9 posts tagged “cabaret”
Would,
Kenneth Grahame, the author of The
Wind in the Willows be delighted or disgusted to know that his fairy tale classic
for children has had a makeover?
His four main anthropomorphised animal characters Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole will be played by a cast of entertaining women who are hell bent on making their own version of the tale rock.
My company the Hai Media Group has produced and cast a new cabaret show that takes inspiration from the lazy river days of life along the river in the very English countryside adventure story. I’m playing Toad of Toad Hall and will present this magical story, that evokes the best of pastoral English settings for summer, to quote the book:
"Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." –The Wind in the Willows
Who’s Who in the Cast?
- Toad played by me, Lisa Devaney
- Badger played by Mary Epworth, lead singer with her Jubliee Band, on the Hand of Glory record label
- Mole played by Cheyne Pride, a country rock singer
- Ratty played by Lucy Lowe
- Weasel, played by Ali Rawlings, aka Punk Rock Dolly
- Sexy Rabbit, played by Amanda Mae Steele
We are merrily on our way to The Secret Garden Party, bringing a cast of colourful, loveable, characters who will treat guests to a scrumptious feast of sight and sound at none other than that magical childhood place Toad Hall. Greeting weary travellers who come from far and wide across this great green land of Britain, and beyond, will be our joyful celebration, of dancing, and a spectacular banquet table, in a place to revel.
We’ll debut our all-female revue of The Wind in the Willows at The Secret Garden Party, arts and and music festival this week where Grace Jones is the headline act. Grace Jones:
Our show is among a talented line-up of music acts that will be part of the ‘Come and Play’ area of the festival – a collection of tents that invite guests to play with arcade games, or interact with the performances happening around them.
"The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spell-bound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea." –The Wind in the Willows
Spread before our guest's eyes will be a dining table, gigantic banquet table, as only would suit Toad of Toad Hall to entertain, along with his friends, all evoking the magical memories of childhood favourite tale The Wind in the Willows. White table cloth, OTT décor and upon this marvellous display, unexpected delights – of poetry reading, dancing and comedy skits, played out spontaneously, between sets of live music.
If
you are planning to attend The Secret Garden Party, please plan to see our
performance – scheduled for 8 PM, this Thursday, July 24th, at the
‘Come and Play’ area. We’ll plan to keep in character and costume for the
night, so stop by after setting up your campsite and dive deep into this
festival’s creative spirit, and come play with us.
"Animals arrived, liked the look of the place, took up their quarters, settled down, spread, and flourished. They didn't bother themselves about the past--they never do; they're too busy." –The Wind in the Willows
Here’s the night’s line-up:
19:00
hrs - 19:30 hrs DJ
Bomber
19:30 hrs - 20:25
hrs The Ratfinks
20:30 hrs - 20:50
hrs Hai Media Group Presents:
The Wind in the Willows
20:50 hrs - 21:45
hrs Kid Id
22:00 hrs - 23:00 hrs The
Fontanas
23:00 hrs - 00:00 hrs
DJ Bomber/ I Heart What?
00:00 hrs - 01:00
hrs Chin Supressor
01:00 hrs - 02:00
hrs Symmetrik
‘Come and Play’ is an exciting new festival venue, which has been put together by the team
responsible for bringing Eco-Arcadia to events throughout the UK for the last 5 years. Join in the welcoming feast of the festival, or just sit back, relax and unwind after your travels, to watch the silly, festive antics unfold, enjoy the music, and dine! Dine! Dine! Upon festival delights.
The only question is – are you a Rabbit or a Weasel? Pick one or the other, and join us! Whiskers and bunny ears will be supplied, or bring your own to be a participant in our version of The Wind in the Willows.
"It's
never the wrong time to call on Toad. Early or late he's always the same
fellow. Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you
go!" -The Wind in the Willows
Many thanks to Kate Risker, aka the fabulous Miss Risk, who invited Hai Media Group to produce and perform this new twist of the old tale of The Wind in the Willows.
A proud & stupid Toad am I,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
My comedy cabaret show the House of Hee Haw! will be back on stage this coming Friday, July 4th, to celebrate:
The event will be a lively celebration of Americana-style music, and a DJ spinning souful favourites, along with rock and some cowboy country music. Our growing cast of hillbillies is proud to be part of the new London country rocker club night Little Bit Country Little Bit Rock n Roll. We'll be hee hawing it up alongside a fantastic line-up of live music, and even Cheerleaders! from the dance troupe Cheer-A-Go-Go.
