Scintillating live music and burlesque!

Posts tagged “live music

Fall Flirtations

Coming Up Next…

pandora-group-september-2

That’s right! We’re back at Guilt & Co NEXT TUESDAY, September 27th!

We’re returning to the venue that started it all, that sexy basement bar in Gastown, Guilt & Co! Join us for the launch of our new monthly production, jam packed with live music, burlesque, and scintillating fun. On stage you’ll see:

RUTHE ORDARE
NICKY NINEDOORS
MISS FITT
CAROLE BRUNETTE
ARIEL HELVETICA
MISS SYDNEY CLAIRE

and
THE LOCKSMITHS

hosted by
AVA LURE

Doors at 8, Show at 9

Two extra sets of big vocal tunes with the band to follow!

$15 advance/$20 at the door subject to availability. You can purchase tickets in advance here.

So grab a drink, order that cheese plate (you know you want it), sit back, and enjoy the show!!

Here are some photos of this month’s cast, on and off the Guilt & Co stage. See you next week.


Springing Forward

Coming Up Next…

event banner good

Pandora & The Locksmiths at the Fox Cabaret

Yes, yes, y’all the whole gang is back together and ready to put on a show! We’re returning to the Fox stage with our signature brand of scintillation: a revue of slick performances, unique style, and amazing music. We can’t wait to see aaallll the friends, old and new, so make sure to get your tickets!

On stage this Friday, March 13 you will see:

VORACIOUS V

RUTHE ORDARE

NICKY NINEDOORS

MISS KISS

AVA LURE

ARIEL HELVETICA

&

THE LOCKSMITHS

Doors are at 7:30 with general admission tickets at $15 and VIP tickets at $35. See you there, lovelies!

What’s Up, Pandora?

Even though we haven’t performed together for the general public since December doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy! Let’s catch up, why don’t we?

We had the opportunity to perform in smaller groups at some of Vancouver’s most lavish parties this winter. Both Gastown Gazette and Prohibition at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia celebrated new beginnings and we were there to entertain their crowds!

Nicky Ninedoors, August Wiled, and Ariel Helvetica at the Gastown Gazette launch party.

Nicky Ninedoors, August Wiled, and Ariel Helvetica at the Gastown Gazette launch party.

August Wiled goofing around at the Prohibition opening party.

August Wiled goofing around at the Prohibition opening party.

Ariel Helvetica has been quite the globetrotting showgirl this winter. She’s high-kicked some major butt at the Southwest Burlesque Showcase in New Mexico and Atame in Montreal last month. Coming up, she’ll be heading down to Portland for Rue Royale Burlesque.

Ariel Helvetica backstage with Paco FIsh at the Southwest Burlesque Showcase.

Ariel Helvetica backstage with Paco FIsh at the Southwest Burlesque Showcase.

February was full of action! Voracious V and Nicky Ninedoors both brought down the house in Burlesque Duos on February 14.

duos

duos2

Ava Lure has been busy behind the scenes, co-producing Skin Game at The Emerald and working on the 10th Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. And guess what? She’s just been accepted to compete on the Saturday night of the Texas Burlesque Festival in Austin!

Ava performing the number she will do at the TXBF at last year's VIBF.

Ava performing the number she will do at the TXBF at last year’s VIBF.

And all together, we will be debuting a brand new production, Visions of Lore, at the upcoming VIBF! Voracious V, Ruthe Ordare, Miss Fitt, Ariel Helvetica, and Ava Lure are also performing solos in the showcase sets. Here’s to another festival season!

The finale of last year's VIBF production, Awakenings.

The finale of last year’s VIBF production, Awakenings.

With a winter like that, no wonder we’re bouncing into spring. Here we go!

New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Vancouver

We rang in the new year at one of the city’s most glamorous venues, the historic Hotel Vancouver! David Tresham caught the magic in his camera, relive it here:


I’ll be on the beach…

Coming up next…

pan cover august 14

Pandora & The Locksmiths at Guilt&Co with Voodoo Pixie and Arnt Arntzen

We’re back at guilt&co for our final show of the summer! Shake the sand out of your hair and roll on down to Gastown for a sizzling night of scintillating burlesque entertainment on August 12.

