tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18905685473014997602024-03-07T23:06:52.178-08:00Hels Bels telsHels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-91762095143324447842010-06-01T13:19:00.000-07:002010-06-01T13:19:16.442-07:00Blogging onI am in the process of moving over to wordpress:<br />
www.helsbelstels.wordpress.com<br />
Please come and find me there.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-3954536507908508922010-06-01T02:05:00.000-07:002010-06-01T02:06:33.839-07:00We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Going to Use itTwo things I learnt from seeing Fuzzbox last week:<br />
<br />
(a) they are still a little bit rubbish<br />
(b) I still fancy the little lesbian one (Although I wasn't sure she - or I - was in those days)<br />
<br />
It was a really fun blast from the past. They seemed to much prefer - hurrah - singing their older punkier songs than the hits that made them famous<i> International Rescue</i> and <i>Pink Sunshine</i>. <br />
<br />
Vix and Jo hadn't changed one bit but Maggie, bless her, looked like she was trying a bit too hard, and had stuck her finger in a plug socket.<br />
<br />
We had a great night. and whilst I'm not convinced their comeback single - pop musik - is going to catapult them back into the spotlight. I would definitely see them again and would advice anyone else to do so.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-14277111541489741862010-04-26T03:02:00.000-07:002010-04-26T03:02:37.268-07:00The only time I enjoy bouncy young men!Last week I went to see the nice young boys - the f**k buttons. I have seen them a few times before but was a little worried about the fact that they were playing Koko. Had they got to big for their boots, would they still be enjoying themselves and bouncing up and down? <br />
<br />
The good news it they were good, and they were bouncy. I thought they were the best ever actually, but maybe happy hour wine previously helped!<br />
<br />
Later in the week I went to see some weirdness at the Roundhouse. it featured a tattooed woman, giving a talk about zombies, a contortionist and a vague attempt to saw someone in half. It was bizarre, probably quite crap really, but intriguing!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-19260322989387563932010-04-20T02:24:00.000-07:002010-04-20T02:24:53.823-07:00Pirates is certainly backI went to the wonderfully shabby chic Wilton Hall last week to see the all male version of <a href="http://www.piratesisback.com/">Pirates of Penzance</a>. Having never seen anything by Gilbert and Sullivan before I had no idea what to expect, especially as men played all the female characters.<br />
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I have to say it was amazing. The venue was small and the action took place everywhere without the aid of microphones. I have never heard a man with a falsetto like that of the leading lady. I was totally wowed. It was funny and touching, and there was never a dull moment.<br />
<br />
We went home singing and then listened to it all again on Spotify!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-5600966943777808292010-04-06T09:05:00.000-07:002010-04-06T09:05:28.959-07:00Debbie Harry gorgeousA bit of buggery on a Sunday afternoon is not everyone's cup of tea but I went to see the exceptionally well executed play "Rip her to Shreds" at the Old Red Lion Theatre last week (<a href="http://www.icarustheatre.co.uk/shows/rip.html">http://www.icarustheatre.co.uk/shows/rip.html</a>)<br />
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In the first few minutes - there weren't many people there, and the initial acting was a little shaky - I was a bit worried but once it settled down it was funny, sad and endearing all at the same time. It was a bit over the top in places but all in all I really enjoyed it and the brilliant support roles played by the mother, father and brother helped. It was made all the better by having a lovely meal in <a href="http://www.cubalibrelondon.co.uk/">Cubre Libre</a> afterwards and a full and frank discussion on the practicalities of the sex scene!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-59842128266207344822010-03-16T04:22:00.000-07:002010-03-16T04:22:43.735-07:00Cultural girl about townI've been pottering about like a little pottery thing lately and have been enjoying multiple visits to galleries, films and a random one day course on the Green Man. It must be Spring!<br />
<br />
I went to see <em>Alice in Wonderland</em>, and it was all right. I think my expectations were so low by the time I went to see it that I took it all quite well. I wasn't very impressed with Alice, she seemed to suck all the joy out the film. Johnny Depp to seemed to be struggling. As for the White Queens eyebrows, well there is no need for that! She looked equally as unpleasant as the Red Queen, who I did like. Most of my love in this film goes to the animals, I liked the cat, the dog and the frogs! Don't bother though, really.<br />
<br />
I then went to see a Guy Maddin double bill: <em>Careful</em> and the <em>Saddest Music in the World</em>, mental and marvellous are the only words I can find to describe these. Incest in the Alps and beer bathing singing contests are some more. Go and see them. I want to see <em>My Winnipeg</em> now.<br />
<br />