**Download your flyer here and bring it along to claim your
This party is going to be country fried finger-liking good fun.
*And I bet a £1 that everyone will be hee hawing it up all night. No party poopers welcome, this is dance all night, sing all night wild and wacky fun.
***Please note, the artists request that you please leave your hat at the door, following pretend cowboy, cowgirl and hillbilly fun times at the party -- so we can use the hats the next time!
AMERICAN
CO-(IN)DEPENDENCE DAY
FOURTH OF JULY
CELEBRATIONS!
Featuring...
♥♥♥ Cheer-A-Go-Go! ♥♥♥
(Hillbilly
Comedy Cabaret)
♫♫♪♫♪ HellzaPoppin’ ♫♫♪♫♪
(Rockin’ Stray
Cat-Style Trio)
London debut of:
♫♫♪♫♪ The
WildCat Tamers ♫♫♪♫♪
(Country,Soul,Rock’n’Roll)
♫♫♪♫♪ DJ Jon the Boatman ♫♫♪♫♪
& Surprise Special Guests
Barbecue & Grill. Very Reasonable Bar Prices
Friday 4th July 2008. Doors 8 ‘til late. £6/£5 concs.
Inn On the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, London W10 5XL.
1 minute
walk from Ladbroke Grove Tube Tel: 0208 962 5757 www.iotg.co.uk
www.myspace.com/littlebitcountryuk
red, the white and the blue -
- of both countries!!
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Well last Friday night my performance art group helped a great bunch of folks kick-off a new club night here in London called Little Bit Country Little Bit Rock n Roll, an evening presented by artist and musician Cheyne Pride, who, if you remember the 80s, had a hit dance track called Call Me Mr. Telephone.
As part of my hillbilly comedy cabaret art, I wrote new material to present an evening performance featuring my Hee Haw! House.
The audience laughed out loud over the show, featuring a cast of characters who went at it SMACK-down style in cabaret wrestling! I loved the mash-up style of the evening that mixed country rock lovers with British punk rock lovers and a lot of other pop cultural influences inbetween. We teamed up with Cheer-A-Go-Go to energize the audience for the evening, and get them ready for the fantastic headliner band JC & The Disciples, formed by a couple of legends from the original London punk rock scene.
Check out a few of my favourite photos from the night, here:
Folks liked it so much that we've been invited back for more, and are now invovled with helping the organizers get ready for a big bash here in London celebrating the Fourth of July! If you are in London, please mark your calendar and I hope ya'll can come on out and join us at Inn On the Green in Ladbroke Grove on Friday, July 4th!
-Lisa
PPS: Hey, do you want to be part of our urban hillbilly fun? We are looking for all kinds of artistic collaborators for this adventure. If you can do things like play a washboard, harmonica, banjo, pots 'n pans, jews harp, square dance call, line dance, or whatever you think an urban hillbilly might get up to -- please get in touch with me! Drop me a note here on my Vox blog, or email me: info [at] haimediagroup [dot] com
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Ya’ll will have another chance to check out my Hee Haw! House comedy cabaret act, this coming Friday night, as we are performing as part of a new club night A Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock N Roll. The night promises to be an Americana-style celebration offering up country western, blues and good old fashioned rock-n-roll music, along with dancing and performance and DJs, and great big grins at the Inn On The Green .
Yes, smiles will be a plenty among this crowd, a gathering being organized by the talented
country western, and rock ‘n roll, singer Cheyne Pride. She’s brought together talent for the first of her new regular club nights with an Americana theme that will leave Londoners feeling warm and fuzzy about the good ‘ol stars and stripes and the fantastic music, art and cultural talent that has brewed from the USA.
Headlining the night is the band National Debt, a country blues rock band based in London, founded by Ronnie Smith and Michael Messer, with backing vocals by Cheyne Pride, sound engineer Chris Clarke, and Ed Genis contributing on guitar. The band’s debut album ‘From the Horse’s Mouth’ was released last spring, earning attention from music press in the UK, including airplay on BBC Radio 2, when Mark Lamarr took a liking to the band's tune ‘Oozlin’ Daddy Blues’.
