more larking around in northern england

After my two weeks in the States, I arrived at Gatwick airport and promptly took the train north, to spend another ten days with Liam. Because I can, and because everything is better with Liam.

I felt I had run out of photography a little bit after having seen so many new things and taken so many photos lately, so I only got a handful of photos in those ten days. Here they are:



To be honest, it's going to be a while before I tire of taking this man's photo.



We went to Mersey Swing's 5th year anniversary in Liverpool. It's probably the warmest, friendliest dance scene I've ever been in. They are doing a lot of things right.


I sang a couple of songs with David Broad, so much fun!


The next day we went to Manchester to see the Hallé Orchestra perform Thrills, chills and spills, which was lovely. I really enjoyed it. And it was very comforting, for me, to be in an environment as incredibly familiar as a concert hall with a symphony orchestra, in this strange country that is not my own.



Afterward we went out for the most delicious cocktails I've had in a long while.


Sunday dancing at Tipple Step in Manchester.


I love this overgrown garden!


And here's me!

the Schwings | Is This Love

two more days in new york

The drive from the Blues Experiment in North Carolina back to New York was SO GREAT. I only took this one photo (<3) but the whole day was the same amount of fabulous. There's just nothing like spending a whole day intensely hanging out with amazing women. We did ALL the talking. I'm so grateful to have my crew: Virginia, Laura, Isabelle and Emily.


And later, when we drove into New York, Virginia offered to drive as slow as she could so that I could take this photo. True love right there.


The day after, we had some more New York time!



I had the company of these lovely ladies.



But after a little while it turned out that they mostly wanted to go shopping, which is one of the most MEH things ever in my world, so I said goodbye and went for a walk instead.



I decided on Central Park, because pretty.





All the spring everywhere!






I liked walking slowly and reading the signs on the benches. This one was my favourite.



In the evening, this lovely man took me out to dinner. Thanks for being a wonderful host and all around awesome person, Loren!


Then I went dancing! It was the start of bal week in New York and I couldn't miss that, could I?


I didn't take any photos of the dancing, but this is what I looked like! I had so much fun. :) Photo: Nina Galicheva


Spring continued the next day (who would have thought).


I met up with Isabelle in Bryant Park for a goodbye lunch, since she stayed for a few extra days. I'm really glad I got to travel with Isabelle. She was the best company I could have wished for.


After that, I decided to spend my last few hours in New York at the Met, one of my favourite art museums in the world.



This exhibition was so fabulous and inspiring!


This. Yes, yes, yes.

Then I did some more arting:






But too soon, it was time to say goodbye to New York and head home.

And by home, I apparently mean Chester.

Marthe Wang | Til deg

the blues experiment part VII: friday dancing

I saved the dance photos until last, because they are always my favourite. Finding even more gigs as a dance event photographer is on my list for the next year or so, for sure! I just enjoy it too much not to pursue it.

First, the second exhibition of the week:









And then, the social dancing:



















And that, my friends, is the last batch of photos from the Blues Experiment. It was an experiment indeed. And I am so glad I went. I'm so excited to see what's going to happen with my blues dancing (and my life!) next.

Big Maybelle | That's A Pretty Good Love