A Night in the Sugar

Sunday night was amazing. The Sugar Club is advertised on it's website as the most luxurious club in dubland, and I'd well believe it - red velvet curtains, wooden panelling, plush seats, waitress service, a classy joint as they say.

There were some brilliant acts performing. The Appalonia belly dancers with their hypnotic moves were on first. Then a word from Andy Spearman, of Plan, telling us about their work.

Then it was my turn, in the scariest pair of tights I could find - and that wasn't all I was wearing, but anyway - got up. It was weird. The lights were blinding, couldn't watch the audience at all, couldn't really see the reaction, no eye contact possible. They seemed to be listening, the dark shadows that were heads on shoulders didn't move much, but now I know why Bono wears sunglasses. One guy really got my special effects poem, laughing loud and clapping before I was even finished it - (which may go to show - you don't need alcohol to enjoy my poetry - but it helps!) Otherwise people clapped at the right places, I managed to still introduce the poems as if I could see people, and didn't fall off the stage or get the poems too far wrong.

Next up was Magdalene Eve and her band - one of whom told me he liked my poems before he went up, anyway they were lovely, Magdalene was the main woman of the night, being the organiser, yet she was so warm and down to earth on stage, you felt like she'd kind of just decided there and then to get up and give us a few tunes. Really infectious enthusiasm for the cause and some mean harmonica playing.

Then it was Aisling Quinn - with a big band and again a lovely unassuming manner. I have a new respect for how these artists with lights on them still manage to connect with a crowd, I felt like a deer in headlights - Aisling looked like she was having the craic with a bunch of buddies in the pub. Her songs were fab, one involving a typewriter, bicycle bell, and prodigious thumb-in-cheek popping by the multitalented Pearse McGloughlin. Then the Appolonias came on again - with rib rolling moves and fantastic feathers - an act that kept you transfixed.I missed the last 2 bands because I decided to be a sensible person and head home in time for bed - but I'm assured they were fantastic.

Well done to Magdalene Eve for helping such a great charity in such a fun way.