“Life is a cabaret ol’ chum so come to the Cabaret”. So sang Liza Minelli in the movie Caberet, but she could easily be referring to the recent Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School in Birmingham (previously) back in March. Titled Berlin, this time around the burlesque life-drawing class took it’s lead from the Weimar Republic-set musical and movie – a movie incidentally that I’ve never seen, although I have read Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical novel, Goodbye to Berlin upon on which it is based.

Berlin also marked the first appearance by new host Liberty Pink who welcomed us by singing Willkommen and a short pose. Dr Sketchy’s regular Cherryfox was up next, dancing to Pulp’s This is Hardcore and posing with wineglass and cigarette holder. Following her appearance at the previous Victoriana-themed night as Fanny Malone, Crimson Skye returned to pose again, and we had a further pose from Sketchy’s newcomer Lulu La Rocca in a distinctly Sally Bowles-esque bowler-hatted outfit, although no performance. Rounding up proceedings, and performing to another Caberet song, Money, was, unusually, male burlesque dancer Mr Mistress and a heck of a lot of glitter.

Cartoonist and illustrator Cathy Simpson joined me on the sofa at the front of the house, and I also spotted British International Comics Show organisers cartoonist Andy ‘Doodles’ Baker and comic artist James Hodgkins, both of whom won prizes for their drawings (note to self: must stop encouraging talented cartoonists to come along – I’ve not won a prize in ages). They’re apparently organising a Dr Sketchy’s event for this years BICS in October – of which more when I know it.

Dr Sketchy’s returns with Carnival of Creatures next weekend, Saturday 15th May, doors open 3.30pm at the Victoria in John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN and you can book tickets here. See you there?

Proceedings were comperéd, as ever, by host The Decadent Gent, who was accompanied by assistant Ditzy Diamond. First up, as last time, was a song from Cherry Fox who, appropriately enough, sang her take on the Altered Images track Happy Birthday, followed by a short 10 minute pose. The birthday theme continued with Willow Blue‘s routine, to the tune of both the traditional Happy Birthday To You and burlesque classic The Stripper, in a rather elaborate birthday cake outfit.

Suzie Sequin brought Hollywood glamour to proceedings (as she had at a previous Dr Sketchy’s), this time perfoming to Marilyn Monroe’s infamous rendition of Happy Birthday, Mr President. Cherry Fox returned for her second song of the evening, Lesley Gore‘s It’s My Party (probably better known in this country by it’s 80s cover version by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin). The final set of the night was Sherry Trifle performing, er, How to Make A Sherry Trifle (and yes, there was whipped cream…). After posing for one set, Sherry returned for our last pose alongside the Decadent Gent and Ditzy Diamond.

In between proceedings, there was Pass the Parcel, where I won my only prize of the evening (er… a knitted Swiss Roll), but the cartoonists weren’t letting the side down, as fellow scribbler (and PCO member) Cathy Simpson won two rounds (admittedly with one of my brush pens. Again). There’s also some lovely photos of the day’s proceedings (and if you look carefully enough, you might find a few of me).

So, raise a glass to Dr Sketchy’s 1st birthday, and here’s to many more… starting with the next one, Victoriana, at the Victoria (where else!) on 16th January 2010.

Donning the dressing gown and comfy slippers of comperé was, as ever, the Decadent Gent, who switfly ushered us into the first act of the night, a short but sweet performance of Dream a Little Dream of Me sung by Cherry Fox,who incidentally has put together a pair of books of her photography of  the current UK burlesque scene, featuring many Dr Sketchy’s performers. Next up, performing to the tune Misirlou (probably best known as the music from Pulp Fiction) was Missy Malone, who sat for two poses. Prior to rushing off to film an advert for a well-known High Street bank she also took time to pick one of my sketches as her favourite.

Missy was followed by a pair of scarlet women – founder of Dr Sketchy’s Nottingham the appropriately crimson-clad Scarlett Daggers performed her routine with a parasol and was followed in turn by the Gent’s frequent co-host (and star of TV’s Faking It) Scarlet Fever in one of those elaborate hoop-framed dresses (erm – not quite sure what you call them…).

The last act of the evening was a fan-dance by Frankii Wilde, who posed for two drawings and then returned to pose again with Scarlett Daggers, for I which I won my second prize – a fez! Luckily, there doesn’t appear to be any pics of me wearing the aforementioned fez in this set. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s burlesque life-drawing – and I’m looking forward with eager anticipation to next month’s first birthday bash on the 21st November at the Victoria.

After the Gent regained his composure, we moved on to the first set of the night – a slightly nervous Trixie Rose, in a saucy sailors outfit. Theme for the drawing was ‘South Seas’, hence the desert island backdrop in my sketch. Trixie was followed by Ruby Fortune, bizarrely emerging from a shark, hence the Jaws scene referenced here, but giving me a chance to try out my new set of PITT Artist Brush Pens. Next up was Ditzy Diamond with her Beatles inspired routine – starting with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, before tripping off into Yellow Submarine (with submarine costume). The final girl to perform was the aforementioned Mysti Vine, who did a wonderful Jolly Roger balloon popping set (which probably broke one or two regulations, but that’s another story…) for which I won the prize  – an inflatable fish from Finding Nemo, and her pose had a harbour theme. To round things off we had a pose from Ruby Fortune and Ditzy Diamond, and finally a pose with Trixie Rose and Mysti Vine. There are loads of photos over here (including a couple of me – eek!).

All in all a great afternoon’s drawing and burlesque! Roll on the next one – X Files on the 25th July.

First up was Cherry Fox, who, in keeping with this time’s theme of ‘Garden of Delights’  performed her set as a pink butterfly. She was followed by Fleur de Mal with her dragonfly set, complete with long, gossamer-like ‘wings’. Next came the highlight of the evening – Parma Violet with in her garden gnome outfit, complete with disturbingly red beard. Host Decadent Gent posed alongside assistants Scarlet Fever and Ditzy Diamond next, and the evening continuted with a few other poses, culminating in Parma Violet’s Christine Keeler-inspired pose (right), for which I won a prize – a bunch of inflatable tulips!

Much as I enjoyed the event, I do feel that if Dr Sketchys continues to attract new followers they may have to think about leaving the Victoria (which would be a shame, as it’s a lovely pub) for a larger venue, or seriously consider limiting numbers.

Bonus pic: you may spot that one of the pics below doesn’t quite fit – it’s my dad, drawn napping the following day after Sunday lunch.