#dalston comic club

[crystalpea]

”Life must be a preparation for transition to another dimension” Those are my pages for an anthology we made together with Dalston Comic Club. The theme was beautiful cadaver game, so I only knew the last frame of the comic that person before me drew (a cat held at a gunpoint), and had my last frame for the next person, and had to come up with what comes in between :).

[askalucario-blog]

Caption: ‘yule’ when finished, Kennedy gives each of the masks a name and completes the project by posting an image online images courtesy of the artist.

Damselfrau interview: a peek behind the many masks of the London-based artist

if you somehow stumbled accidentally upon the work of Norwegian artist damselfrau, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had unearthed a cache of ancient vestments; something mystical, arcane—maybe even occult. defined by intricate beadwork, delicate lace and bold, bright color, damselfrau’s masks are at once visually arresting and bewitchingly unsettling. beautifully reshaping the face of the wearer, her work is laden with character, suggesting not just individual personalities, but whole narratives, histories, and worlds of their own.

the name ‘damselfrau’ is inherently contradictory. while ‘frau’ is a term used for married women, ‘damsel’ denotes one who is unmarried. combined, they form the paradoxical and provocative pseudonym adopted by artist magnhild kennedy—originally as a skype username, now as a professional alias—that she likes to interpret as ‘married to oneself’. it’s a fitting mantle for an artist who has become renowned for her masks; a craft that involves placing another ‘self’ on top of your own, creating both a combination of the two and suggesting something entirely new altogether.

damselfrau masks in vogue portugal, ‘the bold side of christmas’image by vasily agreneko, styling by pierre-alexandre fillaire

originally from trondheim in norway, damselfrau moved to london in 2007. while both of her parents are artists, she herself never formally trained. rather, kennedy’s practice originated somewhere a little less conventional: the dance floors of london’s nightclubs. working at a vintage designer shop in islington at the time, kennedy drew inspiration from the collection of clothes around her and was able to sew her own pieces behind the counter, which she would then wear clubbing. eye-catching, eccentric and strangely seductive, it’s no wonder that mask quickly became her craft of choice.

since then, damselfrau has made pieces for artists like mø and beyoncé, and collaborated with alister mackie and louis vuitton. beads, glass, lace, textiles, paint, hair, paper: everything and anything can be included in one of damselfrau’s creations. rather than chaos however, the result is one of organic artistry. ‘for me the mask is a place where different elements come together as situation,’ she says in her artist’s statement. ‘the work is about this place-situation, more so than the mask as a theme or category of form. the mask is a place’. livened by the found nature of the materials that comprise them, damselfrau’s masks perfectly walk the line between being delicate artworks of visual poetry and ghostly uniforms for the mystical.

damselfrau’s intricate gold face piece can be spotted at the start of this music video for mø’s track ‘kamikaze’

designboom spoke with the artist recently about her journey toward mask making, the best spots in london to find new materials, and her plans for the new year.

designboom: you come from a particularly artistic family. what was your own personal journey like as an artist in light of this? do you remember the first time you sat down and said, ‘right, I’m going to make a mask’? how did it turn out?

magnhild kennedy: I came to myself quite late. I’ve always made various types of stuff, but nothing good. I’ve known since I was a teen that I was going to have to head to london at some point, but it didn’t happen until I was in my late 20’s. I have no idea how masks became the format for me, I’m not particularly interested in masks as a category. I worked in a vintage design shop when I first moved here. looking at the old clothes, their details and decor gave me some insight into making. I went to car-boot sales every weekend to find utilities for our new life here, and started schlepping home all kinds of funny materials, textiles and bits I found there.

I had to do something with all these materials. it started with making masks for a party and the format stuck. from there it just grew slowly and organically. five years ago my husband robert started dalston pier studio. I got myself a proper work shop there and felt it was the time take it seriously. I felt like an imposter for the longest time. I’m self taught, I didn’t go to school past the age of 19. but growing up with two artist parents, it’s been schooling from day one

DB: you work a lot in found textiles and have spoken about picking up materials in car boot sales and the like. what is the strangest place you’ve ever found material for a mask, and when working on a new piece, do you have a go-to place in london to start looking for inspiration?

MK: I find things everywhere, I have picked fruit netting out of bins. one christmas in paris, they decorated the trees of the champs-élysées with plastic crystals. rouge ones had fallen off and been stepped into the dirt pavement and I scratched out pocket fulls. I’ve picked gold confetti off the floor at alternative miss world. friends bring me things from their travels too. a friend gave me a norwegian 1700’s hair wreath, a japanese friend gave me an antique geisha hair piece I crocheted into a mask. old tea towels. I’ll use whatever if it has personality.

just walking out the door is inspiration, really. I live in dalston. people from everywhere in the world, young and old. fashion kids. charity shops. I’ll go to sir john soane’s museum. the wallace collection. spitalfields on thursdays. dennis severs’ house. dover street market. a pub.

