July 29th
Yet again the back streets of Edinburgh's historic New Town held host to another insightful evening of talk, demonstration and artistic debate.
Award winning silversmith Mark Powell held court at The Henderson Gallery as conversation flew from the high fashions of Japan's warrior elite to the manufacturing processes of the modern global automotive industry.
Up next:
- Julie Lawson, Chief Curator of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in conversation with artist Joyce Gunn Cairns - 8th August
- Broadcaster Archie Macpherson in conversation - 12th August
To reserve a FREE ticket call the Gallery on 0131 225 7464 or email mail@thehendersongallery.com.
July 23rd
Lesley Riddoch is one of my Dad's betes noir. She really should be quite pleased about this as she is in exalted company that includes swine flu, homeopathy and the BBC, in particular their Business Editor Robert Peston. However, even he would have been impressed with the fascinating conversation between Lesley and Joyce Gunn Cairns in the Henderson Gallery tonight.
The audience - including many leading lights of Scotland's artistic community - certainly lapped it up, and joined in a wide-ranging discussion that led from the classless nature of Gore-Tex to the Kantian Moral Imperative. When floundering host Gregor Sloss finally managed to call a halt to proceedings, at the third attempt, the entire party, audience and guests alike decamped to Henderson's Restaurant where the debate continued far into the night. Fantastic.
Next up we have leading silversmith Mark Powell on Wednesday 29th July. To reserve a free ticket call the Gallery on 0131 225 7464 or email mail@thehendersongallery.com.
July 22nd
What with swine flu, global warming, the economic downturn and Thistle Street bearing a striking resemblance to downtown Pompeii courtesy of the gas board we were a little worried whether anyone would actually make it to tonight's gallery talk by MP Mark Lazarowicz.
Well they did and Mark was superb, giving a fascinating insight into the plans for a new Museum of Leith. During the lively discussion that followed he told us that, all being well, the Museum could be up and running in about five years time. I don't know. Put Peter Henderson in charge and rename it 'Henderson's on the Shore' and I reckon it could open next week. Next up, Lesley Riddoch on the 23rd - see you there.
July 21st
Delicious, wholesome food, effortlessly stylish surroundings, the best in contemporary art: it can only be Henderson's of Hanover Street, right? Wrong! The best kept secret in town can finally be revealed - just call me 'Scoop' - Henderson's are heading up west! Henderson's at St John's has opened its doors to provide a haven of calm this Festival amidst the bustle of Princes Street and Lothian Road, serving great food, great drinks and great takeaways to all the West End Girls (and Boys) who have been missing out on the unique, indefinable but unmistakable buzz that is Henderson's. Beautifully situated below St John's Church, Henderson's at St John's is surely set to become one of the hippest and most atmospheric hangouts in town for browsing and sluicing indoors or out - and what is more, can already boast more apostrophes than any other Edinburgh eaterie. Probably.
July 20th
I think we can safely describe that as one hell of a weekend! As some of you will have noticed from the news, the centre of Edinburgh was subjected to water leaks, fractured gas pipes, road closures - and on Saturday Henderson's itself was forced to shut its doors. However, due to the fantastic efforts of our dedicated staff the Bistro was open again by Sunday. The Restaurant, being in a basement, had a few more problems, but even it was ready to welcome customers back today. As things fall apart, as roads subside and rubbish piles up and Edinburgh takes on a positively Mediterranean aspect (I'm thinking particularly of Beirut) it is good to know that Henderson's, the beating heart of Hanover Street, is alive and kicking! Well done boys and girls!
July 17th
Alan Taylor - 'The unbearable likeness of me ... yet again' - published in the Herald today. For full article :
July 15th
What a fantastic evening we had at the first of the events at the Gallery featuring Joyce Gunn Cairns in conversation. Joyce was speaking to Johanna Wagner last night: next she is having conversations with Mark Lazarowicz (22nd), Lesley Riddoch (23rd), Mark Powell (29th), Julie Lawson (8th) and Archie Macpherson (12th). So long as she keeps in shape she will be fine - and she's trying (see photo).
