Pre-Wedding Treatments to Schedule: Cellulite Treatments, Permanent Hair Removal Treatments and Skin Rejuvenation
So you’re planning on getting married next year? You just have enough time to start preparing yourself for the most important day of your life. If you want to be a radiantly beautiful bride with a svelte cellulite-free figure and perfectly clear smooth skin that is totally hair-free where you want it to be, you can make that happen. You have options for effective cellulite treatments, permanent hair removal and skin rejuvenation. But you have to start taking care of yourself right now.
VelaShape Cellulite Treatments
Does your dream wedding gown require a flat abdomen with no love handles? Do your honeymoon plans include a beach or a poolside where you will have to wear your sexiest swimsuit that demands cellulite-free buttocks and thighs? There’s no need to worry.
No, I’m not going to recommend that you undergo plastic surgery or liposuction. Plastic surgery is too invasive. Liposuction may be less invasive but it has its drawbacks, too. Patients have reported experiencing pain, a lot of blood loss, loosened skin and long recovery periods. In the end, it has been proven that liposuction does not even solve the problem of cellulite.
Fortunately for all of us, there is a more effective non-invasive option for a trimmer cellulite-free figure. VelaShape is a machine that uses bi-polar radiofrequency (RF), infrared light energy, vacuum and mechanical massage to shrink fat cells and fat chambers, resulting in a visible reduction and reshaping of the treated body part. Body parts that can be treated include the abdominal area, buttocks and thighs. Patients have reported reduction from 1 cm. to 7.2 cm in as early as two sessions, a week apart. The body is slimmed down, contoured and toned, resolving cellulite. It is effective, safe and, according to patients, virtually painless. There is also no downtime at all. After treatment the patient can go about normal activities.
Permanent Hair Removal and Skin Rejuvenation through Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL)
Your figure problems may have been solved by VelaShape but what about unwanted body or facial hair?
Wherever you want to get rid of unwanted body hair, permanent hair removal will free you from your problem. This can be achieved through Intense Pulsed Light Treatments or IPL, a laser hair removal treatment that can be done right here in Tampa. Using full spectrum light from flash lamps to destroy hair follicles and prevent regrowth, IPL does not damage the skin nor does it cause any unwanted side effects.
Since IPL targets hair during its growth stage, though, five to nine sessions are needed, ten to twelve weeks apart, for complete hair removal. This means you have to allot at least a year for your permanent hair removal treatments before your wedding, and you have to start on it right now. You won’t regret it on your wedding day and your honeymoon.
One other reason you’ll love IPL is that it can be used for skin rejuvenation, as well, erasing any skin discoloration, eliminating blemishes, shrinking pores, smoothening wrinkles and lines, and firming skin on the face, neck, chest, back, arms, hands, legs and feet. You may need two to four sessions, four weeks apart. This means you have to allot two to four months to this treatment before your wedding.
It would be really convenient if you could find a reliable center that offers all these treatments so that you can get the full package at a good price.
Now you’re all set. You’ll definitely be a beautiful bride on your wedding day. You can go on and order that dream wedding gown and that tiny honeymoon bikini now.
About the Author
Simply Smooth Laser Center
Contact: Scott Grebler
Address: 324 Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 204 Tampa, FL 33609
I’m having a beach wedding in February in the Tampa Bay area, and want to have a wedding dress suited for that. Temperatures are normally between 50 and 70 degrees for that time of year. I want to wear a fairly simple dress, suited for “frolic” at the beach, yet still long and somewhat elegant. Dresses at normal bridal boutiques seem to be too formal, but I don’t know where else to look.
Any suggestions?
I’ve tried J Crew’s, but they’re around 800 dollars and up, I’m only budgeting 300 dollars since it shouldn’t be a traditional gown.
I have known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years I have heard so many stories about both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to the early promotion of UK Aikido, some of the history highlights their hard training and appreciation of a true martial art, yet there are many amusing anecdotes.
Sensei Eastman is the only Aikido student from 1950′s “Hut ” dojo who has never given an interview stating that “Sensei Ellis’s story is more interesting than mine”. I asked Sensei Eastman to let the readers decide that on agreeing to this interview.
Introduction
Q -DW: Sensei Eastman , first I would like to thank you for agreeing to this interview.
A -SE: My pleasure David.
Q -DW: When were you born?
A -DE: I was a premature baby; I was born 20 years too soon on the 31st-12-1943.
Q -DW: Where were you born?
A -SE: West Kensington (behind Harrods) London.
Q -DW: Before your introduction to Aikido were you ever involved in any other sports.
A -SE: Yes, I was in the County school track and field team and would often run for my county school in various events.
Q -DW: Now the important question Sensei, What year did you start your Way in Aikido ?
A -SE: I made a brief start at the end of 1959. .
Q -DW: Where did you begin your long journey of Aikido?
A -SE: At the now Internationally famed “Hut” or as it later became the “Abbe School of Budo” It was actually called the “Abbe School of Judo” when I first joined.
First visit to the ” HUT” Dojo.
Q -DW: Would Judo have been your first introduction to martial arts on your first visit To the “Hut”?
A -SE: I vividly remember that first visit with a friend of mine, as we walked into the Hall no one noticed us as all eyes were focused on the action on the mat.
There was a guy in the centre of the mat with a blindfold on who I later came to know as Sensei Harry Ellis. The blind folded student was being attacked by three other high grades, and believe me they were not messing around, in addition to three students attacking the blind folded student there was another guy who was obviously the top man here ( I later found out he was Sensei Williams). He was whacking the guy with a shinai (bamboo sword) shouting at him about his bad posture and not moving around fast enough.
My friend turned to me and said ” Jeeezzz Del ! , I don’t want any of that, do you?, I’m out of here”. With that he left.
Maybe I was not thinking straight but I stayed around and asked for some club information on beginners classes.
Q -DW: After witnessing that first insight into the martial arts, why didn’t you make the same wise move as your friend?
A -SE: I didn’t really know what I was watching, my first impression was that maybe it could be ju-jitsu or something like that, hmmm why did I stay? I am not sure, crazier still the question should be why did I sign up. I belonged to a motor cycle gang and I was the proud owner of a Royal Enfield 350cc. I was also too young to hold a driving license. In those days our favourite place was the historic town of Windsor, which was a great meeting place for motorcycle gangs/groups. The problem was the place was full of soldiers of the Castle guard.
There were always fights with our guys and the soldiers of the Queens Household Cavalry who were a tough old bunch of lads.
In one of these frequent battles I got really hammered by one of the Castle guards, I then decided to check out the local Judo school, that’s it!! I was in there and I joined there and then.
The Beginning of an Aikido Odyssey.
Q -DW: Sensei, tell me about your first class and who was your teacher?
A -SE: My first class was in Sensei Ellis’s Monday night beginners class, this was the biggest class of the week with between 40 to 50 students a night on the mat.
Sensei Ellis’s class was always packed to overflowing, and the training was always hard, yet I enjoyed it and found that I seemed to fit in naturally to this new martial art of Aikido.
Q -DW: Sensei, you said at the beginning of this interview that ” I made a brief start in 1959″ what did you mean by a brief start?
A -SE: Well, what happened was, I had a very serious crash on my motorcycle and my injuries were severe. I was on crutches for three months. I made a slow but good recovery and eventually went back to Aikido. My teacher was still Sensei Ellis, I had only been back on the mat for about 4 or 5 lessons when one evening Sensei Ellis asked Sensei Williams to come on the mat and watch something. I soon realised that the something was me, and to my surprise Sensei Ellis was smashing me all over the mat, as he threw me I just kept bouncing back up. He then said to Sensei Williams; “Sensei, have you ever seen anyone ukemi like that before?” Sensei Williams then took me down in nikyo, a very painful wrist locking technique, he seemed to hold me down for a very long time before allowing me up. He looked at Sensei Ellis and said “He’s only a beginner give him time.” Sensei Ellis replied “You told me to take an assistant, that’s him!” Sensei Williams looked annoyed and sharply retorted “No! an assistant has to be 3rd kyu or higher” Sensei Ellis was persistent and eventually got his way, of course I was not involved in this discussion. As Sensei Williams walked away Sensei Ellis then asked me to be his assistant. He said I had a week to make up my mind, as I walked away Sensei Ellis said “Derek ! you don’t have a choice by the way, let me know at the end of class”. I become Sensei Ellis’s Assistant .
Q -DW: What were your responsibilities or duties as an assistant ?
