Alternative Fashion Fest 1st birthday: the review

We reviewed the original Alternative Fashion Festival one whole year ago. Since then, the show has toured the country and luckily our understanding of WordPress has vastly improved too.

The AFF is a free fashion show established to raise awareness of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and encourage everybody to wear whatever the hell they want (please don’t wear a merkin, tho’).

The event took place at Circo and celebrates models from all walks of life, promoting the philosophy that fashion should be accessible to everyone and that just because a gal has sideburns and piercings doesn’t mean she can’t rock a demure floral number.

Image by Howard Wilson

The event was masterminded by former model and industry old hand Jane Bellis AKA ‘Mama Wolf’, who was sick of the cookie-cutter world of catwalks.

Jane Bellis by Howard Wilson

Jane opened the show herself by performing an entire makeover in 3 1/2 minutes live onstage.

Jane Bellis

Highlights included spoken word poetry by Lyndsay Price of Salt Water Poetry. This point at the beginning of an event is when we at BossLiv tend to zone out due to an ADHD-level attention span. But Lyndsay was creative, engaging and gorgeous, telling poignant tales of sexuality and self harm with had us snivelling into our Pornstar Martini.

Back with a proven track record of being the fiercest birds we’ve ever encountered were Jynx and Nyx of the incredible Monster Cirque with fire and freakshow acts. 

Other talented ladies included Kimmy Beatbox and burlesque performer Ariella Firecracker (and her live snake Dita).

As usual the event was packed with entertainment ranging from hula hooping to drag and the best in alternative local fashion (the latex was our fave, obv).

See you next year!

Review: Koop & Yard Bird

We hadn’t intended on checking out Koop on Bold St, formerly Chez le Coq (hur hur, Coq). Skimming over the outside menu, we exclaimed ‘£4 for a burger? We’re suspicious…’

At this precise moment, the manager burst through the door and made a passionate speech about how all food was prepared fresh on site, assuring that its quality would be second to none.

First we chose milkshakes from the extensive menu. We went for ‘The Koop’, a banana and Ferrero Rocher concoction, whilst our pal had ‘The Teaser’ made of Malteasers.

Considering we aren’t big milkshake fans, we were blown away. Every shake is made with homemade ice cream, so at £3.50 each they were reasonably priced. We also ate our first ever banana (yes, really) so it was a momentous moment we will cherish for our autobiography.

We both went for the ‘Dust up’ burger, having been reassured that a portion of fries would be plenty between us.

Although the fries were fab, the staff hadn’t anticipated the size of our lard arses. This £4 burger may not be as substantial as the more attention-seeking £8 masterpieces on the block, but if you’re only after a quick lunch this’ll do the trick. Otherwise, get a couple of sides to fill you right up. If we went back we’d probably swap the burger for a wrap, too.

It’s also worth noting that their speciality is chicken wings, so they’re surely a good bet if you pop in. Boned or filleted, they come in a selection of seasoning ranging from garlic & parmesan to Oriental Express.

There’s also a good selection of vegetarian options and the sweet potato and organic quinoa salad looks pretty snazzy.

What we probably should have ordered

Now, our plan was to wander around the city with full bellies and a thirst for adventure. However, by the time we reached the Bombed Out Church we were still peckish. Having had a boss previous experience, we headed to Yard Bird on Berry St.

We’ve had the Salt n Peppa ‘chips n gravy’ (large, £4) before and they’re unreal. Like, sososo good and the portion size is plenty to share. The gravy is out of this world and the chips have just the right amount of kick.

And then there was the chocolate peanut butter donut, just to make sure we really were full. We were devastated they’d run out of the grapefruit, Campari and lemon zest option, but ours was warm and sticky, just the way a fresh donut should be.

There are some other interesting options on the menu, like the Buffalo fried Cauliflower florets with blue cheese (£3.50). The red cabbage, raisin and pine nut slaw (£2 small) sounds to die for, and there’s also fried chicken with biscuits & gravy (£7) which we’re keen to try so we can establish what the heeellacious an American biscuit is, finally.

