The Blitz Party: D-Day anniversary special

The Blitz Party is without a doubt one of London’s best themed parties. Set in 1940 with an of-the-era dress code it’s one of London’s most popular vintage and re-enactment events and it’s not hard to see why. Held either at New Inn Yard or Shoreditch Studios, decked out as a war-time shelter with sand bags, bunting, flags and 40s posters, as well as some other fantastic props, the Blitz Party feels like stepping back in time as soon as you enter the building.

As the evening develops the Blitz Party gives you more of the best 40s glamour and revelry. Swing bands and some sultry jazz capture spirit and determination, enticing people to show off some of their best swing on the dance floor, or to have a go for the first time. The bars serve cocktails and other drinks chosen for the era; from the Champaign topped ‘The Blitz’, to ‘Ginger Daises’ and whiskey-soaked ‘Screaming Hudsons’, they’re delicious, so it’s easy to have one too many.

I love the Blitz party and was lucky enough to be invited along to review their D-Day special to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings, and was looked after by the lovely Rosie and Anna. This month’s party was really something special, with some fantastic bands, including Ta Mère, playing as well as dancers from Swing Patrol getting the party going.

The Blitz Party’s fantastic venue took over New Inn Yard and had two stages, a swing dance room, bars, film room and especially for this night a Routemaster on display and a hospital tent serving food and refreshments accessed by a temporary staircase over a wall, which somehow made it feel like entering a base. It took me a while to get a good look around all the rooms, it really was something special.

Of the vintage events I’ve attended in London the Blitz Party is also one where people put the most effort and pride into their outfits. With costumes from soldiers to land girls to high flying pilots.

People come out in imaginative costumes and their very best vintage filling the room with dresses, uniforms, hats, seamed stockings and the bright red lipstick that was so popular in the 40s.

Party-goers Hester, Alex, Mel, Sophie, Lucy and Ming, pictured above, had spent their day preparing for the Blitz Party! Taking a trip to Columbia Road to have their hair and make-up styled into victory rolls and other 40s fashions by the Powderpuff Girls who were fully booked for the day with other people getting ready, Hester said that taking a trip to the Powderpuff Girls had made the day even more special, really looking after them and making them feel glamorous.

The Blitz Party is also a good opportunity for the gentlemen to get dressed up, there’s less really good vintage out there for the boys than there is for the girls which is a shame. But out at the Blitz Party I was able to pick up a couple of recommendations from the soldiers, pilots and sailors around the room (lucky me).  Cambridge Army and Navy Stores scoring a couple of great costumes, with the really dedicated picking up extra accessories from online shop The History Bunker. Others hired uniforms from costume stores across London. Uniforms aside plenty came dressed in 40s style clothing, as engineers and even spivs.

The Blitz Party celebrates the community spirit of 1940 and the resilience and determination people had not to be beaten, to enjoy themselves and provide enjoyment for others during one of the most devastating attacks on civilians that England has experienced. I think it is this spirit that attracts so many different people to the event, which regularly sells out and draws a really lovely crowd. A great night out if you love vintage, like role play, re-enactment or just enjoy something different.

To find out when the next event is check out the website www.theblitzparty.com

Tickets are usually £20, with early bird tickets for £15

Amber Butchart and Nisha Thirkell are first AKA the Broken Hearts are DJ extraordinaires who met working at the hub of many a vintage seeker’s shopping sprees: Beyond Retro.

Their DJing covers music from way back to the birth of swing to the crispest of modern adaptations, moving back and forth between lindyhop, balboa and shag to neo-swing and electro-swing creating what makes simultaneously a vintage collection to die for and the freshest of sets.

Amber and Nisha have created DJ sets for shows across Europe and in the US and bespoke soundtracks, play-lists and compilations for the likes of The British Film Institute, the British Fashion Council, Lulu Guinness, Magnum, and Hendricks Gin. Broken Hearts also run a fashion and style blog, have created silent movie soundtracks, recorded songs using a live tap dancer, starred in their own music video as vaudevillian magicians and design clothes for Beyond the Valley. Their circus stylings and vintage expertise makes them an effervescent, eccentric presence in the vintage community, even within this uniquely styled community; the Broken Hearts really stand out.

