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- Aung San Suu Kyi – a special message from the Burmese opposition leader recorded for Amnesty’s 50th anniversary.
- Jimmy Wales Art Class – founder of Wikipedia delivers a polemic on internet freedom around an Amnesty class where children compose a collage of China’s recent infamous history.
- Don’t Panic: Birthday Stunt – internet pranksters (Don’t Panic) behind the Alan Duncan expenses scandal ask the embassies of China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US to sign a birthday card for Amnesty and to join the fun at our party.
- Harm on Removal – satirical recruitment/training video on security techniques used during deportation from the UK.
- Misery Bear – specially filmed torture story from the popular Misery Bear team. Misery Bear have just written a new Sky 1 sitcom and their Misery Bear/Kate Moss special was one of the best viewed segments of Comic Relief 2011 online.
- Robert Thompson – regular animated cartoon from legendary cartoonist of Private Eye, Financial Times, Telegraph and The Spectator.
- How To Write A Dictator’s Speech – satirical clip package that deconstructs the wildly eccentric 3 hour monologues that dictators like to give during moments of crisis.
- Cassette Boy: Obama Speech – notorious internet film maker Cassette Boy, famous for re-editing The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den re-imagines an Obama speech on torture and Guantanamo.
Loserville is now To Do List…JOIN US!
April 29th, 2012
Or click the big image below to discover what everyone is talking about…
December To Do List – London Christmas Joy Guaranteed.
December 1st, 2011
Our pick of the month is Brian Lobel’s Cruising for Art, a suspiciously non-Xmas event. If you’re feeling festive try BAC, BGWMC, Duckie’s Copyright Christmas, Drink Shop & Do and much more…read on Scrooge, read on…
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Christmas Cook Up Season @ Battersea Arts Centre | 1st-31stDecember | Various Times | £Various
BAC presents a delightful festive festival packed with emerging theatre developed on site, including theatre, music, words, food & drink. Our pick of the pops includes: “Bluebeard“ - a dark cabaret fairytale about a nobleman in the habit of murdering his wives; and renegade theatre troupe Little Bulb’s “The Mother of All Goose Parties” – a musical journey/party.
Christmas Open Studios @ Cockpit Arts | 2nd-4th December | Free
Don’t Argos it! Buy something truly unique from Cockpit Arts’ supremely talented bunch of crafty creatives. Choose from fashion accessories, homewares and much more as you enjoy some lovely food courtesy of Handmade Food, or enter the prize draw to win handmade Christmas decorations made by CA’s talented designers.
Bethnal Green Working Mens Club Xmas Season @ BGWMC | 3rd-17th December | Various Times | £Various
Come to the venue where it’s so camp, it’s Christmas all year round! Highlights of their awesome Christmas parties include: Coney Island Christmas Party (inspired by the kookiest car-crash beach resort that is Coney Island N.Y.) on the 3rd December; Dirty Fan Male (based on real letters sent to porn stars) on the 14th December; and the Cream Revue Christmas Party.
Canadian Blast vs Oui Love @ Rich Mix | 5th December | 19:30 | Free
Oui fell in love with ‘Oui Love’ at the Institut Francais, where we bopped insanely to their latest compilation of French future mega-hits. We can’t wait to hear Zooey at RichMix.
Amateur Transplants @ Lyric Theatre | 5th December | 20:00 | £22.50
Ok we admit it, we are totally obsessed with musical comedy – we write about it more than anything else on the site. See some cream-of-the-crop musical comedy at the luscious Lyric Theatre, full of witty puns and laugh out loud mayhem from YouTube stars, Amateur Transplants.
Robyn Hood @ The RVT | 7th & 28th-30th December | Various Times | £8.50
We went to the RVT Panto last year and saw stripping, beautiful rhyming song with Marcus Reeves and trannies. This year we expect nothing less.
Brian Lobel’s Cruising for Art @ Vogue Fabrics | 9th December | 20:00-22:00 | £5
Unbelievably brilliant and irreverently sleazy event where audience members have to cruise an audacious array of artists in order to gain access to intimate, one on one performances – all over 4 floors of the Vogue Fabrics mansion. The line up for this round includes Bryony Kimmings, Tui’s Nail Bar (Tui is an emerging artist – just 10 years old!), Eirini Kartsaki, Mamoru Iriguchi, Rachel Gomme, Catherine Long, The Famous Lauren Barri Holstein, Timberlina (as Tim Redfern), GraceLes and Owen Parry.
Duckie Copyright Christmas and Duckie Christmas Market @ The Barbican | 10th-30th December | Various Times | £19.99
We are very impressed to see that those fabulous Duckie people have infiltrated the usually-clean Barbican website with falling snow. Pretty! In their latest interactive charade, featuring Scottee & Harrold Offeh, the collective express their dissatisfaction with the commercialism of Christmas. We feel the same! Then, after you’ve got all ruffled by the performance, explore the Duckie Christmas Market for offbeat treats from independent sellers who love a chat.
The Joy of Sketch @ Lyric Theatre | 12th December | 19:30 | £17.50-£38.50
Sketch comedy is a Loserville favourite genre, and we are happy that Time Out got its thinking cap on and put on this festive frollic with some of the best troupes around. Including Late Night Gimp Fight, Idiots of Ants, The Pajama Men and Two Episodes of Mash.
Bourgeois & Maurice: Fa La La La La @ Soho Theatre | 14th December – 7th January | 21:45 | £10-£15
Christmas cheer not quite grabbed you? Perfect! Come and join LV faves Bourgeois and Maurice for their festive (?) Christmas spectacular. Expect: hilarity, doom mongering and costume changes (we hope!).
The Xmas Starty @ Soho Theatre | 14th-23rd December | Various Times | £15
Soho Theatre says: “The most bizarre office Christmas party you will ever attend.” We say: “Bring it on babycakes!”. Dress up in your frump chic and enjoy the music, passion, laughs, games, dances, prizes and crafting.
Inappropriate Christmas Card Making @ Drink, Shop & Do | 21st December | 20:00ish | Free (well, you have to buy a drink…)
This cute cafe in Kings Cross presents great participatory events including knit-ins, musical bingo and inappropriate Xmas fun. Don’t miss this hidden gem…
Documental. ‘Mighty Uke’ & ‘The British Guide to Showing Off’
November 13th, 2011…
Loserville thought it very necessary to bring these two offbeat documentary films to your esteemed attention. The first being about the kitsch-come-cool instrument of choice the Ukulele, and the second charting the history of the Alternative Miss World Pageant. Read on dear friend, read on!
Mighty Uke (The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog)
Fri 25 Nov - Hackney Picturehouse, London | Sat 26 November – Clapham Picturehouse | Sun 27 November – The Lexi, Kensal Rise | www.mightyukemovie.com
We loved that this uniquely brilliant instrument is having a bit of a renaissance here in the U(ke)K, with star turns including Ukees at Bar Kick, the fab Brockley Ukulele Orchestra, and the rather super Ukulele events website Mighty Ukulele. Now, Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher’s award-winning documentary Mighty Uke travels the world to discover why so many people of different nations, cultures and ages are turning to the phenomenon that is ukulele.
“From the Redwoods of California through the gritty streets of New York, from swinging London through Tokyo’s high rise canyons to Hawaii, MIGHTY UKE tells the story of the people’s instrument.”
Here’s the trailer for your amusement…
The British Guide to Showing Off
Until Thu 24th Nov at the ICA | http://www.ica.org.uk/30622/Film/The-British-Guide-to-Showing-Off.html
After visiting the infamous Alternative Miss World show last year at the Roundhouse, where Fancy Chance won hanging from her hair (yeah, that’s right, HANGING FROM HER HAIR), we can’t wait to go to the cinema to discover the fabulous history of this cultural institution led by Andrew Logan.
Here’s what they say about it and the trailer is below…
“Andrew Logan. British Artist. Living legend. And creator of the anarchic and utterly outrageous Alternative Miss World Show, a spectacular costume pageant and fancy dress party for grown ups. In The British Guide to Showing Off, director Jes Benstock takes us under Logan’s glittering wing to take an joyous look at this most quirky and exotic subculture event.
Loved the world over by celebrities and misfits alike, Logan has hosted the Alternative Miss World Show since 1972. Memorable highlights include artist David Hockney judging the first one, musician David Bowie not being able to get into the second, film director Derek Jarman winning the third and triumphing in a court case against the Official Miss World (with a little help from a young Tony Blair).
Featuring contributions from Brian Eno, Ruby Wax, fashionista Zandra Rhodes (who designed all of Andrew’s hostess costumes), Richard O’Brien, Nick Rhodes and Grayson Perry, The British Guide to Showing Off was filmed over 5 years, charting the mounting of the 2009 Show, bringing to life its history through newly discovered archive, exuberant animation, and plenty of offbeat humour from contestants old and new.
