Poppy and I Out-sided The Kings Theatre!

New Years Eve at The Bell House Hotel!

Paul and Poppy!

Out and About in Southsea!

Hello every-one and what a busy week it’s been! First toasting in the new year at The Bell House Hotel and then down to the South Coast as Paul took me to see Aladdin in Southsea. I was supposed to be enjoying a few days off but since returning home yesterday evening I’ve been working flat-out typing up contracts and planning 2015. It’s still early days but the year is starting to take shape nicely and I can’t wait to begin the season. I’ve also lots of plans for my web-site and I’m looking forward to introducing my schools page which I really must try and sort out this week. This morning I was back in the gym working-out and I’m looking forward to going out running tomorrow. I’m keen to lose a bit of weight after a year of staying in too many nice hotels so it’s time to get back in shape.

While I was away with Paul we took his little dog Poppy walking every-day which I belive is the best excercise you can do – walking. It’s been such a busy 2014 that I’ve spent much of my time travelling so it will be good to get back into a routine. Taking Poppy for walks has been great fun as I love to look in all the vintage fashion and antique shops along the way. Paul and I have been out a fair bit and on Friday we went to the Sales in Winchester but to be honest we couldn’t find a single thing we wanted to buy which is probably just as well as we are both over run with clothes. When it comes to dressing up I’m not short of a dress or two and we both made a very special effort for New Years eve. It was one of those rare New Year Eves where I wasn’t working so we decided to go to the Dinner Dance at the Bell House Hotel in Beconsfield. This might sound odd particularly when you take into consideration all the places I play but I really don’t get out much as I’m always working so to dance the night away was a real treat even if I found some of the music a little modern for my taste. I’m such an old-fashioned girl and even at the pantomime I found some of the musical choices and singing styles a little too modern and poppy, but then both Princess Yasmin and the Genie of the Lamp were played by X Factor winners!

Well that’s all my news for now. I’m back to work tomorrow performing swing tunes from the 1940s and 50s so must get to bed!

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Happy New Year!

It’s just a very quick post tonight to wish you all a Very Happy New Year. I’m all packed to go away. I shall be seeing in the New Year at the Bell House Hotel in Beaconsfield and then I’m taking a few days holiday down on the South Coast. I will be back at my desk on the 5th Jan so I look forward to catching up with you then with some great New Year and holiday snaps. I was with Judi my dress-maker today making sure my gown fits perfectly for tomorrow as it’s strapless. The trick to any strapless dress is to have a tight waist band sewn into the lining so look out for the photos which I shall post up as soon as I get back from holiday.

In the mean-time check out my out-fit of the week on my face book page by clicking the blue star at the top of this page. More lovely out-fits to follow in the New Year

Thank-you for Following, Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Out-fit of the Week!

Looking back over 2014 it’s been an amazing year when I think just how many places I have played and the verity of shows I’ve done, so I’m looking forward very much to 2015. It’s always very daunting when you pin-up your new wall planner for the year and you see all the space you have to fill, but dates are selling well and where 2014 was big on the centenary and WW1 I guess 2015 is going to be all about the 70th and VE and VJ Day. It’s important to predict the trends which is why I try very hard to read the mood and make shure I have the right music and shows available within my repertoire. I’ve been working hard on my web-site with Rachel and I’ve lots of ideas I want to put into practise with regards new pages – so watch this space and I shall keep you posted as and when.

Tomorrow and Tuesday I’m back to work with the run up to new year and then I’m in the recording studio Monday evening investing in a few new tracts for 2015. So many backing tracks are now available on-line but I’m very old school and I much prefer to commission my own. It’s like having a suit of clothes made for you and when you come to record an album it’s good to know your arrangements are your own and you have something unique.  Although I don’t own the music I put a lot of thought into my arrangements and I’m lucky to have one of the best musical arranges in the business working with me. Richard Whennel and I go back years and I’m very lucky to have him as part of my team. I’m the only one he will do backing tracks for  due to his commitments which is hardly surprising when you take into account his skill. For me it’s all about the music which is one of the reasons I moved into the world of re-enactment. So many of the commercially bought tracks have had their keys lowered for band singers which I’m not and in many cases are over played on the 40s scene. Within hearing the first six bars of a backing track will make me decide if it’s worth staying or if I continue to walk on by.  There’s so much more to a vintage style act than just being able to sing you need what I call the fabulous four. Good Voice, wonderful Arrangements, superb Patter and excellent Presentation, the magic ingredients!

I’m pleased to say I’m feeling so much better now than I did and I have been enjoying going out jogging every day since Christmas Day which has been doing me the world of good. I’m looking forward to getting back into my exercise resume. I shall be away New Years Eve at the Bell House Hotel in Beaconsfield and then I’m taking a few days off to be back at my desk on Monday 5th Jan with shows starting back up again on the 6th. I’m planning to introduce “Out-fit of the Week” onto my Facebook pages in the new year so I can share my love of  vintage fashion with you all. I’m always doing photo shoots and not all the photos I have taken make their way onto my web-site. I’m very picky – so this will be a good way for you to see  my dresses and out fits in more detail.

