Paul and I at The Ettington Hotel!

Out and About in Stratford Upon Avon!

Hello every-one it’s been another busy week with the run up to Christmas. I did nine shows last week and I have another ten to do this week. In fact I’m Jingle Bell Rocking my way through to the end of the month while trying to fit in the writing of Christmas cards! Every year it’s the same, it never seems to matter how many cards I write I always receive that one card on Christmas Eve from the one person I’ve forgotten which always makes me feel terribly rotten! Maybe this will be the year when I judge the Christmas Card thing just right. Fingers Crossed!

Firstly before I go any further thank-you everyone for your lovely e-mails and comments about my new magazine, “Vintage Fair”. I’m so pleased you have been enjoying reading it. Rachel and I have put so much work into the magazine and it’s wonderful to know you have been enjoying this the first issue. So if you didn’t catch “Vintage Fair” last time here is a link. http://issuu.com/fionaharrison-avoiceinamillion    To enlarge the pages there is a slide bar at the bottom of the screen as “Vintage Fair” appears on a social media site for magazines called Issuue. That’s what’s so wonderful about the age we live in now – anything is possible. If you have the way with all you don’t have to take no for an answer. You can broadcast yourself quite easily

Trying On My New Dress!

using all sorts of different mediums. Speaking of which this January I’m going to be working with film maker David Pustansky on some new music show reels. I’m starting with the music of the 1950s and 60s as I feel I have a bit of a gap in my video library when it comes to this vandra so I’m looking forward to getting started once we have Christmas and the New year out-of-the-way. I’m already putting together my out-fits and thinking about 1950s 60s hair doos! I think we can safely say it’s going to involve quite a bit of back combing!

This weekend Paul and I have been working at The Ettington Chase Hotel just out-side of Stratford Upon Avon. I like Stratford very much and I was able to pop into town and pick up a dress I had ordered from Aspire Style on Sunday. Some of you may remember I was singing there on the 3rd for the shops special Christmas open evening, so it was lovely to pop along and see Kirsty again. Stratford always looks very prity at this time of year with the Christmas lights and it’s a wonderful place to shop. After all a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes or dresses!

The Ettington Chase Hotel!

The reason I came to be in Stratford was because I had been engaged to perform my Christmas Show at The Ettington Chase Hotel by the order of St George. It was the first time I had had the pleasure of performing for the club and Paul was also able to join me on stage not only as my sound engineer but as singer too. Our show went down so well we were invited to stay an extra night at the hotel and join the club for their Saturday night dinner dance which was just wonderful. It’s very rare for me to have a Saturday night off in December but as luck would have it Paul and I had planned to stay over anyway.

Off to the Dance!

I always make sure I carry a spare evening gown just in case as we danced the night away to the Tony Strudwick Big Band. Paul’s singing is coming along a treat and Friday’s show couldn’t have gone better. Paul mixed the sound beautifully and his vocal style is fabulous to listen too. Well done Paul I think you have made some great new fans!

That’s about all my news, although I’m afraid I will only have time for one blog this week with it being so busy. I’m back in the gym with Elliot tomorrow morning before heading off to my show.

Keep Watching and Toodle pip!

The Front Cover Design!

Thrilling news my blog today is all about the launch of my new vintage magazine and my modeling shoot which has just been featured in the Christmas issue of “Norfolk on My Mind”. Rachel was able to go live with my new 50 page “Vintage Fair” Magazine today. You can access it by clicking through to my Media page and also by clicking onto the magazine link. http://issuu.com/fionaharrison-avoiceinamillion The link will take you through to Issuu which is a social media site for magazines. So please click onto the link and I hope you enjoy the content. As yet I’m still leaning how to read on Issuu myself but here are a few instructions. I still haven’t found out how to enlarge the script yet so have a play around at home and let me know how you get on. Once you have opened the page you can click onto the grey arrows at the side of the pages to turn and just press Esc to come out of it.

Shopping for Gloves!

1940s Red Lipstick!

Trying on the New Suit!

Out and About with Paul at Hammersmith!