This band will get you slapping your thighs, lifting your cowboy hats in tribute and tapping your feet along with the beat. Added bonus of the night is JC & the Disciples and dancing cheerleaders from Cheer-A-Go-Go, along with my very own Hee Haw! Whore House comedy. As The Madam of the Hee Haw! Whore House, I’ll be presenting new comedy material SMACK-down style with cabaret wrestling!
Well I hope ya’ll can come on down this Friday, and if you can’t make it this week, do mark your calendar for July 4th to enjoy an American-style celebration of the national holiday, right in the heart of Londontown at Inn On The Green.
Here
are the details for Friday:
Cheyne Pride Presents:
A Little Bit Country A Little Bit Rock-n-Roll
A new London country western and rock ‘n roll club night featuring:
National Debt
JC & The Disciples
Cheer A-Go-Go
Hee Haw! House
Doors Open at 7:30 PM
(Yes, there is a cover and it will be less than a tenner)
INN ON THE GREEN
3-5 Thorpe Close W10
(Ladbroke Grove tube - cross over and walk under the motorway - look for a balcony and come upstairs)
Buses 7, 15, 23, 52, 70, 295
Feeling a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n roll,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Inside every Londoner is an inner hillbilly, just a hoot in’ ‘n a hollering to get out!
With the debut of my new comedy cabaret act the Hee Haw! Whore House this week, I helped the closeted hillbilly spirit inside my fellow Londoners unleash itself for the Finger in the Pie cabaret festival at Madam JoJos.
The venue was packed for showtime last Sunday, April 6th, and
the crowd responded well, whooping it up for our cast of urban hillbillies with
applause, laughter and even participation. As The Madam of the Hee Haw! Whore
House, I packed in some fast & furious slapstick American-style hilarity,
with non-stop silly antics and a few surprises for the performance.
Our little whore house kicked-off a fabulous night for Finger in the Pie, with other really enjoyable new artist acts. I particularly liked the creativity and friendly backstage camaraderie of Lheila Oberman & Timothy Dodd of Aliens Ate My Schnitzel. It was also a pleasure to share the stage with Kittyktja, Victoria L'Etoile, Marianna Harlotta & Ruby Corsette, Miss Rose Thorne as Squaw Blimey, and Frankie Chalet. Many thanks to Vixen DeVille, the evening’s temptress MC who held the night together, and super American-style cheers for the organizers of the monthly Finger in the Pie cabaret festival, a fantastic showcase and supportive environment for new London performance acts. Do check out a future show, for details about upcoming performances make friends with them via MySpace or find the group on Facebook.
Who Loves to Hee Haw!?
James Whatley, aka Whatleydude, was fantastic as our drunken punter, stumbling about with his very own bottle 'o moonshine and making audiences laugh during his performance and a pantomime-style chase scene. No whore house is complete without some whores, and we had two! One pretty, and one, well, butt ugly. The audience oooh’d and ahhh’d over beautiful Tiara Diamond who wowed them with her burlesque dancing skills and sparkly pasties. Shock + horror was on order for Stewart Wright’s hilarious portrayal of our ‘bargain bang bang special’ whore. Stewart saved the show, stepping in last minute as 'understudy' for the night, as our original cast member had a family emergency to tend to.
Our crew also made sure the Hee Haw! Whore House made its stage debut, with my
supportive husband John having to make a mad dash back home to get my forgotten makeup case and costume accessories. He also helped on many fronts, from helping to make our flyer, to burning our music tracks and the list goes on. Costume designer Diana Munduru helped us get ‘in character’ backstage in the dressing room, with her skilled ability to make clothing do what it is supposed to do.
Hee Haw!
Comes to London's West End Stage
It was an honour to officially perform on a ‘West End’ stage, of sorts. Madam Jo Jo’s is in the heart of London’s Soho district, which, in addition to being the centre of West End theatre is also the city’s red light district. Next door to Madam JoJos is the Soho Revue Bar, which historically was the very first strip bar to open in London. That venue was hosting the grand finale of London’s Burlesque Festival on the same night, and, I was thinking that the spirit of porn pioneer and baron Paul Raymond, who recently passed away at age 82, must have enjoyed such a fantastic festive night in his corner of London.
I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I’ve found from the
night, and our Hee Haw! Whore House may even feature in a restrospective book in
the future, as the photographer Peter Lavery, who
documents circus performers, joined the artists backstage to take pictures of
our pre-show preparation. Plenty more photos can be found here.
