Tag Archives: dancing

Love & Liquor, Kilburn

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Love & Liquor sheds light and laughter on an otherwise quiet area of Kilburn. The younger sibling of popular Paradise by way of Kensal Rise, the venue has quickly won fans. I chose the bar for my birthday bash, and invited a group of friends to join in the fun: photoboothing, cocktail drinking and dancing.

There are various table and VIP area options for special occasions. We were allocated three tables near the entrance which suited us perfectly. My friends are keen cocktail drinkers so we made good use of the alluring prohibition-style drinks menu. The rum based fruity daiquiri and mojito were delicious but I was particularly impressed with the quirkier more inventive recipes that kept me refreshed all night.

My favourite feature of this bar is the Mighty (photo) Booth. Located in a corner, this vintage style machine allows guests to print three poses. Each strip costs £2 (coins are exchanged for tokens at the bar) and TWO copies of your photos shoot out almost immediately. It is a great momento of the night and a fun chance to strike a pose. I ended up spending most of my night in here, obsessed by the brilliant concept. Be warned though, your photos are likely to pop up on Facebook the following day for all to see.

It is chaotic at the door if you arrive any later than 9.30 pm. Even guest list and table parties will have trouble gaining entrance. After 10 the prices are bumped up, and the door staff are unwilling to compromise.

Venture further into the club and more madness must be endured, a squash of unruly guests shoving each other, grappling for space. The loos are a wreck, soaking wet floor and toilet roll nowhere to be seen. Basically avoid making a toilet trip and you should be fine.

Currently the club is thriving thanks to a Friday night residency from popular DJ Idris Elba (of The Wire), get yourself on the guest list quick.

Love and Liquor is a great venue with tasty drinks, exciting DJs and a super fun photobooth. But … the club is currently only open on Friday and Saturday nights which means you’ll always have to fight for a place in the bar and then continue to guard your territory all night.

More information here: www.loveandliquor.co.uk

 

 

Hurly Burly Show, Duchess Theatre

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The fun, flamboyant and fabulously flirty Hurly Burly show is in town for a strictly limited season of twelve weeks.

I joined Kylie Minogue and other stars at the VIP Gala night for London’s best burlesque production. The crowd, orchestra and performers are all beautiful, I spotted the kick-ass retro girl band the Tootsie Rollers and other familiar faces… celebrities and commoners alike all dressed for the occasion in fishnet stockings, high heels and corsets.

Miss Polly Rae is the star femme fatale and founder of The Hurly Burly Show. She is a delicious redhead, I have seen previously at the Volupte afternoon tea. She leads the Hurly Burly girlies in joyfully naughty performances, strutting her stuff and ruffling her feathers much to the delight of the whooping audience. Polly has it all, cheeky character and striking looks in abundance. I loved all her routines, but the final Japanese inspired dance is particularly elaborate and alluring. The rest of the crew are just as impressive, each girl with her own assets and persona. We loved the Head Girl played by Rachel Muldoon, whose balletic choreography and sultry looks make her an exemplary burlesque and dippy blonde Caroline Amer is hilarious on stage and has a tremendous voice.

The production is unlike any other… burlesque is typically performed in small more intimate venues and yet in the big West End Duchess Theatre, the Hurly Burly show excels and miraculously still feels cosy. Credit surely must go to the brilliant creative team: director William Baker, musical director Steve Anderson, choreographer Ashley Wallen and production designer Alan Macdonald. The show doesn’t have much of a narrative, instead the gaggle of gals is commanded by the compere Joanna Woodward who introduces each titillating act.

First thing I did when I got home? Went straight to the computer, and looked up the schedule for burlesque lessons at Pineapple Dance Studios… I am desperate to learn how to move like these strong, sassy, sexy women.

Oh and I must admit, I’ve fallen a little bit in love with Miss Polly Rae, I think after seeing this show, you will too.

Hurly Burly show continues until 22 September book here.

Saturday Night Fever, Old Vic Tunnels

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I completely adore John Travolta… I even have a faded old (probably fake) autograph bought from Ebay years ago, so an invitation to Saturday Night Fever showing in the Old Vic Tunnels was for me, unmissable. I have visited this uber-cool venue many times before, most memorably for a Secret Cinema experience. This Everyman Cinema and Old Vic Tunnels collaboration was not dissimilar: an immersive cinematic event fully engrossing and involving for the audience. The iconic disco film is projected on a big screen with a funky after party, disco dancers, authentic drink and food vendors and late night dancing. One is transported back to Brooklyn, 1977 – hot dog stands and vintage clothes and disco gear galore. The atmospheric space lends itself to makeovers and this was just as spectacular as always, a carefully conceived event with every detail in place. I was pleasantly surprised by the realistic and eccentric underground disco world. The staff even spoke with authentic accents!

We went straight through to the comfortable viewing area… an epic screening that in the dark open space seemed just like the drive-thrus in Grease the musical. Watching a classic film in such a setting changes your perception, I noticed parts of the narrative I previously neglected and generally felt the movie made much more of an impact on me. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, swaying to the Bee Gees and laughing at Travolta’s naughty innuendos. After the viewing, guests are invited through to the dancing lounge where a giant sparkling disco ball and flashing dance floor is there for everyone to enjoy. We weren’t quite brave enough to join the flare-afflicted movers and shakers but it was great fun to watch and sing along to the brilliant retro tunes.

Combining film with live music and a custom built set, this is a complete cinematic event like no other. It is the ideal evening out for adventurous film fans, and perfect for anyone who loves a bit of John Travolta!

Saturday Night Fever runs at Old Vic Tunnels, Station Approach Road, SE1 8SW

Wednesday 11th – Saturday 21st July 2012
Tickets £15-45

More information and book here.