26 March 2011 – Toy Stories

Over a year ago now, but this romp through the children’s toy box threw out a number of interesting  costumes and poses, including Cherryfox‘s Wonderwoman doll (a costume previously seen at the one-off Heroines and Villains Sketchy’s at BICS), the delightfully odd Marnie Scarlett‘s toy soldier, Fanny Divine’s Jack in a box, host Liberty Pink‘s ballerina doll and rounded up with Parma Violet‘s portrayal of Jesse the Cowgirl from Toy Story 2. You can see more playthings on the Facebook page and Flickr set.

28 May 2011 – Fantastical Creatures

Unfortunately, I couldn’t make this one, but you can get a flavour of the event on the Facebook page and Flickr set.

9 July 2011 – Americana

Dr Sketchy’s returns to it’s Stateside roots with an American-themed series of outfits this week. To get things up and running we had a medley of rock and roll hits from Johnny and the Speedos, who also posed for a few sketches. Other models on the bill included two sets from Dante Posh – that of a 50s styled nurse and a High School majorette. Host Liberty Pink and maid Fleur du Mal posed for us as well; and rounding things off was knife-wielding housewife Sherry Trifle.  More on Facebook and Flickr.

24 September 2011 – Rocky Horror Picture Show

Another one I couldn’t make, sadly (I think I was on an oh-so-rare holiday). Facebook link.

26 November 2011 – Winter Wonderland

On this unseasonally cold April evening, (it was snowing earlier) I’m reminded of the warm reception we had from this Winter Wonderland themed set. Wintry costumes were worn (and removed) by the likes of our host Liberty Pink, Dani California, Vendetta Vain, Parma Violet and were cooled off by Sherry Trifle‘s chilling Judderman. Facebook link. Flickr link.

28 January 2012 – Eastern Promise

Another one I couldn’t make (I was all geared up for this one, but was struck down on the morning by a particularly skull-splitting headache). Anyway, you can get a taste of Eastern Promise on the Facebook page.

31 March 2012 – Comic Book Capers

And finally to last Saturday’s event, which follows in the footsteps of the aforementioned comic-themed event at BICS a couple of years back. It was nice to see a few costumes again, notably Parma Violet‘s Harley Quinn routine, our host Liberty Pink‘s Tank Girl outfit (which we didn’t get chance to draw last time), and maid Tiffany Beau‘s Silk Spectre (aka Sally Jupiter from Watchmen). We had a rare pair of male models in the shape of Batman and (apparently a last minute) Robin, who were then joined by Liberty in her Catwoman costume. Velma Von Bon Bon revealed her secret identity and Ivy Wilde played true to her name as Poison Ivy. More pics on Facebook and Flickr.

And that, hopefully, brings me bang up to date! Phew! It’s all on again soon though as Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham returns with Spring Has Sprung on the 26th March 2012. More details when I have them…

Kicking things off with Falco‘s Rock Me Amadeus was regular host Liberty Pink, who then went on to pose for our first drawing. She was followed by Marnie Scarlet‘s vivid Red Queen routine, my sketch of whom won the prize for that round – a knitted boob (ahem) cup-cake.

Liberty Pink returned with her rendition of the Scarlet Pimpernel from the musical of the same name, before posing with stage manager Tiffany Beau. Another elaborate wig was being sported by the next act, Kitten von Mew, complete with twinkly fairy lights and a peacock feather tail. She then went on to pose for two drawings, one of them rather ‘cheeky’.

Rounding things off for the evening was Liberty Pink, in another costume change, this time apparently fulfilling another fantasy by appearing as Adam Ant (of Adam and the Ants fame) for a performance of Stand and Deliver, which involved getting this month’s winners up on stage (yours truly included) to dance along. Erk.

Another fun night was had by all, and, as ever, I’ve left this posting a bit late again, as the next Dr Sketchy’s happens this coming Saturday 26th March, upstairs at the Victoria in John Bright Street in Birmingham, tickets £9.50 on the door. I’ll be there, as will my mum, for a special birthday treat. The theme this time round is set to be Toy Story, so why not come out and play?

Making a splash with her opening number was our mermaid compère, Liberty Pink, after which we were straight in to our first model, Dani California with her balletic Bird of Paradise routine. Dr Sketchy’s organiser Candee Handful shivered our timbers with her pirate queen outfit, and was swiftly followed by Missy Malone, who stood for two poses.

Mysti Vine performed a grass-skirted hula for us, and finally Liberty Pink lowered the tone a bit with her rendition of sweary Saturday Night Live track I’m on a Boat! Reluctantly rescued from our desert island, we made our way home…

If this sounds your sort of thing, then the next Dr Sketchy’s happens er, tomorrow (sorry, this post is a tad late) 29th January, upstairs at the Victoria in John Bright Street, Birmingham, tickets £9.50 on the door. This month’s theme is Rococo Rocks, so expect a bit of the baroque with the burlesque.

Finally, I hinted about the presence of some Channel 4 folk in my last post from Dr Sketchy’s. Well, this involved a bit of filming for an upcoming TV show and a slightly different life-drawing class. Of which, more details soon…

Having been unable to attend the last Dr Sketchy’s, it was a nice to have the opportunity to attend a special ‘bonus’ Anti-Art School last month as part of the British International Comic Show. Eschewing our usual venue at the Victoria events were relocated to the more scholarly surroundings of the Think Tank Theatre at Millennium Point in Digbeth. As befits a comic convention, the theme was Heroines and Villains, with the girls dressing (and undressing) as their favourite comic characters.

