party – and so she thinks

Bright eyed clubbing with Morning Gloryville

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 21:15:08 +0000

I’ve heard Morning Gloryville described in numerous ways. ‘A social movement.’ ‘Mental – in a good way.’ ‘The. Best. Thing. Ever.’
Or: ‘Not for me.’ ‘F*cking weird.’ ‘Ooooo…kaaaaeyyy.’
People who haven’t been to an event (and plenty have – now in twenty one cities around the world the enthusiasm has been spreading since its beginnings in May 2013) tend to raise their eyebrows, either also sneering at the idea of hippies giving one another hugs and proselytizing about the evils of alcohol (why else dance without it?), or in alarm at the idea of not only being awake and active so early in the morning but being so without any kind of stimulants – who does that?! Those who have grin widely at the same time as their eyes flash, fizzing with the delight of their memories. They know something, and they want you to as well.

Whether it’s social pressures or cultural conventions there’s a feeling that dancing in the morning, without alcohol, sometimes alone, and especially freely rather than to a routine, is something we just can’t do as adults. It’s weird to operate outside of convention and without inhibitions – and jumping around with strangers in a club at 6.30am challenges those quite strongly.
The weekend editions begin slightly later – everyone deserves a lay in after all – and on my way there at 9am on the last Saturday before Christmas I look like I’ve been on a rather zealous party night out, still coated in glitter. (I come out even more sparkly.) By the time I reach MODE in West London my outfit pales in comparison to the cacophony of shimmer, tassles, neon and dazzle that my fellow clubbers are donning, dancing like an explosion of unicorns on a sugar high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noMEPz9qPxc&feature=youtu.be
A rainbow of positivity seems to fill the room, but not in any kind of pretentious or smug way – this is just people having a really bloody good time, as well they might when the sun is shining, the holidays here, and we have nerves that feel the pounding beats, eyes to take in the visual spectacular, ears that hear shaking music, legs to move and arms to wave, and a heart and soul that is alive.
Play, love, creativity, growth, consciousness, harmony, joy, innovation and purpose are all words that the founders of Morning Gloryville use to describe their mission, and all are pretty descriptive of the experience itself. We place so many demands and limits on ourselves that sometimes it’s good to let go – and dance the way through it. It’s hard not to veer into considering the events as something of a commentary or lens on the way we live our everyday lives – but it’s not necessary either. The thing I’ve heard most often said about Morning Gloryville is that it’s just damn good fun. And fun for a mix of people – yogis, music fans, Ibiza clubbers, business professionals, families all dance together on the floor, gather together for massages and bend over in a downward dog.
In many ways it is not difficult to imagine Morning Gloryville – it is a normal club event. Raving, dancing, hands in the air, moving with abandon and joy. It’s only the time of day and the beverages on offer that make the experience different. Different – but not at all lacking. In fact, there’s something else that seems to become apparent. Strangers dance together, or individuals alone. There’s no jostling for the best positions on the dance floor. People pass around drinks without fearing any spike, and due to a full cloakroom we leave our bags on the side, something we would never consider were it 10pm rather than 10am.
It’s the final Morning Gloryville in London of 2015, and whilst there’s no Christmas songs, only a few smatterings of tinsel, and nothing mulled on offer, the sense of friendship, love, warmth and gratitude for life is the closest to the ‘true meaning’ of this season that I’ve found in a long time.

Wyndstock – The Country House Party

admin — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:05 +0000

I love festivals. The feeling of freedom, exploration, an opportunity to revel in the luxury of being oneself, as well discover and diversify what excites you. I also love picnics, country houses, gin & tonics, and twilight magic.

Until recently (I.e April when I received a press release alerting me to the change in affairs) I was under the impression that never shall the two meet, and I was destined to either spend my summer dreaming of sophistication, or revelling in it. Hello Wyndstock, please enter and shatter my preconceptions.

Despite the fact that Wyndstock is billed as an anti festival (in fact its organisers (founders of B&H Group, The Last Tuesday Society and The Blitz Party, amongst others) vehemently detest the f word and all its grubby associations – big queues, corporate sponsors, vile toilets) there seems to be a lot in common, hence my pre midsummer night excitement. Wyndstock has none of these – but it does embrace the freedom and spontaneity that people have come to expect of festivals, and themselves at the events.

Taking place in a glorious country house in Suffolk, the event is one of delight and class. Music to be reached by guided paths into the woods, literature readings popping up all around, a game or two of croquet, gin and picnics. None of this queuing for semi cooked burgers and warm beer, as all meals are provided, and by all accounts are meals, not substandard snacks that fill a hole and line a stomach.

With swing dancing, fireworks, games, astronomy, literature, music, crafts and tours, as well as the all important music. Get your tickets here.

Plus, I have always thought I could look rather fetching in a little cocktail dress and some wellies.

It's All Happening! festival – Alessi's Ark!

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:19:11 +0000

The very first It’s All Happening festival! A day of folk music, acoustic indie, original art, craft, spoken word, performance poetry and film – in short our favourite things. Taking place at the Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green, on June 23rd, from 1pm til late, tickets are available now!
We’re thrilled that the lovely Alessi’s Ark will be headlining – the first of a run of festival performances for the charming folk singer.
Alongside the mix of solo artists strumming in the garden, bands captivating the cafe throughout the day and evening, and entertaining and enrapturing spoken word in the chapel, will be a craft market, delicious array of food and drink, a photography and art exhibition, and tunes to get you in the mood to dance til dawn. (Although not with It’s All Happening necessarily – cafe curfew!).
Anja McCloskey, Soulmates Never Die, Fallingham Fair and The Cooling Pearls will all be playing, alongside The Ruby Kid and Joshua Seigal, and acoustic artists Thom Byles and Larissa.
For any more information, please get in touch.

Musical Bingo meets Halloween

admin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:34:36 +0000

It’s All Happening are thrilled to have been invited to Musical Bingo’s Big Halloween fash-off. All the best dressed big names will be there, Ted Baker, Asos, River Island, TopShop, Kurt Gieger and JN Productions….and It’s All Happening?
The original, and some say best, musical bingo, as seen at the National Theatre, Great Escape, Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, Camden Crawl and countless other festivals, will be heading south to The Loft on Clapham High Street this Wednesday, before making its way to the uber-cool Concrete on Shoreditch High Street Thursday night.

If you don’t know what musical bingo is firstly, get an imagination, it’s not a difficult concept. DJs, in this case, Rapture and Jonny Unknown play the tunes and when you hear them you simply mark them off your bingo card to win some snazzy prizes. Rounds in store, hosted by compere Eleanor Conway include, ‘Happy Halloween’, ‘Fash-Off’, ‘Horrific, ‘Body Parts’ and ‘Magic Happens’. And as well as the usual riotous fun, there are some halloween themed tricky treats being thrown in, with multi choice Mystery Boxes and the opportunity to gamble on the Killer Question.

Prizes will be on offer for the best dressed, so even if we suck at musical bingo, I’m pretty sure that by digging in the wardrobe we should have a good chance of winning an award for ‘ Most Innovative’, ‘Most Outrageous’ or ‘Most Horrific’ of outfits. If you fancy heading down (was there a possible joke in beheading down there?) email info@musicalbingo.com And make it quick.

Musical Bingo – 2 Night Halloween Special
Wednesday 26th October @ The Loft
56 Clapham High Street, SW4
7.30 Pm to Late
£4 Per person for 5 games
Thursday 27th October @ Concrete
(Below Pizza East), 56 Shoreditch High Street
7.30 to Late
£4 per person for 5 games