Your loss, suckers.

•09/20/2011 • Leave a Comment

Polly Wood and Rhonda J. Soikowski (Photos by kind permission of Chris Yetter)

The acclaimed Beebo Brinker marches on, starring scads of local performers, burlesquers, and boylesquers.  The award-winning play and accompanying series of cabarets and special events based on the iconic pulp novels of Ann Bannon continues this Thursday, September 22 through October 9.

One little news story really put a bee in my bonnet.

The story, picked up HERE by The Seattle Weekly’s blog, tells the ridiculous tale of how the producers of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles series met with some printing issues over their “content”. Unbelievably, this is the second time in recent months that a local printer has apparently refused work because of gay or lesbian material it found offensive. All I can say is…. your loss, suckers.

But in far, far better news…photographer Chris Yetter captured some absolutely stunning images from Beebo Brinker. Check out the images here, and for more of his unusual photos and arresting point of view (including shots from Zombie Walk and Wanderlust Circus), visit Chris at www.cjyphoto.com.

Opal Peachey and Christopher Dodge (Photo Chris Yetter)

Fuchsia FoXXX & Fuchsia FoXXX (Photo Chris Yetter)

Posted in Written by Jessica
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Stripped Screw Keeps It Up.

•09/16/2011 • Leave a Comment

Keep It Up with Stripped Screw Oct 8.

Stripped Screw’s first two years have been an unpredictable ride, not unlike hitching up with a pack of wanton dancers and disreputable (yet oddly beguiling) women with nothing but filthy intentions. But for all their devious ways, they’re also very left-brain individuals- the original cast has developed many significant side projects along the way.

But it all began with Stripped Screw. And now one of their own- Roxie Moxie- is about to relocate back to Austin, leaving the nest but definitely not leaving burlesque. Her last show with Stripped Screw- Keep It Up– is October 8 and will double as farewell show/birthday show for the troupe.

For fans of the Disney After Dark show, the ladies will be taking their act on the road with performances at the Capitol Theatre in Olympia (Sept 30) and the Star Theatre in Portland (Oct 1). The troupe has invited a few new guests, including Olympia and Portland performers for each show as well as the addition of new and expanded acts to make Disney an evening length event (the original show debuted earlier this summer at the Jewelbox).

Another endearing quality of Stripped Screw is their penchant for the irreverent side of burlesque mixed with sexy comedic muscle. Sometimes they bring to mind references that may be intentional…or maybe not. For instance, in the promotional video for their upcoming Disney after Dark mini-tour, Kutie La Bootie is a princess gone wrong that brings to mind the actress Diane Ladd in David Lynch’s classic Wild At Heart…

Diane Ladd in Wild At Heart: a pretty princess...

...and just look what happens once alcohol is added.

Here’s the Stripped Screw Disney teaser, featuring Kutie La Bootie as the drunken princess:

Get tickets to see Stripped Screw in Keep It Up by clicking HERE

Posted in Written by Jessica
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Charlotte & Kaylin make the paper in New Orleans; Mona’s dips into Intrigue at home.

•09/14/2011 • Leave a Comment

Portland's Charlotte Treuse in the French Quarter (Photo by Kaylin Idora)

The biggest national burlesque news this week is the upcoming New Orleans Burlesque Festival, which was founded in 2009 and gets bigger and more glamorous every year. The burlesque “wheel” taking shape among the festivals across the country is creating a solid circuit of venues and cross-pollinated communities from coast to coast and beyond. The quickly growing national network is creating more opportunities for burlesque performers to tour, as well as the elusive ability to support themselves along the way. It’s a win-win situation for performers, as well as for purveyors of burlesque and cabaret on a national level. Things just keep getting better with our self-powered, creative community.

But back to the great state of Louisiana. The New Orleans Burlesque Fest made the front page of The Times-Picayune’s Entertainment section this week, starring our sister city of Portland’s very own Charlotte Treuse. The photographer, Kaylin Idora, is one of the best in the business and has created beautiful portraits of everyone from Charlotte to Coco Lectric to stunning performance images of the likes of Catherine D’lish.