A -SE: I was the only junior assistant at that time. I was also used by all the other instructors which was hard for me but also gave me a wider experience. I didn’t like being used by David Williams who was Sensei Ken Williams brother. David didn’t have the same understanding of Budo as his brother, and I always felt that he had a very cruel streak to his nature that went beyond strict discipline. It was also my responsibility to open the dojo on Sunday mornings ready for all the high grades. In the winter I would have to light three paraffin heaters, two of which were in the changing room. While they were warming up I would then sweep the frost off the tatami. I recall one winters Sunday morning I arrived early and a few minutes later Sensei Ellis arrived. He said ” Derek, you sweep the mat and I will light the fires for you” I was pleased about that, after a little while Sensei Ellis came out of the changing room shutting the door behind him and said ” keep that door shut Derek it will help to warm those damp gi’s” (training suits). Well, all the students and teachers left their gi’s hanging from the ceiling beams. It was freezing so Sensei and I started to practice to try to warm up, then about 30 min later John Caldwell and some students arrived. As they opened the changing room door the smoke just billowed out. Everyone was coughing and choking, we thought the place was on fire. It wasn’t a fire, but Sensei Ellis had not trimmed the heater wicks. This then caused the fire to billow out all the smoke and smuts, the gi’s were ruined. Sensei Williams then arrived and demanded to know who was responsible; he looked straight at Sensei Ellis who without a word looked at me and pointed his finger in my direction. After a few harsh words Sensei Williams made me do 200 press ups on the backs of my wrists as punishment. Some were demanding new gi’s and others wanted to take their own punishment. It was a while before I was forgiven.
Q -DW: It sounds tough being an assistant, surely there must have been some advantages to be had?
A -SE: As an assistant I did not have to pay a mat fee and trained almost every day. This was a big advantage as I was an apprentice engineer and did not earn much money. I also went on with the Judo and Karate classes. I also trained with Sensei Tomio Otani and I would be uke for all the dan grades at the HUT.
I Don’t Like Walking!
Q -DW: Were there any other assistants or were you the only one?
A-DE: For about 9 months I was the only one, and then Ken Waite became assistant to the Karate teachers. Harada Sensei was impressed with Ken and later made him his own personal assistant. Then a very young judoka called Trevor Jones joined the Aikido section, he was a most talented student with immense natural ability, he was soon promoted to junior assistant to Sensei K Williams and Trevor and I shared the dojo responsibilities together and we became very good friends. Trevor had a big problem , he had a bad habit of upsetting Sensei Ellis, and there were many times that Sensei had to sort him out and on several occasions when Trevor complained about Sensei Ellis’s driving. Sensei would stop the car and throw him out no matter where we were. He did drive too fast but I never complained as I don’t like walking.
Lady Baden Powell almost Faints.
Q -DW: I know Sensei Ellis and Sensei Foster travelled a great deal with Sensei Williams, did you get to travel and visit other dojos ?
A -SE: I did get to travel but not on the scale of Sensei Ellis and Williams. Sensei Williams had just made Sensei Ellis responsible for carrying out displays on his own and I took part in the first one at West Drayton. We did so many over the years yet there are two that are most memorable, I know this story is told in Sensei Ellis article in “Fighting Arts International” magazine. Abbe Sensei told us that this display was so very important as Lady Baden Powell and the Japanese ambassador were in the audience, and it was hoped that Lady Baden Powell would promote martial arts within her youth foundation groups internationally. Sensei Ellis was standing back stage near the Japanese ambassador and Sensei Otani when he thought that a Judo man had insulted Sensei Otani. There was an altercation between the Judo man and Sensei Ellis, I am not sure what happened out of site but the Judo man did not go on stage next as he should have. Suddenly we heard the announcement and introduction of ” Sensei Harry Ellis assistant National Coach” being called out. We rushed onto the stage and as I was thrown in the first technique my cigarettes and matches fell from the folds of my gi. Sensei went mad and immediately smashed me into, and around the mat. His aggression demanded a response, I also got angry and fought back, every attack was for real. I tried real hard to get him with the club without success. Then when it came to knife, I really thought I had him when the knife went deep into the folds of his gi. Sensei gasped but still took me down in immobilization, as he released me and I lifted my head off the mat Lady Baden Powell was looking straight at me with horror all over her face. I just knew there and then that we had blown it. Lady Baden Powell said to Abbe Sensei ” That was the most horrific display of violence I have ever witnessed, and not for my girls”..
A meeting with Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.
Q -DW: You said there were two occasions?
A -SE: We did a really big display at Crystal Palace in a Budo and Judo Championships, we always started with a display but with Sensei having a short fuse we always ended up having a battle of some sort, this one was no different. The great Karate teacher Tatsuo Suzuki who had just been on was now watching us, as we finished he walked over to us and he looked very stern, I was glad Sensei was in front of me.. As Sensei was about to step off the mat Suzuki Sensei walked up to him and said,. “Thank you, That is the best display of Aikido I have ever seen”, he then bowed and walked away.
Impressions of the early HUT teachers.
Q -DW: You said you were an assistant to Sensei Ellis and the only junior at that time and that you were also the general dojo assistant so you would have been in close contact with many if not all of the old teachers, what were your impressions of the ones you came into contact with ?.
A -SE: I will mention them from the highest grade down.
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
I would see Abbe Sensei occasionally on the aikido mat, he would step onto the mat to make a point or teach. He didn’t often bother to change into his gi, he would come on the mat in this old brown de-mob suit; (after the war soldiers were given a brown suit when leaving the army, and it was called a de-mob suit, I am sure that this was one). Sensei Williams would sometimes ask me to take Abbe Sensei home to Acton in my three wheeled “Isetta” bubble car, Sensei Williams told me if I had an accident with Sensei in the car I would have to leave the country and never be seen again, I believed him. Abbe Sensei sat in the Bubble car for the first time. He looked around the little car, then at me, he gave me a very puzzled look and asked ” How many wheels” I replied ” 3 Sensei “. He replied ” Necessary, where are wheels?” I said “2 in the front and one at the back Sensei”. He thought for a moment and then he said ” Ahhhh! Strong triangle”. He did not speak another word during the journey, which was normal for Abbe Sensei. Unlike some of his so called “FRIENDS” who claim to have had long and meaningful philosophical /psychological conversations with him, his English was poor and he did not waste it.
Ken Williams Sensei.
Sensei K Williams the head of the dojo did not use me as much as the others. He was in total control of the dojo and all who were in it. He was not only aikido but 3rd dan judo and a very good one at that. He would officiate as a referee at the American Air Base at Ruislip, once he was a referee at the USAF international Judo Championships. We would get a lot of American students come to train at the Hut in our beginners classes.
David Williams Sensei.
David was in charge of the Karate section before the arrival of Harada Sensei, I enjoyed my regular practice with Ken Griffiths, and later Ken Waite who was to become the first European assistant to Harada Sensei. However, David Williams in my opinion had a very cruel streak to his character. Williams and Ellis and others would teach as Abbe Sensei did with a shinai. It was used a gentle form of intimidation to help motivate you with a little whack on the backside to get your attention. This would be done with a smile and humour and no one ever objected to this light hearted form of discipline. Now with David Williams, he meant it!, and appeared to enjoy it. I will leave it at that as I don’t want to expand on this subject. Closed!.
Eric Dollimore Sensei.
Eric was only 5ft 5in tall and the most dynamic exponent of aikido in the Hut dojo. What I remember most of Eric was one Sunday morning when I was practicing at the bottom of the dojo with some of the high kyu grades. There was quite a bit of action taking place at the top end of the mat with the dan grades, Eric did a very hard technique on Ellis slamming him deep into the mat. He then excused himself saying ” Sorry! I have to go, I have to be at my girlfriends for lunch at 12-00 noon”. Ellis got up from the mat and I could see he was not happy, Eric had now left the mat. Ellis called out to him “Eric you want to fight for real?” Eric replied “Sorry Harry, I really don’t have time”. Ellis walked back to the other dan grades, probably satisfied with Eric’s excuse. It was then that I saw Eric come back out of the changing room minus his hakama and called out “OK Harry!! But we have got to be quick”. They both immediately squared up to each other in posture, after a few seconds Ellis made what looked like a fearful blow at Eric’s head, Eric turned under Ellis with the best Koshi waza technique I have ever seen launching Ellis into and through the plaster board office partition. Sensei Williams was sitting in the office when Ellis joined him as he went straight through the wall. As Ellis sat there covered in plaster board dust, Eric call out ” See ya, Ive got to go I am late for dinner”. I have always said it was like something out of the movies.