Raucous, liberating and sexually charged, The British Guide to Showing Off speaks to the outsider in all of us. For anyone who has ever wanted to break out.”
November To Do List
October 31st, 2011
Remember, remember the month of November
We believe November is shaping up to be slightly wonderful actually. This To Do List of joy includes Wunderbar Festival, Dracula: Sex, Sucking and Stardom, GFEST, Scottee’s ‘Violence’, La Soiree, Paintworks, EastEnd Cabaret and much more.
Wunderbar Festival @ Newcastle | Until 6 November | Various Times | £Various, inc. FREE stuff
Ok so this is not strictly in London (in the same way that New York isn’t strictly in Mexico), but we believe the Wunderbar festival is totally worth a road/rail/air-trip! This year the odd and quirky performance festival is back with an interactive bang, it’s all about you! Our top picks include Bring a Pet (to make a makeshift zoo), Work-a-thon (the world record for the largest gathering of self-employed people working together) and the Human Library.
Black Pond @ The Prince Charles Cinema | 11-17 November | 19:00 | £6-10
Micro-budget? Check. Award-winning comedian making film debut? Check. Disgraced TV actor? Check. We’ve all had bad dinner party experiences, but this should reassure most of us that it could be a lot worse… ”The Thompson family is accused of murder when a stranger dies at their dinner table. Six months later, family friend Tim visits freelance therapist Dr Eric Sacks (Simon Amstell) and the story finds its way to the press. The facts are bent and the details spun as the Thompsons become known to the public as ‘The Family of Killers’”. Puts Bridget’s blue soup into perspective, eh?
Future Shorts Film Festival @ Hackney Picturehouse | 14 November | 18:45 | £10
From the creators of Secret Cinema comes the first global film festival where anyone can take part. Find out how to take part here. Future Shorts’ defining format showcases a single programme of the best short films from around the world often alongside live music, DJs and art.
Dracula: Sex, Sucking and Stardom @ Hen & Chickens Theatre | 15 November – 3 December | 19:30 | £11.50
Divinely silly infusion of music, naughtiness and slapstick, not forgetting Dracula. The story goes like this: “Jonathan Harker is tempted by the evil Count and a love of all things showbiz. But will he overcome temptation and stop Dracula’s vile plans to marry Lucy, take over the world and star in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical? The stakes are high, but if they win the day they shall rid the world of a villain and be immortalised in drama by actors in north London…”. We think this will be strangely wonderful.
EastEnd Cabaret: The Revolution Will Be Sexual / Freeze @ Arcola Tent | 13 & 16-25 November | 20:30 | £12
Forget the West End, there’s a lot of great performance mayhem coming from East Laandon of late. The Arcola Tent is the new outdoor comedy & cabaret hub in Dalston, which is going to cause a storm. Our highlights include the fabulous East End Cabaret, whose filthy Weimar charm has warmed our cold winter’s hearts, time and time again (be sure to request LV’s favourite song ‘Dangerwank’, hehe). Also coming up is Freeze, which pairs two of our favourite oddballs, Tim Key (poet extraordinaire) and Tom Basden (geeky musical raconteur).
GFest @ The Cockpit Theatre | 17 – 19 November | Various Times | £7-15
A great mini festival focussed on the best of LGBT arty turns, GFEST is a platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and queer artists, organisations and venues to promote LGBT and queer arts. GFEST features established alongside fresh or young LGBT artists and queer talent across the arts, including visual arts, theatre, dance and performance, LGBT short films, debates, workshops and parties.
Same Place Different Faces @ Idea Generation Gallery | 17-20 November | FREE
Paintworks presents an exhibition reconnecting with all the people who have worked in the well-known art shop in Dalston. The exhibition will showcase the extraordinary and diverse talents of 45 artists in the Ideas Generation Gallery on Redchurch Street. Our favourites (not that we have favourites) are Marcus Hessenberg, Liam Scully, Tabitha Fedden and Roy Willingham.
Eat Your Heart Out Presents… Violence @ Riverside Studios | 17-26 November | 20:00 | £10
We’re very excited that this whirlwind of a show returns to London. The genre-defying Eat Your Heart Out collective present their examination of the tougher side of life: violent vignettes, disorderly displays and spitting. In a world of gloss this challenging, entertaining and anarchic romp should not be missed.
Handmade & Bound - The Affordable London Book-Art & Zine Fair @ St Bride’s | 20 November | 12:00-18:00 | FREE
We heart zines! Let’s go and buy some together! This event at St Bride’s promises to be a charming festival of artistic DIY talent.
La Soiree @ The Roundhouse | 23 November Onwards | Various Times | From £15
The original cabaret spectacular returns to the Roundhouse for the ultimate Christmas Party with a bang. This year features Chris Iris (boy/girl acrobatics), Le Gateau Chocolat (Black Tranny Opera Star), Katharine Arnold, Hugo Desmarais (aerial performer in a cage), Mario (Queen of the Circus), Nate Cooper, The Skating Willers and Yulia Pykhtina (Hula-hooper Supremo).
Carl-Einar Hackner: Swedish Meatballs @ Soho Theatre | 28 November – 3 December | 22:00 | £10-17.50
The best bad magician since Tommy Cooper comes to the seedy Soho Theatre for some hilarious high jinks. Featuring his unique brand of endearing buffoonery, magical mayhem, lightning-fast humour, silly songs and very expensive props.
What Loserville Did
October 24th, 2011We’ve had a busy two weeks, and we’re really sorry we’ve been a bit slow to keep you all updated… But it’s never too late, so here’s a quick round-up of some of the cool things we’ve seen and done over the last two weeks:
Some good solid stereotype slaying was on the cards at The V&A, as the Talawa Theatre Company brought to life George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum.
Written in America in 1986, and performed regularly ever since, The Colored Museum is a series of living exhibits which explore African-American identity by way of consigning stereotypes to the archives.
For sure, some of the cultural references may have been lost on a British audience, and it’s nice to think that attitudes have changed over the last 25 years to the extent that some of the stereotypes presented are not as recognisable as they may have been a decade or more ago.
Nevertheless, The Colored Museum remains an important theatre experience, and it still has something to say to a contemporary audience. The entire cast approached the piece fearlessly and with mountains of energy, and dealt effortlessly with the often swift changes in mood and tone.
We’d be hard-pressed to choose a favourite exhibit, but two highlights spring to mind: a hilarious skit where a woman, preparing to break up with her boyfriend, is confronted by two loud-mouthed wigs, each arguing their case for being the chosen head-ware for such an occasion; and a musical parody of a cookery show, where the host sings through the recipe for baking “a batch of Negroes”, peaking with the fabulous line “add some attitude – Oops! I put too much”.
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Things were pretty crazy/cool at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, for the London premiere of Japanese pink musical Underwater Love. We’ve got an interview with Stereo Total in the pipeline (they did the ace music), and there’ll be a proper review for the DVD release.
Suffice to say, this a one weird but wonderful film experience, the like of which Loserville has never experienced before. Song, dance, and girl-on-sea-creature rumpy pumpy.
Loserville, nothing if not diverse :)
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You might raise your eyebrows, but South Kensington is a great place for evenings of quirky fun. It may be home to more museums and geeky science students than you can shake a Loserville stick at, but we love the Lates put on by The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum and The V&A amongst others, and even more so, we love the events at The Institut Francais.
We popped down to the latter for a fancy-dress screening of the iconic Barbarella, followed by a geek-chic cosmic party which defied explanation. Ace fun!
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Interactive theatre is everywhere right now (check out our feature article on the explosion of what we like to call 4D Theatre), and Office Party at The Pleasance Theatre Islington (running until late-January 2012) is a pretty ace example of the genre.
You can’t beat a concoction of party games, spot-on characterisation, top-class cabaret and an authentic setting, and any show that encourages its audience to get stuck into the booze is tops in our book. Check out the 4D Theatre article for more info…
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And finally, we popped into KOKO to catch one of our favourite bands of the last 12 months or so, Gabby Young & Other Animals.
We last saw Gabby et al at the Barbican last year, and if their regular appearances on our Facebook news feed are anything to go by, they’ve not stopped touring since.
Great tunes, great musicality, awesome dancing, and buckets full of personality – we love this band, and can’t wait to see them again.
In fact, they’re back at the Royal Festival Hall on November 19th supporting Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra.
And if that’s not enough, there’s a new album out in December. Gabby, you spoil us.
Theatre’s Gone 4D! – Interactive Winter Party Shows
October 23rd, 2011…
This winter, hold on tight for the ride of your life! Away from the West End lots of strange and amazing stuff going on. This article lets you in on the secrets of these down right extraordinary experiences that may just change your very being (or may just give you a great night out). Read on…we dare you!
25 October-21 January 2011 | Product Solutions Head Office, Islington | More Info
Basically be prepared for the office party to beat all office parties. And the best thing, of course, is that your actions won’t come back to haunt you when you get back to your desk the next morning!
