#the lady janet vibes are strong

[shipwreckedshadows]

Derry Girls - Good Omens AU

Focusing on Sister George Michael and Janet Taylor

- Throughout the series Sister Michael is a chaotic yet predominantly “good” force of nature. She bends around the rules but will not hesitate to put those beneath her in line. in other words, she’s a hardass as far as her role as headmistress goes but we do see parts of her that are benevolent towards her students. In that regard, she’s a lot like Aziraphale. Therefore, I would set her up to be the angel.

- We hardly get to see the way Janet Taylor conducts order at her own school but that just means we get more creative freedom with her world view and behaviour. She doesn’t give me Crowly vibes. I’d set her up to be the demon but give her different motivations from Crowly’s.

- I would make the story more character-centric, steering the focus away from the Adam plot and end of the world business.

- To that end, I would also make both characters low status beings.

- Sister Michael will be an archangel (different from the capitalized Archangel). Lower-case archangels have lower status than Principalities (which are lower than capital Archangels) and therefore lower accountability and powers. Her lower rank means she’s sent to watch over small groups of humans, rather than large regions or countries. Because her powers aren’t very strong, she has to fall back on pragmatism to keep her identity secret while staying in line with her duties. So she still ends up becoming a nun - free room and board that she doesn’t have to miracle into existence, and it puts her in a good position to  gain power within the more prominent institutions of Derry (headmistress within the educational structure). Her overall personal mission is push people to “do good” without focusing on a particular virtue or sin. She’s not important enough to have to bother beyond that, she figures.

- Meanwhile, Janet is just a demon. She denounced her angelic name and changes her demon name as she sees fit. Her powers are also limited - though she’s learned how to channel terror and fear to get what she wants out of others. She finds that its easier for her to influence people towards sins of greed, wrath, and pride. She’s not particularly interested in pushing people to sin, but she has a quota to meet. I would still have her be a teacher but she would teach at Our Lady Immaculate College.

- The best way, figures Janet, to piss off any sane human is to make them engage with trigonometry - which is why she exclusively teaches math (heavily regarded as the most evil school subject). Any teenager, sinful or not, when enraged to just the right degree pick at small threads with a solid focus. At home, they start fights and raise tensions enough to ignite pride and wrath within their parents. The most natural path to wrath was through pride, and parents always feel their pride swell in the worst ways when their children step out of line. Teenagers were Janet’s best amplifiers and all she had to do was assign extra homework pages.

- Janet has been influencing Derry, and has been teaching at Lady Immaculate, long before Sister Michael arrived in Derry and became headmistress. Janet doesn’t feel threatened with the angels’ presence but she still feels she needs to make her claim on the territory known. 

- The headmistress/teacher power dynamic doesn’t exist because Janet can always miracle her way into another teaching position at another school - as headmistress, if she really felt like it. Besides, we all know Sister Michael is so below willing to fill out the tedious paperwork required to fire someone (its more so the principal of having to do more work than necessary, rather than a willingness to do the work itself). They’re also at equal ranking within demon/angel society and their influence on Derry are equal to the point that they start to cancel each other out.

- They start of weary of each other but soon come to an understanding that, if they both do their jobs equally well, neither of them will have to put in more effort. Janet gets her numbers in through individual students and families (and occasionally the faculty). Sister Michael gets her numbers tallied through overarching groups, such as the staff, student assembly, and educational community within Derry. Essentially, their impact is the same, just at different levels of societal structures. If Heaven and Hell truly wanted to make any sort of difference, they would send higher ranking officials.

Anyway, sort of my baseline thoughts on the subject. Might write more regarding this specific AU, we’ll see.

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (18-24 Sep 2022)

ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵘᵗᵘᵐⁿ ʷᵉᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃᵖᵖᵉᵃʳˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶦ ᵃᵐ ᵈᵉˡᶦᵍʰᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᶠ

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😍 👂‍The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2) (KJ Charles, author; Cornell Collins, narrator) - confronting terrible family (and also a criminal gang), part one

😍 To Trust Man On His Oath (The Will Darling Adventures #2.5) (KJ Charles, author) - Will & Kim make a vow

😍 👂‍Subtle Blood (The Will Darling Adventures #3) (KJ Charles, author; Cornell Collins, narrator) - confronting terrible family (and also a criminal gang), part two

😍 How Goes The World? (The Will Darling Adventures #3.5) (KJ Charles, author) - delightful, indulgent coda where Archie Curtis gets to meet HIS 'heir apparent' (more or less)

🙂 A Pebble for Lewis (Alaskan Pebble Gifters #1) (Amy Bellows, author) - 37K, KU, polor bear/penguin shifter romance - did not expect this to carry thru to the mpreg & birth tbh so the extremely sexual egg-laying scene was a surprise but I ain't mad about it

😊 Majestic (Oh_i_swear, author) - 69K, Stucky - modern omegaverse royalty arranged marriage AU

😍 👂‍Two Rogues Make a Right (Seducing the Sedgwicks #3) (Cat Sebastian, author; Joel Leslie, narrator) - 'only one bed'; very low angst/high feelings & pining; always gives me some major shrinkyclinks vibe (which I mean in the best way possible)

😍 The Good Morrow (Hark_bananas, author; huei/Nogi/nogstalia, artists) - reread, 75K, Stucky post-WS canon divergent - Steve & Bucky find each other again through a shared dream in a diner - absolutely magical, lovely, warm, one of my absolute faves

🙂 Double Sin and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot #38) (Agatha Christie, author; Hugh Fraser/Isla Blair/Joan Hickson/Anna Massey/David Suchet/Christopher Lee/Simon Vance, narrators) - short story collection

💖💖 +139K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

[Podfic] Blind Date (aggressivewhenstartled, author; quietnight, narrator) - MCU: shrinkyclinks, 8K - great podfic of a very funny shrinkyclinks

Another for Working Days (SassySnowperson) - Much Ado About Nothing: Beatrice/Benedick/Don Pedro, 13K - what if Beatrice had said 'yes' to the Prince's offer?

Whole In Your Frame (AidaRonan) - MCU: shrunkyclunks, 15K - absolutely adore this fic with Cap!Steve and nerdy scientist Bucky

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

nothing to report, watched zero things

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

It's Been a Minute - How HBO transformed television

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Ark Two Shelter

Shedunnit Book Club - A Prize Mystery

Switched on Pop - Lady Gaga & The Pequeños Monstruos

Vibe Check - Mercury Needs To Sit Its A$$ Down Somewhere

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - America’s “Quiet Zone”

Ologies with Alie Ward - Geology (ROCKS) Part 2 with Schmitty Thompson

Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - 1-900-20K-HRTZ

Overinvested - Ep. 269: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

One Year - 1986: The Miracle of Cokeville

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Libre Intentional Artist Community

Song Exploder - Panic! At the Disco - Viva Las Vengeance

Strong Songs - Strong Grooves, Vol. 1 (feat. Russ Kleiner)

Strong Songs Bonus Episodes - How Clyde Stubblefield Evolved Funk Drumming

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

The Crystal Method

"September" [Earth, Wind & Fire] radio

Butterfly: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition [Mariah Carey]

Presenting Janet Jackson

Night Ranger

"Cissy Strut" [The Meters] radio

[renee-writer]

Accidentally Roomies Chapter 44

AO3

The normalcy of it all, that is what has her tearing up. A dinner, that includes teasing between Jamie and Janet and Ian and Jamie, loving gestures between Ellen and Brian, well just he whole family vibe. She and her uncle have a very loving relationship and their dinners together are great but, it is different with such a big family. Wee Ian and Maggie had greeted her with smiles and shy waves. They are animated though at the dinner table, chatting with their Uncle Jamie about his life in the city.

Now, as she helps Ellen with the dishes, tears drop down her face. Ellen drops the plate she was washing back in the water, dries her hands and, takes Claire into her arms. “What is wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything is so right. Your family, it is what family is supposed to be. My uncle and I we were family, no doubt, it is just..”

Ellen holds the taller woman close, drawing her head down onto her shoulder. “It wasn’t fair. It isn’t.” She gives her permission to grief what was lost while still being thankful for what is.

“No!” Her hands cling to Ellen ‘s back as her sobs wet her shoulder. She is held in a mother's arms and rocked and swayed gently as Ellen murmurs Gaelic words. Everything she had been holding back, all that the return of Henry and Julia, the meeting of Faith, had unleashed, comes out in the Fraser’s kitchen in the arms of Jamie ‘s mam.

When the sobs start to break-up into hiccups, Julia leads her to a chair and takes a seat beside her. Claire wipes her face with the dishtowel that was still in her hand. Ellen waits. Red-rimmed eyes lift up to her patient ones. “I didn’t know how much I was holding on to.”

“You have been through a lot. You had to bury the hurt your parents abandonment caused to survive. No bairn can carry that,” she tsks, “so you found a life with your uncle, the dear man, and didn’t think about them. Now with their return and the knowledge of Faith, that they are capable of being parents, just didn’t with you, well, it had to come out.”

“Yes, that’s it. I thought I was over it but then, I see them with Faith, I see Jamie with you guys and… Damn it that is what I deserved!”

“Good, the anger is healthy and right. I read somewhere that anger is your minds response to being mistreated. That it knows you deserve better and anger shows that. And you did and do. You are allowed to be angry and grief what should have been. But,” She reaches out to take her face, “don’t live in the past so much that you neglect the present or damage the future.”

“I love him. I didn’t want to as I feared he would leave. I feared hurting him too. But, he was so bloody patient. Not letting me forget who I am. Loving me before I could fully love myself. He is strong and courageous stubborn and persistent. He made it okay to give him my heart because I know he will cherish it. Made it okay for me to cherish his, for he trusted me with it. You and Brian raised an extraordinary young man.”

Now Ellen has tears falling. “Your uncle, who we must meet when your sister is better, raised an extraordinary young lady. My Jamie is blessed to have you. Now, mo mighean, go join him. I have this.” They stand and hug. “I will always be available for a good cry, rant, sounding board or, whatever you need.”

“Thank you.” She hugs her again and slips out to find Jamie. Ellen wipes her eyes, a huge smile on her face. She is the person she and Brian had been praying Jamie would find.

[lady-janet]

If you are up to it, I'm always interested in hearing about more ballads that are similar to Tam Lin (story, vibes etc) that you like!

If not I'll just say how much I love that the events in Tam Lin are tied to an actual date of Halloween/Hallows eve, and how one day I would love to have a wild hunt themed costume party/parade that happens then.

I hope your day gets better!

Lady Isabelle and the Elf Knight/The Seventh Girl have very strong Tam Lin-ish vibes, in my opinion. A willful maiden runs off with a Knight who may or may not be human and suddenly finds herself in paranormal danger only she can defeat. The Lady Janet vibes are tangible. I also like Willy of Winsburry. There's a moment where Lady Jane's father is asking her who the father of her child is and she replies that it isn't any of her father's Knights or Lords. That just screams "there's ne'er a Lord about your hall shall give the babe his name" to me. And in King Willy's Lady the Queen has been bespelled by her husband's mother and must use her wits to break the curse. This one isn't super close to The Ballad of Tam Lin. But there's something about the dynamic between two powerful ladies and a man whose caught between them that reminds me of it.

I also love that Tam Lin is fixed to a particular day! And your idea of a Wilde Hunt themed event is brilliant! If it ever happens, be sure to send me pictures. I've often thought about throwing a Tam Lin-ish/Faery-ish event around that time, myself.

Thank you so much for your ask and kind words. It means a lot.

[nyahsaqueen]

Task 001: Character Playlist.

Death Becomes Her - a Nyah Queen playlist

Snippets of Lyrics below:

1. tipsy - Chloe x Halle

man just this entire song is her vibe, k bye

I've been crucified, darling Ghosts haunt me like New Orleans I've been charged with murder Need someone to push me further I'll hit you where it hurts, yeah If you don't put me first, yeah And I don't give no apologies If you lose a life, that's not on me, yeah

[Pre-Chorus] Better, baby, better treat me better Better than those other guys who change up like the weather, yeah It is such a shame that they went missing, they can't find 'em now Oh, I wonder how I accidentally put them in the ground, yeah

[Chorus] I might be a little tipsy on your love Makes me a little crazy, but so what? You're strumming on my heartstrings, don't be dumb If you love your little life, then don't fuck up

[Verse 2] I'll take you to the afterlife Boy, if you ain't actin' right Key your car and crash the lights Hit your head, I'm not polite Then I'll hunt down your family Let 'em know 'bout the tragedy Who did it? A mystery But you know that it, it was me, yeah

2. scream - Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson

 Tired of injustice Tired of the schemes The lies are disgusting So what does it mean, damn it? Kicking me down I got to get up As jacked as it sounds The whole system sucks, damn it

Peek in the shadow Come into the light You tell me I'm wrong Then you better prove you're right! You're selling out souls but I I care about mine I've got to get stronger And I won't give up the fight

3. girls like us - Zoe Wees

 It's hard for girls like us We don't know who we trust Not even the ones we love 'Cause they don't know

4. motive - Ariana Grande & Doja Cat

'Cause I see you tryin', subliminally tryin' To see if I'm gon' be the one that's in your arms I admit it's exciting, parts of me kinda like it But before I lead you on

Baby, tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

You treat me like gold, baby Now you wanna spoil me Did you want a trophy or you wanna sport me, baby? Want me on your neck 'cause you wanted respect 'Cause you fightin' some war, baby Well, I had to bring the fists out, had to put a wall up But don't trust phonies, baby (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) You gotta tell me, what's your motive, baby?

