Burlesque Seattle Press

Future tense: J. Von Stratton’s sleek and sexy fashion.

•07/21/2012 • Leave a Comment

Jamie Von Stratton in her own design (Photo Jiamin Zhu)

Jamie Von Stratton, the one woman show that is J. Von Stratton Designs, is throwing a big, beautiful benefit in a few months and everyone is invited. A full-fledged fashion show at the Triple Door is a rare occurrence- maybe even unprecedented? – but if anyone can mix retro-modern jet-setting designs, dinner, and larger than life performances within the subterranean depths of the Triple Door, it’s Jamie. The Fashion Presentation (benefiting Washington Women in Need) takes place this fall and is currently in its hatching stages: sequins are on order, fabric is being lovingly caressed, and grand ideas are feverishly being sketched for what Jamie hopes will be at least 25 full looks.

But there’s more to this show than meets the eye. As with her wearable creations, any project under Jamie’s direction will include a little something extra. Aerial, opera, drag, burlesque- if you can look good doing it, it might just be part of the show. Models and cast will include Ben DeLaCreme, opera diva Elizabeth Ripley, Heavenly Spies songstress Caela Bailey, Kitten LaRue and Lou Henry Hoover, aerialists Quynbi and Tanya Brno, and appearances by Miss Kitty Baby and the Pinup Angels.

Jamie, aka Honey D. Luxe from Seattle super-troupe The Atomic Bombshells, has been designing fashion and costumes for nearly a decade. She closed Agent X Clothing (her original Capitol Hill shop) in 2007 to revamp her line; today her one of a kind creations as J. Von Stratton range from impeccable, sleek custom designs to delectable gowns, dreamy wedding dresses, and of course, fantastical stage wear.

Kitten LaRue, Lou Henry Hoover, and Jamie (Photo by Jiamin Zhu)

The hand-signed postcards popping up all over town featuring a trio of color-blocked vixens (Jamie, Kitten LaRue, and Lou Henry Hoover) recently caught my eye. Jamie and I chatted for a few minutes last week on the underpinnings of her upcoming presentation:

BSP: How did you come up with the idea for this event?

JAMIE: I came up with the concept to do a show like this a few years ago. I rather liked the idea of producing my own solo fashion show, where the only guidelines were the limits of my imagination. I also wanted an opportunity to show audiences that I’m a designer outside of the burlesque world as well. I can create gorgeous sophisticated garments for all types of women. Granted, it will still have my ‘Larger Than Life’ style flare, but the garments will lean to the more wearable…with a few over the top looks, for sure! The only other limitation I face for this venture is budget. However, I’m REALLY excited to see what I can do with a supply budget less than 1K. So just imagine in the future, when I win a CFDA award….

BSP: Can you share a little about the non-profit that you’ve chosen?

JAMIE: The Non-Profit is Washington Women In Need, www.wwin.org. They offer grants to women living in a low income situation that need help. Or to single mothers who need assistance. It’s really great to be able to give back to a charity that helps our community here in the Northwest. As a performer and full time artist (and I think I can speak for a lot of us here) we’ve all been down that path of low-income living, so it’s easy to relate to the women who seek help from this organization.

BSP: Is there an overall theme to the garments you’re making- in other words, is it a collection you will be showing, or more of an individual piece kind of thing?

JAMIE: The show is set up to show theme-related looks, in between performances. I’m quite thrilled to be presenting this way. It’s really a nod to the vintage style of modeling (like in the film How to Marry A Millionaire). The girls will each have numbers during the show, and you can bid on the item based on the number. It’s going to be fun, and wild, and hopefully a crazy fun time! My themes range from vintage glamour, to neon avant-garde, to sequin gowns, a Swiss ski vacation in the 60s, and of course BRIDAL!

I have 14 days left [on the Kickstarter supply fund], so hopefully I can reach my goal, and possibly more!

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To visit Jamie’s Kickstarter or learn more about her and the event, visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/2142251928/j-von-stratton-fall-fashion-presentation. To purchase tickets, click HERE . You can also visit Jamie’s website over HERE.