We’ll admit it, we were slightly apprehensive about the possible audience interaction in this Office Party extravaganza until we met Cath, our line manager for the evening. As we had dressed down (on purpose…) we were selected as part of the domestic services team at ‘Product Solutions’, and after greeting us and our cleaning colleagues, Cath took us aside into the storage room and thanked us for all of our hard work over the difficult year. Then it was off to the main party room, where we rejoined the rest of the workforce.
We had a rollicking working class time at this incredibly conceived party show. From meeting the slimey, self interested CEO, dancing like maniacs, to playing party games en mass. The cabaret turns and ensemble cast were brilliantly outrageous and the drinks were flowing. The best office party we ever went to, and no risk of making any career limiting mistakes.
PS We think this would be a great night for groups of friends, and maybe even real office parties. It would be great to see real life management being told they’re in Domestic Services!
10-31 December 2011 | Barbican | More Info
They say: “Capitalism is collapsing and the criminal economy is taking over… so let’s go shopping!
Step inside the Duckie superstore and witness the decaying arcades of branded Britain. Conspicuous consumption thrives in this promenade performance featuring saucy shopaholics, supermarket sweepers and sweatshop santas. Purchase your dreams – love, peace and happiness – all boxed up as consumer durables.
In an age when we know the Katie Price of everything and the value of nothing, this rollicking good romp asks: Does Christmas mean more than shopping?”
We say: “Finally someone is challenging that beast of Christmas Commodity, and who better to do it than Duckie! We expect a whirlwind of interactive performance mayhem in the rather huge Barbican Theatre featuring our favourite transfabulous beauties, Scottee and Harold Offeh. Also don’t miss the Duckie Christmas Market, which is taking place in the foyer for truly unique and wonderful handmade Christmas gifts for the whole family.”
Coming very soon (before Christmas) Dates TBC | Unknown location (probably in East London) | More Info
After our rip-roaring experience acting in the show last year, we look forward to experiencing for ourselves the impossible to describe rollercoaster ride of the show. If you’ve not heard of it, check out the video testimonials below.
Now, remember when we said it was impossible to describe? Well, we like a challenge, so…
The show basically puts the audience in a huge number of out-of-this-world, out-of-your-comfort-zone situations, in an ultra-realistic set populated by 200 incredible volunteer performers. Last year, scenes involved burglary, team-talks, preaching, book-signings, karaoke and more! And you face it all on your own, as the audience ‘ride’ the train one by one.
Like their Facebook page hereto make sure you hear about tickets first…and also why not be part of it, by becoming a performer, helping build the set or spreading the word…email YMBBT to get involved: youmebumbumtraincast@gmail.com.
Push the Button – Megafun at RVT tonight – Don’t miss!
September 30th, 2011
Let’s dance our socks off! Tonight at Push the Button at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. More details on their Facebook event here.
We’re too busy planning our outfit and finding suitable requests to write a proper article so here’s what they say:
“IF YOU’RE A FLY GAL GET YOUR NAILS DONE, GET A PEDICURE, GET YOUR HAIR DID because London’s PREMIER POP PARTY is BACK AT THE RVT on FRIDAY 30th SEPT, 9pm – 3am!
From Robyn & Gaga to Aqua & Schlager, PUSH THE BUTTON is a celebration of the last 2 decades of POP! We’ll be playing ALL THE HITS: synths, guitars, keytars, drum-machines, girl bands, boy bands, impossible princesses – it’s a glamophonic, electronic, d-d-disco baby!
Pics of the last event are here: http://www.facebook.com/ky
So… what’s happening this month?
DJs – HITS&MRS with guests KNITOLA ROBERTS (Purls Aloud) and DJ BJ will be playing ALL KILLER, NO FILLER.
LIVE ON STAGE @ MIDNIGHT: HARRY CLAYTON-WRIGHT in WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SWEET BEYONCE?
★ BADGES, POSTERS, CUDDLY-TOYS, TOBLERONES… Y’know, THE USUAL NONSENSE ★
★ LOUIS WALSH’S LITTLE BOYS ROOM ★
★ DANIEL CLATWORTHY’S CHER + WINONA MERMAID MAKEOVERS ★
★ HARPER SEVEN’S LITTLE GUCCI DRESS BABY SHOWER ★
★ BELINDA CARLISLE’S BRIXTON BAKE-OFF (RIOT CAKES) ★
★ GAGA: ALL THE HITS ★
★ CUDDLY BEARS (…IN VESTS) ★
★ BUBBLY IN THE FRIDGE ★
★ A LINKIN PARK SONG! IKR!? ★
PLUS more to be announced, and surprises on the night…
♫♪ Disc 1 (The Nineties):
Salt ‘n’ Pepa, Belinda, Madonna, Paula, Janet, Sonique, Cher, Missy, Cathy, Louise, Betty Boo, Billie, Wilson Phillips, Deuce, En Vogue, Destiny’s Child, Pet Shop Boys, Alliyah, TLC, Eternal, Ace of Base, Shakespeares Sister, Mel C, Roxette, Corona, KLF, Love City Groove, Oceanic, All Saints, The Cardigans, B*Witched, Backstreet Boys…
♫♪ Disc 2 (The Noughties):
Robyn, Nicola, Annie, Dannii, Kylie, Gaga, Kelis, Pixie, Marina, Rihanna, Rachel, VV, Shakira, Lily, Katy, La Roux, Scooch, Alphabeat, Little Boots, Alcazar, Yelle, Ke$ha, MIA, Sleigh Bells, Goldfrapp, Scissor Sisters, Le Tigre, Ting Tings, Sebastien Teller, Dizzee, P!nk, Pussycat Dolls…
Leave your POP PRETENTIONS at home!
Please note: try and get here early – the last party was so rammed we had to close the doors at 1am. Once we hit capacity we can’t let any more of you in :P
9PM UNTIL THE WORLD ENDS (3AM)
All this for the same price as a Britney’s Greatest HITS in HMV: £5.
Our website: www.hits.li
email us: DJS@hits.li
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY
ALL BUS, NO FUSS: 2, 36, 77,87,88, 187, 344, 360, 436 (NIGHTBUSES:) N2, N36, N344, N87, N88
MIND THE GAP: Vauxhall Station (zone 1) on the Victoria Line. Exit the Station Via Exit 1 and turn right under the tunnel, walk to the end and turn right again, The RVT is the big, gorgeous victorian pub in front of you!
TRAIN COMES BUT WE KNOW ITS DESTINATION: Vauxhall Station situated next door to the tube and bus station, this line runs to and from Waterloo station/Clapham Junction.”
Go West! – East Pop West – opening tonight!
September 29th, 2011…
We are super psyched about the launch of East Pop West a new three day art festival bringing the best of the East London to the West. The exhibition is taking place at the 20,000 sq ft former Innocent Smoothies Headquarters in Goldhawk industrial estate near Hammersmith (map here) - sounds like an adventure to us! It’s running this weekend from Friday September 30 to Sunday October 2 with the opening night tonight more info here. Live performances are promised from 7-10pm on Friday and Saturday and the space includes a children’s creative space, bar & cafe and many more special events. Tickets are just a fiver full price or £3 concessions and it’s free for under 12s.
The pop up exhibition features one of our hot tips (see article here) from the Sir John Cass Art school, Christopher Duncan and also work by our favourites Blink Art, who make weird and wonderful illustration for a commercial world.
Chris’s work in the show includes: Oil Paintings, Work on perspex, Collaborative photography/performance project with photographer Flo K and 2 new films, one featuring Ladjanelane at the Beach House, filmed by Wade H Grimbly and directed by Alexander Maxwell.
The full line up of paint, print, performance and many more forms is presented by the Red Gallery London and includes:
Adam Dant ~ Alex Noble ~ Artswipe ~ Bert Industries ~ Blink Art ~ Cedric Christie ~ Christopher Duncan & Flo Kohl ~ Claire Howells ~ ContainerPlus ~ Dan Canyon ~ The Dark Times ~ Darren Coffield ~ Decima International Art Projects ~ The Department of Memory ~ Don’t Tell Stories ~ Dr D ~ East London Furniture ~ Florence Boyd ~ Found Art Collective ~ Gail Burton ~ Hackney WickEd ~ Hato Press ~ Joseph Mann ~ KeelerTornero ~ Le Gun ~ Macarena Yanez ~ Marco ~ Mark O’Rourke ~ Martin Sexton ~ Martin Wollerstam ~ Material ~ Max Hattler ~ Metric Collective ~ The Outside World ~ Paul Sakoilsky ~ Pil & Galia Kollectiv ~ Pure Evil ~ RART ~ RAX ~ Raul Pina ~ Rodolph de Salis ~ Ronzo ~ Root 5 ~ /seconds ~ TheUnconsciousCollective ~ This Is It Collective
October To Do List
September 28th, 2011
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10 Things To Do Now The Sun Has Finally Buggered Off
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Lots of fun stuff to do this month, including: storytelling at the Leicester Square Theatre, films at BFI Southbank, dressing up at Institut Francais, dancing at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, music in Hoxton, exhibitions at The V&A, a premiere at Rich Mix and lots more…!