This month’s show features special guests VOODOO PIXIE and ARNT ARNTZEN. As a member of the Cabaret du Passe collective, and co-producer of the annual AbraCadaver Cabaret, Voodoo will be bringing her signature blend of ethereal mischief to the stage. She will be accompanied by Vancouver’s Tin Pan Troubadour, Arnt Arntzen, armed with his trusty banjo. 

This show will also feature burlesque by:

MISS FITT
AUGUST WILED
AVA LURE

Vocals by:

NICKY NINEDOORS

Musical magic by:

THE LOCKSMITHS

All hosted by:

MAMA KAY

Doors at 8PM, show at 9PM with a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds go directly to the performers.

Mid-Summer Check-in

Here in Vancouver, summer is in full swing and the members of Pandora & The Locksmiths are living it up! Not only is our monthly show at guilt&co is running like clockwork, we’re making fun secret plans for the year to come. Outside of collective activities, our members are stoking that creative fire in a variety of ways. Festival maven, Ruthe Ordare will be hitting the stage at the inaugural Oregon Burlesque Festival this weekend. After winning “Best Solo” in Texas, we know Miss Ordare is going to kick some serious butt in Portland. Miss Kiss will be appearing in the Pride Burlesque Revue at the Lux Lounge on July 31, followed by an all-out burlesquified musical performance in Concrete Vertigo’s Vixens In Wonderland next month. Continuing the theatrical trend, Ava Lure is busy writing and directing her very first play! Seaside Stories of Terrible Things will be running in this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival. Miss Fitt and Liam MacDonald will be adding a little middle eastern flare to their summer. Both will be performing in Nuba’s Bedouin Cabaret on August 7th. Everyone else? Meet them at the beach!

July

Our July show was a hot one! We were very pleased to have special guest Raven Virginia come all the way from Calgary. We tried to kidnap her and make her stay on the West Coast, but the best we could do was capture her in photos. Thank you David Tresham for documenting the evening!


Do You Hear What I Hear?

Get Acquainted with The Locksmiths!

(Photo by Clint Trahan/ShutterDreams)

For over three years, the burlesque artists of Pandora & The Locksmiths have drawn in crowds with their ornate costumes, flowing choreography, siren song, and undeniable stage presence but what has set this collective apart from the very start is the five-piece band that pulls every show together. The Locksmiths have featured talented guests but the mainstay musicians have seen the group through a great deal of artistic growth. Three band members, Alison Gorman, John Bews, and Sean Bayntun have shared a little bit about their history and why they enjoy playing music for burlesque.

Let’s get to know them better, shall we?

(Photo by Clint Trahan/ShutterDreams)

Alison Gorman – Trumpet

Alison plays with a number of Vancouver bands, including The Sweetpea Swing Band, The Salteens, and Pendomoja, as well as her own group, Queer As Funk. She feels so lucky to be in the Pandora and the Locksmiths’ family, and especially loves having the best seat in the house at every show! Guess what? You can celebrate New Year’s Eve with Alison and the whole Queer As Funk gang at the Capri Hall in Mount Pleasant!

(Photo by Clint Trahan/ShutterDreams)

John Bews – Bass

John loves working with the group. The opportunity to put on a different show each month with a troupe of dynamic performers is something he’s very grateful for.  The dancers bring him so much joy through their diverse music selections, the creative arc of their routines, and with the energy they bring to rehearsals and to the stage. Sometimes the variety of music the band is given to recreate can be quite challenging, but thankfully Sean is a musical wizard and regularly saves John’s chart-making from being too simple or just blank.  The other band members do all sorts of great things and all he has to do is play bass and enjoy. Lucky him!

(Photo by Clint Trahan/ShutterDreams)

Sean Bayntun – Keys

Sean studied and played classical piano from the age of 3 until he completed his Masters in Piano Performance. Along the way, he realized there were so many different musical genres and he wanted to play them all! Sean currently plays keyboards and synth in Facts and Synthcake, and plays keys and acts as Musical Director for theatre productions.  He grew up playing for Nicky’s voice competitions and recitals, and about 4 years ago she and John asked if he was interested in playing in a jazz band for burlesque performers.  Obviously he said yes! Jazz was something Sean hadn’t really explored yet and plus, who wouldn’t want to help provide the musical sass for amazing performers?  With Pandora & The Locksmiths he works with dancers to help emphasize movements, transcribes 30 or so pages of music each month to turn new songs into arrangements the band can play, and plays with incredible jazz musicians where everyone listens and responds to each other. All in all, Sean just loves playing music, and playing music in collaborative settings is pretty much the best thing.