You can check out the entire menu here.

As it was, our bellies were too full for an adventure, but we sure did enjoy our food comas.

Murder mystery week at Fonseca’s

When: 8th and 9th of July

Where: Fonseca’s, Stanley St

How much: £29.95pp

 Set in prohibition Liverpool, the biggest mobster in town is quietly murdered in  Fonseca’s basement. Over the duration of a three course meal, guests are dared to solve the mystery whilst also looking fabulous having embraced the gangster and moll theme.

The event is a join venture between local comedy legends the Legion of Doom who recently parted ways in pursuit of their respective alter egos: Rob Bond as teller of terrifying tales Thaddeus Bent, and Lee Hithersay as Terry Arlarse, Liverpool’s most eloquent scally.

The Legion of Doom by AB Photography

Completing the threesome is world renowned burlesque artist  Velma Von Bon Bon AKA Gemma Bond who is glamorous, hilarious and smoking hot in equal measures.

Guests will receive a “bathtub” gin on arrival, which hopefully means a bathtub full of gin and Velma the Legion of Doom boys in it.

Then you’ll be fed on a 1920s inspired speakeasy menu consisting of crab croquettes with spicy dipping sauce, chicken à la king with noodles and sourdough, and “peaches and cream”.

 Just so we’re clear – BossLiv hasn’t been asked to endorse this venture. We’ve learned for ourselves that Fonseca’s is a sound venue serving boss food (they even made vegan scran not seem terrible for a pal’s wedding).

 We also believe that the performers are top notch. In fact, they’re so good at what they do, another mate got star struck in Café Nero and uttered in awe, ‘it’s Thaddeus Bent’.

 Basically, you aren’t going to find a better murder mystery short of hosting your own dinner party and slipping something into the “peaches and cream” yourself.

 To book email danielle@delifonseca.co.uk or call 01512550808. G’wed.

 

Afternoon Tease

There’s a magical secret garden in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Where, you ask? In the back room of legendary arts caff 81 Renshaw, of course!

Technically it’s the remnants of burlesque performer Little Peaches‘ wedding party, but the Jazzesque troupe wasted no time adopting it as their rehearsal space. There’s something lovely about getting your kit off with grass beneath your toes, isn’t there?

Afternoon Tease is a spin-off of the Burlesque & Bubbly package, hosted by Rachael Mellor.

After learning the art of tease, guests can enjoy afternoon tea come rain or shine with dinky sandwiches and homemade cakes (vegan options available for the hipster brigade).

There’s also the option to upgrade to a glass of fizz or even a cocktail in a teapot. How very quaint, daaahhling!

Starting at £32.50 per head, Afternoon Tease is perfect for hen parties, birthdays or just a catch up with the girls.

To book email  Rachaelmellordance@outlook.com.

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Circus – Jungle Fever!

When: Thursday, 7th July

Where: Studio 2, Parr St

How much: £5

As you should know by now, The Secret Circus is our absolute favourite event in the city. A monthly pick ‘n’ mix of the best entertainment Liverpool has to offer, it’s so much more than a cabaret thanks to organisers/hosts Chanel and Eve who are a scream in their own right.

The Secret Circus is so great, word of it has literally transcended oceans – the show has not only made its way to London, it has even been on its jollies to Los Angeles!

Eve & Chanel

On Thursday the Circus comes one last time to Liverpool before taking the show on the road over summer to the Edinburgh Fringe.

This month’s theme is Jungle Fever, and guests can expect animal burlesque (x 4. 4!!!), comedy, magic, story, blockhead, music, poetry/character and dance.

Scarlett Adelaide really, really likes rabbits (hur hur). Compulsory shout out to her baby Heisenberg!