Haydn Foster Sensei.
He was a little older than the rest of us and was regarded with respect and affection. His favourite technique was Irimi nage as he put you down hard he always gave that well know throaty laugh of his after leaving you stunned.
Henry (Harry)Ellis Sensei.
Henry Ellis was my teacher and is continually referred to in this interview.
There is one story that I have never seen in print that I will tell you of. In the sixties we heard of another group who were doing Aikido in North London with a well known Japanese Judo teacher called Senta Yamada. He was teaching a style we had never heard of called “Tomiki Aikido” so we decided to go and check them out. All the dan grades gathered at the HUT one evening and we set off to this Tomiki dojo. We just did not know what to expect. When we arrived we respectfully entered their dojo. Sensei Williams spoke to the instructor in charge and asked if we could practice. The instructor said “NO!, I am sorry but you wear hakama’s and we don’t allow them” Sensei Williams replied “That’s ok we will practice without our hakama’s” The instructor thought for a moment and replied ” I still can’t allow you to practice as you are a different organisation to us” It was then that Sensei Ellis pushed forward and said “Organisations are names on paper, Aikido is Aikido”, The instructor was having none of it and politely asked us to leave. We were not happy at this, so we then went into a nearby pub, after about one hour who should come in the pub; you guessed it Dave, all the students and the instructor. We got chatting to the students and they were really nice lads. A big guy who was a 1st kyu made the mistake of asking Sensei Ellis what our nikyo was like. He said it was his favourite technique, when he tried it on Sensei Ellis, nothing happened. He made another mistake, he asked Sensei to show him our style, Sensei nearly put him into the pub cellar. The brown belt guy couldn’t believe this and asked his teacher who was now talking with Sensei Williams. He told him what had just taken place and insisted that his instructor try to do this technique on Sensei Ellis. Sensei Ellis offered his arm and the instructor agreed to try. The instructor could do nothing, then stated “I can not move you because you are making the ARM of STONE, if I also make the ARM of Stone I will break your arm like a twig” Sensei Ellis insisted he make his arm of stone, so the guy tried and to be honest it was no different to the first attempt. Then! as he was making the arm of stone, Sensei Ellis picked up a full pint of beer and drunk it in one go while the guy was trying to break his arm! The guy looked gutted.
Lennie Ballard Sensei and Peter Dowden Sensei.
They appeared inseparable and were really great friends, they would do most of the knife and club displays. I would deputise for them in their ladies classes. They left the HUT shortly after Eric Dollimore.
John Caldwell Sensei.
John was an electrician who worked with Sensei Williams. He was not only a first dan in aikido but also a semi professional sparring partner and boxer. He sparred with some notable boxers such as ex world champs Terry Downs and Terry Spinks who were both world champions at their own weight. John once took me to the ‘Thomas A Becket’ , a famous training gym for boxers above a London pub. That was a special treat for a young lad like me as many world famous UK and USA boxers had trained there. I also remember that once when John was out doing some running training he was attacked by a large alsatian dog which chased after him. John turned as the dog launched itself at him. He kicked hard at the dog, kicking it straight in the throat and it died instantly. A little different to Abbe Sensei’s experience with an Alsatian but non the less unavoidable.
Hamish McFarlane Sensei.
Was older and senior to me he was also a good judoka. He was a 1st kyu (brown belt) in Aikido when I started yet we ended up taking our dan grade test together some four years later. When I received my first dan, Sensei Ellis as tradition demanded presented me with my first black belt and hakama which was of a very good quality. No one ever knew where Hamish got his hakama from. Ellis spread the rumour that the hakama was an ex war dept army blanket as it was a thick material with no traditional pleats. That joke never left Hamish, and I even laughed with Sensei Foster about it recently (July 2003). There was one thing about Hamish that very few knew. When he first asked if he could join the Aikido class he told Sensei Williams that the Doctor had told him he would within 12 months be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of a serious condition with his spine. He started Aikido, and practiced until his death in his 60′s. He also went to Japan and trained at the Aiki-Kai. I have recently heard the sad news that Hamish died a little while ago.
Early dan gradings.
Q-DW: How do you compare the grading system ofthe early days at the HUT with some that you have seen in later years ?.
A-SE: Grading procedures were not so technically ritualised as they are today. Where as at the HUT, the grading would be very physical with constant 100% attack, no one ever got through a grading without a few lumps. I think that most of the old dan grades would agree that 3rd kyu (green belt) was always the hardest; considered by both Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei to be the transition grade between beginner and high grade and your first step as a assistant teacher. It was also the first grading where we had to take attack from a real knife. When it was my first time Sensei Williams asked me “Are you prepared to accept real knife ” I said “YES” but I really meant NO. Eric Dollimore stood before me holding a large knife in his LEFT hand, I just froze. Sensei Williams said ” Derek you forgot Eric is left handed” then he told Eric to attack with his right and then his left. When I took my first dan, what stands out most in my mind was how tired I was when it was my turn. I had been uke for all the other grades and to be honest I don’t know how I got through it all. I just wanted to get it all over with. I took Hamish with a positive tenchi nage and really hammered him into the mat. Nakazono Sensei said he was very pleased with that final technique and awarded me first dan.
————————-
Q-DW: With all the years of hard training and instruction going up through the kyu grades what was the final path to your first dan ?
A-SE: I was always fortunate that not only did I receive personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all the dan grades previously mentioned. I also think that being assistant instructor to the beginners class from 7th to 4th kyu, I was able to form a good practicing relationship with a small select group of students who all later became the second generation of ” HUT” dan grades. The group was made up of people like Ron James at 6ft 5ins tall and about 250 lbs seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He never took that into account and never gave me any leeway at all so it was very hard but good to train with this giant of a man. He would not “go” for anyone so he was always a challenge for me. Ron was a good friend and brother In law to another dan grade Andy Allen, who was assistant to Sensei Foster. Sensei Ellis and I would often bring young ladies to the dojo visitors area. Andy who was the oldest student of us all was a very dry and dour kind of man. I would say to him “Andy, she is nice isn’t she” and as long as I knew him I always received the same grim reply; ” Huh! They are all nice until you marry them!!”. Andy was one of my regular training partners.
Trevor Jones who was junior assistant to Sensei Williams was probably the one I trained with most and we became inseparable not only as aikidoists but also as friends and we helped each other to prepare for dan grade. I guess that’s how I eventually got to that point of my preparation for dan grade.
I received my first dan grade just before I became 21 yrs of age. At the same time I had just completed my apprenticeship as an engineer. It was then that Sensei Williams asked Sensei Ellis and I to travel and spread the ‘gospel’ of Aikido. We were the early ‘disciples’ as he put it. Although aikido had started to spread a little, there were areas that had no knowledge of this new martial art.
My beloved “Isetta” bubble car, which I had pushed to it’s limits, had finally BURST ! It had to be dumped. Luckily at the same time, Sensei Ellis had just bought a one year old Mini car which was in those days the “business”. So looking at the car and the prospects of aikido and travel and some amorous adventures I readily agreed to go along.
Rat Attack.
Q-DW: I have read and enjoyed Sensei’s stories of your travels from his perspective is there anything that you would like to add as you were also a part of that experience.
A-SE: At this point Henry and I had become good friends outside of the dojo, yet on the tatami I would still give deference, and that is how it has always been even today.
The first dojo we visited was in Nottinghamshire and run by George Cotterell, where we were employed for a short while. Mr Cotterell bred Chihuahua dogs of which there must have been about 50 or 60 of what Henry called overgrown rats. These dogs were all in the paved back yard. The only toilet was situated at the rear of the yard, next to the funeral parlour. At night the gate would be locked so the only way to the toilet was through this dog filled yard. One night we had just got back from a good night at the local pub and Henry went straight to bed whilst I stayed up for a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs Cotterell. After about one hour, Henry came out of the bedroom wearing just his jeans with no socks or shoes, and he ran across the yard to the toilet ( that is some strong ale they drink up North). He made it before the dogs could snap at his ankles. We heard a lot of commotion and looked out of the window to see all these dogs yapping outside the toilet door and in their excitement were doing their “business”. Henry was now trying to open the door, and seeing all the dogs and the mess he then realised he had no shoes on. Mrs Cotterell and me were in total hysterics at what was going on. Henry was shouting for me to bring out his shoes but with that northern ale inside of me I felt brave and ignored him and enjoyed the fun. Watching him running across that minefield was just like a scene from a Jerry Lewis film. As he ran he was shouting threats of gross physical abuse at me. Shortly after that we had problems with the boss over the photos we had taken with the coffins as related in the “Fighting Arts International” magazine. We lost our jobs as undertakers assistants and we were now on the road again to more adventures. Visiting dojos and martial arts clubs, schools, and anywhere that we were allowed to just show a little of our Aikido in the hope that they would ask us for more. In those days in the North there was not much work to be had at any time, so we would take any job that was offered to us and I mean ANY job. These included general labourer and building labourer , also working as labourers on Britains first motorway the M1. Undertakers, Road sweepers, cesspit cleaning, steel mill worker, deckchair attendants, beach front photographers, painters. The worst job of all was the “Railway”, that was slave labour and we hated it, that only lasted a few days. That is how we spent the days. In the evenings we would very seriously spend that time promoting Aikido including Saturday and Sunday, In what we considered were successful attempts to extend and build the ever expanding ” Abbe Schools of Budo”.