Finally at the weekend I went to the Simon Anand exhibition at the V&A of photos taken before actors go on stage. It was wonderful and full of famous faces having a fag, putting on lippy, looking whimsical in grease paint. This was followed by Henry Moore at the Tate Britain. Who would've thought he was such a good artist. His war and mining pictures were amazing. It was really good to see a lot of his earlier and more random work. Shame you couldn't touch them though. I gave the one outside the Tate a big hug afterwards.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-64374355552298003522010-03-08T06:10:00.000-08:002010-03-08T06:51:56.251-08:00Curiouser and curiouserNo its not the supposedly rubbish Alice in Wonderland! I went to the Old Red Lion to see a play called Alice's Adventures in the New World.<br />
<br />
It had a brilliant summary on the promo info which made it essential viewing in my book:<br />
<br />
<em>It is 1882. You are a seventeen year-old girl and you have just discovered your deceased mother is still alive and living in America. You set off to find her and meet: </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>a) an artist with an opium addiction </em><br />
<em>b) a depressed Socialist preaching free love </em><br />
<em>c) a hypochondriac debutante </em><br />
<em>d) a cattle rustler whose four husbands have all mysteriously disappeared </em><br />
<em>e) Oscar Wilde </em><em><br />
</em><br />
<em>f) your mother or </em><br />
<em>g) all of the above.</em><br />
<br />
If you get a chance you should really go and see it. With an all female, corset wearing cast - the male characters were distinguished by a paper moustache - its very clever and even breaks into a song and a little dance every now and again.<br />
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We were left a bit deflated by the ending but the journey itself was superbly acted, funny and touching.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-87100762615649332482010-02-23T02:42:00.000-08:002010-02-23T02:42:07.906-08:00My life in three actsI went to see the rather marvellous life story of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Bourne">Bette Bourne</a> the other day at the Soho theatre. It was a moving and amusing slice of living history that is usually hidden in the LGBT world. <br />
<br />
Although it was slightly scripted - a re-enactment of a conversation between Bette and Mark Ravenhill - it was still pretty amazing. <br />
<br />
I could have listened to Bette talk for hours. It made me wonder why we never get to hear from the older LGBT crowd. If you listen to Bette's story it make's you realise that many of his peers probably never made it that far.<br />
<br />
I think we should listen more to wonderful people like Bette and learn from the tales they have to tell.<br />
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Lesson number 1: If someone picks you up in Soho, takes you back to their flat, and tells you they are not queer, they are probably lying. As Bette said, 'turned out he was very queer indeed!' LOLHels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-12408535773501528302010-02-04T02:27:00.000-08:002010-02-04T02:27:54.306-08:00Middle aged minge but still hot!How rude! I saw the lovely and liberated Ursula Martinez last night. She did a show at the Barbican, telling short stories from her life, and then recounting emails she recieved after a copy of her Hanky Panky magic show appeared on the internet a few years ago.<br />
<br />
For those who haven't seen it, <a href="http://vidbunker.com/ursula_martinez_hanky_panky">this is the clip she showed us</a><br />
<br />
The emails she read out were hilarious and accompanied by photos of sad looking middle-aged American men, nudists who wanted to use her as a poster girl to champion their cause, or those who just wanted to do something else to her.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed both halves of the show but I really could have just listened to her telling the snippets of stories from her life all night, especially as she is from the same 'manor' as me.<br />
<br />
Oh, and she did get naked at the end!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-61531281530782761782010-02-03T08:03:00.000-08:002010-02-03T08:08:05.123-08:00Wotever Winter Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8QFjJCov084/S2mfXPHxa4I/AAAAAAAAAEA/AkuFCyZ042c/s1600-h/4324307631_4e056ddbd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8QFjJCov084/S2mfXPHxa4I/AAAAAAAAAEA/AkuFCyZ042c/s200/4324307631_4e056ddbd3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I got dressed up in a lovely 80s style frock to go to Wotever's great winter ball on Saturday. The venue was a throwback to a bygone era, and was decorated like the prom I never had (lunch time school discos aren't quite the same I feel).<br />
<br />
The music was great cheesy 80s, the dance card with the slow dance power ballads was inspired and the table of cupcakes had to be seen - and tasted to be believed.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8QFjJCov084/S2meGQ0bSMI/AAAAAAAAAD4/2RHPlrWqWQo/s1600-h/16965_279634824684_32431894684_3476772_235537_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8QFjJCov084/S2meGQ0bSMI/AAAAAAAAAD4/2RHPlrWqWQo/s200/16965_279634824684_32431894684_3476772_235537_n.jpg" width="133" /></a>There was a prom photographer, a kissing booth and at midnight we got two rather saucy bedtime stories from writers Shaun Levin and Helen Sandler.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>My prom photo on the left.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-20486059072338014642010-01-21T05:53:00.000-08:002010-01-21T05:53:56.060-08:00Modest me, no immodest!Last night I went to the premiere of Burlesque Undressed, with a promised appearance by Immodesty Blaize. Although this event had her stamp all over it, the appearance was more the fact that she was sat in the audience.<br />