In keeping with the season of getting your kit off there’s even more burlesque than usual which suits us just fine, thank you very much. We aren’t sure what a blockhead is, but with a performer named Smashlyn Monroe we’re already content.

Fancy dress is encouraged (even the raccoon tail butt plug is fine, probably).

See you there!

The Death and Resurrection of Sign Painting

Before you keep scrolling, let us tell you our fave thing about Dave  Wakely: he has a coffin in his bedroom.

Primarily an artist, Dave is a sign painter striving to bring the home made back to our high streets in an era of £world and Home & Bargain. We can’t say we’d ever thought about signage much before meeting Dave, but the man has a point. Since the 1980s when the first self-adhesive vinyl cutters arrived from the US, our high streets have become saturated by cheap and uniform plastic signage that A) looks rubbish and B) looks even more rubbish after a couple of years.

There’s something quaint and sweet in knowing someone has put love and effort into creating something visually pleasing for the customer. Even if the calligraphy isn’t perfect – check out the Egg’s own sandwich board – every time we see that hand drawn logo we feel warm and fuzzy.

Bringing a contemporary edge to traditional principles that is befitting of the resurging appeal of traditional trade skills such as sign painting, Dave is on a mission to recreate the beautiful high street aesthetic that was so widespread in the first part of the 20th century. And of course, being of the post modern era as we are, he can also bring that cool look into your home. Check out his latest door:

‘I love painting doors, they’re portals to another dimension, or the kitchen, same difference.’

His work will be exhibited in our fave bohemian hangout The Egg until May 16th, and it’s proper boss – customers were dead impressed when we went for a look. There’s even a Bowie homage which wouldn’t look out of place in the Jacaranda:

Having practised art in South Wales a lot of his work is inspired by the Welsh culture and language (Wales has a language! That real Welsh people speak! Didn’t know the BossLiv writer is actually Welsh, did ya?) therefore we particularly dig his work.

Occupation Daydreamer 

 

Curses / Poison is the Dose

Here’s one he dedicated to his marshmallow-loving female:

And just a couple more, ‘cos we couldn’t choose…

Giddy: An Allegory 

Dr. Timothy Leary, Lonely Hearts  (with Special K)

So, get yourselves over there for Liverpool’s second-best cheese on toast (you’re welcome, the Brink) and a gander at Dave’s work. You can commission him to paint pretty much anything, even the lyrics for In Too Deep on your very own coffin.

 

 

Sleepout in the Cathedral

When: Saturday 2nd April

Where: Anglican Cathedral

Registration fee: £5 per person

The Whitechapel Centre, Liverpool’s leading homeless charity, and Liverpool Cathedral, an iconic landmark that tourists and Scousers alike use to pee in, have come together to realise a dream of a Sleepout in the Cathedral.

It’s worth noting before anything that this event is geared primarily towards kids, who are often more generous than adults so it’s good to start them young. We got dead excited and might have looked suspicious sleeping in a sea of kids.

The event’s aim is to put an end to homelessness by emulating the conditions a person might endure without a warm, cosy bed. It will be an educational experience for kids, and a humbling one for adults – it’ll put the priesthood off kids for life.

Fundraising also contributes to repairing the cathedral roof, which was clever of the Powers That Be (not God, he’s boss). To put it poetically: it’s about promoting the homeless people who don’t have a roof over their heads, and making sure the church keeps one over theirs.

By Marc Carline

Much like the St George’s Hall catacomb tours, this is a rare opportunity to see an iconic Liverpool building in a different context. When are you gonna kip alongside dead priests again?

Considering the amazing ways they’ve used the space before, we expect a super sized lullaby light show and nothing less:

There’s also a competition to build the best den which is SOOOO cool, so don’t forget cardboard and whatnot.

Small humans must be accompanied by a responsible adult who is suitably appalled at the thought of sleeping with kids. You should bring: sleeping equipment (Ambien), jammies, scran and a puzzle. It’s recommended you don’t bring valuables, because you can’t trust priests.

