Pleased to see that our retro frolics have come to the attention of The Spectator, the oldest weekly magazine in the world, appropriately enough. (The article is about places you can dress up to go to, illustrated, ironically, with a photo of Ruby Deshabillé at our Valentine's party last year—wearing very little indeed.) See https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/unmissable-excuses-to-dress-up.
The sap is rising…
OK, here in London it's not very spring-like today, but by the time of our first post-Covid party in July you'll be able to enjoy warm summer nights in our courtyard garden—just like this gentleman here. So get that green suit out of storage.
Tickets are 60% sold for Saturday 17th July, with only a handful of dinner places and table reservations left, though we are also open on Friday 16th as well.
(Note also that if things go pear-shaped and events like ours are NOT after all able to continue after 21st June, rest assured that if we cancel an event all ticket holders will be automatically reimbursed.)
"There's sad news here: you're under arrest"
If you're missing your 1920s fix this video may amuse you: it's a live-streamed talk I did last Wednesday about Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith. They looked more like vaudevillians than cops but, with no training, they became the most successful enforcement agents of Prohibition in the US. Despite working to uphold an unpopular law that most Americans were happy to break, such was the playfulness and ingenuity of their methods (including a bizarre array of disguises) that Izzy and Moe became immensely popular with the public—something that would ultimately lead to their downfall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSHbaqtncPw
Your correspondent spills the beans
Musicans assemble!
Since we were able to announce our 2021 schedule and put tickets on sale three weeks ago, we’ve been busying ourselves getting all the pieces into place. One of the most important parts of the Candlelight Club experience are the live bands we have performing at each party: I confess that when we started the club back in 2010 I didn’t realise that there was such a vibrant scene of young musicians passionate about the music of the jazz and swing era. Over the years it’s been a privilege to offer these talented performers a platform and an audience of boisterous, energetic party people eager to dance the night away—just the way this music was intended to be enjoyed back in the day! We’re still waiting to confirm a couple of acts, but to see who we’ve got lined up so far, have a look at the Upcoming Events page. For a taste of what to expect on the night you can hear live recordings made at our parties over on Soundcloud.
We're back!
It’s been a long time coming—never in our ten-year history have we had to stop doing events as long as this—but we now finally have dates in the diary. It won’t be till July, as parties like ours fall in the final stage of the lifting of restrictions, but we do have a firm schedule for the rest of the year (right up to New Year’s Eve, if you can bear to think that far ahead).
Tickets are now on sale, so head over to the Tickets page and get ‘em while they’re hot!
This is what it must have felt like when they finally repealed Prohibition…
A virtual New Year's Eve
With the shadow of coronavirus still falling across the land we were not able to throw any Christmas events or our traditional New Year’s Eve party, but we did stream an audio recording of Champagne Charlie and the Bubbly Boys’ complete live show from our NYE 2018 party, running on YouTube from 11pm till 12.30am, with a specially recorded Address to the Nation from Champagne Charlie himself in the run-up to midnight. You can still view this video at https://youtu.be/kwzekTtr4mw, and you can hear all the individual tracks in a playlist on our Soundcloud page.
Flapper dresses for less!
I know there's no going out at the moment, but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead: our friends at Retro Stage are having a big sale featuring loads of 1920s-style flapper dresses and accessories (and some 1950s clothing too, if that floats your boat). Moreover, Candlelight Clubbers can get an EXTRA 20% OFF by using the discount code CANDLELIGHT20. See https://bit.ly/2U0woVA. (Discount applies only to sale items.)
We're ten years old!
Yes, folks, on Saturday 23rd October 2010 the very first Candlelight Club took place. The venue was half the size of the one we mostly use these days and I remember when we first lit all the candles and turned out the lights we had no idea if you'd even be able to see in there. We had DJing from MC Fruity and burlesque from Vicky Butterfly (it wasn't until the second event that we started having live bands each time). Instead of a dinner menu we simply made sandwiches for everyone—by the Christmas event two months later our food and drink guru Will Sprunt was curing his own ham, and the next month he made cupcakes with absinthe icing for an event themed around La Clandestine and Butterfly absinthes. We were amazed how quickly it took off—within four events we had moved into the larger space and by spring 2011 we were doing events on three Saturdays out of every four. Huge thanks to everyone who came to those parties and gave us confidence to go for it.
We didn't mark our birthday for the first few years, as we didn't really think of it as something that would last so long. We had an anniversary ball in 2013 (featuring Vicky Butterfly once again, but this time in a 500-capacity hall with a huge stage), but it wasn’t until 2015 that we started a tradition of proper birthday parties. Obviously we were hoping to have a big knees-up to mark the big ONE-OH, but thanks to COVID that will have to wait. In the meantime here are selection of memories from our previous birthday bashes.
COVID update
Social distancing rules have a big impact on the Candlelight Club
Now that pubs and restaurants have cautiously reopened and live indoor entertainment is permitted (notwithstanding the recent step backwards with the “Rule of Six”), I've been getting more enquiries about when the Candlelight Club will be opening its doors for some Jazz-fuelled, cocktail-soaked fun.