<br />
The film was really interesting. With the history and interviews with burlesques' golden girls being a highlight. It was filmed at events that I have actually seen so in one respect it didn't hold anything new, but it was good to see close ups of the acts, and the audience - in which a friend of mine features.<br />
<br />
The camera work was a bit low budget and all over the place occasionally, and my advice to Immodesty would be not to go into acting! Sometimes speaking ruins the mystique. She is stunning though, and its a stunningly colourful film. Oh and as always, Dirty Martini you rock!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-52651244860521404672010-01-21T05:44:00.000-08:002010-01-21T05:44:37.517-08:00100 club, 100s of peopleI went to the beacon of Oxford Street, the 100 club last week to see Macavitys Cat and the Men They Couldn't Hang. It was a packed night and lots of exuberant bouncing ensued. I had a slight sense of humour failure when a drunken bouncer managed to simultaneously knock my drink and step on my feet repeatedly. After managing to shimmy away my mood improved, although perhaps it didn’t for those who were now standing around her.<br />
<br />
Macavitys cat have been around in various guises over the years. They are lots of fun, and it increases proportionally to the amount of them on the stage. They seemed a little unhappy in there early time slot, and referred to it frequently in a good natured way!<br />
<br />
When the Men they couldn't hang came on, serious politically rousing tunes commenced, well for a while anyway. It turned into a moshing, throng of beered up bodies, and we all went home happy.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-73458754433683856382010-01-11T12:04:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:04:59.530-08:00Turner, a bit of a copycatI went to the Tate Britain at the weekend to see the Turner exhibition and I have come to the conclusion he was a bit of a sod. <br />
<br />
He used to find artists he liked, and copy their work, attempting to make it bigger or better. He also used to find out what people were due to exhibit and then paint the same subject, he made final touches to works, and even turned up to exhibitions with a blank canvas, that he filled when he had looked what everyone else was doing.<br />
<br />
I admire that kind of steely determination, however, the exhibition made me realise that in 9 out of 10 cases I preferred the original, and that's why this exhibition was so good. A must see for compare and contrast purposes.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-87483413605308941592009-12-31T03:38:00.000-08:002009-12-31T03:38:46.621-08:00Smile for the cameraI went to see the very interesting Points of View exhibition at the British Library the other day as an antidote to Christmas.<br />
<br />
Its my first visit to the library, and I really liked the space. The exhibition was interesting, and engaging, although I did hit exhibition saturation point about 5 mins before the end.<br />
<br />
My favourite bits were the tales of set up pictures, depicting supposed far away lands and people. And, the thought that as people were travelling more, the advent of photography must have stunned and amazed everyone. Seeing their first hippo or foreign land.<br />
<br />
Definitely worth a visit.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-34871774636377565462009-12-31T03:32:00.000-08:002009-12-31T03:32:30.891-08:00Its not Christmas unless you have seen the PoguesWe ventured out from our usual Brixton gig this year and went to see the Pogues in Sheffield. <br />
<br />
A much smaller venue, it was good - but slightly more in range of the beer-soaking mosh-pit - to be more in the fray, and to see the band better. Not that you could see Shane, the only singer in history to demand darkness around him. Not a spotlight in site.<br />
<br />
They were however the best I have ever seen them, seemingly getting on, exchanging some banter, and staying in time, and in tune. All in all a great night out, and I only got covered in beer once!Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-84989785080088711852009-12-10T13:04:00.001-08:002009-12-10T13:20:17.144-08:00ATP: the eventful yearI always look forward to All Tomorrow's Parties and this year was no exception. However, there were a few things set to try us: we were ill, I drove my car into a wall, I was burgled. These events will probably make it one of the most memorable years, but really, it should be remembered by the music.<br /><br />Here are the bands I saw:<br /><br />Friday<br /><ul><li>De La Soul - Used to love them when I was younger but on the day I hadn't had enough to drink yet</li><li>Primal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Scream</span> - Not as good as I thought they would be. Bit serious <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">musio</span> rather than fun 'god is this Primal Scream as well!'</li><li>Josh T Pearson - I like him, a bit Nick Cave/Seasick Steve</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Buzzcocks</span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Fantabulous</span> jumping around music</li><li>Television Personalities - Good fun, another blast from the past, featuring the violinist from Le Volume <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Courbe</span></li></ul><p>Saturday</p><ul><li>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tyde</span> - Looked like a seventies porn star, very happy chappy</li><li>Sun Ra <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Arkestra</span> - I recognise they are fab but not for me</li><li>The Horrors - Have had a makeover since we last saw them. Not so much black and leather, pretty good.