By Scousepirational

Despite our scepticism a sleepout in the cathedral would make a cracking family experience, although parents will probably want to crack their skulls against a font by 2am. It’s also a great opportunity to get back to basics by leaving technology at home and making new chums/finding God.

By Scousepirational 

The priest or whoever is in charge recommends everybody raise at least £50. For motivation, there will be a prize for the individual and the group who raises the most money: they will be taken up the rectory better fuckin’ not be given a Bible.

Click here to register.

The Catacombs of Liverpool’s Darkest History at St George’s Hall – The Gangs of Victorian Liverpool

When: Saturday 27th February – Thursday 03rd March

How much: £15

On Monday night we were invited to a press viewing of ‘The Catacombs of Liverpool’s Darkest History’, the latest in a series of historical tours by Lovehistory of the catacombs beneath St George’s Hall.

However, just because there were pitted olives (pitted!) and alcohol on offer we won’t lie about whether it was bollocks.

Re-opened in 2012 after more than a century’s silence, the catacombs give a glimpse into the savage and lawless world of Victorian Liverpool which sounds a lot like Concert Square on a Saturday.

Samantha Walton having a barney with Lois Crawford

There’s the city’s gangs who spread violence around the likes of Scotland Road, many of whom just seem to get beaten up a lot.

Then there’s the true story of 13  year old Michael Burns, beaten to death by young gobshites on Christmas Eve 1883. 

And if you were enough of a divvy to get caught, you were brought before the judge in St George’s spectacular court; a proper one, not like off The Bill. Then you were chucked in a tiny cell still bigger than our bedroom in L1 – basically forever – or  possibly condemned to death (we were distracted by the actor’s synthetic green undies).

To be honest, Victorian Liverpool wasn’t THAT unlike 21st century Liverpool. There are still posh twats, whilst poverty forces people into hooking or robbing, and you might still get battered at the reduced section in Tesco.

We would have been made up to see a little more of the catacombs, and hopefully the stray Drench bottles will have been cleared before the public gets let loose in Victorian Liverpool. But it’s fascinating to see a darker side to Liverpool’s second-most celebrated building ( Eat4Less will rule throughout the ages).

A cross between Shiverpool and urbexing, ‘The Catacombs of Liverpool’s Darkest History’ is a boss way of straying from the beaten track and learning about Liverpool’s history beyond the Beatles, cos y’know, it did exist before then.

Tickets and further info can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burlesque & Bubbly

Burlesque & Bubbly is your tasteful alternative to the conventional hen party, all powder pink and rosé champagne to match your lipstick. Rather than just getting trashed, it’s an opportunity to learn flirty techniques, shake your tail feathers and become a strong empowered woman who don’t need no man (unless you’re the bride to be – don’t dump him on our account).

Hosted by professional dancer/nutcase Rachael Mellor and based in Fonseca’s at the heart of gay town on Stanley St, it’s apt that her sessions should be sign posted with a rainbow.

Guests are encouraged to dress up in all their Ann Summers finery (not the crotchless pants) and will inevitably flap about tightening corsets (‘TIGHTER!!!’) and applying more of just about everything. It felt a bit like the girly sleepover we never had because nobody wanted to be our mate, and many bosoms were squeezed in admiration.

The event is tucked away in a cosy curtained basement away from prying eyes. After being greeted with a glass of fizz the hens prepare a special sentimental keepsake for the bride. Then it’s on to an activity to devise your own sassy burlesque persona involving the name of a first pet (ours was a cat called Ben so it didn’t really work).

The dance lesson involves learning five key burlesque techniques which are incorporated into a routine in which the bride takes centre stage. The song comes from the film Burlesque and the routine is simple, but champagne makes most people tipsy so they won’t notice you being crap anyway.

Rachael and our gorgeous Aussie bride Barbie Von Possum who definitely should have been named Kylie Down Under.