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London Storytelling Festival @ Leicester Square Theatre | 1-10 October | Various Times | £Various
Loserville loves a great bedtime story with our Ovaltine fix, so thank goodness for the London Storytelling Festival. Our top picks include the Gala night on the 10th October which includes top comedian Phil Kay and Simpsons star Harry Shearer. Also, we’re looking forward to Storytellers Club, where comedienne supremo Sarah Kendall and other comedians provide tales for round the campfire.
Maya Deren: 50 Years On @ BFI Southbank | 4-12 October | Various Times | £Various
To mark the 50th anniversary of filmmaker Maya Deren, the BFI have put on a rather spiffing selection of events to explore her wonderful work. Through her work, Maya challenged the studio format and fused poetry, dance, visual art and a fascination for Haitian Voodoo. There are too many superb events to list here but a selection includes: a symposium exploring the legacy of Maya Deren (Saturday 8th October) and also 3 themed nights of her films entitled: ‘Chamber Films’, ‘Movement & Ritual’ and ‘Fragments & Outtakes’.
‘Barbarella’ & Cosmic Party @ Institut Francais | 8 October | 20:40-Late | £15/£12
The kookiest film on the planet, featuring a voluptuous, naked, weightless Jane Fonda; a beautiful blind blonde angel called Pygar; and the rather lovingly named ‘Orgasmatron’. We are so proud of the Institut Francais in South Kensington for organising this super spacey shindig. See you there, COSMONAUTS!
Umbabungo @ Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club | 8 October | 21:00-02:00 | £7
UMBABINGO! LIMBO CONTEST! TRIBAL GAMES! TOPLESS DARTS DANCE OFF! TRIBALOKE (PRESENTED BY HOT BREATH KARAOKE) AND MORE! Nuff said one thinks.
Kyla La Grange @ Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen | 13 October | 19:00 | £8.50
Kyla was our Bestival beauty and we can’t wait to see a full gig. Her voice is scratchy silk and reminds us of great heroines like Kate Bush. Catch her now at her ‘Heavy Stone’ single launch before she goes massive. Watch the video for the new single here.
The Colored Museum by Talawa @ The V&A | 15-23 October | Various Times | £9-12
We love the V&A’s efforts to broaden its appeal through its innovative Late nights, performances and super talks. This show by the incredibly talented Talawa company takes a hilarious, satirical and often poignant look at the last 200 years of the African-American experience. It takes place in an imaginary culture museum full of 12 living exhibits, and examines stereotypes including the ever smiling Miss Pat, an airline hostess for ‘Celebrity Slaveship’. Not to be missed!
‘Underwater Love’ UK Premiere @ Rich Mix | 16 October | 18:30 | £15
We already previewed this spectacularly odd porn/kitsch/musical/fairy tale about a girl falling in love with a sea creature. We hope you’ve booked already and watched the trailer (which is in our article here). This event features a live performance of music from the film by multi-lingual musical maestros Stereo Total. We are interviewing them soon so keep your eyes peeled.
Private Eye: The First 50 Years @ The V&A | From 18 October | Free
The V&A Museum is on fire this month, bursting with amazing exhibitions such as Power of Making and Postmodernism: Style and Subversion 1970-1990. This event features our fave HIGNFY-er Ian Hislop and cartoonist Nick Newman on the rise of the irreverent and plain cheeky Private Eye. The mag is famed for its ability to juggle hard-hitting journalism and hilarity.
Trunkated @ Blue Elephant Theatre | 25 October | 20:00 | Free
Free fun in the cutest lovely little theatre in London. This night features at least 5 unique and exciting new performances by up-and-coming theatre companies including Hey Ho Ha, Outside Puppets and Scrawny Cat. Book your free ticket now by emailing: info@blueelephanttheatre.co.uk.
Trashing Performance @ Toynbee Studios/Tate Modern/Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club | 25-29 October | Various Times | £10
Loserville is proud to champion entertainment, quirky events and above all trash culture. This awesome mini festival of talks, shows, salons and films explores trash within performance and features some truly awesome events. We will be covering it in more depth later in the month but for now here are our highlights: ‘This is Not a Dream‘ – a film & live event exploring artists use of video to promote freakery; Augusto Corrieri; Shunt; Amy Lame; and Time Out Cabaret writer Ben Walters.
This must be…Underwater Love – sublime film feat. Stereo Total
September 27th, 2011
Loserville is excited to announce the premiere and exclusive DVD release of Underwater Love - we are so thrilled to see Third Window Films opening up the lighter side of Asian film. This film is a wonderfully surreal journey into musical bliss and loving an ‘other’. Watch the mindblowing trailer below and book tickets to the premiere featuring a gig by Stereo Total here.
This whimsical, pink film musical about a woman and a sea creature comes from Germany’s Rapid Eye Movies and Japan’s Kokuei Company. Underwater Love – A Pink Musical promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Directed by pink-film veteran Shinji IMAOKA (Lunch Box, Frog Song), shot by Christopher Doyle – the famed cinematographer behind Hero and countless films by Wong Kar Wai – and with music by Germany’s Stereo Total.
The Film: Asuka works in a lakeside fish factory. She is just about to be married to her boss. One day, she encounters a Kappa, a water creature living in the lake and learns that it is the reincarnation of Aoki, her first love. What ensues is a zany spectacle of love, music and sex.
The Music: Multi-lingual kitsch pop-superstars and Loserville’s favourite oddballs, Stereo Total provide the supremely surreal original soundtrack to this sublime film (all sung in Japanese). Their previous work includes singing in French, English, German and Spanish – check out their videos here.
Be sure to join us at the premiere at Rich Mix on Sunday 16th October and see the film and a super special one off London date from offbeat musical wonders Stereo Total. We can’t wait to see you there for an out-of-this-world evening. We will be publishing a review and hopefully an interview with Stereo Total about their involvement in Underwater Love.
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Loserville loves Treasure: Swarovski Treasure Hunt
September 22nd, 2011
Loserville recommends you get out your orienteering outfit and ‘Discover your Light’ (lol) with Swarovski’s London-wide Treasure Hunt – This Saturday 24th September…You can win loads of prizes, register now at the link within this article!
Loserville Loves… Open House London | Sound Tracks Festival | Mysterious Skin
September 22nd, 2011
Open House London
17-18 September 2011
“a chance to see the city we love (most of the time) from a fresh perspective”
Zoe Konez/This Is My TV/Marina Gasolina - Sound Tracks Festival
@ Cafe Oto, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, Concrete, Amersham Arms & New Cross Inn | 17 September 2011
“ace stuff – cute drummers, sexy lady-singers, and great music”
Mysterious Skin
@ The Drill Hall | 18-20 September 2011
“proper, grown up theatre – great performances, devastating climax”
Open House London returned for another year, and Loserville took the opportunity to have a gander around one of London’s most recognised landmarks, Tower Bridge.
We won’t lie, it’s not the most exciting visitor attraction in town. Lots of stairs, a walkway across the top (disappointingly, you remain very much inside, walking along a self-contained corridor which runs inside the high-level walkway), and then a trip down to the old engine rooms.
Thrill-a-minute it may not have been, but Open House (for us, anyway) is all about giving you the opportunity to see things from a fresh point of view. In the past, we’ve visited the St. Pancras Hotel (pre-restoration), the viewing platform at the top of City Hall, an out-of-the-way church in Kensington… None heart-stoppingly exciting, but for Londoner’s, a chance to see the city we love (most of the time) from a fresh perspective.
And so proved Tower Bridge, which offered a chance to look down upon the Tower of London, and up towards the monolithic Shard, which looked a lot less impressive from this new angle.
And then there was the engine room. We love a good big pump here at Loserville, and were delighted to hear about it’s marvelous automated lubrication design. A lesson for us all.
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Fresh from our tourist experience, we headed East to Dalston for the Sound Tracks Festival, which promised exciting new bands at five venues in Dalston, Shoreditch and New Cross, plus accoustic performances on the London Overground line which links the three locations.
We’re London Overground fans through and through (we showed our sad geek love for the line here), and we loved this idea of using the line to bring together three areas which share a common love of cutting-edge music (not to mention art, design, fashion etc..).
We began the evening at the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, a beautifully constructed green space in the heart of Dalston, with a performance by the Zoe Konez band, variously described as an acoustic White Stripes in reverse, or an organic Ting Tings. Chilled out, folky, acoustic goodness to get us going for the evening, washed down witha couple of bottles of dark lager. Swish.
