London's Retro Dance Explosion

London / Go Night
en by Henry Castiglione /  Henry Castiglione, 19. Nov 2009


'Oh My God I Miss You' Photo: Barry Newman

I was having my haircut by my barber, Kiri, at his shop in Kensal Rise, North West London. He asked me whether it was true that people in the East wear double-breasted suits and have moustaches and generally act like it’s the 1950s. I told him that it was not only true but they had special nights where they could do this in the company of like-minded people and dance to records from the era and pretend that the modern world of health and safety, mobile phones and alcopops never happened.


'Oh My God I Miss You' Photo: Barry Newman

The epicentre of this retro dance revival is the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. There are nights for everyone as long as you like your music pre-1970s. I tipped up on a Friday night for 'Oh My God I Miss You' and it was crammed with immaculately coiffed girls in vintage polka dot dresses jiving to New Orleans Jazz and music from the Jungle Book. And these people really can dance. I looked rather out of place in my chinos and Lacoste sweater bopping self-consciously (though I did look bloody stylish.)


Kiki Kaboom Photo: Spencer Cartwright

The flipside to all this putting on of old clothes is the explosion in taking them off and dancing provocatively. I met up with the winner of Best Newcomer at the London Burlesque Festival, Kiki Kaboom, at the Albion on Redchurch Street. She had the Irish stew, I had the Kedgeree. Kiki mentioned how trends that start in music go on to take in other forms such as fashion, dance and film. People are not just content with listening to 50s rock n’ roll, they want to be in Happy Days. All this retro stuff requires time and effort, you can’t just get an outfit from H&M. See it is a reaction to the slovenliness of modern Britain.

For those of you who think Burlesque is just glorified stripping, Kiki pointed out a crucial difference: the audience at these nights are predominately female. Women like it because it celebrates the female form rather than promoting an unhealthy ideal of femininity. Kiki sees it as empowering and said how she was so much happier with her body since starting burlesque. Having seen her in action, I can only agree


'Oh My God I Miss You' Photo: Barry Newman

You would expect these nights to be promoted by handbill or organ grinder but as with so much these days, the internet is the place to look. Check out the links below or you can use spoonfed to find crazy retro dance in your area even, I have heard, in Kensal Rise.

links:

Bethnal Green Working Men’s club
Hula Boogie
Madame JoJo's
Light jive

Go further:

Let's dance #1: Moving and shaking with Cairo's own
Let's dance #2: Swinging New York: Fancy a shag?
Let's dance #3: Dancing dawn the Spree
Let's dance #4: So you think you can dance(hall)
Let's dance #5: Dancing 'til dawn on the booze cruise

Published by
Henry Castiglione

The Best Indian Restaurants In Central London

London / Go Eat
en by Henry Castiglione /  Henry Castiglione, 13. Nov 2009


Photo: Ewan-M

England is famous for its Indian restaurants. In many parts of the country they are the only places where you can get an edible meal. Most London guides send lovers of Indian food to the peripheries: to Brick Lane (terrible food), to Green Street (it’s a slum) or to Southall (it’s not even in London.)

This is not necessary. There is superb, cheap Indian food to be had within zone 1. Fitzrovia – the area between Oxford Street and the Euston Road is teeming with delicious eateries but first you must go to Drummond Street.

Published by
Henry Castiglione