Cabaret ‘Queen’ Paulus and 28 teddies mark 100th anniversary of Dreamland and the Scenic Railway.

The event was due to have been marked with a series of large-scale events, new art commissions and festival fun . But 2020 has been a year blighted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Events everywhere have been cancelled, large gatherings are banned and social distancing measures in place to halt the transmission of the virus mean opening the amusement park is just not viable.

So, instead of the planned party alternative queen All Together Now TV personality and cabaret performer Paulus declared the 100th birthday before the Scenic set off along the track with 28 giant teddies onboard.

Paulus has been a regular Dreamland visitor since staying with his nan in Margate as a small boy. Later years saw visits with friends as a teen and last year Paulus was part of the Pride celebrations at the park.

Paulus said: “It really is a great story for the Scenic which has survived three fires and a world war and I am sure Dreamland will survive through this.”

Read more in the The Isle of Thanet News and KentOnline.

Paulus and Emily step back in time with theatre historian Naomi Paxton. We discover how the suffragette movement incorporated the arts into their fight for women’s rights, and how the arts and politics are closely linked. Plus who knew jiujitsu had an important role to play in votes for women!

If you enjoyed our little show do leave us a review on apple podcasts. You can keep up- to-date with all things Up Yer Arts via Twitter  @upyerarts or check out our linktr.ee/upyerarts.

Paulus has a good gossip with an old friend and Emily meets Dusty Limits! Cabaret compère, actor and singer, he’s done it all. We discuss being in ‘it’ for the long haul, how a karaoke competition had a life-changing effect and we delve into “What is Cabaret?” We also discover Dusty’s creative top tip(s).

If you enjoyed our little show do leave us a review. You can keep up-to-date with all things Up Yer Arts via Twitter: @upyerarts or check out our linktr.ee/upyerarts.

Here’s a #TBT to my YouTube Performer Tip – ‘Speak The Song’.

Good times. We’ve reached another milestone of 800 subscribers on YouTube. Come join us, subscribe to our channel here.

Lockdown Tango – A Song for Dominic Cummings. My collaboration with fellow cabaret artistes Melinda Hughes, Dusty Limits, Coco Malone, Lili La Scala, La Poule Plombeé and Sarah-Louise Young to bring you this satirical rewrite of the famous Cell Block Tango from the musical ‘Chicago‘.

Meet RuPaul’s Drag Race star and all round beautiful human being Divina De Campo! Paulus and Emily find out about their first love of singing and the wilderness years of teaching dance in Welsh! We also learn the importance of falling over and giving yourself permission to fail. And Divina shares their creative top tip!

We want to hear from you! What’s your artistic hobby? What creative past time brings you joy? You can tweet us @upyerarts, or drop us an email upyerarts@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed our little show please do leave us a a review. You can learn a little more about our hosts Emily and Paulus via linktr.ee/upyerarts.

Another wonderful shot by Steve Ullathorne for my forthcoming show about Victoria Wood. Check out our Looking For Me Friend page for more info.

I chat with Dave and Shereece of Best Gay Life about working with Geri Halliwell on BBC’s All Together Now and my love for Victoria Wood.