I can’t tell you how much work has gone into this magazine and a big thank-you to Rachel for all her hard work. I would also like to thank the many photographers I have worked with over these last 5 years, since I started managing myself. I’m always off on shoots and it’s lovely to see the photos with perspective which only a magazine can sometime give. I would like to thank Lewis Brockway for the front cover shot, Retro Air Photographic, Colin Aldous, Alexis Lahaye, Robert Estell and Angela Adams. I worked with Angela again this August when I did a photo shoot at The Control Tower, Egmere in Norfolk. “Norfolk on my Mind” magazine were interested in the shoot and they have just featured me as a model in their Christmas issue. It’s all very exciting as I’ve never thought of myself as a model before so do click on the link. Once again “Norfolk on my Mind” is on issuu and you can catch me on pages 45, 46, 47 www.norfolkonmymind.co.uk/latestissue.html

This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting up with Paul as we took a well deserved rest from shows and visited the Vintage Fashion Fair at  Hammersmith Town Hall. I love visiting the Fair and I had something of a shopping list. On this occasion I was looking for gloves but left with a beautiful late 40s black suit, stockings, a couple of pairs of earings, 2 red lipsticks from the 40s and one pair of long black leather gloves. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to find the right pair to go with my 1920s beaded gown although I did come very close. You can see my photos by clicking through to facebook.

I’m afraid I will only have time to blog once this week. Once again I have a very busy week ahead and so much to do and plan for with shows twice daily. On Friday I’m heading off to Stratford Upon Avon as I booked to perform at The Ettington Chase Hotel and I wont be back until later on Sunday so i look forward to catching up with you next week. In the mean time I hope you enjoy the magazines.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

The Front Cover Design!

As you might imagine this week has been quite a week Swinging into Christmas and working towards the launch of my magazine “Vintage Fair”. We were all set to go live on-line with it on Thursday but Rachel sadly took a tumble falling down the stairs which has left her very shaken – so we have had to delay the launch by a few days. Get Well Soon Rachel! xxx. We now plan to go live on Monday although for those of you who follow me on facebook will know I have already given you a sneak preview into the front cover design. Photo by Lewis Brockway.

This week has been one of those weeks when I’ve been trying to sort out so many bits and pieces, while forward planning into 2016. Dates are selling well and I’m pleased to announce I will be performing at the “Flywheel” event in July and also at “The 40s Family Experience” event on the 9th 10th April. I will be filling you in on more events as and when in the new year but in the mean time I’m looking to be making some new show reels come 2016. I’ve been talking with film makers and I have a meeting next Tuesday to discuss some ideas through. I’m planing to film at the Limelight theatre in Aylesbury but as with all these things it’s all about juggling dates and making things fit together. So keep watching and I will keep you posted!

Kirsty and I at Aspire Style!

This week I have been out and about with my Christmas shows and on Thursday I dashed from my Bedford show over to Stratford Upon Avon to sing at Aspire Style. Aspire Style sell lots of lovely vintage inspired gowns and as the shop had a special Christmas open evening I was engaged to sing while shoppers shopped! I enjoy this job especially as I always come home with lots of lovely new dresses. So thank-you to Kirsty for inviting me. I love my new tartan check dress. When I arrived in Stratford Upon Avon the high street was buzzing with the Christmas market. I’m looking forward to returning next Friday when I’m engaged to perform at The Ettington Chase Hotel.

My New 50s Tartan Check!

This Sunday I have a day off from shows so I’m hoping to make it down into London and visit the Hammersmith Vintage Fashion and Accessories Fair. Paul is coming up to see me and we plan to visit the fair together. I have a shopping list as I’m still on the look out for some long cream/flesh coloured gloves to go with my beaded 1920s dress. The dress is a funny colour and it’s been hard trying to find the right thing. I would also like some long white 1940s leather gloves with sequins trimmings. I doubt I will be able to find those. Rather annoying I saw a pair last month, hesitated and when I went back they had been sold. Still I will keep my fingers crossed. I’m very lucky when it comes to gloves as I have small hands. My glove size is only a 6 & 1/2 so I can often wear vintage gloves. I hate it when you go into high street shops these days and they have leather gloves sized up as small, medium and large. They never fit properly and I can’t stand to see baggy fingers!

That’s all my news for now. Next week I have 9 shows as I continue to” Rock Around the Christmas Tree”

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Stepping Out in My Christmas Green!

Hello every-one this is my last day before I step out and hit the ground running with the Christmas season. I spent this weekend at home wrapping presents and making sure I had everything on track for the fourth coming festive period. I still have quite a few odd jobs to do and contracts to send before I concentrate on my shows although I’m wondering if I should invest in a new Christmas dress. I have a couple of old favourites which have served me well over the last few years so it may be time to give my audiences a change of costume. So often when I’m out and about I don’t see anything I like more than these dresses so we will have to see if anything takes my eye this year. On Thursday I’m performing in Bedford and then I’m dashing straight over to Aspire Style dress shop in Stratford Upon Avon. I’m booked to sing for the Shops special open evening. I always enjoy doing this job as the store has such lovely gowns – all with that special vintage twist!

My Presents all Wrapped and Ready for Christmas!

To-day I’ve been trying to get ship-shape with my paper work and contracts but can you belive it my printer has decided to go on the blink! Actually I don’t think it’s the printer so much as the ink cartridge. I think there must be a fault in the chip which is very annoying. I always keep a stock of inks but this was my last black one so I will have to sort that out tomorrow when I’m in Aylesbuy. I can just imagine what it’s going to be like in Staples trying to explain there’s a fault in the chip. Still maybe all will go well and I will be pleasantly surprised!

If you caught my last blog you will know we plan to go live with my magazine “Vintage Fair” this Thursday. Rachel and I have worked very hard on it and we hope you will enjoy the results. I saw Rachel last Thursday and she is now turning the lay-outs into PDF files. So fingers crossed and all being well when I next blog I will be able to direct you to a link.

That’s all my news for now. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Taken by Robert – On Stage at The New Synagogue in Harrow!

Hello everyone it’s just a quick blog tonight as I have so much to do with the run up to Christmas. This week I’ve been out and about performing in Synagogues my Cabaret show. It’s been rather lovely to perform some shows with a slightly more modern twist while still mixing in my Opera. I’ve also been catching up with friends and this week I had the pleasure of meeting up for tea with Robert and Sylvia after my show in Harrow on Monday, Kim for lunch on Tuesday at The Unicorn in Cublington and Lynda on Wednesday for Dinner in Finchley.

I also saw Rachel on Thursday as we went over the final designs for the magazine and we plan to go live with “Vintage Fair” on the 3rd December. It’s all very exciting! Rachel now has to turn the finished page designs into PDFs which means it’s possible to put the magazine into production and have a printed run. At this time “Vintage Fair” will only be an on-line issue as  it’s purpose is really nothing more than a promotional aid for my career. However I was approached by someone the other day who said if I needed a man to sell advertising space within the magazine he

Kim and I at The Unicorn!

would be that man! At this moment “Vintage Fair” isn’t a commercial venture but perhaps I ought to give advertising some thought. No-one could ever accuse me of being modern but the one thing I do love about the age we live in now is anything is possible. It wasn’t all that long ago if someone said no to you in the media world that was the end of that. Now you don’t have to take no for an answer. If you want to make a film, record an album or even produce your own magazine you can! I hope you will all enjoy reading this magazine as much as I  have putting it together with Rachel. I have lots of ideas for issue Two although I want to see how this one goes down first before I start planning another issue.

I think I will leave it here tonight as I have lots of contracts to do and much to sort out before I start on my Christmas season. I want to start on my Christmas cards and presents this weekend before I run out of time.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

In the Salon with Kim!

On the Night Ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham!

Paul at Salle des Fetes!

Press Call for the local Paper!

One of the Film Crew at Work!

On Stage and Ready to Roll!

Hello every-one and what a busy week it’s been. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to blog last Thursday but what with my training program, shows, the magazine and dashing off to France I’ve been working flat-out. I also squeezed in a late night hair appointment with my friend Kim on Thursday evening so it really has been non stop! Paul and I set off to Normandy last Friday although I had a very busy morning before driving down to Portsmouth. I had a last-minute dress fitting with Judi at 9.30am. I don’t know why it is but dresses always come together during the eleventh hour. I had commissioned a new dress for the occasion and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s important to keep your wardrobe fresh and exciting. After all there is nothing more thrilling than a new gown!

After my fitting I dashed off to see Rachel to look over the lay-outs for the “Sopranos a Go Go” pages. The magazine is looking splendid and I can reveal the title as “Vintage Fair”. I shall be seeing Rachel on Thursday which I hope will be our final meeting before we publish on-line. So watch this space as the launch will be early December. Not long now – only a week away so fingers crossed we don’t get any more delays! Sadly I had to cut our last meeting short. I had booked for Paul and I to sail over on the night crossing to Normandy which is why I couldn’t sign everything off with Rachel during our last meeting. It’s because I’ve been so busy that this magazine has taken much longer than originally planned. However I would rather take a bit longer, and make sure everything is right rather than rush it and regret it later. So keep watching and I shall keep you posted!