Sadly there are two stumbling blocks for us: firstly nightclubs are still expressly banned—and although the Candlelight Club is a pop-up it's hard to argue that it isn't essentially a nightclub. Moreover, as long as there is any kind of social distancing in place it reduces our capacity by at least 65%, making it financially impossible to operate.
So far there is no official timetable for the lifting of these restrictions, but as soon as there is we hope to get some dates in the diary so you can start planning your outfits! Be sure to sign up to our newsletter so we can keep you abreast of developments.
GIFT VOUCHERS
If you were hoping to surprise a friend or loved one with tickets to one of our Jazz Age glamfests, you can still buy gift vouchers through our website (see www.thecandlelightclub.com/gift-vouchers). Moreover, if you have vouchers and have obviously been unable to use them since March just drop us a line, as we are able to extend the validity period using Science.
April event cancelled
It won't surprise anyone to hear that we are cancelling the Candlelight Club event scheduled for 18th April. When the whole coronavirus thing kicked off this event was still five weeks away, so we thought we'd wait and see how the land lay nearer the time, but it's now clear that the restrictions on social gatherings will still be in place.
Tickets will be automatically cancelled and ticket holders’ money reimbursed by our ticket platform Design My Night. For information on when we are able to resume our parties, keep an eye on this website, sign up to our mailing list and keep an eye on our Facebook page.
We know that people often buy Candlelight Club tickets as gifts for others—don't forget that even though we can't currently put on our parties, you can still buy gift vouchers from the dedicated page on this website: https://www.thecandlelightclub.com/gift-vouchers
Win a Deco Polo shirt from SJC
SJC London, a British brand producing high quality classic menswear (and soon womenswear) inspired by the designs of the 1920s and 1930s, is offering one lucky Candlelight Clubber one of their stylish Deco Polos. After years of experimenting, developing and fine-tuning the ever-classic polo shirt, the result is a stylish, comfortable all-year-round essential which oozes class and character thanks to its unique placket and spear-point collar. Available in five colours (cream, black, burgundy, rust and storm blue), the polos are made in a rich waffle knit cotton.
To be in with a chance of winning, first sign up to the SJC newsletter.
Then answer this question: ''Name any two suit styles featured in SJC collections.'' Email your answer olga@simonjamescathcart.com.
The winner, drawn at random from those who answer the question correctly (and are currently signed up to the newsletter), will be able to pick a polo in a colour and size of his choice (subject to availability).
Closing date: Friday 13th March
Welcome to the House of Love
Our Valentine's party, one of our most ambitious events to date, took place in a grand London town house designed by James Adam. Into this intimate space we managed to cram three floors of entertainment: on the first floor we had live music from Champagne Charlie and the Bubbly Boys, plus DJing from Aila of the Bee's Knees; on the ground floor we had a live set by the Bohemianauts followed by two cabaret variety shows hosted by Victor Victoria; in the basement we had DJing from Holly of the Bee's Knees, plus tarot reading from Lucius, quick sketch artist Daniela and a pop-up shop from Krausz Jewellery. More photos and high-res downloads at this Flickr album.
Say it with flowers
Just because it's Valentine's doesn't mean our House of Love party on 15th February is only for couples—like all our events, it is as much for groups or individuals. In fact if you'd like to tell the world you are single and looking to mingle we'll have special HEART BADGES you can wear (image not to scale!). Not only that, but the badges are made from seeded paper—take them home, plant them in soil and they will blossom into a posy of wild flowers… (see below for instructions).
Place your seed paper on soil that is slightly compressed, but not too hard-packed. Add 1/8 inch of soil on top of the paper and give it a good drink of water. After that, make sure it's always moist and in a sunny spot. You should see sprouts within 7–10 days.
Candlelight Club recognised in business awards (honestly)
Well, this is unexpected. We have been named "Jazz Club of the Year" in the London Prestige Awards, run by Corporate LiveWire to recognise small businesses. Of course, you might think it is inappropriate—and frankly risky—for a speakeasy to be openly recognised in this way, but don't forget that any gangster worth his salt wants to persuade the world he is "just a businessman"…
VIP drinks option introduced
From New Year’s Eve we’ll be trialling a new complimentary drinks option at our events. For an extra £40 you’ll get a wristband that allows you unlimited Prosecco, wine, beer, spirits & mixers and soft drinks for the first four hours of the event. You'll see the option to add this on the ticket page.
Small print: GUESTS ALSO NEED AN ENTRY TICKET. Please drink responsibly. Management reserves the right to stop serving anyone they deem overly intoxicated. Only single drinks, by the glass, will be served at a time, and for consumption only by the ticket holder.
Discount for fans of 1940s and 1950s fashion
Ahoy, vintage fashion fans! Just in time for Christmas, Vivien of Holloway are offering Candlelight Club followers a 10% discount off online purchases from www.vivienofholloway.com. Just use the code "candlelightclub10". It's valid until 17th January and applies to all goods except sale items.
Win a gin advent calendar!