5. boss bitch - Doja Cat

Yeah, ain't tryna be cool like you Wobblin' around in your high heel shoes I'm clumsy, made friends with the floor Two for one, you know a bitch buy four And two left feet, you know I always drop First thing a girl did was a bop I'm the whole damn cake and the cherry on top Shook up the bottle, made a good girl pop

I'm a bitch, I'm a boss I'm a bitch and a boss, I'ma shine like gloss

6. nightmare - Halsey

"Come on, little lady, give us a smile" No, I ain't got nothin' to smile about I got no one to smile for, I waited a while for A moment to say I don't owe you a goddamn thing

7. all the stars - Kendrick Lamar, SZA

Tell me what you gon' do to me Confrontation ain't nothin' new to me You can bring a bullet, bring a sword, bring a morgue But you can't bring the truth to me Fuck you and all your expectations I don't even want your congratulations I recognize your false confidence And calculated promises all in your conversation I hate people that feel entitled Look at me crazy 'cause I ain't invite you Oh, you important? You the moral to the story? You endorsin'? Mothafucka, I don't even like you Corrupted man's heart with a gift That's how you find out who you dealin' with A small percentage who I'm buildin' with I want the credit if I'm losin' or I'm winnin' On my momma, that's the realest shit

8. needed me - Rihanna

But baby, don't get it twisted You was just another n**** on the hit list Tryna fix your inner issues with a bad bitch Didn't they tell you that I was a savage? Fuck ya white horse and ya carriage Bet you never could imagine Never told you you could have it

You needed me Ooh, you needed me To feel a little more, and give a little less Know you hate to confess But baby ooh, you needed me 9. checklist - Normani, Calvin Harris feat. Wizkid

Come show me what the neck ’bout Might show you what the check ’bout Might show you what that net 'bout Give it all to you if you check out Way you moving it around me Make me feel like you wan’ drown me Make me feel like you wan' wet me Only you know how to get me up

10. truth hurts - Lizzo

You tried to break my heart? Oh, that breaks my heart That you thought you ever had it No, you ain't from the start Hey, I'm glad you're back with your bitch I mean, who would wanna hide this? I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever be your side chick I put the sing in single Ain't worried 'bout a ring on my finger So you can tell your friend, "Shoot your shot" when you see him It's okay, he already in my DMs

I'ma hit you back in a minute (Yeah, yeah) I don't play tag, bitch, I been it (One time) We don't fuck with lies (Two times), we don't do goodbyes (Woo) We just keep it pushing like ay-ay-ay

11. juice - Lizzo

If I'm shinin', everybody gonna shine (Yeah, I'm goals) I was born like this, don't even gotta try (Now you know) I'm like chardonnay, get better over time (So you know) Heard you say I’m not the baddest, bitch, you lie (Haha)

It ain’t my fault that I'm out here gettin’ loose Gotta blame it on the Goose Gotta blame it on my juice, baby It ain't my fault that I'm out here makin' news I’m the pudding in the proof Gotta blame it on my juice Ya-ya-ee, ya-ya-ee, ya-ya-ee, ya-ya-ee Blame it on my juice, blame it, blame it on my juice

12. motivation - normani

 Fallin'  into the bed Why would we ever do somethin' instead of Fallin' into the bed right now? Yeah

I'ma break you off, let me be your motivation To stay and give it tonight And, baby, turn around, let me give you innovation Hey, 'cause I do it so right Think about it, ooh, I think about it Think about it, ooh, take a look at me now Hey, a little motivation, alright

13. mi gente - J Balvin, Willy William

Esquina a esquina, de ahí no' vamo' El mundo es grande, pero lo tengo en mi' manos Estoy muy duro, sí, ok, ahí vamos Y con el tiempo nos seguimos elevando

English: i’m rusty, i had to get some google help

Corner on the corner, that’s where we go The world is big, but I have it in my hands I’m very tough, yes, okay, there we go And over time we keep going up

14. sorry not sorry - Demi Lovato

Now, I'm out here lookin' like revenge Feelin' like a ten, the best I've ever been And, yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this But it gets worse (Wait a minute) Now, you're out here lookin' like regret, ain't too proud to beg Second chance, you'll never get And, yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this But it gets worse (Wait a minute)

Now, payback is a bad bitch And baby, I'm the baddest You fuckin' with a savage Can't have this, can't have this (Ah) And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah

Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)

15. django jane - Janelle Monáe

And hit the mute button, let the vagina have a monologue Mansplaining, I fold 'em like origami What's a wave, baby? This a tsunami For the culture, I kamikaze, I put my life on a life line If she the G.O.A.T. now, would anybody doubt it?

16. perfect illusion - Lady Gaga

Tryin' to get control Pressure's takin' its toll Stuck in the middle zone I just want you alone My guessing game is strong Way too real to be wrong Caught up in your show Yeah, at least now I know

It wasn't love, it wasn't love It was a perfect illusion (Perfect illusion) Mistaken for love, it wasn't love It was a perfect illusion (Perfect illusion) You were a perfect illusion

17. formation - Beyoncé

I see it, I want it, I stunt; yellow bone-it I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it I twirl on them haters, albino alligators El Camino with the seat low, sippin' Cuervo with no chaser Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard) Get what's mine (Take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star) 'Cause I slay (Slay), I slay (Hey), I slay (Okay), I slay (Okay) All day (Okay), I slay (Okay), I slay (Okay), I slay (Okay) We gon' slay (Slay), gon' slay (Okay), we slay (Okay), I slay (Okay) I slay (Okay), okay (Okay), I slay (Okay), okay, okay, okay, okay Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay Prove to me you got some coordination, 'cause I slay Slay trick, or you get eliminated

18. be careful - Cardi B

Be careful with me, do you know what you doin'? Whose feelings that you're hurtin' and bruisin'? You gon' gain the whole world But is it worth the girl that you're losin'? Be careful with me Yeah, it's not a threat, it's a warnin' Be careful with me Yeah, my heart is like a package with a fragile label on it Be careful with me

19. i like that - Janelle Monáe

I remember when you called me weird We was in math class, third row, I was sitting by you Right before Mr. Ammond’s class 'Cause my mama couldn’t afford new Js Polos, thrift store, thrift clothes that was all I knew Do you remember? Uh, I remember when you laughed when I cut my perm off And you rated me a six I was like, “Damn” But even back then with the tears in my eyes I always knew I was the shit 20. W - Koffee feat. Gunna

Everything we do, we give thanks, tell dem wah we do Lowe di L, take di W (Ayy, ayy) One thing deh out deh fi you (Ayy, ayy) And it nah come if you no go

[miss-choco-chips]

Janet Drake...

and the Orphans. She doesn’t care for them. Except when Timothy does, because then it’s a problem™.

----.----

The days following the circus tragedy found Janet constantly wearing a curious accessory. And by that, she means Tim was hanging on to her at all times like a stubbornly stuck belt or backpack, depending on whether he was clinging to her waist or shoulders.

It was a little suffocating at times, but to be honest, the cercany helped her frayed nerves as well as his growing separation anxiety. Because Jack had left, and she was still steaming over the fact.

Her husband, back home for the week, had left for the next dig site earlier than expected, scared away by Timothy’s nightmares and cries. As if it were weird for a four year old to be scared out of his mind by witnessing another little kid’s parents die in front of him. As if it was a minor inconvenience and awkward situation, instead of future therapy material for their kid.

‘Coward’, she thought, full of spite, hand carefully brushing Tim’s hair away from his forehead as he slept with his head in her lap, watching from the couch as Jack trudged down the stairs with his travel suitcase at the ready. 

She wouldn’t ask him to stay, though. Timothy deserved parents willing to stay by their own volition, no some half witted irresponsible man-child who couldn’t deal with a little emotional trauma. 

Like, Janet herself wasn’t the best at reassurance, but at least she was trying, dear god. That had to count more than Jack’s escape act.

But, useless husband aside, she was… worried. About her son.

Emotional trauma wasn’t something she could just intimidate into submission. Some desperate dream, like owning an island, she had the money to fulfil for him. Unknown attacker to eliminate? Sure, there were no lacking meatbags in the market for hire to...make someone else disappear. But dealing with stuff that included heart to hearts and love? Yeah, no. She always thought Jack would be the one dealing with that kind of thing, so she was wholly unprepared for it. It also wasn’t an issue she could just push into her friends; Both Nicole and Lex were equally as unexperienced (inept) in that area.

Though, they did offer some sound advice.

“Take Timothy to see the boy”, suggested Luthor during their weekly business call (or, as Nicole called it, their bitchfest, where they despised together about the concerning lack of braincells flowing in the rest of the corporate world). “He’s probably worried sick about two things: your safety, and the kid’s who he saw become an orphan. Maybe seeing him well cared for by Wayne will be soothing enough for him to relax a little. Fuck if I know. Now, back at my story… You wouldn’t believe what that empty brained, graceless twit Oliver Queen said then.”

So Janet followed his advice, both about the visit to Wayne Manor and not making business with Queen.

After the first uncomfortable five minutes where Tim tried to stutter a condolence out, the kids had taken to one another like fishes to water. The adoration was clear in Tim’s eyes, shining through his nervousness, like that damn bat signal broke through the clouds to illuminate the city.

And Richard, Dick as he asked to be called, absolutely laped at it, doing flips and jumps, each one flashier than the one before, enticing claps from his captive audience of one. He laughed when Tim asked his usual hundred questions, undeterred by her son’s enthusiasm. There were tinges of the sadness and mourning on his eyes, but they were chased away by the four year old’s joy whenever he told a pun.

Sitting at one of the tea tables overseeing the garden where the kids played, Bruce and Janet interchanged looks.

-It was a good idea to bring Tim over, Janet -praised the man.

-Of course -she replied primly, choosing to not inform him it had been Luthor’s suggestion.

-Dick hasn’t laughed at all since he came here… maybe we can set more playdates for them?

Timothy’s laughter in her ears, unburdened for the first time since that night, was all the motivation she needed to nod.

-Why take him in, though? -she asked after a few minutes of watching as Dick did a double flip, to Tim’s excitement.

-Dick… what he went through… it was like seeing myself, back then. I couldn’t just leave him alone.

A sigh, and a sip of tea. 

-Bruce. You can’t adopt every single orphan you come across. 

-----.-----

A little over seven years later, Janet downed a glass of champagne in two long sips, watching from the side of the ballroom as Tim approached the newcomers to his birthday party: Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and his newest ward, Jason Todd.

-When I told him that, I didn’t mean it as a challenge.

-Hum? -asks Nicole, sharp green eyes on her godson, tilting her head a little to hear Janet better.

-Nothing. What are you looking at, that focused?

The woman gave Luthor, who completed their little group (god, reminders of high school much?), a side look. He returned it.

-I’m going to get started into the spa gift card -he said, apropos of nothing, before walking away, whipping out his phone and typing like a madman.

-What was he on about?

-Oh, nothing -mused Nicole, eyes still on Tim (who was, as always with the Waynes, a flustered mess, thanking them -and specially, their latest addition- for coming to his party). She took one of Janet’s hands in both of hers, finally looking away from the child to look at his mother. Nicole’s eyes were full of pity and amusement-. Be strong, Jan.

-What...?

----.-----

-...the fuck?

-Shhh, darling, breath. I told you, didn’t I? Be strong.

-What. Just… no. No. I refuse -he gestured, as graceful and lady like as she could given the circumstances- this. 

They were currently at Wayne Manor, celebrating with the Waynes the fourteenth birthday of the youngest of them. Tim, who had been very cagey and mysterious the last few months, had brought a potted flower. That, apparently, he grew himself, from a seed to the pretty little yellow sprout.

Alstroemeria, a beautiful flower which symbolises enduring friendship. Each of the flower's six petals represents the characteristics of understanding, humour, patience, empathy, commitment and respect.

That was the flower Timothy choose to gift Jason Todd, explaining as he did how he cared for the flower for weeks, telling it stories about Jason and asking it to give him good luck. Something about plants being magical, able to give off special vibes, and how he ‘trained’ it to do the same for Jason. 

It was adorable, and judging from the brat’s furious blush, he agreed. He took the hand-painted pot with utmost care.

It was revolting. She wanted to claw his eyes out, if only to get him to stop looking at her son like that.

Stop him from looking at her son, period.

-Shh -continued to sooth Nicole, quick hand slipping a card into Janet’s purse- There, an all day, full treatment, already paid for spa gift card, from me and Luthor. You’re going to need it. Timmy is eleven after all, hormones are bound to start kicking anytime soon.

She wanted to scream, especially when Richard, apparently tendered after Tim’s heartfelt gift to Jason, picked him up and started to spin him around the ballroom. Her son’s already rosy cheeks went full red.

-Damned Wayne and his godforsaken orphans. I swear to God I’m gonna sue him if he dares adopt another one.

Nicole, on her part, winced a little inwardly. Perhaps this wasn’t the right moment to tell Janet about her sister Talia’s spawn with Wayne.