Credit for the above pictures goes to Flavia Fraser-Cannon, courtesy of Finger in the Pie Cabaret Festival, and BigShinyThing.com's Darrell Berry.
It was all great showbusiness experience, and I’m now thinking about what’s next for the Hee Haw! Whore House here in the UK. Festival season is coming up, and there are plenty of other venues that might appreciate a good ‘ol hillbilly time. If you have any suggestions for where this comedy performance may be appreciated, please email me at info@haimediagroup.com, or leave me a comment.
Can't wait to hee haw! again,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Hee Haw! Whore House 'Playbill'
Here's your very own memento, from the Hee Haw! Whore House:
Just print out these PDF flyers (front and back side) and you've got your own DIY piece of our show:
I’ll be debuting my new comedy cabaret show with the Finger in the Pie cabaret festival at Madam JoJos in the heart of London’s Soho this weekend. Come on down for my:
Hee Haw! Whore House
When: Sunday, 6th April, 2008
Doors open at 7 PM
Tickets £8
*Advised that you pre-book or come by 7 PM to be sure you get in, and get seats.
You can expect to have a hee haw! of a
good time if you come down, where there will be plenty of a hooting ‘n a
hollering in hillbilly style.
Simon Harris, who is the head of the Hand of Glory record label and a co-organizer of fantastic random clubbing nights with events like The Human Zoo, inviting people to get in touch with their inner beasts, and the Nativity Hoedown. This spring he debuts a new CD from artist Mary Epworth and the Jublilee Band. Connect with Simon over at myspace.com/handofglory7.
James Whatley, who studied drama and spent a few years working in television before finding his niche in the mobile technology industry where he is fondly known by his colleagues as Whatelydude. Connect with James at whatleydude.vox.com
Tiara Diamond, who is studying drama
at Thames Valley University, is a graduate of BWI’s Ultimate Burlesque Workshop
and performs burlesque under her stage name Tiara Diamond. Her play ‘Breakers’ featured at the
cornerHouse festival. You can find her on The BurlyQ Blog at tiaradiamond.wordpress.com
Our stage hand for the Hee Haw! Whore House is my husband Dr. John Fraser Laird Devaney (he’s smart
because he has a PhD in physics, and is
figuring out some crafty set challenges we’ve had). We’ve also got our own
stylist and costume maker Diana Munauru who sews bespoke costumes and clothing
for theatre performers, fancy dress and gowns for charity and society
functions. You can book Diana by emailing her at Diana.langa@hotmail.co.uk
And me! When it comes to entertainment
experience I don’t have any real formal training, except having studied
improvisational comedy with the fantastic Upright Citizens Brigade in
New York City, a group that can claim a number of comedy stars, and having absorbed knowledge from being around show business since childhood, with my father, who was a
Julliard-trained Broadway musician. I’ve also performed a one-woman show, having
turned myself into an online/offline cartoon girl of the New New York who took to the stage and became known as (((Futuregirl))), or the FutureG among some. With that adventure I pulled my
friends into my art project (those who were willing and surprisingly no one declined to be turned into a cartoon) by giving them cartoon ‘treatments’ and having
them come out for a party dressed in their self-created cartoon selves. It looks like I'm up to similar tricks here in London, and I'm really looking forward to being on stage with others this time.
No sparkly star studded cast and crew is complete without fans, so we’ve even got an entourage coming along, with the fabulous Miss Risk (Kate Risker) planning to attend, and others.
I’ve produced this Americana slapstick-style comedy, with a bit of old fashioned British pantomime influence that I hope will entertain London audiences. With this show, I’ve also unofficially anointed myself as being:
Having witnessed British people really
adore a bit of down-home American-style music and entertainment, when I
was
part of the Nativity Hoedown, I’ve decided to carry on with this theme,
presenting a bit of hilarity with my new cabaret act.
Made with inpsiration from: The Original Hee Haw! Television Show. View clips here:
For those of you who remember American sitcoms in the 1970s, you may recognized this performance is inspired (not at all copied as an fyi to any copyright cops reading this blog) by that popular show Hee Haw! that I watched often, while growing up with my family in America. Having lived here nearly four years now, at a time when my country is terribly unpopular, I'm inspired by the inevitable upcoming political change that will happen in November, and I'd like to be a little bit more courageous in offering up examples of the more positive things about America that I feel have been extremely overshadowed by these year's under an unacceptable presidential leadership in my country. So hee haw! for my America and hip hip hurray for whoever takes George Bush's place in November.