The HUT market!
A-SE: David, I would like to regress at this point if that is ok with you, It is that I would like to mention one unforgettable character, who got off to a very bad start with Sensei Ellis and later became a very close friend to the both of us – a man called George Stavro. On the night George made his first appearance at the HUT he arrived about 30 min before Sensei Ellis. I was on the mat busy taking preparation exercise. George being Greek and a trader, came into the dojo with two large suitcases and within minutes there were clothes on display all over the reception area. I wasn’t taking too much notice as I thought he must have previously arranged to do this with one of the senior instructors. It was then that Harry arrived just as George was getting into his sales pitch with two students that were waiting for permission to go on the mat. This is the only time I have heard Harry swear in the dojo. Harry shouted ” What the #### do you think is going on in here! What do you think this is Bangladesh market day?” He then threw the suitcases outside the dojo door in the rain, with George scrambling around getting his merchandise together and put it all back in his car. George then walked back in the dojo with a big smile on his face as if nothing had happened and asked what was going on in this hall, I explained that we were doing Aikido classes. He came back the following week with about 8 of his friends who all joined. George was a very powerfully built man and also an accomplished street fighter and he became the one for me to train with.
I did not earn much money being an apprentice engineer, George was older than me and soon took me under his wing and quickly embroiled me in his nefarious activities which included a very profitable enterprise of delivering black market hooch to all the Indian restaurants in West London. Harry was angry over my involvement until he also got involved, and he also got all the decorating contracts for the restaurants. We worked on the door of some of the restaurants and from that day on we always had as many curries as we could eat and we never had to pay.
George became a favourite of Kazuo Chiba Sensei and is now a third dan, George was a brown belt when he left the HUT to join Sensei Ellis at the Slough dojo in 1968, and can be seen in some photos with Mr Jack Poole who was a beginner at that time. George remembers him well and was the one who actually signed him in when he joined.
We could write a book on the escapades we had together. George was at my wedding and did the full Zorba dance with the glass of water on his head, my family still talk about it now.
Relocating and Leaving the HUT.
Q: DW.
Sensei, You told me earlier that this was around the time you got married and moved away from the HUT and the locality. Could you expand on this time.
A: SE. Yes, After I married I moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire. My work involved a lot of traveling as I was working on the drilling rigs, drilling for Gas in the English Channel just off the River Humber. I would also take the opportunity to visit local Aikido clubs and train whenever possible. I later found work nearer home in 1969, I renewed my contact and friendship with Trevor Jones who had also married and now lived in Camberley Surrey only 10 miles from my home. He told me he had recently opened a new dojo at the Hawley Hotel. He was now working as an Airline steward and asked me to look after his dojo and teach when he was on long haul flights, I agreed. I found that Trevor’s Aikido had definitely moved up a gear, although the training and technique was still fairly traditional, he had by far the most powerful aiki movement of any person I had ever met including the Japanese.
The dojo later moved from the Hawley Hotel to Brookwood, with two good students Mike Cashmore and Colin Relph as assistants , I also remember Wasil Kolenkisov training there as a beginner, he later joined Sensei Ken Williams as an assistant. At The beginning of 1969 I opened ” The Basingstoke Aikido Club” I would still occasionally help Trevor who had now moved to a purpose built dojo at the “Frimley Budokan”. Unfortunately, Trevor Later had some health problems and the dojo was then run by my old friend Andy Allen from the HUT With the assistance of John Harding who still practices today and who we are still in contact with. With Trevor I re-visited many dojos including Sensei K Williams who had left the HUT and was now in the Rhonnda Valley in Wales. I also visited the HUT which was now being run by Sensei Haydn Foster who always made me very welcome.
Aikido visits to Europe .
Q: DW. Sensei, could you tell me about your visits to Europe at this time ?
A: SE. Sure, these were good day’s. Trevor and I would visit Noro Sensei at the Paris Aiki-Kai. Noro Sensei was really pleased to see us, and on my first visit he surprised me by awarding me 2nd dan which was unusual as I was not a regular student, he never ever charged me for gradings or lessons. Noro Sensei reminded me of the time I was at the HUT on one of his visits, where he recommended to Sensei Williams that I should only do backward ukemi (break falling) until his next visit in two weeks time, Sensei Williams said he would punish me with a shinai if he caught me doing forward ukemi, however Noro did not visit in two weeks but 4 months later, I had by this time adapted to some amazing breakfalls from all angles except forward. Noro asked Sensei Williams in astonishment, “why is Mr Eastman breakfalling in this odd way”. When informed it was as a result of his instruction, he just roared with laughter. He then said this was very similar to an experience he had with Osensei and then said the experience would do me no harm anyway.
Q: DW. Were you still in contact with Sensei Ellis at this time
A: SE. Yes, I had always kept in regular contact with Harry Ellis, visiting his Bracknell dojos whenever possible and his Slough dojo, we would also meet socially with our families. It was at this time that Harry’s business was expanding and he could not maintain all of his dojos. He gave his London dojos to Chiba Sensei, and his Slough dojo to George Stavro who later was to give the mats to a student who had helped him, a man called Jack Poole. My own work was now taking me back to Europe. When in Belgium I would visit Sensei Pierre Nassens dojo. I would visit Leiage often where there were 6 different Aikido clubs, and in the true spirit and harmony of Aikido they seemed to hate each other and did not communicate. I did like one dojo though which was run by Sensei C Van Parys who had assisted the most dynamic swordsman ever to teach Aikido, Murashagi Sensei, who very sadly was later killed in a car accident. This dojo was very traditional with strong links to Tadashi Abe Sensei who was still visiting the area.
Q: DW. Sensei, You have mentioned so many name of the aikidoists from the old days at the HUT, do you know of those that are still involved in aikido? And are you still in contact with any of these people?
A: SE. As of this date 2003, There are only a few that are still involved and teaching Aikido and I am occasionally in touch with some of them. Sensei Ken Williams founder of the HUT Judo dojo and chief instructor, who was the first student to study Aikido in the UK, and is now the head of the Ki Aikido Federation of Great Britain. Sensei Haydn Foster who is still at the HUT and head of the Institute of Aikido. Sensei Henry Ellis who is head of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido. Sensei Ralph Reynolds who was a regular visitor to the HUT in the 50/60s, who is now the head of the Aikido Fellowship. Sensei George Stavro who is associated with several dojos and still linked to Chiba Sensei. Sensei Les White who is the head of The Traditional Aikido Ryu. Time takes it’s toll on those we knew and respected.
The British Aikido Board and The Martial Arts Commission.
Q: DW. Sensei, When did you become involved with the British Aikido Board.
A: SE. I had spoken with Jim Elkin of the large Tomiki group, who suggested that I join the Martial Arts Commission within a traditional aikido member group. I agreed to this, but on contacting the head of this group and submitting our credentials including copies of my dan grade certificates as signed by O’Sensei himself; My first impression was that I would be warmly received and I was informed that they would pay my dojo a visit, I happily agreed to this, and said it would be a pleasure to have them visit and train with me, only to be told they would not come on the tatami (mats) , they said they would assess my standard while sitting away from the mat. I refused the offer, I told him that I may meet him one time on a mat but not as fellow practitioners.
I thanked Mr Elkin for his help and support , and said I would not be joining the traditional group. I liked Jim Elkin and always found him and his associate Brian Eustace of the Tomiki group very helpful during our membership of the Martial Arts Commission (MAC). He also helped us to achieve full technical coaching standard of the MAC.
