“An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises”- Mae West

 

Tempted to tease this Tuesday?

Tired of coming home with blistered feet because of the anguish your heels have caused you in Liverpool’s dance-till-you-drop encouraging clubs? Love going to see live music but wishing that you could appreciate it without a wild mosh pit to contend with? Appreciative of women, their curves and their loveliness, and looking for a night out that will encompass all of these characteristics?

The Canary Cage: Tuesday 2^nd November 2010

Liverpool’s Canary Cage will be offering their monthly instalment of burlesque entertainment at Baby Blue on the Docks next week. Between “cheeky glamour, naughty corsetry and vintage tease”, the show has something to offer everyone and is the perfect place to escape to another time and world. Upon entering the downstairs bar, paved with retro bricks and lit in an ambient tone by chandelier, you are transported to a land of time gone by. Women celebrate full figures by dancing expressively and flirtily, and you are free to join in the festivities in competitions and opportunities for crowd interaction. Feeling peckish? Why not really make an evening of it by investing in a meal deal and fine dining in the ultra chic Kitsch Inn before the show.

Hosted by Mr. Frisk, the evening will also allow for budding burlesque beauties to browse vintage treats and perhaps to take home a little piece of the excitement.

Doors open at 7.00pm and the show will commence at 8.00pm.

They’ve left the Canary Cage locked, so go on in…

www.thecanarycage.co.uk

“Robotic love, I’m programmed to rust”- Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles
02 Academy Liverpool, 18th September 2010

Photo via ChrisZak on Flickr

Retro rock t-shirts hung loosely from the fragile frames of boys in skinny jeans. Backcombed blonde locks dangled delicately above acid wash leggings and Doc Martens on girls with feline eye make up. I had entered a world where everyone looked like an extra from Channel 4′s Skins; this, dear readers, was a Crystal Castles concert.

Intense green lights consumed the entire space, staining everyone in beams of light. Miniature bulbs flashed continuously, and strobes were thrown into the mix to ensure that the entire visual experience was surreal and almost digital. After much anticipation, Alice’s shrill vocals echoed through the thrashing crowd, all sardined at the front of the venue in the hopes of coveting a glance of her. Staging of their old and new numbers consisted, as usual, of Ethan Kath pregnantly manning the drums whilst Miss Glass jolted furiously from corner to corner of the stage. In her famously unconventional style, she took time to plummet into the arms of her adorning fans (much to the pleasure and amusement of those who had been screaming along to her lyrics religiously).

In their hour long set, their classic Crimewave seemed to be a unanimous favourite, welcomed by exhilarated roars from the crowd, and the likes of Courtship Dating managed to envoke rare moments of calm and tranquility. Unfortunately, I think it has to be said that on this occasion the duo’s technical team perhaps tainted the evening a little. Lights, although completely spellbinding (which is an achievement in a venue like the o2 Academy, which is something of a blank canvas) did make it difficult for gig-goers to focus on the action. Perhaps some imaginative graphics would help to instill the Crystal Castles vibe without restricting the visuals so much. The audio, too, wasn’t brilliant; music seemed to override vocals and for this reason it was sometimes tricky to hear our lovely singer. All of this said, I do have to reflect that this distorted array of elements and sensory experiences did somehow enhance the trance-like atmosphere that the electronic Toronto based couple managed to create.

One word summary? Mesmeric.

www.crystalcastles.com

“Rich and rare were the gems she wore, and a bright gold ring on her hand she bore”- Thomas Moore

One of my greatest fashion weaknesses is that I can never get enough of accessories. Accessories are often the cherry on the cake of a fabulous outfit, and somehow have the power to make you feel majestic and fabulous. Today, despite having thrown on a pair of leggings and a simple chiffon blouse, I am exhibiting a butterfly ring, a ladybird ring and some heart-shaped earrings; these, encompassing endless glistening stones, have enabled me to feel just as glamorous as if I had spent hours in grooming myself this morning.

For those that are intrigued by this belief (I am aware that lots of fashionistas would place far less emphasis on accessories and may even be outraged that I have held them in such high esteem), I would bid you to visit Accessorize this Autumn/Winter. Their collection ranges from elegant and slick to bohemian and carefree and there is something amazing there for every single accessory necessity.