The enchanting Lou Henry Hoover (Photo by Jiamin Zhu)

Jamie’s designs were featured at THAW Fashion Show (Kelly O Photography)

(Kelly O Photography)

Lou, Kitten, and Jamie (Photo by Jiamin Zhu)

Posted in Written by Jessica
Tags: J.Von Stratton, Kitten LaRue, Lou Henry Hoover, The Atomic Bombshells, Washington Women In Need

Girls on film: Waxie Moon on the big screen and behind the curtain with ‘Miracle!’

•07/17/2012 • Leave a Comment

See the Director’s cut Thursday, July 19 at the Rendezvous Jewelbox Theatre (Photo by POC)

As part of the Rendezvous Jewelbox Theatre’s “Burlesque Month” events, a never-before-seen director’s cut of Wes Hurley’s award-winning documentary Waxie Moon will be screened Thursday, July 19. The expanded version features extra performances and scenes culled from the hours and hours of footage Wes shot- performances that weren’t able to fit in the original version, but inspired him nonetheless. Wes says that a DVD release is imminent as well, and will likely include the extra footage.

Get tickets to the documentary’s last public screening in Seattle HERE. Proceeds will help to offset the costs of Wes’s next release, Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel– which looks to be a romp through the Emerald City with Waxie spanning three decades “as she learns the value of friendship, family and fashion.” Is that Nick Garrison as a suspiciously Klaus Nomi-like character? Could that be Jasper McCann breaking his placid exterior in a fistfight at 58 seconds? Wouldn’t you like to know….

Check out the trailer below- Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel premieres in Seattle in October.

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In other news- Miracle!, written and directed by Dan Savage, is at the Intiman Theatre now through August 25. The comedy was choreographed by Waxie Moon and ‘drag coached’ by Jinx Monsoon, who recently starred in Freedom Fantasia. What would happen if Helen Keller and the Seattle drag scene of the early 1990’s smashed into each other? Read more about it over at http://www.intiman.org/plays-events/festival/.

Posted in Written by Jessica
Tags: Miracle!, Waxie film, Waxie Moon, Wes Hurley

Picks of the (g)litter- July 11 edition.

•07/11/2012 • Leave a Comment

It’s been a busy week slinging lascivious interview transcripts and prepping for upcoming events and features, but we would be remiss not to point out this week’s picks for extraordinary happenings around Seattle:

First off: Vancouver’s Burgundy Brixx, recently returned from competing for “Miss Exotic World, 2012 Queen of Burlesque” at Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, makes a very rare, very special appearance TONIGHT (!!), July 11 at Intrigue (Mona’s Bistro & Lounge, 6421 Latona Ave NE, Seattle). Burgundy trained with Jo “Boobs” Weldon and was a regular performer at NYC’s Slipper Room. All of the mystery guests performing tonight have performed in the 2012 Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, so expect some top notch acts and beautiful showgirl plumage.

Next up, NYC’s Jonny Porkpie will teach this weekend at the Academy of Burlesque. Ever wonder if a man can twirl a tassel? How about an assel? Or for that matter, a tasticle? Find out what all these confusing, but oh-so-suggestive nouns refer to July 13 at West Hall with “Tassel-Twirling for Men (of All Genders)”. Get tickets HERE. You can also explore “The Boudoir of Ideas” on July 14, where Jonny will help free those twisted little ideas from the carefully concealed corners of your brain. Click HERE for tickets. (Private lessons are also available while NYC’s “Burlesque Mayor” is here July 12-18. Email registration@academyofburlesque.com to inquire). For those more inclined to voyeurism, sit back and watch Jonny do his thing as he guest stars with Sinner Saint Burlesque Thursday, July 12 at Noc Noc.

Also kicking off July 14 is Pink Light Burlesque, a program founded by the New York School of Burlesque and now debuting in Seattle. The program offers free classes to breast cancer patients and survivors. Classes are held in honor of original Burlesque Hall of Fame founder Jennie Lee, who passed away from breast cancer in 1990. Email registration@academyofburlesque.com to inquire. Classes will be held from 12pm-2pm July 14, July 21, July 28, and August 4 in Capitol Hill.

