The mission of the English Disco Lovers is to protest the far right political views of the English Defence League, in a fun and jokey way.
The Bristol Division's event was not free of hitches due to attention from the real EDL. Fortunately the event went ahead mostly as planned, minus the plush comforts and circus of the Glam Space Disco Ball Room, and under police surveillance.
Lucky for us the revellers, seemingly crash-landed at the disco at the end of the universe after a long stretch of stasis in deep space, were none so much perturbed. Ready to shake their spandex come what may!
A bizarre collection of outfits at varying levels of effort, served to bolster such sci-fi expectations of what may well happen to an unlikely gaggle of survivors of humanity, haphazardly ejected from Earth. Think the Cat, accidental hybrid from Red Dwarf, only with plastic water cups, colander hats and a lot of nylon afros!
I kept imagining myself at the party floating in space in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but also populated with the crew of Nostromo from Alien and some questionable Dr Who type humanoid cross breeds.
The vibe was tongue-in-cheek, or bitey cheek. But the cabaret performances served to inspire and titillate in good proportions. The dance troupe of 4 silvery girls were fabulous for their costumes and great comic attitude. It was particularly hilarious when two girls stormed the stage, unaware that it was a performance going on and then tried to it carry off by joining in. Oh the shame, but well done for your effort ladies!
It was Mirabelle who really stole the show! The Human Mirrorball, with her electric violin she opened with Donna Summer's I Feel Love and mashed up some excellent wedding hits to karaoke backing tracks with perfect poise. Trust me she really was sensational!
The Village Disco did sterling work, dressed as Thunderbirds and we went on to receive some perfectly groove worthy Swing Hip Funk, or whatever it was...
Well done The Empire Theatre too, newly opened pop-up arts venue in Old Market, Bristol.
"On a trip to The Empire you might find anything from sophisticated sit down cabaret shows, to large parties with music and circus performance, live gigs, gay events, cinema and more," Quote courtesy of Theatre Bristol.
Image: Mirabelle
by Andrew Hurdle Photography
English Disco Lovers
www.edl.me
Empire Theatre
www.facebook.com/empire.bristol
Theatre Bristol Empire Theatre Interview
http://theatrebristol.net/2013/8/29/empire-theatre-launches-on-old-market
English Disco Lovers Interview
www.bristol247.com/2013/10/08/edl-vs-edl-how-bristols-english-disco-lovers-are-taking-on-racism-54022/
