Having a moustache: the ups and the downs

I took the bet with my flatmate to see who could grow and keep a moustache for the longest (it made sense at the time because I had a gig to be at, dressed as a naval officer) The rules stated that whoever kept the moustache longest won. Trimming was allowed as was waxing, but the growth of more than 3 days worth of stubble was strictly prohibited!

My latest choice of facial fungus was met with a range of reactions. Old friends were quick to damn it with jeers along the lines of “you look like a dirty Mexican paedophile” Whereas some newcomers were happy with it, some even going so far as to announce their ‘love’ for my moustache. One girl in particular really loved my moustache.

It made me realise that your friends have a very definite ‘image’ of you, so when you change that image they have to do lots of extra work ‘re-classifying’ you. Whereas people you’ve just met don’t have this problem.

During my time with the moustache I joined the Mo-vember phenomenon to raise money to combat prostate cancer. Our team raised around £250 overall!

The ups

People shouting “Hey tache man, show us your tache!”. The many people who came up to me and congratulated my facial foliage, and those of them who were brave enough to stroke it.

The girls who fell in love with its rugged manliness (or when I was dressed as a gent its quaint gentle-manliness) and being able to say “fancy a moustache ride” without being attacked!

The fact that, as a student, half of my friends couldn’t grow one themselves!

Being able to fulfil the true terror that was my Halloween costume, in all its seedy glory.

And most of all that fantastic affirmation of male power!

The downs

The girls who were tickled...and not in the good way.

The reaction of some mothers to quickly shepherd their children away from the scary man with the massive tache!

The obvious food hazards, i.e. not being able to drink from a cup or eat soup without besmirching my precious.

Not being able to talk to a bloke in a pub without him instantly assuming I was fruity man-lover. This was accompanied with fearful body language and something that can only be described as ‘terror in their eyes’, which would be followed by him hastily informing me that he likes football, shagged a girl last night or my personal favourite “I’m not gay!”

Looking like a member of the village people whenever I wore anything that wasn’t a suit mit bowler hat.

Overall I have enjoyed my time as a moustached man and generally the people I encountered in my travels loved it too. However I feel it has run its course.

This was compounded by my flatmate losing the bet (which I believe was a gentleman’s bet of pride, so I unfortunately won nothing but that..) when he allowed too much stubble to grow around his ginger bastillion of lip hair.

Many will thank me for this decision, and some will mourn the loss of my follicular glory. Now the final conundrum I have left to consider is do I keep it over Christmas to ruin a whole batch of family snaps, accompanied with questions from my little brother to the tune of a disdainful “Daddy, why does Max have a moustache!”?

Max Holloway, AKA Max the Sax

When we heard about Gentry De Paris’ show we knew we had to go. It was at the Cafe De Paris, the very stage with the very same bakelight staircase that Josephine Baker descended in 1925.

Our Friend Millicent Binks was to perform and the fabulous Warren Speed, plus many more performers whom we’d heard so many great things about and of course the chance to see the wonderful Dita Von Teese was an opportunity not to be missed.

Louise was already in Paris at the Annual Textile fair. So I got the 4.25pm from Kings Cross International, London straight to the heart of Paris in 2 and a half hours. Why don’t I visit Paris more often?! I did my hair and makeup on the train and managed to get changed in the station toilets (not very glamorous eh?). I arrived at the Taxi rank by 8.20pm, the queue 80 plus people long! The show was starting at 8.30pm. Oh no!

Luckily the queue moved swiftly and I made it to my seat during the first act.

The show consisted of 18 tableaux with a cast of 35 singers, dancers and actors.

The sets were breath taking as were the costumes; feathers and crystals everywhere! We were bombarded with act after act, a non-stop stream of entertainment which tickled all the senses; cheerful comedy, beautiful music, sensual dancing.

It was a truly spectacular show; the fabulous Joséfiend appeared silhouetted on the magnificent staircase in a wonderful banana skirt; it was almost as if Josephine Baker herself were on the stage, he proceeded to dance gracefully yet like a whirlwind in a mesmerising homage to the icon Josephine.

