Tag Archives: vintage singer

Avoncroft WW2 Weekend 2022

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Kitten von Mew

This weekend I sang at Avoncroft Museum’s WW2 Weekend! The event had only been organised in 6 weeks, so I knew it wouldn’t be as rammed with reenactors and stalls as it would’ve been. The open air museum is vast and has a large range of buildings from 1800’s to a 40’s prefab! They even have a vintage showman’s carriage (my favourite).

There were some allies forces (Brits and Yanks), with a spattering of military vehicles. The setup looked great against the old buildings and you just couldn’t take a bad photos!

Remember folks… please don’t clamber on/ in or touch people’s vehicles without their permission! It’s very bad form! ALWAYS ask permission and they are allowed to say ‘no’ as it is their pride and joy. I asked obviously!!!

It was wonderful to catch up with my good friend Mark and see his new (to him) Willy’s Jeep name Bouncin’ Babe! Mark also overseas my official Facebook page when I’m too busy, so he is ace.

Bouncin’ Babe! This set was taken by Mr Mew.

I managed to do a bit of modelling for Heyday Vintage at the same time, which was swell! This is the new Josephine dress I have teamed with Lulu Hun shoes, a gorgeous crocheted bag by Doodlebug Bags and a vintage hat.

As ever, I was super-nervous about my voice coping! Last weekend I lost my voice and last year, at a different Avoncroft event, I lost my singing voice and couldn’t do the second day! So all week I was inwardly panicking, drinking my weight in hot ginger and trying not to raise my voice too much.

Huzzah! My voice held up beautifully and I made sure to take care of it between sets too. I had great feedback both days and met some absolutely wonderful people. it was super to see Guy Roles once more and to meet The Vintage Class Singers for the first time.

Lindy Lou Shelby and Kitten Von Mew in the Guesten Hall on Saturday.

As well as the buildings, Avoncroft also has a mini railway; much to the joy of children and land girls alike!

Betsy and I had a go and it was lovely! Only 50p a ride and a nice little bit of fun to end the day.

Although a very much scaled down event, it was superb and everyone I spoke to has a brilliant time. Thank you to all the organisers and volunteers who pulled off the event in such a short amount of time!

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Fashion and Shopping, modelling, WW2 History and tagged 1940's, 40's pinup, Avoncroft, doodlebug bags, heyday vintage, kitten Von new, military, vintage model, vintage singer, wartog, Willy’s jeep, WW2. Bookmark the permalink.

24th June Stratford upon Avon Performance!

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Kitten von Mew

I will be singing at The Officer’s Mess, The Fourteas, Sheep Street from 8.30pm on 24th June!

Join me for a night of vintage music, cocktails and fun! It will be the day after my Birthday, so I may make you all sing to me instead…

Book your table by emailing bookings@thefourteas.co.uk or phone 01789 293 908.

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances and tagged 1940's singer, kitten von mew, sheep street, the Fourteas, the officers mess, vintage music, vintage singer, vintage tearoom. Bookmark the permalink.

Saltburn Steampunk Weekend 2021

Posted on September 25, 2021 by Kitten von Mew

Don’t look at me like that! I know I haven’t posted anything for a while and I’m so sorry.

Last weekend we travelled up to Yorkshire to a BRAND NEW steampunk event in the Victorian seaside town of Saltburn by the Sea.

What a hidden gem this place is! The buildings are beautiful and wait until you see the beach! It looks nothing from the cliff top, but once you have descended the many steps (the tram is not working unfortunately), you are met with a fabulous view of the pier and Victorian seaside buildings in red and cream.

There are wonderfully colourful beach huts to bring cheer to even the gloomiest day, mini golf and THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS I’VE EVER HAD!

At the top of the hill is a pretty walkway with flowerbeds called Marine Parade Gardens, which features a ‘grotto’ called Jack’s Castle.

There is also a metal statue of Henry Pease, who founded the resort. From the railway station to the pier, this entrepreneur has an amazing vision and not only succeeded in creating it, but wanted to make sure that lower-paid workers of the nearby mines could afford to holiday there. You can find out all about Henry Pease and his family here.