Then it was off to Concrete in Shoreditch for This Is My TV, another White Stripes-reversed duo, this time of the alt pop variety. Ace stuff: cute drummer, sexy lady-singer, and great music.
Our last planned stop of the night was the Amersham Arms in New Cross, to catch Marina Gasolina. On the way, we got some East London Line entertainment in the form of a little accoustic gg on the middle carriage. We love to see spaces being used in imaginative ways, and this was really fun.
On to Marina Gasolina, who brought our Sound Tracks Festival experience to an end with her edgy, punky perfomance, supported by her live band. It was gutsy, in-your-face, bold and brash stuff, sweaty, quiff-destroying head-banging punk-pop. Like.
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What better way to recover the next day, than with another Open House jaunt (Royal Albert Hall, no pictures allowed unfortunately, but it pretty ace – great tourguide) followed by Mysterious Skin at the Drill Hall.
We’ve got to admit, we’ve never read the Scott Heim book, but we love (is that the right word for something so sombre) the Gregg Araki film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbett, so we had to see this.
Great performances from the whole cast, including Harry Bradshaw (from Hollyoaks) and Nicole Faraday (of Bad Girls fame), and a strong script from Prince Gomolvilas, make this a fantastic play in it’s own right. Avid fans of the film will see many differences, but this production never tries to be a staged version of the film. Instead, it brings a fresh approach to a story which most of the audience, we suspect, already knew.
The minimalist approach to the staging (a bed, a sofa, and a bookcase are the only props) left much to the imagination, and perhaps the cast could have done with a few additions to avoid Dave Cutler in particular having to assume several roles.
But this isn’t the West End, and this isn’t a blockbuster, family-friendly musical. It’s proper, grown up theatre which builds on basic foundations to a devastating climax. Excellent. And now we needed a drink!
Loserville Book Club: How To Disappear – A Memoir For Misfits
September 20th, 2011
Loserville is very excited about the launch of Ditto Press‘s new book – How To Disappear – A Memoir For Misfits by Duncan Fallowell. Fallowell is famous for being a cultural commentator, novelist and travel writer. Our favourite of his books so far is April Ashley’s Odyssey – a wonderful biography about the first well known transexual to be outed by the media. His other works gained him much notoriety for challenging preconceptions about gender, bisexuality and ambivalence. Find out more about the new book and buy it here. And more about the author here.
The dedication of Fallowell’s new book – to an old friend with whom the author has never met – indicates the book’s theme: that haunted space which can open up between someone ‘being there’ and ‘not being there’. It is a book about spirits and relics, and those who are trying to escape.
We haven’t read the book yet but are very excited about the launch tomorrow and getting our hands on a cop,y mainly due to the wonderful review by one of our favourite web oddities Madame Arcati. She describes the book as “a beyond-fabulous wallowing in weird people in wonderful places – magical and mesmerising. Oh, and very gossipy, too.” Read her full review here.
“These essays are polished jewels of consciousness, presented with this author’s trademark mixture of profundity, wit and joyful naughtiness. 5/5″ Daily Express
How To Disappear was commissioned and printed in one room. The design of the book, by Nazareno Crea, perfectly compliments the theme of the five stories within. How To Disappear is hardback bound, 244pp with several colourful patterned prints throughout the book.
The book is also available in Waterstone’s, Daunt, Hatchards, LRB, Blackwell’s and various other outlets.
It’s the Wurst Place in town!
September 14th, 2011…
A few pix from our favourite amazing one-off fast food joint in London. It’s called Kurz & Lang which means short and long in German, hehe dirty! They serve beautiful sausages (bratwurst) with bread, sauerkraut, potatoes and German speciality beer, served by staff with the sexiest smiles and pouts I’ve seen in London. And as it’s Oktoberfest, there’s fruity new aprons with large boobies on to stare at. Remember it’s the “Wurst place in town” (an incredibly funny joke that was so good they make it twice, both on a chalk board and a LED moving message board)…mmm I’m hungry just thinking about it…mmm sausage…
It’s in Farringdon near Fabric and it’s open all day and night. Check out the website for more info…
We’re off to Bestival – join us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates…
September 8th, 2011…
We are more than excited to be covering our favourite big festival: Bestival. We’ll be there with bells on bringing you the best of Bestival’s lesser known acts, superb oddities and some exclusive pictures and live updates. To make the most of our coverage please follow us on Twitter here or like us on Facebook here.
Here’s the top 5 things about Bestival:
1. The Big Fish: The Cure & Bjork. Nuff said.
2. The Little Fish: We can’t wait to discover some great unsung heroes and meet up with some Loserville friends including Lorraine Bowen, Brigitte Aphrodite and many more.
3. The sheer number of stages and hidden acts is incredible.
4. Fancy dress is not optional.
5. If you’re not off to the festival catch it on Sky Arts 1 (it’s even in 3D!).
Radio killed the Video Star…
September 7th, 2011
We have gone all like totally retro, the 45s are out and the radio is on, LOUD! We’ve discovered that radio has usurped the tellybox for top quality choons and entertainment. VIVE LA RADIO!
Here’s the current swingers who are hanging out all over the airwaves…all of the featured radio stations below can be listened to online, so are perfect for cheering up a dull day in the office…
Breakfast Shows: This has been in the past the true dearth of radio but now with the subtley sublime Christian O’Connell on Absolute Radio and the much less annoying than you’d expect Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 we’re actually setting our digital clock radio. Disclaimer: Do not listen to the smug bugger - Chris Moyles unless you’re trying our stategy of utter mindblowing annoyance, which may actually get you out of bed if you position the radio far enough away from your head.
Resonance FM: Resonace is so good at what it does: GREAT CULTURE COVERAGE. Indenpendent, non-commercial and utterly brilliant radio which caters for every niche imaginable. Listen live here.
Absolute 80s: On internet radio and DAB we think, this radio station has changed our working life. Our favourite bit is the no ads, no talking hour of solely music. Think great forgotten 80s classics like ‘We don’t have to take our clothes off’.
Absolute Podcasts: This ace set of podcasts includes: oddball comedy king Dave Gorman, a Noah and the Whale session and more.
Radio 4 Extra: BBC has really excelled itself in digital radio production of late and Radio 4 Extra is a great example. Packed with radio drama, comedy and factual programmes including our favourite ‘The Comedy Club’, which is 6 nights a week from 10pm to Midnight. This week it features acts: ’The Flight of the Conchords, Laura Solon, Russell Kane, Mark Gatiss and many more national treasures.
September To Do List – Part One
September 1st, 2011
It’s a To Do List of two halves this month, because THERE’S SO F*CKING MUCH TO DO! We’re loving September already and it’s only just begun!
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Here’s Part One, and be sure to keep an eye out for Part Two (out on Thursday 8th) for even more ninth month amazingness, featuring La Cucina Futurista, Sound Tracks Festival, Mysterious Skin, Shinky Shonky with Thundercub, Unskinny Bop, Postmodernism: Style and Subversion, & Polari: London’s Peerless Gay Literary Salon!
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Decade @ Commodity Quay, St Katharine Docks | All September (until October 15th) | 19:30 + matinees | £35
Decade is the new site specific show about 9/11 from pioneering Rupert Goold’s Headlong Theatre who brought Enron to the West End. The show is taking place at St Katherine’s Docks and promises to be epic in scale and content.
Ignite 2011 @ Royal Opera House | 2-4 September | Noon onwards | Free – £15
Having very much enjoyed this free festival sponsored by a rather massive bank for the last two years, we were excited to see that Ignite has not lost its penchant for the weird and wonderful. Highlights for us include Mike Figgis’ films being shown and a super installation by one of our favourite fashion/art photographers Guy Bourdin.
La Haine Screening @ Passing Clouds | 4 September | 19:00 – 21:00 | Free
Free screening of La Haine, the seminal gang violence film starring Matthieu Kassovitz at the uberfun and slightly underground Passing Clouds art club.
Thames Festival | 10 & 11 September | Free
Oh no! Boris has been at the Vino again, here’s the result – The Thames Festival 2011 on the Southbank (as featured in our little Festivals guide a while back). Our top picks include: The Night Carnival & Firework Finale on Sunday - an illuminated procession best seen from Victoria Embankment (they say); New European Village all weekend - which celebrates culture in Central and Eastern Europe; & Feast on the Bridge - food filled fun on Sunday
Comedy @ Soho-Ho | 10 & 24 September | 20:00 | £12.50
Our new fortnightly comedy hangout in seedy Soho – we’re particularly looking forward to Kerry Godliman on the 10th September. Some special price £5 bargain tickets are available here.
Toyah does Wig Out @ Ghetto Factory (LSE) | 10 September | 22:00 – 01:00 | £3-7
There will be Thunder in the Mountains from this Queen of the Stone Age hehe. It’s Toyah at Wig Out.