Hear them LIVE on the second Tuesday of every month at guilt&co!

Thank you Clint Trahan for the gorgeous photos!

Vancouver International Burlesque Festival 2014 Applications are Open!

Apply to hit the Vogue stage in May and check out the VIBF website for all the exciting new information!

The gears are turning in the heads of our members as we plan this year’s production submission. Unlike anything offered from Pandora at the VIBF before, we will examine the transformative nature of both classic and modern music, themes, and imagery. Godspeed our online application form!

Hmm… classic and modern. Classic? and modern? Kind of like pairing Debussy with Bjork… right?

(Photo by Clint Trahan/ShutterDreams)

We’ll just leave that there.


You look chilly, darling!

We know you’ve missed us..

We’ve been oh so busy spreading sparkly bits throughout the city! We’ll get to that soon, but we know why you’re really here. The temperatures have dropped and Fall is upon us, but remember, not too long ago, when the air was warm, skin was exposed, and the evenings were long?  In August we took our audience on a wild ride to Funkytown, and we’ve got the photos to prove it.

We were lucky to have Fubarfoto at the show, so hold onto your bell-bottoms and allow us to heat you back up a bit!


Hello, gorgeous!

up next….

pandora_fanclub_web

The joyfully brazen, delightfully lavish expression of sensuality. The whetting of curiosity, the glimmer of hope, and the arousal of desire, wrapped up in a package of indulgent extravagance.
Pandora and The Locksmiths are an extravagant collective of professional musicians and multi-disciplined burlesque artists, known for their prowess in weaving smokin’ live music and scintillating strip-tease into a sonically and visually lush spectacle. With a wink and a smile, they invite their audiences on a compelling journey into both the past and future of the burlesque art form.
On Friday, June 7th, these talented cats and kittens bring their saucy touch to the stage of Vancouver Fanclub for three sets of entertainment.
Featuring the talents of:
Burgundy Brixx!
August Wiled!
Ruthe Ordare!
Voracious V!
Nicky Ninedoors!
All set to the gorgeous tones of the FIVE PIECE BAND, The Locksmiths.
Doors: 7:30pm
Music begins at 8 pm, and the burlesque artists join in the saucy spectacle at 9 pm. Admission $15
ADVANCE TICKETS HERE!
Join us for a glamorous evening of unforgettable live entertainment!

and…..

Pandora and The Locksmiths are proud to present a collection of delectably sweet and devious acts to titillate every palette. This is one treat that even your dentist will approve! Featuring: BURGUNDY BRIXX! RUTHE ORDARE! AUGUST WILED! plus two duets from NICKY NINEDOORS and VORACIOUS V! All to that smokin 5 piece jazz band, THE LOCKSMITHS! And hosted by the the rip roaring vocal talents of DOUG THOMS! And our professional showgirl herder and sensational singer, MISS KISS! The show starts at 9 pm with the band while Miss Kiss gets all her prize filled balloons popped! We highly recommend arriving early so you may enjoy the amazing cocktails and tapas at Guilt & Co. Admission is a suggested $10 donation* Join us for an evening of deliciously glamorous entertainment! *Here at the Risque Cabaret, all donations go directly to funding the performers you see on the stage! Thank you so much for your continued support in making Tuesday night the hottest night in town!

Pandora and The Locksmiths are proud to present a collection of delectably sweet and devious acts to titillate every palette. This is one treat that even your dentist will approve!
Featuring:
BURGUNDY BRIXX!
RUTHE ORDARE!
AUGUST WILED!
plus two duets from
NICKY NINEDOORS and VORACIOUS V!
All to that smokin 5 piece jazz band, THE LOCKSMITHS!
And hosted by the the rip roaring vocal talents of
DOUG THOMS!
And our professional showgirl herder and sensational singer,
MISS KISS!
The show starts at 9 pm with the band while Miss Kiss gets all her prize filled balloons popped! We highly recommend arriving early so you may enjoy the amazing cocktails and tapas at Guilt & Co.
Admission is a suggested $10 donation*
Join us for an evening of deliciously glamorous entertainment!
*Here at the Risque Cabaret, all donations go directly to funding the performers you see on the stage! Thank you so much for your continued support in making Tuesday night the hottest night in town!

