Anna Fur Laxis at Dr Sketchy Nottingham

As a little treat before our Bettie Page tribute show on Saturday we thought we’d take a closer look at one of our performers.

The intro on her website says it all. “Praised for her creativity, humour and originality, Anna’s unique take on traditional burlesque performance has gained a truly international reputation, with shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Milan, Paris and Tokyo.”

Described by New York burlesque legend Dirty Martini as having "the absolute best take on the current Bettie Page mania. In a time where every rock-a-billy chick is sporting the Bettie pinup look, Anna takes it to a new level with a witty twist and a totally charming and accomplished stage persona.” Who else could we possibly be talking about, but the breathtaking, pulse-raising, and occasionally fatal, Anna Fur Laxis.

We feel very lucky indeed to have tempted Anna to our stage and can't wait to see the audience reaction to her "Viva Bettie" act, where she brings the 50's pin up icon to life through "woman's eternal dilemma: Should she try and be good? Or is it more fun to be bad!?!" It's definitely one of our favourites!

In true praise of Anna’s talents one of Bettie Page’s friends, Joan Branden, contacted her last year with this lovely personal message...

"Dear Anna,

I worked with Betty Page in the early 1950's whilst I lived in New York and before I was married. I loved working with her and she was very professional, a sweet girl. I was thrilled to hear that you are performing a Stage act about Bettie Page and I know she would have been delighted that you are doing it, it makes me so very proud that people still remember those days of Irving Klaw and us girls.

Joan Branden."

Anna's response was understandable. It's not every day you are contacted by the old friend of one of your heros! "Bettie Page died while I was working on my tribute act to her, so I felt it was very important that I do her memory the best justice I possibly could. I am so proud to be able to follow in the footsteps of Bettie and Joan and so many incredible women over the years, and it was a true honour to receive this message."

To see Anna, as well as Fanny Divine and Betty Jane, performing and modelling in our Bettie Page show come to Escucha on Fletcher Gate in Nottingham on Saturday 20th February at 12:30pm. Tickets are on sale through the website http://www.drsketchynottingham.co.uk/ or on the door (first come first served). We truly can't wait for this one and hope to see you there!

For more info on Anna and her upcoming shows click the link below!

Scarlett and Charlotte x

Mini Dr Sketchy Pit of Curiosities Special

Much fun was had on saturday at our mini taster event - inspite of lots of tired faces from the night before! The mini event was a follow on from Pit of Curiosities, a big event held on Friday night by Danse Macabre. Scarlett and I were both heavily involved with Scarlett performing as a robot all night in a costume we made together.

Our models on saturday were -
Emma Neale (aka Miss Rain Photographym, who stepped in last minute as Barbarella!)
Mat Douglas who posed as both a maid (Rocky Horror style) and an Alien Autopsy (his costume from Pit of Curiosities) and
Hannah Morgan who posed as a steampunk babe in Eternal Spirits corsetry and some pretty cool goggles!

We were a little short staffed but with a lot of comraderie and hard work and a very understanding audience we pulled it off and had a great turn out! We had to fetch more chairs and squeezed everyone into the upstairs room at the Central. There were lots of new faces which is always fantastic!

Massive thanks to Natalie J Watts who took over as photographer when Emma stepped up as a model and provided all the music when we reallised we had none due to my laptop meltdown two weeks ago!! Everyone took on several jobs to help out, doubling up as DJs, doorstaff and sales clerks! What a bunch of troopers, THANK YOU!

We can't wait til this Saturday (20th) event now, it's the BIG one, the real McCoy and we have a fantastic line up for you! Grab your tickets in advance from the website or pay on the door, Doors open 12:30 at Escucha!

x Charlotte

Well it's happening tomorrow whether we like it or not! Pit of Curiosities 2 at the Pit and Pendulum kicks off at 8pm ! Finishing touches


are being made to costumes, there's no gong back now! Look forward to seeing you all there!

Ps. Don't forget to join us on saturday from 1.30 at the Central for Dr Sketchy mini event with models from tomorrows Pit if Curiosities event!!

Www.drsketchynottingham.co.ukfor details

Www.dansemacabre-art.co.uk/pitofcuriosities2.html

X Charlotte x

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Bettie Page Special - Saturday 20th February

Well it's not long now until the first Dr Sketchy Nottingham show of 2010!

We're kicking off with a corker of a show, a tribute to the fabulous Bettie Page. Taking to the stage this time around we have two of the UK's top burlesque performers Anna Fur Laxis and Fanny Divine and an extra treat with Nottingham's very own Betty Jane modelling for us too. They will be providing us with the very best of good and bad Bettie poses to get your pencils smoking!

We have more fantastic prizes, thanks to our ever growing list of wonderful sponsers (there may even be another Robin Hood scribbling book in there if you're lucky) and more cupcakes than you can possibly stuff your faces with, courtesy of Dotty's Cafe on Mansfield Road.

Tickets are as usual on sale through the website and will be available to buy at the mini event we are running at the Central on Saturday 13th February as part of Nottingham's Light Night celebrations.

We'll hopefully see you there!

Scarlett x