LUCKY CLOVER We just finished a bit of recording for a short Silent Ghost Cinema film score. We had way too much fun with it - but more news on that later. Just wanted to let people know that we've got a brand new mp3 posted on our music page: For better or for worse...The song I'm Looking Over a 4-Leaf Clover is probably most recognized by our generation from Warner Brothers' Bugs Bunny cartoons, though it actually predates Mister Bunny by a few years ; ) We hope you enjoy! Karen | 12.05.03 AN EVENING IN PARADISE We were so thrilled, on Sunday November 23rd, to be a part of the Frolic Room variety show at the Paradise Lounge. It was quite a venue, with cabaret seating and a nice stage. The organizers, the girls of Thru The Keyhole Burlesque could not have been nicer, and our fellow performers were more than pleasant. We were to play a song alongside the talented saw player, Ms. Kitty Heels, who we have recently taken up with. Look for her around these parts in the future! We played the song "My Blue Heaven," with Ms. Heels sawing a lovely soprano between us. After us came lots of titilating burlesque numbers, some comedy skits, some bellydancing, a moustacioed drag king, and finally an acrobatic extravaganza performed by the Daredevil Chicken Club. All this was held together by a most amusing, naughty French emcee who had us all in stiches. Mon Dieu! Do take a look at the photographic evidence. And excellent evening of entertainment, all around. We are pleased to have been asked back to perform in the December 14th line-up. See you there! Renée | 12.04.03 JUST JOKING She: "Oh, George, where are those jokes you said you were going to bring over to read to me?" He:"You're sitting on them, honey. They're in my pants pocket." She: "I thought I felt something funny!" From Parisian Paragraphs, circa 1928 Renée | 11.12.03 GUSTAV A GO-GO I strongly recommend for anyone who wants to have a very rollercoastery musical listening experience, come see the Reading Symphony this Saturday. Mahler's first symphony ("the Titan") goes from tranquil to lighthearted to slinky/spooky to jubilant to absolute rammmed-by-a-freight-train, all around and in between.It is not a "boring symphony", by any means. Before the Mahler is a lovely Mozart piano concerto (no.22). The pianist, Christopher Walter, plays so fluidly and beautifully. It's only $15, in a very modern and comfortable and nice performing arts center (the Rogers Center at Merrimac College, in North Andover, right off 114 and 125, convenient to 93 and 495) A big free parking lot. It is at 8pm on Saturday, November 8th. Information at (978) 475-6518 Even if Karen and I weren't in it, I'd still think it was worth going to.. very powerful works. Do say hello if you come! Renée | 11.05.03 CHECK IT OUT...OF THE LIBRARY As I browsed dreamily for vintage clothing on eBay during my lunch hour today, I made a fantastic discovery. The Vintage Pattern Lending Library has a collection of over 3,000 vintage sewing and needlework patterns dating from 1840 - the 1940s that they've lovingly restored, and offer for lending to their members. Non members can also buy reproductions of the patterns for what seems to me to be a reasonable fee. This Paris Cloche hat pattern is divine, and just look at the beadwork on this handbag, and the frilly skirt on this dress! I might have to become a member so I can get a discount. Karen | 11.04.03 HATS OFF TO LOUISE GREEN If you love hats with vintage flair, then Louise Green should be your patron saint. Since the late 1980's when she came to the States from London, she's been a one woman crusader to bring fine & romantic millinery back to modern fashion. Much as I love her work though, I'm not the kind of girl who can justify dropping an entire paycheck on one hat. However, when I came across this one on discount at TJ Maxx (!) yesterday, I could not pass it up. There was no question as to who it's rightful owner should be. And I've decided I'm not taking it off my head until Springtime. Karen | 10.23.03 LET'S DO IT, LET'S CONJURE A SPIRIT When the folks at Silent Ghost Cinema contacted us about making a video for one of our tunes, we were quite pleased. When we saw the results of their efforts, we blushed & giggled a lot. Hope you enjoy their video for "Let's Do It" as much as we do! It has all of the elements a good film should have: spirits, debauchery, mystery, and a theremin! While you're at it, take a gander at some of their other shorts too. They remind us of Guy Maddin, Dame Darcy, and Edward Gorey rolled into one split personality. Charming! Karen | 10.16.03 MAIDEN VOYAGE Thanks to those who came to our first recital at the Zeitgeist on October 5th! We arrived early to meet our hostess, Chelsea, and set up our gear. The space was very comfortable, with a gorgeous piano that I caught Irene making eyes at. {She's a sucker for a handsome grand.