April 2005

THIS MONTH:
Charity gig cancelled
Woman’s own article
Annie Get Your Gun
Glasgow Moathouse
Rocky Horror
St Vincent’s Hospice Charity Ball
The Atrium
Tattoo Convention and Belly Dancing
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Do you remember I mentioned in the last newsletter about a charity gig to take place on May 6? Well, forget it! Dave Cairns – who kindly offered his services to the charity concerned - reliably informs me that the organisers haven’t actually managed to organise anything, so he has reluctantly pulled out, and taken me with him. Bummer, huh?

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Weird gig, this. An Aberdeen agent who also runs the Aberdeen Golden Break Pool Club asked me to put on a short demonstration of my skills. Loadsa booze and loadsa laughs – but darned hard work! Good fun, though.
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The same agent had arranged accommodation at the Ferryhill House Hotel, and to my absolute delight a whole squad of scooter enthusiasts turned up with their mirror bedecked machines. "Weearamods, weearamods, weear weear weearra mods." (If you haven’t seen Quadrophenia, you won’t get it.) My own Vespa 125 paled into insignificance next to these works of chrome art.

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Now for something I’ll bet you didn’t know: it is impossible to make cheese toasties in a hotel room trouser press. So there.

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The Woman’s Own article came out – beautifully written by Nuala, and expertly photographed by Jim. It brought a host of emails, which I have slowly been working my way through. Next month, I’m doing an all-day photo shoot for an article in SHE magazine. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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It’s not often I get to review gigs and shows for the Edinburgh Evening News these days due to pressure of work. However, I managed to slot in a review of Annie Get You Gun at the Church Hill Theatre, with Susan Daish starring as Annie Oakley, and Alistair Thomas as Frank Butler. Most enjoyable. Good to be at the blunt end of a pen again.

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There was a pharmaceutical conference at the Glasgow Moathouse Hotel, right on the Clyde, this month, and I had the great pleasure of performing for the delegates. Although I’m quite comfortable on stage I made the mistake of turning up waaaay too early. With the venue laid out for an audience of around 300, the roadies were putting up the star curtain, stage, lighting gantries and PA... There were chains, pulleys and scaffolding everywhere. Usually, I just turn up, do my sound check, and it’s ready to go. I suddenly realised that all this activity was being done for one thing and one thing alone - and then the spotlight was going to be on me. It took me about an hour before I could prise myself back out of the toilet.

Still, it was a great gig, thoroughly enjoyable and a whole heap of fun... the audience seemed to enjoy it, too!

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Well done to Liam Rudden, Entertainment Editor at the E.E.N. He produced and directed a tasty little production at the Roxy Art House. Entitled The Virgin’s Guide to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, it boasted a nice little slant (the history of the show and its rise to cult status) along with some mighty fine singers. It was a real treat and should be taking to the road soon for some performances around the country. I’ll keep you informed. If you’re a fan of the RHPS, don’t miss it.

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It was all Len Murray’s fault. He was the one who recommended me. So, there I was on stage at the Glynhill Hotel in Glasgow for the St Vincent’s Hospice Charity Ball. They raised a pile of cash for what is a very worthy cause. One thing that made me rather nervous is that one of the auction items was... eh, me. I’ve never been auctioned before, and I was worried that my true worth would be the wrong side of a tenner. The highest bidder would win a 45-minute show at a venue of their own choosing. To my great delight (and I really was worried about this) I went for £500! Well done Mitchell Self-Drive Hire. See you soon!

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I thought it would be a bog-standard gig, just table hopping for a large group of EEC delegates and members of the international airport authorities from around the world at The Atrium. Well, I had one of the best times I’ve ever had. Not only was it a remarkably civilised affair, but I’ve never actually had standing ovations at dinner tables before! What a fantastic bunch of people they were – which explains why I was one of the last to leave!

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What is it about Aberdeen that produces all the weird gigs? I was engaged to "do my thing" at a tattoo convention at the City Hotel. Jeez, I’ve seen some weird and wonderful sights, but this beats most of them into a cocked hat.

However, one of the highlights was that the other act was the Gypsy Fire Tribal Belly Dancing Troupe. (No, not the sleazy type!) They were a hit. Colourful, energetic, graceful and totally different. It’s a real spectacle. Entertainment agents who are on the lookout for something completely different take note. (Unfortunately there’s not a web site yet, but watch this space.) They already have provisional bookings for at least four more shows from that single appearance.

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Want a bit of fun on the web? Want your mind read? Try this... http://digicc.com/fido/

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NEXT MONTH: you ain’t going to believe what’s going on next month, so I’m saving it all to tell you then. (Apart from which, I’m sworn to secrecy) but it’s going to be a lulu!

Best wishes,

Drew