</li><li>J <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mascus</span> and the Fog - Far to serious <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">musio</span> project by Dinosaur Jr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">blokey</span></li><li>Spectrum - I came, I saw, I can't remember!</li><li>Fucked up - Jolly Canadian Punk</li><li>Le Volume <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Courbe</span> - I really liked these, French with cute violinist</li><li>That Petrol Emotion - Back to the old school, much better than I thought they would be, and so loving it.</li><li>Lightening Bolt - The highlight, WOW really</li><li>Ariel Pink - We had about a 30 min discussion on whether the lead singer was a boy or a girl. Also a strange man turned up in a raincoat who turned out to be the lead singer from the Lily's</li></ul><p>Sunday</p><ul><li>Lily's - His camp chirpy pop amused me for a while but then he began to get on my wick</li><li>Th' Faith Healers - Quite grew on us after a while. </li><li>Dirty Three - fabulous druggie violins</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Swervedriver</span> - a little disappointing</li><li>Bob Mould - bless! Dull, dull, dull</li><li>My Bloody Valentine - Good music but couldn't hear the vocals</li><li>The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Good fun, we didn't stay for it all though because it was a fight between them or the Dirty Three, and the Dirty Three one</li></ul>Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-67349565837434075072009-12-02T15:15:00.000-08:002009-12-02T15:23:55.758-08:00Alphonse MuchaWhilst swilling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">gluhwein</span> at the Christmas markets of Munich I took time out to go and see the retrospective exhibition of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mucha's</span> work which was pretty amazing.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mucha</span> is a world-renowned Art <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nouveau</span> figure head. He was famous for his poster designs, particularly of Sarah Bernhardt, book illustrations and jewellery creations. What I didn't expect to see though was a very occult/religious driven, spooky body of work which was also <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">exhibited</span>. It was beautifully executed, using pastels and chalk and all in all this was a pretty special exhibition.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-46694584566923341942009-12-02T15:09:00.000-08:002009-12-02T15:13:45.773-08:00Wham Glam JamStaying local the other night I went to see the lovely Lady Imelda and her erstwhile glamorous assistant at the Piano Bar at 286.<br /><br />Having not been there for a while I had a fab, and very late night out. Enhanced by watching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jedward</span> being kicked out of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">xfactor</span> first over a few drinks.<br /><br />They are both terrific singers, and the members of the audience who got up and sang where also very good.<br /><br />Roast potatoes at half time (be that about 11.30) reminded me of pubs of time gone by and did help to mop up the alcohol. All in all a very glam jam indeed.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-576832858240973942009-12-02T15:02:00.000-08:002009-12-02T15:08:29.375-08:00Wacky Le CliqueWe all had a fun night out to Le Clique at the Roundhouse the other day culminating in lots of drunken hilarity and that was just the performers!<br /><br />My favourite acts were The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wau</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wau</span> Sisters - acrobats with a rock twist and Ursula Martinez - hailing from Spain via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Croydon</span>.<br /><br />Some of the more bizarre acts included a Queen obsessed juggler, a purposely rubbish Swedish magician and Meow Meow, who got 4 unsuspecting guys from the audience to try and shape her arms and legs into a swastika (why I have no idea).Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-743620926733912912009-11-19T00:29:00.000-08:002009-11-19T00:42:58.229-08:00Atheist's Guide to ChristmasI went to the very packed launch of this book at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Foyle's</span> the other day. I was intrigued by the selection of guests: David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Baddiel</span>, A C <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Grayling</span>, Richard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dawkins</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Derren</span> Brown.<br /><br />As I wedged myself into a chair hanging on the end of a row the whiff of B.O. in the air was vaguely reminiscent of the socialist conference I went to in the Summer. As people asked ridiculous questions, this feeling intensified. However, as I found at the socialist conference, any excuse to feel like my brain isn't leaking out of my ears, and I enjoyed it.