My Bristol Favourites: Tuesday Laveau

Tuesday Laveau is a burlesque performer and one of the organisers of the Bristol Burlesque Festival taking place from October 9 to 11.

A celebration of Bristol’s vibrant burlesque scene, the festival will feature performers from Bristol and across the UK, as well as further afield from Europe and the USA, as well as a full day of workshops.

Fabric Land

“I make my own costumes so Fabric Land is a dream. The staff are knowledgeable and patient and seem way happier working under their new management. As someone with a magpie’s eye for shiny things, Fabric Land’s bright, foil embossed lycra selection is second to none. Their extensive range of fringe and trim makes them an unmissable stop for any dancer or costumier passing through Bristol. Be sure to check out their website www.fabricland.co.uk for coupons and because it looks like a Geocities site circa 1999.”

The Queenshilling

“The Queenshilling is either a club that feels like a bar or a bar that feels like a club, but either way, it is my favourite place to meet friends on a Friday and dance all night on the disco-style lit dance floor. Featuring amazing DJs, drag acts, performance and bands, there is always something wild to see each time I visit. The party doesn’t really get going until midnight, so it’s perfect for a night owl like me. Go to Psycho:Drama on the second Friday of every month for their awesome alternative playlist and best dance party in Bristol.”

The gypsy caravan at Bristol Museum

“Bristol Museum is a jewel in Bristol’s cultural crown. When I get stuck in a creative block, I like to take a solo stroll through the various exhibits and clear my head. As I wind my way through each wing of the museum, pausing to marvel at the ancient elegance of the scarab jewellery in the Egyptian exhibition, or hesitating in front of the taxidermied aye aye as he points an accusatory finger at me, I always spend the most time peering through the acrylic pane that blocks the door to the gypsy caravan. The homely set-up fascinates me. The bed, snug behind its ornate wooden shutters and the petite but sturdy looking stove, turn to almost dollhouse proportions when you step back to admire the colossal wheels that hold up the whole caravan. It’s a captivating slice of history that I can’t help but linger over.”

Harry Blades & Angry Daves

“Super hip but unpretentious, with a male and female clientele, Harry Blades feels simultaneously like an old-school barber shop and an upmarket salon. They provide consistently high quality hair styling that strikes the sweet spot between modern and traditional. They deserve to become a Bristol classic, if they aren’t already.”

Bristol’s burlesque scene

“Bristol’s Burlesque Scene has been going strong for number of years now. We are a true reflection of the city, choosing to create shows built around the weird, wild and wonderful. I’m proud to be a part of such a vibrant scene that includes CoochieCrunch (full disclosure: I produce this show!) Dr Sketchy’s, Copper Feel Cabaret, Pink Kitten Dance School and Bristol Burlesque Festival. I have danced all over the UK and the USA and can say, hand over heart, that Bristol audiences are some of the warmest, most fun crowds you can work for.”

Photo by Tony Barrett Powell