[sinceileftyoublog]

Newport Folk Festival: 7/26-7/28

Brandi Carlile and Dolly Parton sing “I Will Always Love You”

BY MICHAEL KINGSBAKER

Another Newport Folk Festival has come and gone, and yes, it still is the greatest music festival in the world, and it is still my favorite weekend of the year. This year, for the first time in its 60-year history, the festival had an all female-led Saturday night headliner, arguably had its two biggest appearances to date, covered an entire masterpiece album, premiered the biggest female country supergroup ever, and finally found the heir apparent to Pete Seeger on what would be his 100th birth year.

After Pete Seeger passed away in 2014, a gaping hole was left at the Newport Folk Festival. Seeger had been around the festival since its inception, and while festival producer Jay Sweet has captained the ship incredibly since taking over in 2008, the question has remained: Who would hold the seat that Seeger did for years? The musical ambassador of the people and of the music of the Newport Folk Festival? That question was answered loud and clear this year, as Brandi Carlile cemented her rightful seat. Last year was a precursor, when she performed from her Grammy Award-winning album By the Way, I Forgive You and guest performed with Mumford and Sons and during the Change is Gonna Come set. This year, she got handed the keys to the car and packed a Saturday night headlining slot full of talent from the past and present, culminating in a 5-song set from none other than Dolly Parton. Now, Jay Sweet has pulled some pretty big acts during his 12 years on the festival, but he didn’t pull Dolly--Brandi did! She also premiered her new country super group The Highwomen, an all-female answer to The Highwaymen. The former’s reworking of the latter’s namesake song absolutely took my breath away (and was just released), and then Carlile closed out her weekend singing Pete Seeger's classic song "If I Had a Hammer" with Alynda Segarra from Hurray For The Riff Raff.

Overall, this year’s festival was fiercely female, showcasing talents from multiple generations from Parton and Judy Collins, Sheryl Crow, and Linda Perry to Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Maggie Rogers, and Yola. The collaboration sets, which really gained steam with the Dylan 65' Revisited set 3 years ago, continued this year and actually tripled, with the Saturday night All-Female Collaboration, along with a last minute addition of a complete cover of Graham Nash's "Song for Beginners" led by Kyle Craft with an all-star cast of Newport favorites. Finally, on Sunday, Pete Seeger was celebrated with set entitled "If I Had a Song" where audiences were given song books with which to sing along. It opened with Jim James singing “The Rainbow Connection” with perhaps the second biggest star to ever appear at the Newport Folk Festival in Kermit the Frog. I was also pleased to see that Our Native Daughters were asked to participate in the Seeger Celebration, singing the Seeger tune "If You Miss Me at The Back of The Bus" and joining Mavis Staples and Hozier for "Keep Your Eyes on The Prize". Two years ago, for the SPEAK OUT set at Newport (intended to be a platform for artists to speak out about issues of our times), I was critical of the set’s lack of diversity. I noted that both Rhiannon Giddens and Alynda Segarra gave the most topical and stirring performances of that festival but were absent at that finale. Well, this year, they both hit the stage and had their voices heard with songs of protest to make up for lost time.

It's good to know this incredible festival is in good hands and has its ears open. I'm already looking forward to next July. Until then, here's a few photos to pass the time.

Newport is always a place to make discoveries. Saturday morning, the audience was woken up to the raucous duo of Illiterate Light.

Liz Cooper & The Stampede bent over backwards (literally) to electrify the audience at the Quad on Friday with their psychedelic soundscape.

Recent Tony Award winner Anais Mitchell and The Milk Carton Kids at The Harbor Stage, singing Graham Nash's "Simple Man" as part of the Songs for Beginners set.

After a last minute dropout from Noname due to illness, Festival producer Jay Sweet was left with a hole at the Harbor Stage on Saturday. After tweeting about the brilliance of Graham Nash's album Songs for Beginners and the responses it garnered, an idea sparked. A supergroup of Newport faithful led by Kyle Craft, including Hiss Golden Messenger, Lake Street Dive, Amy Ray, The Tallest Man on Earth, and more played the album from start to end. I think we may have just started a new Newport tradition--might I suggest Neil Young's Harvest next year?

Lukas Nelson and The Promise of The Real rocked the Quad Stage on Friday, closing the set with a rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin’ in the Free World" but slowed things down with reminders to Turn Off the News (Build a Garden), and song about an ex named Georgia that made performing with his father singing "Georgia On My Mind" every night a little tricky.

British singer-songwriter Yola was everywhere at the Newport Folk Festival, performing her own set at the Harbor stage as well as at the Quad with both The Highwomen and Dawes. Here, she takes the stage at the Fort during The Collaboration with the First Ladies of Bluegrass covering The Eurythmics’ "Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves".

After appearing last year as a guest to Mumford & Sons and others, this year, Maggie Rogers got the Fort stage all to herself to dance in and out of her sound equipment and share her debut album Heard It in a Past Life with Newport.

Every year, there's an act that brings Quad to its feet and doesn't let them sit back down. This year, Jupiter & Okwess invited everyone to fill in the fire lanes, and a 45-minute dance party ensued, capping off with a collaboration with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Phosporescent returned to the Quad stage with hypnotic grooves and chill vibes, keeping all the heads bobbing inside the old fort.

I'm With Her returned, bringing their sweet blend of harmonies bridging old-time music to the present, including covers of The Vampire Weekend and Joni Mitchell.

This year was all about the women, and the fellas came to support. Jason Isbell, who generally headlines festivals like these, wasn't even given a microphone. Here, Amanda Shires (who happens to be his wife) allows him to share a few thoughts as they introduced a song they co-wrote, "If She Ever Leaves Me", dubbed the first gay country song, which was sung moments later by Brandi Carlile.

Each year, the festival producer comes out to the early birds waiting for the gates to open to welcome them back and remind them to BE PRESENT, BE KIND, BE OPEN, and BE TOGETHER. There isn't a place in the world that's easier to do those four things.

It's always fun to see what surprise guests will show up to the festival that aren't officially listed. This year’s guests included Jim James, Kermit The Frog, Dolly Parton, James Taylor...you know that this list might end up being bigger than the actual lineup. Here's surprise guest Tallest Man on Earth, who joined both the Songs for Beginners set as well as The Cooks in the Kitchen.

Hozier returned for his 3rd appearance, singing a duet with Mavis Staples for their song "Nina Cried Power". He also gave over the stage to Brandi Carlile during his set for her to sing her hit “The Joke”. Here, he joins with Lake Street Dive for a cover of Sly & The Family Stone’s "Everyday People".

Jade Bird had her own solo set at The Fort stage but joined in on The Collaboration, seen here singing "What's Up" with Linda Perry and Brandi Carlile.

Phil Cook has become a regular staple at the festival. His love and respect for the musicians and the music played at the festival has endeared himself to both fans and musicians alike. For his set, Cooks in the Kitchen, Phil, who always seems up for a collaboration, was joined by his brother Brad as well as Tallest Man on The Earth’s Kristian Matsson, Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls, and Anais Mitchell.

Molly Tuttle, who had her own set with guitarist Billy Strings, joined The First Ladies of Bluegrass, Courtney Marie Andrews, and others for a cover of “Big Yellow Taxi” at the Collaboration Set Saturday.

Just a man, his guitar, and a huge open stage. Jeff Tweedy charmed the audience at the Fort on Saturday claiming he wanted to "hug you with his sad shit."

Rhiannon Giddens returned to the Newport Folk Festival with the most powerful and gut-wrenching set of the festival, joined by Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell to form the group Our Native Daughters, singing songs addressing American historical issues that have influenced the identity of black women. This marked only their 6th live performance, performing in Connecticut a week earlier for the first time. Emotions were overflowing both on stage and in the audience, as each artist (each of whom played multiple instruments) took turns singing songs of sorrow, hope, anger, and joy. It was an experience like no other at the festival.

Linda Perry leading a sing along of "What's Up" at The Collaboration, asking the audience to sing so high, "I wanna touch the fucking stars!" Later, she was on Facebook Live for the introduction of Dolly Parton.

There was a bit of a 90's renaissance at this year’s festival with appearances from Amy Ray, Linda Perry, and former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss. Sheryl Crow, who had her own set at the Fort on Friday and later joined The Highwomen that day at the Quad, got in on the fun at The Collaboration on Saturday, performing "If It Makes You Happy" with Maren Morris and "Strong Enough" with Maggie Rogers and Yola.

Newport always does a great job of honoring those who led the way. This year, we saw Judy Collins hit many stages and share stories about a young Bob Dylan writing “Mr. Tambourine Man” on her porch, as well as recalling Stephen Stills singing her "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", to which she replied "It's a good song, but it won't get me back." Here, she shares the story of a friend discovering Joni Mitchell and bringing her "Both Sides Now", which was sung moments later with Brandi Carlile.

Couples take in the If I Had A Song set at sunset on Sunday, which included a duet from Kermit the Frog and Jim James as well as a serenade to Judy Collins from Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), and James Mercer (The Shins), singing “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”.

Newport Folk Festival marked the inaugural performance of The Highwomen. Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby, here joined by Yola, opened their set to a powerful reworking of “The Highwaymen”, made famous by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash. The Highwomen’s version, written by Carlile, Shires, and Jimmy Webb (the original songwriter) honors the stories of courageous female revolutionaries and includes an additional 5th verse:

  "We are The Highwomen / Singing stories still untold / We carry the sons, you can only hold / We are the daughters of the silent generations / You sent our hearts to die alone in foreign nations / It may return to us as tiny drops of rain / But we will still remain.”

A stage full of Newport Folk ladies, including Brandi Carlile, Rachael Price, Maggie Rogers, and Sheryl Crow, bow down to the one and only Dolly Parton. I've seen Roger Waters, Jack White, My Morning Jacket, Jackson Browne, Beck, Levon Helm, and Mumford & Sons headline the Festival. This was the biggest of all the Saturday night headliners.

[dilettantereviews]

Due to some personal circumstances, finishing this list took longer than I’m proud of, but I hope it’s worth it.

Isolation by Kali Uchis- This was a hard album to write for, not because of the quality (obviously), but because it’s so all over the place and hard to classify. I first paid attention to her through an ONTD original about pop stars with personas, then I thought of her as an indie pop girl, and her collaborations with rap and Latin artists make me compare her to women in R&B or urban music as well. But she’s just Kali. People always talk about “it took Ms.Nancy 8 years for her debut but it’s iconic!!” but for Kali I definitely feel it. The psychedelic baroque intro alone lets you know that you’re about you go on a journey of an album. Songs like Miami, Tomorrow, and Your Teeth, My Neck (and I guess Just a Stranger) all talk about the uncomfortable intersection between wealth and desire, while songs like Dead to Me (lol) give some brevity and energy to this album. For critics who think she can’t sing, Killer has a great Winehouse-esque performance. The album cover looks like a Prince Protege vanity set fantasy painting.

Joyride by Tinashe- Tinashe had a weird 2017, with Flame flopping, Light Up the Sky dropping, and a bizarre Taco Tuesday outing (why?!?! They said it was a networking event, but for who? The girl has more collaborations than all the different companies Pepsi distributes for), but her 2018 was better. We got a random HQ picture that turned out to be the first cover for a tringle that lead to Joyride. She answered many questions like yes, she did need to use legal options to release Joyride, and no, she didn’t like Flame. She release a great pop album that is a little Frankensteined together but you can still use all the songs. Although things seem murky now, I feel that Tinashe will keep giving us great, unique music. Personal favorites include No Drama, Faded Love, No Contest, and Ooh La La.

Caution by Mariah Carey- I keep seeing people mention that this is their first Mariah album, which is appropriate, because this feels like a new beginning for her. It’s my first Mariah album too, but I’ve seen one Popjustice member say that this is her only album where she mainly sings in a lower register and where the background instrumentals are darker electronics. I’ve heard that Me.. I am Mariah at least tried out new things, but this incorporated everything successfully. I’ve never really listened to Mariah before because I just figured it would be mostly ballads and midtempos, but this album kept things unique. Highlights include GTFO, A No No, Giving Me Life, and Portrait. This album is the sonic equivalent of putting your favorite Bath and Body Works moisturizer on, making a warm drink, and hiding under a weighted blanket, and who doesn’t want that in a year like this?

Take Me to the Disco by Meg Myers- People say that there are too many meaningless buzzwords (true) but I don’t think alt vs indie rock is one of those. Indie is generally minimal and guitar based but alt is left of the middle rock and expansive. Meg went for category 2. Following her great debut album from 2015, she went for a bigger, better, and darker sound this time. It reminds me of Tori (Tear Me to Pieces and Jealous Sea sound very Choirgirl), PJ, Trent, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Take Me to the Disco is a nice ballad that starts out the album, which doesn’t prepare you at all for Numb, the following track. Done and Funeral are also strong. Listen if you’re tired of slackers in music.