Well, that’s exciting! Our first ever show at FanClub! Wheee!! We do hope to see you there, it’s a BEAUTIFUL space with amazing sight lines and lights and sound, and we’re very thrilled to be performing on Granville Street again. Any time we can insert the burlesque counter culture into the pop culture is a good time by us! 😀

Speaking of which, some of our group members just got back from the Burlesque Hall of Fame! Brother Keys and I (Nicky) performed in the Movers, Shakers, and Innovators Showcase, Ruthe Ordare (with one of our fav performers Villainy Loveless) competed for Best Duo during the Tournament of Tease- and got a FULL standing ovation and brought many, many people to tears. And Burgundy Brixx was as dazzling as the sun in the Queen of Burlesque Category during the Tournament of Tease!

Special mention to Sweet Soul Burlesque led by sass queen Crystal Precious who also performed in the Movers, Shakers, and Innovators Showcase, as well as Lola Frost and Melody Mangler who seduced us in the Best Duo category, and Lola Frost in the Queen of Burlesque category winning 2nd Runner Up! Congratulations, girl! She was FIERCE!

We did NOT envy the decision making process the judges had to go through. Every single performer that was up on that stage was deserving of a prize. Quite literally the best of the best were showcased. I gave so many yelling, screaming, standing ovations I actually gave myself a headache. And I wasn’t the only one in that position! Damn! Amaaaazing.

So, on the tail end of the glittery performance wonder of BHoF, we come back super thrilled and inspired to up our game. We always want to up our game, but now it’s ON! We can’t wait to take this inspiration and the creativity that we’ve been offered, digest and absorb it, and put our all into our next creations! So, we really hope to see you at our next shows. We’re feeling fierce! *** Now for the eye candy…. 🙂

Here are a few photos that Jess Desaulniers-Lea took at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival! Check out the festival’s FB page and Tumblr account for more! Enjoy!

 


The Heart Of Glamour

Image

Alas, the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival has come to a sweet and glittery end for this year, and all the hard work of the board, performers, and volunteers has been celebrated appropriately (wink…ahem).  For those of you who attended, we thank you and hope that you had the most wonderful time!  For those of you who did not, we offer our sympathies; not only did you miss out on three incredible nights of burlesque entertainment and artistry, but our members were spreading the sass full force over those stages every night, and we have allllllll the photos to prove it.  Hint: don’t go too far, there’s plenty to come, and you won’t want to miss it. I assure you!

Tomorrow, May 14th at Guilt and Co: Classic Tease

We’re not ready to get off our cloud of sparkles and feathers just yet though (or ever), so tomorrow, we’d like to take you on a journey to the heart of glamour. We’re celebrating the art of burlesque with an evening of tantalizing glitz, smooth moves, and good old bump and grind. Not only do we have Nicky Ninedoors, Burgundy Brixx, Voracious V, Carole Brunette, and August Wiled on the lineup to titillate your senses, but we are featuring the fabulous Lady Josephine!  If you think it couldn’t possibly get better than that, you’re wrong; the statuesque Ava Lure will be stage managing, and the witty bombshell Mama Kay will host you through the dream.

Doors at 7pm, show at 9pm, suggested donation is $10. A cast of 13 for only $10?! Don’t let this one get away from you.

Oh yes, we know why you’re here, we didn’t forget, so here is a collection of gorgeous photos from our last show at Guilt and Co!  Fringe was flying, tassels were twirling, and the incredibly talented Cameron Brown was there to capture it.  While you’re at it, you should definitely check out his blog too!  He may have some incredible shots from the festival on there.. 😉

Enjoy!!