Here’s the cover of the New Orleans paper (featuring the original photo, above):

Congrats to Charlotte Treuse & Photographer Kaylin Idora for making a beautiful front page.

For more information on Kaylin’s work, click HERE, and for the beauty and bounty of the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, click HERE.

Stay tuned for pix and reporting from BSP contributor Paul O’Connell (POC Photo) after the New Orleans Burlesque Festival….

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Tonight in Seattle, the swanky Mona’s Bistro & Lounge dares to show a little skin with their monthly Intrigue show- this month’s dalliance is called The Scintillation of September. Burlesque Seattle Press hasn’t been over there yet to check it out, but it’s fair to say that fine dining and cocktails mixed with low lighting and fleshy parts usually pique our collective interest. Perhaps Mona’s will be the new carrier of the torch that Miss Indigo Blue began with her stint curating the former Blue Moon Cabaret at the Pampas Room (Julie Atlas Muz, Jo Weldon, Catherine D’lish, and many others performed on those high-end, but highly worthwhile shows).

Tonight’s Mona’s lineup is tantalizing:

Jesse Belle-Jones, The Modern Sexual Intellectual
Randi Rascal, Your Own Private Radical
Rosie Cheex, of Tacoma’s Gritty City Sirens
Persephone Illyri, Seattle’s Goddess in Glitter
Host Richard Monarch

Here are the details:

Intrigue: The Scintillation of September @ Mona’s (6421 Latona Ave NE, Seattle)

Intrigue @ Mona’s is an upscale night of dancing and drinking, hosted in the secluded ambiance of Mona’s Bistro & Lounge. Enjoy stiff, specialty cocktails and happy hour tapas served by Mona’s infamous bar staff, as our sultry burlesque stars enchant and amuse you.

A complimentary amuse bouche will be served at intermission. After the show, the music takes over — join us as the lounge transforms into a private dance floor.

$7 Cover — 10:00 pm

Whose legs are these? You'll have to visit to venture a guess...

Posted in Written by Jessica
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BurlyCon 2011 Classes Posted!

•09/09/2011 • Leave a Comment

Kellyportfolio Illustrations, Kelly Brownlee.

– Written by Madeline Rider (Contributor, Seattle)

The fourth annual incarnation of Miss Indigo Blue and Jo Weldon’s educational and social conference BurlyCon will be taking place October 20-23, 2011 at the Double Tree SeaTac Inn. The departure from their home of three years in the heart of Downtown Seattle has opened the door to more presenters, more classes, and more panels and it’s clear by this year’s schedule, the programming committee is taking advantage of the venue change.

As indicated on the website, the conference provides an opportunity for performers to focus on “networking, education, and social activities”, which in and of itself, foster the essential bonds unique to the burlesque world. Seemingly drawing inspiration from this year’s emotionally charged Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, BurlyCon’s classes have not only increased in quantity but also display added emphasis on interpersonal dialogue and community building. Examples of such include Ophelia Flame’s “Calm the Fuck Down! Overcoming Anxiety” and Lori Madison aka Madison Moone’s “That’s My Boa, Betch! Non-Violent Communication Practices for Performers and Producers”.

In addition to the these enlightened discussions, attendees of BurlyCon will again have the chance to hear experienced neo-burlesquers and legends weigh in on panels such as “Cougarfest: Aging and Burlesque”, “Disability/Body”, “Double Identity: Burlesque and the Day Job”, “On The Road: Touring”, “Parenting”, “Producing Large Events”, and “Sex Work”. Social events are held each evening of the conference!

Find a full class listing and registration at www.burlycon.org. Tickets to BurlyCon 2011 are currently priced at $275 and will increase on October 20th to $375. Can’t make it to the entire conference and still want to be a part of this spectacular event? Contact the BurlyCon Volunteer Coordinator at vol@burlyconseattle.com.

Waxie Moon teaching at BurlyCon (Photo POC)

A panel At BurlyCon (Photo Don Spiro)

THIS IS IT! The Burlesque Community’s educational and social convention

BURLYCON IS BACK!