DB: how long does it usually take to finish a mask, and what is the longest you have ever worked on a single piece?

MK: anything from a day to forever! I have unfinished masks on my shelves that have been waiting for ‘something’ for months—years even. I’ll just have to wait until that right something comes along.

percifor’‘I felt like an imposter for the longest time…but growing up with two artist parents, it’s been schooling from day one’

DB: I know you originally made masks for clubbing in london. how has creating masks specifically for a club environment and club culture in general influenced the work you make? do you still wear your masks clubbing?

MK: it’s been a loooong time since I went clubbing! I might make myself something fun for halloween if I am going to some party. the ‘craft something from nothing’ element of the club culture was inspiring. what some people could make out of some egg carton, tape and paint, you know? there was no hierarchy amongst the materials. that is the main thing I learned that I have brought with me into the work.

‘uro’‘there was no hierarchy amongst the materials. that is the main thing (…) I have brought with me into the work’

DB: how do you personally feel when wearing one of your creations, and what do you hope the experience is for an onlooker?

MK: I don’t wear the masks much once they are done. I try my best not to make to many decisions for the masks. people see what they see. it’s none of my business!

DB: you have collaborated with a lot of really interesting people in the past. are there any artists you are particularly influenced by, or anyone you would love to work with in future?

MK: when I was a kid I saw moebius’ and enki bilal’s comics, and they definitely still inform what I do. I’m very interested in homes and how people surround themselves. I decorate a lot. I sew my own christmas ornaments. at the moment I am taken with the book ‘dawnridge’, about tony duquette’s wonderfully OTT home. he was an artist, film and set designer in hollywood. I like miniature model makers like charles matton and thierry bosquet.

I like spaces over-informed by the people who use them and live in them. I have always felt I work mostly like a decorator. my all time greatest obsession is versailles. I don’t have a particular person in mind, so my dream collab would definitely be with versailles.

DB: you often talk about your masks having a character and life of their own. how much of yourself do you see in each piece you make, or do you always see it as a separate entity from the start? what stage in the process does a mask’s character start to reveal itself, and what does that moment feel like?

MK: separate entity I think…it’s a kind of meditative state, making these things. i’m always surprised by what comes out and that I have made something. usually the character changes several times along the way. there are very few conscious choices taken along the way, or at least it feels like it.

I try to think as little as possible, really and just go by instinct. no overthinking. I have clear physical reactions in the brain to if something works or not. like two ant antennae meeting, releasing some warm spark. some severe chemical reaction, it’s totally a high.

DB: you have a strong presence on instagram and images of your work are understandably popular on sites like instagram and tumblr. how integral to your process is social media, and how has it impacted the way you make work, if at all?

MK: it’s a big part of the work. a mask isn’t finished until I have taken a portrait of it and sent it out on general internet high-ways like my instagram or blogspot. this way the mask makes a life of its own and communicates its own being. it’s how it has turned into actual work.

DB: are you working on anything at the moment you’d like to share with us, and what does 2019 hold for damselfrau?

MK: yes! I’m very excited. I have been invited to exhibit at the national museum of decorative arts trondheim in norway this september. it’s the first time I’ll show the masks in the flesh in norway, so it’s pretty grand for me. I used to visit this museum as a kid, I have strong feeling for this building. it’s surreal to be showing there. I am also working on an interesting project with queen mary university and designer rachel freire, incorporating technical fabrics and movement sensors with my masks. that’s a new universe for me—very cool.

DB: any personal mottos or words of wisdom you try to live by?

MK: ‘walk, don’t run’, as my dad always says.

[dalstoncomics]

Dalston Comic (creators) Club are delighted to be part of this years South London Comic & Zine Fair @slczf Saturday 14th July

[cherish-york]

This evening, I was at the Dalston Comic Club Session. The name of the session was called "Comicube". It was run by my friend @peaczek. Here are photos and a video from the session. 今晩、私はダルストン·コミック·クラブの教室に行きました。この教室の名前はコッミクキューブです。ぺーさん教室で教えてます。 ここは写真と動画の教室からです。 #dalstoncomicclub @dalstoncomics #26thfebruary2018 #comiccube #comicart

[acelucky]

Favourite moments of 2017

I do this every year, it’s a list of around my favourite top 10 moments of the year. It feels cathartic, but also helps me manage anxiety/depression, reminding me of how much I have to live for and how much joy has been in a year where there’s also pain. Some of this stuff is massive, like getting married, but it can also include small things like a cinema trip.

1.) Family holiday to Austria! The day we got the cable car up to the top of the most beautiful snowy mountain. The views were amazing, my brother proposed to his girlfriend, we had Jägermeister. 

2.) Magic Con! Of course there’s loads I could write about here but the two highlights for me were seeing my beautiful friends of course! All the laughs, parties, hugs, story telling <3 And secondly, meeting Andrew Scott and him being lovely when I had a panic attack.