When the trumpet hits High C…!

as part of 

The 8th Vancouver International Burlesque Festival

As part of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Kitty Nights West and Pandora & The Locksmiths have teamed up under the masterful producing of Burgundy Brixx to bring you on a racy romp through the golden age of burlesque! Featuring Burgundy Brixx as Gypsy Rose Lee, plus August Wiled, Ava Lure, Miss Fitt, Nicky Ninedoors, Ruthe Ordare, and Voracious V as the Minsky Rosebuds! Thursday May 2nd The Rio Theatre - Broadway @ Commercial Drive Show at 9:20pm* Tickets are $35 - one ticket price gains you admission to ALL THREE different productions taking place on Thursday May 2nd: GYPSY ROSE LEE AT MINSKY'S BURLESQUE, MOTOWN BURLESQUE, and PAINT AND PASTIES!  Feel free to come early and stay late! OR save money by purchasing a weekend ticket bundle. Tix available at Northern Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/cbnh484

As part of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Kitty Nights West and Pandora & The Locksmiths have teamed up under the masterful producing of Burgundy Brixx to bring you on a racy romp through the golden age of burlesque! Featuring Burgundy Brixx as Gypsy Rose Lee, plus August Wiled, Ava Lure, Miss Fitt, Nicky Ninedoors, Ruthe Ordare, and Voracious V as the Minsky Rosebuds!
Thursday May 2nd
The Rio Theatre – Broadway @ Commercial Drive
Show at 9:20pm*
Tickets are $35 – one ticket price gains you admission to ALL THREE different productions taking place on Thursday May 2nd: GYPSY ROSE LEE AT MINSKY’S BURLESQUE, MOTOWN BURLESQUE, and PAINT AND PASTIES!
Feel free to come early and stay late!
OR save money by purchasing a weekend ticket bundle.
Tix available at Northern Tickets:
http://tinyurl.com/cbnh484

 

In honour of the fast approaching burlesque festivities, please enjoy some of the photos that were taken during the festival last year!
xox


She’s As Modest As Can Be….

up next…

We are very excited about the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival! The board has been hard at work all year, but things are getting pretty intense now! Intense in the good kinda way, you know? Like when you feel you’re getting kinda werked and are like yeaaaaah… harder.

Anyhoo! The festival runs from May 2nd to May 4th, plus there is a wicked after party on the 5th at The Cellar. For reals, I’m going to be laughing my ass off all night. Or swooning  😉  -You should come too!

after the festival…

Tuesday May 14th at Guilt & Co

 This coming month we are featuring the spectacular Lady Josephine! Burgundy Brixx, August Wiled, Nicky Ninedoors, Voracious V, and Carole Brunette round out the line up (uhhyeah they do), Ava Lure is our leggy stage manager for the evening and the night is hosted by the bombshell Mama Kay! Of course you’ll be treated to the musical stylings of The Locksmiths all night, so don’t miss out!
Doors 7 pm, show 9 pm, suggested donation is $10. Pretty good for a 13 person cast, right?
So mark it in your calendars, cuz sh*ts about to get real sparkly.

***

Now, where were we? Oh yes, dessert. Who says dessert can’t be good for you?
Please indulge in the photos that were taken by the talented Cameron Brown at our most recent show at Guilt. Isn’t his website just full of gorgeous, gorgeous photos? And his blog is pretty nifty, too! I get the feeling that you’ll be seeing lots more photos of his in the near future… 🙂
Enjoy!


This Here Blog

up next…

60s Groove!

Tuesday April 9th, Show starts at 9 pm, Guilt & Co at 1 Alexander Street in Gastown. Suggested donation $10. Our regular monthly show! It’s a super fun night with cocktails and gorgeous food, a great atmosphere, and every month we prepare a different style of show for you!

We’ve been successfully running since September 2010, and since then there has been quite an evolution in our cast. Pandora has literally doubled in size, becoming what Ruthe Ordare refers to as an army of talent. We’ve all been really happy with how the show runs and the format we’ve come up with.
That being said…

Another evolution is approaching in the future. We have big plans. I’ve been plotting and budgeting and dreaming and scheming, and it’s going to happen. February 14th, 2014… Yep. Mark that in your calendar. You will want to be there.
In the meantime, if you have a friend who hasn’t been to our monthly show and isn’t terribly concerned because the monthly keeps happening… they should come out sometime. Sooner rather than later. Because evolution is inevitable, and change is good. And we want our audience to see our creative process when it comes to our productions. We don’t want you to miss out on how we’re getting where we’re going. We want you to continue to be a part of our history!