Childqueen by Kadhja Bonet- If music indicates mood, I don’t know what Spotify premium subscribing, Allmusic reading, time travelling aliens would know about 2018. Sure, there were some political albums, but I feel like the pace of crappy events was faster than (High quality) political music. Even on a personal level, 2018 wasn’t ridiculously iconic or anything for me, and I was still petty and had grudges to work on. That being said, I have no clue how psychedelic music became big for me this year. We had Moodoid, Melody’s Echo Chamber, The Internet (sort of), and Dita Von Teese. But my favorite is perhaps Kadhja Bonet, whose theatrical sounds are like the score to an old Disney movie. Mother, …, and Second Wind are great. Bonus EP was released this fall.

so sad, so sexy by Lykke Li- I haven’t really listened to Lykke before, so I figured her pop reinvention was a good time to get into her. This album reminds me of Nelly Furtado for indie songwriting but with hooks. Although sometimes the trap parts are a little awkward (use vaporwave instead!), this was a good reinvention. My favorites include Two Nights featuring Amine (he is NOT a rent a rapper!), Jaguars in the Air (you and me we’re psychedelic!), and of course, sex money feelings die. I would love a Jessy Lanza remix album commissioned.

Silk Canvas by Vanjess- Everyone loves whisper registers and high pitched whisper singing in R&B (Diana Ross, Janet, Aaliyah, Ciara, Cassie, Tinashe) but what I really love is a deep voice (or at least one that sounds a little raspy). Vanjess joins Her, Total, and T Boz and even The Weeknd in the deep vocals crowd. Don’t mark these Nigerian princesses as spam, just give them a stream, no bank accounts required. I like that they have a better understanding of making a cohesive album with different genres and still staying in a certain vibe instead of doing the same song 12 times. Even their remix EP gets that. Control Me and Addicted, the big singles from this album, are good symbols for their moody R&B sound but they have more than that. Touch the Floor is more uptempo in the vein of Kaytranada, as are the excellent Through Enough and Another Love. My Love reminds me of Aaliyah’s One in a Million. The One picks up where the 80’s revival trend left off, but improves on the synth funk sound. Even Cool Off the Rain, a 2 minute interlude, is worth listening to.

7 by Beach House- I don’t know what made this album click with me. This is my 4th album for Beach House, so I thought I just wouldn’t get them by now, I listen to dream pop and shoegaze enough where I thought I’d like any vibey music. This album didn’t reinvent the wheel but it has warmth to it, without losing their signature ‘when your arm has pins and needles and you need to wiggle yourself to a healthy blood circulation again’ sound. Favorites include Lemon Glow, Black Car, Dark Spring, and Girl of the Year. I also recommend Wax idols and Pinkshinyultrablast if you’re looking for more shoegaze..

Dita Von Teese by Dita Von Teese- This was always going to be a niche passion project by a burlesque artist, so I don’t think it was ever going to set the charts on fire, but not even the internet cared about this? If you miss Lana’s old Hollywood glamour, you should check out this album. It mixes 60’s psychedelics with electronic music to create a perfect loungy sound. I’m not saying I’m those “I miss 2012 Lana!!” but I stuck with her through her Old Hollywood Jackie Kennedy Born to Die phase, her 60’s Manson Girl Ultraviolence cult phase, her 50’s (?) maps to the stars Honeymoon, and 70’s singer songwriter Lust for Life phase, so I was excited to see what other incarnations we would get. Would we get a full on spaced out culty version of Honeymoon? An 80’s Midwest goth album? A late 90’s vaporwave mixtape? Okay, most of these are just words thrown together that nobody would want, but Dita’s album had the concept and the execution there, all it needed was the audience. The French songs have a certain sadness in them. I like Bird of Prey and Dangerous Guy as well, but the whole album is well produced and beautiful sounding, so you should listen to it if you just want some easy listening that’s riskier than most of pop and alternative’s current artists.

Black Panther- Yes, this should count as an album. I’ve seen people treat The Hunger Games soundtracks (yes, those movies didn’t spontaneously appear on TNT one day) as real albums and stan Lorde’s vision for it. I’ve seen people stan the soundtrack for A Star is Born, like it’s a real Lady Gaga album, but Black Panther is where y’all draw the line? Okay. Aside from the breakout single, you get a good vocal performance from SZA, a top tier Jorja Smith song, the best flute performance of 2018, and the downtemp Seasons. That a random soundtrack can have that much cohesion is good for Kendrick Lamar but bad for other artists.

[tuxxer]

My thoughts on S5 of the magicians

Thoughts on Season five of the Magicians

                 So, as we finished Season four of The Magicians, we turn our thoughts on what is to come for the surviving members of the troop. Alas Quentin Coldwater joins the ranks of casualties during the war on magic. The Show treats death not as a finality, but merely as a plot device to advance a story line as needed. This time however the actor who plays Q, appears to have decided that there was no more to tell in his story and to leave the show on a personal high note.

                I have decided that the show needs a new direction and felt that it was time to bring you the reader along for the discussion. Season five for all intents and purposes is a clean slate in terms of story. Normally the previous season would set up the story for the following season at some point during the episode run. From what I could tell, almost every outstanding story arc has been resolved and the only new story arc is the deposition of high king fen and the current whereabouts of Josh Hoberman.

                The Twins have been cast into the seam, the director of the library has been killed in his attempts to achieve godhood, the fascist library state has fallen and hedge witches have gained a level of respectability in the eyes of classically trained Magicians. Only miscellaneous plot points remain. Fillory has been the subject of a hostile take over by the aptly named Dark Magician, Irene McAllister is still on the loose, the whereabouts of Santa, Panty sniffing pervert, Mayakovski, the chick from firefly I lost track of, along with Marina and Poppy.

  Elliot Waugh

                 Farm boy from Iowa. Has excellent leadership and organizational abilities and very confident in his magical abilities, the kind of person that you would follow to hell and back for a martini. That is if you’re an insecure person that has issues and a serious need to be accepted into a cool kid clique for personal validation. Probably a nice empathic guy if he knows you on a personal level, but only if he is the dominant.

                Has the ability to guide with out ordering and punishes by withdrawing friendship and patronage. Maintains a clique of disciples that adhere to his mindset, lives a lavish and flamboyant lifestyle and can level a scathing barrage of wit and sarcasm. Has intimacy issues arising from childhood and maintained a co-dependency with Margo.

                Of course, that is Season one Elliot. What I expect to see in the up coming season is a broken version of that Elliot with flashes of greatness followed by wallowing in self pity. This is of course up to the producers and they may have ideas on their note pads and emails about the direction they want to go.

                Elliot needs to go the way of Q in the books and become a teacher at Brakebills teaching what ever flavor of magic he has. He is ageing out of his past lifestyle and is in danger of being seen as an old person rather than the young edgy type he was. I am not someone that has the medical documentation to be able to diagnose Elliot, but I have known people like him. Living life like you don’t expect to make it past your thirtieth birthday and then waking up and realizing your no longer young and the phone no longer rings.

Margo Hanson

                Young, Beautiful, and the patron saint of mean girls everywhere. She comes to us from the west coast and a scion of a rich family. Wearing an aggressive wardrobe that promotes her confidence in that when she is in a room, you will know. An aggressive spitfire who hides a secret identity, with unusual talents and achievements. Like Elliot, she is highly competent with great organizational skills, and unlike Elliot has no problem with pointing out your flaws.

                Her command of invective is truly inspirational, her common sense shining when pulling out the pistol shocking the naïve Q and his prime directive in the nietherlands. Forming the second part of the co-dependency with Elliot, she enabled his lifestyle and validated him when perhaps she should have been making steps to evolve without the following seasons.

                For season five I expect that she will complete the transition that she has started in season 4, fully and without apology. Congruent to that, I expect that at some point in the season she is going to throw down with Elliot and tell him in her usual fashion to grow a set of tits and man up. As Janet, she has shown that she can run a major company and as Margo, that she can rule a kingdom.

                Mere time loops are not going to be a problem, this has come up before with Q and Julia arriving in Fillory sometime in WW2 England. We can expect that no matter the problem, this time Margo will be the one solving it, and probably much to Elliot’s discomfort.

  Kady Diaz

                 Kady is the anti-Margo, much the same ingredients but nature won out over nurture with her. The daughter of a hedge witch, admitted into Brakebills and expelled for stealing items for Marina. Coming to terms with this, she forms an unlikely partnership with Julia and ends up in a very frightening situation with Reynard the Trickster.

                Sharp and attractive and tends to be one of the more physical magicians in the group. Jock rather than cheerleader. When she is brave, she is fearless but when she is venerable, she goes introverted and runs. For Jade to shine she needs to be part of a team and up till now she has had nobody depending on her.

                I expect in Season five, Kady is going to have problems integrating the hedge witches and interfacing with whom ever is running the library. Enough has been done to the hedges that I could be forgiven for thinking not all of those hedges are going to be live and let live.

                Obviously, what I would like to see for her, is to return to the world of law enforcement and perhaps integrate that with the magical world. Much like the Auror’s do in the Harry Potter world. Bonus points if she takes up with the production of Dragon Porn.

     Julia Wicker

                 What can we say about Julia? Gorgeous, educated and fashion confident. She is no Margo that uses clothing to announce her presence. Dealing with her, your dealing with a professional that is not immune to the fact that she is attractive and can’t have her head turned by mere flattery.

                She has been in a race since Season one with Margo to see who transforms into the person that they are meant to. Combining talent and compassion and raw determination, she has gone from being a hedge witch, suffering huge personal losses and surviving, to ascension and becoming a goddess.

                Losing Q will be a huge blow for her, the last surviving person that she knew from her old life and perhaps the man she would have eventually married. With her magical abilities now returned, she faces an uncertain future.

                Like Elliot, the best place for Julia to be is going to be Brakebills as a teacher of some sort. Possibly even becoming the dean and taking Fogg’s place at the school. That mentorship day in Season one strikes me as a good landing spot for her.

   Alice Quinn

                 Hyper-smart , studious with serious attention to detail. Pretty, but very insecure and fashion negative. With librarian looks and a body that’s a teenager’s wet dream, Alice tends to use clothing that either lets her ugly up and be invisible or clothing that draws attention to her natural charms while forgetting that this lady has you looking where she wants you to look.

                For her magic has been real, and not just a tool that compliments the rest of a person’s abilities. If Magic does not present a solution, she attempts to find another way to solve a problem magically. Her worldview has been shaped by absentee parenting, a brother whose death led her on a quest to find him, only to find Q instead.

                A loner with no use for team work, she has trouble integrating with other team members on a long-term basis, and as such she has had the most trouble finding a spot on the team and keeping it. Her collaboration with the library in the past season, and the casualties suffered by the hedges does not bode well for her, when it comes time to count the cost after the dead have been mourned.

                For Season five, I expect her to go to pieces and crash and burn. Q was her rock in the same way that Charlie was. Magic will be her first go to, for returning Q to the mortal world. Short of being able to do that, she is going to have to make her way in the library as the only path open to her. Fun thought for bonus points, I expect her to form an unlikely pairing with Elliot

     Penny

                 Penny has the least amount of thought allocated to one of the prime characters. Switched out from Penny40 to Penny23, he seems to be really kept around when you need a magical uber. Both variations on the character have strong loyalty vibes to those that deserve them, and has a strong moral compass.

                Ever the outsider, he finally finds a home and friends when teamed up with the crew and I expect that will continue in Season five. If anything, I expect that he will suffer from severe sympathy fatigue and team up in some capacity with the library, or hopefully Kady’s hypothetical magical police.

 Again, I should mention that I should say a few words about him, just I am drawing a blank as to where he goes from here.

  Josh Hoberman

                 Josh is one of the older members of the team, a class ahead of Margo and Elliot and a contemporary of Poppy. Seemingly nice guy whose magical talent should be hospitality magic, if that’s even a thing, what his actual discipline is, I confess I never paid attention. It might be plant magic cause he seemed to have gotten the good drugs.

                Called up from the bench a couple of years ago, he has been an advisor to the Fillory side of the crew and gotten steady promotions up till now. Due to an ill-advised Dalliance back in the day, Josh has a little problem with full moons. Leading to a surprising short-term solution and a steady squeeze that’s going to be complicated in season five.

                But wait, there is potentially more. In the process of saving Elliot from the monster, Josh traveled back to Fillory to coordinate with the Fillorian magicians, and at some point, after Fillory was subject to a hostile take over from some individual. Leaving Margo and Elliot to arrive in Fillory 300 years in the future to find that Josh and Fen are missing.

 The Fuck

                Season five, I am going to use the books to align Josh’s future. Assuming Mayakovski is the invader, kicking Josh and Fen back to Earth seems reasonable and I am predicting Josh takes up residence in an Italian Palazzo with Fen. With no real idea how they got three hundred years into the future, Josh may have concluded that the dynamic duo have shuffled off their mortal coils and has at some point made sexy time with Fen, expect the fun to begin when Margo sends a what the fuck Bunny to express her dissatisfaction on Josh being AWOL.

      What should come next.

  This is the reason we need new blood, at best the current cast is only good for one more season before monster of the season starts to get boring, if the show is not canceled by then anyways. I had this thought in my head when I was watching mean girls. At the end of the movie, there is this brief shot of a couple of girls walking in the distance, clearly, they are the next generation mean girls.

 Anchor the show around Brakebills, it has played a bit part in each successive season but should be the main part of the next generation. Wrap up lose ends for half of season five and then start introducing the new Elliot, Julia, Kady etc. Start up the mentoring, teaching positions with new and arrogant magicians that are gonna conquer the world, as the past crew explain why the class lost half of their people when magic went away.