3.) London Film and Comic Con - awesome day, got to meet John Cleese, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tommy Flanagan and Matt Lucas, who gave me wonderful comedy advice, 

4.) Buying our first house, it’s a little small but it’s cosy and it’s home and I love it.

5.) Our wedding day of course! The love and support from our friends and family was overwhelming (well most of them anyway!)

6.) The month where we saw IT, Mother! and Bladerunner 2049 in the space of a few weeks at our favourite cinema. 

7.) Cuba! From the beaches to the day trips, loved it. 

8.) Bonfire night with our dear friends Connor and Karl! It was cold, the food was over priced but the fireworks were lovely, the moon was bright and we head back to ours for tea, biscuits and then takeaway.

9.) Star Wars: The Last Jedi. We went to the cinema with my brother and his fiancé and it was just a really lovely evening. Plus Star Wars has been in my list of top moments every year now since 2015. 

10.) Cameron passed his driving license and got a car! The first time we drove up to Butser Hill for a walk I nearly cried. That was a beautiful day <3 (We later went up there a few months later in August which is where the photo is from). The first time we drove to Keydell nursery, had a good shop for the new house and had lunch there too. 

11.) The Harry Potter Studio Tour! We went once about 4 years ago....But going back for my birthday was amazing. The Butterbeer tasted even better too!

12.) Marwell Zoo for my birthday followed by pub, walk along the seafront, a pint of cider and a slap-up meal.

13.) Finally getting to the last Tuesday society in Dalston and visiting the museum of Curiosities, as well as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club for my hen do. 

[ksacomicclub]

Comics Jamboree @ the CASS!

Huge thanks to ‘the Doom Factory’ aka the London Met Comic Club for hosting the first of this year’s Tri-Annual Comics Jamborees!

We had a great time making loads of comics jams, riso-printing our wordless non-sequitur comics, printing a collaborative comic of one-inch panels...

...and hearing from loads of interesting speakers - Joe Stone from Work in Progress and the Hackney Comics & Zine Fair, Tari Eguruze from the London Graphic Novel Network, Nicola Streeten (visiting lecturer at KSA) from Laydeez do Comics and the Dalston Comic Club crew!

We came back with loads of ideas from Camberwell and London Met comic clubs and hope everyone from Kingston who came along was similarly inspired!

[gessvhowarth]