First up was comperé Liberty Pink, in the guise of Who Framed Roger Rabbit‘s Jessica Rabbit, performing her signature tune, Why Don’t You Do Right?. The tighter than usual time-slot meant there was no time for her to pose, sadly, so it was straight into the first act, Dr Sketchy’s regular Crimson Skye as Watchmen‘s Silk Spectre, to the tune of some rock and roll and Muse’s cover of Feelin’ Good. In the meantime, Liberty Pink had returned, but this time as Hewlett and Martin‘s anti-heroine Tank Girl.

Next up was Parma Violet, whose routine showed the transformation of Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel from the Joker‘s psychologist to Batman villian Harley Quinn. Whilst Ms Violet popped off to rearrange her outfit, Cherryfox stepped up to pose as classic comic superheroine Wonder Woman. Parma Violet popped back for a quick 10 minute pose, and was swiftly followed by Sherry Trifle‘s Cheetara from ThunderCats, performing to the Troggs‘ Wild Thing. Winding things up with the last act of the evening was Marnie Scarlet as another Batman nemesis, Poison Ivy, to Space‘s The Female of the Species.

The venue may have lacked the intimacy (and the beer) of the Victoria, and things were disturbed a bit by the occasional lost-looking comic collector wandering in and out again, but in the end, a super time was had by all. All back to normal tomorrow (Saturday 6th November) though, as Dr Sketchy’s returns to the Victoria in John Bright Street for Paradise Island (yes, another late post). Doors open at 3.30pm and tickets are available on the door, priced £8.50. There’s also rumours that there may be some folks from Channel 4 lurking around too…

I shall say this only once – Liberty Pink returned in the guise of Michelle of the Resistance (from ‘Allo ‘Allo) to perform Édith Piaf‘s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. Next, Millie Dollar joined the fray (unfortunately, my notes let me down here, as I must have neglected to write down the musical accompaniment), and posed for a couple of sketches – one of which I won the prize for, a vintage Daily Herald. Liberty Pink returned as the Andrews Sisters (well, one of them at least) performing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and posed with stage assistant Fleur du Mal for the final drawing of the evening. Peace was finally declared following Liberty Pink’s rendition of Hitler Has Only Got One Ball, complete with a General Melchett-esque moustache.

Apologies, as ever, for the lateness of this post – after all, the next Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham happens this coming Saturday the 25th September. The theme this time round is Silver Screen Sirens, and will be held at the Victoria in John Bright Street. Tickets are available on the door prices £8.50, and the door in question opens at 3.30pm. Sadly, for the first time in the last two years, I won’t be able to attend due to a prior engagement (well, a wedding actually). Fear not,there is a special Dr Sketchy’s as part of this years British International Comics Show (BICS) on Saturday 16th October at 5pm in the Think Tank Theatre at Millennium Point. The comic-related theme of Heroines n Villains will feature a whole host of familar faces from Dr Sketchys’ past including Crimson Skye, Sherry Trifle and Cherryfox. BICS tix are available here. See you there?

Next up was Sketchy’s newcomer Glorian Gray in full tigress costume, dancing to The Lion Sleeps Tonight and Teach Me Tiger. Liberty Pink returned in a new costume to duet with side-kick puppet David Peckham for On A Tree By A River (Tit-Willow) from the Mikado, then went on to pose with stage manager Fleur du Mal as ringmaster and tigress respectively.

Ditzy Diamond returned with a set that was, quite literally, nuts, performing to The White Stripes‘ Little Acorns whilst dressed (and undressed) as a squirrel, and Mysti Vine brought another puppet to the show with her snake-charming set based on Kaa‘s song Trust In Me from Disney’s The Jungle Book. Events were brought to a close by Liberty Pink (in yet another costume change) and her version of Tom Lehrer‘s Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. All in all, another fun show. I finally broke my recent losing streak by winning an inflatable monkey for my sketch of Ditzy Diamond, and fellow scribbler Cathy Simpson also won an elephant.

The next class will be held this coming Saturday 17th July upstairs at the Victoria, with the theme of Beauties of the Blitz. Tickets are available on the door, priced £8.50. Doors open at 3.30pm. See you there!

“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?

Then, in a bit of a break with tradition from Dr Sketchy’s past, Fanny Malone (aka Crimson Skye) led us into a bit of an old Cockney knees-up with a few music hall songs (there were song sheets – sadly, I’ve misplaced mine). Events were brought to a close by Red Sarah‘s strongman routine, complete with swinging spheres and a giant set of weights – and an equally impressive moustache. All in all a great night out, with a bit more variety (although, presumably in keeping with the strait-laced Victorians themselves, a bit less shedding of clothes) than the usual Dr Sketchy’s. Also in attendance this time were fellow cartoonists Cathy Simpson and Gerard ‘Ger’ Whyman. There’s even photos over on Flickr (er, including a couple of me…)

The next Dr Sketchy’s is this coming Saturday 20th March, at the Victoria pub, with doors opening at 3pm. The theme this time round will be the Caberet-inspired Berlin, set in the inter-war years. I believe tickets are still available, so maybe I’ll 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.