Monday, 8 September 2014

Fuzzfest Success


Thanks to everyone who helped, competed and attended BeerdFest for World Beard Day 2014!

Pictured is our winner of Best Beard Michael Legge who travelled all the way across from Rotherham, Yorkshire to take away the most coveted award of the evening, and deservedly so ^_^

Other winners were: Martin Doherty from Crosby for Best Moustache, Michael Wallage from Derbyshire for Best Partial Beard, Delia Brady-Jacobs from Liverpool for Best Fake, Steve Walsh from Liverpool for Beard Worth Talking About, Dean Palmer from Wallasey for Baltic BILF and Mycroft Milverton from Liverpool for Best BeerdFester - phew! that's a whole lotta catwalks!

Thanks especially to my beardfancying compadre Becky Pope from Constellations and all the other judges - Roger Phillips, David Dade and Cutthroat Pete - for giving up their time...
Much thanks to the tech Tom, DJ Richie Vegas and pappers Hannah Cassidy, Kayley Cope, Jim Moody, Dave Colbran, Adrian Wharton, Gary Phillips and Dave Walker ensuring we have awesome pics to go with our happy memories this weekend...
And thanks muchly to my musical pals Joe Kelly, Neildsy, Me and Deboe, Derek King, Kyle Lee, Darren Eedens - who just about made it travelled up from sunny Wales - and Liz Owen who all showed up to share their many talented energies to make the festival the best ever - onwards and upwards to 2015 now ^_^

I'll keep sharing pics from the big day as I get through them and update how much we raised for CALM as soon as we know...

If you're in Liverpool or surrounding areas, do join me for a recovery beer with the Liverbeards in the Baltic Fleet Tuesday September 30th from 7pm

Thursday, 4 September 2014

A winner's perspective...


We caught up with last year's winners Mycroft (Freestyle champ) and Dave (Partial champ)...

What did you most enjoy about taking part?


Mycroft: I enjoy the whimsy of it. Celebrating something everyday and mundane in a reverential fashion. I love that the beard has the power to bring together and unite people from all walks of life and interests.

Dave: Simply being part of a warm, friendly gathering and meeting new and interesting folk, topped off by a message from a true legend. Seriously, how many people have ever chinned a polar bear in their tent?

Brian Blessed returns this year as patron for the contest & has sent us goodies for the winners! - Ed.

What are your winning tips?

Mycroft: There's a lot of astounding beards in the contest. Character is essential. Be impressive, be memorable!

Dave: Revel in Your eccentricity! 










Will you be returning this year to defend your title?


Mycroft: Yes I will. The contest is getting tougher every year though. Of course I would love to win a hat trick but I'm facing some rather bristling competition this year.

Dave: I hope to defend my title this time round, it would be nice to win but it's not just about that eh?

Who is your beard-spiration?


Mycroft: Grizzly Adams, Yoffy and my dad!

Dave: My friend Mark Wainy Wain and the wonderful Brian Blessed!


Wednesday, 3 September 2014

BeerdFest Guide


Coming to BeerdFest this Saturday September 6th at Constellations Liverpool on #worldbeardday? Here's what you need to know about how the day works whether you're taking part in the beard and moustache contest or simply in the crowd helping beards win points & enjoying a good mingle!

Overview
Thank you for your interest in BeerdFest 2014.  Your commitment to beards and general awesomeness is noted. BeerdFest is honoured you have chosen to give up your free time to support our hirsute pursuits. The purpose of this event is to increase positive vibes for awesome beards in our community, support men’s mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and to have fun. 

Our event begins at 3pm with a beard grooming masterclass from our judge Cutthroat Pete, then at 4pm beard making and facepainting then 5pm don't miss out on pre-contest pampering for all from Lush Spa Liverpool

3-6pm there's also live acoustic music from awesomely talented BeerdFest friends together with a beard-friendly marketplace featuring soaps, oils, balms and other treats. 

Contesting in the four main categories begins at 7pm and the winners will be announced at 10pm. 

Winners receive a goody bag including prizes from Brian Blessed, Pistonhead Lager, The British Beard Club, Independent Liverpool, Rennies Arts & Crafts and other beardy treats. And respect, of coursicles ;) 

We ask that competitors arrive by 5pm to register and mingle, with 6pm the deadline for contestant registrations. 

If you're coming to enjoy the show, tis up to you when you arrive but the earlier the better as it will offer you the opportunity to see all the competitors up close before official proceedings and hopefully make new friends.

The Process
Each contestant gets their ‘moment in the sun’ on the TashWag Catwalk. They take to the stage and present themselves first to the judges, then to the crowd. 
Contestants will then wait on stage in a line-up until all contestants have presented themselves.
This process is repeated for each category. 
The winner and 2 runner up places for each category are announced at the end of the contest.