Things To Do Today In London: Thursday 2 March 2017

Things to do today is sponsored by The Place. Robot Zoo at Horniman Museum What we're reading The boroughs where London house prices are falling. NFL player turned away from a London nightclub because he was 'too urban'. A Dalston cinema had a bit of fun pulling an Oscars spoof at a screening of Moonlight. South West Trains had delays because of an escaped llama. Things to do today LITTLE ITALY TOUR: Spend your lunchtime wandering around London's Little Italy in Clerkenwell with an Italian tour guide. Visit the Italian Church, and tuck into a three course meal. St Peter's Italian Church, £25, book ahead, noon-2pm SKATE & YOGA: House of Vans is hosting a Girls Skate Night, so if you're a female shredder, here's a chance to show off your skills. They're also throwing in free cocktails all night long and an hour long yoga session into the mix. House of Vans, free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm KEATS NIGHT: The National Theatre presents a night dedicated to one of the great Romantic poets, John Keats. Poetry and prose performer Ruth Rosen reads some of the great odes and poems written by Keats. National Theatre, £5/£4, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm WHALES: Ever wondered what's it like to be a whale? This talk goes inside the world's largest mammal's mind to try and explain how they think. It's probably more accurate than lying submerged in your bath after a particularly large dinner. London School of Economics, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8.30pm ROBOT ZOO LATE: The Horniman Museum is opening up its Robot Zoo exhibition — which we loved —  for an adults only evening. There will be talks discussing the relationships between humans, animals and robots. For the party animals among you, there will be tunes and cocktails too. Horniman Museum, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm Pulp Fiction at Harlesden Picture Club GUERILLA GIRLS: To celebrate International Women's Day, watch a screening of documentary Guerillas in our Midst, about the commercial art world in its 1980s boom, with an introduction from Club de Femmes. Whitechapel Gallery, £9.50/£7.50, book ahead, 7pm STREET ART TALK: What is street art and how is it defined? That's what this talk from Banksy collaborator Tristan Manco investigates. London Transport Museum, £10, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm PEOPLE'S QUESTION TIME: Ask the questions that matter to Sadiq Khan and the London Assembly. This is the chance to hear their plans for the future of London. Westcroft Leisure Centre, free, book ahead and get there early, 7pm-9pm FILM CLUB: Head along to the launch of the Harlesden Picture Club, with a screening of the cult classic, Pulp Fiction. To celebrate their first night there's free popcorn, cakes and handmade sausage rolls. Harlesden Picture Palace, free, book ahead, 7.45pm-10.45pm NEPALESE FUSION: Namlo are a Nepalese fusion band who are launching their first album with a live performance, traditional Nepalese food and short films. Rich Mix, £6/£8, book ahead, 8pm Sponsor message This new dance show wants to challenge your perceptions The relationship between adult males and young girls is the subject of a new production at The Place. Men & Girls Dance explores the link between the two groups, which has had its share of bad press, through the medium of dance. Fevered Sleep wants to challenge negative perceptions. Listed in Lyn Gardner’s top 10 Theatre of 2016, this show is as playful and uplifting as it is provocative. Men & Girls Dance runs from 13 to 22 April – book your tickets now. Theatre review: Danish modern If you can get a ticket, we think you'd love the Almeida Hamlet, even if you're not specifically lusting after Andrew Scott (Moriarty from Sherlock) pitching to rival Cumberbatch's star turn in the same role. It's Shakespeare for the 'Borgen' generation; a slick and surveillance-heavy visual on a cool penthouse set where Juliet Stevenson's splendid dirty dancing Gertrude can shag Claudius on a couch while the Norwegian ambassador paces the corridor. Enjoy cute turns of Amaka Okafor and Calum Finlay as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern or Jessica Brown Findlay's bathtub-dunking Ophelia, but even though you could ice a cake during some of his pauses, it's Scott's softly spoken, vulnerable and charming Dubliner Dane that holds your gaze and speaks the famous lines completely afresh, and as if to only you. Hamlet, Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, N1 1TA £10-38 28 February-15 April ★★★★★ Johnny Fox Comedy review: 200mph jokes Rhys James performs a comedy set like he's got somewhere else to be. He sprints through jokes, barely coming up for air, and leaving us wondering whether he's getting paid by the word. While he got some fantastic laughs, there were also some periods when the crowd went quiet; especially during his section on millennials. James's self-deprecating style and the way he ties the entire show together neatly at the end is impressive, and he's clearly talented. There's a great show in here somewhere, it just needs an editor to come and find it. Rhys James: Forgives, Soho Theatre, Wardour Street, W1, £12/£14, ★★★☆☆ Harry Rosehill Good cause of the day PAINFUL COMEDY: Laugh Till It Hurts brings together a fantastic collection of comics (including the reliably excellent Ed Byrne) in aid of the children's charity Barnardo's. The Hippodrome Theatre, £22, book ahead, 29 March, 7.30pm Funzing Fun things to do with our friends and sponsor Funzing. LDN Talks @ Night |Neuroscience of Powerful Habits Every January you do the same thing. You make a New Year's resolution to lose weight, be thriftier, quit smoking or possibly even to start exercising. Yet how many of us find ourselves in the exact spot we started in once the month is up? This talk by Dr Gabija Toleikyte, explains why the brain resists changing habits of a lifetime. She'll also explain how to create long lasting change, by working with your brain rather than against it. Get tickets TickTheBucket Invites You to Dream Hear crazy true stories from the people who've probably done everything on your bucket list. Be inspired by tales of marathon running, exploring the Arctic at 16 and driving to Mongolia. Get tickets Bag Your Dream Man! Whether you struggle with talking to the opposite sex or never make it pst the first date, this ladies-only dating talk is for you. Discover Michael Hussey's techniques and meet your dream man. £5 Get tickets

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/londonist/sBMe/~3/SPeOIIuyF3A/things-to-do-today-in-london-thursday-2-march-2017

[berrycakeness]

It’s the blog post you’ve been waiting for…

So there are a couple of reasons why it’s taken me so long to blog about my birthday:

1) My Birthday celebrations were extended excessively (I still have two more outings planned). I wanted to encapsulate all events into one post.

2) Work has been relentless, and the last thing I’ve had motivation for is to write.

Anyway, ignoring the fact I have a chocolate workshop and a cocktail night to look forward to, I shall start at the best place – the start.

“I turned 30”

I had a nightmare the night before, and slept awfully on my birthday too. Either I was seriously affected by the ageing process or I think too much. I expect the latter, now off to frantically Web M.D the first.

Nothing much else has changed. I’m definitely however less likely to be the youngest person in the room. Bouncers will stop asking for ID and I’ll start drinking tonic water. Slimline obvs. As I have a fair few (older) friends who have long passed through to their 40’s or have recently levelled up, I think everything’s gunna be alright. (Name that tune, not too hard..).

I have developed an awareness of younger people more so than ever. I know for certain I’m that twat who reminds people of our age difference, but since I’ve realised recently that they teach GOOGLE DOCS in schools and not trusty ol’ Microsoft office, I now understand the generation gap. Now off to frantically join the Google learning centre. Oh my, ‘the’ and ‘google’ should never sit side by side in a sentence. Ever.

