So for the last few days I’ve been in one of my favourite cities in’t world - Helsinki, Funland!

One of the things I love most about Helsinki is the way the city feels. As soon as I arrived, I felt as though I’d never left. The sun was shining (this was new to me! - the month I’d spent there was during the winter, when Helsinki is dark almost all of the time. This visit was the opposite, with daylight until super-late!) and I went straight to the park for a spot of weapon-based playtime. 

The next day I headed over to see my good friends Photographer Tinttu, and (fellow Knife-Thrower) “The Baron”. We had a super-fun photoshoot, which combined some of my absolute favourite things in a way I’d never had them combined before…

Denied tea! true sadism from The Baron! …

Then in the evening was the fabulous Bettie Blackheart’s Helsinki Burlesque Spring Awakening Show. The venue, Kaisaniemi, is fab, and there’s a lovely story of a secret door into the building for a very famous Finnish Politician, Mannerhaiem.

The following day I headed to the Helsinki Burlesque dance studio where I hosted 2 of my workshops. It was so good to spend some time with the women of the Helsinki Burlesque Scene, it really is a wonderful community.

On Sunday, I had a beach photoshoot with Jari Mittienen & Mai Puttonen. I was full of cold, it was freezing, and there were quite a lot more people around than the photos would suggest, but very little can stop me stripping off!

I was especially excited about this shoot as it had been in the planning for a long time, and was set to produce the promotional shots for the new act I’m working on. I’m absolutely thrilled with the results, and I can’t wait to get this show on the road later this year! 

After the beach we headed to the Helsinki Technical Museum for a concept shoot in my goldfish costume, which I loved! Photographer Jari had booked part of the Helsinki Technical Museum after seeing me perform this number on Friday night - as hooks are key in my goldfish number, I loved being a little fish caught on a real hook!

That evening I had dinner with friends and relaxed on my final night in the city before flying home the following day. 

It was a great trip for lots of reasons and I very much hope to return very soon. I have big plans which include this city… and a LOT of weapons!!! ;D 

Anna x

This week has seen the opening in London’s Brick Lane, of the eagerly anticipated “Brush With Burlesque” art exhibition.  The exhibition runs until 13 May, and showcases some incredible UK based Artists and their work inspired by the burlesque scene.  I’m gutted that I can’t make it to see the exhibition while it’s on! You can read a lovely review of the exhibition by “This is Cabaret” here.  

(All exhibition pictures snaffled with permission from FaceBook)

I think he likes my shoes :D

Exhibition Organisers Mark & Sarah (who are not only lovely but multi-talented - Mark is the wonderful artist responsible for the paintings in this photograph, and together, Mark & Sarah are also known as “Kinky & Quirky”  & organise awesome Burlesque events!) 

One of the artworks on display is Joe “BoneShaker” Armitage’s depiction of me as Ninja-Poster-Girl for the May “BoneShaker” event.  I was thrilled when Joe invited me to be a BoneShaker girl,  and he’s written an (extremely flattering!) newsblog about our collaboration on the image here. 

As Joe’s motif in his artwork is vinyl records, he’d asked me how I’d like to incorporate a record into our shoot. I suggested that I’d like to be throwing one, shuriken-style, and he very kindly indulged me - even when I asked for Bruce Lee-style “scratches” to be incorporated into the final piece!  Joe was great fun to shoot with, and I very much enjoyed being menacing in a bikini. Here are some of my favourite shots from the afternoon:

And this is the final poster! 

I’ll be there, as will Guest DJ “Jazz”Hans, and if you come along, I promise to try not to kill you! ;D 

Anna x

So yeah, I went to China! :D 

*WARNING* As I’ve said before in this NewsBlog, I write mainly as a way of remembering my adventures so that I have a record of it all to read when I’m an old lady. Consequently, I’m aware it can sometimes read (to other people) like a nauseating list of fun things I did. So, if you’d like to read about my adventures in China, you have been warned!! - grab a bucket and read on…

The first amazing thing about arriving in Shanghai (ok, I guess you have to be a fan of elevated railways, as you know I am), is that you can travel from Pudong Airport into the city on the Maglev train. It’s FAST!

It’s also quite heart-stopping when you pass the Maglev coming in the opposite direction!

