A dapper TIM HUGHS gets in the mood for a night of partying - 1940's style
Clark Gable, Bettie Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and frank Sinatra. For sheer style, few decades can touch the 1940's. And while it's movie stars were glamorous and beautiful, it's music was, at best sublime.
Tomorrow, those years of wartime style will be revisited with the first of a series of themed decade nights at Oxford's best-loved club night-
Trashy.
The long running club, based at the O2 Academy is turning the clock back to the days of the blitz, rationing and risque caberet, for
Burlesque not Bombs.
The night is being presented by resident
D.J's Nelly B Page and Tommy Kneecaps, pictured, and features the charms of
the Chantilly Belles live burlesque act.
"it's going to be an amazing night", says Nelly over tea at Oxford's Grand Cafe.
The night is the first of a series of monthyly events celebrating music and fashion from the Second Worls War to present day.
"The idea was to celebrate the retro aspect of Trashy and it seemed a great idea to celebrate each decade - starting tomorrow with the 1940's. We have some great music from the decade and we want to dress everyone to dress up"
Nelly has been getting into role by cutting a swish figure around town in a shortened black dress, red stockings and a fascinator.
Tommy, meanwhile s the perfect chap in dapper stripped suit and hat.
"There are so many things people can wear," says nelly. "We want people to have fun dressing up. It's not at all elitist just greay fun. I'm really excited to see what people come up with. the lads can wear suits and military uniforms, while the girls have it easy by just looking glamorous in a dress or corset. And if the boys want to come in a corset and the girls in a uniform, that's cool too. All the bar staff and D.J's will be dressed up - and if you do tooyou will get really well looked after - as well as getting in for free."
So what tunes can we expect?
"There will be all the usual Trashy favourites," she says. "But a few 1940's - style gems thrown in as well - so there could be anything from Frank Sinatra and fred Astaire, to Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn. The 40's had some great tunes like We'll Meet Again, In The Mood, Boogiw Woogie Bugal Boy, and As Time Goes By, from Casablanca.
The D'J set will be interspersed with performances from the Chantilly Belles - featuring Manchester pin-up artist Gemma Parker, one of the country's best burlesque artists."I can't wait", says Nelly. "It's going to be sexy, shocking - and very funny!".
Doors open at 10.30pm and the night runs until 3am. Tickets are £6, or free for those in 1940's fancy dress.
For details of Gemma Parker, seewww.gemmaparker.co.uk