July 12th
With the Festival Fringe almost upon us - and you can check out Henderson's fantastic programme on the right - the wonderful John Cairney visited us today to block out his show 'Coffee With Cairney', which starts on August 3rd. "Look there! look there" he intoned in that familiar, thrilling, beautifully modulated voice of his (and yes, we all thought, how tremendous it would be if John gave us his Lear). He half rose from his chair and pointed in excitement to the stairs leading out of the Wine Bar. "Look! What an excellent place for me to die!". I swear you could actually see Peter Henderson's brain whirring through the commercial possibilities before realising that John was suggesting nothing more than a particularly sensational coup de theatre! Ah me!
July 9th
Another opening at the Henderson Gallery, another fantastic night! The Private View for the show 'Unspoken Lines' by Joyce Gunn Cairns attracted the great and the good in their droves to Thistle Street Lane last night. The diminutive but delightful Claire from the Bistro made sure the bubbly kept on flowing and the Henderson's kitchen team excelled themselves with the best selection of nibbles your humble correspondent has ever tasted (mind you, I don't get out much). Peter Henderson made a speech that is already being compared in some quarters to the Gettysburg Address, Sally Magnusson made an even better one, and, oh my dear, the people! Hairdresser to the Stars Charlie Miller was there, and restaurateur Tony Singh, and Leith legend Mary Moriarty, and novelist Alasdair Gray, and arts impresario Richard Demarco and.............well, just about everyone. The show runs until August 15th, and you can read more about it here :
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/Interview-Joyce-Gunn--Quick.5442199.jp
July 5th
It's a thing of beauty, Billy! Juliet Henderson's design dream team, featuring top DJ Mark Price, have been hard at work on the interior of Henderson's shop, and the results, we have to say, are stunning. Imagine, if you can, your average corner shop redesigned to suit the whims of one of the more flamboyant Habsburg emperors and you're half way there - or better still pop in and see it for yourself.
Meanwhile Thistle Street is awash with rumour and speculation as to what colour has been chosen for the outside. Tales have even reached our ears of such reclusive characters as jeweller Joe Bonnar and kiltmaker Howie Nicholsby tearing themselves away from their lives of ceaseless toil and venturing blinking into the unfamiliar daylight to discuss the matter over a furtive cigarette. Large sums are being wagered at local turf accountants and eager punters are scanning colour charts with an almost religious fervour. Juliet is remaining characteristically tight-lipped, but for the record the current favourites are Hairy Gooseberry, 5-1, Regency Firedamp, 3-1 and Coaltown of Wemyss, 5-2. Matters really came to a head as stories swept the street of a tic-tac man lurking about Thistle Street Lane NW but this turned out to be Young Savage Barrie Henderson twitching to heavy beat music on his i-pod.
July 3rd
The Gallery said goodbye today to the exhibition "Soft Spot" and started preparations for the Joyce Gunn Cairns show - which will incidentally feature talks from Sally Magnusson, Lesley Riddoch, Marc Lazarowicz and Archie McPhearson among others- more details on the website soon.
Joyce popped in to celebrate and proved, as you can see, that while she's no spring chicken, she's certainly no old crow either.
July 2nd
And so it begins.......
Proud new dad Radak, Henderson's very own Handy Andy, starts the all important 'prep' work on the shop.
DIY fans stay tuned.
July 1st
Recent visitors to Henderson's famous shop may have noticed an outbreak of multicoloured measles exploding on the walls. This means that, yes, Juliet and her design dream team will be setting to work this Saturday night to transform the place with a 24 hour makeover. So, patrons of Grand Cru and the Thistle Bar had better brace themselves for an evening of hissy fits from overstimulated Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen types. You have been warned.
