Baroque to the Future Dr Sketchy's Goes Rococo

It was all powdered wigs and crinoline at the Victoria in Birmingham for Dr Sketchy's back in January. The theme was Rococo Rocks, so with 18th Century inspired images and music playing in the background we were in for an evening of baroque burlesque life drawing.

Kicking things off with Falco's Rock Me Amadeus was regular host Liberty Pink, who then went on to pose for our first drawing.

 

She was followed by Marnie Scarlet's vivid Red Queen routine, my sketch of whom won the prize for that round; a knitted (ahem) cup-cake.

Liberty Pink returned with her rendition of the Scarlet Pimpernel from the musical of the same name, before posing with stage manager Tiffany Beau.

Another elaborate wig was being sported by the next act, Kitten von Mew, complete with twinkly fairy lights and a peacock feather tail. She then went on to pose for two drawings, one of them rather 'cheeky'.

 

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

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Nothing to be embarrassed about...

Back in November (and again in January) I dropped a couple of hints about an upcoming Channel 4 programme I was going to be involved in. Candee the promoter of Dr Sketchy's Birmingham had been approached by Channel 4 and Dr Christian to ask if they could 'borrow' some artists. Candee got in touch with me and Saffron Sheare-Gare another regular attender at Dr Sketchy's Birmingham.

Well, it goes out tomorrow (Friday 18th) at 9pm on (inevitably) Channel 4. Those of you with a handy copy of the Radio Times will have guessed by now that we will be appearing on the popular medical show 'Embarrassing Bodies'.

WARNING! There may be some nudity ahead…

Luckily for the viewing public (and my modesty) you won't get to see any of my embarrassing body parts, nothing more embarrassing than me drawing a few sketches and answering a few questions.

The show's organisers Maverick TV arranged a life-drawing class featuring two male models, one with a foreskin and one without, for a piece concerning circumcision. We drew the models as host Dr Christian  asked us our opinions the rights and wrongs of circumcision, followed by a Q & A session with a series of photographs of diseased (or otherwise) penises.

Anyway, I'm posting my sketches from the day here and will be watching tomorrow with my hands over my eyes and gritted teeth.

In the meantime, I'm just hoping my part doesn't get cut…

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Desert Island Doodles - Dr Sketchy's on Paradise Island

Aloha! and welcome to Paradise Island (no, not that one ), the setting for the most recent outing for Dr Sketchy's in Birmingham. As the name implies, this instance of the burlesque anti-art life drawing class had a distinctly tropical theme, so we donned our leis and sharpened our pencils in readiness.
Making a splash with her opening number was our mermaid compère, Liberty Pink, after which we were straight in to our first model, Dani California with her balletic Bird of Paradise routine.

 

This was followed by Missy Malone, who stood for two poses.

 

Mysti Vine performed a grass-skirted hula for us.

 

And finally Liberty Pink lowered the tone a bit with her rendition of sweary Saturday Night Live  track I'm in a Boat! Reluctantly rescued from our desert island, we made our way home…

 

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

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Kapow!!! Dr Sketchy’s to the rescue!

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

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

In the meantime, Liberty Pink had returned, but this time as Hewlett and Martin‘s anti-heroine Tank Girl.

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

 

Winding things up with the last act of the evening was Marnie Scarlet as another Batman nemesis, Poison Ivy, to Space‘s The Female of the Species.

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Get the doodle bug with Dr Sketchy’s

And it’s bombs away for July’s Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham with a bevy of Beauties of the Blitz. With a World War II theme, our Field Marshall for the evening, Liberty Pink lead us into battle with a rousing rendition of Bless ‘em All. The Americans joined the fight early on with the return appearance of Mysti Vine dancing to You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile from the musical Annie (with the aid of a set of Billy-bob false gnashers, in case you’re wondering about my sketch below).

Official USO burlesque star Kitten von Mew, in RAF uniform, then entertained the troops with a round of songs including Vera Lynn‘s If I Only Had Wings and We’ll Meet Again, Why Don’t You Do Right (famously recorded by Peggy Lee, but you may remember a version by Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit) and Glenn Miller‘s Peggy the Pin-up Girl.

I shall say this only once – Liberty Pink returned in the guise of Michelle of the Resistance (from ‘Allo ‘Allo) to perform Édith Piaf‘s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

Next, Millie Dollar joined the fray (unfortunately, my notes let me down here, as I must have neglected to write down the musical accompaniment), and posed for a couple of sketches – one of which I won the prize for, a vintage Daily Herald.

Liberty Pink returned as the Andrews Sisters (well, one of them at least) performing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and posed with stage assistant Fleur du Mal for the final drawing of the evening. Peace was finally declared following Liberty Pink’s rendition of Hitler Has Only Got One Ball, complete with a General Melchett-esque moustache.

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Lions and Tigers and Dr Sketchy, oh my!

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School has returned once more to Birmingham when, back in May (oops, another slightly late post) the Carnival of Animals arrived at the Victoria. Opened by new comperé Liberty Pink with the song Les Poissons (from Disney’s The Little Mermaid).

 

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

 

Mysti Vine brought another puppet to the show with her snake-charming set based on Kaa‘s song Trust In Me from Disney’s The Jungle Book. Events were brought to a close by Liberty Pink (in yet another costume change) and her version of Tom Lehrer‘s Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. All in all, another fun show. Fellow scribbler Cathy Simpson won an elephant.

