Watching the great Easter Parade & the song ‘When that Midnight Choo Choo’. The song was introduced to the UK in 1913 by Bert Feldman & features in my talk for @musichallsociety.bsky.social on Bert, Blackpool and American music promotion in 1913 on 16 May online.
youtu.be/izSCwP_4YGU?...
A small yellow figurine of a humanoid bull, viewed from behind, standing on a wooden surface. The figure has muscular legs, small horns, and a tail, with its back and shoulders prominently visible. The background is softly blurred with cool blue tones and indistinct shapes, creating a shallow depth-of-field effect that draws attention to the figure.
Choose 20 paintings that have stayed with you or influenced you - one painting a day for 20 days, no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 4: Blue Minotaur, Richard Patterson (1963 - present)
#blueskyartchallenge
An expressionist painting of a crouching tiger rendered in sharp, angular forms. The tiger’s body is composed of bold planes of yellow, green, orange, and black, with its head turned slightly to the side and one eye visible, giving an alert, watchful expression. The surrounding landscape is abstracted into jagged shapes in deep greens, purples, and warm earth tones, creating a tense, fractured environment that mirrors the animal’s coiled strength.
Choose 20 paintings that have stayed with you or influenced you - one painting a day for 20 days, no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 3: Tiger, Franz Marc (1880 - 1916)
#blueskyartchallenge
A vertical Japanese-style painting depicting two women in traditional kimono walking in profile against a plain beige background. The woman in front wears a dark kimono with a patterned obi and floral hair ornaments, her head slightly bowed. Behind her, a second woman in a muted grey-green kimono follows closely, partially obscured. Both figures have pale faces, elaborately styled black hair, and delicate features. The composition is minimal, with fine detailing in the textiles and accessories contrasting against the empty backdrop.
Choose 20 paintings that have stayed with you or influenced you - one painting a day for 20 days, no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 2: Springtime of Life, Uemura, Shoen (1875 - 1949)
#blueskyartchallenge
An expressive landscape painting shows a solitary, loosely rendered figure standing in the foreground, viewed from behind, gazing across a vast, windswept terrain. The figure, draped in flowing garments with touches of red and green, stands on a patch of vivid ground painted in bold strokes of pink, yellow, and blue. Beyond them stretches a sweeping landscape of water and marshy land leading to a towering, pale blue-green mountain or cliff rising dramatically in the distance. The sky and land blend in loose, gestural brushwork, creating a sense of movement and atmosphere rather than precise detail. The overall mood is contemplative and expansive, with strong contrasts between cool blues and greens and flashes of bright colour in the foreground.
Choose 20 paintings that have stayed with you or influenced you - one painting a day for 20 days, no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 1: On through the Silent Lands, Jack Butler Yeats (1871–1957), Ulster Museum
#blueskyartchallenge
@ulstermuseum.org
Posting about films with Dad again. MGMs Weekend at the Waldorf (1945) with Ginger Rogers.
There’s a terrific number from Xavier Cugat and Lina Romay. Latin culture at the height of fashionable glamour, full orchestra, and the entire song performed in … Spanish. 👀
youtu.be/KJRl3wL51bs?...
Close-up of a worn purple Phoenix Record label on a black shellac disc. The label features a gold phoenix with outstretched wings and reads “How Do You Do, Miss Ragtime?” performed by Warwick Green, comedian, with orchestra. The record shows scuffs, age marks, and a small Feldman & Co. copyright stamp.
Before I left Showtown I discovered a 1913 romp called Monte Carlo to Tokio: cross-dressing, mistaken identities, cultural stereotypes and star-crossed lovers - bonkers! It was an attempt by Bert Feldman to sell ragtime to British music hall with wild results.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
Blue and orange cover for Water Follies with photo of Johnny Weissmuller from his role as Tarzan.
Orange and blue back cover for Coconut Grove with photo of Jewel & Warriss.
Pink and white cover for the Orchid Room on Central pier with three headshots of Frankie Howerd with three different expressions.
Three venues. Three legendary shows. Blackpool, 1949.