Afterwards hens receive three glasses of wine each, and the opportunity to play with Rachael’s box of props so Facebook can see just how fit you can be and why on earth didn’t they see it before?

We’d never been to a hen party before and literally lower our voice when uttering the word ‘penis’, so the thought of willy straws, willy piñatas and probably an actual well-oiled willy had us a bit scared.

However, it’s a lovely alternative to the traditional hen do. Burlesque & Bubbly provides a safe environment to explore your sexuality away from the prying eyes of strange men, except for barman Niall who’s a bit strange in that he wasn’t paying us any attention. Gobshite.

It also isn’t strictly for hen parties. Finally turning 18 or 80? Just want to get together with the girls? Divorce finalised? It’s all good – various styles and themes are adaptable to your shindig.

Regular readers already know our take on burlesque; it’s not about what flesh you’re flashing, but what you aren’t. It’s about expressing another side to your personality through narrative and costume, and propping other women up with admiration and encouragement. It’s about being proud to expose your vulnerabilities.

Rachael also runs weekly Jazz-Esque classes which fuse jazz routines and burlesque techniques. She’s a boss teacher and we’ve grown to consider her a close pal. She recognises that it’s all in good fun; that we aren’t all trained dancers and some people aren’t comfortable getting their knockers out (although we personally do it given any opportunity). Beginners classes start in March.

Easy going and an all-round good egg, Rachael is supportive even when you’re rubbish and always has a massive grin. We know we’re biased, but Burlesque & Bubbly is a genuinely lovely event. There’s no penis paraphernalia in sight, and you might even learn a few moves to impress potential roosters. You’re guaranteed a clucking good time (sorry).

Photography by Mina Bihi

 

Meet our Jazzesque sisters!

We’ve been part of the Liverpool-based Jazzesque troupe for around a year now. A fusion of jazz and burlesque dance, we have performed at various variety and burlesque events including the Secret Circus and Spare Rib.

Now there’s little more than a week to go until we give our take on the Postmodern Jukebox cover of Seven Nation Army, and most of us go down to tassels for the first time! Come see us kick off the Valentine’s festivities at The Secret Circus on February 13th, 9pm. Get down early for a seat!

Then in March there’s not one but TWO performances at Threshold Festival, and in June a showcase of all our work including debut solos.

Time you found out who the birds behind the boobs are, no?

 Scarlett Adelaide

Meet Scarlett Adelaide, AKA Mandy. Scarlett represents her most notable, asset whilst Adelaide was the Christian name of her great aunt, also a dancer in the 40s.

An optical assistant, Mandy is the one who makes you stare at the hot air balloon then blows in your face like the monster she is and has heard her fair share of jokes about blowing old geezers in the dark.

Mandy is also an experienced alt model and has done shoots ranging from latex to pin-up for the likes of Lindy’s Boutique.

She has the sweetest, softest Scouse accent we’ve ever heard and almost makes wools sound sexy.

She loves a good rabbit (not that kind, ya filthy animals) and her big-eared baby is called Heisenberg. Her confidence has grown so much over the past months and we can’t wait for her Jessica Rabbit inspired act!

Zoe LaSparkle 

Meet our little French Fancy! Justine, i.e. Zoe LaSparkle studied English at the University of Leeds, and was so good at it she never left the country.

Now a background actress, her latest project was Peaky Blinders.

Animal lover Justine also dabbles in photography and probably enjoys the Eiffel Tower (not to be confused with being Eiffel Towered) and baguettes.

Little Peaches

Meet Little Peaches, all the way from Down Under.

Model and burlesque performer Kairi trained and competed as an Irish dancer after seeing a display on St Paddy’s Day when she was five (Aus has a decent scene – who knew?)

This talented possum has designed and made costumes, sets and props for theatre and film since the age of 16 and a film she made costumes for was actually short listed for the Cannes Film Festival.

