Do It Yourself!

It's nearly 5am, my nose is stuffed up again - my second go-round of cold in three weeks. It's not surprising though after a big weekend with three gigs in three days.
Friday and Saturday were a culmination of nearly a year's work by Debbie and I - we are The Pinot Sisters, Gris and Noir, and The Great DIY Burleskiwi is the annual event we produce, along with the bi-monthly Time Travel Cabaret.
Friday night was the Duos show - I love the dynamics of two performers on stage together! Saturday night was the Solos show.
Contestants are allowed a very small budget - $100 for solos and $175 for Duos. They can borrow one item, use one existing item, but otherwise from the skin out, that's it! It has to include shoes, underwear, overwear, head pieces, the works! The winner gets a sash in great DIY kiwi fashion, this time it was made from a Swan-dri, and a crown made from #8 fencing wire. It is such a clever idea and I was chuffed that Debbie asked me to co-produce it this year, as well as Emcee.

Debbie and I with Solos winner, Pixie Twist from Glamilton. Pixie and her partner Mr B Frank won the Duos as well, as Frank N Twist. They are a fantastic stage act!

Nonsense to What's New Pussycat

I love this photo - I look like some kind of crested pink poultry! 

On Sunday afternoon I sang at a fundraiser for Outerspaces, an organisation devoted to supporting LGBTQI+ youth, held in honour of V Burns, a much loved and missed lady who devoted her life to supporting the community, and who passed away later that same day. It was a beautiful event, hundreds of people come together to celebrate life, cry, laugh, and remember her indomitable spirit. RIP you beautiful diamond.

The Women in my Living Room

I love collecting pieces of Art that represent and celebrate women in all their diversity. In my home I get to filter out all the depressing cookie cutter imagery we are usually bombarded with -curating for women that inspire me, and that I get to relate to. And I will keep building my collection too.
Here are some examples from my living room.

This is  Christmas card my darling friend Adele sent me a couple of years ago. I had it framed. It says everything about us both that we love! (we both adore fruitcake too)

I've owned this limited edition casting for nearly 20 years. I love that she is an angel, she is shapely but powerful and has SO much attitude!

I have such a soft spot for Our Lady. I deliberately ignore all the tosh that is talked about her. I see her as an enduring image of the female aspect of God. And I love the art that is made of her, especially in Mexico. This lamp delights me and lights me. And I did make it. It's not wonky, it's just the photo.

This painting is really big - about 55x65cm. I bought it off the wall at a cafe in Christchurch - the artist's work didn't really light me up but this painting was different. I adore the richness of colour, the light, her voluptuousness. The frame really set it off.

I found out soon after that it was a copy of this painting by Tamara de Lempicka, of her lover - the Beautiful Rafaela. I actually love my version better, for its deep colours and more accentuated voluptuousness.

   

There are no idealised beauties in my home that I cannot relate to!