✨Water Follies with Tarzan - Johnny Weissmuller
✨Coconut Grove with Jewel & Warriss, and teenage Julie Andrews
✨The Orchid Room with rising Frankie Howerd
Blackpool fun at its glittering best
#Variety #JohnnyWeissmuller #FrankieHowerd
Page from an 1893 programme for the play ‘The Detective’
A page from an 1893 programme at the Blackpool Winter Gardens for the play ‘The Detective’ with the acts listed incl. The Trap and The Sham Nurse.
What is it about autumn & winter that draws us to mystery? This 1893 Blackpool programme feels perfect for the season: hand-painted scenery, limelight effects, and the title ‘A Detective’. Proof that the thrill of suspense never goes out of style.
#VictorianStage #BlackpoolHistory #FromTheArchives.
Maurice Winnick Productions present Dorchester Follies
Sepia print of an unknown male face in a hat
Flip it over 👀 . This 1942 Blackpool Palace poster for Dorchester Follies hides another performer’s face on the back.
I love the little discoveries you make when researching in collections. I know it’s about paper rationing but I want to know who this was!
🌞 After soaking up the sun, keep the fun going in Power Up, our hands-on gaming experience, this weekend!
The perfect post-park hangout, located only 10 mins away from Hyde Park.
🎮 Book your tickets now and let’s play! bit.ly/43lbm7C
Excting events ahead!
Check out our 2025 programme - from fascinating talks to seaside fun in Eastbourne ! Everyone's welcome.
britishmusichallsociety.com/events
🎉🙌Permanent Exhibition of the Year!!! 🥳👏
“…lively, engaging, and unapologetically fun – the museum equivalent of a thrilling arcade”
I’m so excited for this to be happening for #Blackpool right now. Thank you to all who made the joy that is #Showtown
awards.museumsandheritage.com/awards/2025-...
Classic. I love it. And I can’t wait to see Jeffrey Holland at Blackpool Comedy Festival!
www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
We're excited to announce that on 6 June we'll be co-hosting our first day symposium with @hbap1924.bsky.social on Recognising Seaside Heritage. We've got speakers from around the coast and across the heritage sector discussing the challenges and sharing experience hbap.org.uk/recognising-...
Studentship available to study MA Curating Collections and Heritage. Deadline 30th June 2025.
Open to applicants from the African or Asian diaspora or a marginalised ethnicity. The course is a collaboration between Brighton & Hove Museums and University of Brighton. Further info: lnkd.in/e8CJhtey
Woman in tights, shorts, tunic, cloak and feathered hat facing away from the camera. A carousel is in the background.
This image was in a folder titled unknown female performers in our Cyril Critchlow Collection. The words in the background make me think this could be Coney Island?
#Blackpool #Collections #ConeyIsland
Five years of closure, three collection moves, one new museum and and six months of recant and we are there. Time to celebrate with my amazing team.
By permission of Mr. Lamman Two twin brothers and two twin sisters Unique spectacle due to their perfect resemblance Two twin brothers and two twin sisters have just arrived, who have never appeared in this city; they are so like-minded and of such a similar size, especially the women. These four people sing pleasantly in German and French; they have exactly the same voice. The two twin brothers felt such a strong sympathy for each other that they married their twin sisters on October 7, 1773, in the parish church of St. Peter the Old, in Strasbourg. These four twins present two marriages, and a spectacle so curious and so extraordinary, that such a natural history has never appeared in the world. They had the honor of being presented to His Majesty, on October 1 last, in his apartment, by the Duke of Villequier, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber; and to the Queen, by the Countess of Noailles, First Lady-in-Waiting; and to the entire Royal family, whose admiration they have earned, and have deserved the applause of all the Princes, Princesses, and Lords of the Court. On February 19, 1775, Count de Burgaw, brother of the Queen, honored them with his presence and was very pleased. On July 30, they were presented to HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Lorraine, etc., at his Castle of Tervuren. These four twins will go to the houses where they are requested, giving them one hour's notice. They may be seen from 9:00 a.m. until noon where they are staying, and from noon until 5:00 p.m. in town, and then from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the lodge. Two steps will be taken for the first seats, one for the second, and a plaquette for the third. People of distinction will give according to their generosity. They are accommodated at the Tete d'Or, on the square.