She even makes steel-boned corsets, so no worries if she ever loses the model bod!

A serious medical diagnosis encouraged her to grip life by the bollocks and sign up for burlesque classes.

She got her start in the The Silk Stockings, an Aussie burlesque troupe. She was known as the clumsy awkward one and once kicked a shoe into someone’s dinner – they thought it was part of the act and lapped it up.

One of her most notable career moments involves being the support act for world renowned DJ Freq Nasty; she and a fellow dancer performed a duo in mud from a nearby croc infested swamp – our Kairi is dead exotic.

In her spare time you’ll find her scouring Camden market, often wearing her own reworked vintage outfits.

She’s allergic to practically everything, including latex (soz boys).

No, she doesn’t know Kylie.

Kairi is cute as a button and we’re happy she’s our neighbour (practically), and life will be a little less peachy when she goes away to become a henna artist and wife in Brighton after a whirlwind romance. Phew!

Sassy Violette

Sassy Violette is a long time party girl and can-can queen. The phrase YOLO was probably invented for Teena, an ex punk rocker who had a full mohawk before shaving it off entirely and still wears a Levi’s 501 jacket she’s owned since 1981.

She started playing rugby aged 47 and loves her snowboarding but has yet to gain a certificate because she’s not so good at it. She’s set her house on fire twice and now has her eye on learning to fire dance. Her greatest ambition is to see the Aurora Borealis and she’ll never leave the house without factor 50 on her face (ginger person probs).

Our Teena has seen it all so is a wise but young at heart owl, although if any of us were gonna end up in jail we reckon it would still be her. However, she’s a right good egg and recently popped down to Calais to help those folks in need – nice one Teena!

Venus Von Trix

Venus Von Trix AKA Lydia is an actor, dancer and performance artist who loves to create and devise new material, collaborating recently with Paperwork Theatre company to create Shortcut to Bliss.

A free spirit with a chaotic past, she’s ‘just tumbling through this amazing and overwhelming journey of self discovery’.

She has a long haired ginger Chihuahua called Coco and thinks men look fabulous in guyliner and glitter. She has a rubber fetish and loves latex.

In March she’ll be running 10k obstacle race Chain Runner whilst chained to another runner and then to work American summer camp.

When there’s time she loves to bake and make jams/pickles.

She loves nature and being outdoors away from the madness, it soothes the introvert in her.

She doesn’t really sit still and is a member of Fight Club, shhhh.

Venus has an intergalactic feel, living with captain Kronos somewhere between a black hole and the Andromeda galaxy. Venus is forever shaking her pulsar nipple tassels, bringing a little sparkle to dark matter!

Alex Spragg

Alex, or Spraggs, is like Courtney Love’s better looking sister and from BOLTON!!! Yay!! (Nope there’s no way to make that sound good, sorry.)

A politics student who now hates politics, she did a year at the University of Bristol but wasn’t impressed by the cast of Made in Chelsea swanning about.

She loves cheese, punk and thinks 2pm in an early morning. Our favourite memory involves us trying to awaken the spirits with an Ouija board and Spraggs being quite socially awkward with it.

Lula Limonada

Welsh girl Lula loves glitter and has never been sexually attracted to a sheep.

Leather Lacey 

Pint-sized Jemima is the youngest member of our troop. The name Leather Lacey is inspired by a Stevie Nicks song, so she has pretty good taste considering she’d be forgiven for still liking 1D.

She loves mod fashion and Fred Perry, funk, every kind of tea and fringes, so her fave pinup is obv Bette Paige.

Her entire house is pinup themed with a rockabilly style kitchen diner.

She says ‘fabulous’ and ‘snazzy’ far too much, although she is both fabulous and snazzy so gets away with it.

Her modelling alter ego is Jacky Daniels.

She loves a drop of gin, probably because she hasn’t had enough time for a bad experience.

Alluring Alice

Ally the model by day, Alluring Alice who’ll take you to Wonderland by night.

