She came, she saw, she discoed! On Saturday 18th May 2024, Jane turned Oasis into Norfolk’s very own Studio 54, once again proving that there ain’t no party, like an Oasis party.
This month’s Oasis positively throbbed at 130 bpm to the sound of the disco beat, Jane resplendent in gold shorts, a sparkly purple bandeau top and fishnets created a fiery disco inferno. Jane is our very own dancing queen, and in her charismatic way, encouraged us to our feet, proving that anybody could be that girl. Turn the music up? The loudest, maddest Oasis ever? Now, for those of you for whom the evening was a bit too loud, a bit too mad; thank you so much for indulging us and we hope you were able to enjoy your evening too. Next month will be a little calmer.
Before the show, it was a pleasure to welcome Hannah and Lauren their first meeting, and we hope that both of you will be voguing your way to many more Oasises. It was an absolute joy to welcome back Joanna after a period of illness and to Susanna, our door is always open. Food for the evening was from Chez Lilly and she was pleased to see lots of clean plates. Always a pre requisite for pudding.
Jane dances to raise money for the LILAC ladies and Saturday night was no exception. You can out more about the Lilac Ladies (Ladies In League Against Cancer) fight against cancer here. In addition those super generous Oasis members raised £70 in our pink and sparkly draw, so combined with the proceeds for our April meeting, we were able to make a £130 donation to the LILACs. Our winners were Dee, Jaqui, Theresa and Hana. You will see a message of thanks from Carolyn Lilac at the end of this report.
Earlier in the day, the wonderful Women Of The Common Lot, performed a brilliant piece of street theatre called ‘Rename The Streets’, during which they renamed St Gregory’s Alley to St Barbara’s Alley in memory of Barbara Ross OBE, founder of our ensemble. Thank you The Common Lot Theatre Company it was a memorable, moving and fitting tribute
As always everybody rallied round to help with setting up and closing the meetings, a thanks to all, to Amy for collecting the money, to Serena for organising to draw, Anna for a strong performance on the washing up and to Hana and Our Jane, for their company at the end of the evening and too many many more. Now! That’s What I Call Oasis! The Oasis team always work together, a beautifully choregraphed ensemble, like a latter day Pan’s People!
Summer is coming and we have a busy time ahead as we enter the Pride season, but we can look forward to 2025 and Jane’s newest and loudest show, Jane Does Metal! Too loud? Well perhaps Jane Unplugged then. Whatever happens, Jane you are always welcome in our special little Funky Town.
See you on Saturday 15th June.
Love
Lilly
xxx
A message from the LILACs …………….. Dear Lilly,
Jane has just told us of the fun evening she had with you at Oasis on Saturday night – although it sounds as if she was a little creaky on Sunday morning! I wanted to add our thanks to hers for your kind and generous support of Lilac – we are so very grateful for every penny that we can raise.
As I’m sure Jane has told you, our money is made to work very hard indeed. We fund Lilac Rooms to support people through their cancer journey in all the major hospitals and across the Big C Centres in our region – the newest opened on the Dereham Road in Norwich last year. Our lounges provide an informative, comforting and calm space where those with cancer can be supported. We are told that they are highly valued by the staff, much appreciated by patients and constantly in use. Over the years we have bought equipment, funded research and sponsored education. Recently we have made a significant donation to Big C’s Nearer to Home Appeal, purchased projection equipment for the NNUH Oncology Department and donated £10,000 for a state-of-the art- research camera for the UEA’s School of Biological Sciences. And last year, a further £10,000 was donated to the new Boudicca Ward at the N&N Hospital – we will have our very own Lilac Treatment Room within that Ward which is being refurbished at the moment. Going forward, we have committed to funding a 4 year PHD programme in collaboration with the UEA – research of global significance to which we are proud to have our name linked. Additionally, we have committed support to Big C’s Nourish & Nurture nutrition and wellness programme, and – looking to support the whole family through their cancer journey – Lilac funds have been allocated this year for the creation of a Family Support programme in collaboration with the Jenny Lind Department at the NNUH.
Alongside Theresa and Gaye, there are 7 of us on the committee, all of whom want to thank you and your friends for the fabulous donations that you have made. Every penny that we raise is targeted to a specific project. All that we do is done voluntarily. But we could not succeed without our supporters, so ‘thank you’. Sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts – ‘thank you all’.
With kind regards,
Carolyn Claussen – on behalf of Theresa, Gaye and the Lilac Ladies
oasis norfolk 