My first event was a great kick off to the new decade. Annie treated me to a wonderful set of presents. I received my sparkly new ipad case after a day of shopping and a wonderful 9 course dinner with champagne. Yes, 9 courses. Mitz and Nolwenn joined us and we stuffed ourselves with the finest of yum. We didn’t take photos, we were being too sociable for that. Of course that means I don’t have anything to share from the experience other than the memory of fine dining and wanting every dinner to taste amazing forever more. The venue was Eight Club Moorgate, a private club that has opened up it’s doors to us common folk. I recommend it highly, but definitely midweek. We had the best table in the house and were served by very attentive staff. The company was perfect, and I will remember the night for a long time to come. Thank you ladies for a fabulous evening.

 A very berry cocktail. Or two.

Next? Hmm. What was next…*checks diary, facebook and whatsapp*

I think it was my actual birthday, which I always try to spend with my parents as y’know, they gave me life and apparently I owe them some of my very valuable time every now and then. Valuable time I must add that I could spend watching shit on Netflix. Ah I’m joking, I’d be asleep instead.

Just before that though, I went to work. I try to go to work on my birthday as otherwise I’d just sit alone doing not much all day. Stevie gave me a traditional Edinburgh breakfast of a bottle of Irn Bru and a chocolate croissant (She’s a posh scot really), and around halfway through the day I was presented with a card and a balloon. Eventually my real present was given to me a few days after the day which was a beer tour! I’ve yet to cash in my vouchers so one of you lucky people will get to come with me. Unless I can go twice…ha.

SCOTLAND!

LAD LAD LAD LAD

My birthday dinner was our traditional family pasta that my dear mother makes so well. It’s a variety of vegetables in tomato sauce with the all important ingredient of bacon. And a side of garlic bread. Home comfort is what I needed the most, and I throughly enjoyed my time. Got some cash from the folks (make it raaaain), a switch game from Tom, Annie had already given me my presents and nothing from Lewis. A promise of a present was given, and I waited patiently (more to come).

My birthday weekend was prebooked many months prior, not particularly for my birthday but I’m counting it. C2C festival!

  Yes, I’m a little bit country. Ok, maybe a bit more than a little. Leaky, Lewis (still without present, attempted to make me want a cowboy hat) and I started the weekend with a bit of booze, and a lot of music. My first festival of the year (second was a beer festival), we swayed, bopped and did a bit of a jig in our seats to a few of our favourites and some new favourites. That list includes: Old Dominion, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Luke Combs, Little Big Town, Lindsay Ell and Lukas Nelson, who happens to be in a rock band but also happens to be Willie Nelsons son. Leaky almost died of boredom listening to EmmyLou Harris and disappeared to (I assume) cry halfway through.

So that’s the first week of March out of the way, and this post is beginning to become a novel. Still, I shall prevail and continue to make you wait for my birthday party verbiage.

Di, Stevie and I went out midweek and I made Di drink a glass of limes.

Boozing on a weekday

Limey goodness

The party. See, I didn’t make you wait too long.

I didn’t spend too much time with party prep this time, but as tradition dictates I took a day off to bake and to get some posters printed, but mostly enjoyed my day off drinking buckets of coffee. The theme was fancy dress, because I’m annoying like that. The fancy dress theme was musicians, which confused a few people. Apparently musicians write their own music, and so I was limiting the choice to people who were dead or too current. Regardless, I stormed ahead.

There’s not much to write about, so I will leave the pictures to tell their own story. However, it was a fantastic party and I was so glad to have lots of different friends from various walks of live attend.

Yearly photo with the flatmate

Crime busters of the sea..

Slash was supposed be swearing, but peace got in the way.

Mr and Mrs Cash, with their dearest little Ring o’fire

Cowgirl and the Dandy.

Bowiecarter

Bowiecash

Bowietracy

Where’s your Stash, Johnny Cash?

Siblings + Johnny Cash.

Moby no dick?

Midst performance of Believe.

HEY BRITNEY! Madonna ft Britney

Dollybowiecher

Bettecherbowie

Madonnabowiechercarter

Boobs propping up the keys nicely there. Apparently chord playing.

Laughing Cherbowie, pretty June!

Queen Cherbowie

Selfie

Selfie

Selfie

Give a girl a headpiece and a boy some boot covers and all of a sudden they’re fashionistas.

BetteMichael

Costumes off, no idea who these people are

Shark attack!

The datties face pull in town.

Dancing in the ring of fire, with a can of Stella.

Even inflatable monkeys need a drink

Beat that drum

I mustache you a question.

Duckface!

You’re a wizard, Harry.

BetteSlash

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE

A lap dance, with a can of stella.

Dolly Sharkton goes to bed

Alright, I had about 6 different costumes but it was my birthday (month) and I could do what I wanted to do. (Name that tune, adapted to past tense). The intention was to start as Bowie and morph into Cher. Once Cher, I was to change my wigs periodically throughout the night. However, I rushed it and did it throughout the song “Believe” to much comic relief. There are a couple of videos, and as much as I would love to post them I can’t do that to myself. If you’re particularly intrigued and happen to be a friend, get me drunk and I’ll show you from a distance of at least 5 paces.

