Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

The title of this post is a rhetorical question, a song by Rod Stewart, and, most importantly, the name of the Pinkies' social organized by the altos. In the last couple of years the Pinkies' socials have become one of the highlights of the season, usually revolving around a lot of singing. As the choir gets bigger, it is also a great chance to get to know people in other sections as well.

The altos social was no different, but whoever came up with last night's theme deserves an award. I mean, who would have thought a village fête, replete with game stalls and home-cooked food the W.I. would be proud of, would meld so well with karaoke at the downstairs bar of the Black Cap? I had a blast!

To be honest, I nearly didn't make it. Stepping out the front door at work at about a quarter past eight I was greeted with a drenching rain, and I very nearly cycled home. Then I reminded myself how much fun the last few events have been and made the trek up to Camden. Yes, I was soaked by the time I got there, but the party was in full swing when I arrived. I got myself a beer from behind the bar, picked up some of Rachel's mum's flapjacks (so good I ended up buying three!), and a bottle of Claire A's jam. She's been slaving over the stove for the last few days, so you just know it is going to be good!

After that I decided to play a few games like pin-the-member - very much like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, but with an alternate appendage - and a knock-the-dildo-off-the-perch. Jo C was in her special carnie outfit, and despite having launched about a dozen balls at the dildo it refused to tip over. I was convinced it was stuck down to the stool with blu-tack, until Amy proudly showed me the food hamper she had won. Hmmm. I could say something about her in depth knowledge of such toys, but that would just be rude.

The highlight of the evening, of course, was the karaoke. And it was a chance for members of the choir to strut their stuff. Everyone had a chance. Stand outs for me were Mark and Rachel's Copacabana which, with its five minute instrumental, turned into a conga line around the bar, and Nathalina's rock-chick version of The Winner Takes It All. Even Mladen got on stage! I was really glad to see some of the relative newbies take to the stage as well, with Daniel singing and Lou performing Freedom to a boogieing crowd. This Pink Insider even got on stage with the marvellous Gill P to perform My Baby Just Cares For Me. I think this is actually the first time I have ever gone up to stage to karaoke, so a big thanks to Gill for egging me on!

In the end it was a fabulous evening and I had a really great time. The money raised goes to helping the Pink Singers on their overseas trips, and we have a number coming up including one to Paris in just a few weeks for AIDS awareness, and one to Malta in the summer for their Pride. Thanks altos, and thanks to those of you who came along to support!

That's It! Bonjour Paris!

Yep. The last rehearsal before Paris - we perform on Saturday! - and it was a good one. The harmonies are sounding tight, the dynamics are more or less in place and perhaps most importantly, we are starting to look like we are enjoying being on stage rather than looking terrified. There are some songs like Big Band Bash and ABBA Pink which you almost can't help but dance along to. Of course ABBA has its own choreography, but Big Band Bash, which has no formal moves, is one song which really gets you tapping your feet - and we do!

The other song which, surprisingly, has that foot-tapping quality is Dies Irae with its aggressive vocals and furious rhythm. Unfortunately, as expected, it is incredibly difficult to learn the lyrics, so instead of a looking "evil" (Mladen's words) we look more like we are concentrating on what words are coming next. Mladen tested each of the sections on our knowledge of the lyrics yesterday; thanks to Johnathon's hood, Celso cunningly managed to sing the lyrics with no obvious sheet music (see picture!).

The biggie last evening was the choreography rehearsal for Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. We're not doing this in Paris, but it is going to be in the winter concert on the 19th of January. Some of the moves are sexy, some border on the risqué, but the sops and altos really threw themselves into it. I must say that I was especially impressed with Karin and Cilla for whom the moves seemed to come naturally. The two choreographers were pretty good too and seemed to be aware of the limitations of our choir - especially the inability for us to move legs and arms at the same time! - and steered adroitly around them.

Off to Paris on Friday morning! Phillip, Simon, Liang and I are checking in early and grabbing a champagne breakfast before heading off. Hey you only live once! The next time (most of) the choir meets we will be in L'Open Café. See you there Friday night!

P.S. The sheer number of exclamation marks in this post belies! my! excitement!

Blowout Band Night!

The wait was worth it! I was really looking forward to the Blowout Band Night, cunningly organized by the altos and tenors as a social-slash-fundraiser, not only because it was one of those events where all the Pinkies get together for an evening of singing and drinking (and since we have just a fortnight to go before the concert, heaven knows we need it!), but also because this was a great chance to see four very different bands in action.

It kicked off with Nelson Romeu and the charismatic Jackie belting out several rock numbers. You could not have wished for a more energetic start! Then it was time for a switch of pace and sound with the acoustic Thankyou Driver and Cilla's magical guitar. Everyone knows I am a fan of Paleday, so I am not going to gush too much - but when they came on we took to the dance floor. This was also the debut performance of Eurotramp and If I Lived On The Moon. The night ended with the cabaret stylings of Something Fishy. Eliza Mars and Lara Montage - we love you!

Nelson Romeu


Thankyou Driver


Paleday


Something Fishy


All the bands are linked in the Pinkie Friends listings on the right, so check them out. More pics are available in My Pink Bits too!