Wednesday 9 April 2008

God Save The SCVA – 30th Birthday Celebrations


Saturday 5th April 2008

As an occasional record selector, I was thrilled to be asked to provide background music for the Sainsbury Centre’s 30th Birthday Reception.


It's not often you get a chance to play records in such modernist surroundings as this superb Norman Foster building. And there I was, positioned in the exhibition area much like an art installation – Will I qualify for next years Turner Prize? Marooned along side the current Cloth and Culture Show, I was thankful I was granted permission by its owner that I could have a glass of wine or two.

As the SCVA opened its doors in 1978, the record selection policy was strictly seventies – so the well dressed arty crowd were treated to such folky delights as Tim Buckley and John Martyn to glamed -up David Bowie and Roxy. This was no exercise in guilty pleasures, as David Essex made a glorious appearance after the speeches. Rock on.

An appearance of Olivers Army persuaded a brave few to cut a rug. And later, feeling a bit cheeky, I played the Sex Pistol’s God Save the Queen. Sadly, it did not provoke scenes of spitting or pogo-ing. It is the stately SCVA after all.

There were no requests for ABBA, though I was prepared with The Name of The Game. The Bee Gees sat on the substitute bench just in case of demands for Disco. Perhaps appetite’s were sated with Donna Summer’s lascivious, I Feel Love.

As the last of the wine was consumed, the evening was brought to a dignified close, in typical Daz fashion with Neil Sedaka and The Last Waltz by The Band. Nice.

Happy Birthday SCVA!

Love and thanks to Kate Carreno and Sally Goldsmith

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