[magnaflourious-nerdity]

B99 and The Good Place

YES. THANK YOU!!!! I LOVE THE GOOD PLACE AND BROOKLYN 99 SO MUCH. AND NOBODY EVER WANTS TO TALK TO/WITH ME ABOUT TGP. I made my friend watch it with me just so I could talk about it with someone lol. Also because it's just a genuinely good show. (Next up I'm gonna make her finish iZombie with me too, haha.)SO! For B99Favorite Main Character:Its gotta be either Rosa or Jake. You know I'm in love with both Andy Samburg and Stephanie Beatriz. (especially Stephanie Beatriz, *dreamy sigh*)Fun fact! My favorite side character is Kevin. Whether it's in B99, The Good Place, or on the Thrilling Adventure Hour, I love the deadpan humor of Marc Evan Jackson. He is, after all, a naughty bitch ;p. Favorite Female Character:Oh, for sure this goes to Rosa Diaz. I love her so much and Stephanie Beatriz plays her to absolute perfection. it's so cool to be able to see such a badass lady cop on TV, who both plays to and subverts the typical Strong Silent Badass™ trope. Rosa is from a cooler world than any of us.OTP:I know it's a boring answer, but it's gotta be Jake and Amy. From the jump their relationship was built on mutual (if, admittedly at first, somewhat begrudging) respect and trust. They were friends, which is so rewarding to see. There have been couples like that on TV before, but usually it's all a lot of 'will they, wont they- which can be fun too if done right, like seasons 1 and 2 did -but it's refreshing to see it played in such a different way. Jake just straight up told her and didn't expect anything to come from it. He didn't pressure her to like him back and he didn't even hate on Teddy (until he got all weird and creepy in later seasons, and even then he was polite) while he was dating her. He respects her and treats her well and I will forever remember the scene where he tells everyone why/how he decided to propose to her, it was perfect and truely sweet. Jake and Amy make each other better. He helped her to loosen up a little and compromise without getting rid of her take- charge, eager-to-please attitude or her independance, and in turn she made him into a (slightly) more mature person. Amy helped turn Jake into a (somewhat) functional adult, but she didn't force him to lose his fun, childish side either. They genuinely care for each other in a way that you dont often get to see on TV between Het Couples. Like the episode where Amy takes the Sargent's exam and Jake says he always knew Amy would be his boss one day? HE RESPECTS HER SO MUCH. Almost any other sitcom would have Jake's arc for that episode be about him feeling insecure at the thought of his future wife being his boss, but B99 didn't and I love them for it. Their love is so sweet and believable. I even teared up a little during the wedding scene because I'm an absolute sap like that. I also really, really like the chemistry between Rosa and her potential new girlfriend Alicia (as played by the also amazingly beautiful and talented Gina Rodriguez.) They had immediate chemistry- which I'm huge on -and Alicia seems like a genuinely cool and sweet woman. Anyone who can make Rosa lose her composure in front of people she cares about has gotta be something special. I'm hoping in the next season NBC will let them bring Gina Rodriguez back and she and Rosa will become TV's gayest and most dynamic power couple. That would be pretty sweet. Sorry that this has turned into Rosa and Jake fest. But if it helps, Holt and Kevin are definitely couple goals too and I'm glad Kevin'sgetting so much more screen time. I agree with Jake: I also want them to be my two gay dads. Not that I dont love my dad, I'm just welcoming in the extra role models, lol. Lord k ow I probably need it.NoTP:I love that the show steered away from it, because I wasn't really much a fan of the Boyle/Diaz Dynamic of season 1. But, I do honestly love them as bros together. It's another trope the show subverts since Charles is the one who's super in touch with his emotions and helps out Rosa in her relationships when she has trouble expressing hers. I just... I really love relation/friendships built on trust and respect. It's my jam.Favorite Other Pairings:I know she's not your fave but I do like Gina and Rosa together, they have a fun, snarky vibe together and Gina does genuinely care for Rosa and respect her opinions, way more than she does with most other people. Except maybe Holt. Also Amy and Rosa. I love episodes where the two of them team up together. Basically, what I'm saying here is that I just want Rosa to date ALL the girls on the show, haha.Least Favorite Character:I hate to say it, but I want a huge fan of Pimento? Like, he was dangerous and rude and I know he went through a lot of trauma undercover, but dude needed some help, and I mean just that, really. He needs to be in therapy for his PTSD because it's affecting his relationships and his whole life.I'm not too big a fan of Hitchcock either, just because like... Okay, so, Scully is dumb and occasionally rude, but at least he tries to be nice most of the time and even tries to contribute; Hitchcock is... kind of a jerk most of the time? I know that's the point, but still... like, fix yourself my dude.Also, I do really love to hate The Vulture. He's insufferable, but his dynamic with the team and their hate for him is so much fun to watch. Of course when I say least favorite, I still like these characters, it's just that if I had to pick, it would be these three.Favorite Season/Episode:I actually really like this past season a lot. Like, so much happened! ROSA CAME OUT! JAKE AND AMY GOT MARRIED! HOLT AND KEVIN GOT QUALITY SCREEN TIME AS A COUPLE! It was pretty amazing.I love the episode where Rosa came out to her parents. It was so sweet ♡ and I think it's really important that it ended in such a medium place. Like, that happens to people sometimes other TV shows, sometimes parents dont either accept you wholeheartedly or kick you out and denounce you. Sometimes, you just get stuck in a crappy in between place (note: not deflection btw, my parents are cool with my identity, but I has happened to people I know and it sucks watching them try and get through it without sacrificing the relationship between them and their parent[s]). And we never get to see that because TV likes to focus on the extremes. And Rosa found out that you can find your own family if you need too. Which, as you know, I am always up for in my media. Found family tropes for everyone!Who Would I Date:I mean... look how many times the words Jake and Rosa have come up in this post. In your heart of hearts you know the answer to this question.Rosa (whom I have to separate from her actress because I love them both, and for different reasons) would be a little hard to date for me, just because she's so closed off and sometimes ya girl needs some validation of affection. But she's so...so cool. She does the right thing, even if she'd rather hit the problem in the face with an axe, and I know she's a police officer but it still counts, damnit. She has all these layers to her, like the dancing and the gymnastics and stuff. She doesn't reject traditional femininity, it just doesn't appeal to her. Also I bet she'd make anyone feel hella safe. She's... honestly the best word I can come up with right now is dreamy. Rosa Diaz is a Dreamboat with a capital D, and I'm sorry, but if you dont think so you're wrong.Jake is kind of the polar opposite. The only thing I would see becoming a hypothetical issue in the hypothetical relationship is that I can also be immature and messy and garbage at being an adult. We'd be too similar and it wouldn't help anyone, unlike with Jake and Amy. But he's so sweet and caring and funny. He's a genuinely great guy who respects everyone who deserves it, and sometimes even people who don't. Plus he's definitely a good cuddler and I like being the big spoon, so that would work out well for us.----------------------As for The Good Place:(WARNING! Spoilers for The Good Place are below, so if you're asking me but haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend skipping this until you do watch it, because I don't want to spoil anything for you. It's that good.Favorite Main Character:How, actually, do you choose on this? How?!? I love them all so much, truly. Chidi is a nervous smol (though also very tol) beanpole. Eleanor is always a Mood™ and she shows so much growth over the course of just 2 seasons (same with Michael, but that'smore over the course of 1 season. I'llgive him a pass though because it was entertaining as hell when he finally realized the concept of mortality). Jason became so much more lovable and sweet in season 2. Janet is my favorite omniscient NonBinary robot ever. And Tahani is, to quote Eleanor directly, "A sexy, tan rapunzel. The dream." Plus, she really knows how to go all out with something, which is fun. I loved how into her role as Rhonda Mumps she got. Plus, watching her tell off her parents was so good.I think I'm gonna have to go with Either Chidi Eleanor or Janet. That's as much as I can narrow it down though, because I am weak.Favorite Female Character: Well, since Janet is not a girl, but instead- as mentioned above -an omniscient NonBinary robot person, I'll go with Eleanor. I think I just really relate to her character. Which means I should probably shape up my life, lol. But it's so nice to see a smart, funny, unladylike and kinda sleazy character, who ultimately has that heart of gold and a desire for self-improvement played like this by a woman as a main character. She's like the likeable, morally gray sidekick in so many romcoms, but she gets to be the focus for once. I dig it. Also, I tend to flock towards bi-coded characters. Have you seen Eleanor's collection of flannels (Janet could literally get her anything to wear, but mah girl craves that bi aesthetic)? Any of her interactions with Tahani? That girl is bi af, if not pan. OTP:Oh, for sure it's Teleanor (Elhani?). Like, the chemistry between Jameela Jamil and Kristen Bell is so thick. They're so good together! And I swear if I dont get a flashback to attempt #218 at some point I will cry. 2nd OTP is Chidi/Eleanor because a) they're super cute together, B) they make each other better, and C) LOOK MA, ITS AN INTERRACIAL COUPLE AS THE MAIN FOCUS OF A SITCOM WHERE THE POC IS A DUDE! I've heard tell of it in legends but never seen it before in real life! I joke, but seriously, it is neat to see.Runner up: J² (aka Janet & Jason). What can I say? I'm a sucker for cute, oddball couples who shouldn't work but ultimately do.NoTP:I wasn't very keen on Tahani/Jason. Like, it was a fun distraction, and it did lead to the scene where Tahani tells her parents she ate a cheeto, and it also gave us some much needed Janet screen time/character arc stuff, but they just didn't work for me as a couple. I think, though, that that was kind of the point? Like, they needed to make that mutual mistake together so they could get to where they needed to be. Jason grew up a bit and learned to problem solve and Tahani gained confidence and the personal growth she needed to tell off her douchey parents.Favorite Other Pairings: Is it weird to say Shawn/Michael? I feel like it is, but I would still read it. Also maybe Janet/Eleanor. That could be fun.Least Favorite Character:This is slightly less tough than the questions above, but if it came down to it and I had to pick, I'd probably say it's pretty much just amounts to a few of the characters that the show designed for me to hate.Figuratively, everyone in Tahani's family is a garbage human being. And not in like, the fun, likeable way that say Eleanor or Jason were 'garbage people,' but in the awful, 'I would gladly punch you in the face' kind of way instead. Same goes for Eleanor's parents and her roommates (Though the one who remained her friend after she switched up everything in the season finale was okish in S2, what little I saw of her). It's super weird, but I actually do like the demons for the most part. Shawn is amazing to watch, which I, in large part, chalk up to Marc Evan Jackson's performance. And I even liked Vicky and Trevor, in that same, The Vulture from B99 sort of way. So literal demons are more likeable than the characters mentioned above, which should tell you something.Favorite Season/Episode:Season 1 was amazing and that first Cliffhanger twist was wild and awesome and I didn't figure it out until about 30 seconds before Eleanor did because it was so good, but it wasn't just a twist for the sake of it either, like, the season was built around it and makes sense with it, which is really cool to see in a sitcom. HOWEVER, all things being equal and with that said, Season 2 was EVEN BETTER SOMEHOW?!?! they ditched the formula and changed it all up! It's a sitcom! They never do that! And they only spent like what, 1 to 2ish episodes replaying the new attempts? And they focused on some of the Bad Place characters too while they were doing it, so it didn't get boring. That could have so easily happened too, if it hadn't been handled as well as it was by the writers. But it was handled well and they kept changing things up and giving us more info on the characters lives and their deaths and all that good juicy character development stuff I love so much and it was so, so worth watching.Episode wise, season two had my favorite episodes too, starting with the big neighborhood-ending party and all the way up to the finale (the episodes before then were also great, obviously, but that run towards the end had me captivated so thoroughly I almost called in sick to work to finish them, haha.)The stuff where they infiltrate The Bad Place was golden. If I had, had, had to pick a single episode... yeah, nope, I'm still not able to because it comes up a tie between the one where they leave the neighborhood behind or the finale. There was so much good character stuff, and lots of little found family type moments and Mindy even got a little bit of a reward at the end! (Side note: something deep inside of me loves Mindy St. Claire so much and wishes I could have more of her confidence and fuck it attitude). The demons were hilarious and Judge Gen was a delight to watch! This show is just so good, it makes me want to cry a little. Just a bit. I'm so excited for season 3!! Less than a month left yeah! ♡Who Would I Date:It would probably come down to either Janet, or Eleanor. Tahani has potential, but she's too...aristocratic to actually date for me, I think. Chidi would be an amazing partner, but I feel like we're both such anxious people that it would quickly become an unmanageable tornado of stress and bad decision making, lol.Janet would be cool because she's weird and fun and chipper and so sweet, plus she has all the knowledge in the universe which is neat. I do love a smart cookie. And with Janet since I'm more demi/ace-ish and since she doesn't have sex parts, that would take a weight off my mind I think. So check off 'would date a self-aware, omniscient robot' on my list of weird character traits.Eleanor would also be a good candidate too because she's relatively down to earth and laid back, as well as being fun and relatable and just... kind of a cool chick. Plus, I know deep down she actually does care about things and is a decent human being, which is sort of a must in a partner, lol. The only drawback is that we might make each other worse because we'd probably let each other get away with a lot, so it might be somewhat counterproductive to the point of the show, haha. ----------------------Thank you so much for asking these! And for letting me rant and rave over my two favorite sitcoms in what has, apparently, turned out to be a fucking essay on 'Things I love about Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place'. Sorry I got so verbose about it. I'm also sorry that I, as a person, always fail so completely at making choices and narrowing things down, lol. But this was fun! Hopefully you've seen TGP, I'd absolutely hate, hate, hate to spoil such an excellent and surprising show for someone. Assuming you have, I'm gonna run over and ask you about this one too. In fact consider this an open invitation: if you need someone to talk to about B99 or TGP, consider me your gal!

