2010 is go! (go)

The new decade is here. But what to call it?!

Yes, I understand that 0 is not the start of a decade but the end of the last, but everyone treats it as such and who am I to stand in the way of progress?

January had a slow start. After all the excess of Christmas and New Years came the excess of well, the new year. Well you have to wean yourself off these things slowly! I discovered an increased enjoyment of cake, chocolate and champagne, and BW is not one to say no when I put on a puppy face.

Not a real one, that would be gross. You know what I mean.

My first gig back was Grind A Go Go at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club. The people from Oh My God! I Miss You, who also put on The Birthday Party night which I performed at ages ago, also do this great Go Go night.

My night couldn't have been more eventful.

It started out normally enough. Big, BIG hair meant lots of blow drying and hairspray. Which reminds me I need to buy a new one. Pink nails, couldn't find my bushy 60s lashes so loads of eyeliner.

On my way to the venue from the station I spotted the strange sight of a shop keeper who looked like he was propping a man up against a wall. As I got closer I realised the man was out cold.

First aid training kicking in I asked if anyone had called an ambulance, which suddenly kicked off a flurry of action to call them. I stepped in with another woman and put the man in recovery position, she checked his airway, I kept having to ask the shopkeeper and pals to step back as they kept crowding him, and a gent on the phone checked his rate of breathing. I have to say though, the ambulance were so quick to get there.

So with the gent left in their capable hands, I continued on my journey! Phew!

Trying to find the right street was proving difficult so it was with some luck that I happened to spot Fancy Chance and Trixie Malicious walking down the street towards me. Even if I hadn't met them before, it's not hard to spot another showgirl.

They took me back the way I came and onwards to the venue.

After a Hendricks and tonic and a chat about the WORST films of all time the girls went on for their GoGo set and left me to get ready for my act. I have reworked Psycho GoGo Wipeout recently and I much prefer it now. A little bit of humour & a shedload more sex appeal than the original act, I am truly a firm believer in rehearsing & reworking acts over and over. Like the old adage they are like a fine wine. You can work out the rest.

So, beautiful Paul (Bambi) turned up with Empress Stah before my act and I was pleased to have a friend in the audience. The act went smashingly and the audience went wild when they heard the first few bars (it's a pretty memorable tune). Altogether very successful!

Shame, as so frequently is the case, to have to dash off so quickly. I had planned to go back to Brighton that night rather than staying in London which meant a dash to the train station. I quite like a bit of time to chill out after my performance and have a drink and a dance.

On the way to the station, some greasy, vile man in a flashy car pulled up in front of me and asked where I was going and did I want a lift. Keeping in mind by this stage I had jeans, coat, scarf, hat and gloves on, I didn't exactly look like I was looking to pick up. With an angry glare I stomped off down the road keeping to the brightly lit and highly populated side of the street. Because of course, getting abducted and abused by a complete stranger would naturally be just the sort of thing a lady fancies doing on a Saturday night. What an arse.

He passed me again but didn't stop. I think I might have thrown my case through his window if he had. People like that make me furious.

It did get me thinking though. Performers are often at risk, I suppose as much as any woman out on her own is. I guess the advantage I have is that I'm usually very, very sober, BW knows my itinery and I have lots of heavy things to whack a potential attacker with. Still, perhaps someone could think up a 'Self defence for dancers' workshop? Just a thought.

So that was the evening, a bit strange but the bits in between were lots of fun. Also, the ladies of Oh My God! I miss you, gave me inspiration towards a new act. Along with the Birthday Party & Grind a GoGo they also run Hoodoo Voodoo. Hmmmm. Now I'm not much of a skulls kind of girl, but every girl needs a pair of bongo's right?

xx Night

The naughty naughties...New Years Eve!

I often find New Years Eve to be a bit of a let down. None of my friends are doing the same thing, even the pubs have a cover charge and the taxi queues go on forever.

Not this year! I decided that I would prefer to work this year and it was a very smart move indeed!

