1940s Weekend in Pickering 18/10/09

A lovely day out with absolutley wonderful company was had  in north yorkshire with oodles of tea, cake and crumble with custard and vintage bargains galore.

Photographic Fun and Frolicking

With a much earned day of TOIL from work I was able to meet up with the lovely ladies Daisy Cutter and Anna Fur Laxis. Whilst making an advert for a revolutionary new product Miss Daisy Cutter is about to unleash upon the UK market. I was able to take some impromptu film noiresque photographs. I am very keen to undertake more practice and experiment furthr with this this photographic genre.

Burly Burly Burlytastic

M&Ms were very lucky to perform at the Sailors Grave Burlesque evening in leeds on the 21st of October the evening was lovely, great performers, lovely people and finished off with a fantastic pesto pasta from M&S Simply Food and a Dirty Caramelicious McFlurry from McD'S.
I have been lucky enough to perform again at Daisys Peepshow in Huddersfield,.The act I performed well inflicted upon the audience was pretty much improvised with a rough outline as a guide, in true scream movies style I murdered the compere  throwing limbs an organs all around and then told the audience I thought burlesque was easy to which I proceeded with what I could call a burlesque routine. The audience loved it much to my dismay. One thing troubled me all evening about that act, how could the mesh eyes of my mask steam up? Was I so hot I was just to steamy for stage? Alas no twas the glasses I was wearing (I am but a simple fool)

This Saturday the 7th of November M&Ms will be on the road again performing at Sweet Burlesque in Burnley, we hope to whip up a gorerifficly good time.

For All The China Tea Sets in The Land

The last few weeks have had me and the ladies scouring the charity shops across the plains of west yorkshire for all that is chintz, doillie and fine bone china. I have collected a plethora of novelty tea pots, tea cups, saucers, plates, coffee pots, table cloths and many a crocheted tidbit. The best find so far for the evening is a beautiful hostess trolley the jewel in the crown of the tea dance the maids will just love swaying around the hall offering tasty little cakes and treats to all the beautiful guests (how twee).You may ask why do you need all this china and tableware finery, to this I would reply it is all to add to the decor of the 1940s Charity burlesque tea party I am co-hosting on the 14th of November in the not so sunny vale of Huddersfield.



In addition to this treasure hunt of crockery and fine embroidered linen, I have searched for raffle prizes, tombola items, created  wallet ration books, been loaned decorations from B Authentic, and booked a variety of  wonderous entertainment for the evening. To add to this there will be stalls at the venue selling vintage wear, jewellery and giftware.

Brief Absence But Back on and Blogging Again

Well for the past 2 weeks I have been crippled in bed with illness as so many others have been hit with seasonal illness. after a long recovery I'm back on form this week I have started Arabic dancing (belly dancing) again, I'm rehearsing/planning a pantomime, arranging a 1940s charity burlesque teadance, preparing to perform at sailors grave, and filmed a showreel today for the fantastic performer Lexi Sexx. So it would seem im busy busy busy but as usual im loving it all.

The Same Old Grind Hobbies Parties and Fun Fun Fun

Well im back at work now therefore my daily grind is now amounting to a fortnightly pile up and this rock star lifestyle will be hard to cram in however im willing to try my hardest to get in as much as I can.

For starters over the last 2 weeks I have I have now extended my hobbies to sword fighting, I have  attended 2 classes and thus become throughly addicted. I giggle like an idiot whilst I learn to attack and defend ( I will take being attacked with a sword seriously or die trying).

Thursday last week the Big Swish hit Leeds This in theory is a great idea, clothes swapping is a fab idea, however paying a fiver to hand your old clothes in to then queue up and fight over clothes in a red hot room full of demented bargain hunters doesnt seem to be all that convincing of a fun evenings entertainment. The result of the swish ended for me quite well I swapped my clothes got some horrifically ugly items only I could love out of sheer madness and I spent a lovely time with the girlys. One thing I can comment about the Swish was the advertisement of the event didnt really meet my expectations (burlesque, canapes and other things were on the evening itinerary online yet at the event this never appeared).

Friday was Excellent suspected family swine flu, Baking glittery birthday cakes and friday evening was jam packed. I attended The Revival Re-Launch party with the fabulous ladies Cecilia Rouge, provided beautiful burlesque entertainment to the guests and I found myself being the event photographer. The evening ended with a delicious kebab and milkshake.

Party time again as I found myself at the Wet Spot burlesque and cabaret evening to celebrate the birthday of Anna Fur Laxis.  This evening witnessed a bevy of burlesque talent from the struttingly graceful Myles Away, Sherry Trifle, who mixed up a treat of a trifle filled with lots and lots of lovely Sherry. Bibi Bon Bon and Betty D'Barbarella the fabulous mucha lucha wrestlers, I nearly cried with delight. Ryvita Von Cheese demonstrated how diets do work and gave me a birds eye view of how to whip up a storm with a trifle and many hundreds and thousands. Cherry Shakewell had a golden touch with her beautifully choreographed James bond inspired act. Fanny Devine as ever had me wishing I was a fly rummaging through rubbish bins and envious of her moustache (why will mine not grow as well :o), the debonair and hypnotically deviilish Des O'Connor filled the evening with sensual songs of necrophilla (he is so dreamy when he sings of his romantic conquests).

The night brought me much amusement and I met a few people I havent seen for such a while it was wonderful catching up. I also met many new folks who were all so very lovely and treasure to make aquaintance with, I do hope to see them again in the future. If you are reading this Blog and have no idea of the burlesque and the cabaret circuit within the UK you are missing out on a real treat my dears the people you meet are lovely genuine and truly beautifully creative.  Any hoo I save the best till last the Birthday girl herself performed what I could say an act that left me speechless the death defying not for the faint of heart, pregnant or those of a nervous disposition the Laxis of Evil. This act was pulled straight out of a vegas show or as I would call it an evil 70s styled lair in a volcano none the less. A beautifully fantasmagorical act as were all the acts did at the Wetspot this calibre of acts is testament to all the hard work and devotion the performers put into their pieces I take my hat off to you all with admiration, thank you for adding to my bank of wonderfull memories xxx

After presenting the birthday girl with the cake Daisy Cutter and Myself created, and unsuccesfully tried to hide on numerous occaison, which may have been due to the glitter or pyrotechnics that were emblazoned upon it ;o). I chatted a little, danced a little and ended my spectacular evening with a cocoa and a blackcurrant and banana toasty (how hardcore can one get). Sunday saw me nursing the flu, painting my magic act swords box gold in preparation for some bookings M&Ms travelling show have secured, arranging my charity burlesque tea dance, and booking some photoshoots.

Showreels Photos Showreels Will it Never End

Today has been very busy, slept well and had a tasty banquet of chips and gravy with Daisy Cutter Yum Yum. Then back to the house where I began to create show reels not of the greatest resolution but viewable and edit some more photos from the studio shoot on tuesday. whats annoying is I cannot have the songs i want on the video therefore please watch with youtube copyright free music xxx

A Veritable Banquet of Fun

Tuesday passed very very quickly almost had to give my head a shake to remember what went on, thats it I was able to successfully film 3 show reels had a great little studio photoshoot with Daisy Cutter, and posted an old video from M&Ms travelling show online phew what a day, maybe I can get a rest.
 Wednesday now and feeling very tired had a wonderfullly tiring yet relaxing day shopping in Manchester with the Lovely MJ (not Micheal Jackson) and spent what little I dont have on needful things, I ended my evening with a glorious curry, movie and now uploading my photographic exploits from tuesday online. I must get an early night and have a rest tomorrow (phew).

The Maddening Begins

Last night was a late one again damn my annual leave from work ,I more than burning the candle at both ends im heading for a blackout as  there will be no candle left. Magic Mantra Picked me up and we proceeded to pick up a lovely red motability Scooter from her Mum and Dads house, this would play a crucial part in the days events.  We met the lads at a early 10am strapped the camera to the scooter, set out our positions, began filming which went swimmingly and hey presto 12 takes later the filming was to our amazement complete. After reviewing the final  footage take 10 was the best and suited the guys perfectly.  The video was all done in one take, the lads rapped their lyrics the only editing to video involved a few effects and the title and end credits sequence, there was slight disturbance to the motion but added to the videos raw quality. The final approved version is available to view, I have created some alternate versions I would like people to vote on to see what they think.

