed in touch over the years despite the inevitable changes that occur with the passing of time.
Many of the musicians performing with us were also regulars at the original venue, so it has been a real trip down memory lane, with the stage only a stones-throw from the site of the original venue. Members of the public have been able to mingle with Spitz musicians and beneficiaries, and stories of how live music has reached people in various different contexts have been shared over a drink or two.
Another truly unique touch was that friends and families of the residents at Bridgeside Lodge who enjoy music from our Spitz musicians on a weekly basis, were able to join us in this celebration and to share stories of how music has touched their lives and created meaningful and memorable moments with their loved ones. Through photos and videos of our work being shared on the screens, new connections being made with interested passers-by and old memories shared amongst friends and colleagues, the human connection that live music elicits has certainly been evident for all to witness and experience. The work that we do has been able to come alive, and in this way we have been able to raise awareness about our charity, and have gained many new followers and even fans to invite to future events, parties and fundraising initiatives.
A glimpse of the atmosphere
And, the best part is that the fun is not over yet. We have one final Spitalbeats event coming up, which will be the biggest and best yet with a lineup of five of our highly-esteemed Spitz musicians, and even more stories, photos and videos to be shared. A huge thank you to all that have helped us to put these events on, including everybody at the Old Spitalfields Market and of course our wonderful musicians, and all that have turned up to support us and celebrate our work. We would like to extend a warm invitation to anybody who is interested in our work and our mission as a charity to join us at the market on Friday 25th September at 5-7pm. Whether you have been following us for a while, or have just found us and are wondering what we are all about, this is the perfect chance for you to come and meet the team and witness the power of live music for all, first hand. We’ll see you there.