In My New Dress with Paul and Film Maker Doug Phillips

Normandy is starting to become my second home and I was thrilled to be invited back by Philippe and the Bal de la Ivy for the town’s 1940s Christmas Party at the Salle des Fetes in Ste Marie du Mont. On this occasion the club had invited two American WW2 veterans plus film maker and director Doug Phillips from the Discovery Channel. Paul and I met Doug last June in Arromanches when we did a couple of interviews for him so it was good to see him again. On this occasion Doug had brought out his film crew and it was interesting to see the advances in camera work. I can remember the days when cameras were moved on rails. Now the camera operator wears a harness which looks a little like a scorpions tail from which the camera is suspended enabling greater and smother movement. Paul and I had been engaged by the club to perform 2 x 45 minute sets of American swing music although I’ve learnt from experience it’s best to go with the flow. I opened the show at 9pm in my white gown with the French sash singing La Marseillaise and then I lifted the tempo with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy which went down really well with the audience. Paul’s singing always goes down well as he delighted the French audience with Sinatra classics. I always make a point to sing in French and performed “Sous les Ponts de Paris”, “J’Attendrai” and my favourite Piaf number “Mon Dieu”. For act two I changed into my new dress and it was necessary for the crew to get some close up shots of the audience for camera. For this it was necessary to re sing a couple of numbers which really got the party singing.

Me with Sandra and Jim!

Dressed for Duty 1940s style!

Paul and I didn’t get to bed that night until 3am the following morning and as you can imagine we enjoyed a long lay in the next day. Our friends Jim and Sandra very kindly allowed us to stay with them that night and we were greeted in the morning by their cat Harry who is just adorable! Harry even came and cuddled up with me on my bed. What a darling – I love cats! Thank-you so much Jim and Sandra for your wonderful hospitality. It was lovely to see you again and we are so pleased that the night went so well for the club! xxx

Sadly on Sunday Paul and I had to set off back to the ferry at 2pm for a 4.30pm sailing although we would have loved to have stayed longer in Normandy. I had to get back as I was booked to sing in Harrow at The Middlesex New Synagogue on Monday afternoon so I hope it wont be too long before we are back in Normandy again. In fact I shall be singing at the Edgware Synagogue tomorrow before meeting up with my friend Lynda for dinner in Finchley. This week I’ve been trying to catch up with all my friends before the Christmas season which is when everything goes really manic. I had tea after my show on Monday with friends Robert and Silyer in Pinner and today I met up for lunch with Kim at The Unicorn pub in Cubblington after my morning work-out. The Unicorn is a delightful country pub, run by the village for the village with an excellent menu so well worth a visit. I’m also performing my last “We’ll Meet Again” show of the season on Friday before stepping into the Christmas season on Tuesday which takes me through to the end of the year.

We’ll that’s all my news for now Keep Following and Toodle Pip!

La Marseillaise!

May I start this evening by saying just how shocked I was to hear about the dreadful terror attacks which took place in Paris on Friday. My thoughts  and prayers go out to the families at this very sad time. Quite rightly we all stopped for a minute’s silence in the gym today at 11am as a mark of respect.

On Saturday night I was performing in Coventry at the Greyhound Inn for a special 1940s Blitz party. What I didn’t realise when I took the booking was the 14th November marked the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Coventry resulting in the devastating destruction of the city and its beautiful Cathedral. In 1940 Coventry had 56 barrage balloons which were intended to keep the German Luftwaffe at bay. However after a prolonged heavy raid more than 4.300 homes were destroyed and around two-thirds of the city’s buildings were damaged. It’s hard to imagine that today although perhaps after hearing about the bombings in Paris it does make you realise just how fragile human life is. An estimated 568 people were killed in the Coventry raid although the exact figure was never confirmed with another 863 badly injured and 393 sustaining lesser injuries.

On Stage and in Full Flight at The Greyhound Inn!

Leigh and I at the Greyhound Inn!

We’ll Meet Again!

Betty, Lynda, Chris and I at the Five Bells!