That’s about all my news for now. Have a wonderful New Year and I look forward to catching up with you in 2015

Toodle Pip! 😉

Merry Christmas Every-one!

Between Shows with my Friend Kim in the Fairy Grotto at Wyevale Garden Centre!

It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve just got home after performing two Christmas shows today. I was keen to get back promptly as I wanted to post up a quick blog to thank-you all for following my many blogs and facebook posts over this last year and very importantly to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I’m looking forward to having a day off tomorrow although I’m back to work on Boxing day with the weekend clear of shows but two days of paper work planned instead. A Womans work is never done! In truth I’m looking forward to having a bit of a rest in the new year as it’s been a very busy year and despite having flu the beginning of December I’ve been working flat-out. I’m so much better than I was but I’m still not quite 100% – but getting there! If I feel up to it I may well go out jogging Christmas morning as I do enjoy my exercise and I like to work out most days. This flu has knocked me back a bit but I’m looking forward to getting back into my resume. Tonight I’m going to midnight mas which I always enjoy so I’m just catching up on my last-minute e-mails before enjoying Christmas.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with my dear friend Kim for tea at Wyevale Garden centre which was a lovely teat! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I look forward to catching up with you all after the holidays

Toodle Pip

On Stage with Paul at Nightingale House!

By the Great Clock at Nightingale House!

The Foundation Stone!

Hello every-one as you might imagine I’ve had a very busy Christmas season so far having Sleigh Riden, Misletoed and Wined and rocked my way around far too many Christmas trees to mention. On Sunday I was invited to sing as part of the Jewish Festival of Lights in London at Nightingale House otherwise known as “Chanukah”. It was my first visit to Nightingale House and I was engaged to perform my Big Band and Swing Show “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”. A great choice! – This show has so many of my favourite tunes in it but I went with my instinct and brought in quite a bit of Hollywood too. I’m such a fan of Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hammerstin and I  just knew my audience would be too! Paul accompanied me on stage as my special guest and sang 3 Sinatra numbers “I’ve got you Under my Skin”, “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Witchcraft”.  Paul’s act is really starting to take shape and I have been helping him with his breathing and singing tecniks. He was a real hit on Sunday particularly as he sounds like Frank Sinatra and looks a bit like the movie star James Caan. Paul is planning to record his first album next year – so  watch this space!

After the show the Rabbi lit the candles and sang a prayer for “Chanukah”. In case you don’t know Chanukah or Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, feast of Dedication. It’s an 8 day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE. Although I specialize in historical periods I’m afraid my musical repertoire doesn’t go back as far as the 2nd century not that any manuscripts are in existence from which I could have draw reference from anyway. I’m pleased to say that on this occasion performing 1940s 50s and 60s swing seem to go down very well with the audience and hit just the right note, although it has left me curious about what music might have sounded like back in the days of the Seleucid Empire.

One of the things I love about my job is I get to meet so  many interesting people and go to so many wonderful places.  Nightingale House has a fascinating history and dates back to 1904 when the land and building was presented as a home for retired members of the Jewish Faith by Lord Wandsworth in memory of his father and mother. Today it is part of the Nightingale Hammerson Group and I was recommended to perform there after making friends with Joy who I met at Hammersmith’s Vintage Fashion Fair. So thank-you Joy for recomending me. Nightingale House is right in the heart of London nere Clapham South Tube Station and I have to confess from Leighton Buzzard it’s quite a journey. On this occation Paul very kindly drove for me as we went round the M25 to Junction 7 and then straight up the A 23 into London. We set off at 11am and arrived at 1.45pm due to traffic , but I’m pleased to say it was much  quicker on the way home!

Now I’m back in Bedfordshire it’s two shows daily right through to Christmas although saying that most of my local work is in Buckinghamshire. Tomorrow I’m in Aylesbury and Wing so must get to bed. Thanks for following and Toodle pip!

Lights, Camera, Action!

As ever I’m between shows trying to get everything done before morning as I have a very full day tomorrow with three Christmas shows back to back! Two shows Saturday and then I’m down in London on Sunday so it’s a very busy time. I’m trilled to announce my new Video and Show Reel page is now up and running on my web-site which will make my videos so much easier to watch as they are now in one place. You can still access them from the same place by clicking the You Tube button in the top left hand corner of this screen but hopefully the lay out is more pleasing on the eye and works better with my web-site. So do please take a look after you have read this blog and I hope you like the new design. There are two pages of Videos and when you click onto the video of your choice it plays in the large screen – so have a go and check it out!

Rachel and I have been working together on my web-site giving it something of a new look with a refreshed Art Deco back drop. If you are at home on your PC and have a larger screen then you have probably already seen it – but as yet we are still having a few teething troubles with ipad and smaller sizes but all will be fixed and up and running very soon. That’s the thing with a mobile web-site it’s very fluid and there is so much more you have to think of and sort out! In the new year I will be launching my Schools page which I’m just finishing off with Rachel now and then I’m planning a media page. Most modern web sites  have a Media page but I want to do something different and try out some of my ideas so watch this space!