So back to the main event! The entertainment, stalls and other steampunk delights took place at Saltburn House. The hotel was originally built in the late 1800’s by the Pease family as a convalescent home for their workers. It was later used to house a local school that had burned down and then used as a working men’s club for affordable 2 week breaks for its members. it now remains a working men’s club and and was a great base for the Steampunk weekend. With the main town, station, gardens and beach just a walk away, it was the perfect location.

Kitten Von Mew having a giggle with Sandie Burland and Bumblebee!

Kitten Von Mew singing at Saltburn by the Sea Steampunk Weekend

We met some wonderful people at the event and the locals that came to watch the entertainment we’re friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming! There were a fantastic selection of stall at the event, but annoyingly I didn’t take pictures of them!!!

I do have some other photos I need to go through on my camera, which also include other entertainers, so I will post them up ASAP.

Betsy’s stained glass rocket pack she wore on Saturday evening gained her a Cogling’s medal!

Mr Mew wore his much loved top hat, but finally had the excuse to turn it on!

Thank you so much to everyone who watched me perform and were so understanding about my poorly throat. We didn’t want to leave! I have been booked again for next year’s show, so I hope to see even more of you there. Much love xxx

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, steampunk and tagged bustle gown, kitten von mew, Saltburn, Saltburn by the sea, steampunk, victorian, vintage singer, Yorkshire steampunk. Bookmark the permalink.

Cocktail Evening at The Fourteas

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Kitten von Mew

Last night marked the very first cocktail evening at The Fourteas in Stratford upon Avon!

I was incredibly nervous and excited as I had been asked to alter my repertoire to focus on less wartime patriotic and more blues and swing. That meant learning some more songs and performing them confidently on the night!

As some of you know, I have an issue with my memory and in times of stress and fluster it is even worse! My head is constantly full of whizzing and bouncing ideas, thoughts, worries, reminders, ideas, daydreams and all manner of ridiculousness. Then I have to somehow squeeze lyrics to songs in between, like packing peanuts. In times of trauma or extreme upset my brain says “No thank you” and pretty much shuts down to defend itself. So I have to try and keep calm and collected as much as possible (at least outwardly!). Memorising the lyrics and timing to 24 songs can be either a walk in the park or swimming through treacle. Luckily last night I swallowed my pride and brought some lyric sheets with me for the new songs. With a quick glance at the start of odd verses I was able to jog my memory and move smoothly through the latest editions! Phew!

The evening was fantastic. The Fourteas’ new owner Zenios was a wonderful host and greeted each guest, chatted and made sure everything went like clockwork. The staff were attentive and brought around fabulous cocktails and mocktails to each table, never leaving people waiting for too long. I enjoyed a virgin pina colada and strawberry daiquiri!

Zenios (owner) and Kitten Von Mew (1940’s singer) taken by Sean BE

At 7.30pm I started singing and was greeted to wonderful applause, smiles and toe tapping throughout. Us singers feed off of audience reactions, so I was on cloud nine for the entire evening!

Seeing a couple of familiar faces really helped me feel at ease and it was great to get back to a sense of normality again.

Zenios, Suzie, Sean and their lovely friend.

The Fourteas is a 1940’s tearoom situated in Sheep Street, Stratford upon Avon. It features indoor and outdoor seating and a wonderful vintage atmosphere. These new cocktail evenings will certainly add a classy and decadent evening venue to the town! If last night was anything to go by, this is going to be an incredibly successful venture for them! I hope to be a regular face (and voice) on Friday evenings!

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances and tagged 1940's singer, 1940’s tea room, 1940s tearoom, 40's singer, cocktail evening, Fourteas, kitten von mew, stratford upon avon, vintage singer, zenios. Bookmark the permalink.

Step Back to the 1940’s

Posted on April 24, 2021 by Kitten von Mew

You may have started to see The Severn Valley Railway’s new promo videos popping up on TikTok and Instagram recently.

I had super fun being part of these hammy shorts and it was wonderful being at the beautiful Kidderminster Station once more!

I cannot wait to sing to you all at The Engine Shed at Highley for Step Back to the 1940’s this summer, so keep your eyes peeled for more little videos popping up throughout May and June!

You can see the first two promotional videos for SVR’s WW2 event HERE and HERE!

Corsage and hair flower made by Kitten Von Mew. Dress by Micheline Pitt.

The underpinnings! 1950’s open bottom girdle and vintage fully fashion stockings.