} Our brief set consisted of a handful of songs, including Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue; My Blue Heaven; Let's Do It!; Button Up Your Overcoat; April Showers; and finally, a rendition of Yes! We Have No Bananas! that got us some laughs. All in all, a promising debut. Please take a gander at the photos from the fine evening described, in the Photos section on our site. We are now honing our chops on a few more numbers to play at Skybar on the 26th. Do come say hello! Renée | 10.10.03 GET HIP TO THE JIVE Here's a nifty page that will give you a good handle on 1920s slang: Internet guide to Jazz Age Slang Have fun annoying your friends and family, or start a whole "new" trend in your circles!" Renée | 10.03.03 NEW SHOW POSTED In case you didn't already notice, dear readers... I have posted a new show date: Oct 26th at Skybar with Turkish Queen, Dreamchild, and Tim Mungenast. Check out our Concerts page for more details! Hope to see you there. Karen | 9.30.03 PARTY LIKE IT'S 1928! For you lucky Southerners...a swell 20s event: Sea Island's 75th Anniversary Bash It's a gorgeous place...I've been there! For us lucky New Englanders, I haven't great details yet, but during the months of Feb.-May 2004, the mansions in Newport, RI are doing a whole 20s hoo ha! I'll post info the moment I can locate any. Renée | 9.26.03 A NURSERY RHYME... Little Bo Peep forgot her sheep, And went for an auto ride, With a sheik whose grin Implored, "Step in! We'll breeze through the countryside!" Bo Peep walked back, Though the night was black, With never a guiding star, And the waiting sheep, Heard her softly weep, "He wanted to go too far!" From a periodical called "Parisian Paragraphs", circa 1928 Renée | 9.25.03 JOKE OF THE DAY He: "I'm going to buy myself a harem!" She: "What do you mean? You can't buy a harem, can you?" He: "Sure-I saw a sign at the gas station that said: Six gals for a dollar!" From "The Echo" 1930, my grandmother's high school yearbook. Wood River High, IL Renée | 9.23.03 WHAT ABOUT BOB? I have been tempted many times to submit to the scissors, and I did once, many years ago. Unfortunately, a bob looks much better on some people than others. It takes a certain je ne sais quoi to pull off a bob with style. I mean, look at Karen, for example! Personally, I know it just wouldn't be me to have one. I guess I am just too attached to my waist length hair. So the thing is, must one be bobbed to give a 20s impression? Not necessarily, although a bob works better under the close-fitting hats of the era. It seems like the vast majority of women in that era had shorter hair, yet on occasion, you come across an image of someone who obviously didn't. It's only logical that some ladies must've kept their long hair. A chignon seems to be the answer. Click here for my chignon and spitcurl instructions. Another touch that is great for anyone, bobbed or long, is Marcel or fingerwaving. With long hair, you would make a chignon and wave the sides. Think Uma Thurman in "Henry and June". Fingerwaving is fairly tricky, however, at least for me. I'm still in self-training. Click here for fingerwave instructions by vividinfinity. So there it is...the un-bob! Renée | 9.22.03 GET YOUR GARTERS, GIRLS! Ever wanted a pair of 1920's style stocking garters? They're pretty hard to come by. But I found some DIY instructions in one of my vintage ribbonwork books that I've translated into modern language for you. All it takes is a little sewing know-how {not a lot!} and some pocket change for materials. Click here, follow my easy instructions and.... Voila! Instant garters! Karen | 9.19.03