Motley Is A Fool's Uniform

"There was Isis, Isis, Eros, Eros, Pan and Aphrodite!"

As you might have gathered, last Saturday was the (something in the low teens)th annual Winter Solstice Feast held by local pagan band Spiral Dance. [And yes, pedants, it's also traditionally a week late in order to allow people to do their own private observances of the solstice.] The theme for this one was the Carnival of the Night in order to allow the ladies to strut their stuff in a safe and friendly environment. Even to the level of the dispensing with the provision of anything more than finger food in order to allow that extra inch of corset tightness.*

And the ladies were the stars of the show in a multitude of corsetry, stockings, boots, and heels, and skirts that were honoured more by their absence than their presence. A veritable constellation of beauty. Whilst many of the gentlemen attempted gallantly to maintain an equivalent level of dress, we were just plainly outdone, as is proper. This was assisted by a parade of corsetry by local [Christies Beach is in Adelaide, right? <grin>] corset makers Innuendo. I predict a rapid upsurge of business in the next month, at least from the number of ladies I overheard planning expeditions to raid the shop after the event [Hmmm.. Corseted Valkyries a-Viking... Too many bad fantasy illustrations. =8)]

Supporting the act was Ferdy the Wandering Magician [?], impeccably dressed as a military officer of last century [I do so miss The Kings Own Foot in Mouth Regiment, whose only meetings used to be on my birthday, to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo in a fine old style. A pity I could only afford to purchase a commission as Captain of Artillery at the time I first encountered them (and no longer fit the uniform, either)], whilst beguiling attendees with astounding acts of prestidigitation and cunning misdirection.

Also supporting them was burlesque duo Peaches N' Gin, who ably entertained the crowd by either hiding naughty bits behind fans, or spinning them in opposite directions at the same time. A cup of tea will never be the same again. Even in the absence of a proper copper coffee pot. Apparently they will be running a class in the fine and noble art of burlesque in the next few weeks.

And then it was time for Spiral to do their stuff. I was particularly heartened to see the return of The Weaver and the Witch to the line up, albeit in a much different arrangement from where it first appeared in Woman of the Earth. Although it still does have me itching to choreograph a large dance number along the lines of the Mon Schaft Pavane or Sans Serif. Something with people whirling about in a coordinated manner. Too much Bollywood, I suppose.

Both Rise Up (available on their latest album) and Pan and Aphrodite were performed (the later being my current highly enjoyable earworm). It's vaguely strange that I find Spirit of Albion to be old hat now. No Witches Tree, but there was a new one. Unfortunately someone was intent on interrupting me whilst I was listening to it and all I can recall now is the interruption, not the song. It was quite nice and the words were good, but beyond that it is all a blur. [It's interesting to realise that I've known Adrienne long enough to be able to predict the words of her new songs once I have the theme and rhythm. "Your morphic resonance at work!"] Apparently there are only three more songs to go before they can start recording the new album, so there is good news on that front.

Lots of fun was apparently had by all. Rumours of a berserk red-haired and highly freckled amazon running semi-nude through the venue after the show can be put down to fatigue on the part of the last few attendees. It was all an illusion. A dream. A phantom. A mirage. Nothing happened. Those are not the droids you are looking for.

As for the future, there was a passing mention of a possible Steampunk themed event. Apparently it has been requested by a number of the attendees who are avid fans of the genre (and you know who you are). All it would have really needed is a dash of Science! to make last Saturday's gig fit the theme, methinks And possibly axe-wielding giant clams. Hmmmm. I think we had all better start practising our "They called me mad!!! I'll show them all!!!!" speeches. [And breeding giant clams. Unfortunately mine still aren't any good at wielding axes. They need a travel suit to get around, but do a reasonable job of unblocking sinks.]

Anyway the next scheduled gig is a Elven Winter on 31st July, followed by a fundraiser for the Spirit of Albion Collective (Spiral Dance, Hot for Joe, G.O.T.H., Faire Guisers, and Hedgemonkey Morris) on September 4th, to help send them to Woodford. So contribute mightily if you want to bring them back...

* Once when looking through a book of Victorian etchings I made the comment of "I quite like that dress" to be greeted by looks of horror from the period costumer whose book I had in fact purloined. The reason, being, what I took to be the waist of the dress was actually the black column which the lady in question was standing in front of, and the actual waist was what I took to be the frontispiece of the dress. About 9" in total circumference, I suspect. Maybe a bit less. Those wacky zany Victorians!