Swinging ukeleles

Gypsy John and Partner

Tricity was inspired by bandleader Ivy Benson, whose All Girl Swing Band became the BBC’s Resident Dance Band in 1943 and was the first band to play in liberated Berlin after World War Two. Ivy Benson, like Tricity herself, came from Leeds, and it was at the unveiling of a blue plaque at Ivy Benson’s birthplace that Tricity met members of the original band and was inspired to start her own all female jazz ensemble.

The purpose of the evening is to dance and have a party with seating for cabaret and space to dance. Dancing will be led by the old town’s popular lindyhop impresario, Gypsy John. If you like swing with a modern twist, fun, dancing and cabaret, then this is your must be there night. The All Swing Band that evening will be a 5 piece musicians’ configuration and two dancers (Gypsy John and Partner).

Tricity Vogue took up the ukulele in 2007 after an earlier band stood her up – and she never looked back. Dubbed ‘ukulele doyenne’ by Time Out London, and “Queen of the ukulele” by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s, Will Grove-White, Tricity has performed for Ravi Shankar, Hollywood director Joe Wright, and Anoushka Shankar, whom she taught to play kazoo. Tricity was the first person ever to play ukulele on Ronnie Scott’s stage, and in 2014, she and her uke played mainstage to 1,400 people at the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival.

Tricity Vogue and her ukulele
Photograph by Sin Bozkurt

Goldtrash Productions, a company created by Catia Ciarico, produces, promotes,  and manages entertainment events including Tricity Vogue and the adult panto, Charming Dick, which shows for one day, 5 December, at St Mary in the Castle.

Is Twankey safe from the wicked witch’s ruthless desire to obtain the lamp and close Twankeys launderette? Will Twankey sing about it? Will Babe be picked for Eurovision? Why can’t Charming just commit to Babe? Will little Dick find fame, fortune and love? And why is Red Riding Hood in this panto?

Tricity Vogue on stage with her band

Charming Dick is very cabaret oriented as a panto and, although in keeping with the panto traditions and set pieces, it is not like any panto you will have been to… just funnier and a bit more dirty than normal. At the recent preview at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the entire audience was on their feet dancing to the last song; it was a riot!

“This probably isn’t one to bring your gran along to – famously filthy and brazenly bawdy” – Sosogay

Tricity Vogue’s All Girl Swing Band: Doors open 7pm for 8.30pm Friday 11 December at St Mary in the Castle, 7 Pelham Crescent TN34 3AF Tickets £15. Over 18s only