And last but not least- Saturday July 14:

Posted in Written by Jessica
Tags: Academy of Burlesque, Burgundy Brixx, Intrigue, Jonny Porkpie, Pink Light Burlesque

Jo Jo Stiletto lets her geek flag fly with the Summer of Nerdlesque.

•07/09/2012 • 5 Comments

Fruity Oaty Girls, Whedonesque Burlesque July 2011 (Photo by/courtesy of Geoff Carter)

~Written by Jo Jo Stiletto, Special Guest Contributor

It’s time to slowly pull your comic books out of their dust jackets, polish the Dalek and moisten up your joystick: it’s the Summer of Nerdlesque! More than just an emerging trend in neo-burlesque, Nerdlesque is a bona-fide “thing” and several Seattle producers are shamelessly letting their geek flags fly. It’s the nerd rapture! All your boobs are belong to US!

Since the beginning of the modern burlesque movement, performers have been creating lone geektastic acts- like our own Miss Indigo Blue and her well-researched Wonder Woman tribute. Now, around the world, nerdy themed troupes and shows are boldly going were few geek shows have gone before. They are selling out quickly, drawing fresh attention to the burlesque scene and helping transform the image of the nerd as a basement dwelling, sexless outcast.

Mae Kim Beg, Whedonesque Burlesque July 2011 (Photo by Geoff Carter)

New York, which has a short history of geeky themed shows, is currently home to successful nerd-focused troupes including Epic Win Burlesque, D20 Burlesque, Nerdlesque Burlesque, and Storybook Burlesque. Gorilla Tango Burlesque out of Chicago has an endless glittering stream of shows inspired by Super Mario Brothers, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, even Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. (In fact, they were just voted Best Burlesque Troupe of 2012 in a Chicago Reader poll). Here in the Northwest, Portland’s Critical Hit Burlesque recently celebrated a one year anniversary of exceptionally popular and well-produced shows like Burlynomicon or Geeklesque: Destroy All Humans.

Sophie Maltease of Critical Hit Burlesque, Portland (Photo by Jason Sampson)

Nerdlesque shows go beyond cheeky pop culture references and dive deep- very deep- into the heart of fandom. Fandom so pure and absolute in devotion that I feel these shows are doing what the burlesque community has been struggling with for years. They are bringing in new audiences excited by the idea of seeing their favorite fan obsessions tantalizingly brought to life. I sat down for a drink with a few producers after attending the recent sold out production of Behind the Blue Door: A Dr. Who Inspired Cabaret. Our conversation focused mostly on the genuinely happy and enthusiastic audience reaction and how many “non-scene”, aka new faces, were in the audience. Score. Two points to the nerds!

Last year I had the extreme pleasure of producing a little show called Whedonesque Burlesque. It would be an understatement to say I did not expect the response we received. A few years ago a production focused entirely on cult-television shows like Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer likely could have spelled certain doom for ticket sales in Seattle. Luckily, like many other producers around the country, I was delighted by the experience of a fast sell-out plus a cast and audience filled with so much damn glee I thought we might burst. The entire cast was later invited by GeekGirlCon to perform at the EMP/Sci Fi Museum as part of their first annual convention. While women in geek culture are struggling to find a voice, it seemed momentous and indicative of the strength of the growing trend of nerdlesque: a feminist nerd convention took a bold stand, embracing both burlesque and the notion that nerdiness can be sexy AND empowering.

Mercury Troy, Whedonesque Burlesque July 2011 (Photo by Geoff Carter)

There are three shows this summer in Seattle I’m particularly excited for, all being co-produced at the lovely Theatre Off Jackson. First, from the devious minds of Wiggy Stardust and Madeline Rider (aka Varilee Faux) we have FauxDust Presents Stark Naked: A Nerdlesque Tribute to A Game of Thrones. More than a live fanfiction, these producers are one hundred percent dedicated to exploring their love of both the HBO television series and the George R. R. Martin fantasy novels. I fully expect it to be a head-rolling good time.

The following weekend GeekGirlCon is hosting a night of video-game themed burlesque acts in a fundraiser aptly titled JOYstick! While I’ve personally only ever enjoyed playing Galaga and that weird DuckTales NES game, I’m still intrigued to see what happens when you mash together extreme love of gaming and sexy funtimes. Host Vanadium Silver says he wants the audience to remember gaming is “not the outfits or breast physics but the adventure one takes.” I’m still hoping they throw in an act based on the board game Settlers of Catan.