[iwontdancenetwork]

Where to dance in Los Angeles!

If you are in Hollywood or happen to be traveling, here are some of the great professional dance studios you can take from.

Where to Dance series of posts: New York, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, City Near You

by: Jeff Victor

Millennium Dance Complex

Millennium is known worldwide as the premiere studio of the commercial dance world and is widely referred to as a ‘the place where it all happens’. Although the studio’s A-list clientele and a faculty of the most sought after dancers and choreographers in the world has catapulted MILLENNIUM to a global brand, it still remains notably grounded, welcoming and dedicated to the highest level of service and instruction.

MILLENNIUM DANCE COMPLEX provides beginners through experts, the opportunity to study with top industry professionals and benefit from a pool of extensive knowledge in the dance world.  MILLENNIUM’s facility in North Hollywood maintains 6 fully equipped studios, serving classes, rehearsals, casting and auditioning needs. In this way, students are inspired by sharing space with the returning professionals and the pros enjoy the sweet inspiration of the up and coming talent!

Edge Performing Arts Center

EDGE is world renowned as a leader in commercial dance and L.A. style. We offer beginning through professional open classes 7 days a week, 350 days a year.  Class styles include Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Contemporary Jazz, Modern Fusion, Theatre Dance, Cabaret, Breakin’, Movement for Actors, Turns, Salsa, Belly Dancing, and Yoga for Dancers. 

EDGE is home to a who’s who roster of industry choreographers, teachers and performers whose instruction and work have inspired generations of dancers.  They have worked with entertainers including Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Prince, Rihanna, Shakira, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake among others.  Their choreography has been featured in countless music videos, commercials, television shows, films, concerts and stage productions.  They have also appeared with the American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Cleveland Ballet and the Tokyo Ballet companies.

Debbie Reynolds Legacy Studios

Debbie Reynolds Studio was established in 1979 by Debbie Reynolds specifically for dancers. Debbie was determined to create a comfortable space for dancer to rehearse. The studio offered a friendly and relaxed atmosphere while at the same time provided simple luxuries that were not found at other studios including ample free parking, a lounge area with fresh coffee, dressing rooms, showers, six spacious studios with high ceilings and pianos in each room.

Today, the studio has kept the same friendly atmosphere and luxuries that were present from day one. It is this comfortable environment that has attracted many celebrities throughout the years, such as Lucille Ball, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bette Midler, Cher, Usher and Mariah Carey. It has been a popular rental facility for many of the most renowned choreographers in the business, including Travis Payne, Rob Marshall, Vincent Patterson, Brian Friedman and Shawnette Heard.

Debbie Reynolds Studio’s instructors are some of the best in the business. They have taught globally and have choreographed for numerous artists including Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and many more. Our instructors come from all around the world and their impressive training background ranges from Alvin Ailey to The Brooklyn Ballet to the “Streets”.

Movement Lifestyle

Laying down the foundation to expose visual artists and finding ways to showcase their talent and creativity. This is our driving force and this is what we live by. Passion. Creativity. Dedication. What is your “movement lifestyle”?

IMMA SPACE

SPACE stands for Strong Positive Attitudes Change Everything. With that mantra the IMMA SPACE is going to bring a powerful and positive energy to North Hollywood, CA!

Top notch dance classes spanning different styles of dance, it is a malleable production and rehearsal space.

THE PLAYGROUND LA

Playground LA is LA's Newest Dance studio brought to you by Robin Antin and Kenny Wormald.  Playground LA offer Master Classes, Scheduled daily dance & dance fitness classes. Taught by the industry's hottest teachers & choreographers.

Located on the famous Melrose Ave. Playground LA has a great vibe the moment you walk in with its high ceilings, exposed brick and modern yet industrial vibe. Playground LA will be your favorite spot to rehearse, take class, get fit, shoot, film and much more.

THE STUDIO V

Studio V is the home and creative playground for the world renowned performance group, the “Academy of Villains.” With two locations available in Redwood City, CA and also Van Nuys, CA, Studio V is proud to have a talented team of choreographers who are an integral part of our mission to open doors for ambitious dancers by providing high quality choreography and instruction to a range of ages, levels, and styles. Owners/founders Christopher “Pharside” Jennings  and Krystal “Phoenix” Meraz are dedicated in providing a space for dancers to excel. Here at Studio V, we encourage everyone to, “Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.”

www.iwontdance.com

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Stuart Procter returns to the Staffor...

New Post has been published on http://cookingawe.com/stuart-procter-returns-to-the-staffor/

Stuart Procter returns to the Staffor...

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The Stafford London, one of London’s most established luxury hotels, located in the heart of St James’s, is enjoying a new lease of life since the return of Stuart Procter as general manager. Janet Harmer reports on how he is successfully combining a modern approach to hospitality with traditional hotelkeeping.

The Stafford London may have been established as a hotel in 1912, but today it’s enjoying something of a renaissance. The hotel’s restaurant, the Game Bird, was one of London’s most successful launches in 2017 and this, along with the creation of a number of stylish new suites, has brought a new vibrancy and glamour to the Stafford.

Back in 2008, the 105-bedroom hotel was very much at the top of its game – it was named Hotel of the Year – Group at the Catey Awards and was promoted from a four- to a five-red-AA-star property – but in the years after that, it lost its way. The departure of general manager Stuart Procter in 2011 heralded a succession of incumbents in the role – Leon Baum, Christine Hodder and Spencer Yeo – and in 2014 a management agreement between the hotel and Kempinski ended abruptly after just four years. Alongside a struggle to maintain stability in the management team, the hotel’s performance also dipped.

The Stafford

So the news in October 2015 that Procter was returning to the Stafford was initially greeted with surprise. His stint of nearly five years away from the hotel, when he headed the management team that created the Hotel and Café Football concepts, had taken him into a totally new territory of hospitality. It had been expected that he would remain with Manchester United football legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville as Hotel Football parent company, GG Hospitality, of which he was managing director, looked to expand. However, with his wife Claire and two teenage children, Archie and Florence, living in Surrey, Procter no longer wanted to be based in Manchester, where Giggs and Neville were working on the development of two new city centre hotels. He also missed working within the luxury hotel sector. So when he was offered the challenge of turning things around at the Stafford, he jumped at the chance.

Back for good

Procter’s return to the hotel, in retrospect, makes absolute sense, but there are no regrets about his five years away – in fact, he believes it was the best thing for his development as a general manager and that it has benefitted the Stafford. “I learned how to set up a hotel from scratch, which covered everything from creating the branding to being involved in the physical building of the property and setting up the operational side of the business. I did things I had never done before and I can now approach what we are doing at the Stafford from a different point of view.”

During his first stint at the Stafford, which ran from 2006 to 2011, Procter was unable to change what had become an institution under the tenure of Terry Holmes. But gradually, things started to evolve as he gained the trust of the team and Holmes’ seal of approval, and the owners started to realise that increased competition in the capital’s luxury hotel market meant change was necessary. The renowned American bar trebled in size and its age-old dress code was dropped. “We had to wake up and realise that you can no longer insist on a jacket and tie in the bar,” explains Procter. The hotel expanded with the addition of 26 bedrooms, created in the adjacent mews building.

The Stafford London’s new Gatehouse suite

“Without sounding arrogant, I was not fazed by taking on the general manager role at the Stafford at the age of 29. Terry had virtually allowed me to run the hotel for 12 months before he left, presenting me with all the financials and introducing me to the key players, particularly those in the US.”

Then, in 2009, the Stafford was acquired for a reported £77.5m by Britannia Hospitality, owned by the Egyptian El Sharkawy family. The sale of the hotel after 14 years of being operated by Shire Hotels, which was owned by brewery business Daniel Thwaites, came about largely due to the smoking ban – introduced two years previously – which badly affected the 500 pubs within the group.

“The only asset the Yerburgh family [major shareholders of Daniel Thwaites] had of any value was the Stafford,” says Procter. “They were very sad to sell – Mrs Yerburgh said it was like getting rid of the family silver.”

Soon after the sale, Procter decided to explore other ventures, which led to discussions with Giggs, who was a regular guest at the Stafford. “He was still playing for Manchester United at the time and he introduced me to Gary [Neville]. Initially, they wanted me to open a boutique hotel with them in London, but at the eleventh hour the deal fell through.”

It was then that the Hotel Football concept was born and Procter entered the world of hotel development for five years before returning to the Stafford. Since coming back, just over two years ago, he hasn’t stood still.

Through his introduction of a proper revenue management system, overhaul of the sales and marketing function (including the introduction of a New York-based PR team, a UK-based food PR team, new website and social media strategy) and move away from a reliance on corporate accounts, the performance of the hotel has improved dramatically. Revenue has grown by 44%, with EBITDA increasing by 40% over the past two years.

Additionally, occupancy in 2017 reached 81% and the average room rate has grown by £85 over the past 18 months. The strong reliance on business from the US – initiated by Holmes and his very personal approach to American travel agents – has continued and today accounts for 53% of all room bookings.

Flying high

The most significant and visible boost to business has undoubtedly been the launch of the 32-seat Game Bird. Procter took advice from chef-restaurateur and fellow Acorn award-winner Jason Atherton to create an all-day restaurant with an energy and vibe that matched the hotel’s perennially busy American Bar. The appointment of James Durrant as executive chef was an inspired choice. His contemporary take on a traditional British menu is very much what the diners who now flock to the Game Bird want to eat. Ten months on, the Game Bird has increased the Stafford’s food and beverage revenue by more than £2m.

The Game Bird

With a more vibrant restaurant in place, it has been easier for Procter to attract a younger clientele to the hotel, something which he has achieved by working with what he describes as “influential ambassadors with phenomenal networks”, such as former English rugby player Mark Tindall, the husband of Zara Phillips.

Experience and enthusiasm

Meanwhile, Procter has worked hard at inspiring and stabilising the 162-strong team by carefully blending a plethora of stalwarts, including master sommelier Gino Nardella, who has worked at the hotel for 42 years, and telephonist Christianne Brown (44 years), with the newer recruits, among whom are three Acorn Award winners. Procter himself is a holder of the accolade, which recognises employees under the age of 30 who are identified as being the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry. Other former Acorns include Durrant, hotel manager Mark Surguy and marketing manager Cassie Delaney-Brown.

Ultimately, over the past two years Procter has been working towards a more hospitable environment for guests and staff alike. He may have put all the procedures in place behind the scenes to make the business more profitable, but he is also a hotelier in the old-fashioned sense: he is highly visible, providing guests, who include royalty and high net-worth individuals, with exactly what they want – recognition and a personal welcome.

“It is no good having all the gizmos in place if the coffee is not served hot and you don’t know your guests’ names,” he explains. “It has to be about the hospitality. That is why 60% of our business is repeat.” And the improvements are ongoing, so look out for news of a refurbished American bar, additional suites and a spa in the year ahead.

Stuart Procter’s early career

Stuart Procter has come a long way from the 15-year-old, part-time waiter at Northcote – or Northcote Manor as it was then known.

The fact that he started his career at Northcote in Langho, Lancashire, was a significant factor in propelling him to the top of the industry. Working for co-owners Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth gave him a work ethic, an insight into a genuine style of hospitality and the ambition to reach the top.

Stuart Procter with Craig Bancroft outside the Stafford London

Procter was born in Whalley in the Ribble Valley and brought up in Blackburn. Once he knew he wasn’t good enough to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, he realised that hospitality was where his future lay. “I loved the buzz of the service and the energy of the kitchen,” he says.

It was during his time as Northcote’s first apprentice, which involved working at the hotel four days a week and studying for a BTEC national diploma on day release at Runshaw College in Leyland, that Procter decided he wanted to run the Stafford. He was only 16 or 17 at the time and he was told about the hotel by Bancroft’s mother (then Sue Bancroft, who upon remarrying became Lady Sue Purvis), who was responsible for the Stafford’s sales and marketing.

Procter then moved on to work for Shire Hotels. Serendipitously, the Yerburgh family – the owners of Shire – bought the Stafford in 1995 soon after Procter arrived to work at the group’s Oaks hotel in Burnley. “It was the summer and I told Ian Harkness, the managing director of Shire Hotels, that come the staff Christmas party, I wanted to be seated next to the general manager of the Stafford, Terry Holmes,” says Procter. “I was immediately told in no uncertain terms that was not how things worked. However, when Christmas came, I was seated next to Terry. I was only 18, but I questioned him all night and told him I wanted his job.”

Procter’s cheekiness served him well. At his next role, as general manager at Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, he found another mentor in Jeremy Rata, the managing director of the business. “Jeremy let me make mistakes and made me more financially astute. He taught me that if we made the figures, we could spend more on the hotel.”

The Devonshire Arms was named Country Life Hotel of the Year and Procter also received an Acorn Award. After four years in North Yorkshire, Procter told Harkness and Ann Yerburgh, chairman of Daniel Thwaites, the parent company of Shire Hotels, that he was keen to work for the Stafford. Again, luck was on his side. Succession planning was being put in place to replace Holmes, and Procter was offered the job of his deputy.