Irrepressible gin boffins That Boutique-y Gin Company (www.thatboutiqueygincompany.com) are famous for the breadth and diversity of the gins they sell, constantly coming up with exotic spirits featuring both unlikely ingredients or conventional ones that have been treated in an odd way—such as being blasted into space and back (seriously). To celebrate the wealth of flavours on offer they have produced this, a gin Advent calendar. Yes, it’s an Advent calendar with a door for each day of December up to Christmas Eve, but unlike most Advent calendars, behind each door is not just a picture of something seasonal like a robin or a sprig of holly, but a 30ml bottle of gin.
Want to know what Chocolate Cherry Gin tastes like? Or lemon-myrtle-infused Bush Tucker Gin? Gin made with Neroli blossom, smoked rosemary or the skins of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes? Gin that smells like a dank forest, or an embalmed Egyptian mummy? Or indeed gin with botanicals that have been shot into space? Here is your chance to find out, for all these and more are to be found in the calendar’s 24 exotic pockets.
And we’ve got one of these Advent calendars to give away. To be in with a chance of winning it, just answer this question:
Q: One of the gins is That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Fresh Rain Gin, designed to evoke the earthy smell of rain on soil. What vegetable do they use a distillation of to achieve this aroma?
Email your answer to whowantstoknow@thecandlelightclub.com. Closing date is Thursday 21st November.
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar is available now from Master of Malt for £49.95. View the full range of advent calendars at drinksbythedram.com/advent-calendars.
One of the gins in the calendar is Dead King Gin, designed to evoke the aromatics used in embalming an Egyptian mummy…
Terms and conditions:
• You must be aged 18+ to enter
• The prize is a one That Boutiquey Gin Company’s Gin Advent Calendar
• There will be one winner, drawn at random from those who have sent in a correct answer by the close of business on Thursday 21st November. You will be contacted by email and asked to supply an address that we can mail the prize to
• Competition open to UK entrants only
• No purchase is necessary to enter
• Winners will not be made to pay more to enter
Half price tickets for the BFI's musical merriment!
Gold Diggers of 1933
The British Film Institute are having a major season of musical movies—everything from 1930s golden age extravaganzas like Top Hat and Gold Diggers of 1933 (both of which we regularly project on to the walls at our own Jazz Age parties), with breathtaking sets and Busby Berkeley mass choreography, all the way to more modern offerings like Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Greatest Showman. You can see what’s coming up at https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/musicals.
Moreover, Candlelight Club customers can get two tickets for the price of one—just use the code SHOW241 when purchasing online! (Applies to all films in the season except Tommy and Singin’ in the Rain.)
Set from 42nd Street
Our 9th birthday party!
Yes, for nine whole years we've been bringing you the hottest jazz and the best bootlegged liquor to keep your feet moving and your whistle wetted. Helping us celebrate were Gallic charmer Benoit Viellefon and his band, who have been performing for us almost as long as we have been going, plus DJ Richard Gucci—making his first appearance at the Candlelight Club—plus our regular Host With the Most, Champagne Charlie. And, of course, 230 party people in their finest 1920s attire and a mood to dance. Many thanks to all of you who helped us mark our anniversary and created such a wonderful atmosphere.
You can see more photos from the event at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheridanclub/albums/72157711236620471
Three vintage fashion perks from Retro Stage
Retro-Stage have just given Candlelight Clubbers three new chances to make savings on their range of reproduction vintage dresses and accessories.
Launched in 1990 by two best friends who shared a love of vintage clothing, Retro Stage (retro-stage.com) is an online platform selling fashion inspired by the 1920s to the 1950s—check out their wide range of flapper dresses with intricate beading and period accessories like headbands and necklaces. You can put together a whole vintage look from head to toe on their website. Dispatching from warehouses around the world, their prices are keen and they offer free international shipping. And now they’ve just upped the ante for Candlelight Club fashionistas.
Firstly they have increased the automatic discount you get at their online shop—just enter the code club15 at the checkout every time you shop to get 15% off your order.
Secondly, if you’ve bought something from Retro Stage they’d love to see a photo of you in it! Email your snap to service@retro-stage.com and in return they will reward you with a discount code giving you 25% off your next purchase.
COMPETITION
Finally, they have kindly given us two prizes of gift cards worth $50 USD to use at their online shop. To be in with a chance of winning one of these, prove how much you love 1920s fashion by sending us a photo of yourself rocking the Jazz Age look. (Your clobber here can be from anywhere, not necessarily from Retro Stage.) You can email your selfie to whowantstoknow@thecandlelightclub.com, or post it on Facebook or Instagram and tag us (@TheCandlelightClub on Facebook, @candlelightclub on Instagram) and Retro Stage (@RetroStageCom on FB, @retrostage_official on IG). The deadline is the end of Thursday 3rd October 2019 when we will choose our two favourites.
Mastered the Gatsby girl look? Send a photo to prove it and you could win a $50 gift voucher
EDIT:
And congratulations to Stephanie Addington and Stephanie Roza, our two winners! Each will receive a $50 USD vouchers to use at retro-stage.com.