The glamourous Gentry Lane made a breathtaking entrance by descending from the heavens in the centre of a giant silver star; she then performed a dreamy act in a feather and crystal encrusted costume whilst dancing on pointe in crystal encrusted point shoes with the Gentry Girls waving their giant ostrich feather fans.



The lovely English rose Millicent Binks performed a wonderful half woman half woman half flower act in a gorgeous red velvet rose costume beautiful and elegant as always she gradually plucked the petals off one by one...


And of course the magnificent Dita Von Teese; she performed her new Opium Den piece.

An incredible and opulent set fit for a far Eastern princess; as though in the boudoir of a grand geisha; Dita reclined on silk cushions inside an oriental carved four poster bed. She dazzled us in a shimmering kimono gown encrusted in fire red and dragon green crystals. So beautiful and graceful she hypnotized us as a shower of red rose petals rained down.



We were filled with excitement and wonder after the show and very excited about going to the afterparty!


Gentry Lane has put on such a spectacular and incredible show; we are very excited to whisper that there may be some collaborations to come with Twin & Tonic and Gentry De Paris so watch this space!

Vintage Shopping in Copenhagen

So I (Louise) was in Copenhagen last week for work.. I decided to have a search for some new vintage dresses whilst there... I have been to Copenhagen a few times and there is always one shop that stands out as being a lovely little treasure trove full of beautiful dresses; the shop is called FN92.



If you head off down the side streets off Copenhagen's main pedestrian shopping street; Strøget. FN92 is just one of the many second hand shops in the lovely area in the City called Pisserende/The Latin Quarter.



You'll find the cosy basement packed full of wonderful dresses from the 20s through to the 80s. Lovely cotton 50s tea dresses, gorgeous mesh, lace and net party dresses from the 40s and fifties. There are also shelves above the rails of dresses with original hats and shoes; it's alomst like a costume museum.

FN92 is owned and run by Pauli Tvilling he is a true vintage fanatic and has been collecting for at least 8 years. He has a collection of over 10 000 pieces and also works in his 'lab'; 'Customized Vintage: Hemlines burnt, embroidery of glass- and wooden-pearls, flowers in all sort of materials...'

For me places like this are like a dream; also quite dangerous! I ended up buying several dresses; some lovely day dresses. A 50s day dress with a print of large green and orange painted flowers and also a pretty cotton dress in a soft lemon yellow both with nipped in waits and full skirts.

I explained to Pauli that I was looking for pairs of dresses that would work well together for myself and my twin sister and he was very helpful pulling out dresses that complimented each other.

My favourite finds were a beautiful bodice fully constructed with boning for shape and encrusted in aqua sequins; stunning! Also a fit for a princess bodice and skirt set; the bodice is also carefully created with shaping in a lovely ballet slipper pink then covered in pale dove grey mesh and encrusted in pearlescent sequins; the matching skirt is also in the ballerina pink satin with layers of the grey mesh on top; tiny at the waist and full and voluminous at the hem.

I was very excited to discover that there was a sister dress to go with it! A lovely lilac bodice of delicate lace at the top with a scattering of sequins soft lilac organza pleats above the waist going around to a huge bow at the back and a dreamy pink organza skirt.

Pauli told me that these items where given to him by a woman who used to be a Danish showgirl. How I would love to chat to her about her time as a showgirl; I bet she has some wonderful stories to tell!

So I came out of the shop very happy indeed but also a little afraid of the credit card bill; oh well some things a girl simply has to do!

xxx

FN 92
Larsbjørnsgade 6, 1454 Copenhagen
www.fn92vintage.com

Save Burlesque Protest

SAVE BURLESQUE CAMPAIGN

In an attempt to clarify the issues and to present the views of Twin & Tonic and the Burlesque community; fans and performers; I have compiled what I can find that has been written about the problem that Burlesque is facing at the moment.

Under the proposed Policing and Crime Bill, Venues in Camden hosting burlesque nights have to apply for a sexual encounter entertainment license.

Camden Council have said, ""Dancers can go onstage in an outfit but not take their clothes off to get to that outfit."

So you are allowed dancers in skimpy costumes, you are just not allowed to take of any clothes to get to that stage!

The Burlesque Womens Institute is spearheading a campaign to save burlesque in the UK.

