These are testing times, indeed, and time for a timely test-drive of the newly refurbished Stoke Newington Assembly Rooms  - which are, of course, adorable - with locals Deirdre Cartwright and equally adorable girls, inviting the neighbours round for a Friday night hop at their new local on Friday 29 January.

Movers and shakers and the simply curious moved and shook and were curious - the crowd-pleasing mix of popular tunes had the crowd testing the underpinning of the newly restored sprung dancefloor to good effect. It sprang! All night long.

But the crowd's patience had been, and was throughout the evening, tested by the over-zealous security staff. The Rooms have a theatre-style seated capacity of some 340, but in the absence of seats and being used as a dancehall, there was an absence of clarity on just how many people it could accommodate. Queues and barracking is not a good start, though it's a lesson. Hackney Events Team, take note!

Of course, these are early days, and any resentment was quickly forgotten as the audience, full of goodwill, got on with their good times. Which were good. The crowd even seemed to get over the appalling muddy sound. The PA system, apparently very expensive though it was to buy and install, needs looking at and re-considered if they want decent bands to continue to play here.

However, everyone in the parish is very keen to applaud this venue - and there was plenty of applause on the night - but, nevertheless, several wrinkles need to be ironed out. One can only rely on the charity of performers and audience for so long.

Anyway, thanks to Deirdre and the band for a great evening of good-time music.