The second cool thing about arriving in Shanghai (and I didn’t know this before I arrived), is that when you leave the Maglev, there’s a little Maglev Museum!! A museum about trains??! YES PLEASE! 

*DECELERATING* GLASS!!! How cool is that?!?!?!! 

OK. I think that’s probably enough about trains for now (Although I’ll probably mention the subway later because you know me and underground railways…).

Arriving in Shanghai was bonkers. In a good way. I felt like part of a Star Trek Away Team.

After a restful (HA!) night of jetlag, I headed to my first training session. I’m not going to go into too much detail about what I was doing, because I’d rather show you, but I’d travelled to Shanghai especially to train with a particular Martial Artist called Tom as I loved his adaptation of traditional “soft” weapons and I’d arranged to train twice a day, every day. INTENSE! Despite the name, soft weapons are very dangerous and I genuinely didn’t know what to expect. Would I be rubbish at it??!! I really hoped not, but I needn’t have worried - I loved every second. Even the ones where I was smacking myself about the legs & face :D 

In between training sessions and disco naps, I did manage to see a little of Shangahi. I travelled on the metro system as much as I could (the world’s longest, Subterranean Railway Fact Fans!), ate a lot of ramen, and even went to the circus!

I’d stupidly expected to be able to take picnic lunches to the city’s parks and spread out for a spot of practice - but this turned out to be a naiive plan… China is, erm,  populous!! Turns out you can’t go around swinging weapons around Chinese parks without causing carnage. 

I didn’t think it would be true, but people really do tai chi in the park (actually, they do it *everywhere*) 

No idea what this means. I *think* it means “please enjoy the park”!

Something I wasn’t expecting was the innovative use of bicycles and scooters for transporting things you wouldn’t think possible, like refrigerators and 100 chairs. These really weren’t unusual sights - just the ones I happened to catch pictures of!

But what if I *want* to follow strangers to the fun places? 

So (despite the lack of prostitution, porn or drugs of *ANY* kind!) I had a wonderful time in Shanghai, and can’t wait to crack on with practicing what I’ve learned. In fact - I love it so much, I’m hoping to return later in the year for further training!

Anna x

Well. This last couple of weeks have been ones to remember.

First there was the “Catwalk for Life” Fashion Show in Leeds’ awesome venue The Corn Exchange. I modelled for Candy Candy and when the lovely owner & Designer Helena put me in a “Headmistress” dress I suggested I might also don a mortar board & cane for the occasion. I then mentioned that I might have to chastise the unruly audience members as I walked, and she said OK… So obviously I had fun every step of the way! The event was a great success and raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research, a wonderful result! 

Next I headed to Cheltenham for the *always sold out!* “Missy Malone & Friends Burlesque Revue”.  It’s a show I’d heard great things about and I wasn’t disappointed! The theatre was fabulous and I was honoured to be part of such a high-end line up; Cherry Shakewell, Luna Rosa, Desmond O’Connor, The Bees Knees and the gorgeous Miss Malone herself. 

Doing 2 shows in one evening was also great fun! (and meant that I was able to play with my axes TWICE!!) - But I did require a mid-show cuppa. Or two. 

The next morning, (and I still can’t quite believe I did this) I flew to China for a week’s intensive martial arts training in Shanghai. I’m writing this on the eve of my final training day, and I’m exhausted but very, very happy. It’s been an honour and a pleasure; I’ll tell you a bit more next time, but for now, it’s goodnight from China, and I’ll be flying home to the UK in the morning. With a brand new weapon that you can take onboard an aircraft as carry-on…BOOM! ;D 

Anna x

Hello!

…And, seeing as you asked: YES! I *was* supposed to be in Canada this week! 

Sadly, and despite contracts being exchanged, the Promoters decided to stop contacting me a week before the show, and didn’t send me any flight tickets, so I couldn’t go! I still haven’t had any contact from them, so, while my crack legal team cooked up an International Shitstorm,  I decided to take a few days off, and headed to one of my favourite Yorkshire hidey-holes: Robin Hood’s Bay. It’s absolutely gorgeous (most of Yorkshire is. You should totes visit, it’s lovely!)

The view from my hotel room:

I had a delicious afternoon tea…

And bought a fabulous hat.