For the fourth stellar year, BurlyCon is back for 2011! Attendees glowed about last year’s amazing schedule of offerings and round-the-clock fun. With over 100 classes taught by over 25 instructors, BurlyCon is the place to amp up your game! Once again we offer you Peer Reviews to receive real, immediate feedback about your works-in-progress. And once again we offer lots of opportunities for social activities, downtime, and networking with your peers.

EXCITING CHANGES FOR 2011!

• Everything is onsite at our new, larger hotel! Great guest rooms, onsite restaurants and cafe, and outdoor hot tub! Super-convenient location with affordable rates near the Sea-Tac Airport and the Light Rail!
• Simplified pricing and ticketing with GREAT discounts off the Day-Of-Event costs!
• Bigger Marketplace with even more great Burlesque-oriented Vendors!

NEW TO BURLYCON? WELCOME!
BurlyCon is an annual Burlesque Educational convention that provides educational offerings, professional growth and in-person social networking for the Burlesque Community. Our aim is to further the development and historical knowledge of this rare American art form that is experiencing a popular resurgence worldwide. Unlike other Festivals and Expos that highlight Burlesque performance, this weekend-long gathering contains no show and no audience. Rather, all activities at BurlyCon are focused on the behind-the-scenes components of Burlesque: building skills, deepening knowledge, and growing as a community.

Register now at www.burlycon.org

Visit Burlesque Seattle Press while we attend to Hospitality on Saturday, October 22nd from 11:00am until 1:00pm!

Posted in Written by Madeline
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DANCE BELT gets into the groove. Dixie celebrates her 85th in style.

•09/07/2011 • Leave a Comment

As summer days begin to get the tiniest bit shorter and the long, lazy vacations of Labor Day weekend become a distant memory, there’s still some juicy burlesque news to report:

Beginning September 15, DANCE BELT USA (yes, the oh-so-nimble Pop-Culture Movement featuring Waxie Moon, Lou Henry Hoover, Inga Ingénue, and Ruby Mimosa) tackles one of the most sublime and original showgirls of the modern era- Madonna. It’s about time someone had a little fun with the Material Girl’s moves and gave credit where credit is due.

And on the first day, there was Madonna. (Photo by Steven Meisel)

Here’s the basics:

Century Ballroom & DANCE BELT Present:

DANCE BELT Loves Madonna: A Music Video Choreography Class Series

No single female pop star has been idolized, imitated, loved or hated as much as the one and only Madonna! Dance Belt proudly pays homage to the trail-blazing Material Girl with their all-new class series featuring the ’80s-tastic moves from her best dance videos.

Thursdays 7:30 – 9pm. September 15 – October 20, 2011
West Hall in Oddfellows Building, 915 E Pine Street on 2nd floor, Seattle
$20 drop-in; $80 for 5-class series ($75 for early registration!)
Register at www.CenturyBallroom.com

Learn the choreography to Madonna’s best classic dance videos with DANCE BELT!

* Sept 15: “Lucky Star”
* Sept 22: “Holiday”
* Sept 29: “Open Your Heart”
* (Oct 6: NO CLASS)
* Oct 13: “Express Yourself”
* Oct 20: “Vogue”

DANCE BELT, “Seattle’s Best Dance Class” (Seattle Magazine, 2010) and “The Best Way to Unleash Your Inner Diva” (Seattle Weekly, 2010), is a burlesque/dance super-group comprised of Waxie Moon, Inga Ingénue, Lou Henry Hoover (aka Ricki Mason), and Ruby Mimosa! http://www.DanceBeltUSA.com

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In Las Vegas burlesque news, Legend Dixie Evans celebrated her 85th birthday at the Royal Resort on September 3. Guests included Tempest Storm, Kitten Natividad, Shannon Doah, and many others including Seattle’s own Miss Indigo Blue, Angie Pontani, and Kitten on the Keys.

Check out the full story in the Las Vegas Sun HERE, as well as tons of great photos from Denise Truscello:

Happy birthday to burlesque legend Dixie Evans! (Photo by Denise Truscello/ DeniseTruscello.net)

Posted in Written by Jessica
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