Linked to Monsoon, I think lots of people are under the impression that Accessorize is monstrously expensive. Contrarily, lots of items in there at the moment are priced at around £5 and are absolutely divine! Take a look at these £5 Maharaja Elephant Stud Earrings:

Pendants are ridiculously cute at Accessorize at the moment and they have a huge selection of reasonably priced unusual pieces. Have a peek at this £6 Magic Toadstool Pendant:

Steeper in price are a couple of the more embellished pieces. This gorgeous Glamour Brian Barn Ring…

 and Anastasia Embellished Jewelled Alice Band…

 are both priced at £12, but they’re both real statement pieces that come in neutral colours and will therefore be easy to encorporate into lots of outfits. I personally think it’s lovely to have pieces that are inspired from nature; a gem encrusted frog ring that I picked up at a market in Birmingham for £3 turns heads every single time that I wear it.

(Do you remember my piece on The Midnight Deer? Take a look at it by clicking here if you’ve forgotten. It featured an interview with Jennifer Claire Goldring, the founder, who loved to take inspiration from nature and night time in her jewellery).

Last but not least, Accessorize are the best place on the high street to pick up incredibly chic winter warmers. This beautiful snood, £20, comes in a number of patterns and is so versatile; it’s classic floral print will mean that it will work well to brighten up jeans and a warm coat but would also fit in perfectly with a smart blazer and LBD if you were braving the elements for a glamorous night out.

Hopefully you’re as in love with the Autumn/Winter collection as I am, and if I haven’t tempted you enough… there’s free delivery when you order online! Make a big cup of hot chocolate and don’t dare to leave the house until your seasonal accessories have arrived. Perhaps you’d like to make some cake to go with that hot drink? Why not stock up on their Russian Doll Cupcake Cases, £2.50, and eat a feast fit for a queen! (Find lots more of their russian doll items by clicking here).

www.accessorize.com

“A charming woman is a busy woman”- Loretta Young

A Little Diary Entry: The Week in Words



This is a picture of Durga, a beautiful Hindu goddess who is known to have ten arms. She usually rides a lion or a tiger and carries a lotus flower.

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this picture because I have been so busy these past few weeks- I could do with a few of her extra limbs!  The Bluecoat’s Chapter and Verse Literature Festival last week was absolutely amazing and I won’t forget it for some time. Here’s a little summary of my experiences:

Wednesday 13^th October: Liverpool poet Brian Patten was at the festival to read from his latest book, Ghosts in the Attic, and so I managed to buy a little anthology of his poems and have him sign it for my nephew. I used to adore his poems when I was little, my favourite being The Trouble With My Sister. Hopefully Joshua will enjoy his book as much as I did!

Thursday 14^th October: This was the night that the local Dead Good Poet’s Society held their Glam Slam and I was fortunate enough to be on the judging panel! The event was just as entertaining as I had hoped it would be (I was looking forward to this event the most out of all of them) and a boy from my University halls ended up winning the Slam which was a lovely coincidence.

Friday 15^th October: Writer and businessman Guy Browning gave a talk on ‘How to Squeeze Your Creative Juices’ and it was absolutely hilarious. I laughed my head off and also learned loads! He signed a copy of his book for my old English teacher so I think I’m going to have a sneaky peek before I send it on…

Saturday 16^th October: Chuck Perkins, a poet from New Orleans, held a poetry workshop which was amazing; he really performed his poems and animated them. On top of demonstrating his own work, he gave helpful tips to aspiring poets in terms of both how to write and how to deliver and we heard the work of some of the participants. Later on that day I found myself chatting merrily to John Agard (yes, that’s right, of the GCSE Half Caste fame) and his wife Grace Nichols (yes, they’re married, and it’s her from the syllabus too!) and they were both really warm and friendly. It was so unusual to meet two figures that you could probably recite the poetry of by heart! The evening finished in style as I was invited to dine with writers Elaine Feinstein, Roddy Lumsden and Vona Groarke, and Mercy’s Nathan Jones. Did I mention how divine the Bluecoat Bistro is? I’d highly recommend it if you’re ever paying a visit.