First show: Chaz Royal & Lady Luck New Years Eve Ball

I was booked for the early show and so I found myself on the train up to London fairly early. Classy as ever, doing my make-up in the carriage and painting my nails. Running a little late, I spotted a couple looking like they'd fit right in at a retro night so I asked the girl if she was performing and it turned out she was going to be one of the maids for the night!

It's a shame I can't remember their names as they were very sweet and walked with me most of the way before ducking off to get something to eat before the show.

When I arrived the dressing room was slowly warming up with activity. Hair curlers heating, costumes hung on rails, suitcases forming traffic islands in the middle of the room.

Could I have kicked myself though! I brought my camera but left my memory card at home. Hmmm. So I missed an opportunity to get a picture of VJ Spankie in her hilarious Aussie outfit. Amongst the glitter and glamour, V.J. was proudly wearing her thongs (flip-flops), cork hat and shorts holding Toadie the toad. God bless her. I was gutted I couldn't see her act but the audience were loving it.

Violet Crumble was also present, who I haven't seen since Glitter Room I think. Along with Dolly Rose and lots of new faces.

Beeby Rose, the beauty from Amsterdam was headlining and as she was on last in each act I just managed to catch her acts. Just beautiful. I also managed to catch some of Lambchop Magoo's act to a tune from Sesame Street. Bizarre, funny and cute, I loved it.

So the best bit of all of it was that before the show was due to start I got a text from a friend and talented photographer Samara Deen. Some of her photo's are in my photo gallery. Anyway, it seemed Miss Samara was without plans for the evening! She and her boyfriend arrived in time to see me perform and became my unofficial roadies for the night. So all of a sudden I was having a little party!

The act went very well by the way. This was the La belle Femme en Rouge that I mentioned in my post on Burlesk. The one that needed changing. It went so very well that Samara said she almost cried. Well crying is not my aim but as long as I'm having an effect hey!

And all this despite a near disaster roughly 10 minutes before I was due to go on. Every time I perform I check every piece of costume before I pack it in my bag, to ensure there is no damage that needs repairing. Somehow the clasp that holds a string of beads onto my g-string had come completely free of the knickers in between checking it at home and pulling the costume out of my bag at the gig! Being a clever clogs I had a roll of red thread and a needle, and after a minor moment of panic, I got to work sewing the costume together, threw on the rest of my outfit and just made it in time to hear my intro. Phew!

Perhaps the fear of god is what made the act work so spectacularly then. A bit of panic never did anyone harm before a show.

Second show: Nymphs & Satyrs Masked Ball

Brought to you by the same fabulous crew that run Die Freche Muse, I came home again to the beautiful, secret Dalston location that hosts the right sort of parties for Bright Young Things of the 21st century. With everyone in masks I was terribly confused though. I didn't realise that I knew the man on the door until he started speaking!

I deposited Samara and partner in the main hall to enjoy themselves while I checked out the new dressing room which had been moved to the room off the landing where I met Dolly Blowup who had been maiding at the previous gig, getting ready for her act. And yes, it goes off with a bang!

Millicent Binks was about too but flitted off shortly after her performance, but not before we'd had a brief chat. Gosh that girl is naughty but she does put a smile on my face every time we speak. They are not my tales to tell though so don't even ask!

The performance went just as well the second time and I got some really lovely pictures. Nick von Fiction took a load with beautiful vivid colours and none other than Johnny Crabb the pianist from Twin & Tonic caught the picture above. It really gives off the essence of the performance.

So, the rest of the night. There was a huge roaring fire on one side of the room and on the other was a table laid in what I imagined a tribute to those demi-gods. The countdown was almost an aside to the rest of the night. But it was wonderful to be with such a good friend.

I kept meaning to leave but I kept, well, not. After dancing and drinking, Samara and her boyfriend left at the civilised hour of about 2:30-3 and Dolly and I kept finding song after song kept us on the dance floor. After a sudden realisation that we were ravenously hungry, The Baron treated us to a peach and blueberry pudding of some kind (I can't remember) and cups of tea 'backstage'. Even though I'm sure it physically pained him to serve anything so boringly non-alcoholic. Which was very gallant don't you agree?

