Cuckoo Club Showcase Invite From Pearl Van Den Ende

Last night Felicity & I were invited to a Venue Showcase by an Ex-Lovely Employee called Pearl who runs the Events at the Cuckoo Club in the West End. They put on a beautiful Electric Strings show by surreal violinist Electra - didn't rate the dancers too highly but will use Elektra some day. Great venue & Staff Pearl but was still left hungry after the event ...... You know my stomach. Thanks for the warm reception though and let's work together soon.

www.thecuckooclub.com

CLIENT BLOG WITH A TESTIMONIAL - ASH CLOUD

Good to read how our Clients appreciate our good work :-)

As part of the stranded pack of Americans stuck in London last month after Iceland’s volcano burped, and shut down the skies over Europe, the stranded masses were faced with a common dilemma … how are we ever going to get out of here? The news changed hour to hour. Saturday’s flights were cancelled, rescheduled to Monday. Sundays were cancelled, rescheduled to Tuesday, and so on.

We became increasingly frustrated by the realization that the details of when and how we would finally get home was beyond our control. Rather than just sit by passively and bemoan our condition, I recruited some fellow Skoll World Forum exiles, Drummond Pike, Dave Chen , and Jim Greenbaum, to join me in brainstorming our alternatives. We sized the market to be as many as 250 fellow Skoll Forum attendees, who all felt the pressure (some more than others) to find an alternative way home. So the problem was defined, the market sized, and the search for solutions began.

Event Brite Page

We could take a train to Denmark, and a ferry to Iceland (ironically, no flights were cancelled in Iceland, since the volcano was east of the airport, and planes had no problem taking off and landing). Infrequent ferry service made this option a poor choice. A ferry to France and a train to Paris was considered. However, flights from Paris were also at risk, and seats on the EuroStar were quickly sold out. How about a charter bus from London to Madrid? Spain had no problems with the volcanic ash, and a bus with two drivers could make the trip non-stop in about 18 hours, with only brief stops for fuel.

Pike, Hornthal & Epega

We found a fantastic ground operator, EMC3, that was willing to work with us and had a stellar track record in creating amazing events and support with little-to-no advance warning. We determined that a charter bus with on-board bathroom, food, and two drivers could do the trick, and arranged for as many as five buses at 50 per bus to take our ragged band of weary travelers to a safer harbor.

Monday night, however, a false sense of security set in as people we convinced that flights would be back to normal on Tuesday. So our planned ‘announcement’ at the TEDx Volcano event was tabled due to a rise in apathy and the hope that we would all soon be on our way home.
The volcano had other ideas, and late that night, burped again, triggering another round of cancelled flights. We spent Tuesday reviewing alternatives and considering our options. There was competition (Skoll Forum was rumored to have chartered a bus, but it was then cancelled; rumors of a charter flight also came and went). By Tuesday late afternoon, we decided to take matters into our own hands and committed to find the cost of one bus (to start), and made those arrangements as the business day was closing. To be clear, this was a non-profit social venture; the financial goal was to fairly recover the out-of-pocket costs for the bus, and share it equally among the passengers. If there was a shortfall, we would share in the losses, aided by our friend, fellow castaway, and President of Skoll Global Threats, Dr. Larry Brilliant.

That night, we began the process of marketing, and quickly determined that we needed a back-end system to enable us to reach our community efficiently and effectively. Impressed by the speed at which TEDx Volcano was pulled together, we adopted the same platform – EventBrite. While I wish I had started before midnight, I must say that it couldn’t have been easier for a first-time user to set up the page, and begin emailing our friends who had heard about our expedition. We told people that they should think of this as an insurance policy — a chance to get to Spain by Thursday morning, where planes were actually taking off. By 3am, the site was “live” (what’s a start-up without at least one all-nighter?). We were in business. As emails went out, we were able to watch our reservations like a hot stock going public in 1999. 50 seats available … 42 seats … 35 seats. People calling to put seats on hold. Peter Greenberg called from CBS. They wanted to do a story on the “Magic Bus” and Peter was coming with two people from his crew. Fame as well as fortune ? 14 seats, 5 seats, do we need a second bus? We ended the day nearly sold out on bus #1, with a wait list starting to form. London departure set for Thursday at 1pm. Time to get some sleep and get ready for packing and final day logistics on Wednesday.
Wednesday morning, we awoke to a different landscape. Seems like perhaps the airports were closed unnecessarily. Many test flights were made and came back without any damage, and the industry was crying to get back in the sky. Looks like Heathrow would be open by Thursday morning (just about the time the bus would be arriving in Madrid). People wanted to get out of their bus commitments, but we had already signed the deal with the ground operator. The wait list evaporated, and by the time the bus departure came, there were only 4 people on board. Bus to Madrid – Departure The only saving grace is that we were able to offload most of the food and donate it to a local shelter.