Finally, as the not-so humble producer, I’m terribly excited for this summer’s all new installment of Whedonesque Burlesque, which at the time of this writing is entirely sold out. I’ll not boast or brag about how amazing the cast is going to be. Instead, I’ll briefly pontificate on what nerdlesque means to me:

It’s brought back that shy nerdy part of myself I shamed into hiding. It’s allowed that girl, the one that made dioramas out of X-files action figures, to imagine that the world might actually be a better place with the Burle-X-Files. It gave me the opportunity to show a convention full of women that they can express themselves sexually and safely on the burlesque stage. Once, Wil Wheaton tweeted ME. Finally, it’s giving me reason to travel to the top of my new nerd mountaintop: the Whedon Studies Association’s Slayage Convention to hear a bona-fide smarty pants scholar present a paper on our little show. Say it with me: I’m a nerd. I’m proud. I can’t wait to show you!

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Jo Jo Stiletto fancies herself a nerdlesque historian. In addition to performing and producing, she’s written and presented on the subject for both Nerd Nite and GeekGirlCon. You can catch her presenting again at GeekGirlCon 2012 or hosting a “Nerdlesque Happy Hour” on Friday in the hospitality suite at BurlyCon 2012. Visit her at jojostiletto.com.

Paris Original as Cersei Lannister? (Need we say more?) Stark Naked: A Nerdlesque Tribute to A Game of Thrones

Violet Tendencies as Daenaerys Targaryen

Posted in Written by Jo Jo
Tags: Behind The Blue Door, Critical Hit, FAUXDUST, GeekGirlCon, Jo Jo Stiletto, JOYstick!, Stark Naked, Summer of Nerdlesque, Whedonesque Burlesque

What’s his problem? Behind the scenes with POC.

•07/07/2012 • 1 Comment

Sassy Delure (POC)

Every so often a photographer comes along that plays such an integral role in a movement that their presence is about as natural and vital as breathing. Someone so embedded in the arts that they become a pivotal part of it- effortlessly flowing through changes in performers, styles, and locales, taking it all in, and giving back a photographic history of a very specific time and place. New York City’s rock and rollers had Bob Gruen in the 70s, and Seattle burlesque for seven years and counting has had POC.

Let me begin by stating the obvious: POC- or Paul O’Connell- is my longtime partner here at Burlesque Seattle Press. Without his iconic images and unique point of view, BSP wouldn’t exist. Paul’s contribution to not only this blog, but to putting a face to the vibrant world of Seattle burlesque can’t be overstated. For that reason, I felt like it was high time to shake a little history out of the man himself.

But asking where he comes from, like many things when talking to Paul, leads back to burlesque.

Miss Indigo Blue (POC)

When we met for a “formal” interview in April we were, as usual, in a time crunch. Paul was scheduled to shoot the Academy of Burlesque Museum Archive Benefit, but before show time we sat down for some biographical questions (or to find out “what’s his problem?” as Paul so eloquently put it). Instead of the standard “I was born in…I’m originally from…” he launched right into when he first picked up a camera at 9 years old (as it turns out, this was in New York). Paul took pictures that summer but didn’t pursue it actively until years later, though photography always remained in the back of his mind. “I studied film production at Brooklyn College and finally graduated in 1999. In many of the film courses we were studying angles, depth of field…everything that fills up a frame to tell a story. The Mise En Scéne, for all you film nerds. So this knowledge was easily transferable to still photography.”

Dance Belt (POC)

“For years, I always wanted a camera,” he continued. “I would be walking down the street and would see something that I thought would be a great photo – and I would say ‘when I get my camera I’m just going to take it everywhere so I can be ready to grab that perfect shot’.”

Paul visited the Northwest and recalls thinking Seattle might be a place he could live. “I had also been thinking about starting something new, a new adventure somewhere out of NYC where I was born and raised,” he explained. “When the show I was working on at Oxygen Media got cancelled I was out of a job- so I figured ‘now’ would be the best time to move.” Photography meshed with his desire to explore a new direction, so he bought his first camera in April 2003 and moved to Seattle two months later. Once here, Paul began to avidly shoot everything from skies crossed by telephone lines to buildings and musicians.

