Bournemouth Diaries

Burlesque of Sherborne

A mum of three just might be giving Sherborne their very own "Calendar girls" as she begins teaching her first Burlesque lessons.

The classes are being held by Jo Freestone, 44, award - winning actress of the Amateur Players of Sherborne, and a granddaughter of a professional Shakespearian actor.

"In holding burlesque classes I believe that there are women of all ages, shapes and sizes who feel that they would like to do something a little more risqué in their spare time, to push themselves that little bit extra and have a right laugh because it is really good fun after all," said Ms Freestone.

Burlesque, the art of theatrical striptease, dates back to the 19th Century. In 20th century America the form became associated with a variety show in which striptease was the leading attraction. Performers such as Dita Von Teese and Immodesty Blaize brought a sophisticated note to an opportunity for the modern day woman to learn the old art of seduction.

Ms Freestone remembers: "I think I first became interested in burlesque performance when I was 12 years old. I watched the film musical 'Gypsy' by Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim and I was transfixed with the fact that you could bewitch an audience with the promise of what only may happen."

One of 15 brave women that attended the first workshop, said: "I am thankful for a great time at the burlesque class because it is amazing how we all grew in confidence in just two hours. We learned loads and will practise like mad for weeks to come."

Bournemouth Diaries

"Classical clubbing" bringing youth to art

An innovative genre of music, combining DJ sets with classics by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, will explode in Bournemouth's "Late Night of Classical Clubbing".

Lead by the young conductor Kirill Karabits, BSO will be joined by DJ's Gabriel Prokofiev and Danny Rampling in the event that will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre, on Saturday night.

"This idea is to combine classical music with something that's closer to younger people who are regularly going out to nightclubs," said the conductor Kirill Karabits who is setting out to break the rigid reputation of classical forms.

The event will begin with the music of the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev's grandson Gabriel Prokofiev, who is known for promoting classical music in an unconventional way - in nightclubs.

With the idea to revive the classical music concert, Karabits will then conduct the orchestra into the repertoire of classical and contemporary music, followed by Danny Rampling's two-hour long DJ set.

Bournemouth's arts development officer Adam Gent commented on the issue of young people's involvement in arts: "Often having two universities arrive at a doorstep of a town can offer the chance to expand its counter offer, because you've got a huge bunch of relatively affluent, educated young people and they're up for some exciting stuff."

"But I think that that isn't the connection that Bournemouth has made with the higher education institutions and, likewise, not a connection those HEI's have made back to it," he continued.

Determined to get younger audiences involved, Kirill Karabits said: "I didn't grow up in the UK and I want to see what the younger people are interested in and how I can contribute."

This one is for me...

When I was 17... I bought a notebook with blood red velvet covers, and it was for my thoughts. Not a diary, but a diary. On the first page I wrote "Just like my Phoenix, I am born and I die over and again...". I don't remember the rest, the book is in my house in snow covered Belgrade.

No, this won't work here. I need my absolute privacy that can be exposed only to those living in my most guarded depths where skin is white as stone, by a waterfall of my teenage romance, where the cheek is cold and rough, where the phone rings for unbearable amounts of time and the sweet tiny voice is on the other end, where we are on top of a narrow tall brick building swaying to the sides and I am trying to protect you from yourself, where we are on an uncomfortable bed in the lightest embrace, indescribable in words, on a blog, where you are all reading...

It was good.

Bournemouth Diaries

Bournemouth Islamic community angry with the French face veil ban

 
Tama Bouguerrache, Head Teacher at the Bournemouth Islamic Centre

Bournemouth Islamic community is infuriated after the French Government approved a draft law forbidding women to wear a face veil.

Members are now concerned that Britain may follow suit, said Bournemouth Islamic community relations spokesman, Tariq K. Palmer.

"It appears that the French Government are hell-bent on generating mayhem in their country," he said.

"Only a short while ago, they banned the use of the Hijjab (scarf) in schools and universities; now they want to go one step further and make a general ban."

The suggestion includes a €750 fine for anyone found on the street with a covered or masked face. According to Jean-François Copé, President of the UMP Party in the French National Assembley, the law will contain exceptions so that it does not include people dressed for carnivals or masked balls

The law contradicts the aims of President Nicolas Sarkozy to try suppress the anti-Islamic views of the country.

"It is a great shame that people like Sarkozy wish to ignite more unrest amongst his population. As far as the Muslim community here in Bournemouth is concerned, we share a common interest in tolerance and understanding and justice in our country."

Mr Palmer called PM Sarcozy a "racist Islamophobe who tends to forget how the substantial Muslim population contributes to the wealth and well-being of France."

He added: "He is, in fact, providing ammunition for the French equivalent of the British National Party. Talking of which, I would advise them not to go down that road."