If the Hee Haw! Whore House is well-received with this performance, expect to see more hee hawing here in London in the future.
Practicing my hee haws for Sunday night,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Calling all human animals!
This weekend you'll get your chance to
put these unappreciated skills to use while enjoying a wild night out in Dalston at The Human Zoo where your hidden talents will be welcome. *Find more details about this event here.
Go on, ask yourself:
What's Your Inner Beast?
Whether you are a monkey, an amphibious sort or a brightly feathered bird-like creature, Axel Rose would welcome you to this jungle, where cabaret acts, bands and DJs will be offering a mashup of rock, reggae and electro-fueled beats, to feed London’s savage beasts. The zoo-inspired fancy dress theme invites you to dig out you’re best fuzzy, fluffy, furry and furious wardrobe selections, and promises everything in-between on offer among the cast of colourful guests. Every zoo needs a keeper and there’s bound to be a lion tamer about to keep the wild crowd under control.
The Human Zoo may be one night of mayhem that sees The Naked Ape author Desmond Morris’s concept of urban
human animals fulfilled. This is what might happen when the cage of the city lets loose humanity’s apes, lions, tigers and bears to roam the streets of the East End for the night.
You could say that this crowd’s festival-style parties are back by popular demand, based on the adoration and following the organizers developed from their Nativity Hoedown in December. They are truly growing their own stylish alternative to the usual boring clubbing night, and carving out a new little creative corner in Dalston, and we are all gratefully appreciative to the Passing Cloud Art Centre for the venue's ongoing support of these event organizing efforts.
- Join The Human Zoo Facebook Group
- Connect with these animals through MySpace at myspace.com/handofglory7
- Email Miss Risk directly via her own blog on Vox.com here
It’s sure to be a roar of a good time!
And psssst…here’s a tip to bust ahead of the queue: show up in the best damn zoo-inspired outfit you can invent and you’re in the door!
PS:
Yes, I was part of the early stage planning on this, as the organizers have
kindly annointed me as a resident artist with this new party scene, following the rocking hillbilly good time we all had at the Nativity Hoedown. Alas, some
travel organizing has floundered my attendance at The Human Zoo, and
unfortunately messed up my plans to debut a new lion tametress cabaret performance act I had in
works for the night. I’m headed off this lovely British island this weekend for a trip
I’m looking forward to, but will be growling it up in spirit with all my mates
who are willingly putting themselves behind cage bars this weekend. Nonetheless,
never mind worrying about whether I am going to be there (((who the ffff cares
about that really unless you happen to be some sort of strange Lisa Devaney
stalker))) the place will be packed with young, fun, beautiful creative people
and plenty of great bands, DJs, and live performances from a circus-style
cabaret group…and other surprises. Keep in mind:
You can only expect the unexpected at The Human Zoo.
Wishing I could be there,
but I do hope you give your inner beast
a good night out this Saturday
and have yourself a growl of a good time,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
Celebrate the highs and lows of life through the beauty and passion of Micheline Van
Hautem, who’s voice will pierce straight through your soul and leave you shedding tears. With tribute songs to French balladiere Jacques Brel, the music of Micheline has packed concert halls throughout the world, and she’s booked sold-out shows at leading festivals including Scotland’s annual Edinbugh Fringe Festival and Austraila’s Fringe in Adalaide. Her A-list credits include receiving a rave review and query from Madonna, who saw Micheline’s performances in Europe. She’s also received numerous awards for her vocal abilities and had a song featured in the movie Tadpole, starring Sigourney Weaver.
Now based in Amsterdam, Micheline is singing with a new beat of love and passion -- the sound of motherhood. With her partner Willem-Hein Couwenberg, she’s joyously raising her son Alexander Henri Thomas Couwenberg, who was born November 5th, 2007. At home, the family is surrounded by the vibrant artistic community of Amsterdam, including their supportive friend, the author Xaviera Hollander who wrote The Happy Hooker. Willem runs a popular bed & breakfast booking service and can sort you out with the best rates for rooms in the city. Find his service at www.absoluteamsterdam.com.
