Champions All 

Wimbledon fortnight came to an end on Sunday and a head to head between probably 2 of the fittest sportsmen you will ever come across, Sweden's Roger Federer, looking for an eighth Wimbledon title, and the 28 year old Serbian Novac Djokovic. The Serbian didn't put a foot wrong on Centre Court celebrating his third win at SW19. Not quite so it would seem at the Champion's Dinner which followed where he came head to head with Serena Williams. Novak and Serena were first on the dance floor reviving a tradition last observed 30 years ago but it seemed that they were plunged into terrifyingly unfamiliar territory with foot faults all round.  The video footage has to be watched as it is a reminder that these perfectly honed athletes are human after all and are just like you and me.  For a few short seconds the world sees them trying to pull open a door when it says push or breaking wind in front of a first date and pretending that it was just the chair moving across the floor. Embarrassing or what? Djokovic said "I was actually thinking it's going  to be a slower tune, something like a waltz, something more sophisticated, but she chose "Night Fever" and you can imagine how that went!" The best tennis players in the world certainly but definitely not the best dancers!

It's good to know however that there are many of us out there who will just give it a go and none more so than those who appear at Newport Open Mic at the Royal Naval Association on a Tuesday night and despite a quiet start with new faces in the audience but not many names on the board the evening turned out to be one of great diversity. Laurence Gale, photographer for the night, got things underway with a set which included a couple of Beatles classics (aren't they all?), "Let It Be" and "Norwegian Wood" but  the lesser known Jackson Browne song "Naked Ride Home" was the real winner for me.

John Minor has gained in confidence enormously performing at Open Mic probably because he knows he is amongst friends who are always encouraging. He paid a  fine tribute to his favourite band Oasis before being joined on stage by Richard Heywood on lead guitar with a great version of "Supersonic".

In charge of the sound desk tonight was Hayden Lee and so often the person in charge of sound turns out to be a talented musician too so with Andy Clark on bass and Steve Black on drums the Scratch House Trio delivered a formidable instrumental jam session as well as Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". A terrific drum solo from Steve Black almost brought the house down.

Fast becoming an Open Mic regular young Richard Heywood was back on stage with a solo set which included songs once again by Oasis and The Beatles finishing with a great version of The Who's 1969 rock opera classic "Pinball Wizard".

It was certainly turning out to be a night of great diversity and a first for the Open Mic stage I believe with Jolene Modd reciting some of her own poetry. Writing since she was 10 and now in her thirties Jolene has had three books of poems published as well as a children's book. Originally from Manchester I particularly liked her poems entitled "My Home Newport" and the thought provoking "Family Sonnet". Locally Jolene's publications can be found in the Guildhall Pop-Up Shop here in Newport which is well worth a visit.

Hot footing it from their performance at Adam's Grammar School Summer Concert earlier in the evening was the young 4 piece band Blue Season. These talented 16 and 17 year olds looked particularly smart in white shirts, black waistcoats and ties and reminiscent of bands appearing on TV screens in the sixties. With Tom Boddison on lead guitar, Callum Shaw on bass, Luke Owen-Bowden on drums and 16 year old vocalist Adam Clark-Hill their splendid set included songs by the White Stripes, Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" and for the second time this evening another great version of Led Zep's "Rock and Roll". 

Certainly a night of contrast and to finish off Alex Ash, lead singer with Vinyl Tap, took to the stage to perform solo and a capella and appropriately a Bee Gees' song which may have more suited Djokovic on the dance floor with Serena, the 1969 ballad First of May. 30 years since the last traditional Wimbledon Champion's dance and also 30 year's since the first Live Aid concert raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia so the Bob Geldof song "I Don't Like Mondays" was most appropriate. Follow this with a song from Les Miserables and Meatloaf a capella and you will understand what I mean by an evening of diverse live entertainment.

Great to see new faces once again in the audience and thanks to all those who took part in whatever way "KEEPING MUSIC LIVE!

Report by Jude Paton

Photographs by Laurence Gale of Blue Season