Back in 2003, when my blog looked very different to how it does today, I posted some very short musings pondering the joys of meeting people you don't know off of the internet. The comments thread then played host to the beginnings of a small Manchester blogmeet. That was when I first met Lyle and... Continue Reading →
I like hearing about creative projects, especially ones by women for women. Having recently discovered Ovation - a new forum for women and female identifying creatives in British theatre, aiming to provide opportunities for networking and skills development - I thought I'd help them spread the word with a quick blog post. The Ovation website... Continue Reading →
It's been a week since I was standing up in front of a room full of friendly people in Camden, London, giving a talk about the history of the bra. This time it wasn't a fashion conference though, as I was back at Eroticon, the conference for sex bloggers, erotica writers and other erotic creatives.... Continue Reading →
Every wanted to start the year with a new challenge? Ever fancied getting on stage to perform, but don't have much time to commit to rehearsals beforehand? Well, I know a bunch of people who have answered yes to both of those questions and are doing something about it. They'll be taking part in this...... Continue Reading →
In the early hours of the morning of Sunday 12th June 2016, a gunman opened fire at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida, killing at least 49 people and injuring dozens before he was shot dead by police. Last night a vigil in Soho, London (and many others across the country) showed that the... Continue Reading →
Have you ever felt unwelcome in mainstream hair salons or barbers? Have you feared getting a haircut because of how you will be judged, and all the incorrect assumptions the salon staff will make? For many LGBTQ folk, getting the haircut they want, at a price they can afford is a an ongoing battle. Thankfully,... Continue Reading →
This morning, Irreverent Dance founder Amanda Leon-Joyce announced the closure of the dance community's home, IDHQ, as the spectre of redevelopment rears its ugly head. This sad news was a shock to this close knit community of people who, before discovering ID, mostly thought they would never identify as a dancer. But the support that... Continue Reading →
Around about this time last year, I was getting ready to appear in the Irreverent Dance Showcase. A glorious celebration of what our bodies can do and what a community can achieve, this annual performance gives people who never thought they could be dancers a chance to show off the fact that... yes... yes they... Continue Reading →
Yesterday saw the opening of Europe's first gender-neutral community dance studio. After Irreverent Dance's successful Kickstarter campaign at the end of last year, followed by months and months of legal wranglings, property searches, stress, tears and tireless work from many wonderful people, Amanda and the ID Board made the formal announcement on 29th May that... Continue Reading →
I love it when friends get in touch to introduce me to something new that they think I'll love... especially when they're right! Recently I was alerted to the existence of Birdsong London, an online shop and community which finds and sells unique clothing lovingly made by inspirational women's groups. Founded by Sophie Slater, Sarah... Continue Reading →