All that Glitters

After a busy week last week, I had a relatively quiet weekend this time! It was lovely though - I spent a few days choreographing a new act and re-working an old one, which is quite exciting!

 

Sneak-peek of the new costume and jewellery for my new act 'Midnight'

On Friday I was back at the beautiful Rouge bar, performing alongside the equally beautiful Ruby Deshabille.

Mirror Picture! With Ruby Deshabille

I took two of my Art-Nouveau acts: Cottingley Fairy and Peacock, to contrast with Ruby's classic showgirl routines. I really enjoy performing at Rouge as it is such a lovely venue and the audience was fabulous!

On Saturday I was booked for a private birthday party with a Moulin Rouge theme! They really went all out to make the place look gorgeous and all of the guests were dressed to the nines too!

 

Photos from the event

I took three of my big, showgirl acts and debuted my new routine too! It went slightly wrong but not too bad for a first try. The gorgeous blue costume was made for me by Louise at Oh My Honey, and it is stunning: I feel like a million dollars in it! The amazing matching organza boa is by Bruise Violet at Sucker For A Heartbeat; I've never had an organza boa before but I think I'm converted from feathers! I also invested in a new gown for my 'Sugar' act, which is super-sparkly and over-the-top fabulous!

Showgirl costumes, ready to go!

Showgirl, ready to go!

Private parties can sometimes be a little bit hit-or-miss but the party-goers were wonderful and welcoming, and I got so many lovely compliments after the show I came home tired but very happy indeed!

Mouse waiting for me at home - Cat in a box...

Ups and Downs

This is only going to be a short blog as I'm not feeling very well this weekend and I'm finding it difficult to co-ordinate my brain with my fingers!

My gorgeous little cat, Piglet, was also feeling a bit poorly this week as well - we took her to the vet to be spayed as, although I love the kittens, I *really* don't want her to have any more!

Momma Cat: *NOT* amused,

 

The kittens are gorgeous but I definitely don't want any more!

In Burlesque-related news, I have begun work on my new act. It is going to be in keeping with my style of upbeat, classic showgirl routines, with a bit of a twist. I ordered several thousand sparklies, and they arrived the very next day!

Sparkles!

On Friday I was performing at Rouge Bar, which was lovely - it's a gorgeous little place and the team there are wonderful. Plus, on the journey there, I got a first class carriage on the train all to myself!

First Class, baby. That's just how I roll...

On Saturday I was at Proud Cabaret alongside a typically wonderful line-up:

Mirror Picture! With Hayley Coppinger, Dan Serra, Scarlet Cuffs, Moorita and Ben Brown.

Mirror Picture!! From Moorita on Facebook, along with Kai Hoffman

Backstage shenanigans with Teddy Boylesque

And that's pretty much that for this week...
xx

Then There Were Three

Well, for a weekend that began with no gigs booked in, I ended up performing in three glorious shows and having a wonderful time with a lot of lovely people!

The weekend kicked off at the beautiful Proud Cabaret, and I styled my hair differently for this one - no real reason, just wanted to try something new: I've gone for a rockabilly quiff/victory roll combination...

What do you think?

The show was smashing - literally! I managed to smash the champagne glass I use for my 'Broadway Belle' act against the ceiling, showering the audience with glitter and glass!! No one was hurt though and the rest of the show went well at least!

Michael Standen: Just chilling out backstage...

The second show was at the gorgeous little Rouge Bar - this hidden gem is always a pleasure to perform at, especially when the girls from The Late Night Shop are there too.

Mirror Picture! With the beautiful Charlie Buckitt

On Saturday I was invited to Volupte Lounge to join the Kitten Club for their two shows that night: it was such a blast!

Mirror Picture! With Tempest Rose,Delores Deluxe, Dave the Bear and Lola La Rouge

The two shows were such a delight - it was lovely to meet Lola La Rouge, and I realised I'd never actually seen Tempest perform: every show I've done with her she's been the compere!

Dave the Bear bringing the house down!

It was especially nice to be able to relax after the show with a bottle (or two) of wine and while away the night with much gossip and hilarity.

Outside Volupte with Dave, Lola, Tempest and Delores

London, Baby!

Well it is the end of my first week in London, and it's been hectic but fabulous.

After filming on Monday, Taz helped me move my stuff from Manchester, stopping off for a coffee with Kittie Klaw en route.

Thursday was my first show of the week at the gorgeous Proud Cabaret and it was a wonderful line-up!

Mirror Picture! With Coco DuBois, Missy Fatale, Velma Celli, Abi Collins and Hayley :)

Velma was such a fabulous host, and it was lovely to see Coco debut her new Burlesque act - Abi was brilliant as always and Missy's Cabaret Verbotten act had me on the edge of my seat! It was also nice to sit and catch up with everyone after the show, over wine of course!

My Friday show was cancelled, unfortunately, but it did mean that I got to attend a friends leaving drinks and actually *watch* a show for once!

On Saturday, I was a bundle of nerves - although I trained in Musical Theatre, and worked as a singer for several years, I rarely get booked for singing these days as I'm not known on the cabaret circuit as a singer. However, I had been booked by Proud Cabaret for their pre-show entertainment (usually a pianist, sometimes a singer or a guitarist) to perform an hour long jazz set! 

Ready to sing!

I had spent several days with Taz working on a suitable set list, and with one or two last minute changes I had around fifty minutes of material: some jazz standards (Face The Music and Dance, Cheek to Cheek), a couple of modern jazz songs (Lipstick on His Collar, Dream a Little Dream), some of my personal favourites to sing (Some Like it Hot, Lady is a Tramp), and a few unexpected songs (Daddy *the new Emili Sande song*, The A Team *Ed Sheeran*) - I also bought myself a new dress. There's nothing like a new dress for making me feel better!

The set went okay - some songs went well, others went a little bit wrong but I had some lovely comments from the audience after the show, and apparently several people had been asking the staff whether I had a CD!

After singing I had to dash across town to the beautiful Rouge Bar where I was performing two acts alongside Charlie Buckitt and Apple Tart from The Late Night Shop. The small audience was wonderfully enthusiastic and my acts went well - it was also fun to watch Charlie host: she looked like some gorgeous Tim Burton character come to life!

Mirror Picture! With Apple Tart, Lauren, and Charlie Buckitt

Today is a much needed day off - I intend to visit a friend and eat cupcakes and prepare myself for another busy week!

**Things I Love This Month**

**Edinburgh Sunshine**New Sparkly Stage Jewellery**Moving Days**Cupcakes**Kittens**Bodeans Restaurant!**
xx