Costumes
One Life - No Shame
Submitted by Andrew on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 11:33
One morning, I got up late and all the fancy tailcoats had been claimed by the other clowns. The only things left were a few waistcoats and some over-sized tie-dye pantaloons. Tie-dye? Fat chance! My only ray of hope was a skinny little harlequin suit at the bottom of the trunk.
"You'll never fit into that", they scoffed, with breakfast porridge running down their chins. "We've all tried."
When I wear this I feel like a villain from Batman, so I'm looking to accessorize with a utility belt and electro-gauntlets. Perhaps some crazy goggles, and a discreet anti-matter pistol. Then Gotham City will know my name, and tremble.
Mark my words: electro-gauntlets.
Update: This photo has been remixed into some amazing product packaging!
Here's Another Fine Jacket You've Got Me Into
Submitted by Andrew on Mon, 09/07/2009 - 17:51
Saturday was the Unity Day 2009 hospitality night - and yours truly was compère for the evening. I borrowed this marvelous tailcoat from the Ladybird's bottomless circus wardrobe. I don't know that pink and blue are my best colours, but it was fun to wear and got plenty of compliments.
The hospitality night is a chance for the Unity Day volunteers to catch up with each other, let our hair down and have a jolly good knees-up. We do it every year as our way of saying thanks to each other for helping to make Unity Day happen. Lots of us like to dress up to the nines, making a change from muddy boots and steward t-shirts.
There was music from some great local bands: anarchic dance from big-band Bassa Bassa, easy-groovin' reggae from The Roots Family UK, and the oddly named Ukelele Bitchslap, who are lovely. Many thanks to all of them for coming along to entertain us. Between bands I slipped in a recital of Three Ha'pence A Foot by Marriott Edgar, to show folk just how bad the rain could have been.
An exquisite new patchwork Unity banner was shown off by Maggie and Kerri, the new Unity Day wall calendar was passed around, and we saw video and photos from this year's main event. Plus, the home-made curry was superb.
Now the serious business of the Christmas panto can begin...
Unity Day Battle of the Bands - part 2
Submitted by Andrew on Mon, 07/27/2009 - 19:37The results are in, and we have a winner! The judges chose Sawsound to play in the band tent on Saturday, citing their innovative spirit, so well done to them.
All the other acts were great, and I had a good time meeting them. I was really impressed with the willingness of the acts to lend each other some kit. Sawsound loaned some guitar cables, 3 Man Bench brought a mixing desk, and I got a phone call about microphone cables just as I was leaving my flat. That's the Unity Day spirit.
(Saving Time didn't turn up to play. Saved about 40 minutes, that did.)
There wasn't any mystery guest, contrary to what the flyer said. (Unless you count me, which I'm not.)
I got in touch with the Ladybirds, and managed to borrow this fabulous stripy tailcoat from the secret circus costume den. It was a lot of fun to wear - just look at those cuffs! They're big enough to hide pigeons in!
(Sorry about the mincing. Couldn't be helped.)
Just one week to go until Unity Day... I'm starting to get very excited.