Leaky and I took the next day slowly recovering by mostly stuffing our faces.

At some point, we had work drinks to celebrate my birth. We ran up a healthy bar tab and got suitably tipsy. I chose the Draft House – Chancery Lane as it’s very close to the office and they have one of my favourite ales on tap. For the life of me, I cannot remember it’s name but I know that it is Australian, and is rather citrus tasting. Diana attacked Matt and he left soon afterwards. I walked Di to Charing Cross as she cannot be trusted to walk alone anymore (I’ve made it a regular excuse to walk more steps of an evening – not that she’s drunk every time..) and got home later than I really should on a Thursday evening.

The reservatation was literal.

Matt attack!

That weekend was pure indulgence. Annie, Mitz, Nolwenn and I spent a weekend in a Spa in the cute town of Stratford upon Avon. Not only was it exactly what I needed, but it left me wanting even more. I need the extravagance of being pampered on a daily basis, but girl got bills to pay. Another fantastic weekend was enjoyed by all, again, thank you ladies!

Timeline wise, we’re now near to the end of March. Let us skip forward a little bit to April where I spent an evening in POTIONS CLASS.

But just before that, on Annies Birthday (8th April) Lewis gave me my present! Some great Rick and Marty merch.

Back to POTIONS CLASS. Yes, Mitz and I were given robes and a wand, and a shit ton of mysterious liquids to make the magic happen. The cynics of you may believe it was simple chemistry but that’s what they want you to believe. #fakenews

Cocktails were made and consumed in a small basement in the middle of the slightly less magical area of London – Dalston. If you’re interested, it’s called the Cauldron and it’s definitely worth a trip. A wonderful birthday present, and I felt like a true Hogwarts student. Just don’t buy their house cocktails, they were terrible. Seriously, the worst I had ever tried, except for their gin concoction and their shooter. Urgh. But otherwise, probably the best thing related to Dalston

Stir potions

From blue to purple!

Brewing with Mitz

Magical booze tree

Smoking shooters

.

Then, Jackie had been messaging me for weeks trying to get a date in the diary the diary that I kept forgetting about, but mostly being too busy with sleeping to have time for. However, we agreed a date and I made my way to Angel (my favourite part of town) for brunch at Dead Dolls House. As I had not asked Jackie any questions, I was surprised to be asked whether I wanted to start drinking straight away or until she arrived. Yes, bottomless mimosas and a very yummy brunch indeed. After our two hours of boozing, we slipped next door to sing our hearts out at Lucky Voice. I took some convincing (I think Jackie said “Ah come on, let’s do it” and then I had to convince her when we were informed of the cost of hiring “Jacks it’s the same cost of a round of drinks, it’s nothing” Note, I sometimes call her Jacks, but mostly Jackie. It depends on my mood, but I always wonder if she notices…*waves*

Despite our protests, we both walked into the room, shooed away the guy who gives you the microphone and tells you how everything works (being lucky voice, half of it never works) and sang for a good 90 minutes. Walking out at 4pm being now relatively sober and it being sunny was quite disconcerting. Jackie then treated me to some ice cream (I know it’s a bore, its just for my throat. I need a layer of protection) and overall, it was the perfect birthday day I could have hoped for. Jackie knows me well! So thank you ma’am.

And I suppose, that’s about it. Thanks to everyone who took part, you have made it a good one xxx

Every now and then I fall apart It's the blog post you've been waiting for... So there are a couple of reasons why it's taken me so long to blog about my birthday:

[the-hindu-times]

May 2017 reviews Roundup

The first day of May was Bank Holiday Monday, and Peter Doherty was due to play 2 shows at the Brixton Jamm. With the first gig advertised as a 5pm start, fans were having a couple of drinks in the bar to the distant sounds of Lucie Barat (sister of The Libertines' Carl) - still soundchecking her band, well beyond scheduled door time. Once the venue finally opened, it wasn't long before they returned to the stage; welcomed by a sold out room for their opening slot. With the 2 bars now empty, no one looked tempted to get any more beers in as to not lose their spot for the quick change over.  30 minutes passed with nothing - that's normal but unexpected as it wasn't long before the second show was due to start. After about an hour, the bars began being revisited and others who weren't planning on drinking began to. Planned drinkers had started extra early as they thought they'd be home by now but this unexpected, extra allowance leaded to fights and drunken antics; with bounces throwing people out who were now too wasted - which all could have been avoided if the paying public were informed with what was going on; "I told them not to put us on so early, otherwise they'll know that Pete's not here" said Lucie Barat to us. 