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Watch This Space Festival @ The National Theatre | Until 24 September | Free
We have covered this festival to death now (we got excited about it here) but we still love it and it continues until the 24th September. We recommend: Page Blanche - an insane mix of visual art, live music and theatre; and also Just Another Boyband – a juggling tribute to the boybands we’ve known and loved.
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And don’t forget Part Two, coming next Thursday!
Edinburgh Megatron Review-a-thon – We only post about stuff we liked, so shoot us…
August 27th, 2011
Two days is not enough to see the magic of the fringe…we didn’t stop and are seriously considering increasing Loserville’s budget for the Edinburgh Fringe 2012 to £5. Here’s our top picks of the fringe…
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Megatron Review-a-thon
We loved these shows and believe they are all completely deserving of the ratings below. We know time is of the essence at the Edinburgh Fringe so we have decided to keep our reviews short and snappy…first in three words and then in a few sentences…enjoy!
***** Amateur Transplants: Adam Kay’s Smutty Songs
Hilarious Musical Pun’ster
Adam Kay (i.e. the Amateur Transplants) came to notoriety for his rather wonderful ‘London Underground’ Youtube video, which cleverly mashed up The Jam’s ‘Going Underground’ with his frustration at the tube. This show was superbly executed, referencing great pop classics with laugh out loud surprise puns. Our favourite being his rib-tickling version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ replacing Hallelujah with words such as alopecia and halal-butcher.
***** Sweet Charity
Daring Camp Brilliance
We were a little perturbed seeing the other reviews of this male NYC reworking of one of the greatest camp musical classics into a gay strip club. However, we were blown away by the courage of these young performers to present a darn-right risque and beautifully over the top production. The signature tunes from the musical such as ‘Hey Big Spender’ were delivered with great force and the intense sexuality of the production including full nudity was truly brave.
***** Llwyth (TRIBE)
Tragi-comic
We recommended this in our Edinburgh Fringe guide and found it a triumph. ‘Tribe’ was rather touching portrayal of homosexual life in Wales, blowing a hole right through many of the cliches associated with the gay lifestyle. The show is presented in Welsh with English subtitles provided a comic but also very poignant picture of a group of friends with respect to their challenges, dramas and experiences. The cast’s dedicated performances and versatile staging were superb and unlike other reviewers we found the show the perfect length despite being 1hr45mins long.
**** EAT YOUR HEART OUT
Inspiring Neo Cabaret
Our favourite cabaret troupe from London busted its groove in Edinburgh in style, featuring the lovely Myra Dubois in her hilarious children’s party act, Scottee’s divine hosting and a whole host of strangely unique acts.
Epic Inventive Madness
Summerhall was one of venues to watch and it didn’t disappoint…when we arrived at the labyrinth we encountered saw art/performance installations, science themed paraphernalia and much more.
**** Waverley Cares Fundraiser at New Town Bar
Free Fantastic Fundraiser
This was our highlight of the fringe, the opportunity to see a perfect selection of the cream of the Edinburgh Fringe, whilst helping the Waverley Care. We chuckled along to Margaret Cho, Bob Downe, were blown away by the vocal talents of Le Gateau Chocolat and amazed by the male hoola hoop king
*** Paul Daniels: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Cult Magic Geriatric
However lazily conceived, Paul Daniels’ magic did shine through as well as the lovely Debbie McGee, who provided bird impressions and elastic bands.
Forget Brian Sewell! Introducing Lady Jane Lane – art collector, critic and broadcaster
August 22nd, 2011
Loserville is proud to promote a new art fiend. Lady Jane Lane has arrived in London town!
Lady Jane Lane is an art collector and fashion commentator, who was an infamous model & dancer in her former life. However she has left her past behind to explore the deep recesses of the creative condition. Check out her quite trendy and ever opionated Tumblr blog here to read her latest musings and see exclusive pictures… www.ladyjanelane.tumblr.com. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled at an art event near you as you may find out something even Loserville doesn’t know.
Essentially Lady Jane Lane snaps up the next big things in UK emerging art and we’re her biggest fan!
Follow @ladyjanelane on Twitter, check out Ladyjanelane on Facebook, and tumblr-stalk at www.ladyjanelane.tumblr.com
POP.SIN Ep 1. Ladyjanelane from christopher duncan on Vimeo.
The pics are by Worldwidewade and Systeme_D (Paris)
There’s a wild boy in the Palace…
August 18th, 2011We here at Loserville are pretty wild sometimes, but nothing on this super new event, happening TOMORROW! It was created to celebrate the feral naked teenager who was brought to Kensington Palace as a pet. We can’t wait to celebrate this beautiful oddity with a Victorian Freakshow, Masked Ball and a chance to snoop round a pretty palace! DON’T MISS! Tickets here
About the wild boy…
A celebrity ‘wild boy’ of the Georgian period. Found as a feral teenager living naked in the woods near Hanover in Germany and brought to London in the spring of 1726. He spent time at Kensington Palace in the courts of King George I and of his son and daughter-in-law, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Daniel Defoe wrote a book about him, a wax figure of him was exhibited in the Strand, and William Kent painted him amongst other court members on the King’s Staircase.
About the event tomorrow…
Roll up, roll up for a decadent evening of music, magic, performance and dancing at the Enchanted Palace! For one night only
Kensington Palace will beguile guests inside the palace and outside in the gardens as they succumb to the spell cast over the palace.
Come and be amazed by the last remaining Victorian freakshow, performed by The Gaiety Engine or listen in to 300 years of scandal and intrigue from the Official Palace Gossips (in return for your own gossip…). Don’t miss the opportunity to try your hand at paper rose making or to create a paper palace lantern. Perhaps pick up a tip or two on period dance styles in preparation for the highlight of the evening, a Masked Ball on the Orangery Lawn, with musical enchantment ‘conducted’ by Lady Winnie of The Last Tuesday Society.
About Enchanted Palace…
Explore Kensington’s magnificent State Apartments, a mysterious and atmospheric world for visitors to explore during the evening. Enchanted Palace features contemporary fashion installations inspired by the stories of the seven princesses who once lived at the palace, enhanced by live performance, storytelling, soundscapes, light works and film projections, to reveal Kensington Palace in a magical new light. We visited and thought it was ace, the oddity factor was ultra…!
Dress code a must: Bold and beautiful, theatrical attire – masks are strongly encouraged!
Tickets are £15.00 per person and include entry to the palace and entertainments. Limited tickets – advance booking essential. This event is recommended for over 16s. To book tickets please visit http://www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/WhatsOn/TheWildBoysBall2011.aspx or call 0844 482 7777 or collect on the day.
Bylli Crayone and Tiffany make us wanna dance with somebody…
August 17th, 2011
Loserville honey BYLLI CRAYONE and 80s Pop Princess TIFFANY join forces on the New LGBT Dance Anthem ‘IT’S OKAY BOY’ (Its Okay To Be Gay). Bylli Crayone of the Modern Club Dance World recently released a new 80s inspired dance album called ‘Presto: Element of Surprise”. Includes songs with other 80s artists too like NU SHOOZ and U.T.F.O. But its the albums lead single “ITS OKAY BOY” that is getting a lot of notice.BYLLI & TIFFANY Autographing CDs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKv5oIpU05s
Theres a contest going on for the month of August to win CDs Autographed by Bylli & Tiffany see his Facebook for more info
Swedish electrostar, Karin Park electrifies the Queen of Hoxton tomorrow…
August 17th, 2011
We’re very excited that our fave new electrostar, Karin Park is coming to the Queen of Hoxton, this Thursday (18th August) from 7pm. She’s been busy collaborating with some great offbeat legends…see below for more info about Karin and a beautiful video…and it’s Free Entry to the gig! be sure to RSVP: info@stateoftheeyerecordings.com
Born in Djura (population 400) in the dark woods of Dalarna, Sweden, in a deeply religious family, Park was first a pop star in Norway with her 2004 grammy nominated debut ‘Superworldunknown’, before she started collaborating with Datarock’s Fredrik Saroea on the previous album ‘Ashes To Gold’, a route she’s now continued with Christoffer Berg (The Knife/Fever Ray/Little Dragon), into an even darker soundscape.
Karin’s new album combines distinctive electronica, industrial beats, dubstep and synth pop with her unmistakeable, truly unique voice. The album is out early next year but release of an EP (‘Tiger Dreams EP’) with 3 new tracks will be out September 19th on State of the Eye Recordings.
See you at the gig!
RSVP now for La Cucina Futurista – pop up restaurant in London!
August 12th, 2011
Don’t miss La Cucina Futurista, a beautiful pop-up in admiration of the Futurist’s Kitchen, co-produced by Gay Bingo friend of Loserville, Ma Butcher!
