08/02/15: It was chillier than the atmosphere at the Celebrity Big Brother wrap party in London Town last Sunday, but there was a warm and welcoming reception waiting for us when we rocked up at Marble Arch boozer. After getting something wet and stiff inside us we took a pew and settled down for cabaret from Kara Van Park.
Draped in red sequins, radiating style and class, Kara treated us to a relaxed set of Pick and Mix: you choose a number, she sings it. We love a bit of random. The Quebec crowd are quite partial to a show tune so it was lucky that most of the choices were just that. Everything from Cabaret through to Wicked, and Rent to Evita. In fact, some of our favourite musicals, especially Evita, which this reviewer just adores! There was a moment when we actually felt like breaking into interpretative dance, as you do, but we didn’t wanna mess with Roy the regular’s vibe. He was loving the show! Rock on Roy, we love you.
After revealing her love for uniforms, and quizzing our photographer Joel about his time in the Royal Navy (moistness ensued), Kara continued to mingle with the audience and the pleasant atmosphere grew and grew. For an artist that only appeared on the circuit less than a year ago during Drag Idol, Kara has really taken the bull by the horns, and shown her competence as a true professional. It felt like a real slice of West End theatre in a side-street pub, on a relatively quiet Sunday night. She gave it her all! And even with a few initial sound issues, with a velvet voice as powerful as hers who needs a microphone anyway?
The evening drew to a close with two encores. And they were gagging for more, too. A stunning rendition of ‘Losing My Mind’ which had the whole room entranced and the Whitney Houston classic ‘I Have Nothing’. Ballad heaven! And everyone knows how much we love a ballad at QX Towers. Our Editor can often be found mouthing the words to Mariah Carey songs and flipping his hair whilst typing away about fetish nights.
Known as more of a hangout for the older gentleman, City of Quebec really is much more than just that. Its a relaxed non-attitude setting with a mixed crowd that stands proud at the end of Oxford Street with cabaret throughout the week, and it’s always free entry. Let’s keep that ethos well and truly alive!
The City of Quebec, 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF
Words by Jason Reid