That’s all my news for now as I’m out and about every-day being Christmasy at the mo. I had a dress fitting  with Judi my dress-maker tonight as I’m planning on looking a little more Marylin Monroeish for a few of my shows this December!

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Paul and I at Harry and Edna’s!

Hello every-one firstly I would like to thank you all for all your kind get well messages and cards over the last week. I’m pleased to say I’m so much better now and enjoying being back at work. I started back on Saturday with a Christmas show in Marlow and then I had two shows on Sunday. My first was a surprise 60th Wedding Anniversary in Hayes in Middlesex for Brian and Pat Lyle which was a very special pleasure. Brian and Pat know me from the 40s circuit and regularly follow my blogs and facebook posts so to receive a call from their daughter was a real delight. So special congratulations to Brian and Pat. It was lovely to sing for you both and to be invited by Teena to your Diamond Wedding anniversary. I look forward to seeing you in April at “The 1940s Family experience”, Lincolnsfields Centre, Bushey. I shall be performing 3 shows daily on the 11th and 12th plus at the Saturday night dance so see you there!

After Brian and Pat’s show I had a bit of a dash over to Downley nere High Wycombe for my next show which was one of my “Rocking around the Christmas Tree” ones. On this occasion I had some help as Paul drove for me and sang too and boy did we get that room rocking! Mind you when it comes to Christmas parties you can’t really go wrong with 1950s and 60s rock and roll! Today I had another two Christmas shows back to back and tomorrow I shall be in Winslow. I’m pleased to say I’ve been able to reschedule a few of the shows I missed last week, to the end of the month so busy busy as I have so much to do.

In the meantime I’ve been working on some new pages with Rachel for my web-site and swapping a few of the photos around just to freshen things up a bit. We will be adding in a video and show reel page to my sight which will make looking at my videos a lot easier plus a schools page. So watch this space and as the pages appear I will keep you posted!.

That’s about all my news for tonight so in the mean time enjoy the photo of Paul and I at Harry and Ednas on Saturday.

Keep Watching and Toodle pip!

Between Shows at The Dickens Festival!

Meeting Up with Friends in Rochester

Getting Set for the Weekend in the Hair Dresses!

Hello every-one –  firstly I would like to apologise for what must have appeared as something of a media black out these last two weeks when it came to my blogging. In truth I’ve not been well and what stated out as a bit of a cold I thought I could fight off with lemonships tuned into full-blown flu which was why I didn’t do a blog before heading off to Rochester and the Dickens Festival last Friday. It was my first time in Rochester despite having played Chatham many times before, so as you can imagine I was looking forward to singing at this occasion very much. Especially as this has been a very busy year for me with regards Victorian and Music Hall events.

I put a lot of thought into my costume as I wanted and needed something very warm. So rather than go 1850s/60s with a crinoline I decided to do late Victorian and 1890s with my leg of mutton sleeved Victorian coat and I added a purple over cape which I knew I would need for extra warmth. A very wise move because come Saturday it was freezing and I made sure I wore 7 layers of clothing. While I was in St Leonards at “Wayward Fabrics” a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of pairs of vintage black wool stockings which were a life saver and jolly warm. Belive me come the weekend I wore it all, a light corset bloomers, petty coat, skirt, under shirt, shirt, waistcoat, cardigan, coat and over cape. To be honest I had so many layers on I looked a bit like Hatty Jakes but very necessary never-the less!

I was engaged to perform 4 x 20 minute shows daily and a mixture of Opera, Music Hall and Christmas carols which despite being somewhat under the weather I was able to do but come Sunday I was too ill to continue so I had to head home straight away. It’s the first time I’ve not been able to see an event through due to ill-health but sometimes you have to put your health first and I’ve really been very poorly all this week. I went straight to bed and sadly I had to cancel all my shows this week which at this time of year is a real disaster. I take my work very seriously but I’m very pleased to report that after a week in bed I’m so much better and looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow. I’d like to thank every-one at The Dickens Festival for their support, Paul for being there and especially to Derick on sound who was just lovely.

Today has been my first day up and about and I’ve been trying hard to get back on track with Christmas. I have shows every-day until Christmas with a full weekend planed so I was in the hair dresses today getting set and ready. I’ve a show tomorrow afternoon in Marlow and then in the evening Paul has very kindly booked tickets to take me to Hednas Vintage Night Club at the Stables theatre in Wavendon which I’m looking forward to very much. Sunday I have two shows back to back and  after a week in bed it will be good to get back on stage again. Oh before I forget for those of you who ordered albums from me by filling in the order form in this months Best of British I’m pleased to say I posted them all off to you today first class so all being well they should be with you if not Saturday then first thing Monday morning.

That’s about all my news for now other than Rachel has been working hard behind the scenes on my new Videos and Show Reels page for my web-site plus Connie had a new windscreen fitted after I developed a large crack from a chipping. More news on that next week.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!