It can sometimes be a little difficult judging the mood just right when you are asked to perform a jolly show at a time of great tragedy while still maintain that mark of respect. I was so pleased the proprietor Leigh Watts said a few words at the end and by way of a very small tribute I sang Under the Bridges of Paris. Despite the turn of social events Saturday was a wonderful evening and I was thrilled to finnish my show with lots of flag waving and Land of Hope and Glory. The Greyhound Inn had certainly pulled out all the stops and I’m looking forward to returning next year for St Georges Day. A big thank-you to Nobby for being such a wonderful sport and for taking the pictures which I expect many of you have already seen on Facebook.

On Friday night Paul and I set sail for Normandy as we have been booked to perform at the Salle des fetes in Ste Marie Du Mont. The show is taking place on the 21st November and we have a great program of music planned. I had been thinking about which evening gowns to take although as a mark of respect I will be opening with La Marseillaise and wearing my white dress with the French flag sash with a change of dress for act two.

I have much to do and lots of loose ends to tie before I leave for France, so I’m afraid I will only have time to blog once this week. I start on my first Christmas show tomorrow which in some ways is a bit of a shock as I’m not sure I’m ready for Christmas yet. I’m also out doing the 50s and 60s in between seeing Rachel and signing off the finished edit of my vintage magazine. It’s all very exciting and I’m already bubbling with lots of ideas for another issue although we will have to see how this one is received first. It will give readers an insight into my life style and is crammed full of lovely photos.

Today I’ve been out for lunch at the Five Bells in Weston Turville with my friends Betty, Linda and Chris. Next week I’m meeting up with my friend Kim and I have a hair appointment booked in with her this Thursday so I will look my best for Normandy.

I look forward to catching up with you when I get back. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

On the Greyhound to Coventry!

Hello every-one it’s just a quick blog tonight as I’m off to Coventry tomorrow for a special 1940s Blitz evening at The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, CV6 6DF so I hope you can all make it along. I shall be on stage from 8pm performing a show in 2 x 45 minute halfs and we will be finishing with a wonderful patriotic finally so it will be fantastic to see you there. It wont come as any surprise to learn that this week has been all about remembrance and I always enjoy lifting spirits though the wonders of music. My “We’ll Meet Again” show is by far the most popular and next week it’s all change as I swap decades to the music of the 1950s and 60s before setting sail for France on Friday.

On the Road Again!

Despite my shows this week I’ve been trying to catch up with my contracts and e-mails and it’s interesting to see 2016 take shape. I was asked the other week about the emerging trends for 2016 and it seems many events are favouring more of a muilty period approach. WW1 is still proving popular along with a trend for the 20s although I have to confess I will be in morning after the last episode of Downton Abbey is aired this Christmas. I can’t tell you how much pleasure that series has given me as my mother and I have been sitting down at tea time watching Downton from the very beginning on DVD. I so want to be Maggie Smith when I grew up! I’m always doodling down sketches of the costumes from which I take so much inspiration. The way things are going I may well have to invest in a few new out-fits for 2016 and perhaps another WW1 outfit and a couple of new 1920s dresses. I never stop looking for interesting fabrics and trimmings so perhaps another trip to the Vintage Fashion fair at Hammersmith might be in order come the New year. Perhaps rather sadly the 1940s scene has become a little stale in it’s out look. Many of you have aired your concerns and I can understand your frustration and boredom.

The 1920s Look!

Many weekends have lost their direction as more often than not they are run as an extension of a hobby. It’s easy to forget that the public are very deserning and if you want to keep your audience you have to put on a good all round show and really work at it. Not only from the point of view of the venue and historical attractions but in the quality of the entertainers. I find it astounding the number of event organisers who book artists to entertain with-out first watching their acts. Call me old-fashioned but I would think it a basic requirement for a singer to know their words and be able to sing in tune.  The growing number of acts who can’t do either is astonishing which might explain why the bottom has fallen out of so many events with dwindling gates. The point of the entertainer is to earn the event money by keeping the public engaged, staying on site, spending money while taking in the attractions between shows. If the entertainment is rubbish the public simply leave and choose not to return the following year. It’s interesting to track the social media response and feed back. 2015 has been quite surprising and a real eye opener. It’s important to listen and never underestimate the weight of the public.

I’m looking forward to a busy 2016 and I shall keep you posted as and when. I pined up my new 2016 wall planner today which is always very daunting but also inspiring. It’s early days but I have a feeling July may be a very busy month for me with the battle of the Somme centenary. That’s all my news for now other than I will be catching up with Rachel next week to see the final touches to my vintage magazine. I was hoping to launch the magazine next Friday but in the end we just needed a little more time to get it spot on.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!