Monday 27 February 2012

Moscow Radio and Perm's Ice Festival

My latest trip to Russia a week ago as quite a whirlwind.   I arrived in Moscow in the evening and then had a rehearsal and performance (with a fabulous Moscow band) the next day, a live radio performance and second performance on the third day and then an early morning flight to a city called Perm in the Urals followed by a rehearsal, final performance and TV interview.  I was supposed to fly back to Moscow and then London the following day but the first flight was cancelled which meant me staying an extra evening at the airport hotel in Moscow which turned out to be a Soviet-style hotel and quite an experience.   And guess what - the weather was absolutely beautiful.  Pretty cold (-17 in Perm) but bright and sunny with gorgeous blue skies.  I love Russia - always full of surprises!



Being interviewed at Silver Rain Radio (Moscow's equivalent of London's Capital Radio). We were there for an hour during the breakfast show and also performed 4 songs live.
I was in good company as photos on the wall showed previous guests included Liza Minnelli...
And the wonderful Cesária Évora who sadly passed away last year
Official photo (to be added to the wall maybe?) by photographer Pavel
Performing in Perm
Relaxing with a glass of champagne before the TV interview
Due to the delay I was given a short sightseeing trip around Perm and I loved their Ice City.
A whole park is taken over and there are so many structures all built completely out of ice - awesome!
Absolutely beautiful
Even a children's playground and slide built totally out of ice

And this was the view from the hotel on my last morning in Moscow - breathtaking!