Their was an announcement that Pete was on his way; currently passing through St Leonard's - a couple of hours away. Being driven by guitarist, Jack Jones, in an old camper van, they had left Paris in the early hours of the morning but were stopped a number of times for drug checks. Why they were passing through St Leonards, I can only guess, was to pick up other band members. 4.5 hours after the advertised time, and Peter Doherty and his band arrived and came on to a half empty room; where people had left in frustration, been thrown out for drinking whilst waiting around or had no other option but to go and catch the last train. After coming across like a soundcheck to begin with, some remaining audience members were still feeling wrestles; with lengthy jams taking up valuable song possibilities. Although, not addressing the crowd, they were with him, and the band were on form. Joined by Babshambles’ Mick and Drew (the latter soon to become Liam Gallgher's bassist), they perform a few from those days but venture back no further, in terms of official releases - and why would Pete need or want to, with enough Libertines gigs in the diary this summer to fulfil those needs.  The evening ended with an aggressive bouncer pushing my girlfriend in the back as we were heading for the exit so that he could get to the door, where he was supposed to have been, to open it. Now for the second show!

2 days later and we made the short trip to Woking for Russell Brand at the New Victoria theatre. Just getting back into the swing of stand up, we'd already attended one of his work in progress shows so had an idea of what to expect but the improvised sections with the audience are always unexpected. Tonight is a step away from his last (and best) show 'The Messiah Complex' where he was the best comedian in the world on that topic. With less of a narrative this time around, the mane focus is on becoming a father which is covered in more thorough way by another Russel - Russel Kane.

Simon Evans, who had made fun of Russell Brand on 'Stand Up For The Week', was trying out some new material at The Cricketers in Kingston for Crack Comedy. This time around he was poking fun at a different comic; Stewart Lee, of whom he is a fan, and incidentally was also in Kingston that night with his own show at The Rose Theatre.

The night after, we headed over to Twickenham for a night of solo, acoustic, folk songs from Steve Tilston at Twickfolk. Attached to the side of the Cabbage Patch pub on the main road, this is an example of one of the bigger names that they have coming to the club, with the packed out room's faithful regulars singing along on que to his timeless tales. Tickets for all our concerts are £2 cheaper than the listed prices if you buy in advance at another TwickFolk event, with under 25s allowed in for just £5 (often way under half price). The following evening, we were in the back room of the Fighting Cocks in Kingston for Outside The Box Comedy Club, where the main act was Dara O'Brian.

We Are Scientists photo by TASHA LUCKHURST

The next day, We Are Scientists were at Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush. The free bar of beers and cocktails made me wish I hadn't given up drinking but the band were entertaining enough before even playing a note; with their American humour shinning through, on par with their crafted masterpieces. The flash photography from the front was as distracting as watching out for all the glass bottles, ending up, empty, on the stage. The drummer made way for one time member, Andy Burrows, to get behind the kit as WAS ended their best London show since the Brooklyn Bowl.

The night after, we were at G Live in Guildford for 71 year old Folk revivalist, Al Stewart. With his guitarist performing almost as many of his own songs as on Al's, a request for a Beatles song lead to a tale about how guitars became the reason he got to meet John Lennon. With only Hefner's Darren Hayman singing and writing songs in a similar vain, Al Stewart is still one of the most unique writers to go and see. 

Leaving the Barbican Centre early the following evening (where The Whyte Hosers Experience were performing psych debut 'Pop Or Not), we headed down to Southbank in time to catch card magician, Tony Roberts, at the Underbelly festival. As a 40th birthday present to himself, the former chef and salesman made the leap to becoming a full time entertainer. Selling all of his possessions, apart from what he could carry  from town to town, he began performing street magic. Born in Australia and brought up in New Zealand, you may have seen Tony perform in Covent Garden (or Hanks’ guitar shop, where I bumped into him) in London, where he now lives. He’d designed ‘Card Magic’ to be witnessed by just a few people sat around a roulette-style table… but with the aid of a big screen, tonight’s show at pop up festival, Underbelly, was able to house more spectators whilst maintaining its simplicity. Cracking jokes, and giving a story to every trick put the entertainment in the amazement. Whilst a stunned audience tried to work out if it was incredible knowledge and movement of the deck or just top class illusion, one thing they were sure of: they’d witnessed something very unique and special. 

The next evening was the first night of Frank Turner's 4 night residency at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm for his 'Lost Evenings' festival where a different set was performed every evening. Tonight's show was to end the same way as the finale show would; with '4 Simple Words', with the only difference being that the intro was included on tonight's.

Frank Turner photo by TASHA LUCKHURST

On the Monday, I was back at Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush to see Catherine McGrath open for ex The Saturdays' Una Healy (who had previously played there supporting Ward Thomas). With some lovely songs and a voice to match, Catherine’s guitar was tuned down a semi tone to represent the mood of her open letter to a potential lover who had ruined his chances at a Coldplay concert.