RSVP VIRTUALLY ON FACEBOOK HERE: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=242556145776869
BOOKING NOW FOR Thurs 15th/ Fri 16th/ Sat 17th/ Thurs22nd/ Fri 23rd/ Sat 24th SEPTEMBER
Three courses, plus aperitif, antipasti, wine and coffee @ £40 a head.
TO RESERVE IN REALITY PLEASE CALL M: 07506 146085 / OR EMAIL cucinafuturista@yahoo.co.u
**Advance payment for dinner required to confirm booking**
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Introducing ‘La Cucina Futurista’ pop-up restaurant
Book now for one of the most intriguing culinary evenings around, full of surprising sights, sounds, scents and, of course, original and delicious dishes all inspired by the infamous Futurist Cookbook.
In 1932, the Italian Futurist artist artist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti penned his controversial Futurist Cookbook, calling for a complete revolution in Italian food, wrenching it out of a sluggish, 19th century bourgeois past and into the dynamic, technological 20th century.
According to Marinetti, cooking should not just be about nourishment but full of avant-garde experimentation and innovation, while eating should be a multisensory experience. Most of all Marinetti declared war on that Italian staple, pastacuitta (pasta)…
‘La Cucina Futurista’ brings you a dinner that pays homage to the great Futurist artist’s vision – minus his more questionable politics and less palatable dishes. Guests will instead enjoy a mouth-watering, Futurist-inspired Italian menu and an all-round memorable evening – without a suggestion of spaghetti.
Our new NYC Correspondent Daniel Conroy’s First Tasty Guide
August 11th, 2011
The first thought that goes through a tourists mind when they think ’New York City’ is: Times Square. They think about the lights. The craziness that comes with walking in said area, and the Broadway shows that are within a short walking distance. One thing that these folks don’t realize is that, yes, this area is a very distinct part of New York City… but, to locals, it’s a tourist trap.
People come to New York City for its tourist attractions, but one thing they shouldn’t get stuck doing is eating at primarily “dime a dozen” restaurants. Few tourists realize that, yes, there are conveniently placed mega-restaurants in Times Square, BUT, a short walking distance away is a world of cuisine that provides a better bang for your buck. Why pay $17.50 for a burger at a restaurant you can eat at while home for half that price, when 2 short blocks away there’s a mom & pop shop that serves up a better tasting and lower priced meal with service that beats out anything you would receive elsewhere.
I leave you with some highly recommended restaurants to try when in town and willing to step off the beaten path. (Click the thumbnails to go straight to the restaurant websites!)
Max Restaurant
When looking for Italian and a fantastic pasta dish with a spruced up glass of Sangria, look no further than Max Restaurant. They have two locations, but I suggest heading to the East Village location to experience the original.
Dos Caminos
If you’re in the mood for Mexican, I’d suggest Dos Caminos. The restaurant is a little more known then the traditional mom & pop shop, but still only has locations in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New York City.
Arriba Arriba
And if you’re looking for a good drink and a DJ while eating… give Arriba Arriba a shot. The West Side location has the DJ after specific hours. I suggest you get there before 7pm as it tends to get crowded with a lengthy wait time.
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Cafe Mogador
Not being a huge fan of trying something new, it took my friends a while to get me to try Moroccan. But, since the first visit it’s become a favorite. There’s something for everyone on the menu, and the atmosphere is what will make you come back.
East of Eighth
If you just want something contemporary, give my favorite restaurant/bar in New York a shot. There’s no one thing that stands out the most more than the service. These folks make sure you enjoy yourself.
Chelsea Grill of Hell’s Kitchen
And an extra tip for the Theater Folks. May I suggest you give Chelsea Grill of Hells Kitchen a try. It has GREAT Theater Specials, as well as a wallet friendly happy hour.
Sixty seconds with our new comedy drag phenomenon: DRAGS ALOUD
August 11th, 2011
Loserville is stoked to catch up with Australian offbeat drag sensation Drags Aloud. Their uniquely biting show is entitled SHOW GURL and we can’t recommend it enough! It’s on at the Edinburgh Fringe at the “BELLY DANCER” UNDERBELLY, COWGATE – AUGUST 18 – 28 2011, 22:20PM tickets here. We love their definition of showgurl:
showgirl (n). a mythical creature of beauty, talent and poise adorned in feathers and spangles
showgurl (n). what remains when it all goes bollocks up
DRAGS ALOUD: SHOWGURL takes a glittering look into the mystical world of the SHOWGURL in her many manifestations: beauty queen, model, dancer, burlesque star and more. Over the top sequences are punctuated by poignant, dramatic and comic stories from each artist as they each tell the tales of how they were drawn to the drag stage.
Armed with their trademark stiletto sharp satire, Drags Aloud take a swipe at man-made sex symbols and society’s obsession with body image, beauty and glamour, all presented with their signature over-the-top costumes, irreverent wit and their trademark hilarity; along with the story of the most famous showgirl of them all.
We caught up with the GURLs and here’s what they had to say…
Q: You haven’t spared us much time.
A: We have a very short attention span.
Q: Who are you?
A: We are Kris del Vayze, Jessica James and Amanda Monroe. Collectively we are Drags Aloud.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Australia.
Q: How are things Down Under?
A: That’s getting a bit personal isn’t it?
Q: What has brought you to Edinburgh?
A: A British Airways flight, a taxi, and our new Fringe show – Drags Aloud: Showgurl.
Q: What’s it about?
A: A satirical, laugh-a-minute, and very tongue in cheek exploration of man-made sex symbols, body culture, beauty and glamour. And its all wrapped up in feathers, sequins, over-the-top costuming and fabulous music.
Q: So, it’s a fun show then? Lot’s of laughs?
A: Its self-wettingly funny.
Q: Is there any sauciness to the show?
A: Plenty of sauce – we strip in this show… doesn’t get much saucier than that.
Q: How about surprises? We all love surprises.
A: If we told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise. But let’s just say “maybe”.
Q: Do you get the audience involved in the show?
A: No. We’re spotlight whores; we don’t like to share our spotlight with anyone else.
Q: Where can we see this show?
A: In the Underbelly in Cowgate. Every night from Aug 18-28.
Q: Thank you for your time.
A: Is that it? All over? Right girls, lets get to the off-license before it shuts.
MD’s Austrian Open Sandwiches are Yummin It Up in London’s Theatreland
August 9th, 2011
We stumbled upon our new favourite central London eatery purely by chance and discovered the supremely lovely home of MD’s -’The Slightly Different Sandwich’.
MD’s, an open topped sandwich boutique deli masterminded by Denis Bezucha, has opened in Covent Garden bringing snazzy, high-end, Viennese style but affordable sandwiches to the lovely people of London.
It’s all about open-face sandwiches – think a slice of bread with toppings and you’re pretty much there… But knock us down with a feather, the toppings are good! All the usual stuff, obviously, Vienna-stylee, but also caviar, crayfish, Hungarian salami, Vitamin carrot & celery, crab cocktail, salmon pearls, veggie bomb (!)… the list goeth on! OH YEAH AND THEY ARE ALL ABOUT £1!
Perfect for a quick brekkie bite, glam but functional lunch, or chilled out evening snackette – MD’s is Loserville’s new favourite sandwich shop! We got great service when we went, and loved eating £1 caviar at work (we looked so damn classy!). Also online ordering coming very soon too, this writer just melted.
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Contact them here: office@yummymds.co.uk or on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/mds_sandwiches
Check out their website at: www.yummymds.co.uk.
And they can be found here:
Binge on the Fringe
August 4th, 2011
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We think August should be renamed Fringest! Obviously, there’s the Lord High King of Fringe kicking off up in Edinburgh, for which we’ve put together a must-have survival guide… But for those of us who maybe can’t make it north of the border for whatever reason (an aversion to deep fried goods, perhaps, or a daily craving for fruit and veg), there’s plenty of fringe to be had in London!
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The Camden Fringe & The Hot August Fringe have plenty to keep us happy… check out a few of our choice picks below:
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The Camden Fringe | Various Venues | 1st – 28th August | Programme Here
Helen Keen: Robot Woman of the Future!
1st & 2nd August | 21:00 | £7 | Oxford Arms
Stand up science & shadow puppetry!
Four Women, Nine Tits
4th & 5th August | 17:45 | £5 | The Sheephaven Bay
Part sketch show, part musical, all woman!
Oblivion
9th – 13th August | 19:30 | £10 | The New Diorama Theatre
A comedy of scary speed and fear of the unknown… DON”T LOOK DOWN!
Leisa Rea’s (bad) Pension Plan
13th & 14th August | 18:30 | £7.50 | The Camden Head
A mardi gras for the mildly depressed… dark mischief, offbeat comedy and twisted origami!
Jo Romero Touched for the Very First Time
24th – 28th August | 21:30 | £6 | The Camden Head
A window into a life of sexual intensity, naked Nigel Harman and AA discos… and the occasional go at Christian dating!