“I was told that I may be able to replace Terry, but there was no guarantees,” says Procter. “I would have to prove myself first.” Within two years, his dream was realised and Procter was appointed general manager.

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Stuart Procter returns to the Staffor...

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Stuart Procter returns to the Staffor...

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The Stafford London, one of London’s most established luxury hotels, located in the heart of St James’s, is enjoying a new lease of life since the return of Stuart Procter as general manager. Janet Harmer reports on how he is successfully combining a modern approach to hospitality with traditional hotelkeeping.

The Stafford London may have been established as a hotel in 1912, but today it’s enjoying something of a renaissance. The hotel’s restaurant, the Game Bird, was one of London’s most successful launches in 2017 and this, along with the creation of a number of stylish new suites, has brought a new vibrancy and glamour to the Stafford.

Back in 2008, the 105-bedroom hotel was very much at the top of its game – it was named Hotel of the Year – Group at the Catey Awards and was promoted from a four- to a five-red-AA-star property – but in the years after that, it lost its way. The departure of general manager Stuart Procter in 2011 heralded a succession of incumbents in the role – Leon Baum, Christine Hodder and Spencer Yeo – and in 2014 a management agreement between the hotel and Kempinski ended abruptly after just four years. Alongside a struggle to maintain stability in the management team, the hotel’s performance also dipped.

The Stafford

So the news in October 2015 that Procter was returning to the Stafford was initially greeted with surprise. His stint of nearly five years away from the hotel, when he headed the management team that created the Hotel and Café Football concepts, had taken him into a totally new territory of hospitality. It had been expected that he would remain with Manchester United football legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville as Hotel Football parent company, GG Hospitality, of which he was managing director, looked to expand. However, with his wife Claire and two teenage children, Archie and Florence, living in Surrey, Procter no longer wanted to be based in Manchester, where Giggs and Neville were working on the development of two new city centre hotels. He also missed working within the luxury hotel sector. So when he was offered the challenge of turning things around at the Stafford, he jumped at the chance.

Back for good

Procter’s return to the hotel, in retrospect, makes absolute sense, but there are no regrets about his five years away – in fact, he believes it was the best thing for his development as a general manager and that it has benefitted the Stafford. “I learned how to set up a hotel from scratch, which covered everything from creating the branding to being involved in the physical building of the property and setting up the operational side of the business. I did things I had never done before and I can now approach what we are doing at the Stafford from a different point of view.”

During his first stint at the Stafford, which ran from 2006 to 2011, Procter was unable to change what had become an institution under the tenure of Terry Holmes. But gradually, things started to evolve as he gained the trust of the team and Holmes’ seal of approval, and the owners started to realise that increased competition in the capital’s luxury hotel market meant change was necessary. The renowned American bar trebled in size and its age-old dress code was dropped. “We had to wake up and realise that you can no longer insist on a jacket and tie in the bar,” explains Procter. The hotel expanded with the addition of 26 bedrooms, created in the adjacent mews building.

The Stafford London’s new Gatehouse suite

“Without sounding arrogant, I was not fazed by taking on the general manager role at the Stafford at the age of 29. Terry had virtually allowed me to run the hotel for 12 months before he left, presenting me with all the financials and introducing me to the key players, particularly those in the US.”

Then, in 2009, the Stafford was acquired for a reported £77.5m by Britannia Hospitality, owned by the Egyptian El Sharkawy family. The sale of the hotel after 14 years of being operated by Shire Hotels, which was owned by brewery business Daniel Thwaites, came about largely due to the smoking ban – introduced two years previously – which badly affected the 500 pubs within the group.

“The only asset the Yerburgh family [major shareholders of Daniel Thwaites] had of any value was the Stafford,” says Procter. “They were very sad to sell – Mrs Yerburgh said it was like getting rid of the family silver.”

Soon after the sale, Procter decided to explore other ventures, which led to discussions with Giggs, who was a regular guest at the Stafford. “He was still playing for Manchester United at the time and he introduced me to Gary [Neville]. Initially, they wanted me to open a boutique hotel with them in London, but at the eleventh hour the deal fell through.”

It was then that the Hotel Football concept was born and Procter entered the world of hotel development for five years before returning to the Stafford. Since coming back, just over two years ago, he hasn’t stood still.

Through his introduction of a proper revenue management system, overhaul of the sales and marketing function (including the introduction of a New York-based PR team, a UK-based food PR team, new website and social media strategy) and move away from a reliance on corporate accounts, the performance of the hotel has improved dramatically. Revenue has grown by 44%, with EBITDA increasing by 40% over the past two years.

Additionally, occupancy in 2017 reached 81% and the average room rate has grown by £85 over the past 18 months. The strong reliance on business from the US – initiated by Holmes and his very personal approach to American travel agents – has continued and today accounts for 53% of all room bookings.

Flying high

The most significant and visible boost to business has undoubtedly been the launch of the 32-seat Game Bird. Procter took advice from chef-restaurateur and fellow Acorn award-winner Jason Atherton to create an all-day restaurant with an energy and vibe that matched the hotel’s perennially busy American Bar. The appointment of James Durrant as executive chef was an inspired choice. His contemporary take on a traditional British menu is very much what the diners who now flock to the Game Bird want to eat. Ten months on, the Game Bird has increased the Stafford’s food and beverage revenue by more than £2m.

The Game Bird

With a more vibrant restaurant in place, it has been easier for Procter to attract a younger clientele to the hotel, something which he has achieved by working with what he describes as “influential ambassadors with phenomenal networks”, such as former English rugby player Mark Tindall, the husband of Zara Phillips.

Experience and enthusiasm

Meanwhile, Procter has worked hard at inspiring and stabilising the 162-strong team by carefully blending a plethora of stalwarts, including master sommelier Gino Nardella, who has worked at the hotel for 42 years, and telephonist Christianne Brown (44 years), with the newer recruits, among whom are three Acorn Award winners. Procter himself is a holder of the accolade, which recognises employees under the age of 30 who are identified as being the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry. Other former Acorns include Durrant, hotel manager Mark Surguy and marketing manager Cassie Delaney-Brown.

Ultimately, over the past two years Procter has been working towards a more hospitable environment for guests and staff alike. He may have put all the procedures in place behind the scenes to make the business more profitable, but he is also a hotelier in the old-fashioned sense: he is highly visible, providing guests, who include royalty and high net-worth individuals, with exactly what they want – recognition and a personal welcome.

“It is no good having all the gizmos in place if the coffee is not served hot and you don’t know your guests’ names,” he explains. “It has to be about the hospitality. That is why 60% of our business is repeat.” And the improvements are ongoing, so look out for news of a refurbished American bar, additional suites and a spa in the year ahead.

Stuart Procter’s early career

Stuart Procter has come a long way from the 15-year-old, part-time waiter at Northcote – or Northcote Manor as it was then known.

The fact that he started his career at Northcote in Langho, Lancashire, was a significant factor in propelling him to the top of the industry. Working for co-owners Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth gave him a work ethic, an insight into a genuine style of hospitality and the ambition to reach the top.

Stuart Procter with Craig Bancroft outside the Stafford London

Procter was born in Whalley in the Ribble Valley and brought up in Blackburn. Once he knew he wasn’t good enough to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, he realised that hospitality was where his future lay. “I loved the buzz of the service and the energy of the kitchen,” he says.

It was during his time as Northcote’s first apprentice, which involved working at the hotel four days a week and studying for a BTEC national diploma on day release at Runshaw College in Leyland, that Procter decided he wanted to run the Stafford. He was only 16 or 17 at the time and he was told about the hotel by Bancroft’s mother (then Sue Bancroft, who upon remarrying became Lady Sue Purvis), who was responsible for the Stafford’s sales and marketing.

Procter then moved on to work for Shire Hotels. Serendipitously, the Yerburgh family – the owners of Shire – bought the Stafford in 1995 soon after Procter arrived to work at the group’s Oaks hotel in Burnley. “It was the summer and I told Ian Harkness, the managing director of Shire Hotels, that come the staff Christmas party, I wanted to be seated next to the general manager of the Stafford, Terry Holmes,” says Procter. “I was immediately told in no uncertain terms that was not how things worked. However, when Christmas came, I was seated next to Terry. I was only 18, but I questioned him all night and told him I wanted his job.”

Procter’s cheekiness served him well. At his next role, as general manager at Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, he found another mentor in Jeremy Rata, the managing director of the business. “Jeremy let me make mistakes and made me more financially astute. He taught me that if we made the figures, we could spend more on the hotel.”

The Devonshire Arms was named Country Life Hotel of the Year and Procter also received an Acorn Award. After four years in North Yorkshire, Procter told Harkness and Ann Yerburgh, chairman of Daniel Thwaites, the parent company of Shire Hotels, that he was keen to work for the Stafford. Again, luck was on his side. Succession planning was being put in place to replace Holmes, and Procter was offered the job of his deputy.

“I was told that I may be able to replace Terry, but there was no guarantees,” says Procter. “I would have to prove myself first.” Within two years, his dream was realised and Procter was appointed general manager.

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs

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Stuart Procter returns to the Staffor...

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The Stafford London, one of London’s most established luxury hotels, located in the heart of St James’s, is enjoying a new lease of life since the return of Stuart Procter as general manager. Janet Harmer reports on how he is successfully combining a modern approach to hospitality with traditional hotelkeeping.

The Stafford London may have been established as a hotel in 1912, but today it’s enjoying something of a renaissance. The hotel’s restaurant, the Game Bird, was one of London’s most successful launches in 2017 and this, along with the creation of a number of stylish new suites, has brought a new vibrancy and glamour to the Stafford.

Back in 2008, the 105-bedroom hotel was very much at the top of its game – it was named Hotel of the Year – Group at the Catey Awards and was promoted from a four- to a five-red-AA-star property – but in the years after that, it lost its way. The departure of general manager Stuart Procter in 2011 heralded a succession of incumbents in the role – Leon Baum, Christine Hodder and Spencer Yeo – and in 2014 a management agreement between the hotel and Kempinski ended abruptly after just four years. Alongside a struggle to maintain stability in the management team, the hotel’s performance also dipped.

The Stafford

So the news in October 2015 that Procter was returning to the Stafford was initially greeted with surprise. His stint of nearly five years away from the hotel, when he headed the management team that created the Hotel and Café Football concepts, had taken him into a totally new territory of hospitality. It had been expected that he would remain with Manchester United football legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville as Hotel Football parent company, GG Hospitality, of which he was managing director, looked to expand. However, with his wife Claire and two teenage children, Archie and Florence, living in Surrey, Procter no longer wanted to be based in Manchester, where Giggs and Neville were working on the development of two new city centre hotels. He also missed working within the luxury hotel sector. So when he was offered the challenge of turning things around at the Stafford, he jumped at the chance.

Back for good

Procter’s return to the hotel, in retrospect, makes absolute sense, but there are no regrets about his five years away – in fact, he believes it was the best thing for his development as a general manager and that it has benefitted the Stafford. “I learned how to set up a hotel from scratch, which covered everything from creating the branding to being involved in the physical building of the property and setting up the operational side of the business. I did things I had never done before and I can now approach what we are doing at the Stafford from a different point of view.”

During his first stint at the Stafford, which ran from 2006 to 2011, Procter was unable to change what had become an institution under the tenure of Terry Holmes. But gradually, things started to evolve as he gained the trust of the team and Holmes’ seal of approval, and the owners started to realise that increased competition in the capital’s luxury hotel market meant change was necessary. The renowned American bar trebled in size and its age-old dress code was dropped. “We had to wake up and realise that you can no longer insist on a jacket and tie in the bar,” explains Procter. The hotel expanded with the addition of 26 bedrooms, created in the adjacent mews building.

The Stafford London’s new Gatehouse suite

“Without sounding arrogant, I was not fazed by taking on the general manager role at the Stafford at the age of 29. Terry had virtually allowed me to run the hotel for 12 months before he left, presenting me with all the financials and introducing me to the key players, particularly those in the US.”

Then, in 2009, the Stafford was acquired for a reported £77.5m by Britannia Hospitality, owned by the Egyptian El Sharkawy family. The sale of the hotel after 14 years of being operated by Shire Hotels, which was owned by brewery business Daniel Thwaites, came about largely due to the smoking ban – introduced two years previously – which badly affected the 500 pubs within the group.

“The only asset the Yerburgh family [major shareholders of Daniel Thwaites] had of any value was the Stafford,” says Procter. “They were very sad to sell – Mrs Yerburgh said it was like getting rid of the family silver.”

Soon after the sale, Procter decided to explore other ventures, which led to discussions with Giggs, who was a regular guest at the Stafford. “He was still playing for Manchester United at the time and he introduced me to Gary [Neville]. Initially, they wanted me to open a boutique hotel with them in London, but at the eleventh hour the deal fell through.”

It was then that the Hotel Football concept was born and Procter entered the world of hotel development for five years before returning to the Stafford. Since coming back, just over two years ago, he hasn’t stood still.

Through his introduction of a proper revenue management system, overhaul of the sales and marketing function (including the introduction of a New York-based PR team, a UK-based food PR team, new website and social media strategy) and move away from a reliance on corporate accounts, the performance of the hotel has improved dramatically. Revenue has grown by 44%, with EBITDA increasing by 40% over the past two years.