<br /><br />I found A C <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Grayling</span> very interesting and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Derren</span> Brown was a bit of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">revelation</span>. Having previously thought he was a bit of a tit, I was surprised to find a slightly awkward, intelligent, endearing guy. I am now intrigued by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Croydon</span> boy. It may not be enough for me to watch his programmes, but I may check out his new book.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-39126031308324623082009-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:002009-11-11T14:32:21.678-08:00Bit of John BarrowmanYes he's everywhere at the moment, and I was a little unsure, but I thoroughly enjoyed going to see Le Cage Aux <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Folles</span> last night.<br /><br />The cast, performances and set were amazing. I had tears in my eyes at the end and it was genuinely wonderful.<br /><br />The funniest moment of the evening may well have been provided by a member of own family though who said very loudly 'you do realise this is about homosexual lifestyles don't you'. Funnily enough, we all did :-)<br /><br />Everyone should go. With or without the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Barrowman</span> its great.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-21700440414712702192009-11-11T14:20:00.000-08:002009-11-11T14:28:12.471-08:00Halloween spookiness<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Punchdrunk</span> did themselves proud again on Halloween in Holland Park. A big fan of their's I was very quick off the mark when it can to get tickets, and we turned up at the gates with our pumpkin lights and masks at twilight.<br /><br />Inside were paths lit with pumpkin lights, a treasure trail and a spooky fair. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">punchdrunk</span> style at one point my friends and I were dragged off to look at the moon, sung too, and then I was taken to see a man about signing my soul away to the devil for 7 years of wine. Of course I obliged!<br /><br />We finished this off with the late night <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Halloween</span> gig at the Miller. Everyone was dressed up. I think the man dressed as a robot was regretting it. Most of the bands were quite rubbish but funny. There was spooky burlesque, involving a tampon; The Reverend, a performance poet; and a band called Slapper - with a Freddie Mercury <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lookalikey</span> with a sparkly moustache, leather apron and nipple accessories. It was a sight for sore eyes indeed.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-39600456313030711342009-11-11T14:10:00.000-08:002009-11-11T14:20:36.457-08:00Whirlwind San FranThere is loads I haven't mentioned so far: The Story of Sleeping Beauty at the Cartoon Art Museum (amazing attention to detail on the story boards); seeing both the exhibition of Maurice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sendak's</span> works, and the film of his most famous book <span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span>; seeing the history of punk told in pictures at the main library (admitting that punk did not come from California!); and the inspiring work of <span class="title">Victor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Arimondi</span>.<br /><br />A highlight of my trip was watching the Gossip on pretty much home turf. Despite a sore throat Beth Ditto still out sung most people I have seen live and was endearing, sweet and strong on the night. An incredible mix and a great atmosphere. Its the first gig I have seen in San Fran and was interested to see that although the smoking ban is very much in effect, the smoking of pot is not considered to be included. Makes for a docile crowd!<br /></span>Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-37773953274254281102009-10-24T20:17:00.000-07:002009-10-24T20:22:39.867-07:00Cool sea dragonsI went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Monterey</span> today and got the opportunity on the 'scenic road' to Carmel to see where the really posh people live. I also got the chance to visit the aquarium, and fell in love with the grass sea dragons, they look like leaves, its mental.<br /><br />Despite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hoards</span> of tourists I managed to press my nose against most of the glass cases and also loved the sea otters and the jellies.<br /><br />We then got our future from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zoltare</span> (featured in the film big), so there is a chance I will wake up trapped in a small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">child's</span> body tomorrow.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890568547301499760.post-24756836984211070832009-10-24T20:12:00.000-07:002009-10-24T20:17:26.028-07:00Reinacting Harvey MilkI had my moment of shimmying up the steps of City Hall yesterday. It had to be done. I pushed those brides out of the way and it was all about me. Well in my head it was.<br /><br />The City Hall tour is a good one. You get to see the room where the city supervisors sit, the Mayor's office and a lot of marble. There are only so many times a guide can say, 'here's a nice bit of marble!'<br /><br />Impressive as the building is, my friend and I decided that it was similar to the building we used to work in (The Institution of Civil Engineers) but on a larger scale. The guide clearly loved it so we would never suggest that there may be something equally as grand elsewhere.Hels Belshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681481961168549746noreply@blogger.com0