After a turn around the dance floor with The Baron (the man has far too much energy, it's just not right!), I finally took my things and headed for the station. Just too exhausted to stay for the after party! Trundling in at some time after 8am I realised...that may have been the most successfully fun New Years Eve in about 4 years!

Happy New Year all. I look forward to being a distraction for many more to come.
x Bella de Jac

The naughty naughties....Christmas Magic

Although I've been in the UK for some time now, I still have a distinctly Australian approach to the weather. I get SO excited when it snows. And boy did it snow this year!

The week before Christmas it quite literally didn't stop. Of course this threw England into chaos as the councils ran out of salt and grit, buses were cancelled and roads became icy. But my little English street looked like something out of Harry Potter. I even made a snow angel, which I most certainly wasn't wearing the right kind of coat to do and resulted in a tide of ice funnelling down my neck.

But it was worth it.

It melted away by Christmas, but that didn't stop the magic. BW and I spent our first Christmas all by ourselves like grown-ups. We have an open fire so the scene was like something out of a postcard on Christmas morning.

I insisted that we have stockings hung by the fire for Santa, and our (real) Christmas tree was twinkling with lights as I came out in the morning.

So...what's in a burlesque dancers stocking?

I was completely spoilt. A beautiful book called 'Pretty Things' about the last generation of American Burlesque queens. I'm in costume design heaven. A camera, as my last one died and I want to get some backstage piccies this year!

Also a hula hoop, just like I wanted. I'm going to have a very active year as not only did I get the hula hoop but I got juggling balls. Hmmm, let's see how that all goes together.

My other precious little presents were 2 beautiful pairs of gloves and the slinkiest nightgown you've ever seen. Lucky me!

The black lace gloves will be going with my 1920's flapper outfit and the gold ones with the beautiful champagne dress I was telling you about in my Frock Me blog entry. Perfect.

Naturally I also had a lovely long conversation with my mum, dad and brothers which I looked forward to even more than the gifts.

I did of course also make enough food to feed a feed us for a week, which was handy as we had no plans to leave the house in the freezing weather. I love Christmas dinner and I allow myself to enjoy it unashamedly and without restriction. Which does mean I have an awful lot of hula hooping and dancing to do now but I have no issue with that.

Now I know that present giving can often be excessive and over the top around Christmas, but I love the feeling of joy that I get in giving gifts. The excitement of cluing onto something and realising it's absolutely perfect for that person. Spotting something lovely in a window or making something just for a loved one. Keeping it a secret for weeks even though you're dying to tell them and wrapping it all up and putting it under a sparkling Christmas tree.

It's so important to enjoy these moments of happiness as life is fleeting and joy is precious.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do a little hula hooping in my living room!

Next stop: New Years Eve...

The naughty Naughties...Burlesk Winter Warmer

Run through before Burlesk! Winter Warmer. Note that it was too cold to take my jeans off!

December was also the month for a very special Burlesk, and quite possibly my last one before my trip to Australia this year.

The snow had fallen and Brighton looked like a winter wonderland. Not so wondrous trying to drag my bag down to the station but nevertheless, magical to look at. I was surprised to find Hastings fairly untouched.

This time it was my pleasure to find there was a new addition to the Burlesk crew. A backstage manager. Sarah was an angel, nothing was too much trouble, even when I had her running up and down finding hair pins and glitter!

Miss Glory Pearl was back as well, doing her amazing pole tricks. As I find more and more, it becomes very frustrating when you can hear the audience whooping and cheering what you know to be an amazing act, but can't watch!

I was doing my Living Doll act with my giant gift box, and my La belle Femme en Rouge act the red angel fan dance. Some drunken idiot had tried to get into the box which was proudly on display at the entrance (there was no-where else to keep it!) so it felt a little unsteady going in, despite my checking the joins to make sure it was secure.

The best part though is that the start of this act is supposed to be humorous and so the box could fall apart completely and it wouldn't matter, it would all be part of the show.