Additionally, occupancy in 2017 reached 81% and the average room rate has grown by £85 over the past 18 months. The strong reliance on business from the US – initiated by Holmes and his very personal approach to American travel agents – has continued and today accounts for 53% of all room bookings.

Flying high

The most significant and visible boost to business has undoubtedly been the launch of the 32-seat Game Bird. Procter took advice from chef-restaurateur and fellow Acorn award-winner Jason Atherton to create an all-day restaurant with an energy and vibe that matched the hotel’s perennially busy American Bar. The appointment of James Durrant as executive chef was an inspired choice. His contemporary take on a traditional British menu is very much what the diners who now flock to the Game Bird want to eat. Ten months on, the Game Bird has increased the Stafford’s food and beverage revenue by more than £2m.

The Game Bird

With a more vibrant restaurant in place, it has been easier for Procter to attract a younger clientele to the hotel, something which he has achieved by working with what he describes as “influential ambassadors with phenomenal networks”, such as former English rugby player Mark Tindall, the husband of Zara Phillips.

Experience and enthusiasm

Meanwhile, Procter has worked hard at inspiring and stabilising the 162-strong team by carefully blending a plethora of stalwarts, including master sommelier Gino Nardella, who has worked at the hotel for 42 years, and telephonist Christianne Brown (44 years), with the newer recruits, among whom are three Acorn Award winners. Procter himself is a holder of the accolade, which recognises employees under the age of 30 who are identified as being the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry. Other former Acorns include Durrant, hotel manager Mark Surguy and marketing manager Cassie Delaney-Brown.

Ultimately, over the past two years Procter has been working towards a more hospitable environment for guests and staff alike. He may have put all the procedures in place behind the scenes to make the business more profitable, but he is also a hotelier in the old-fashioned sense: he is highly visible, providing guests, who include royalty and high net-worth individuals, with exactly what they want – recognition and a personal welcome.

“It is no good having all the gizmos in place if the coffee is not served hot and you don’t know your guests’ names,” he explains. “It has to be about the hospitality. That is why 60% of our business is repeat.” And the improvements are ongoing, so look out for news of a refurbished American bar, additional suites and a spa in the year ahead.

Stuart Procter’s early career

Stuart Procter has come a long way from the 15-year-old, part-time waiter at Northcote – or Northcote Manor as it was then known.

The fact that he started his career at Northcote in Langho, Lancashire, was a significant factor in propelling him to the top of the industry. Working for co-owners Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth gave him a work ethic, an insight into a genuine style of hospitality and the ambition to reach the top.

Stuart Procter with Craig Bancroft outside the Stafford London

Procter was born in Whalley in the Ribble Valley and brought up in Blackburn. Once he knew he wasn’t good enough to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, he realised that hospitality was where his future lay. “I loved the buzz of the service and the energy of the kitchen,” he says.

It was during his time as Northcote’s first apprentice, which involved working at the hotel four days a week and studying for a BTEC national diploma on day release at Runshaw College in Leyland, that Procter decided he wanted to run the Stafford. He was only 16 or 17 at the time and he was told about the hotel by Bancroft’s mother (then Sue Bancroft, who upon remarrying became Lady Sue Purvis), who was responsible for the Stafford’s sales and marketing.

Procter then moved on to work for Shire Hotels. Serendipitously, the Yerburgh family – the owners of Shire – bought the Stafford in 1995 soon after Procter arrived to work at the group’s Oaks hotel in Burnley. “It was the summer and I told Ian Harkness, the managing director of Shire Hotels, that come the staff Christmas party, I wanted to be seated next to the general manager of the Stafford, Terry Holmes,” says Procter. “I was immediately told in no uncertain terms that was not how things worked. However, when Christmas came, I was seated next to Terry. I was only 18, but I questioned him all night and told him I wanted his job.”

Procter’s cheekiness served him well. At his next role, as general manager at Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, he found another mentor in Jeremy Rata, the managing director of the business. “Jeremy let me make mistakes and made me more financially astute. He taught me that if we made the figures, we could spend more on the hotel.”

The Devonshire Arms was named Country Life Hotel of the Year and Procter also received an Acorn Award. After four years in North Yorkshire, Procter told Harkness and Ann Yerburgh, chairman of Daniel Thwaites, the parent company of Shire Hotels, that he was keen to work for the Stafford. Again, luck was on his side. Succession planning was being put in place to replace Holmes, and Procter was offered the job of his deputy.

“I was told that I may be able to replace Terry, but there was no guarantees,” says Procter. “I would have to prove myself first.” Within two years, his dream was realised and Procter was appointed general manager.

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs

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The Stafford London, one of London’s most established luxury hotels, located in the heart of St James’s, is enjoying a new lease of life since the return of Stuart Procter as general manager. Janet Harmer reports on how he is successfully combining a modern approach to hospitality with traditional hotelkeeping.

The Stafford London may have been established as a hotel in 1912, but today it’s enjoying something of a renaissance. The hotel’s restaurant, the Game Bird, was one of London’s most successful launches in 2017 and this, along with the creation of a number of stylish new suites, has brought a new vibrancy and glamour to the Stafford.

Back in 2008, the 105-bedroom hotel was very much at the top of its game – it was named Hotel of the Year – Group at the Catey Awards and was promoted from a four- to a five-red-AA-star property – but in the years after that, it lost its way. The departure of general manager Stuart Procter in 2011 heralded a succession of incumbents in the role – Leon Baum, Christine Hodder and Spencer Yeo – and in 2014 a management agreement between the hotel and Kempinski ended abruptly after just four years. Alongside a struggle to maintain stability in the management team, the hotel’s performance also dipped.

The Stafford

So the news in October 2015 that Procter was returning to the Stafford was initially greeted with surprise. His stint of nearly five years away from the hotel, when he headed the management team that created the Hotel and Café Football concepts, had taken him into a totally new territory of hospitality. It had been expected that he would remain with Manchester United football legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville as Hotel Football parent company, GG Hospitality, of which he was managing director, looked to expand. However, with his wife Claire and two teenage children, Archie and Florence, living in Surrey, Procter no longer wanted to be based in Manchester, where Giggs and Neville were working on the development of two new city centre hotels. He also missed working within the luxury hotel sector. So when he was offered the challenge of turning things around at the Stafford, he jumped at the chance.

Back for good

Procter’s return to the hotel, in retrospect, makes absolute sense, but there are no regrets about his five years away – in fact, he believes it was the best thing for his development as a general manager and that it has benefitted the Stafford. “I learned how to set up a hotel from scratch, which covered everything from creating the branding to being involved in the physical building of the property and setting up the operational side of the business. I did things I had never done before and I can now approach what we are doing at the Stafford from a different point of view.”

During his first stint at the Stafford, which ran from 2006 to 2011, Procter was unable to change what had become an institution under the tenure of Terry Holmes. But gradually, things started to evolve as he gained the trust of the team and Holmes’ seal of approval, and the owners started to realise that increased competition in the capital’s luxury hotel market meant change was necessary. The renowned American bar trebled in size and its age-old dress code was dropped. “We had to wake up and realise that you can no longer insist on a jacket and tie in the bar,” explains Procter. The hotel expanded with the addition of 26 bedrooms, created in the adjacent mews building.

The Stafford London’s new Gatehouse suite

“Without sounding arrogant, I was not fazed by taking on the general manager role at the Stafford at the age of 29. Terry had virtually allowed me to run the hotel for 12 months before he left, presenting me with all the financials and introducing me to the key players, particularly those in the US.”

Then, in 2009, the Stafford was acquired for a reported £77.5m by Britannia Hospitality, owned by the Egyptian El Sharkawy family. The sale of the hotel after 14 years of being operated by Shire Hotels, which was owned by brewery business Daniel Thwaites, came about largely due to the smoking ban – introduced two years previously – which badly affected the 500 pubs within the group.

“The only asset the Yerburgh family [major shareholders of Daniel Thwaites] had of any value was the Stafford,” says Procter. “They were very sad to sell – Mrs Yerburgh said it was like getting rid of the family silver.”

Soon after the sale, Procter decided to explore other ventures, which led to discussions with Giggs, who was a regular guest at the Stafford. “He was still playing for Manchester United at the time and he introduced me to Gary [Neville]. Initially, they wanted me to open a boutique hotel with them in London, but at the eleventh hour the deal fell through.”

It was then that the Hotel Football concept was born and Procter entered the world of hotel development for five years before returning to the Stafford. Since coming back, just over two years ago, he hasn’t stood still.

Through his introduction of a proper revenue management system, overhaul of the sales and marketing function (including the introduction of a New York-based PR team, a UK-based food PR team, new website and social media strategy) and move away from a reliance on corporate accounts, the performance of the hotel has improved dramatically. Revenue has grown by 44%, with EBITDA increasing by 40% over the past two years.

Additionally, occupancy in 2017 reached 81% and the average room rate has grown by £85 over the past 18 months. The strong reliance on business from the US – initiated by Holmes and his very personal approach to American travel agents – has continued and today accounts for 53% of all room bookings.

Flying high

The most significant and visible boost to business has undoubtedly been the launch of the 32-seat Game Bird. Procter took advice from chef-restaurateur and fellow Acorn award-winner Jason Atherton to create an all-day restaurant with an energy and vibe that matched the hotel’s perennially busy American Bar. The appointment of James Durrant as executive chef was an inspired choice. His contemporary take on a traditional British menu is very much what the diners who now flock to the Game Bird want to eat. Ten months on, the Game Bird has increased the Stafford’s food and beverage revenue by more than £2m.

The Game Bird

With a more vibrant restaurant in place, it has been easier for Procter to attract a younger clientele to the hotel, something which he has achieved by working with what he describes as “influential ambassadors with phenomenal networks”, such as former English rugby player Mark Tindall, the husband of Zara Phillips.

Experience and enthusiasm

Meanwhile, Procter has worked hard at inspiring and stabilising the 162-strong team by carefully blending a plethora of stalwarts, including master sommelier Gino Nardella, who has worked at the hotel for 42 years, and telephonist Christianne Brown (44 years), with the newer recruits, among whom are three Acorn Award winners. Procter himself is a holder of the accolade, which recognises employees under the age of 30 who are identified as being the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry. Other former Acorns include Durrant, hotel manager Mark Surguy and marketing manager Cassie Delaney-Brown.

Ultimately, over the past two years Procter has been working towards a more hospitable environment for guests and staff alike. He may have put all the procedures in place behind the scenes to make the business more profitable, but he is also a hotelier in the old-fashioned sense: he is highly visible, providing guests, who include royalty and high net-worth individuals, with exactly what they want – recognition and a personal welcome.

“It is no good having all the gizmos in place if the coffee is not served hot and you don’t know your guests’ names,” he explains. “It has to be about the hospitality. That is why 60% of our business is repeat.” And the improvements are ongoing, so look out for news of a refurbished American bar, additional suites and a spa in the year ahead.

Stuart Procter’s early career

Stuart Procter has come a long way from the 15-year-old, part-time waiter at Northcote – or Northcote Manor as it was then known.

The fact that he started his career at Northcote in Langho, Lancashire, was a significant factor in propelling him to the top of the industry. Working for co-owners Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth gave him a work ethic, an insight into a genuine style of hospitality and the ambition to reach the top.

Stuart Procter with Craig Bancroft outside the Stafford London

Procter was born in Whalley in the Ribble Valley and brought up in Blackburn. Once he knew he wasn’t good enough to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, he realised that hospitality was where his future lay. “I loved the buzz of the service and the energy of the kitchen,” he says.

It was during his time as Northcote’s first apprentice, which involved working at the hotel four days a week and studying for a BTEC national diploma on day release at Runshaw College in Leyland, that Procter decided he wanted to run the Stafford. He was only 16 or 17 at the time and he was told about the hotel by Bancroft’s mother (then Sue Bancroft, who upon remarrying became Lady Sue Purvis), who was responsible for the Stafford’s sales and marketing.

Procter then moved on to work for Shire Hotels. Serendipitously, the Yerburgh family – the owners of Shire – bought the Stafford in 1995 soon after Procter arrived to work at the group’s Oaks hotel in Burnley. “It was the summer and I told Ian Harkness, the managing director of Shire Hotels, that come the staff Christmas party, I wanted to be seated next to the general manager of the Stafford, Terry Holmes,” says Procter. “I was immediately told in no uncertain terms that was not how things worked. However, when Christmas came, I was seated next to Terry. I was only 18, but I questioned him all night and told him I wanted his job.”

Procter’s cheekiness served him well. At his next role, as general manager at Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, he found another mentor in Jeremy Rata, the managing director of the business. “Jeremy let me make mistakes and made me more financially astute. He taught me that if we made the figures, we could spend more on the hotel.”

The Devonshire Arms was named Country Life Hotel of the Year and Procter also received an Acorn Award. After four years in North Yorkshire, Procter told Harkness and Ann Yerburgh, chairman of Daniel Thwaites, the parent company of Shire Hotels, that he was keen to work for the Stafford. Again, luck was on his side. Succession planning was being put in place to replace Holmes, and Procter was offered the job of his deputy.

“I was told that I may be able to replace Terry, but there was no guarantees,” says Procter. “I would have to prove myself first.” Within two years, his dream was realised and Procter was appointed general manager.

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