Our failed venture had many earmarks of success, in spite of the time and money spent. I can count at least five major milestones/accomplishments. 1) Four people were able to get to Spain and get home. 2) 46 people slept better knowing they had a “Plan B” escape route for their insurance premium, 3) a local shelter got a generous donation of some great food. 4) Drummond Pike, Jim Greenbaum, and I were able to get back to our day jobs, none the less for wear. And 5) we made it from Start-up to Shut-down in 36 hours — I think that could be a world record!

Osman Yousefzada, Mercedes Pagoda & Week-End Of Fun In The Sun

Hey, what a fantastic week-end non. Like most people in the big smoke I spent most of this week-end laying on the green in Queen's Park and Kensington gardens sipping Koppenberg Ciders and playing Baddmington.

But unlike most I maged to squeeze in a Fashion Show by inspiration Osman Yousefzada ( thanks Nicola) at the V&A , a book launch at the Nigerian High Commission, Dinner at Electric with a friend fresh in from Hong Kong and a grand tour driving experience in a Mercedes 1964 Pagoda with my man John Campbell......ahhh salad days are here again.

Thank you God!!

Happy belated Birthday Kay - it was emotional :-)

Osman's Fashion Show At The V&A

OSMAN UNVEALS AT THIS YEARS ‘FASHION IN MOTION’ AT THE V & A MUSEUM V&A, South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7

V & A FASHION IN MOTIO

Live Catwalks: Osman Yousefzada, rising star of the http://www.osmanyousefzada.com/ international fashion scene, is the focus of the V&A’s forthcoming Fashion in Motion. For one unique day in May, the designer will present a selection of pieces from his collections to date in a series of catwalk shows at the V&A’s Raphael Gallery.

Born in the UK to Afghan parents, Osman Yousefzada was inspired from an early age by his mother’s Birmingham dress making business, which influenced him to study Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins in London.

The V&A has been a long-standing source of inspiration for the designer who was nominated for Designer of the Year in 2007. Alongside the Fashion in Motion shows, contemporary dancers will showcase the extraordinary way in which Osman’s designs move on the human form. Osmans Atelier can be found 3 New Quebec Street in Portman Village.

Come & join us at "McQueen's In The City" 27.05.10

Click here for Invite Details: http://www.emc3.eu/emails/mcqueens/html/mcqueen.html

McQueen's In The City

Bringing a Touch of Vintage Hollywood Glamour to East London

"Sometimes you have to say goodbye to the things you know, and hello to the things you don't." Steve McQueen

McQueen... London's newest bar, club, restaurant, live performance and music venue takes its inspiration from Steve McQueen, the king of cool, his iconic style and attitude.

Bringing a little vintage Hollywood glamour to London; sophisticated, tasteful and refined, this is a venue for connoisseurs bored with the usual 'go-to-a-bar-and-drink' nights out.

With its high ceilings, chesterfields and warm inviting fireplace, The Lounge Bar is possibly the most McQueen influenced room. Not only is this room reminiscent of a New York City loft style apartment, this room is also a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen, with a lavish mannequin styled sculpture, art deco design, with plenty of vintage touches and an ever-evolving art collection.

The Club is where McQueen goes a bit rock'n'roll, mixing 1960s Hollywood glamour with a contemporary live music space, creating a venue unique for comfort, service and experience. This is boutique clubbing at its very best. Expect to see some of the world's top DJs & promoters here every week.

Chris McCormack, Head of Live Music and former lead guitarist of 'Three Colours Red' and 'Grand Theft Audio' with his team of respected musicians will bring in the very best acts in today's music scene including bands, musicians and DJs old and new.

Like the bar, the restaurant at McQueen has a vintage cool appeal, inspired by the look and feel of McQueen’s movies. As such one wall of the restaurant will play iconic movies with live music and performance, inspired by the 1930s supper clubs era.

AGM Theo Von-Sternberg and bar manager Eline Bosman have created a list of simple, no frills, delicious drinks inspired by McQueen, and the golden age of Hollywood circa 1920s to 1960s.

The fruit-led cocktail phenomenon of the 80s and beyond has taken a back-seat to the old school style/flavour and balance led drinks. All the house drinks are American based classics with a slick twist. Using spirit bases that were available during that time (1920s - 1960s)... rum, brandy, vodka, whisky, and liquors.