Note: In the event of a tie-break the TashWag has the deciding vote.

Categories
Partial
Moustache
Fake
Beard

Criteria
Judges will be voting on:
Length                                   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Density                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Presentation (ie. effort, awesomeness, style)
                                                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Shape/ Creativity              1 2 3 4 5
Crowd Response               1 2 3 4 5

Fake contestants have a slightly different score card:

Creativity                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Presentation (ie. effort, awesomeness, style)
                                                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Daring                                   1 2 3 4 5
Crowd Response               1 2 3 4 5 

Partial
Length shows a commitment to the competitor’s partial facial hair. Sideburns, goatees, mutton chops etc can all be creatively decorated to be rewarded in extra points.

Moustache
Moustache hair is the slowest growing facial hair so length shows further commitment than in other categories. No additional facial hair is permitted on the jaw or lower lip.

Fake
These fakers create their own beard or moustache from any material. It can be real hair, pinecones, roses, popcorn or whatever the heart desires. The winning fake should be a work of art and something to be admired.

Beard
Growing a full natural beard is a testament to patience, good genetics, and good maintenance. Many beards hit capacity length where they can’t grow beyond a certain point because of breakage. Length should be highly regarded, but so should colour, density, and general awesomeness of the beard. No styling products allowed.

Special Award from Roger Philips:
Beard Worth Talking About
This should be one of the most fun categories. Open to both official contestants and audience members. This winner should have the most interesting beard, real or otherwise. Creativity is the key with this freestyle category and anything goes. Styling products and props are allowed.
There are no runners up in this category.

Other awards on the night include:
Best BeerdFester – awarded by the TashWag

Baltic BILF – awarded by the TashWag 
Beard Blind Date - if you want a beardy blind date, sign up when you arrive and the TashWag will endeavour to hook you up! 

Constellations is 35-39 Greenland St, Liverpool off Jamaica St in the Baltic Triangle, its free to participate and just £3 entry otherwise, raising cash for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). 


Sunday, 31 August 2014

beards are boss



There has been much talk of beards being merely a hipster trend, something that will be cast aside as soon as the next cool-because-it-isn't-cool comes around (see nerd glasses and tweed for details).

Except the difference between beards and trendy accessories is each one is unique. Sure, your beard-spiration might be David Beckham's musketeer look, or Tim Howard's World Cup effort, or even Cali-sensation Incredibeard, but still what grows out of your own face is just that, your very own.

The thing that nobody wants to talk about is who is behind the hating on beards. Aside from the obvious dip in razor sales and a few female dissenters, beard envy has more to answer for than you think. Over and over again I hear stories from men with jobs that no reasonable reason would prevent them from growing their beard as long as they wish. Almost always the reason they are forced to shave or keep a short beard is a man who can't grow his own.

Emasculation ladies and gentlemen. I don't wish to force beards on those who don't wish to grow them, but surely it is every man's right to grow one if he so chooses? And just because you don't like them or can't grow one yourself should not give you carte blanche to take away the joy of beards from all others!

Beards in music often represent a moment of freedom, the time when an artist can be unshackled from a more commercial clean cut image. The Beatles gave good beard once they threw off their boyband look and more recently Jared Leto left being a chiselled chin for Hollywood for rock and roll beardy times.

So don't listen to the nay-sayers, beards are boss. Sure it might not be for you, but at least give it a try, YOLO style and free your follicles! Certainly make sure to congratulate a man with a fine beard when you see one, for such a thing requires patience, commitment and creativity.
BeerdFest, Liverpool's beard and moustache contest is on Saturday 6th (#WorldBeardDay) at Constellations from 3pm til late. Beards, beer and music - what's not to love? #beardsareboss

Monday, 25 August 2014

BeerdFest: The Musicmakers


BeerdFest is made up of my three favourite things: beards, beer and music! This time around we've got a fantastic acoustic afternoon of musics to accompany the beard making and grooming workshops pre-contest at our home this year Constellations...

Join us from 3pm and hear the delights of my good self aka SheBeat, K'sChoice hisself Derek King, Chester's dynamic duo Me and Deboe, the one and only Neildsy, a bearded Kyle Lee & the mexican walking fish, all the way from Canada eh? Darren Eedens & his fine moustache, and Liverpool's sexiest blues man Joe Kelly ^_^

Followed by at 7pm the only beard contest in town hosted by moi - the tashwag - and starring the best facial hair in town ya'll ^_^ Did you register yet? Or will you be a winner BeerdFester?  This year we'll be giving prizes out to not only Best Beard Moustache Partial and Fake, but also for Best BeerdFester, Baltic BILF and Beard Worth Talking About !

With Saturday Sept 6th less than 2 weeks away now, I can't wait! Hope to see you all there, bearded or otherwise xo


Monday, 11 August 2014

What is a BeerdFest?