Kylie Koyote (POC)

In 2005, a friend by the name of Ruby Caliente was performing in an Academy of Burlesque recital, and asked Paul to be her personal photographer. It was the first burlesque show he’d ever seen. Ernie Von Schmaltz, Ultra Vixen, host Miss Indigo Blue, and a fresh crop of enthusiastic students and their attendant screaming friends left quite an impression. “I left the show thinking so many things- this is so funny, and vibrant, and sexy, and silly, and dirty…” he remembers. Paul was intrigued. A few months later, Ruby asked him back to shoot an entire show: a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina featuring Tamara the Trapeze Lady, Lydia McLane, and Vienna La Rouge. By 2006 he was plugged into a hotbed of burlesque, taking in shows as often as he could from the Columbia City Theatre to the Fenix Underground and everywhere in between. At Rebar, he met a performer called The Shanghai Pearl who would later become a good friend and Paul’s very first studio model. (The makeshift shoot took place at Julia’s on Broadway using a few costumes, simple lighting, and Shanghai’s magical burlesque makeup). Throughout 2007, Paul continued to make a name for himself as he was invited to take pictures at more and more shows. His images were not only visually striking, but his familiarity with the performers’ acts helped hone his ability to capture the perfect moment or expression.

Waxie Moon (POC)

Since then, Paul’s live performance images as POC Photo (finished with a “special magic recipe”) have become his trademark, but he has also amassed a goldmine of studio sessions with both performers and non-performers. To an observer, the studio images are identifiable as Paul’s work- the movement and expression still dialed up to maximum volume- only the colors and finishes are richer, more dramatic and artful, and when he’s given license to go there, more provocative. Paul certainly loves those expressive eyes.

Annalee (POC)

Mercury Troy (POC)

I asked Paul about the dynamic of a one-on-one shoot as opposed to being a stage-side photographer; in his experience it’s always been comfortable and relaxed- especially if he meets with a potential subject beforehand to talk about what kind of images are desired. In a live setting, Paul is often so familiar with who he is taking pictures of that he instinctively knows when to snap the perfect shot (“When shooting Heavenly Spies, I know they’re going to do a leg kick,” he laughs). In the studio it’s more of a two-way partnership, plus Paul has another secret weapon in his corner- friend and stylist The Shanghai Pearl. Shanghai lends her invaluable hair, makeup, and styling expertise to many of the POC pin up shoots, helping to ease clients that have never previously posed for pin ups into striking a pose in style.

Paul wouldn’t say that what it takes to ‘capture the moment’ is easy, but he’s definitely been at it long enough to recognize the value in self-editing and a good economy of shots. He also loves burlesque more than anyone I’ve ever met.

And finding a beautiful person to photograph doesn’t hurt a bit, either.

Currently, Paul O’Connell can be found scribbling notes, doing interviews, or taking photos for POC Photo and Burlesque Seattle Press. He can occasionally be found in various states of debauchery on stage as alter ego Man Johnson. He is at work on an ongoing series of pulp novel re-creations and is developing a series of famous works of art including Pre-Raphaelites, the first subject of which was Jesse Belle-Jones. For studio inquiries, email poc2@mac.com or call 206-849-7817.

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“I feel lucky to consider Paul one of my dearest friends. He is one of the most exceptional humans I know. He is so gentle, generous, and kind. He lives his life on his own terms and treats others as equals without an agenda or angle. He’s also a talented photographer who works tirelessly on his craft and a smart, hilarious, and perverted performer. I love shooting with him. I trust him implicitly.”- The Shanghai Pearl

“Paul is a delightfully imaginative human who creates photos that are a charming mix of old Hollywood drama and polished burlesque glamour! Paul has perfected the art of capturing the magic moments in live burlesque shows. He is a beloved gem in our dazzling community.”- Kylie Koyote, Stripped Screw Burlesque

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What follows is a mix of my favorite icons, performers, non-performers, and pulp images from POC’s collection: