Burlesque Seattle Press

Keeping the Glitterati Safe: Seattle Burlesque Community Leaders Sponsor Self-Defense Training

•05/08/2014 • 4 Comments

A knockout blonde by Gil Elvgren

~ by Crystal Tassels, BSP Contributing Writer

This Saturday, the Seattle burlesque community will converge upon the Theatre Off Jackson. There will be no feathers, no sequins, no performances, and no sparkles (except maybe residual ones from the night before, because one is never glitter-free). Instead, the Emerald City sparkle tribe will be learning to protect itself, set boundaries, and feel safe while taking part in Seattle’s vibrant nightlife.

There are two main reasons why the Performers’ Self-Defense Workshop is important. First off, it’s a dangerous world out there. Between muggings, a string of recent car break-ins, and the occasional post-show creeper, being out late at night can be stressful. Secondly, this workshop is the product of the generosity and collaboration of our community leaders. When I think of these organizations and individuals, I imagine them all in sequined capes and leotards, swooping down from the sky in response to some rhinestoned bat symbol like the Stripper Justice League*. This gives me extremely special feelings. So thank you.

Professor of Nerdlesque Jo Jo Stiletto gave us a bit of background on how this workshop came together. I’ll let her take it from here:

“We are doing this for all the right reasons. We care about each other. We want each other to feel safe as we are out there doing our jobs and making the world a wee bit more magical. I am probably doing this 50% for the right reasons (see previous) and 50% for the wrong reasons (aka, taking a self-defense workshop from a former International Ms. Leather is way hot).

This really started as a conversation in [the Shanghai Pearl’s] kitchen. I don’t know how we jumped onto the topic of putting together a self-defense workshop. I think Shanghai and Lamalani [Silverts, a self-defense instructor as well as the aforementioned International Ms. Leather 2009] may have discussed it before. They started the seeds and I just offered the elbow grease.

In that first conversation, I recall my personal thoughts being on an attack that drag performer Robbie Turner had described in local media late in 2013. Then, in early March, there was a story about Ade [Connere] being attacked and a few other horrible incidents. My reaction was very swift: why can’t we make a workshop happen? That’s the day I wrote a few quick emails. Out of bad things we will make good. It is the way of the sparkle people.

Do you know how long it took to get people to say yes and lay the groundwork? About an hour.

Lamalani said yes. She lives in another state but she said she wanted to make this happen. Shanghai said yes; she’d help organize. Lamalani spoke with another former instructor from Home Alive, Janet Miller. Janet said yes. I wrote to a handful of ‘friends of burlesque’ and asked if they might consider sponsoring to help cover the costs. I wanted to keep this free to participants. They said yes. So I wrote to more people. I wrote to venues. And they said yes. Support was rapid and generous.

The first spark was easy. The rest was just organization, finding a space, and nitty-gritty details. I can do details. The rest was our community stepping up to help out.

Highway 99 Blues Club (highway99blues.com)
Stripped Screw Burlesque (strippedscrewburlesque.com)
Theatre Off Jackson (theatreoffjackson.org)
The Shanghai Pearl (theshanghaipearl.com)
Tuesday Tease (tuesdayteaseseattle.com)
Miss Kitty Baby Burlesque (misskittybaby.com)
The Mayor of Seattle Burlesque
Smooches and Science Present (https://www.facebook.com/SmoochesAndScience)
StellR Films (https://www.facebook.com/StellRFilms)
Jo Jo Stiletto Events (jojostiletto.com)

Please note: The Re-Bar offered their space, too. But, well, I have keys to TOJ and scheduling worked out.

All expenses are covered. We are providing compensation and travel stipends for our instructors, just like we should.

Registration is limited but those people listed above did provide enough financial support we will likely be able to do this again.”

The Performers’ Self-Defense Workshop will take place in the gallery above TOJ this Saturday at 1:00 PM. If you’re interested in attending, you can register for free here. Please note that participants must be over 21 and are required to sign a safety waiver.