Open Tuesday until Sunday from midday, there's a party every night at McQueen...

Saturdays David De Darvalho's Body Heat nights fuse music, art, fashion and society.

Crazed Cabaret on Friday's is 1960s Hollywood meets alternative cabaret, with resident DJs Team Disgusting, Jimmy Napes & Emily Rawson, alongside weekly performances from cabaret artists such as TrixeeBelle, Chrys Columbibe, Monooka the Marionette, Naomi DeKleined on the fiddle, plus music much more... dress code is decadent so dress to impress.

Thursday 27th May is EMC3 Launch Event at our beautiful venue.

On Wednesdays Patrick Alan, singer/songwriter/choreographer and Michael Jackson's former dancer, brings his legendary NYC & LA celebrity jammin' session and live show to McQueen.

Kuga Manuva on Tuesdays is a new music night for the fashion-forward crowd. DJ Richard Stone orchestrates a mix of new electro/hip hop/mash-ups/ with dub-step and drum and bass. Expect big name artists and acts with resident DJs Richard Stone, Dan Healy, Bassam Ibellini, Sam Young and El Chico.

And last, but not least, Julian Bennet styles Fashion Sundays.

Resident DJs and entertainers also include Max Bloom, Vula Basement Jaxx, Raff, Jodie Harsh & The TrixeeBelle Show, we also have some extra special performances and parties planned by some of the biggest names in showbiz...

McQueen, 55-61 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4AA.

Opening Times: McQueen is open Sundays - noon ‘til midnight, Tuesday to Wednesday - noon ‘til 1am and Thursday to Saturday - noon ‘til 3am*

*No admittance after 1am.

Steve McQueen fan, interior designer, bar/restaurant and club impresario -

McQueen is born of the imagination of Dezzi McCausland.

The GM is Lincoln Hall (Zuma & The Opera Quarter Bar).

Grace Jones Poerty Reading At Chris Levine's

Just before I went Scuba Diving in Tenerife with my Beau we were invited by the one and only Dr Nastro to Chris Levine's Portraits of the Legend Grace Jones "Pull Up To The Bumper" . Seeing as she has been an inspiration of mine since my flat top days, when I had hair; I had to be there. Mad queue was deftly bunny hopped thanks to Reena and Raffi at the Vinyl Factory. Forgot how fly this Venue is. Great for launches. Needless to say I was not disappointed as Miss Jones was as inspirational and unique as ever. 60 years young and still tight and beautiful as ever. Great to meet such a person who has transend time and frontruns style. WE LOVE YOU GRACE !!!! Must catch her Gig!!!

FROM SPOONFED ART- "Who would dare to copy Grace Jones? Lady Gaga apparently. 2 weekS or so ago, news emerged that Jones had turned down the opportunity to play live with Gaga because, as Jones told the Guardian: "I'd just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually.” Ouchies!

I only mention this because the thought of someone copying Grace Jones' performance this evening is really not one worth considering. We're at the Vinyl Factory, a massive industrial sort of space underneath a rather unpreposessing record store in Soho, at the launch party of Stillness at the Speed of Light, an exhibition of portraits of Grace Jones by contemporary light artist Chris Levine. After hours of gradually building excitement, Jones arrives, surrounded by subordinates and cameras. Sporting a black lace eye-mask and long Red Riding Hood-style cloak, Jones struts to a stool, sits down, pulls the microphone towards her, and...no, alas she doesn't start singing; she reads a poem. A really long poem. It's not quite what we were all hoping for – as the background chatter escalates, Jones declares in no uncertain terms, “Fucking shut up! Or leave!” Can't imagine Gaga doing that huh?
Anyway, it's all good fun, and the Chris Levine's work here is really cool. Levine is probably best known for his portrait of the Queen from a couple of years ago. Striking and beautiful, it was hailed by Mario Testino as "the most beautiful image of Her Majesty I have ever seen". Which is rather nice. Most of the works on show here see a sparkly-hatted Jones given the Levine light treatment. I have no idea how he does it, but the results are like disco holograms that shift and shimmer as you move around them. The highlight for me is a piece that at first glance appears simply as a verticle strobe light. But then just as you look away, an image of Grace Jones flashes into your peripheral vision. Moving your head from side to side, the image repeatedly flashes up and then disappears. It's impossible to get a firm focus on – it just keeps dodging away. Grace Jones – as her unexpected performance this evening demonstrates – just won't be pinned down."