Clubwatch: Rockabaret

By London_Sian Last edited 200 months ago
Clubwatch: Rockabaret

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Rockabaret is fabulous. Dress up. Be crazy, silly, decadent, beautiful. And then dance the night away to your favourite songs! Londonist had a chat with Nikkie Amouyal, director of Rockabaret, who runs the night with Tony Maggs. The next night is on Saturday 21st July at the Cobden club: Viva La Revolution!

What is so different about your club night?

It's glamorous, extravagant, elegant and what a rock star party should be! We have live art performances in different fields: Brechtian Cabaret, Neo-Burlesque, Alternative Circus, Acrobats, Aerialists, Fire Shows, Silent Movies and so many other things it would be a shame to spoil the surprise!

When and why did you set your night up?

We created Rockabaret around a year ago because we couldn't find a place to listen to rock music, dress up, discover new artistic talents other than music bands and meet people like us who wanted to go out and have fun but also getting something out of it different than a hangover the day after!

What is it about the music you play that is so special?

The idea was to mix with Alternative Rock, Classical, Sleazy Glam, Retro Pop, Showtunes and Vintage French, interwoven with surreal noise-blips.

Who's the best performer you've ever had down?

They are all bouncing with creativity and originality and at their best every month. For example Miss Vicky Butterfly is our retro burlesque performer mistress and has been with us since the beginning and sometimes works with Lily Noir or Chris Columbine, as well as Tania Rocha who does alternative circus and physical theatre, statue and stilt with her partner David Hockham. The Fire Swingers light up the stage with amazing fire shows that are always new and exciting. And everybody remembers the live puppet on Coin Operated Boy (Dresden Dolls) by Mr Diego El Hueso!

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Have you had any celebs on your dancefloor?

Everybody at Rockabaret is a rock star so we have a photo studio to immortalise them and roaming paparazzi to snap the fun - and put the photos up on our website.

Why did you pick your venue?

We felt in love with the Cobden Club straight away, it's majestic, Victorian, with a fabulous sound system, and a HUGE stage. It is a Private Members club and is as much into art and performance as we are.

What's your dream venue?

The same but even bigger to get more people in!

What other club nights do you like going to in London?

I never miss Stay Beautiful - an amazing drunken glam extravaganza co-run by Rockabaret producer and DJ Tony Maggs.

What's your all time favourite night?

I really liked our last one in June the American Prohibition party, which linked in American Prohibition and the smoking ban. All the acts were in tune with the theme and fake RK dollars were flying everywhere. We all end up in a custard pies fight at the end, like in Bugsy Malone! The custard pie fight was started by a couple of the guests - I like when it gets interactive, everybody is a star and can contribute to a legendary night this way.

What's your all time floorfiller, and your current favourite track?

Nobody misses our 1 o'clock waltz. It's the ultimate floorfiller. Can you imagine any other club night in London where magnificently dressed people suddenly launch into dancing a waltz at one o'clock in the morning? Everyone loves it!

Anything else we should know?

Come and have fun with us, you'll feel you were for one day part of the legend that is Rockabaret. To get in, don't forget to put your name on the list at: door@rockabaret.co.uk

Images of Acrobat and Londonist reader Virgil getting excited about confetti both snapped by Angela Tran.

Rockabaret is held once a month at the Cobden Club, from 9pm - 3am, with a different theme each month. Check the website for more details. Nearest tube Westbourne Park. It's £6 before 9.30 and £8 after if you've got a flyer which you can download here. Otherwise it's £7 before 9.30 and £10 after. Don't forget to put your name on the door and dress up!

Last Updated 19 July 2007