5 posts tagged “lisa devaney”
The venue was The Crypt, deep beneath St. Giles Church in Camberwell. The entertainment was twisted and futuristic, seeing electronic performances from all female The RGB’s, Ezra Bang and the Hot Machine, and solo act Dimbleby and Capper. The upbeat electronic music was juxtaposed with spoken word from the self-branded ‘miserable’ Babalon Anon and Lisa Devaney’s ‘Ghost from the future’.
Thanks go out to all the creatives and artists involved in the event- we couldn't achieve these parties without you. Special thanks to Lisa Devaney, Wendy & Amanda, Symmetrix, Pev, Amanda Birch and Chin Supressor.
Watch this space for an up and coming brand of these festival-themed parties. Onwards and upwards…
After organizing two themed parties that were packed to the rafters with smiley, happy people, Secret Garden Party tapped into our party throwing talent and asked us to programme a stage at the boutique music festival. We happily obliged and ran the Thursday night in the ‘Come and Play’ area hosted by Eco Arcadia.
The theme for the evening was ‘Wind in the Willows’ – a childhood favorite about the eccentric animals Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole. The theme was inspired by the setting at the site in Cambridgeshire- based over and around a stunning lake.
"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!" Toad- Kenneth Grahame
I searched the land high and low for bands that fitted the traditional earthy feel of Wind in the Willows, combined with high-octane grooves to evoke the animals in people. First up were The Ratfinks providing ska-rap tunage straight from the West country, then Kid Id that rocked the dance floor, setting the party alight. To finish the night we were over the moon to present the PRS award winning band The Fontanas- who performed with musicians from Amy Winehouses band and Basement Jaxx. The evening was hosted by comedian Matt Reed, who kept the crowds a chuckle throughout the night.
Lisa Devaney from the Hai Media Group set the scene for the evening with a skit poets version of Wind in the Willows. The skit interspersed comical performances, along with some fun poetry readings by Toad, and hilarious antics from the cast of characters, along with dancing and singing, including audience interaction to all to join in on sing-a-long moments. The skit took place around a lavishly dressed banquet table, kindly dressed by set designer Amanda Birch.
This event was run on ZERO budget, so big up to all for being involved…
Put together a trapeze arist, zookeeper, sinister ring leader, and a pair of Zebras and you could be at the hedonistic themed party the Human Zoo. Creatively fusing performance art, music, magic and other surprising quirks, this one-off event saw a tremendous crowd of 250 fun loving party goers!
Musically The Gentle Mystics brought a powerfully psychedelic dose of Gyp-Hop- imagine circus freak show era Tom Waits on ecstasy and peyote. The Bohemianauts demonstrated new standards and squeezebox revivalism with gypsy jazz, songs about vodka and daring stunts. In addition to this Ophelia Blitz performed alongside the band, playing the washboard and divulging in sick cabaret, setting herself on fire!
Kid iD rocked the place with their original and upbeat performance, playing music from folk to funk and ska to drum'n'bass. I highlight for me was the point where Ian (one of the lead dudes) had to get his trousers gaffer taped up onstage as they were falling down- hilarious! Testimonial from the band;
"Absolutely tiptop. Quirky, fresh, fun and friendly. One of the best nights we've played in London town!" Ian Dudfield, Kid iD
Big thanks also go out to our DJ’s who took a wrapping by the venue manager for
there apparent “strictly roots” music policy!! Symmetrik, Chin Suppressor, Spin-K, Burn Bros and Hungry Man took good care of the decks.
Standnotamazed were also a fantastic addition to the evening, creating a sexy and interactive element that is soooo important at our events. Watching the gents jaws drop wide when Lucy performed ‘The Rope’ on stage was a memory for me! The performance collective create work fusing contemporary magic with movement based theatre. Established by movement director Lucy Cullingford and contemporary magician John van der Put, the company seeks to create groundbreaking theatre blurring the line between the real and the imagined.
We very much missed the fabulous Lisa Devaney, our resident spit poet performer who was away jet-setting for the event. However, she has created a new show over the past few months that I’m excited to see at Madame Jo Jo’s for the Finger in the Pie festival this week end. Watch out for my business partner the fabulous Simon Harris performing as an American transvestite, hola hola!
Video footage of the night is in production and will be posted up on this site and the facebook event. Please add yourself to the guest list if you would like to keep informed about up and coming interactive puddings.
The only problem now is thinking up an original, quirky business name to put to our themed parties. Watch this space for our own next summer masterpiece, already in progress- think country mansion, think interactive, think summer sun…
Hooray for the Nativity Hoe Down!!
I was approached a couple of months ago by Simon Harris of The Hand of Glory to co-curate & organise a Christmas party. By random happenings Simon and I stumbled across 'Passing Clouds'- a perfect venue steeped in magical & kitsch surroundings with a real country, festival feel. On the first visit to the venue, the theme of the party became clear and the Nativity Hoe Down was born...We decided that as it was our first event together we would share the love and donate all our profits to an incy wincy charity- The Malawi Education Project. Then we searched myspace high and low for the best country/folkster bands, random performances and interactive entertainment that the land could offer to this unique Christmas party.
On the bill there were high octane folksters Victor Menace, D-66- a dirty blues one man band, circus ska wonders Danny Fontaine and the Horns of Fury, gypsy & reggae sets from DJ Symmetric, DJ Bomber & I (heart) What? One of my highlights of the night was Lisa Devaney’s ‘White Trash Christmas’, which brought stitches of laughter to the barn with a skit poets version of a nativity play! The Wishing Tree also played in the role of engaging the audience on the night- it was soo much fun to make a wish and hang it on the tree and also read some other folks wishes. A particular favourite was 'I wish that David Cameron would grow a Vagina on his head'- classic!
Overall Simon and I have been overwhelmed by the success of the night, being bombarded with compliments of the theme, choice of venue and most importantly the amazing, friendly crowd! Big thanks go out to all those bands, performers, helpers, photographers, venue staff and the fun and up for it people who attended the Nativity Hoe Down and made it such a special event- bring on next year!!!!