Being a Mom is not stalling Micheline’s singing career, as she soon embarks on a packed 2008 tour schedule that
includes about 60 gigs across Europe. She’s also celebrating the release of her newest CD this weekend – Chocolat. Chocolat presents original lyrics and scores that Micheline has been creating for the last five years, and marks a turning point in her career that will be showcasing more of her original music to audiences and fans worldwide. Her live performances will include many of her beloved Jacques Brel tributes, mixed with the sounds of new material.
What about baby Alexander on tour? He is joining Mom on the road, along with Dad, and the help of two friends who are helping out as nanny and chef. Most of the touring will be on continental Europe this year, with one show being performed in New York City in June. Check www.michelinemusic.com for all performance listings.
How do I know Micheline? I’ve been a fan since I first met her. This songstress, who is originally from Belgium, lived
humbly as my former neighbor in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, where we met and discovered that we both had kindered artistic souls. She kindly invited me onstage once in New York City, where I shared a bit of her spotlight, amusing the audience with some of my edgy spoken word. Micheline performed often in New York City, taking to the stage for live performances in many of the off-Broadway venues and a few top concert halls, while spending days working hard in her recording studio. At the time, she was a musical team with accordionist and pianist Frederik Caelen, an equally accomplished artist. As her accompanist, Fredrick added that flash-back Cabaret glamour to every performance they shared.
The two travelled the world bringing the classic sound of Jacques Brel to audiences, but have since parted ways to pursue new direction in their personal lives and artistic careers – with Fredrick teaching music in his native Antwerp. I’ll be visiting Micheline and Willem soon in Amsterdam, to meet Alexander, along with my partner John – we can’t wait to see them!
Are you in Europe? Catch one of Micheline’s performances
this year, all gig listings can be found on her website at: www.michelinemusic.com
See Micheline perform here:
Email me at: lisa@haimediagroup.com
Listening to Micheline Van Hautem,
-Lisa
Who’s Lisa Devaney?
I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. For a reference key to this blog, visit this post. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com
As a child, New Year's Eve was thrilling because we got to stay up 'till midnight, mostly eating and watching Dick Clark get nostalgic about news events of another 1970 year, while he ticked off the traditional countdown. Close to the striking time, my family of six would rush into our suburban backyard with as many pots and pans as we could carry. We'd scream and bang the metal kitchen utensils together, joining in the neighborhood's noisy racket. A neighbor would likely have bought an arsenal of fireworks, despite the fact that they were illegal in our state, and we'd be amazed by the explosions overhead. The cops would start chasing the illegal firework blasters, but they would hop over fences and find new roofs, backyards and parks to light them off from. Some neighbors would even hide the culprits, if the police came looking. Easy, cheap entertainment and great when you are 12.
Well, this year, actually for the first year ever, my husband and I decided to actually plan something fancy and festive for the New Years celebration and we headed to Volupte Lounge for a night of cabaret, burlesque and vintage themed style. The masked ball was a popular venue for London revellers, unfortunately for punters, the organizers overbooked for the size. Plenty of entertainment was on offer - but seeing it was the hard part. I missed getting some video of the fantastic Can-Can dance, and couldn't even see the number :-(. But, I did catch host Dusty Limits who bills himself as The Dark Prince of Cabaret, doing a naughty little number of You Put a Spell On Me (see video below).
London had what the BBC reported as being the largest gathering along the banks of the Thames River for the coming of 2007 - with 350,000 people attending fireworks. The city was a generally happy place, except for a few drunken fights (99 were arrested) and there were numerous disgusting vomit piles to avoid the next day. Everyone was smiling at each other, it seemed.
At the party, Midnight could not pass without all the traditions of Champagne toast, and the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Now, this is where I learned something, and I am not afraid to share my ignorance - its a Scottish tune and tradition, written by poet Robert Burns. Firstly, this is of major shame for me, as I've been married to my wonderful Scotsman for two and a half years now and did not know this. Secondly, I always thought it was 'Old Lang Sign' and who knows what the other words are. I have learned that Auld Lang Syne, losely translated, means Times Gone By. I'm very happy to say that he is not planning to divorce me in 2007, and hopefully anytime after that!
And so I offer a tribute to Scotland's heritage by noting the orgins of Auld Lang Syne and hope that others will remember its highland roots at future New Years Eve celebrations!
The Devaneys (right)
-Lisa