On later relaying this story to Minoru Kenetsuka Sensei when I visited him at the Cardiff Aiki-Kai. He asked me for copies of my certificates with O’Sensei’s signature on them. I later found he had used what I had told him and the certificates to leave the British Aikido Board, at that time within the MAC, saying that they did not recognise O’Sensei as the founder of Aikido. Sensei Ken Williams had also left the BAB/MAC for similar reasons.
A few years later I was approached by a BAB member of the MAC, a Mr Ted Stratton, who I fondly remember as the originator of ‘elbow power’ in Aikido which I still use. Sensei Stratton is sadly deceased and a most respected figure of Aikido. I then corresponded with Paula Mitchell of the MAC and using the criteria required at that time joined the MAC/BAB. One of the criteria was that we should have our own organisation and title. I recalled that many years earlier Sensei Williams had honoured his teacher by calling the HUT dojo ” The Abbe School of Judo” . I decided to approach Sensei Ellis and asked for his approval to use his name for the our organisation, I am pleased to say that he agreed. We then called our organisation “The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido”. Sensei Ellis re-opened the Bracknell dojo and we were again one!
All-Inclusive Resorts in the Bahamas – How to Choose the Perfect Resort
So you decided to vacation in the Bahamas, great choice! But what type of trip are you planning: a trip with friends, a relaxing solo vacation, a family vacation, a destination wedding, or a romantic getaway? In all honesty, it doesn’t matter why you are traveling to the Bahamas or with whom: it is still important to choose the all-inclusive resort that is perfect for your wants and needs. When it comes to making your choice, there are a number of important factors you want to consider. What are they?
Your Travel Package:
When booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas, your stay is booked as a travel package. This is because you get more than just a room or a suite. Also included in the cost of your stay should be some forms of onsite entertainment, food, snacks, drinks, tips, and qualifying airport transfers. If you are provided with anything less, it is time to look elsewhere. Be cautious of hotels that provide you with free meals at their one onsite restaurant just so that they can slap “all-inclusive” onto their name.
Your Onsite Eating Options:
Speaking of onsite eateries, you should have multiple choices. A good all-inclusive resort will give you at least three different places to buy food, drinks, or snacks from. These choices will not only prevent boredom, but it makes it easier to keep everyone in your traveling party happy. In most cases, you will find a casual restaurant, upscale restaurant with a dress code, and a bar.
The Services Available to Guests:
At truly all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas, you will find no shortage of services available to guests. Typically, these services are not listed as inclusions, meaning you will need to pay extra to use them but that fee should be affordable. Common services offered at all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas include childcare, dry cleaning, room service, business services like faxing, and more. To find the all-inclusive resort that is best for your wants and needs, carefully consider the services you would use. For example, parents on a family vacation can benefit from a resort that offers childcare.
The Water Sports Available to Guests:
All beachfront all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas should give guests access to a number of beach related activities. You want to do more than just sunbathe along the coast or wade in the water. Typically, you should gain access to windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. If you want to participate in these beach activities, the best all-inclusive Bahamas resort is not only one that has these activities available, but one that lists them as inclusions, meaning you don’t pay extra for the sport or rental gear.
The Land Based Activities Available to Guests:
Most all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas are beachfront resorts, but you should still gain access to land based activities too. Most resorts should have multiple hot tubs, multiple swimming pools, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a spa for you to use. In most cases, the spa is not listed as an inclusion, meaning you may need to pay extra to get a massage. You want to closely examine resorts and their land based activities because some may even have a rock climbing wall or an onsite golf course!
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words:
Of course you want to closely examine a resort’s list of inclusions, as well as all available activities, facilities, and services available, but you also want to view pictures. The good new is that this is easy because most all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas pack their website full of pictures. Look at pictures of the beach, pictures of the room you would like to stay at, pictures of the eateries, and more. What you want to do is essentially determine from these pictures if the resort looks like the perfect place for fun, a family trip, a romantic getaway, relaxation, and so forth.
The Costs:
The best all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas is one that you can afford. Luckily, an all-inclusive resort and the travel packages aren’t as expensive as we often assume. Consider the fact that your food, drinks, tips, and some onsite entertainment is included and you get a great value for your money. Moreover, many resorts will list on their website moneysaving travel deals and discounts, making it easier for you to have a great all-inclusive vacation even when vacationing on a budget.
what is ‘tropical formal’ dress code for men? (for wedding ceremony in tropics)?
Wedding is on a beach. People attending are usually suit and tie people on the grooms side (north european business people) and somewhat more casual on the brides side (latin business people). they are all a fun loving bunch
i’m from the caribbean , and i say that u can dress fancy like any other wedding, but what u can do is make sure your dress material is light,so that u wouln’t be hot, and for the guy lose the jackets and unbutton the dress shirts a bit………….go barefoot it makes no sense to wear shoes on the sand.
Weddings are a great experience and part of life, and are more than likely the most important event in a bride’s life. The bridal attire is comprised of many things, of which the most important is by far the wedding dress and wedding jewelry. However, if a bride has a beautiful wedding dress and no wedding jewelry, her appearance falters. Wedding jewelry is absolutely essential for a bride. Designers continue to create new designs of wedding jewelry.
Wedding jewelry tends to change and flow with the seasons through out the year. One of the most beautiful wedding jewelry collections can be seen during the winter months. When one thinks of winter, snowflakes and chilly weather come to mind. That is why many wedding jewelry designers have come up with wedding jewelry collections that involve snowflakes. Swarovski, which is a very popular and high quality maker of crystals and pearls, makes crystals in the shape of snowflakes. One reason why Swarovski crystals are so popular is because of their sparkle and shimmer. If a bride prefers pearls over crystals, then the traditional pearl strand necklace always compliments a winter setting.
Summer weddings are always less formal than winter weddings and therefore, the summer wedding jewelry collections are less formal and more simple. During the summer is when brides decide to adorn pastel colors to match their wedding colors. For example, a bride can buy her bridesmaids all pearl necklaces as bridesmaid jewelry that match the color of their bridesmaid dresses. Swarovski offers a wide range of colors in pearls and crystals as well.
More of the butterfly and flower wedding jewelry is right for spring time weddings. And for weddings at the beach, beach wedding jewelry is most appropriate. Swarovski makes crystal starfish that will shimmer with the ocean waves.
Besides the seasons dictating the type of wedding jewelry a bride will choose, themed wedding also call for very beautiful wedding jewelry.Wedding jewelry is an important part of a bride’s attire and should be worn with the utmost care and consideration.
About the Author
My name is Kendall and I love writing about weddings, jewelry, and fashion for Silverland Jewelry.
Can you fix this horrible bridesmaid dress?
My best friend is getting married in September and I am the maid of honour (yippee). She is having an outdoor wedding (in the mountains) and is wearing a FORMAL wedding gown. She has picked this dress for her bridesmaids:
Help! How do I make this dress look more formal and less….beach cover up? We are wearing gold shoes and the dress has gold foil flowers on it. She has already got some jewelry but I haven’t seen it…Any suggestions?
Thanks for the ideas everyone…I should fill you in a bit more.
1. She asked me for help with this but still wants to keep the dress b/c of the money.
2. I wanted to cut the band off but it is A LOT shorter than it looks in this picture and would barely cover my butt w/o the band.
3. It will be september in the mountains (British Columbia Canada) so it is very cold and out of place to be wearing a beachy dress.