Speaking of history, fast approaching is the

8th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Fest!

Burgundy Brixx has put together a really great production that we’re a part of on the Thursday night, and our members are all over the showcases on Friday and Saturday! It’s pretty sweet. I highly recommend getting a weekend pass. Highly recommend!

and now… for set 2 of photos from our most recent show at Guilt!
Photography by Rene Blais. Colour edits by myself. I was feeling experimental this morning.
Enjoy!


A Taste of Spring

catch the collective in…

Get Away with Pandora and The Lockmiths!

March 12th at Guilt & Co, 1 Alexander St in Gastown. Doors 7 pm, Show 9 pm. Suggested donation $10.

 

Retrospective

An ElectroSwing Club Canada spectacular at The Rickshaw, Friday March 22nd. Full show by Pandora and The Locksmiths, Dj’s, dancefloor, fashion show and more!

 

upcoming sister productions from P&L family members…

Guilt goes MOD with The Hot Pants!

Tomorrow! March 5th at Guilt & Co, 1 Alexander St in Gastown. Doors 7 pm, show 9 pm. Suggested donation $10. Wear your best 60s duds and get ready to be blown away by a whole troupe of dancers, plus guest hula hooper Nicky Ninedoors! Produced by Miss Fitt!

Paris A Minuit!

Friday, March 29th at The Rio Theatre. Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm. Can’t be bothered to write the whole lineup, plus reading is good for you. World class promoter, that’s me! Just click the link and look at that amazing lineup!

and, of course, Kitty Nights every Sunday at The Biltmore! 

***

Now, maybe you were stuck inside all day and maybe you need a bit of a pick me up. Or maybe you just need to look at pretty photos. We don’t judge.
Here’s a few morsels of gorgeous from Jess Desaulniers-Lea!


In Like a (purrrring) Lioness

Next Up with Pandora and The Locksmiths:

Get Away With Us! March 12th at Guilt & Co

Electroswing: Retrospective on March 22nd at The Rickshaw

 sister events

Kitty Nights at The Biltmore produced by Burgundy Brixx: every sunday!

The Hot Pants at Guilt & Co produced by Miss Fitt: Tues, March 5th

Paris a Minuit at The Rio, produced by Miss Fitt: Fri, March 29th

And check out every Tuesday at Guilt & Co for fabulous cabaret themed productions, featuring incredibly talented performers whom we love and work with as much as we can!

***

Well! now that we’ve scheduled your life for you… let’s get onto business!
As you can see, we’ve got some really amazing events coming up. Our next show at Guilt features a special guest who both plays an instrument and is an excellent burlesque dancer-  Miss Via Rose! I’m personally excited to see her dance whenever I get the opportunity, but I’m also extra excited because she and I are creating our first duet together! Featuring the bassoon, my voice, some classic strip-tease, and gorgeous custom costumes by my sister in law, Jessica Bayntun. 

We’re also very excited for our first ElectroSwing event as a whole group! The WHOLE SHEBANG! Wow! 

And as you can see, Miss Fitt has been gettin busy! What? She’s a hard worker! She’s got her Hot Pants show on March 5th (I’ll be swinging hoops) as well as Paris a Minuit on the 29th. You should look at that lineup. Kinda insane!

And now, what you came for…

Last month we had the wonderful Jess Desaulniers-Lea be our sponsor photographer. While we love our men behind the camera, there’s a special sort of vibe when you know that it’s a woman who’s waiting for your sultriest moment to be captured at the flick of her finger…. shall we take a look at what she got?

Enjoy!


Get Yer Mischief!

Hitting the stage at 9 pm on February 12th at Guilt & Co…

Femme & Fatale featuring The Lady Josephine!

See you there!