Sunday the Day of Rest

I awoke today at 1:30pm a very late lie in indeed, but well needed  rest after the weekends events. The friday night performance of my arabic dance routine I was told by onlookers that it was amazing, I maided during the second half and pepped up on cola it went down a storm this consisted of a veritable banquet of performers and a birthday sing song for 2 of the audience however 1 of them Monty queen of SLB was tied to a chair and dry humped throughout the intermission . As the evening drew to a close I became imbroiled within with romantic related drama that fortunatley had a positive outcome to which I am now of the belief that couples should not go out at all (chuckle). The night ended with a dirty McDonalds a drunkard trying to hit on Katy Kamikazy, a taxi home and a long discussion till 4:30am about costumes and routines of the future.

Saturday As I woke from my slumber with less than a handful of restful hours sleep I began to prepare for my next venture a Bizarre Babydoll Boutique Sharing a stall selling handmade kitch costume items with Daisy Cutter Bespoke at the UK Vs US Burlesque Event at the Alea Casino Leeds. I put my makeup on again, photograpghed all my pretty little facinators spent some time with Katy before she left for home and then loaded the car for the trek to Leeds. Lovely time was had by all Myself and Daisy played with my burlesque feather poi, watched some amazing burlesque, met lots of lovely people, sold a few things ate prawn cocktail pringles till we were nearly sick and felt very very tired all evening. the night concluded yet again at 1:30am at a dirty drive through McDonalds (what is my life amounting to with a diet such as this). I now type this blog preparing for tomorrows adventure the filming of Crystal Lake's the maddening.

An Evening of Free Range Creepery

What can I say this evening was brimming full of fun and frolicking. The first half of the evening consisted of a  fabulous birthday meal of free range fodder that I had to throughout the day painstakingly watch cooking within my oven. The second half of the evening involved myself practicing an act I am due to perform this friday at Daisy's Peepshow  and on the 11th of September at Hello Sailor Hebden Bridge.

The rehearsal initially wasnt very pretty as I thrust and twisted my self into a tether as my one of my closest friend howled in hysterics upon my studio room floor. Normally this act does not pose me any trouble but due to the nights im performing at a traditional arabesque song may not be suited, therefore the song is now Chris Issac baby did a bad bad thing.

So I donned my golden mask, caped up and proceeded to creep out my buddy, after 15mins she was cool and had me breaking a sweat as she posed as ringmaster to my clowning and began to successfully order me about to satisfy her need for performer perfectionism. Once we had the act bang to rights we concluded the evening with tea and cakes and a good old search of silver items on ebay. Hopefully the acts will be fantastic and I pay full  homage to the friend who made it all happen Monty Queen of SLB without you there would be none of our kind of freaky fun and the world would be tragic indeed.

egyptian goddess roams the town

At the last minute as usual I glammed myself up for a photoshoot, normally I would slap on the war paint ala studio, however today would be different. A chance photo session with the girlys meant as the others beat their feet in a taxi to the studio, I strolled without a care as onlookers gawped at my egyptian makeup in all its golden and glittery finery. We arrived at the studio with a deadline of a one hour time slot thus time became a very precious commodity, I successfully managed to work out how to use all the fancy photography equipment and ensured all lighting was precise. once these bumblings were over a great 50mins of photographic fun was had by all involved . A further session has now been secured well in advance with a few hours of play this will provide more opportunities to experiment further with my lovely little camera.

A Weekend of Excitement

Much fun and frivolity was had this weekend a camping adventure within a fairy woodland to celebrate Miss Magic Mantra's 29th year of existence. Aside from the partying, cake, toasted marshmallows, getting eaten alive and the twice near death experience of one party goer much experimentation was had as always with my little camera, I was able to capture alot of the excitement and get some cracking macro shots of the fire, long exposures of glow sticks/sparklers and finally to top off the event some wonderfully dark images of a burnt out car.

Tuesday brought more excitement as I prepare to co-produce and direct a music video for a local rap group Crystal Lake. Initial set preparations went well and filming is now confirmed for this bank holiday monday, hopefully all should run smoothly.