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Publicity and Media Announcements and tagged 1940's events, 1940's singer, ffs, fully fashioned stockings, girdle, kitten von mew, Severn Valley, steam railway, step back to the 1940’s, SVR, the Severn valley railway, vintage lingerie, vintage pinup, vintage singer, ww2 event. Bookmark the permalink.

VE Day 75 Celebrations 2020

Posted on May 9, 2020 by Kitten von Mew

Who would’ve thought that in these uncertain days of isolation that we could get so many people together (safely distanced) in joyful celebration and remembrance.

Flags were flying, bunting hung and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as the whole street prepared for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. This special day celebrates Winston Churchill’s famous speech that WW2 was finally over.

This anniversary has come at a time where community spirit is again so important in keeping spirits lifted in a difficult time.

On thursday evening Richard and I did a Zoom video interview for Studio 10, an Australian news programme on Channel 10. It aired at 11.40am Sydney time, although due to the time difference, we had to do the video call at 10.15pm!

On Friday morning at 9am I had a visit from the BBC Coventry and Warwickshire van and was interviewed live about the day’s upcoming events.

At 11.30am I started my live singing set, which was also featured on Facebook for those in carehomes, hospitals, workplaces and homes worldwide. Viewers in America, France, Germany, Australia and Britain all joined me as I sang a selection of 1940’s classics to my neighbours and the photographer from Stratford Herld. I had a slight hiccup in Watch the Birdie, when my ‘mummy head’ clicked in as betsy hurt her finger. All words went out of my head as I watched and mentally checked that she was ok, whilst mumbling incoherent nonsense through the microphone. Ok, good Richard is getting her a plaster. BHAM! Back to singing head. Where am I in the song? Shoot this is going out live! Ok, just smile and look like you know what you’re doing… “Watch the Birdie, let’s take a candied camera shot, Watch the Birdie come on let’s give it all you’ve got, Watch the Birdie just pick a flop-n-derp-n-bop and hold it!” ha ha ha!

I decided to raise funds for Combat Stress, my favourite charity, who help veterans young and old (as well as their families) dealing with depression, PTSD and anxiety. There are already too many vets dealing with homelessness, addiction and psychological problems associated with their time fighting for their country. Combat Stress is here to assist those struggling. For those who would like to donate, you can do so HERE and 100% of the donations will go to the charity. The link will be active for 2 weeks after VE Day, do if it is no longer working, you can contact me directly!

It was so wonderful seeing everyone enjoying themselves and coming together as a proud nation. It just shows that even in these depressing and worrying times, we can create strength and joy to see us through.

There was music playing, people having picnics and BBQ’s and even an ice cream wagon giving out free ice creams and waffles! Thank you to all who made the day so incredible special and memorable, and remember…just pick a flop-n-derp-n-bop and hold it!

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances, Home and Leisure, WW2 History and tagged 1940's singer, bbc coventry and warwickshire, combat stress, kitten von mew, studio 10, ve day, ve day 2020, ve day 75, vintage singer. Bookmark the permalink.

Stratford Herald Comes on Kitten Von Mew’s Walk

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Kitten von Mew

youtu.be/3EhtLMo1s_c

Thank you Stratford Herald for your support!

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Posted in Day to Day and tagged costumed, costumed walk, kitten von mew, stratford herald, vintage singer, walk. Bookmark the permalink.

Singing at Snitterfield Arms 29th Feb ‘20

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Kitten von Mew

This coming Saturday I will be doing a vintage singing set WAY past my bedtime at Snitterfield Arms! Nestled in a flourishing village, just outside Stratford Upon Avon, this pub has been a local social staple for locals and passers by. This year they are upping their game with more entertainment and I’m one of them!

I start warbling at 9pm, so it would be wonderful to see you there! Plenty of parking, good food and cosy decor.

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Posted in Day to Day, Events and Performances and tagged kitten von mew, Snitterfield arms, vintage singer, vintage singing. Bookmark the permalink.

The Big Victorian Picnic 2019

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Kitten von Mew

Looking for things to do in Warwickshire this Saturday? Why not join me at the Big Victorian Picnic in Leamington Spa! Bring your hampers and don your finest as we all join together in celebration for the grand opening of the bandstand in Victoria Park! There will be stalls, traditional fair games and music!