A startling item from the #Cairoli collection highlighting the history of performance. We used this in the recent press campaign for the relaunch of the #Showtown history centre. I still find the French royal court association fascinating. I’ve put the google translation in the alt text.
Tower Palace Grand combined programme and journal
Well, this is it. The Showtown History Centre reopens Friday 25th April. I’m breathing a huge sigh of relief and happiness that we made it. I’m so grateful to all who have supported the process of safeguarding Blackpool’s collection and I can’t wait to see people using them again.
Our #ArtDecoSouthsideAlive! project recasts local icons as beacons of inspiration & action!
✏️ Urban Sketching classes
🏢 Schools Art Deco Model Challenge
🎙️ Oral Histories community stories
🐾 Guided walks for Liveable Neighbourhoods
📚 Guidebook fusing past & future themes
Stay tuned #ArtDeco #Glasgow
Illustrated cover of book featuring a man in the Royal Army Medical Corps, an image of Blackpool Promenade and the title ‘Spud Wilkins at Blackpool’ by Sergio H. V. Verrells.
We’re on the last few weeks now until we reopen the Showtown History Centre after 5 years of closure. We’re working on the books in our study collection. This little gem from #WorldWar1 is brilliant. Published in #Blackpool in 1918 by the R.A.M.C.
I have been trying desperately to not put too much on about Blackpool in Ww2 because of the museums coming exhibition. At last it’s here, opening next Tuesday. Can’t wait to enjoy it and see others do so too! www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/news/bright-...
Three b&w images of seven people on a bike, a lady on a bike in Victorian clothing and a portrait of a man with a moustache and a tunic covered in medals.
Cover of a guide to Blackpool with gold print and illuminated title in red and blue at the top of the page reading Programme of entertainments, railway and tram guide.
Bit of break while planning the launch of the history centre. Good news - all of Blackpool’s collections are unpacked and on shelves. This little gem from 1900 shows the Kauffman Troupe of Trick Cyclists from the Pavilion Winter Gardens. Fabulous!
#collections #victorian
Engraving of the Empure Theatre, an ornate Victorian building, looking down Church Street with figures in Victorian dress passing in front.
Gorgeous drawing of the Empire Theatre of Varieties from when it was auctioned in 1900. It’s lovely to see this because it went through so many face lifts and renames until it became the Syndicate Nightclub. #collections #Blackpool #Theatres #musichall
Box containing unbound page from album with an early 20th image of a square in Brussels and underneath a street map of the location of the square. Hand written text reading ‘site of corporations illuminated advertisement in Brussels.
I love this. Image of the site of #Blackpool Illuminated advertisement in the Place de Brouckère in Brussels Belgium. I’ve never seen an image of the sign in place but I would love to. There were no limits to the ambition.
#collection #illuminations #brussels
Typed page describing the foundation works for Blackpool tower.
For years dad told me Blackpool Tower was built on cotton bales which his grandma told him. Finally I have seen evidence this story was not true. Not told my dad because his childhood memory of his grandma is precious. This is a schedule of works for the building of #Blackpool Tower.
#collections
Flyer reading: “To B. Or not to B.? That is the question.” There can only be one answer when “B” stands for Blackpool. Its breezes cure the ills that Flesh is Heir to, and its pleasures make a Visit a Consummation devoutly to be wished. No gloomy Hamlet but the liveliest of pleasure cities.
Advertising from Blackpool was always fun and specifically designed to its placement location. The language and the designs changed over the years but not the #Blackpool optimism. This one is for Stratford on Avon people, as if you couldn’t guess. 😂
#Collections #Shakespeare
Not from unpacking but from a kind donation. 100s of images from #Blackpool councils engineering department in the 1950s and 1960s that got forgotten then rescued. This small wallet contains images of traffic congestion and I can’t wait for them to be properly digitised.
#collections #photography
Front page of icing book with photograph of large pink iced tower cake.
Front page with the text: North Edition Cake Making Icing and Breads by George F Burton (gold medalist)
Index page on notebook of baking and icing conference 1932
Plenty of people around me loved these collections when we unpacked but as someone who struggles to bake a cookie they just looked like stress to me. Still thought I would share as Burton’s was so famous in Blackpool. #collections #blackpool #baking