*(Author’s note: The Justice League did not use a bat symbol, they assembled. Only Batman uses a bat symbol. Everyone knows that.)

Posted in Written by Crystal
Tags: International Ms. Leather 2009, Jo Jo Stiletto, Lamalani Siverts, Performers’ Self-Defense Workshop, Shanghai Pearl, Theatre Off Jackson

Riding the Walrus – Cultivating Wider Audiences with The Libertinis

•04/25/2014 • Leave a Comment

Miz Melancholy of The Libertinis (DangerPants Photography for Annex Theatre)

~ by Crystal Tassels, BSP Contributing Writer

We at BSP, naturally, love burlesque. We go out of our way to see as much of it as we can. We write stripteases in our heads in the shower, drool over photos of glitzy costumes when we should be working, and in cold weather, catch ourselves practicing glove removals in inappropriate places (usually on public transit). We love burlesque because it is expressive, gorgeous, artful, and evocative.

But not everyone knows this. In some places, burlesque is still a dirty word: a “low” art that is more about the bodies of those who perform it than the performance itself. For this reason, even some art and performance enthusiasts are reluctant to extend their appreciation to the BurlyQ.

One of the greatest challenges we face as a community is increasing our reach. How do we expose ourselves (pun intended) to the uninitiated? How do we broaden our audiences and show them the depth and thoughtfulness of our art?

Here in Seattle, boundary-pushing arts collective The Libertinis have a strategy that seeks to address these quandaries. The group’s ridiculous, sincere, and highly physical works of art combine burlesque with theater, clowning and storytelling, making for a comfortable first foray into the world of striptease. Their work is produced by both the Annex and Pocket theaters, which allows them to tap into the talent and support of Seattle’s thriving theater scene. By accessing communities of theater-goers that are already patrons of the arts, The Libertinis hope to introduce burlesque to larger, more diverse and dedicated audiences.

In light of the group’s upcoming spectacle, Gone WILD: A Savage Romp Through the Animal Kingdom, I caught up with The Libertinis’ Hattie Hellkat and Tootsie Spangles to get a better idea of how they are bridging the gap between theater and burlesque. Produced by Annex Theater, their new show is a hysterical amalgam of clowning, theater, and striptease that unfolds in the form of a nature documentary.

The Libertinis started on their genre-melding quest by approaching theaters. Once they had a show proposal together, they sat down with local fringe-favorite Annex Theater. “We said, ‘Listen, you guys already rent out [your stage] to burlesque producers’,” said Tootsie Spangles. “’You’re burlesque friendly. Let’s capitalize on that relationship…and hopefully we can share audiences.’” The second theater they approached, Pocket Theater , had been missing burlesque from their repertoire entirely and was excited to inject some sparkle into their company.

In addition to the draw of glamming up their offering, the concept of audience sharing was enticing to the theaters that the group approached. Not only would the burlesque shows potentially be seen by the venues’ theater-going regulars, but the theater companies’ other productions could draw on audience members that initially came for the burlesque; a sparkly symbiosis of reciprocal crowd mustering.

Casting for the show pushes this artistic cross-pollination even further by incorporating the talents of not only Seattle burlesque stars, but also a cast of thespians with little prior exposure to the ecdysiast world. When asked what they thought about burlesque during the audition, many of the theater people described “fancy ladies taking off fancy clothes.” One actor described their understanding of burlesque by half stating, half asking, “I see…fancy feathers?” The producers were excited by the lack of experience and the opportunities it presented for dialog and exploration.

“I think there was a little bit of titillation with our people who are primarily from theater backgrounds,” said Hattie Hellkat. “[They were asking,] ’Are we going to have to do burlesque?’” Of course, disrobing was not compulsory, but for those cast members who were curious about the art of the peel, Gone WILD was a safe space to learn more and explore. The producers gave everyone plenty of space to play, experiment and clown around; something that Libertini Woody Shticks calls “riding the walrus.” “Which means, essentially, trust the process and hang on,” Tootsie explained. Hattie added, “It’s a brilliant way of saying, ‘You’re loved and supported, it’s going to be fine, even if you’re going to be uncomfortable for a while.’”