A couple of days later and Tom Chaplin was at the London Palladium performing songs from his debut solo LP along with some album tracks from his former band, Keane. No longer needing to play guitar on 'The Lovers Are Losing', he's actually joined by more band members on stage now that he's billed as a single, with the perfect sound enhanced even more by atmospheric backing tracks. Finding it difficult to speak inbetween songs, due to the shout outs of "I love you" coming from the audience, he was able to explain that they had been performing a different cover song each night, related to the city they were in, before introducing The Kinks'  'Waterloo Sunset'. A version of 'Spiralling' or ‘The Last Time’ would have really topped off an already, well polished show, still, ‘Everybdy’s Changing’, ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, ‘Bedshaped’, ‘Bend And Break’ and almost forgotten gems ‘Sovereign Light Cafe’ and ‘Crystal Ball’ more than did the job.

An unengaging Sheryl Crow gig at Shepherds Bush Empire on the Friday night was followed a couple of days later by a Sunday afternoon 'Outside The Box' event at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston, where Russell Kane was running through his 'Kaneing Live' before going in front of the cameras. That evening we were back at The Palladium for The Cranberries, which was about as interesting as Sherly Crow.

photo from Birthdays by TASHA LUCKHURST

The next evening, I played a show, myself; supporting Jessie Terry at Birthdays in Dalston, before heading down to Guildford the next day to see Nina Nesbitt  open for KT Tunstall at G Live. Performing some new songs solo/acoustic, with her nearly dyed, black hair, her delicate voice filled the big room; allowing you to imagine how the produced versions would sound equally as big. KT Tunstall was also performing solo, with the additions of a light show and other instruments and, of course, a loop station. Her set was never going to be as good as Nina's but it came across like we were witnessing a rehearsal; Messing up in every song became less funny each time, and when she did get it right, the idea of looping the exact same beat yet again became as annoying as her put on playful persona.

A brilliant New Slang gig from The Charlatans on the Thursday (of course) was followed by local festival 'Happy Days' a few days later in Esher, with Roachford, The Blow Monkeys, Holly Johnson and pub cover sets from Go West and Tony Hadley. An All Time Low acoustic show for Banquet Records at The Rose Theatre in Kingston, and Kiss at The O2 rounded up May's events for us.

Nic Bennett

[dalstoncomics]

There isn't a Dalston Comic (creators) Club in December, because Monday 25th falls on Christmas Day! So Instead we're going to be tabling at Catford Comic and Zine Fair, Blythe Hill Tavern, SE23 1JB on December 10th 2017, from 12 till 6pm. See you there.

[cherish-york]

This is a six page panel strip from this evening’s dalston comic club Session. The first panels are by @starbuttonsparks and the last three panels are by me. これはコミックのパネルを6枚です。コミックのパネルを3枚はヒーフ·リッシさん。そして、最後コミックのパネルを3枚は私もです。

[cherish-york]

Thought Bubble was really really great! I enjoyed it thoroughly. Coming to Leeds and seeing my niece and her family too was great as well. These are somr photos of Dalston Comics Club's table where some of our comics were sold. Later, I will post more photos. ThoughtBubbleは本当に本当に素晴らしかった!リーツは来て、私の姪ちゃんと彼女の家族も本当に素敵かった。それは写真でダルストンコッミククラブのテーブル、私たちのコッミクは売りました。後で、私は写真を載せます。

[cherish-york]

Small Press Day is this Saturday, so I decided to show process panels from the comic that I have created. It is part of Dalston Comic Creator Club 2nd anthology Dalston Beast. This panel is from the first page. スマルプレスディーは土曜日です。私は漫画のプロセスのパネルから描きました。この漫画はダルストンコッミククルエタースクラブのアンフォロジーを2枚でダルストン·ビーストです。この漫画のパネルはページを1枚です。

[cherish-york]

Here are more process panels from the comic that I have created. It is part of Dalston Comic Creator Club 2nd anthology Dalston Beast. This panel is from the four page. これはもっと漫画のプロセスのパネルから描きました。この漫画はダルストンコッミククルエタースクラブのアンフォロジーを2枚でダルストン·ビーストです。この漫画のパネルはページを5枚です。

[cherish-york]

Here are more process panels from the comic that I have created. It is part of Dalston Comic Creator Club 2nd anthology Dalston Beast. This panel is from the fourth page. これはもっと漫画のプロセスのパネルから描きました。この漫画はダルストンコッミククルエタースクラブのアンフォロジーを2枚でダルストン·ビーストです。この漫画のパネルはページを4枚です。

[cherish-york]

Here is another process panels from the comic that I have created. It is part of Dalston Comic Creator Club 2nd anthology Dalston Beast. This panel is from the third page. これは別漫画のプロセスのパネルから描きました。この漫画はダルストンコッミククルエタースクラブのアンフォロジーを2枚でダルストン·ビーストです。この漫画のパネルはページを3枚です。