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Hot August Fringe | Royal Vauxhall Tavern & The Battersea Barge | 25th July – 26th August | Programme Here
UnderConstruction
4th August | 20:00 | £7 | RVT | Our Review
10 compelling performances selected from the latest season of UnderConstruction! To Do List!
Myra Dubois: From Rotherham With Love
10th & 11th August | 19:00 | £7 | RVT
From glass collecting to self proclaimed glory via heartbreak and amateur dramatics! To Do List!
Marcus Reeves: Masquerade Macabre
23rd August | 20:30 | £7 | The Battersea Barge
A live incarnation of his forthcoming debut solo album, Quicksilver!
The LipSinkers
24th August | 22:00 | £7 | RVT
The infamous Bistrotheque stalwarts present their summer collection of joyful tunes, tasteless looks and dicey choreography!
August To Do List – Sizzling Hot Stuff
August 3rd, 2011
Lets all just be honest shall we, and admit that Loserville has excelled itself with this August To Do List… There’s no filler here – just wall-to-wall, ball-achingly excellent hits from beginning to end. And we haven’t been paid a penny!
The Beauty Queen of Leenane @ The Young Vic | All August (until September 3rd) | 19:30 + selected matinees | From £10
High in the mountains of Galway live a lonely spinster Maureen and her devilishly manipulative mother Mag. Maureen longs for the romance that will spirit her away. But if she goes, who will stir the lumps out of Mag’s Complan?
Emad Altaay Exhibition @ Free Space Gallery | 4th August – 3rd October | Mon-Fri 9:00 – 19:00 | Free
Emad Altaay‘s brand new works will be premiered at the Free Space Gallery. Emad has a large following in his native middle east and is new to London. Since his arrival in the city less than a year ago as a refugee his work has changed dramatically. This exhibition explores his change in style and inspiration as he establishes his identity as a London based artist.
Through A Glass Darkly @ The Old Operating Theatre | 4th August | 19:00 | £15
At this exclusive evening of mind-reading and cold-reading performance,The London Magician will talk about, and demonstrate, the mind-reading and magical effects that first flourished in the Victorian séances hosted by fraudulent mediums - people who were emulating genuine psychics in parlours across England.
Meeting the dead, past-life regressions, amazing mind-reading, apports – the fraudulent mediums were the forefathers of the cold reading prodigies of today. But more than being told, you will be shown: magic will be performed, minds read, tales and fortunes told.
Illusion, mentalism and conjuring meet, through a glass darkly.
UnderConstruction @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern | 4th August | 20:00 | £7 | Our Review
UnderConstruction, the highly acclaimed and hugely popular alternative performance platform for new work, will be curating a show especially for the Hot August Fringe. The show will feature 10 compelling performances selected from the latest season of UnderConstruction.
Aztec Records Launch Party @ Zigfrid von Underbelly | 5th August | 19:00 | Free
After a year of trading, learning the ropes and making friends, Aztec Records are ready to launch officially to the world. They’ve been operating in Beta mode until now but have grown beyond their wildest dreams in this short period of time. It will be a night to remember for years to come, so you want to say you were there at the start, partying with them and making history!
(…they say)
Adhocracy @ Rich Mix | 6th & 7th August | Various Times | Various Prices
Adhocracy is a weekend of creative thought and activity about D.I.Y. cultures and can-do attitudes – then and now, including a fair of wares and awareness, talks and panel discussions, demonstrations of How-To, a pedal-powered cinema programme and a rip-roaring night of Good Attitude.
The Apple Cart Festival @ Victoria Park | 7th August | 11:00 – 22:00 | £29.95 | Loserville Review
Taking place on a leafy, tree-lined part of Victoria Park, The Apple Cart is a new boutique day out boasting everything from Mercury winning musicians, award garnering comedians, conjuring Magic Circle members, interactive art happenings, family friendly village fete fun plus gourmet food to feast on and real ale to sup.
See our fab preview here.
The Wolf @ Network Theatre | 10th August – 3rd September | 19:30 + Selected Matinees | £15
Following the a sell-out run of Ivona, Princess of Burgundia Sturdy Beggars return to the tunnels of the Network Theatre with a brand new adaptation of Molnar’s rarely-performed classic farce, the next play in the company’s Brain Drain Season.
Don Giovanni @ Soho Theatre | 11th August – 17th September | 19:15 + Selected Matinees | £25 (£10 tickets available for Under 26s/standing)
Sung in a new English translation and set in the pre-credit crunch days of the early noughties, this heady mix of sex, violence and beautiful music is a collaboration between Soho Theatre and the UK’s hottest opera company, OperaUpClose, following the critically acclaimed and Olivier Award winning success of La Bohème.
Myra Dubois: From Rotherham with Love @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern | 10th & 11th August | 19:00 | £7
The warts and all account of Myra’s story: from glass collecting to self proclaimed glory via heartbreak and amateur dramatics, there will be songs, there will be laughter and there may even be tears.
One things for sure: it won’t be very glamorous…
Constructed @ Bistrotheque | 20th August | 20:30 | £10
Rude Grrl presents Constructed, a revolving programme of unique performances developed from UnderConstruction (see above). Artists presenting work tonight include: Lavinia Co-Op, Marcus Reeves, Davies & Blake, Dickie Beau, Michael Twaits.
Duckie 16th Birthday Bash @ Royal Festival Hall | 26th August | 21:00 | £10
Authentic London retrosexuals Duckie present the 16th anniversary of their post-gay pop & performance shindig. You’re invited to partake in our fancy dress code of vintage British tribes: punks, teds, skins, yuppies, mods, rockers, goths, rude girls, sloane rangers, crusties, city gents, suburban housewives, new romantics, streakers, greenham common women, natty dreads, honky-tonks and casuals.
Check out our jazzy preview here for more details!
The Apple Cart Festival Rocks Our Little Socks Off!
August 2nd, 2011
Loserville actually cannot wait for this festival which is taking place this Sunday 7th August 2011 in leafy, lovely Victoria Park! It’s featuring some top offbeat superstars, who we can relate to including Patrick Wolf, Pam Hogg, Tim Minchin, Marcus Brigstocke, Magic Numbers, Saint Etienne and Loserville favourites Bourgeois and Maurice. Totally our kind of festival, small, friendly and just a little bit strange hehe (and it includes magic shows!). Get your bargain priced (£29.95 + bkg fee) tickets here
Top tips for the Apple Cart Festival:
Patrick Wolf: After meeting him at a lovely cafe in skanky Southeast London this journalist is really looking forward to checking out his new material and outlandish outfit choices…
The Art Car Boot Fair: Karen who invented this lovely day of art being sold out the back of cars, and we are eager to see their pop-up boutique version at the Apple Cart Festival.
Candlelit Matinee: Join in the topsy-turvy world of shadows and light that is the Candlelit Matinee. Follow the hand shadow signs and complete each task on their activity trail before being admitted to the final act – your turn in the spotlight on the Candlelit Matinee stage.
Pam Hogg: The oddball fashion icon will be DJing after Bourgeois & Maurice’s set.
Not forgetting our super dooper favourites BOURGEOIS & MAURICE, who will be limbering up for their Soho Theatre Run in September. More info about the festival here. We love these top trumps from their Facebook page…
Just when we thought TV couldn’t get any worse…it got better! Amnesty TV – watch here now!
July 26th, 2011
Loserville is proud to promote Amnesty TV! To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the world’s biggest human rights organisation, Amnesty International UK have launched Amnesty TV, an online 15-minute, fortnightly magazine-style show which blends satirical comedy, short documentaries, polemics and news around global human rights campaigns.
Produced by the people who made News Wipe, Starsuckers and the Inbetweeners, Amnesty TV launched its first episode at www.amnestytv.co.uk. Each episode focuses on a different theme and features Amnesty supporters and causes from around the world.
The Amnesty TV creative team includes established writers, film makers and digital artists including: Mike Bradley former producer/director at Charlie Brooker’s ‘News Wipe’ and ‘Screen Wipe’; Iain Morris co-creator of the Inbetweeners; Neil Boorman former magazine editor, columnist and author and creator of C4 show ‘Shoreditch Tw*t’; comic-strip creators Modern Toss; Chris Atkins writer/director of ‘Taking Liberties’ and ‘Starsuckers’; cartoonist Robert Thompson; writer/director duo Misery Bear and internationally renowned illustrator and designer Anthony Burrill providing the graphics.
Episode 1 – INTERNET FREEDOM Content includes:
Episode 2 (which goes live on 29th July) will focus on ARMS. Highlights include:
Speaking about the launch, Amnesty International UK’s Head of Brand and Events, Andy Hackman said: “Amnesty International’s aim is to connect people and unite them behind a common belief that people coming together can effect real, tangible change. Amnesty TV’s combination of entertaining content and inspiring stories will help us engage and mobilise a new generation of supporters.”