Sunday 17^th October: Conor McKee, a playwright and writer, gave a brilliant workshop on ‘Finding Your Own Voice’. Initially being assigned to generally oversee the workshop, within ten minutes I had darted upstairs to grab my Moleskine and returned promptly in the hope of obtaining copious notes. His second play, Burnt, will be coming to the Lantern Theatre in Liverpool on 27^th November 2010 and I will definitely be in attendance. Following this session, a book group with the theme ‘Suitcase Stories’ was held by writers from mixed cultural backgrounds and gave a really interesting insight into how literature is affected or influenced by writers of such descent. Amazingly I even managed to hear about a book that would tie in perfectly with my current studies of the Victorian English novel Jane Eyre. It’s a prequel that investigates the previous life of Mr Rochester’s secret wife and is called Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. Today I managed to find it in a book shop on Bold Street so I will be sure to report back once I’ve read it.

“Rain is liquid confetti”- Chuck Perkins.

 

“Never let your zeal outrun your charity. The former is but human, the latter is divine”- Hosea Ballou

Harvey Nichols Birmingham and Cure Leukaemia: A Glamorous Evening of Fashion and Beauty

Wednesday 20th October

The team at Harvey Nichols in Birmingham have teamed up with Birmingham based charity Cure Leukaemia to present a fabulous fashion show next week. Guests will be greeted at 7.00pm with canapes and champagne and will kindly be seated to enjoy the show from 7.30pm. Subsequent to the show, guests can enjoy make overs and beauty demonstrations and will also be entered into an exclusive prize draw. I think it would be fair to say that those prizes will probably be incredible if their Fashion Night Out event for Fashion Week last September is anything to go by- my goodie bag alone contained a huge bottle of Prosecco champagne and a lovely Elemis moisturiser, let alone what the actual prize draw could have acquainted me with…

Tickets cost £30 and all proceeds will go toward Cure Leukaemia. They support 7000 patients with Leukaemia in the West Midlands, so go on girls- get dressed up and do your bit for the community in style.

Seats are limited, so to book your tickets call Cure Leukaemia on 0121 627 5858 or e-mail info@cureleukaemia.co.uk.

www.cureleukaemia.co.uk

www.harveynichols.com

“I’d like to be an architect. That would be cool. I like drawing”- Justin Bieber

Are you suffering from Bieber Fever?

 

 

                When reflecting upon the summer, I’m sure lots of you will be able to say that you have had a brilliant time filled with sun, sand and smiles. For me, however, this summer has been a heartbreaking time. Unfortunately, like so many others before me, I’ve come down with a terrible, incurable illness; I have contracted the Bieber Fever. Victims alike will, I’m sure, agree that it is hard to pin point how or why so many of us are suffering so profoundly. Symptoms have been known to include:

 

·         Nauseating optimism in love as a result of releases such as One Less Lonely Girl

·         High temperature as a result of replicating dance routines from the Eenie Meenie video

·         Square eyes due to increased watching of MTV for Bieber’s video diaries

 

                With this pandemic spreading the universe at an unstoppable rate, I felt compelled to provide those of you who are currently safe with a checklist of precautionary tips so that you are not infected any time soon. It is vital that you pay very close attention to each and every one of these guidelines because failure to adhere to just one of them might well result in the demise of your health.

 

1.       Do not purchase his latest album, My World 2.0. Featuring infectious pop beats, R&B influence from the likes of Usher and Ludacris and meltingly reassuring lyrics for single girls worldwide, you may be at risk of hurting your face and mouth because you will be unable to stop smiling.

2.       NEVER visit the Justin Bieber Twitter page. Seeing his charming posts and noting his humble decision to follow each and every one of his fans will be too much to bear. You may also face ambush from his ever growing celebrity following, including the likes of Kanye West who recently asked him if he would like to collaborate on something.

3.       Steer clear of this September’s USA Elle magazine. His exclusive photo shoot with the ravishing Kim Kardashian will have you falling head over heels.

4.       YouTube is strictly off limits. Seeing his amazing videos, including an exclusive acoustic edition of ‘Favourite Girl’ dedicated especially to Taylor Swift, will tip you over the edge. The only video I will permit you to watch is that of the poor 3 year old who has fallen victim to the Fever and has not been able to stop crying since.

5.       You are running the risk of cross infection with the equally devastating Cyrus Virus. Be sure to read my Diagnosis: Cyrus Virus piece and remain on red alert.