The latest offering from Broken Hearts is their brand new show Peppermint Candy, which launched on Jazz FM, on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. Amber and Nisha say “Swing is a constant source of inspiration for us – a music and dance born out of tough times, which has given rise to a rich culture very much alive today.  Our first DJ sets were at Speakeasy-style parties so we’re really excited to bring this type of music to a wider audience. There’s a thriving contemporary scene and our radio show will immerse listeners in the whole culture; music, dancing and style.”

Peppermint Candy’s motto ‘Swing is not just a Dance, it’s a way of life’ couldn’t be more perfect, as a Jazz and Swing specialist show they’re bringing new life to the genre, giving some much needed love and attention and some pepping up and branching out that’s jazzed-out bliss for lovers of swing and newcomers alike.

The show is bursting with variety, covering not only music, but the ancestry and legacies of swing stars and influences, culture, style and fashion. Their show included tracks from the greats such as Louis Prima and Jelly Role Morton and featured artists you may not have heard of but certainly will love, such as Carmen Maria Vega’s gutsy brand of swing and Nick Hollywood, one of the pioneers of electro-swing.

Peppermint Candy is supported online with a regular blog and a weekly style and fashion guide. Their finely crafted playlist displayed real knowledge of the original era and its influences right up to present hits and show a labour of love that promises a fantastic show from here on in. I’ll be listening on Thursday, and if you don’t have a radio to get Jazz FM, you can catch their show online from their page on the Jazz FM site.

I can’t praise this show enough, so you’ll have to tune in, turn up and get down.

Peppermint Candy airs on Thursdays from 6-7 pm

Jazz FM can be heard nationally on DAB and online globally at www.jazzfm.com

A Smashed Up Soiree Christmas Special! Saturday 18th December 2010

Kick off Christmas in style with a traditional country house party with all the trimmings. You will be treated to cabaret and magic performances, live bands and DJs, vintage visual installations and the all important Smashed Up dressing up box. Our lovely guests of honour Helen and Tom will be celebrating their birthdays in true smashed up style – a party not to be missed!!

Massive smashed up tunes will be played all night by expert DJs such that songs have no gaps between them!

Why not make this a Christmas Party to remember and get there early for magic shows and a delicious hog roast!!

Also early in the evening we are very lucky to have the talented Mr Tony ‘Fingers’ Pearson on the piano in the downstairs bar for a classic sing-a-long including wartime medley favourites – song books provided.

Special hair and make up packages will be available from the lovely Lipstick and Curls ladies.

DRESS CODE:
Country house party style (think dicky bows, stoles, wellies, feathers, tweed, plus fours, satin, pearls and stiff upper lips) with extra points for a Christmas twist.

DIRECTIONS:
The Duchess is opposite Battersea Power Station on Battersea Park Road. The nearest transport is Battersea Park rail, Vauxhall rail and tube or the number 156 and 344 (24 hour) bus.

TICKETS:
Get on the list with a £8 donation here. Tickets are £10 on the door.

All profits will go to a registered charity chosen by the winner of the Best Dressed competition.

You are specially invited to go back in time to the glamorous 1920′s – 30′s Soho Speakeasy with original Swing music of the era, with the best Swing bands and DJ’s in the UK at the Sexiest Swing venue in town!

Dust off your hottest Flapper and Dapper wear and evoke the spirit of the Harlem renaissance in the salubrious surroundings of Floridita, in the heart of London’s West End and experience a 1920′s style with a 21st Century twist.

The evening events will be hosted by:-
Hostess Duchess, with suave songs , plus an Edith Piaf style performance as well as…

A scintillating line up including:

Zen Hussies – Upbeat Swing Ska Boogaloo
Nick Hollywood – Vintage Vinyl ‘White Mink : Black Cotton’ Set
Don Dapper House Band – Swingtastic Vintage
Hostess Duchess – Vaudeville performance
Carnivalesque DJs – Contemporary Vintage

Doors: 18:00 – Full menu (bookings available) & music till late…
Show time: 19:30 – 00:00am
Venue: Floridita, 100 Wardour St., Soho, London, W1F 0TN
Cost: £8 – ADV/Vintage Dress/Members (www.dondappers.com) or £12 – on the door

Enjoy: Legendary long tall Don Dappery on ice.

Tickets available from: Venue or Online or on the Floridita website

Info: 01273 766 626