20/08/11: QX got ourselves over to East London’s happening Commercial Road for the dazzling occasion of The White Swan’s 26th birthday bash last Saturday. Long home to some of the best traditional bent boozer antics to be found anywhere in town, last weekend saw a crowd of loyal fans paying homage to the East End landmark with a packed party that had the thrills and spills continuing through the night.
Highlights included resident DJ Tom spinning out a celebratory mash-up with his ‘Essential Weekend Music Mix’, taking in funky house, club classics and camp disco bangers, getting the hyped throng going birthday-bonkers. Meanwhile, there was more to come as cabaret royalty, Dame Shirley Bassey impersonator Carolyn Rowe, treated an appreciative audience to a performance worthy of anything the lady herself might give in Las Vegas.
Unlike some tribute acts, this is one artiste more than able to carry off the songs of her superstar subject with aplomb. From ‘The Girl From Tiger Bay’ to ‘Big Spender’ and a rousing finale of The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’, Ms Rowe proved her mettle with an impressive set of lungs and diva demeanour to match.
But as the action shifted from the stage back to the dancefloor, there were still hours more fun to be had at one of the hottest hangouts on the block!
556 Commercial Road, Limehouse, E14 7JD
Words by Chris John
Photos by Mark Storey
