Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I Predict a (Rhythm) Riot!

So I've just about caught up on my sleep after last weekend's Rhythm Riot weekender in Rye...


The weekend is comprised of music, dancing, classic cars and a large dose of vintage fashion. It is like a more intimate version of Viva Las Vegas, except it is set in Pontins holiday camp (cue uncomfortable fold-out beds!) - so it's less pool party, more chalet party!
















As grim as the accommodation is, it's really nice sharing with friends, and cooking together, as well as popping over to other chalets in this rockin' little village of sorts. Aaron and I shared with our Team Brunch buddies who came over from San Francisco for the event!






Musical highlights for me included LA crooners, Lil' Mo & The Dynoflos, who were absolutely brilliant! Styled in matching jackets, with matching movements and gloriously harmonised do-wop sounds - this band made a really big impression on the crowd, who loved them! I have missed them in previous years at Viva, so I was really pleased I got to catch them this time, and they ended up being my favourite band of the weekend.


I also really enjoyed The Bobbettes, who were like an older, female version of The Dynaflos, in as much as they were also dressed in matching outfits, with choreographed dance routines and perfectly balanced vocal harmonies. Make no mistake, these ladies are sassy, and having started out in the 1950s when they were barely into their teens, they have enough experience under their belts to put on a great show and work the audience.




JD McPherson did not disappoint, and given that I have been listening to his album on loop for the past few months, I can testify that his performance sounded just like the record. I especially enjoyed his version of The Bellfuries' 'Your love (All that I'm missing)' and his encore of 'Scratching Circles' to which I had a particularly enjoyable dance with loverboy.




Other top weekender moments for me were: a Saturday afternoon chalet party to celebrate a friend's birthday, lots and lots of laughter with chalet mates, seeing friends dressed to the nines, dancing 'til 5am on Sunday morning...and then waking up a few hours later and scoring a lovely Mexican circle skirt at the Sunday morning boot sale.










































On Monday morning a (sleep deprived) group of us went to lunch and had a wander around Rye before making our way back to London. It's a really lovely town, and I'm glad we had an opportunity to take a look around - there's even a castle!




After a weekend of minimal sleep, and loads of dancing, it's safe to say that I was thoroughly knackered! However, that did not deter the non-stop sightseeing with Team Brunch, which continued when we got back to London...but that is another story altogether....

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Spooktacular shenanigans....

I've been a bad blogger, a very bad blogger indeed! It's been nearly a month since my last post, and whilst I have been up to lots of mischief...I just haven't had the inclination to write about it. I will most likely do a little re-cap by the end of the week, but for now, I will regale you with a glimpse into the Halloween festivities in which I partook.

For the past few years I have spent Halloween in the USA, which has been great, as they make a big production of it and really get into the spirit (muahaha) of things. This year, however, I am in London, and whereas in previous years, Halloween has not really been a big deal over here, it has slowly grown in popularity, with more costume parties and spooky events.

Lady Gaga at the 2009 VMAs...

Zombie Jessica Rabbit...

Mime...

The 31st October fell on a Monday this year, but the parties I went to took place over the weekend, so by the time actual Halloween came around, I was happy to just stay at home and answer the door to trick-or-treaters. Actually, I was happy to watch loverboy open the door and scare the trick-or-treaters (and their parents)! Muahhahahhahahah!

So on to the costumes...Saturday night was spent at the Diamond Jive Halloween special, where Cleopatra met the Joker and danced the night away with friends, including a werewolf, the green lady, Alex Clockwork Orange, a sugar skull and the Marx Brothers...














The London Halloween fun continued at Black Sunday, where my sweetheart and I dressed up as Día de los Muertos bride and groom. I got in some good practice dancing in a veil (grin), and also made good use of the roses which Aaron sent me for my birthday back in August!


















So another year of haunted havoc, devilish dancing and ghoulish games has been and gone, now bring on the fireworks...penny for the Guy?