'We are petitioning the government to amend Section 25 of the impending "Policing and Crime Bill 2008-09" so that performances that involve the removal of clothing without nudity (as described in section 25) being involved to be excluded from the requirement to obtain a "Sexual Encounter Entertainment License"

There is a clause in the Policing and Crime bill that says, 'Any venue holding no more than one event per month and with a total of no more than eleven events per year is exempt from the licence requirements.'

However, the current regulations set by Camden Council are taken from the Licensing Act 2003. They have stated to the BWI that "the Government allows them flexibility in their implementation of the law," and they have further stated that "any event with burlesque in the title/advertising, anything in the style of Dita Von Teese or anything involving stripping regardless whether it ends in nudity or not requires a Sex Encounter License."

Camden Council's stance on burlesque will have a profound negative effect on the whole burlesque industry and on modern day culture and what's more it looks like they a have no legal right to do so.

Just to apply for the license for a Burlesque event it would cost nearly £1,000!

The council says it has acted to “protect the public, especially children from harm” but these burlesque performances were taking place in licensed premises away from children and before adult audiences. Burlesque – which features comedy, song and dance – is not primarily about titillation and the content of burlesque shows is no more “adult in nature” that many plays in theatres across the West End such as Blue Angel, Equus and Chicago.

Therefore surely the bill will also include many theatre and opera productions as anyone who even takes a coat off onstage would theoretically be breaking the law, also Gok couldnt' do his shop window or fashion naked bit and a panto dame couldn't do a mock undress in giant bloomers without going on the sex offenders list!. If they are then allowed to do this then burlesque perfomers will still be allowed to perform or it will be unfair and they really haven't thought this through.

I have found this post by the lovely Miss Dolly Rose which sums up our thoughts entirely; "I can say that the vast majority of burlesque audiences are incredibly polite, and as it happens mainly female; a burlesque event will not attract the type of people that could be a threat or nusiance to an area, in the way that some 'adult' forms of entertainment potentially could. Therefore the council does not have grounds for banning burlesque in the interest of public welfare, and is simply imposing it's personal judgements on other people in a way in which, in my opinion, it has no right to do so. Burlesque is performed to adults who have paid to see it and no-one outside of the event has to have anything to do with it, or recieve any negative experiences as a result of it - I have never heard of any incidents of anti-social behaviour caused by the presence of a burlesque event in an area. Therefore why should it be banned? It is not the place of the council to impose it's personal moral judgements on people who are not causing harm to others." Tempest Rose has also made a very good point; "Burlesque is a theatrical art that has been around for well over 100 years that brings together comedy, satire and parody with theatrical skills such as singing and dance and circus skills along with an appreciation of the human form. I have seen more nudity in major West End shows and on prime time television that I have seen in most burlesque clubs! The blossoming of the new burlesque scene is also part of a wider wonderful and much needed resurgence in the UK cabaret and variety scene, it would be a far worse crime than seeing a nipple tassel to have this ruined by a council that obviously has no idea what it is talking about!"


FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE: 12 JULY

The Burlesque Women's Institute have decided to create our their very own non burlesque revue in honour of Camden Council.

"Proud" Camden will be our hosts for a glittering evening on 12th July where you will be delighted and dazzeled by a fine selection of performers from the UK cabaret scene, and some of the most beautiful displays of women getting dressed you wil have ever seen."

Twin & Tonic will be performing at this fabulous event!

So come and join us for and evening of light hearted "Reverse Burlesque" which will stay strictly within the bounds of Camden Councils requirements.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60473769952

Tickets and more info here: http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/events.html

Midnight Cabaret - 20th, 21st & 22nd July

For three nights preceeding the protest march there is a Midnight Cabaret presenting top DJs, performers and burlesque artists all performing for your delectation.

Twin & Tonic will be doing a midnight performance on the 22nd July

please click here for more info:
http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/burlesque_protest.html

DEMONSTRATION: 23 JULY

“The Burlesque Womens’ Institute will be descending upon Camden council on Thursday 23rd July in a show of solidarity not seen amongst ladies since the WRVS began! In an attempt to highlight the ignorance of their actions. Come and join us on our protest march which will culminate out the offices of Camden Council. The days events will begin at 12.00pm”
http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/burlesque_protest.html

Pls sign the petition here! http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveBurlesque/

Letters: Twin and Tonic in Blitz era London

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to bring to your attention a most curious incident that befell me the past Saturday evening. The reason that I believe it to be of interest to you is that during what I can only assume to be a concussion induced delusion I do believe that I saw your wonderful band Twin and Tonic playing to an extravagant party in Blitz era London! I did not believe previously that time travel was possible, but the events of said evening are leading me to believe otherwise…

It all began when, during one of my regular aerial excursions in my reconditioned Hawker Hurricane, I was forced to make an emergency landing in the Shoreditch area of London. Swerving to avoid a young hoodlum with a rather peculiar asymmetrical hair style, I crashed through a wall of a bricked warehouse building causing me to bang my head rather severely and in turn to lose consciousness. It is difficult for me to ascertain how long I was unconscious for, but rather than the clocks having sped forward they appeared to have sped back, as I found myself back circa 1942 and in the throws of the aforementioned party!

There is no doubting that the party must have been organised by somebody of the highest office as the assembled revelers included high ranking generals from both army and navy all perfectly turned out in full military regalia, most evidently taking a much needed rest from keeping Jerry at bay. It was also jolly good to see that the wives were able to join in the festivities, looking quite ravishing as they danced the Lindy Hop and celebrating with a gay abandon I’ve never previously bourn witness to. Oh, what luck to have the opportunity to relive a type of decadent youth that I missed at the first time of asking!

And then there was you, the gentlemen and ladies of Twin and Tonic, on stage and providing the most wondrous entertainment. Your singers looked gorgeous as ever in their military outfits, and the boys looked most dashing too. It was no small wonder that the crowd were reveling in both music and the spectacle. And as if that wasn’t enough, your headline band Ta Mère raised the rafters to a new level with their wonderful combination of violin, double bass, guitar and harmonica. What a top evening!

I have to say that my recollection of events started to get rather hazy at this point, no doubt as a result of my concussion but certainly not helped by rather liberal quantities of Spitfire larger that I’d taken quite a fancy to! However, I do recall meeting a rather ravishing young lady named Margaret who I do believe was celebrating her birthday that evening, and dancing with a number of fair and beautifully dressed ladies. Now what were their names? Trisha, Maya, Jess, Rowena, Zoe... There’s certainly life within this old dog!

Sad to report that I woke up the next morning in a bed at The Royal London Hospital with aching joints and a large bruise to my forehead. Apparently I’d been found wondering the streets of East London at 3 o'clock in the morning mumbling about a fantastic war time party of dancing, music, and great merriment. I tried to tell the nurse what I’ve now told you, but she returned an unbelieving and disinterested look that I believe the young reserve solely for the old.

But with all honesty I can barely believe myself that what I have said is true. Can it possibly be?

Regards,

xxxxxx xxxxxxx

Blitz party - WW2 pics of Twin and Tonic's Gran and Grandad

This will be our second time doing the Blitz party and we are all very excited about it!

We were very pleased to be involved in the first Blitz party and it was a huge success! Truly a night to remember; it was like stepping back in time as everyone was dressed up in WW2 uniforms; soldiers, sailors, 40s girls in tea dresses, dapper Gentlemen and lipsticked ladies.

We are very pleased to be performing at the next event on Saturday 6th June.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=83822367702

To help us get into the spirit we have been looking through our grandmother's old photos. She was in her late teens - early twenties throughout WW2 and lived in the East End at the time. She worked in factories making aeroplane parts during the war and our Grandfather who was an engineer also worked in the factories; he was also a member of the home guard.

Grandad in the homeguard - 1940

He was not allowed to join the army as he was an engineer, considered an essential, skilled worker; his pal Burt (also an engineer) was desperate to join the army and fight for his country, he ended up taking 3 days off work to try to join but he ended up having to pay a fine and spending 3 days in prison.

Grandad 1940 working at a factory called 'Pyrene' on the Great West Road.

Grandad at work - 1940 (a rare picture picture of him with hair!)

Great Uncle Alvan - 1934

Great Uncle Alvan 18th November 1939

The Lang sisters working on machines during the war at the factory where Gran also worked making parts for aeroplanes - 1940.

Our grandmother has shared her memories with us and despite it being a time of war; of poverty and uncertainty; the over-riding feeling is of spirit; good times and making the most of what they had. She looks back on those times with fondness and a twinkle in her eye.

With the Blitz parties I think that we can bring back some of that great community spirit, gallantry and good times.

Playing with Kitty at The Smithfield Tavern

Talk was fast and loose in the Twin and Tonic Cadillac as we journeyed from the T&T Boudoir to our latest musical excursion at The Smithfield Tavern in Farringdon. We understood that we would be sharing the stage with our friends Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer and Kitty Bang Bang (certain to be a pleasure), but it was a venue unheard of and previously untried. What was to be expected?

The late afternoon sun was certainly much appreciated by the city office workers gathered outside the smart looking venue to celebrate the end of the working week with a beverage or two. Tempted as were to join them, we needed to make haste and prepare our equipment for sound test.

The interior of The Smithfield Tavern was a simple delight. As smart as the outside, it managed to combine a sense of spaciousness with a sense of cosiness thanks to a combination of high ceiling, sloping eves, and tasteful decor. The long narrow bar culminated in a small performing area at the back where we were to play, alongside the house upright piano that was suffering slightly with a broken wheel and pedal and slight tuning deficiency. Although we were to be six this evening (Sam our guitarist was performing elsewhere), our well practised pragmatism and clear understanding of the principles of feng-shui enabled us to find a stage arrangement that was condusive to a good performance ahead.

Kitty Bang Bang graced the venue with her luminous presence as we rested before the first of our two twenty minute performances. She was to dance with us to the very appropriate Strip Polka, so talk was centred on the intimate details of this conjoining. We also had the pleasure of the service of a particularly friendly French member of the bar staff (forgive me for not knowing her name), who arranged for us to have drinks delivered to the stage and delicious sounding food prepared for the interval.

There was a slight concern as we took to the performance area that the sun outside might prove to be too much competition for our music inside, but it was proven not to be the case as the swinging sounds of our opening number, I Got Rhythm, flowed through the bar and teased the clientele to explore its origins.

There was a great sense of anticipation as Louise welcomed Kitty forward and Max played the opening notes of Strip Polka on his saxophone. Eyes bulged as Kitty danced on her toes in a gorgeous figure hugging golden dress, and must have been close to leaving their host bodies altogether as the garment was shed in perfect time to our music. The crowd whooped and cheered in appreciation as the song ended and we all left the stage, no doubt eager for our second set to commence.

Our French waitress had excelled herself by arranging not only food and beverages but a table outside for us, and no sooner had we sat down than our food had arrived- the chips of potato fried in duck fat proving to be a particular delight. We were joined by our photographer friend Mikael Jaegerjensen who had taken the time to come and see us having met us originally at the Blitz Party, and then again by chance at Claridges last week. Although not officially working, he was kindly taking pictures of the band on a curious red camera that resembled one of those wind-on photo viewers one used to use as a child.

Our second set was designed to be more up tempo to encourage more dancing, and it had the desired effect from the off. Alistaire and the delightful Dominique, proprietors of the establishment, showed everyone how to do it as they took centre stage whilst encouraging others to join in. The set was a riotous success and the crowd again enthusiastically showed their appreciation, this time accompanied by shouts of “encore!”. As not to disappoint, we allowed them one further indulgence as we performed Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Unusually for us these days we weren’t the headline act of the evening, but that honour couldn’t have fallen to a nicer fellow than our old friend Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. His set was enjoyed with the usual hilarity, my personal favourite being a song about Radio 1’s Tim “St John” Westward with a chorus starting “What ever happened to Timothy, I was at prep with him you see”. Jolly good!

Another gig over and another satisfied promoter and public. After performing four times in the last fortnight the Twin and Tonic Cadillac took us straight our renovated 1934 Sikorsky S-42 Clipper to fly us to our private island off the western peninsular. Don’t worry though, we’ll be back in good time for The Blitz Party on the 6th June. It’s a popular event so remember to purchase your tickets well in advance.

Cheerio!