Finding themselves serving as unofficial glitter tribe ambassadors, The Libertinis wanted to showcase the glitzy gamut of burlesque within Gone WILD by incorporating nerdlesque and neo-burlesque as well as classic striptease. “We have a huge diverse scene here…I think that people would be staggered by just the sheer volume and diversity [of Seattle burlesque].”

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Gone WILD: A Savage Romp Through the Animal Kingdom debuts at Annex Theater on April 25 and runs through May 10. Pocket Theater will be producing The Libertinis’ bimonthly show P(ART)Y, which incorporates burlesque and visual artists and debuts on July 11.

The Libertinis in Gone Wild: A Savage Romp Through the Animal Kingdom runs April 25-May 10 at the Annex (DangerPants Photography for Annex Theatre)

The Libertinis in Gone Wild: A Savage Romp Through the Animal Kingdom runs April 25-May 10 at the Annex Theatre (DangerPants Photography)

Woody Shticks (DangerPants Photography)

Tootsie Spangles (DangerPants Photography)

Hattie Hellkat (DangerPants Photography)

The Libertinis (DangerPants Photography for Annex Theatre)

Posted in Written by Crystal
Tags: Annex Theatre, Pocket Theatre, The Libertinis

Getting Down With Texas Burlesque Festival 2014

•04/21/2014 • 2 Comments

~ Written and Photographed by Paul O’Connell (POC Photo)

The most amazing MC for TXBF, Cora Vette-Denver, CO

Legend Ms. Toni Elling

Current BHOF King of Burlesque: Ray Gunn-Chicago, IL

Once again, for the fourth year in a row, I attended the annual Texas Burlesque Festival. By now there is no doubt that I have a deep love for TXBF and for the city of Austin. I was able to perform on the first night as Man Johnson in what I call the “Zipper Act”, and I of course took photos the other nights. Produced by Terri Raridon and Coco Lectric (the fantastic performer and co-founder of the Austin-based Jigglewatts Burlesque troupe), TXBF is now in its seventh year. It certainly was another successful festival – particularly with headlining star power like Perle Noire, The Stage Door Johnnies, special guest and Legend Toni Elling, plus three nights of exhilarating, sexy, funny, and provocative performances.

TXBF hands out awards in the form of lovely ‘Barbie dolls’ designed by Black Mariah for winners on competition night; here’s a list of who took one home this year:

Best Costume: Blaze-Dallas, TX

Best Use of Prop/Novelty: Black Orchid-San Antonio, TX

Most Original: Paco Fish-Parts Unknown

Best Ensemble: Tifa Tittlywinks & Emma D’Lemma-Houston, TX

Best Tease Factor: Franki Markstone-St. Petersburg, FL

Best Solo: Ruthe Ordare-Vancouver, B.C.

Best Costume: Blaze-Dallas, TX

Best use of prop: Black Orchid-San Antonio, TX

Most Original: Paco Fish

Best Ensemble: Tifa Tittlywinks & Emma D’Lemma-Houston, TX

Best Tease: Frankie Markstone-St. Petersburg, FL

Best Tease: Franki Markstone-St. Petersburg, FL

Best Solo-Ruthe Ordare-Vancouver, B.C.

I plan on trying to get to as many festivals as possible in the next year (and will of course share photos and results along the way), especially since there are many new festivals popping up in addition to the more established ones across North America. The Lone Star State itself currently boasts four burlesque festivals and counting, including the San Antonio Burlesque Festival happening in August. SABF will be headlined by Michelle L’Amour, Waxie Moon and Legend Shannon Doah. (Submissions for that festival are open till May 10 click HERE for information).

Perle Noire-NYC, NY

Jett Adore-Chicago, IL

Coco Lectric-Austin, TX

Stage Door Johnnies-Chicago, IL

Chola Magnolia-Austin, TX

Jasper St. James-San Antonio, TX

Lowbrow Lullabies-Dallas,TX

Ruby Champagne-Los Angeles, CA

Divertida Devotchka-Dallas, TX

Bethany Summersizzle-Austin, TX

Jet Noir-Oakland,CA

Ruby Lamb-Austin, TX

Harlet Davidson-Austin, TX

Ginger Snaps-Austin, TX

Queertini Time-Austin, TX

Lady Jae-Houston, TX

Roxie Moxie-Austin, TX

Sherry Bomb-Austin, TX

Fat Bottom Cabaret-Austin, TX

Gaige-San Antonio, TX

Goldie Candela-Austin, TX

Caramel Knowledge-Los Angeles, CA

Big Al Dente & Kinsey Scale-Kansas City, KS

Di’ Lovely-San Diego, CA

Eva Mae Garnet-San Diego, CA

Honey Cocoa Bordeaux-Denton, TX

Nina La Voix-Brooklyn, NY

Best Ensemble: Tifa Tittlywinks & Emma D’Lemma Throwin’ it Down

The Jigglewatts-Austin, TX

Producers Coco Lectric & Terri Raridon thanking the crowd

Posted in Written by Paul O'Connell
Tags: Texas Burlesque Festival

Jasper McCann on 2014’s “Through The Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland”.

•04/14/2014 • 1 Comment

Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland opens April 16. (Photo by Scott Butner)

Through The Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland kicks off this week at the Triple Door, and there’s no one better qualified than Jasper McCann (one half of the production duo Lily Verlaine & Jasper McCann Present) to so eloquently outline what’s changed with Alice since the show’s inception. Here we share Jasper’s own thoughts on the show and what one might encounter down the rabbit hole:

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~ Written by/Shared by kind permisson of Jasper McCann

Since its inception in 2009, Through The Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland has been, for the most part, largely untouched by us as director/producers, with very little cast turnover and very little alteration. Certainly there have been little tweaks here and there: when Indigo Blue took on the role of the Mad Hatter in 2011, we retooled the Mad Tea Party to include Paris Original and Trojan Original as the Doormouse and the March Hare. The Butterfly number became a duet, and last year we introduced the Knave of Hearts into the mix. But over six years, we have never really looked back at the source material or made major alterations.

Well, this year is different.

We have had a lot of changes in the cast, and as such, Lily and I really wanted to allow the energy of the performers that are new to the show (or that have been in the show but who are now performing different roles) to give their respective characters new life. As such, we decided that this year was a great opportunity to look at the show overall and really refine it. So there are a number of changes.

First, the cast. We have two new Alices. Holly Pop will be playing “Real World Alice” (sometimes called “Good Alice” or “Blonde Alice”). Holly has been with us for a few years now, and is one of the few performers we work with that is in all three of our shows. The role of “Looking Glass Alice” (also known as “Dark Alice”) will be played by Mimi Me. Mimi is new to our world and was an understudy Snowflake for Land Of The Sweets this year. When Cookie Bellini was ill for the first week of the show, Mimi filled in… and we immediately fell in love. When she and Holly worked together, they had an indelible chemistry between them, which made them the natural choices for the Alice roles.

Tory Tiara has joined the cast of Alice this year as well. Early on there was some question as to what role she would be playing, as casting for some of the principle roles was still shaking out. Then Lily had the brilliant idea of casting Tory as Mary Anne, the woman about whom White Rabbit sings his blue tune “Pool of Tears”.

Inga Ingénue is our new Queen of Hearts! We couldn’t be more pleased. Her character work is second to none and she throws herself into whatever role we present to her. I don’t want to ruin the surprise of her number, but let’s just say that it will be a significant departure from the original.

Isobella Bloom (formerly Kylie Koyote) is our new Drink Me. Isobella has been in the show as a chandelier since 2012. She and Veruca Sapphire have splendid chemistry and the two of them are going to have more involved and challenging work playing the waitresses this year.

Juwana Heart and HonoLuLu Honey (members of Tribella) are taking on more roles as well, Juwana will be one of the Tweedle Sisters opposite Babette La Fave and LuLu will be donning the mantle of The White Queen opposite Lily in “Checkmate!”.

Washington’s own Red Delicious is joining us as a chandelier. We normally only see Red in the wintertime when she plays Tulips the Housekeeper in Land Of The Sweets, and any time around Red is delightful, so to have her with us in the springtime is a rare treat!

And last, but not least, as you know Ray Gunn will be joining us to play Cheshire Cat. Who knows what that will look like! I can’t wait.

The Story: I’ve rewritten the script to change the motivation of the Alices. We are making note of the fact that Inga was formerly Alice, so there is a little self-referencing there. Our new Alices want to be a Queen from the get-go, and The Queen of Hearts is the owner of The Looking Glass. We will see the way that former Alice became corrupted by evil in a new extended version of the Jabberwocky number. There are a few twists and turns to get Alice close to her goal with the help and advice from the staff of The Looking Glass, who are hoping desperately for a new owner to take over so that they no longer have to fear for their lives. Overall the narrative (in our opinion) is much stronger and much more defined, and we’ve allowed ourselves to explore some of the darker aspects of the original text, where in the past we shied away from including the scary stuff.

The Dances: With a lot of new cast members, Lily has had her hands full teaching choreo, but as you know, she always delivers! With new cast members (as I mentioned before) there are new opportunities to look at the characters and make changes or additions. The Alices have lots of different choreography this year to accentuate their “mirrored” relationship, the Chess number has been changed significantly, and Tory Tiara’s “solo” (another “spoiler” that I’m not going to let slip) is completely new and really elevates the drama of the White Rabbit’s blues. The entirety of the Queen of Hearts number is new and very thematic, right down to the new gown (being designed and built by the one and only Erik Andor!). Jabberwocky will also be entirely new as well, and much, much darker… but I can’t say too much about it. Don’t want to ruin the surprise.

A Song: We have removed the Strip Poker pantomime and replaced it with a new, all original song called “You’ve Got A Full House (Counting On You)”, sung by Eat Me and Drink Me! When we realized what a set of pipes Isobella had, and knowing full well Veruca’s experience in musical theater, writing a duet for them seemed mandatory. So I wrote the song and then arranged it with my friend James Chapple, who helped me arrange and score the original songs for Burlesco DiVino: Wine In Rome.

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For photos and more behind the scenes peeks at Through The Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice In Wonderland, visit their website HERE. Tickets are also available via the Triple Door’s website, HERE.

Jasper McCann (Photo by Scott Butner)

Posted in Republished with kind permission
Tags: Burlesque Alice in Wonderland, Jasper McCann, Lily Verlaine & Jasper McCann Present

Rock Candy Burlesque in Icing On the Cake: Twice as Sweet.

•04/10/2014 • 1 Comment

~ Written by/ All photos by Heather Schofner Photography

Olympia’s Rock Candy Burlesque held Icing on the Cake: Twice As Sweet, the first of two anniversary shows, on March 29 at the Rhythm and Rye in Olympia. They celebrated their troupe’s birthday in delicious fashion, with turkey, strawberry shortcake, cupcakes, and lots of shimmying and twirling. Crystal Tassels (who is incidentally, a Burlesque Seattle Press Contributing Writer) was special guest performer for the first show.

The second Icing show followed on April 5, and the ladies really brought the house down. Foxy Bitters of Twin City Tease was the guest performer, and it marked her last show in Washington before moving to Utah.

Here’s a selection of images from the anniversary shows: