Total Refreshment Centre

‘I live on the sharp edge of hope On the testing road of an unending journey But journeys begin and end With another journey on the rivers of time’
... - John La Rose
Unending Journey: Evolutions in Black British Activism.
Tickets here: http://genesiscinema.co.uk/GenesisCinema. dll/WhatsOn…
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More good relocation: The sound of Love Carnival has been moved tothe vibey venue that is Redon in Cambridge Heath, good times guaranteed!

||| MXMJoY feat Dennis Bovell | THIS FRIDAY AT MOTH CLUB ||| One of the most important shows of the year for us. Maximum Joy's Janine Rainforth and her band have crafted some of the most danceable records during the golden years of Post-Punk. Their sound was born in Bristol where it got soaked in Dub reggae, funk, mutant Disco and punk, mixing all these influences into the most explosive blend. Having worked with Dub masters Adrian Sherwood and Dennis Bovell on their session...s, their sound is close to that of Liquid Liquid or ESG, but with extra poly rhythms and uniquely english fiery vocals. This is a unique occasion to see the band playing with the legend that is Dennis Bovell doing live dub manipulation of their sound live. Support from the excellent south London band POZI. + Lexus Blondin & In Flames Djs. Advance tickets : https://bit.ly/2xoZ8yP
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Thanks for the kind words Binker Golding & Moses Boyd 🙏 Big up to Dazed and Confused Magazine for the quality article too! Make sure you check Binker & Moses' latest album 'Alive In The East' recorded at TRC, it's a thing a beauty... You can find the brilliantly shot video of the gig on Apple music alongside the record here -> apple.co/aliveintheeastvisual Big up Gearbox Records, amazing work there chaps!

Check this amazing video shot at TRC of the Nu shape Orchestra, composed by Raffy Bushman from Unit31 .

After party for Soccer96 ‘Rewind’ Album Release Show w/ Lunch Money & TRC DJs With Lexus Blondin & Raimund Wong on the wheels of steel. £3 suggested donation, Eddie Henderson not included.

Tomorrow we're getting together to celebrate the 2nd release of London based quintet Waaju, released on their own Olindo Records label.
This gig has been re-located to Giant Steps!
Waaju believe in highlighting the world's connection through less familiar creative collaboration. Encapsulating influence from a number of cultures across Africa, South America & beyond, the band delves deeper to leave behind preconception & promote forces largely unexplored in a Western context. ...Citing the rich history of Malian music as centrepiece, Waaju presents the vision of drummer & percussionist Ben Brown which draws from the exceptional spirit of the likes of Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Tinariwen & Baba Sissoko.
Support comes from the amazing 30/70. All the way from Melbourne, Australia, lovingly referred to as a community rather than a band, 30/70 is, at its core, a quintet made up of Allysha Joy, Horatio Luna & Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange, that swells up to a 9 piece ensemble when the music calls for it. Forever delivering their signature hypnotic groove. A cosmic mélange of boom-bap dynamics, neo-soul harmonies and jazz-funk licks, all steeped in a deep spiritual tradition, reaching from Alice Coltrane to Kamasi Washington.
Advance tickets: https://goo.gl/EbswDy
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Neue Grafik Ensemble + Jonah Levine Collective at Giant Steps tonight! Here's a short video showing footage of the Ensemble's shot at at Steam Down last Wednesday and during their recording session in our studio. £5 tickets on the door from 7pm at Giant Steps. SWAN WHARF, Dace Rd, London E3 2NN Video filmed and edited by @Lou Jasmine

We are super excited for Soccer96 new album release show next Saturday, with support from the brilliant Lunch Money!
This gig has now been moved to BIRTHDAYS just down the road from TRC.
Advance tickets: https://goo.gl/EETmcL

TRC family, we're still here...
And when the music is too hot, we find somewhere cool to showcase it! Big thanks to the people Giant Steps for lending us their beautiful venue for this show...
This Monday, all the way from the city of light our homie Neue Grafik and his Ensemble will play a brand new set of his compositions. We've been recording the band in the studio over the last few days and the tunes are BEAUTIFUL!
... Also on the bill, all the way from Los Angeles, the Jonah Levine Collective! A regular player in Anderson Paak's band, his new album features a who's who of the hottest players in Cali...
Lex will be spinning the records he dug up in the US between live sets, deep jazz for deep times...
£5 OTD - come support if you can, the vibes and tasty music will be there!
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BIG FYI: this gig is happening this Saturday and it has been relocated to a lovely venue called Redon in Hackney!
Advance tickets here : https://bit.ly/2MefkpW
One of the king of Brazilian funk since the 70's, Di Melo has been working with the 9 piece band killer band Cotonete from Paris on a new album and we've heard the live show is absolute fire!
... Come support and shake a leg at the same time?
Lots of love,
TRC
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Dear all, below is a brief statement regarding current issues here at Total Refreshment Centre.
At this time we will be refraining from further public comment on our conversations with Hackney Council. We are very keen to work with the council and all relevant authorities to make TRC the very best place that it can be. This is not a case of ‘Us’ versus ‘Them’, rather that we must collaborate with them fully if we are to continue building this world.
... To the press, please do not make statements about us that are not rooted in fact.
We would like to reiterate that our upstairs space, with all the studios and lives that are held within, will continue to function as normal.
With love,
TRC
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Dear TRC fam, we've got some bad news...
As of this week we won’t be having events at TRC for a little while. The council has issued us with a notice of closure. We will know more in the coming weeks, but for now we’re going to stay quiet. It’s not radio silence though, we will stay in touch with y’all. We're working on relocating our upcoming gigs, hold tight!
... We want to thank all the dancers, the fellow promoters, the artists, DJs & the TRC staff, each of you have put your trust in us & sailed on the TRC ship.
Hats off to y’all, this has not always been smooth sailing, but then again cruises are boring. We’re more the rafting in the rapids kinda cats, right? During this down time, we will need your help to keep the TRC ship afloat until better days come. Change is not always a bad thing, we’ll adapt and find news ways to connect with y’all.
We’re still here, same spot, same people, same skills and network, same passion for music and culture. Please do reach out to us if you want to get involved with the space. It’s a large space and many things can be produced here, just ask!
Together, and only together, we can succeed in creating the future that we want. The culture that we create and support is what makes this city what it is.
Realise that what we do together shines outside of our circles, the movement is slowly and organically becoming global. Likeminded people in Chicago, Paris, Joburg, LA are catching our vibe and we need a place where these like minded souls meet, create and propagate their craft.
To finish on a positive note, we’d like to introduce you our collaborative project with the label International Anthem from Chicago: the recording / mixing/ remixing of this album all happened over here over the period of a week, one of the most inspiring projects we’ve been a part of in this last year…
The Chicago x London mixtape is a good example of what can be achieved when our collective brain activates to create something bigger than us, we’re proud of it and so should you be too.
London and beyond, things are getting quite exciting. United we stand…
Lex - TRC
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​On Saturday, Untitled Recs invites all the groovers to a late night dance at TRC with three of the finest European underground selectors Flabaire, Ben Hauke & LTJ XPERIENCE mixing all the rare grooves from UK broken beat to deep house bangers via soulful italodisco...
Tickets: https://goo.gl/GNtRRu RSVP: https://goo.gl/sPvDtX

For all you Jazz heads out there, this is one not to miss... If there's one band that can nail the music of Jef Gilson, it's the amazing Palm Unit outta France!
Listen here : https://palmunit.bandcamp.com/
Few early birds left, cop them quick! - http://goo.gl/6sDtYA

Tomorrow we welcome yet another special guest from Brazil for a rare London appearance to celebrate the release of his new album 'Relax' on Luaka Bop...
Kassin is one the most important record producers in Brazil for the last two decades, having worked with names like Caetano Veloso, João Donato, Erasmo Carlos, Gilles Peterson, Adriana Calcanhotto, and more. He is also a member of the big ensemble of Brazilian mavericks Orquestra Imperial, and a former member of the cult trio... +2, with Domenico Lancellotti and Moreno Veloso.
Gilles Peterson made 'Relax' his 'album of the week' on his BBC6 radio show today, and the man himself will be spinning records before the show tomorrow!
Advance tickets: https://goo.gl/RTaM94
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Project Karnak

Tomorrow night it's all about the tropical vibes at TRC 🌴
Love Carnival is back with two very exciting guests; the mighty DJ Tahira all the way from Brazil, supported by incredible live Maracatu and carnival sounds from Baque de Axé.
Special guest DJ Tahira is a highly respected digger in the São Paulo scene, he adepts at selecting cuts that will make you dance, embracing rhythms from across the spectrum of Brazilian music.
... Joining him, London-based Maracatu group, Baque de Axé represent the rhythmic sounds of Pernambuco in Northern Brazil - a carnival band, learning & sharing the music, dance, culture and history of Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico.
As ever, the Love Carnival familia DJ Cal Jader & Selecta Mad Max will be representing the full spectrum of Tropical riddims, Global Bass, Dancehall & Carnival sounds.
Plus mind-blowing visuals from Oddscene, immersive interactive fun, colourful characters and vibrant tropical decor.
Last chance to grab first release tickets - https://goo.gl/7A4mU7
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Tonight at TRC!

perfect example of what makes this town so fn fabulous- a real gem

great vibes

fab

This place is absolutely outrageous. Best vibe I have experienced in ages. Charismatic homely but cutting edge in terms of entertainment. Can't wait to return

This Venue manages to be so cool it's ice cold without being pretentious. A wicked venue I hope the roomers of it closing aren't true!

The best venue / people / vibes / sounds / parties / eveything in London. Long live the TRC

Super cool venue. Very well located .

Big thank you to Alexis for helping us with the venue for our event Meetup.

Saw the best gig of 2017 here... 'The Comet is Coming'. Best venue in London for upcoming talent!

One of the best venues I've ever been to. Great music, amazing vibe, super-friendly & lovely people. Worth crossing london for.

One of my Fav venues. Good vibes all around each and every time!

Big up the TRC fam

Love this place!

Love this local venue! So unpretentious and homely. Always guaranteed to have a memorable time as the curation is always on point. TRC symbolises everything that’s great about Stoke Newington.

Just like you want it to be, just great music, just lovely international vibes, just a bit of foliage, beverage, art, chat, velvet and drums.

Incredible movement with beautiful people who run it, amazingly eclectic music and arts. Long live TRC.

Great relaxed venue with excellent staff. Always top musical talent. Never fails �

Fresh Positive Atmosphere in London ! Nobullshit. Respect TRC �

Best place ever

Absolutely and totally refreshing vibes, with a super relaxed, cool and excellent staff. TRC is a community flagship steeped in goodness that gives so much! Was a real pleasure to be able to express ourselves for the love. Nuff Respect �

A pillar if the Stoke Newington creative community.