Stranger than Paradise

What a completely bizarre and wonderful night. Stranger than Paradise is an event run by Amanda Rogers & Sacha Dieu both of whom I hadn't actually met in person before this evening. When I arrived at the venue just before 9pm I asked to see Amanda and was pointed to a lady in a pink creation with flowers on her head and a tiny little dog in a leopard print coat on a leash.

Right, so it was definitely going to be a fun night then!

I met Sasha who would be on the decks later that evening and popped my stuff in the bathrooms which was unfortunately the only place to get ready. In all, the venue was really nice and would have been very comfortable if it wasn't for the owner, who was a bit of an a-hole. We won't go there though. No seriously, I probably wouldn't go back to that place. Despite the fact that the girls who worked there were really, super sweet and lovely, I would prefer not to take my business to somewhere run by a man like that.

Moving on!

The night itself was fantastic. After meeting Amanda's dog Sheba and getting changed for my first act, Amanda and I tottered off down to a nearby restaurant where their friend was having a birthday dinner. She had of course cleared it with the owner of the restaurant! We burst in, Amanda with a speakerphone, me in full burlesque regalia and proceeded to do a little skit in between the packed tables. Anyway, it was hilarious and they loved it and we quickly dashed off back to the venue.

I was doing Ne Touche Pas and La Belle femme en rouge. Honestly, I've got to shorten that name, it's a bit ridiculous really.

They both went very well, although by the time we were ready for the second act, both trying to get ready in a bathroom full of very drunk people and trying to take gloves off when it's really hot became quite a tricky affair! Although at least I didn't have my balloons stolen like the other burlesque performer (she got them back, don't worry!) who's name I stupidly forgot to get.

I should have photo's soon from Paul Raggity who also came along. He told me off for wanting to see the photo's on the mini-screen but I thought they looked good!

The music was great, I know I've said this before but the Trans-Siberian Marching Band playing 'The Final Countdown' might be the highlight of my life. Think of it like a gypsy-polka version and you'll kind of understand what it sounded like.

I also got chatting to the bass player of a number of bands who suggested I come dance to live music at their Thursday night gigs. I just need to find the damn flyer. If you're out there, please send me details! I've wanted to dance to live music for a while.

So, what else happened that weekend? The damn clocks went forward that's what! It caused havoc with the trains and meant I couldn't go back to Brighton that night. Amanda very kindly let me stay at her utterly adorable flat with her and Sheba. I love interesting people and their homes, book shelves in particular. Don't ask me why. Unfortunately it meant that I missed a bellydance workshop on Sunday I'd been looking forward to for a while but that's life.

I made it back in time for rehearsals for Club Smooch and that's the most important thing!

It was a really fun night and I can't wait for 1st May when we'll do it all again in a different place with one of my new acts, the honeybee balloon pop.

Next time I write I'll be telling you all about tonight's show, Club Smooch Spring Faire in Brighton. My last one! There is still a chance to get tickets if you're going to be in Brighton or fancy a night out by the shore. http://komediabrighton.ticketsolve.com/shows/23498194/events

See you there!

Bacchus by any other name.

It is currently nearing on 2am as I appear to have out-slept myself. So I thought I'd tell a little tale about this month so far.

Well the first bit of big news is that I've started working on another act. I'm quite focused on environmental awareness and so this new act will be a balloon pop tribute to our Honey Bees. What else could I call it but The Honeypot (Plight of the Honeybee). If there's one thing burlesque allows me, if not demands of me, it is certainly the freedom to come up with the cheesiest names I can.

A balloon pop is one of the traditional burlesque acts and as of yet I've not had one because....well, because I HATE popping balloons! Well actually, I don't hate popping balloons I just hate when they pop unexpectedly.

I was the kid that wouldn't join in the balloon popping game at my school friends parties. You know the one where everyone has to hold a balloon between their knees and try to pop everyone elses balloon while keeping yours safe?

Creating this should be an interesting process and may possibly see my blood pressure skyrocket.

Next thing for this month was Hula Hooping. I'm currently attempting to collect circus skills like some people collect stamps. Speaking of which does anyone actually collect stamps anymore?

Anyway, as I often say 'I'm proud of my curves' when I really mean to say 'I hate sit-ups and I don't give a damn what you think', I've discovered the perfect antidote to my anti-exercise mentality will definitely be Hula Hooping. If one of those babies isn't in my Christmas stocking this year then I am throwing my toys out of the pram.

I have to say though, that I've been wanting to do a Hula Hooping act ever since I saw a duo at the London Burlesque Festival Newcomers earlier this year. H-O-T. I can't even remember the name of their act but it was a travesty that they didn't win anything.

Finally we have this Friday. I've been planning a trip to Vivienne of Holloway ever since my brothers sent me a gift voucher for my birthday to try on the cutest dress I'd ever seen. I roped Bea Devile into coming along with me (I didn't need to try to hard) as it's always more fun with two. I came away with a dress, and a pair of fabulous high waist denims AND one of their halter tops. If Bea hadn't rushed me out of there to get to the Nikita Sablier sale I may have maxed my credit card out.

Bea had discovered a wonderful covered arcade near Carnaby St which has no less than 6 vintage stores and Something Hells, the vintage hairdressers of Miss Betty & Mr Ducktail. The inside of the arcade has a courtyard which feel like it's outdoors but is fully covered and currently bedecked in pretty fairy lights. Much nicer than some of the nasty (there's no other word for it) Christmas displays already up all over the place.

Oh but we had run out of time to look at all of the shops so we had already planned our next visit for December as we had tea and cake at Candy Cakes to get our energy back before our respective journeys. Candy Cakes have the most incredible looking muffins. Brightly coloured icing and topped enormous marshmallow and jelly shapes, they really do look the part in their little turquoise giftboxes.

Unfortunately they were a bit sickly sweet for my tastes but very cute looking nonetheless and kept me going for the next few hours of London traffic hell.

And here I'll leave you in suspense for the second installment of Friday night's frolics and festivities as it is most certainly time for bed.