DJ in “financial ruin” after disco fireworks inferno

By Michael MacLeod

A HOGMANAY disco inferno was sparked when a top Scottish DJ launched two giant fireworks into a nightclub.

Fire rained onto the dancefloor from the ceiling of Edinburgh’s Luna club moments after the midnight bells between 2008 and 2009.

Some booze-fuelled clubbers danced around the falling flames chanting: “The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire.”

But others suffered burns after the fire melted a plastic cargo net on the ceiling, sending a stream of flames across the 650-capacity room.

DJ Jason Cortez claimed he was wrongly advised that the six-metre pyrotechnics were suitable for indoor use.

But a Sheriff slammed his “unbelievable attitude” today (Tuesday), saying it was fortunate nobody had died.

Big girls get ready to party

By Cara Sulieman
A NEW club night is starting up in Scotland – for “large ladies” only.

Big Girls Paradise is a clubbing sensation that has swept the country since the nineties, sadly leaving Scotland out.

But now a larger lady in Dumfries has organised the very first club night in Scotland for “big girls and the men who adore them.”

Kerry-Anne Jonsson – a size 28 – thinks it is important for women to get out of the house without fear of being ridiculed.

She said: “These nights are for women like myself and for men who like us the way we are so there is no need to fear you will be ridiculed.”

After watching a documentary about the club nights on Sky, Kerry-Anne realised it was something she wanted to be involved in.

She said: “It was something I was very passionate about. Being a bigger woman I have never had any problems.

“It has never stopped me doing anything I want to do and I want more big woman to feel more comfortable and confident about themselves.

“These nights are needed as society as it stands does not recognise bigger woman. Woman feel they can’t go out to clubs for the fear of being ridiculed and have pranks played on them by men.

“At least with these nights they can be who they want to be and the men who attend adore bigger woman.”

With no parties planned for Scotland, Kerry-Anne decided to get in touch with the founder, Linda Koch, and get the ball rolling.

Since starting in 1995, the nights have spread across the UK, with regular events in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle, amongst other places.

Linda Koch doesn’t feel as though people should be criticised for their weight, which is the main reason she set the organisation up.

She said: “I am a plus-sized woman but not because I sit on the couch all day. Your size doesn’t mean you are lazy; it could be medical in some cases.

“It should be a person’s own choice if they want to lose weight or stay the way they are. As long as it is not affecting their health why shouldn’t they be proud of their size?”

The scheme has had support from various organisations, including the size acceptance group Big People UK.

Jo Morley, from the group, said: “The word fat itself is an issue. It is used to insult people who are fat.

“How can you judge a person from their appearance without getting to know them?”

But others are worried that the club nights are encouraging people to be overweight, which may lead to health problems in the future.

Andy Carver, from the British Heart Foundation Scotland said: “It’s so important that people try to avoid becoming overweight and keep their waist measurement within the healthy range.”

The club night will be held at Locharbriggs Social Club in Dumfries on Friday 27 March.

Edinburgh dancing queen

By Cara Sulieman

A SCOTTISH dancing sensation has added yet another trophy to her collection after winning an international competition.

Tamara has wowed the crowds once again to win Disco Kid 2008

Tamara Robertson, ten, has clinched the crown at the Disco Kid 2008 dance-off in Blackpool.

The disco diva won a trip to Disneyland Paris after she danced circles around the 250 other competitors.

Tamara won the Association of Dance and Freestyle Professional World Championship last summer and has not looked back yet.

Disco Kid was attended by around 6000 people and included competitors from around the globe.

Tamara was not the only girl from her Quilietti School of Dancing to win a prize during the competition.

Fellow twinkle toes Blayne Leich, seven, also won a top prize and a trip to Disneyland.

The girls are now not only proud of themselves, but can also look forward to a magical trip to France.

Teacher Fiona Quilietti said: “I’m just so proud of the girls. The Disco Kid competition used to be a UK event but it’s grown into an international competition. To come out tops in the face of such competition is a great achievement.”