Viva Burlycon
Dee Milo, Burlycon 2010 panelist and honored guest (photo Brian Smith)
The big wheel of Burlycon- the annual conference for burlesque performers, fans, and aficionados- has started to turn, with every successive year picking up steam and circumference like a beautiful burlesque Katamari. (Scantily clad legs, feather fans, notebook-wielding aerialists, and sex work educators quivering and flailing as the conference rolls on).
Amusing visual images aside, the 2010 Curators- Miss Indigo Blue (Headmistress of the Academy of Burlesque in Seattle) and Jo Boobs (Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque)- have lined up a hefty agenda of workshops and panels for aspiring artists and those that seek a little guidance and self-improvement in the business. Unlike other national events, there is no contest or pageant- the purpose of the conference is education and community.
Well-known jetsetters will be out in full force: recent Baltimore-to-NYC transplants Trixie Little & The Evil Hate Monkey give feedback and advice on being present in performance, Jonny Porkpie (co-creator/producer of NYC’s Pinchbottom Burlesque) teams up with Heidi Von Haught on “Humor for Ecdysiasts”, and Exotic World title winner Kristina Nekyia teaches “Get Bent! Circus-Style Flexibilty”. Michelle L’amour, Franky Vivid, Tigger!, Catherine d’Lish, Pyra Sutra, and The World Famous *BOB* also share nuggets of wisdom. Living legend Dee Milo will co-host a panel on “The Allure Of Vintage”, and for lighter fare, Monk and SEAF’s Clayton Hibbert will school the masses on “Stage Combat”.
Seattle and Portland troupes represent the Northwest, taking turns in the trenches of the hospitality area. Attendees might be so lucky as to be served punch by Stripped Screw, nibble a finger sandwich with Sinner Saint, or get a little old-fashioned charm from Rose City Shimmy (PDX) or Gorelesque Girls.
My pick for best class title? “Performance Art Burlesque: or, What Did She Just Pull Out of Her Pussy?” (Friday afternoon with Darlinda Just Darlinda)
Burlycon takes place October 14-17 in Seattle. For all things Burlycon, including a printable schedule, visit this BURLYCON 2010 link
Burlesque Seattle Press 