Beards, beer and music that's what! ;)

On September 6th hundreds of bearded brothers and supportive sisters will get together to find out who has the Best Beard and Moustache in Liverpool at BeerdFest 2014

Liverpool's favourite Beard and Moustache Contest is back for a third time, at Liverpool's newest event space Constellations offering beer and respect to winners, register NOW to take part!


CATEGORIES this year are:
Best Beard
Best Moustache
Best Partial Beard
Best Fake (Beard, Moustache or Partial)

To enter the contest all you need to do is email your category of choice to beerdfestliverpool @ gmail.com

This year we'll have even more special awards on the night for both contestants AND audience members including Beard Worth Talking About, BALTIC BILF and Best BeerdFester ^_^

The contest in September is FREE to take part, and just £3 to attend. BeerdFest was dreamed up in 2012 and I'm proper thrilled with the popularity of the festival. This time around, Brian Blessed is back with some treats for festival goers, BBC Merseyside's bearded phone-in king Roger Phillips is joining our panel of judges, as too will the President of The British Beard Club, David Dade. The hirsute pursuit is strong in Liverpool - and beyond - and we're proud to celebrate the most creative and stylish out there!

And it's not just for boys, the Best Fake award (for ladies and babyfaces) is hotly contested, very creative and most entertaining! Reigning champ Claire 'Fur' Freeman has announced her plan to return: "Don't know what I can do to beat last year, but I'm hoping for to defend my title."

Prizes this year will include goodies from Swedish beer outfit Pistonhead Lager, Liverbeards, bearded barber to the stars CutThroat Pete, The British Beard Club, Independent Liverpool, Rennies Gallery and Moose Coffee.

BeerdFest is proud to support men's mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) for the second year running. Campaigner Simon Howes says: "With suicide now the biggest killer of men under 50 in this country, it is brilliant to see such a great partnership between BeerdFest and CALM continuing. Every year it gets bigger and better, much like some of the beards that enter, and we're thrilled to be able to work with such a great bunch of men and women who love their beards and care about men's wellbeing."

So that's whay it is and with live music and ace peoples - what's not to love? See you there! xo

Sunday, 10 August 2014

MEET the judges... ^_^

Roger Philips - BBC Radio Merseyside's bearded phone in king! 
Becky Pope - beard enthusiast & Constellations woman who can!
David Dade - only El Presidente of The British Beard Club!
Cut Throat Pete - bearded barber to the stars!









BeerdFest asked: Why are you involved with BeerdFest?

Roger: Because it’s such a quirky idea

Pete: I am a passionate barber/beard groomer. I have a strong interest in beards and like to help out with events that happen in my city as much as possible.

David: The British Beard Club was founded in 2008 to celebrate and support all bearded men of these islands and indeed the world. I feel that every man should grow out his beard at least once in his life, and BeerdFest is a wonderful way for bearded men and their admirers to get together, make friends, show off and celebrate their beards!

Becky: It's a welcome excuse to spark up conversation with handsome bearded strangers  in the street... but my biggest  inspiration was my Grandad and his true airforce whiskers. He was my hero and the influence behind Constellations too, so it's an honour to hold BeerdFest this year.

What do you think makes a winning contestant? 


Becky: For me it's all about the beard pride.

Pete: A winning contestant needs to have a well groomed beard, full coverage, a good symmetric shape.

David: It's all about presentation. One man's admirable beard can be very different to another, so it's the style of the whole package that the judges look for in each category. Beard Competitions are great fun to take part in as well, and not to be taken too seriously, so it's the "taking part" and the camaraderie of the beard brotherhood that makes Beerdfest a great event.

Roger: The most unusual, imaginative and/ or decorative beard or moustache

Favourite well known beard?
Pete: Ricki Hall is pretty famous now i guess... He brought the beard into the mainstream and inspired a lot of guys to grow. Zach Galifianakis has a pretty famous beard too, his is a good strong beard...

David: I have many favourite beards among our members, non-members and celebrities, so there are simply too many great beards around to pick out just one as a favourite!

Roger: Has to be Brian Blessed’s!

Becky: Captain Birdseye

What are you most looking fwd to on Sept6?

Pete: To seeing some great beards on display, it will be interesting to see how many women have beards too ^_^ oh, and a few beers... Can't have a Beerdfest and not enjoy a beer ;)

David: To meeting both old and new bearded faces and their admirers. It's a great opportunity to make new friends and maybe gather some new members to The British Beard Club and our wonderfully successful thatch, The Liverbeards.

Roger: The beer of course!

Becky: The turnout and atmosphere at last year’s show was incredible and I cant wait for round 3!

See you at Constellations, Saturday September 6th ^_^ #beardsareboss