So, now I’m back home and preparing for some exciting upcoming things. First, this Thursday I’ll be taking part in the “Catwalk For Life” at the Corn Exchange in Leeds. It’s a fashion show in aid of Cancer Research, and I’ll be wearing designs by Candy Candy.

On Saturday it’s the Missy Malone & Friends Burlesque Revue in Cheltenham. I’ll be taking my axes for this one! Missy did a TV interview about the show which you can see here. 

Then Sunday, I’m off to Shanghai! I’ll be spending a week in China, learning some martial arts techniques, in high heels. (I’m pretty excited, I can tell you!!)

Then I’ll be headed back to the UK for a couple of days filming in London for a mystery project with my knife-throwing mentor Jack Dagger. He’s amazing. I can’t wait to see what he’s got planned!!

Hope to see you soon!

Anna x

It’s been a busy week or so at Fur Laxis HQ! 

First off was the Wet Spot - the AWESOME Leeds show that - although I can’t be there as often as I’d like! - I’m privileged to be the show’s “Resident Performer”.  It’a always a fun show with incredible line-ups and the best audiences in t’world! :D

Artwork by Charlotte Thompson:

With Tom D’Lish. He has a Candyman act, but it’s not based in the film… 

The Wet Spot is run by Ryvita Von Cheese and Managed by Morning Star and Daisy Cutter. Here I am with the lovely Daisy:

It’s always fun (and creamy!) with Trixie Malicious and Fancy Chance!

So next I headed off to Istanbul - via Zurich - for a nightclub show I’d been booked for, alongside the lovely Vicky Butterfly.

Did Turkish immigration stick this rhinestone in my passport?!

Our dressing room was subterranean! 

There were a LOT of cats in Istanbul! Here are 3:

There was a little grey kitty I fell completely in love with. He looked very well cared for though, so I resisted the urge to smuggle him home!

After arriving back in the UK I zoomed over to Nottingham to the new studios of the fabulous Flashes & Lashes to shoot some cute fascinators for GG’s Pin Up Couture.  One of the fascinators had a delicious-lloking strawberry on it:

Then it was back to Zurich to perform in a private show for a lovely man’s birthday party.

Fun!

…And finally, back home to spoon with Ninja!

So now it’s time to prepare for next week’s Canada trip!

Hope to see you at a show soon! 

Anna x

Ooh! before I go, this week I saw a lovely review of the Casa Bellini show I performed in a while ago. If you’d like to have a look, you can see it here. 

Recently I’ve been doing quite a lot of behind-the-scenes bits & bobs in preparation for spring & summer’s plans, so I thought I’d show you a teeny teaser of what I’ve been getting up to. 

I’m working on two new numbers at the moment, one complicated and one more straightforward. I’m working on both costumes myself, but in a huuuuuuge step away from the norm, for *one* of the costumes I have commissioned several of the pieces to be made. It’s not the way I usually work, but I was persuaded to try it by Mr F.L. and although it was quite terrifying to hand over the designs, ideas and plans, so far the pieces I’ve started to receive are looking absolutely lovely.  I’m going to wait until each act is ready before I make a final reveal, but I’ve taken a couple of cryptic teaser photos… do you like what I have so far?!?!? 

Just in case you do fancy a show this week though, this Saturday is the awesome Wet Spot, and I will be there, “shaking my bottom” as my nan would say!

Anna x

One of the best things about my job is that I get to meet brilliant, creative people on my travels.  Last month in Ghent, I met Photographer Patrice Hornez, and I absolutely loved his style. I really do recommend you check him out! As well as photographing the show, we also had a little photoshoot in the backstage, using the amazing Jesus mural as a backdrop. Here are some of the photographs from the evening, several of which are too racy for facebook.  

With the suave George Bangeable

So, for Valentines Day 2012, I did what every good housewife shouldn’t really do, and swanned off to take my clothes off in Ghent, Belgium.

I was very well looked after by Ben and the stunning Flo, and even ate heart shaped cake!

The show was fabulous, and I met the (wonderfully-named!) George Bangable, Miss Lolly Wish, and Collette Collarette (I LOVED her “Aviatrix”!). 

With George Bangeable, photo by Patrice Hornez

I stayed in Antwerp, it’s very pretty

A little later, it was on to Strasbourg, via Paris, for the Paris Tease Revue with the fabulous crew of Anne Thropy, Charly Voodoo, Lexi Sexx, Marion Sandner and Kiki Beguin.

At the venue, I found a box of party hats in the backstage: 

…So I insisted everyone put one on.

The dinner/show ran for 2 nights, with fab audiences and a fun atmosphere.

Photo: Matphotograph

Photo: Krahzi

As I was in Strasbourg for two nights of shows, I managed to see a little of the city, it’s so pretty!

The previous week, I had been instructed by the fabulous Cherry loco to acquire a season or 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. (How did I not already know of this amazing show??!!!?)  I watched the entire Season 2 in France, often joined by my fellow performers. Here’s Kiki & I watching an episode in our jimjams.

I tried local Strasbourg speciality flammekuche. Mmmmm! 

Party!!

So what’s next? Well I’ve booked March very lightly in order to prepare for April, May and June as I will be away from home touring extensively and have a *lot* to get organised! (new show & workshop dates in Helsinki *just* added! Click here for details!)

BUT! You can catch me at the Wet Spot on the 17th this month, or in Zurich on the 27th, I’d love to see you!

Anna x

February might be the shortest month of the year, but it’s been a fun little month so far!! 

First of all: I’m thrilled to now be able to announce some new travel dates that I’m amazed I’ve been able to keep secret so far! – In April I’ll be heading to Quebec, Canada for Carnival Burlesque, and in June I will be touring six cities in Australia with the Australian Burlesque Festival. In between, I’ll also be headed to Zurich, Leeds, Torquay, Sheffield & Cheltenham.

Further details about all of these dates can be found on my website here.

This month I’ve had the opportunity to work on photoshoots with some incredible Designers and Artists. I travelled up to Newcastle (which I have a very soft spot for – I lived there for a while when I first met Mr F.L!) to meet with Trixie D’Licious to shoot for her new wig design company: Arachnia by D’Licious. I was very excited to work with the team she had arranged; Vix Tuff Photography, and Ashlea Sara Make Up Artist.  Trixie had arranged to shoot with some custom items from my favourite latex accessories Designer Arcanum Accessories, and when I saw the wig she’d made for the shoot, it blew my mind! Here are some of the resulting shots:

 The team!

I shot again for Arcanum Accessories a few days later (this time with “Jazz” Hans behind the lens, and Amy Brindley Blakey as MUA), for Arcanum’s new geisha-inspired hair accessories range. Again, I loved the accessories and the make up!

I’ve seen some rather incredible artwork this month from the hugely talented Becky Ryan - she made a drawing AND a painting!:

I did something this month that I don’t do very often – I gave a talk at the Huddersfield branch W.I. meeting…and I loved it!  The Hudderfield W.I. is a society of fun, inspiring women, and we had such a fun evening together! If you’d like to know more about the W.I. or about what we got up to together that evening, the group’s Organiser Rebecca wrote a blog about the evening here!

What else?!?! Oh yes! I (sort of) went to the seaside!! I’d been booked to perform at the Kinky & Quirky show in Torquay along with Cherry Loco, Kiki Kaboom and Daisy Stays.  It’s always a great show and this time was no different - a fantastic atmosphere, gorgeous audience and we were very well looked after by the K&Q crew. And despite only being in Torquay during the hours of darkness, Cherry, Daisy and I managed a quick, super-glam, moonlight picnic on the beach!

I’m also forever in Cherry’s debt as he introduced me to RuPaul’s Drag Race, but I’ll tell you about that in my next blog…

Over The Rainbow Cake Design had a stall at the event, and they had some incredible cakes, including tattoo designs - and they had one with my Dawnii tattoo!!!

…It was Madagascan Vanilla flavour and I can happily confirm that it was DELICIOUS!!! :D

I will be back at Kinky & Quirky for their May 31st show to open the Exmouth Festival, and I’ll be bringing my axes and The Prestige - an act I don’t perform very often at all, so it would be lovely to see you there! 

Finally, I am super-excited and honoured to have a lovely cover and feature for the fabulous Pin Curl  Magazine. 

 Hope you’re having a lovely day, see you again soon!

Anna x