 

Despite my best efforts in saving those who are currently of a stable mind set, I do understand that those of us who are sick need somewhere to seek solace. The Bieber Fever website has been launched to satisfy the needs of current sufferers, and ultimate BIEBERFANS can join together on Twitter.

 

Tips on surviving Bieber Fever? Let me know: Twitter.com/GallagherRose

“A canter is a cure for every evil”- Benjamin Disraeli

Student Saturday at Aintree Racecourse, 23rd October 2010

One of the most exciting things about being at University in Liverpool is soaking up all of the local culture. For those of you that are new here, you may just have started to get to grips with your new surroundings, but I can guarantee that there is one place that you won’t have had a chance to visit just yet… this place, my friends, is the Aintree Racecourse.

Home to the John Smith’s Grand National and an array of dazzling style queens and fashion-forward fellows every year, the Aintree Racecourse will be opening its doors for a special Student Saturday on 23^rd October. This will be the perfect chance for you to soak up the atmosphere of this traditional Liverpool hotspot and all for a very reasonable £6, saving you £13 on the usual entry fare. And in addition to this, the Aintree Racecourse will also be offering a free pint upon entry, making this amazing day out prove to be even cheaper than a quiet drink in the pub!

Now, one thing you’ll have to really ensure that you craft to perfection if you’re planning to go to Student Saturday is your outfit. Don’t be too eager like I was last year, waking up at 7am to doll myself up all morning only to find that the dress code was a lot more low key than ball gowns and Dame Edna make up. Instead, strike an effortless balance between student chic and ladylike glamour and you’ll be laughing your way to the stables!

Top tips for dressing for Student Saturday:

1. Wear something that will keep you warm. Yes, we want to encompass style and sophistication in all that we wear, but bear in mind that it is October and in order to truly soak up the buzz of the races you’ll want to be stood at the side of the track. This will be windy and cold, so you all need to ensure that you’re wearing an outfit that will enable you to brave the elements. Let your coat be the statement piece, or a fancy scarf.
2. Don’t you dare wear those trainers, boys, and the least you can do is throw on a pair of heels, girls. Admittedly it might not be the Grand National, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t an exciting day that has stemmed from aristocratic forms of entertainment… let the past repeat itself and go all out with your shoes.
3. Be sure to bring either an oversized handbag or a coat with spacious pockets. With all of those tips and bets to keep track of, you’re going to need somewhere safe to stash your pen and paper.
4. Avoid wearing anything brown for the day- the horses will undoubtedly look better in it than you.
5. Follow the advice of Sarah Driscoll, PR and Marketing executive at Aintree Racecourse, and embrace this season’s horse racing influences. “Tweeds and Barbour are fashionable which is great news for the races. Anya Hindmarch has just collaborated with Barbour, too!”

Get your tickets before they’re gone by visiting the official Student Saturday website.

http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/student-saturday/

“Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin”- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Pauline Campbell Memorial Lecture: Deborah Coles

Friday 15^th October, 3.00pm-4.30pm at the Bluecoat

The Pauline Campbell Memorial Lecture has been set up to honour the work of the late campaigner for prison reform. The lecture is in association with Inquest (a charity that focuses on contentious deaths and their investigation, one that Pauline worked closely with) and is delivered by Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest.

http://inquest.gn.apc.org/

Pauline’s protesting began when her daughter, Sarah, committed suicide a few days before her nineteenth birthday. Sarah had struggled with a difficult upbringing; her father left when she was four, she was sexually abused as a child, she was raped when she was fifteen and soon turned to drugs to escape from her depression- a fate that ultimately landed her in prison. After being refused a place on a vulnerable prisoners’ wing (fearful of a co-accused acquaintance that she had given evidence against) she died from a prescription drug overdose and thus became the sixth woman to have committed suicide at the prison in a twelve month period. A jury ruled that failure in the duty of care had contributed to her death. From this point on, her mother Pauline arranged a demonstration outside of a prison if a woman had died in there, holding twenty eight all in all. After five years of endless protest, Pauline took her own life and her body was found at her daughter’s grave.