4. Thanx for saying i look good in it
the dresses are her choice, so you’re not bein a very good friend by tryin to change it..if you were her friend you’d just support the style that she is trying to represent with these dresses. so it’s not your traditional style wedding..deal with it. the dress is really pretty, its cute, you look great in it, and the gold shoes and jewelry will look great. try playing up your hair or a certain aspect of your face such as your eyes with a special makeup trick or wear really crazy earrings if you want to draw attention away from the dress or something. thats all i have to say about it
People, especially the beggars, to prevent being cheated; you are out of work, and holding a laptop bag, a watch is official. And this time out, it is estimated a little anxious, afraid to waste time blocking you, you will certainly be much to the point. The man said, you say, and roll! “ ” Those in the supermarket entrance, subway stations and other vehicles, wearing pajamas, people may give money to me? May give a 100 eyes without blinking it? Impossible, yeah, they themselves are short of money ah. “Makes sense! I heard the more interesting. ” Many beggars have complained that poor beggar to do these days, ah, ah price has gone up, and everyone compassion gone ah, all from someone else to find a cause. I said,cheap wedding dresses 2010, you will always find reasons from others, you’ll never improve. From himself look around to see, the problem lies. “It sounded very familiar, like” If you can not change the world, change yourself me a dime. Subsequently, once a person in the international exhibition center, or just give a dime. I asked, and how you Qianpu who are you in for a dime he do? People say, I am poorer than you Ya, the money I do not live Hexiang Toyama West not live what I live Qianpu ah? I understood why. For example, you see we are an international banking center, everyone had come and gone, and select the fastest time to leave. So here is the number of customers typically give the number zero, and usually not less than one yuan. “ ” I said, attitude is everything! “I heard a dozen words spoken president, first heard of beggars say. ” Use scientific methods, statistics for business. Crowded in the mountain every day,cheap beach wedding dresses 2010, begging so much? How to make money? How to make 500 dollars a month to feed the wife and kids? This is the murder ah! Chronic murder your whole family. Use of knowledge to arm themselves. Knowledge a person can learn to become wise man, a wise man to learn the knowledge can be turned into a very intelligent person. A very wise man learn, can become a genius. “ ” Once a person at the station, he said to him the youngest is 10 dollars, but he just wanted to give me up to a dollar, I said man, immediately on the right train ? Home to meet the parents, right? Money is the physical gormandise, whenever your brings up your boosters and congenators as I am so sorry, you have the bosom for exclusively peerless Yuan dynasty? He averred that this is, but I am just a migrant workers did not earn two-year money. I said, okay, take out double you will earn more , you do not change, right? I am looking for you. You just like to five, and more I find you. Finally, according to my proposal, he gave me X dollar sign* blends in on-duty, I only if bill a 5 to find his 5, the eldest brother is very happy, save 5 dollars. This is five dollars to me is what the cost to unitary hr. I enjoined, crumbs one-hour price of heptad.5, I only wear a bit more cost-effective, nothing more than taking my ah! “ ” In Gaibang generally a beggar 1,2 1000, to admit dwelling. Coiffed fountainhead close to terzetto thousand or so. Top of the beggars astir sestet,000 a calendar month. Xiamen All Gaibang 20,000 beggars, beggars probably only 2-3, ten thousand a month to get 8000. I was the middle of a 2-3 person. And very stable without large fluctuations. “ Too strong! Stop here, and I admire that many and to a greater extent pauperizes. ” I ever enjoined I followed a happy beggar. Some say that because you make additional, indeed of of course happy. I enunciated to them, you just wrong. Because I have a happy, positive attitude, so more than earn. “What a wonderful way! ” Work makes you want to know how to savor the beauty. Lie on the ferry plaza, many beggars complained, the wind is so big pedestrian refused to give money! Really bad luck. Do not ever try to experience the beauty of Xiamen, Xiamen is an international garden city, we beg to be here, many beautiful girls out there after, the opposite is beautiful Gulangyu, where there is a very modern high-rise buildings, Although can not afford, but can appreciate the vision to enjoy. Winter lives flannel, the overseas picnic equals sultry and beautiful ah. Look at my Po Wan, discussion to 100 dollars, and even more beautiful! A beggar is a job, every job has her beautiful, and we need to know from the experience of this beautiful work. “ ” I was 10 eld ago followed the scene of a real estate manager of the company’s sales offices. 8 years ago, the company made three different projects, director of marketing. Later, I quit a month on 5,6 thousand, boring, and lack of freedom restricted. To take the initiative to do the beggars. I am willing to do a happy beggar. Ha ha ha ha. “ Because of a hurry to go to the airport, I left him a business card, said:” You are not interested in this Friday to my office to my staff talk about how do you when the beggar? When the ferry begging you, 8000 the monthly salary, you say how long, how much money I’ll pay you. To call. “
What can you recommend for a private San Juan wedding?
My fiance and I are going on a week-long honeymoon cruise that leaves San Juan, Puerto Rico docks at 10pm on March 2nd of 2008. We would like to get off our plane, go to a private area and have a brief wedding ceremony, eat a nice dinner in San Juan in our wedding garb, and get on the boat (still in our wedding garb). We want to keep this is simple as possible- NO fancy decorations, NO big wedding cakes- I’m even bringing my own boquet.
I’ve been combing the internet for weeks and keep coming across the same issue- people wanting 1000+ just to coordinate- this doesn’t include cost of beach reservation, officiant, and license arrangement. I’m so frustrated I can hardly stand it. We just want 30 mins- in and out- no muss no fuss. I can arrange my own photographer, my meals, etc.
A question for PR locals- is it cheaper, do you think to start searching outside of San Juan? Can you recommend places?
I would sincerely appreciate all info you can provide.
If you are catholic, you can try to get married in a church, Stella Maris Parish (they do English ceremonies) is a very nice church in the Condado area of San Juan. If you are protestant you can try Union Church (interdenominal church). You can then make a reservation in a nice restaurant like Ajili Mojili for dinner. That won’t cost you that much.
Stella Maris ParishTel: 1 787 723 2240
The Union Church of San Juan tel: 1-787-726-0280 1-787-726-0378
ADELPHI THEATRE - Love Never Dies – The principal characters of The Phantom of the Opera continue their stories in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies. 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of The Phantom from the Paris Opera House, Christine Daaé accepts an offer to come to America and perform at New York’s fabulous new playground of the world – Coney Island. Christine arrives in New York with her husband Raoul and their son Gustave. She soon discovers the identity of the anonymous impresario who has lured her from France to sing. Love Never Dies is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue… in which music and memory can play cruel tricks… and The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, Love Never Dies. From 13 March until 23 October.
ALDWYCH THEATRE - Dirty Dancing – Experience the excitement and romance of the blockbuster film – live on stage. Featuring the hit songs from the best selling movie soundtrack of all time including: Time Of My Life, Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby and Do You Love Me? That was the summer of 1963, when everybody called me baby and it didn’t occur to me to mind. That was before President Kennedy got shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn’t wait to join the Peace Corps and I thought I’d never find a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman’s. Until 23 October.
AMBASSADORS THEATRE - Stomp – If you never had a chance before to see this show, please go to Vaudeville Theatre in the Strand. To describe this show is fruitless, the cacophony of noise, and speed of players and dancers is astonishing. You will be mesmerised, helpless and dumbfounded by it. Until 19 December.
APOLLO VICTORIA - Wicked – WickedWicked, the spellbinding and spectacular hit Broadway musical, tells the incredible untold story of the legendary witches from L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy famously triumphed in Oz, we only ever heard one side of the story. Now Wicked brings to life the captivating, surprising story of how a misunderstood, green girl named Elphaba became “Wicked” but her unlikely friend, Glinda, became “good”. Based on Gregory Maguire’s “outstanding novel” (The Independent), Wicked transports audiences to a fantasy land of wizardry and witchcraft, with Grammy Award-winning music, Tony Award-winning sets and costumes, and stunning special effects. The sensational London cast will be headed, for a limited season, by Broadway star Idina Menzel, who will recreate her acclaimed, Tony Award-winning performance as Elphaba (the green girl whose destiny is to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West). Wicked also stars Helen Dallimore making her West End debut as Glinda, Adam Garcia (Saturday Night Fever, On The Town) as Fiyero, Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) as Madame Morrible and Nigel Planer (We Will Rock You, Chicago, The Young Ones) as The Wizard. Until 30 October.
CAMBRIDGE THEATRE - Chicago the Musical – One of the hottest shows wherever staged, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a nightclub singer who dreams of headlining in Vaudeville, but only achieves celebrity status when she murders her lover and enlists the help of Chicago’s shrewdest lawyer to whip up the publicity surrounding the case and ensure her acquittal. Slick, sexy and sassy, Chicago is a must-see musical, with choreography in the style of the legendary Bob Fosse and a fantastic Jazz score. Tel: 0870 890 1102. Until 9 October.
CRITERION THEATRE - The 39 Steps – After a sensational sell-out run at the Tricycle Theatre, John Buchan’s gripping whodunnit, memorably filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, transfers to the Criterion Theatre in the West End. With four actors playing a minimum of one hundred and thirty nine roles, it’s the most astonishing theatrical tour de force of the year. Book now to avoid incredible disappointment. Cast: Rupert Degas, Charles Edwards, Simon Gregor and Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, This Year’s Love). Until 23 October.
