Jelly Jazz Night Of The Dead Party Southsea Castle

Way back, many moons ago, back when Miley Cyrus was still pooping in diapers for Billy ray to change, back when Czechoslovakia  ceased to exist and instead became Slovakia and the Czech Republic, back when the internet wasn't even in everyone's homes, way back, back, when I was just a young thing and my weekends began on a Wednesday evening and ended on Monday morning.  


Back to when The Milk Bar was a cool place in London I used to frequent and not a sad referral to my lactating self. Back, back, back to 1993, when I used to think it was okay to go out clubbing wearing nothing but a silver skirt and a Wonderbra covered in marabou feathers, back when I didn't have a care in the world and my days were devoted to sleeping and my evenings were devoted to working and dancing, back to when I used to work in a dingy little nightclub above a bar called Dirty Dicks on the Barbican in Plymouth.  


Back to that moment in time, I was witness to a wonderful phenomena being born.  That phenomena was Jelly Jazz an evening of dance funk and intoxication for the ears.  The kind of intoxication that transcends the aural senses and drifts deep into your mind lighting up your hips, and feet, so that they sway, so that they move so that they skip and jump uncontrollably like the heart beat of a love-sick teenager when she spots her crush across the street. 

Matching knockers and cuffs anyone?

I was working behind the bar, serving drinks with an evil scowl perfected to warn away unwanted attention, teetering around in my huge (nothing changes) platforms and manky oversized uniform t-shirt, when the trumpets sounded, the beats kicked in, the ethereal voices sang out and the crowd was throwing spiky shapes and twisting all over the place.  This was new, this was catchy, this was enchanting, this was Jelly Jazz!  

Everyone else was playing dance, garage, break beat, housey housey house music, which I loved to dance to but this was the funkiest of all mother funkers, it was new and it was different and I was hooked.  I started making sure I was off on the evenings that Jelly Jazz were on so I could join in the reverie, I had to be a part of it and so it became a part of my weekly ritual during my time in Plymouth.  I would look at the organisers in awe, Pete Isaac used to have fabulous long hair, but of course he was too busy to notice a gawky Asian teenager who was trying desperately to look funky whilst avoiding the 'funky chicken' the only funk move I knew which of course isn't really all that funky.  Jelly Jazz was just amazing beyond amazing!  

So, it doesn't surprise me to hear that seventeen years later, club nights have come and gone (RIP Cultural Vibes) but Jelly Jazz are still going.  And they are not just keeping themselves to the South West either.  Jelly Jazz are coming to Southsea,Hampshire for one night only, for a special charity do.  So, don't miss out, buy your ticket and start planning that outfit.


They are hosting a Mexican Day of the dead Halloween special at Southsea Castle.  An amazing venue for a party and the tuneage will have you exploding with rhythm like you won't believe.  You can get your tickets at Bamboo Bar Southsea and the event itself is on 30th October.


Want some Mexican day of the dead inspiration?  Think swirly psychedelic artwork, think skulls, think skulls with swirly psychedelic art work.  It's all very Corpse Bride.

Blue nose, much better than a brown one

Corpse Bride - I want that dress!

Or I could just go dressed as one of my predecessors, we head hunters are pretty damn scary

Of course the main reason why I am asking you to come along is not just to be a part of the party but to help lend a hand to two very important charities: Down Syndrome Education International and Rock Challenge.  Both incredible charities helping to make major differences to young lives.  Click on the coloured links to find out more about their individual work.

SATURDAY 30th OCTOBER

SOUTHSEA CASTLE, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth

7pm - 12am

Tickets £10

AFTER PARTY @ BAMBOO Southsea, Palmerston Road

FREE entry and food with your castle ticket!

12am - 2am

Tickets from BAMBOO 02392 820288

Info Line 07872 455866

Proceeds go the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth's Appeal, which is raising funds in aid of two charities, Down Syndrome Education International (Charity Number 1062823) and Rock Challenge (Charity Number 1077291). Proceeds will be split 50/50 between the 2 charities.

Be there or be a pair