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

  

Willkommen, beinvenue, welcome to Dr Sketchy’s Berlin  

“Life is a cabaret ol’ chum so come to the Cabaret”. So sang Liza Minelli in the movie Caberet, but she could easily be referring to the recent Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School in Birmingham (previously) back in March. Titled Berlin, this time around the burlesque life-drawing class took it’s lead from the Weimar Republic-set musical and movie – a movie incidentally that I’ve never seen, although I have read Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical novel, Goodbye to Berlin upon on which it is based.

Berlin also marked the first appearance by new host Liberty Pink who welcomed us by singing Willkommen and a short pose.  Following her appearance at the previous Victoriana-themed night as Fanny Malone, Crimson Skye returned to pose again. Rounding up proceedings, and performing to another Caberet song, Money, was, unusually, male burlesque dancer Mr Mistress and a heck of a lot of glitter.

Cartoonist and illustrator Cathy Simpson joined me on the sofa at the front of the house, and I also spotted British International Comics Show organisers cartoonist Andy ‘Doodles’ Baker and comic artist James Hodgkins, both of whom won prizes for their drawings (note to self: must stop encouraging talented cartoonists to come along – I’ve not won a prize in ages). They’re apparently organising a Dr Sketchy’s event for this years BICS in October – of which more when I know it.

Dr Sketchy’s returns with Carnival of Creatures next weekend, Saturday 15th May, doors open 3.30pm at the Victoria in John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN and you can book tickets here. See you there?

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

We are amused… Dr. Sketchy’s does Victoriana

Back in January (ahem, better late than never) we stepped back in time to the nineteenth century for a taste of Victoriana at Dr Sketchy’s latest outing in Birmingham. Held, appropriately enough, at the Victoria pub, we were treated to an evening of music hall burlesque. My notes for this one were a bit patchy, unfortunately, so if I’ve missed anything out, I do apologise.

Amelie de Soleil performed a ballet-inspired routine (to the tune of a classical piece that I’m afraid I don’t know the name of). In the spirit of the music-hall tradition, our next act was Fanny Divine, sporting a rather impressive handlebar moustache and goatee and appearing as the Bearded Lady (complete with a meerschaum pipe).

Then, in a bit of a break with tradition from Dr Sketchy’s past, Fanny Malone (aka Crimson Skye) led us into a bit of an old Cockney knees-up with a few music hall songs (there were song sheets – sadly, I’ve misplaced mine).

Events were brought to a close by Red Sarah‘s strongman routine, complete with swinging spheres and a giant set of weights – and an equally impressive moustache. All in all a great night out, with a bit more variety (although, presumably in keeping with the strait-laced Victorians themselves, a bit less shedding of clothes) than the usual Dr Sketchy’s. Also in attendance this time were fellow cartoonists Cathy Simpson and Gerard ‘Ger’ Whyman. There’s even photos over on Flickr (er, including a couple of me…)

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

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Happy Birthday, Dr Sketchy's Birmingham!

It’s time to don party hats, as Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham is celebrating it’s 1st birthday! As regular readers of this blog will know by now, Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is a movement that combines burlesque cabaret and life-drawing that started in New York by comic artist Molly Crabapple in 2005.

The birthday theme proceeded with Willow Blue‘s routine, to the tune of both the traditional Happy Birthday To You and burlesque classic The Stripper, in a rather elaborate birthday cake outfit.

Suzie Sequin brought Hollywood glamour to proceedings (as she had at a previous Dr Sketchy’s), this time perfoming to Marilyn Monroe’s infamous rendition of Happy Birthday, Mr President. The final set of the night was Sherry Trifle performing, er, How to Make A Sherry Trifle (and yes, there was whipped cream…).

In between proceedings, there was Pass the Parcel, where I won my only prize of the evening (er… a knitted Swiss Roll), but the cartoonists weren’t letting the side down, as fellow scribbler (and PCO member) Cathy Simpson won two rounds (admittedly with one of my brush pens. Again). There’s also some lovely photos of the day’s proceedings (and if you look carefully enough, you might find a few of me).

So, raise a glass to Dr Sketchy’s 1st birthday, and here’s to many more… starting with the next one, Victoriana, at the Victoria (where else!) on 16th January 2010.

Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk

 

Bedtime at Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham

I have to admit to have been caught napping putting together this post about the recent Dr Sketchy’s, seeing as it happened over a month ago now. My laziness seems appropriate though, as this (ahem, last) month’s theme was the bedroom-inspired ‘Boudoir‘.

Performing to the tune Misirlou (probably best known as the music from Pulp Fiction) was Missy Malone, who sat for two poses. Prior to rushing off to film an advert for a well-known High Street bank she also took time to pick one of my sketches as her favourite.

Missy was followed by a scarlet woman – founder of Dr Sketchy’s Nottingham the appropriately crimson-clad Scarlett Daggers performed her routine with a parasol.

The last act of the evening was a fan-dance by Frankii Wilde, who posed for two drawings and then returned to pose again with Scarlett Daggers, for I which I won my second prize – a fez!

Luckily, there doesn’t appear to be any pics of me wearing the aforementioned fez in this set. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s burlesque life-drawing – and I’m looking forward with eager anticipation to next month’s first birthday bash on the 21st November at the Victoria.

 Alex Hughes http://alexhughescartoons.co.uk