Now Deborah Coles will be exploring Pauline Campbell’s legacy and the wider impact of protest in society. Featured guests will include others who have direct experience of protest and human rights. Tickets cost £3 or £2 for students and other concessions.

www.thebluecoat.org.uk

Take a look at her Guardian obituary to find out more about this brave and inspiring woman.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/may/16/prisonsandprobation1

“This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls”- John Keating, Dead Poets Society

Dead Good Poets Society presents…

Glam Slam

Thursday 14^th October, 8.30pm-10.00pm

Whoever said poetry was boring? Next Thursday as part of the Chapter and Verse Literature Festival at the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s Dead Good Poets Society are presenting a Glam Slam. The aim of this poetry slam, featuring no less than eighteen competitors, is to unearth ‘Liverpool’s Most Glamorous Poet’ and reward them appropriately with a crown and satin sash. Audience members, too, are expected to attend in their most lavish attires for there will be prizes for the most glamorous among them, and glamour will of course be part of the criteria for performers in addition to poetic performance and content. Like lots of other events in the festival, entry is free but a ticket is required so be sure to pop into the Bluecoat and get yours soon.

It would seem that being beautiful and being brainy aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive!

www.thebluecoat.org.uk

www.deadgoodpoetssociety.co.uk

“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death”- Unknown

CoppaFeel breast cancer charity needs volunteers!

Alarmingly, lots of young people feel as though serious illnesses are not applicable to them and can often dismiss small changes to their health as simple nothing to worry about. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and this is the message that breast cancer awareness group CoppaFeel are eager to promote. CoppaFeel is the UK’s youngest battler in the fight against breast cancer. The charity was founded by Kristin Hallenga who was mis-diagnosed twice for Breast Cancer. When she was finally diagnosed, the cancer was found to have already spread to her lower back. Kristin, rather than concentrating solely on getting better, decided to set up CoppaFeel to ensure that other young women did not find themselves in a similar position. The charity was founded in April 2009 and became an official charity in October 2009.

CoppaFeel’s aim is to hit home the importance of boob examination in younger women. The breast time to CoppaFeel is now. Cancer isn’t fussy about your age and it doesn’t conform to the over forties rule we try to impose on it. As well as informing young women about breast cancer, CoppaFeel’s active campaign work strives to instil confidence in young women wishing to seek professional advice when concerns arise. The ultimate goal of CoppaFeel is to reduce the incidence of late detection or misdiagnosed breast cancer.

Together with her Boob Team, Kris travels the length and breadth of the UK informing young people to get to know their boobs. Kris decided it was time to flick the switch on breast cancer awareness and bring it to the forefront of young people’s attention as they are the ones too often dismissed by breast cancer campaigning. CoppaFeel’s ask is simple; get to know your boobs. The sooner you do this, the sooner you’ll notice any changes. This awareness could potentially save your life as early detection is the key to successfully beating breast cancer.

Boob Hijack is CoppaFeel’s first big campaign launching this October across 14 Universities. The aim is to hijack every pair of Boobs in England in the name of “Boob Awareness”. Look out for members of the Boob Team around the University of Liverpool campus between October and November as they will be carrying out a number of activities you can get involved in. There will be a CoppaFeel stand in the Guild of Students in the week commencing the 25^th October as well as fundraising activities and an evening event in the same week. If you are interested in getting involved, take a look at our previous LSMedia call for CoppaFeel volunteers for details on how to join the team.

http://www.liverpoolstudentmedia.com/call-volunteers-coppafeel

Know your Boobs!

Why?

Why not? You feel your boobs anyway, so get to know them a little better. That way, you’ll spot any problems faster than you can say ‘CoppaFeel!’.

What?

You need to know what it is you’re looking and feeling for. Learn and familiarise yourself with the possible signs and symptoms, but remember that there can be many reasons for changes in the breast which are harmless.

When?

Whenever. There is no good or bad time for boob time. Perhaps get your partner to lend you a hand and remind yourself to CoppaFeel! regularly.

Where?

Wherever. In the Sydney Jones library? Whilst wandering through the Guild of Students? Whilst you’re nice and relaxed in the bath? Find a place for boob time in your routine and try to keep it up.

Who?

The person you need to see if you find anything unusual is your GP. Share your worries and demand action. You know your boobs better than anyone and because you’ve copped a feel regularly, you know your boobs better than your GP and will be in a better position to tell them what is normal for you.

Take a look at the CoppaFeel website, read Kristin’s story, and I guarantee that her spirit and perserverance will steal your heart.

www.coppafeel.org/