You’ll often find Ally strutting about on stilts and covered from head to toe in body paint at events.

Ruby Von Strudel

Nicola is one of our newest recruits. She studied Creative & Performing Arts at university and it was there she began researching burlesque purely for her own needs as opposed to an assignment set by a subject tutor/lecturer after coming across it while studying dance and choreography in my first unit.

 More interested in researching burlesque than an assignment set by a tutor, she became fascinated having watched Dita Von Teese’s martini glass routine online.

She watched a burlesque show at the Bluecoat staged as part of Dadafest, a festival run by those with disabilities. It included Diva Hollywood who began performing 10 years ago after being diagnosed with MS, and she became well & truly bitten by the burlesque bug.

She came across Jazz-Esque and Ruby Von Strudel was born. Dealing with issues about body confidence and self-esteem via counselling, she credits Jazzesque for making a significant contribution. She herself is the Group Facilitator for a self-injury support group.

Her burlesque inspirations include Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Lady of Burlesque’ and Marilyn Monroe in ‘Ladies of the Chorus’.

Meg McFarlane

Meg LOVES the forties when all that good stuff like Slinkys and WW2 happened.

On the subject of the forties, did you know rationing laws ordered the trimming of beachwear fabric by 10 percent, so designers introduced two-piece suits that exposed the midriff but covered the navel. Although the shrinking swimsuits were controversial among mainstream Americans, starlets and beach vacationing teenagers embraced the original version of the bikini.

Meg is an actor but prefers directing because she’s really quite bossy (her words not ours). She swears like a sailor but only because she’s so passionate about things/lacks self control.

She’s a film geek with a quote for every situation, especially Tarantino’s because most of them are full of swearing.

She loves dancing although her body disagrees.

‘In my head I’m like ginger Rogers. ..the outside just isn’t the case.’ Shut up Meg.

Ferrero Rochelle

Rachael is our teacher and reminds us of a demented fairy.

Graduating with a degree in Dance Drama and Physical Theatre, she pursued a career in all three arts forms; ranging from touring pantomimes, dance shows covering a range of styles, and educational children’s theatre.

Ferrero Rochelle is both a performer and a choreographer. She runs her own company Rachael Mellor Dance, first and foremost teaching Jazz-Esque to “a wonderful and inspiring group of women” (aw, we know).

She has big plans for the dance troop this year as well as beginners classes for anyone who wants to be part of the fabulous Jazz-Esque gang.

Then there’s the contemporary dance where girls probably let out their inner Bush (Kate! You are just filthy today!), first wedding dances and hen parties.

Besides all that, she’s a film and television background actress and hosts princess parties as Elsa and was an entertainment host on the Disney Cruise Line. WHY wasn’t Elsa around to drown yet?

She also cooks a mean breakfast at 81 Renshaw (please only stalk if you plan on killing Elsa).

She loves a good flapper dress, Audrey and Marilyn.

And here are some retired sisters that we all miss…

Naffrodite

Nobody quite knows who Naffrodite is. Reverse drag queen? Oedepian Freudian Frankenstein? Hostess of Romantic Horrors?

We tend to think of Frankii as one of the “movers and shakers” of Liverpool who has her mitts in many pots. She’s a compère and singer, hair stylist and performance artist, life model and event organiser.

Last year she shaved her head in aid of CALM in memory of a pal.

Jacqui Bevington

What we love most about Jacqui is she’ll try absolutely everything once, be it burlesque or drum circles or fire dancing. It just isn’t the same without her.

Kayleigh Jayde

It was short lived but we still consider her a sister. Good luck with your contemporary dancing!

Selina Dunne

Selina is a proud mumma but also a twin, and we still hold out hope they’ll do a Cheeky Girls duet.

If you’re keen on shaking your tail feathers contact Rachael Mellor Dance for info on her new intake of beginner dancers starting March!