DOMINION THEATRE - We Will Rock You -Dominion Theatre By Queen and Ben Elton, directed by Christopher Renshaw, designed by Mark Fisher and Willie Williams. The Queen/ Ben Elton 7.5 million pounds musical set on a place called Earth. Booking to October. Tel: 0870 169 0116
DRURY LANE THEATRE ROYAL - Oliver! – The new production at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane promises to be even more spectacular than ever before, starring Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, a cast and orchestra of over one hundred and an exciting new Nancy and Oliver. The sensational score is full of Lionel Bart’s irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. Rupert Goold (Best Director, 2008 Olivier Awards), will be restaging Sam Mendes acclaimed production, and along with Tony award winning director and choreographer Matthew Bourne will be using every inch of London’s greatest musical stage with even more sensational sets by Anthony Ward. Until 20 October.
DUCHESS THEATRE - Ghosts – Lesley Sharp, Iain Glen, Harry Treadaway, Jessica Raine and Malcolm Storry unite in Frank McGuinness’ version of Henrik Ibsen’s gripping, classic tale of hope in the face of infidelity and deceit. Controversy and hidden pasts are suddenly and painfully exposed as wealthy widow Mrs Alving prepares to open a new orphanage in memory of her seemingly beloved husband. Her treasured son Oswald’s return from Paris and her relationship with old friend Pastor Manders are no longer the source of joy they once were, as secrets are turned into a frightening and desperate reality. Until 15 May.
FORTUNE THEATRE - The Woman in Black – By Susan Hill, adapted by Stephen Mallarat, directed by Robin Herford. Thriller, young solicitor tries to recounts his experiences from the past when he was sent to wind up the affairs of a dead woman. Runs 120 min. Until 18 December.
GARRICK THEATRE - The Little Dog Laughed – Rising film star Mitchell Green is every girl’s fantasy and soon to become a household name, thanks to his devilishly determined agent Diane, who excels at navigating the choppy waters of Hollywood. With Mitchell on the brink of superstardom, Diane encounters one teensy-weensy obstacle – she can’t seem to keep her leading man in the closet. With Mitchell’s new ‘friend’ Alex on the scene and Alex’s beautiful girlfriend Ellen (yes, he has a girlfriend) causing a drama of her own, what lengths will Mitchell go to play the part and will there be a Hollywood ending when the final credits roll? Douglas Carter Beane’s Tony Award-nominated comedy hilariously satirizes the superficial world of show business and the game playing of the movie industry. Until 10 April.
All the Fun of the Fair – Directed by David Gilmore. Like Father like Son… They’ll take you for a ride! David Essex stars in the new musical All the Fun of the Fair. Featuring a mix of David Essex hits alongside brand new songs. With crafty cons and candy floss – dodgems and death-defying feats – fairground horses and fights – romance and rock’n'roll – you’re sure to go on a rollercoaster of a ride. Inspired by David’s best selling album… From 20 April until 5 September.
The Phantom of the OperaHER MAJESTY`S THEATRE - The Phantom of the Opera – Musical, life beneath the haunted stage of the Paris Opera. Based on the Gaston Leroux gothic novel, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a mysterious masked man who falls in love with Christine, a beautiful young soprano who inspires “The Music of the Night.” Runs 150 min. Tel: 0870 160 2878
LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE - Sister Act – Sister Act is a divine new musical comedy which will raise the roof at the London Palladium from 7 May 2009. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon the gang are giving chase, only to find themselves up against Deloris and the power of her new found Sister Hood. Based on the smash-hit movie, Sister Act features a brand new score by eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken, whose credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and most recently the hit movie Enchanted. Until 18 December.
LYCEUM THEATRE – Disney`s the Lion King Disney`s the Lion King – Musical, young lion prince Simba flees the kingdom after escaping the plot to murder him and his father by his evil uncle Scar, believing he was responsible for his fathers death. Runs 165 min. Tel: 0870 243 9000
LYRIC THEATRE - Thriller – Live – Tito Jackson, star of The Jackson 5, and most recently judge on BBC1′s hit celebrity talent show, Just The Two Of Us, has just been confirmed as compere for this year’s highly anticipated Thiller Live tour. With Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (following Jermaine’s Celebrity Big Brother success and Tito’s success on British TV) very much in the news, Thriller Live, a multimedia stage and video spectacular celebrating the amazing career of one of the world’s greatest entertainers – Michael Jackson – will be one of the year’s most crucial shows, brought to you by Flying Music and Key Concerts. This amazing show, featuring over 30 performers, including a full company of singers, dancers, gospel choir and live band, will celebrate the King Of Pop like never before. With dazzling choreography (from MTV award-winner LaVelle Smith Jnr – credits include Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Tour, Beyonce’s American and UK tours, Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels Tour and more) and brilliant vocal performances, Jackson’s amazing songs and videos are brought to life on stage in a spectacular and sensational way. Until 12 September.
NOEL COWARD THEATRE - Enron – The world premiere production of Lucy Prebble’s celebrated new play Enron, which sold-out its entire run at the Minerva Theatre Chichester and has sold all 21,800 tickets before opening its six-week run at the Royal Court Theatre, will transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre on Saturday 16 January 2010. Inspired by real-life events and using music, dance and video, Enron explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself. Until 8 May.
NOVELLO THEATRE - Cat On a Hot Tin Roof – Richard Blackwood, Derek Griffiths and Nina Sosanya will join the previously announced Sanaa Lathan, Adrian Lester, Phylicia Rashad and James Earl Jones in Debbie Allen’s sell-out Broadway production of Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Following its sold-out run on Broadway, the explosive 2008 production of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, will be opening in London’s West End in December this year. Featuring a dynamic all black cast led by Academy Award® nominee and two-time Tony winner James Earl Jones, Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad, Olivier Award – winner Adrian Lester and Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan. Until 10 April.
OLD VIC - Six Degrees of Separation – David Grindley directs Obi Abili, Anthony Head and Lesley Manville in John Guare’s adrenalin-fuelled, Olivier Award-winning play, Six Degrees of Separation. A sharp, vivacious take on two worlds colliding, the play is inspired by the real life story of a flamboyant con artist who managed to convince wealthy residents of Manhattan’s Upper East Side that he was the son of Sidney Poitier. Six Degrees of Separation had its official Broadway debut in 1990 and in 1993, was adapted into a film starring Stockard Channing (reprising her Broadway role), Donald Sutherland and Will Smith. This new production at The Old Vic will be the first major London revival of the play in almost 18 years. Until 3 April.
The Real Thing – Anna Mackmin returns to The Old Vic to direct Toby Stephens in Tom Stoppard’s multi-award winning modern classic. Deeply moving and startlingly funny, this razor sharp drama brilliantly examines the complex nature of love, art and reality. From 10 April until 5 June.
PALACE THEATRE - Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical – Get ready for the ride of your life! Priscilla: Queen of the Desert – The Musical is rolling into London’s West End in March 2009 and parking at the Palace Theatre for the ultimate feel-good theatrical experience! Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a score featuring more than 20 dance-floor classics, this wildly fresh and funny new musical is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous! So hop on board! Life’s an adventure. Dress accordingly. Until 30 October.
PHOENIX THEATRE - Blood Brothers – Music and lyrics by Willy Russell, directed by Bob Tomson, designed by Marty Flood. Musical, twins from Liverpool separated from birth, cross their paths in friendship and anger. Runs 165 min. Until 31 July.
PICCADILLY THEATRE - Grease – Grease, the World’s Number 1 Greatest Musical and the perfect feel-good family show, returns to the West End this summer. It will be bringing with it all the unforgettable hit songs from the movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease is the Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Sandy and Greased Lightnin’. Until 4 September.
PLAYHOUSE THEATRE - Dreamboats and Petticoats – Dreamboats and Petticoats became the biggest selling album of the decade after its release last year, amassing an amazing 600,000+ sales. Inspired by the album, Dreamboats and Petticoats The Musical will give you the greatest time of your life – taking you back to a time when each passing week bought another classic track. Featuring songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more. In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win the hearts of their adoring female fans – and more importantly, the gorgeous Laura. But when Laura shows that she’s no slouch with the guitar, rock‘n’roll fame beckons….. Until 29 May.
PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE - Jersey Boys – Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is now open at the Prince Edward Theatre, London. Discover the rags-to-rock-to riches tale of four boys working their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights on international pop-stardom. “This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power. The audience rose as one at the end of this true-life mega hit story of The Four Seasons.” – Daily Express. The critics are united in their praise hailing “The phenomenal Jersey Boys” (Daily Telegraph) “a triumph of style, substance, heart and soul – A definite must-see!” (London Lite). Featuring all the classic hits: Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye), Working My Way Back To You, Walk Like A Man, December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and more. Until 24 October.
PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE - Mamma Mia! – Mamma MiaMusic and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, designed by Mark Thompson. 20-year-old Sophie is determined to find a father to escort her down the aisle on her wedding day and this means inviting to the wedding the three men who escorted her mother to the beach nine months before her birth.
QUEEN`S THEATRE - Les Miserables – Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, designed by John Napier. Emotional lyrics, easy melodies, villains and seamless scenes help make this play good entertainment. Runs 180 min.
ST.MARTIN`S THEATRE -Mousetrap The Mousetrap – Whodunnit, Agatha Christies play that after so many years still goes on. Classic thriller as the world`s longest run. Runs 135 min.
SAVOY THEATRE - Legally Blonde – College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Sheridan Smith) doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner (Duncan James), dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School! Based on the hit movie of the same name, Legally Blonde the Musical is the Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard’s Halls of Justice with the West End’s brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser. Until 23 October.
SHAFTESBURY THEATRE - Hairspray – It’s time to let your hair down and dance the night away. Hairspray, Broadway’s hit musical comedy, is here! Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance show. She finds herself transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity, but will she be able to change the world and win the boy she loves? Until 24 September.
VAUDEVILLE THEATRE - Private Lives – Noel Coward’s dazzling comic masterpiece provides a riotous show down between two of the screen’s most magnetic stars, Kim Cattrall and Matthew Macfadyen, when Private Lives opens in the West End February 2010. Glamorous, rich and reckless, Elyot and Amanda have been divorced from each other for five years. Now both are honeymooning with their new spouses in the South of France. When by chance they meet again across adjoining hotel balconies, their insatiable feelings for each other are immediately rekindled. Without a care for scandal, new partners or memories of what drove them apart in the first place, they hurl themselves headlong into love and lust… Until 1 May. Buy tickets
VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE - Billy Elliot the Musical – A funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy’s dream in a gripping tale of triumph over adversity. This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in October 2000. Nominated for 3 Oscar’s and 13 Bafta awards this poignant film broke box office records across the world. Until 18 December.
WYNDHAM`S THEATRE - An Inspector Calls – From the Oscar nominated Director of The Reader, The Hours and one of Britain’s best-loved films Billy Elliot – now an Olivier Award-winning musical – comes the magnificent West End & Broadway production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, An Inspector Calls. Hailed as the theatrical event of our generation winning more awards than any other play in history, this landmark production has thrilled audiences across the world with its epic and wildly imaginative staging, raw emotion, evocative score, lashing rain and chilling suspense. When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. Until 13 March.
Avenue Q – Avenue Q is now in its 4th sensational year as London’s funniest show! The characters on this downtown street in New York are out of work, out of luck and desperately seeking their purpose in life; just what are you supposed to do with a B.A. in English? With its hugely talented cast of performers and puppets – you’ve never seen a show like Avenue Q before! So don’t let your life suck, book your tickets today! Brash, vulgar and just downright funny – you’ve never seen a musical like Avenue Q before! The characters on this downtown street in New York are out of work, out of luck and desperately seeking their purpose in life; just what are you supposed to do with a B.A. in English? This is a hilarious show you’ll want to see again and again. From 19 March until 25 September.
Hawaii cruise vacations are the top mode to vacation the Hawaii Islands. It is expedient to holiday the different locations without having to pack and unpack.
There are four major islands in Hawaii: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.
You can effortlessly visit those islands with diverse cruise companies primarily with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess or Norwegian star. There are a range of prices for Hawaii cruise vacations.
On a cruise, you can see Pearl Harbor. In Hawaii, Pearl Harbour has been attacked by the Japanese at some point in the Second World War II, on December 7th, 1941. This unexpected attack spurred the USA to go for War.
Hawaii cruise vacations are a nice option to get married on a cruise boat or by the ocean. Included is the wedding service, the honeymoon and the cruise catering. Imagine your marriage ceremony being worry free in the enchanting Hawaii settings.
Hawaii has luxurious flora. The volcanic soil gives a stunning sight. From Diamond Head, Honolulu, the view is at the most breathtaking.
In those vacations, diverse water sports are doable. There are sandy beaches to snorkel, scuba diving, canoing, sun bathing or day sail in Kauai. This is achievable by using any cruise company line.
Hawaii is spectacular with its cliffs and rainbows near waterfalls. You can enjoy this fully with a helicopter tour. Hawaii cruise vacation is perfect when you don’t want to be concerned about budget constantly.
You have the choice of 7 days Hawaii cruise vacations, 12 days or 15 days cruise. There are also some 25-30 days cruise packages existing.
For a little bit more exciting activity in your vacations, you can stroll in the dormant Hawaii Volcanoes moon like landscapes. Be prepared to walk. Bring good quality shoes. You are in for the joy of hiking.
You can take part in a golf game on some cruise ships before playing on the main ground. Some cruise itineraries allow you stop everyday to play golf.
Hawaii is a good place to take pleasure in the swaying palm trees in a warm breeze as you are relaxing on the seashore…
For the lovers of aquatic animals, you can have a swim with dolphins at Oahu. You can also make whale watching. You can shop or snorkeling also.
It exist different honeymoon packages offered from the cruise companies. Even Disney cruise line offers honeymoon packages. Watch the stars at night if you have the chance to have a room on the cruise with a window or a balcony.
Spend romantic evenings by strolling on the boardwalk of the ship after a great romantic dinner. Enjoy a spa treatment before the formal evenings.
The habitants of Hawaii are warm. They take pleasure in sharing their traditions and culture during your Hawaii cruise vacations.
About the Author
You can find more information for a romantic vacation at http://www.everydaybetterliving.com/romantic_vacation/. For additional information on Hawaii cruise vacation, go to http://www.everydaybetterliving.com/romantic_vacation/hawaii_cruise_vacations.html
What do you think is the most important detail of your wedding? Your dress, your hair and makeup, the rings, the flowers? What about your vows, the music you choose? Of course, chances are that the most important detail of your wedding would be the person standing next to you at the altar, but other than that, what’s your second choice?
It’s probably very difficult to choose one particular detail that you might consider as being the most important, and of course the answer will be different for each bride. But when thinking about wedding details, one that you never want to overlook or think of as being unimportant is your choice of wedding favors.
And why is this? Why are your wedding favors one of the most important details of your wedding? Simply put, wedding favors are the one item from your wedding that guests are going to take home with them. Along with photos, your wedding favors are going to be put in an album or kept as a treasured memento of that special day. Long after they’ve forgotten what your gown looked like or what was served for dinner at the reception, your wedding favors are going to be with them as a reminder.
Not only will they be kept for years to come, but your wedding favors say a lot about you as a bride and what you think of the guests that are going to be sharing your special day. If you’ve spent thousands of dollars on a designer gown for yourself and have chosen just the right jewelry, have had your hair and makeup done by a professional, and want the fanciest decorations for your church, but have your guests eat cold chicken and watered down liquor, what message do you think they’ll take home with them? Or if you send them home with poorly designed or downright tacky wedding favors, how will they feel about that?
Yes, your wedding is your day, but it’s also a time when you are playing hostess to so many friends and loved ones. Because your wedding is your day, it’s also your party, and the guests are just that – guests at your party, just as much as if they had come to your home for a dinner or backyard barbecue. The type of hostess you decide to be will leave a lasting impression with your guests, so it’s important to make sure they understand how important they are to you, and putting an extra bit of time and attention toward your wedding favors is a great way to do just that.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you need to break the budget or feel obligated to get things for your guests that you really can’t afford. The real key to making wedding favors that are memorable and that will be treasured is to simply put some extra time and effort into making them personal and unique. For example, simple boxes of chocolate truffles can be dressed up with beautiful wrapping paper and thick ribbon. Tulle bags of Hershey’s Kisses can be tied with strings of shiny beads, available at sewing supply store or even where you would purchase Christmas tree garland. And a nice touch for wedding favors, one that many brides have loved for years, is customized candy bar wrappers. They are personal, affordable, and if you choose the right design and the right manufacturer, they can be a treasured keepsake for years to come. For example, one of the internet’s largest customized candy wrapping sites, www.FavorsAndWraps.com, has over 150 designs for wedding favors, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, baby showers, and everything in between. Their designs include nature and beach scenes, fun and whimsical designs, ones that are elegant and traditional, and many that are clean and modern. They are meant to be used as keepsakes, whether for a scrapbook or collage, and many are even suitable for framing.
So when deciding on all the important details of your special day, remember that you want to pay attention to how you make others feel on this day as well. Your wedding favors will be something that will be kept and treasured always, so make sure you give attention to this important detail as well!
About the Author
Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.