Red angel was very well received, however the carpeted stage gave me the impetus to work on changing that act. Originally I did a Charleston step throughout some of this act and this was the second time I'd had trouble with a stage with too much grip.

I changed the music, to the very sexy tune The Mooch by Duke Ellington which immediately changed the feel of the act. And added a pile of large red feathers I've had in my costume bag for ages. Now I feel like a goddess every time I perform this.

So where was I? Burlesk! Yes, well Domino had a brilliant multi media act. If anyone has the capacity to have DVD displaying in conjunction with performance then oh my lord, book the girl!

Who else did we have? The newbie performer Raspberry Ripples with the fabulous sense of humour despite pre-show wardrobe malfunctions did a great debut act to a song I absolutely love - The bigger the figure by Louis Prima. Vivica Devine, who I'm still yet to see perform a full act even though we've been at the same nights so many times! I hear the audience cheering Vivica, one day I'll get to see you myself!

So my other big news for the night is the mean taxi driver who wouldn't take me to the station. We called a cab, one turned up, but he said he wasn't for me but proceeded to sit outside the venue for 20 minutes waiting for someone who never turned up and refusing to take me although a cab from his company should have been there for me. So I missed the last train home.

Hastings cabs, sort yourselves out! If it weren't for the loveliness of Barney our stage manager letting me sleep on the sofa I would have been all alone on a bitterly cold night, very far from home. Even more encouragement to get my licence and buy a camper van to drive around the country in.

So that was the excitement of Burlesk, it wasn't until this month that I realised I may not get to perform there again until I'm back from Australia due to bookings I've already made.

My heartfelt love and thanks to the wonderful performing arts community that the Burlesk show is becoming for a wonderful 2009.

xx

The naughty Naughties - Frock me!

I adore vintage clothes. I will probably go bankrupt before I give up on buying these little treasures from our history.

Of course I love antiques and art as well but I do not have an enormous, old mansion (yet) to put them in, so I like to think that vintage clothes, bags, gloves, hats and jewellery are far more practical. Well I think so anyway.

Of course I love vintage reproduction as well. I couldn't possibly afford an entirely vintage wardrobe just yet but I have to say I do feel such excitement when I find something so completely unique.

This has happened quite a lot recently. Ever since Beyond Retro opened it's doors in Brighton I have been circling back again and again like they have some kind of gravitational pull. They have one of the largest ranges of pre-1960s gear I've been able to find in Brighton and Bea deVile keeps laughing at me every time she pops around for tea and spots another yellow tag poking out of my clothing rail.

In December they had a Frock night, where they bring out hundreds of dresses from their stock in time for the Christmas parties, serve mulled wine and have a hairdresser and makeup artist doing vintage styles for the ladies who come to visit.

I had previously found an absolute gem there, spotted on the rail amongst the sequined dresses, which I used for the photo shoot with Nick Von Fiction in November. A teal sequined, full length gown with an open back and beaded sleeves and it fitted like a glove. I may have already mentioned it as I love it so very much. In any case it's the dress in the photo above.



The girls at the counter are always so sweet and often recognise me prowling the rails, sometimes asking if I have another show to go to and asking after Bea.

Well I was starting to feel the effects of the mulled wine and decided it was time to make an exit before I did some shameful impulse buying so I was on my way out when I spotted the most beautiful gown I've laid eyes on. A long champagne coloured, beaded gown, fitted down to the knee where it becomes a cloud of champagne tulle.

I paused...and looked. I knew it would fit me. But I was determined not to impulse buy so I left empty handed. Oh but how that put the fear of god into me! What if someone else took it?

I went back a few days later as soon as I got the chance, tried it on and bought it. It is now absolute pride of place in my wardrobe and I'm now imagining an act around it.

Now I just need to find the shoes and jewellery to match!

Which brings me aptly to a bit of news for February. I will just tease you with the details but it looks like I'll be a very romantic window display in London around a certain holiday...check back for details!

x Bella