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!

You spin me right round baby right round...

Lately I've been feeling a bout of serious 80's inspiration. Watching Ghostbusters last night was the catalyst. But I'm getting ahead of myself, let's start at the beginning.

I have been rather quiet on the blog front for a few weeks as I've been enjoying some down time. Fitting in so much can be very exhausting and it's great to have a rest.

Even so, there's much more to burlesque than gigging. I've had a choice opportunity to re-evaluate a few of my routines, consider a few very exciting new possibilities, rehearse, perfect, meet with the dress maker, contact the prop makers and generally plot and plan like an evil nemesis out of a Bond film.

For the next month and a half my red angel routine is temporarily out of commission while it is revamped. Fear not, with it's sparkly relaunch it will be a knock-out headliner.

Additionally Living Doll and Na Touche Pas! are experiencing a fixer-upper however will still be available for bookings while work is being done.

I've also had time to sketch out some potential new costume designs. As is the case with many performers I have pages and pages of ideas for acts and shows. However I subscribe to the school of thought (and this is a personal preference, not a dig at anyone else) that it's better to invest in props, costumes and time for rehearsals for a few great acts, than to have lists of acts that are thrown together in a minute.

For my own comfort I feel better onstage knowing I've put everything I possibly could into making this one act as great as it could possibly be. Unfortunately this does mean that I end up with many potentially fabulous acts locked away in my head clambering for attention and I wish I could realise them all. So it's very exciting when I'm finally in a position to start looking at plucking one of the wriggly little ideas out of my head and fleshing out the fantasy!

Unfortunately as my circus skills are still limited my fabulous trapeze ideas will have to wait, but I am looking at three different idea from very different era's. I'll keep you posted.

So this weekend....Yesterday morning I went on a photo shoot at two contrasting locations and was very lucky to encounter a genuine 1930's motorcycle called a Red Indian. Photo's should be with me in about a week so keep your eyes on the gallery.

Photo shoots are amazing fun and absolutely exhausting, although I am certainly not complaining. Anyone who needs a vintage model please free to get in touch!

I got back home in time for a quick rehearsal of a Boston version of my Psycho GoGo Wipeout act, and a bit of last minute tassel stitching. A Boston or Sunday School version is a toned down version of an act to make it appropriate for a more 'family' audience or back in the day was what the girls did when they knew the police were in the house.

I was rehearsing my Boston version for a private gig at a partnership wedding that night and simply involved not taking my bra off. However in such a fast paced act a fair bit of extra choreography was required to fill the time, hence the rehearsal.

Ultimately I like this version so much that I'm going to extend Psycho GoGo Wipeout to fit the new choreography in. More bang for your buck!

The wedding gig went brilliantly, the guests were lovely and the grooms looked absolutely radiant with happiness. Anyone who opposes gay marriage must have flies in their brain. Something that can create so much joy should be celebrated, and celebrate they did!

My taxi arrived as I heard the first bars of 'I heard it through the grapevine' and with my pay in my purse I was itching to hit the town. I did of course resist. My night's earnings are my deposit for the dressmaker. Besides which it was unlikely I would find a club playing the kind of music I wanted to hear. If anyone knows of regular club nights in Brighton playing 60's music please tell me! Born Bad and Da Doo Ron Ron are only once a month.

Well that's my weekend. I arrived home to watch Ghostbusters where I triggered on some fabulous 80's inspiration and went to bed far too late after sketching away at some costume designs. The lack of sleep caught up with me this morning when I woke up (with difficulty) at midday. Hmm, half the day gone, but then what are Sundays for if not recovery.

Till next time, keep it glamorous. I for one am going to get out of my dressing gown and into my warm-up gear, work on some choreography then bake a chocolate and beetroot cake. I'll let you know how it turns out!