***

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind! Winter is a really busy season for burlesque, what with religious holidays and all, and on top of it I just got back from performing in the 1st Annual Minneapolis Burlesque Festival with Sean! WHEEEE! We performed “Nude” in their beautiful Ritz Theatre (Ummm… Vancouver? You need a theatre like that) and just came back so overwhelmingly inspired. It was our first out of town festival, and getting to meet so many international talent machines was just incredible. I could gush for days.
Dirty.
Sandwiching the MBF, getting applications in for both the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Vegas, doing photo shoots and video shoots, plus now buckling down and creating the first duet between Burgundy Brixx and myself (excited!) for April O’Peel’s Burlesque Duos on Valentine’s at The Rio (Miss Fitt is also in that show!)…. it’s a little busy. I’m also going to be fan dancing in my good friend Mackenzie Gray’s Crazy 8’s film “Under The Bridge of Fear”, and I’m really excited about that. Burgundy Brixx is a part of that, too, plus many people connected to our glorious burlesque community here in Vancouver.

Did I mention that it’s also my birthday coming up? Yeah, let’s talk more about MEMEME! It’s my birthday on Sunday, Feb 17th, and I’ll be celebrating in the way that pleases me most- by shaking my stuff for tips at Kitty Nights! I’m one of those people who haaaaates to plan a party and would rather be working than plan a party… by dancing at Kitty Nights, I get to do both! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate, to be honest, than sweating all over a wad of caaaaashhh. Right? I’m going to be wearing Pants. Yes, you heard me. PANTS. And you can bet they will be your FAVOURITE PANTS EVER. They’re the only pair of pants that I actually own and wear. So clearly they are magical.

Enough of this yapping. You came here for photos.
This week we’re featuring Lotus Eater Films, who came out to our show in January. 
Enjoy!
xox
Nicky Ninedoors

 


Look At This!

Are you ready for some heart stopping femininity?

Femme and Fatale with Pandora and The Locksmiths, featuring special guest Lady Josephine!

Feb 12th, Guilt & Co at 1 Alexander Street in Gastown. Doors 7 pm, Show 9 pm.
Suggested donation $10, which directly funds all the heartbreaking cats and kittens you see on stage!

At our upcoming monthly show (monthly show #29! Holy crap!) we are presenting  a saucy mix of femininity. We have gloriously soft and gorgeous contrasted with fiercely film noir, as well as deliciously complex combinations of those ideas. Much like a fine bottle of scotch. Okay, okay. Wine for all your wine ladies (and gents). I’ll keep the scotch to myself, thanks. Okay,  fine, I’ll share it with Jody.
I could tell you all the reasons why you should come see the show, or you could just come, because you know why already. I wrote a testimonial on how awesome our show is, but frankly my craft desk is a mess and I can’t find it. Oh well.

Ramble ramble ramble…. heeeey, how about some pictures?
This blog entry, we’re featuring the work of Voodoo Bill (swoon). We were lucky to have two photographers at our Dream a Little Dream show (with Amber Ray!) in January, so next blog entry, you get an entirely different flavour! We’ve got your bases covered, Vancouver.
Alright, it’s time to indulge. (favourite word ever. I should just start saying “It’s Nicky O’Clock”!)
Enjoy!


Sugarplums and Showgirlbums

Happy Monday!

On December 11th we hope to see you at Guilt & Co for

Winter Magic! featuring the incredible Travis Bernhardt!

Last year we featured Travis in our show to rave reviews. He’s always such a treat to watch, let alone work with. We just couldn’t resist his charms. Har har! But seriously…. ladies in our audience…. we know you come to watch fierce women and be entertained and titillated and inspired… but this month you’ve got some eye and brain candy represented by this man. Who in the heck gets to be tall-dark-and-handsome-and-smart-and-f*cking-magical? Travis Bernhardt. That’s who. So, you’re welcome 😉
We’re also welcoming back to the stage one of our rare treat ladies- a founding member of P&L, Carole Brunette! Joining her are the likes of Burgundy Brixx, Miss Fitt, and myself. The long and leggy Ava Lure is our stage manager this month, and Mama Kay our MC. Doors 7 pm, show 9 pm. Suggested donation $10- which goes directly to paying the cast of 12 people on stage!

A big snuggly thank you to all who came to Cafe de Paris at Guilt & Co last month- wow was that place ever packed! It’s usually pretty cozy before, but on top of our regular crowd, there were faces we’d never seen before in the audience, and l’amour was in the air! Pretty sure the incredible Amber Ray and Lady Josephine had something to do that that, don’t you think? We were so thrilled to get to work with them- international guests are a little hard to come by in Vancouver, so we absolutely jumped at the chance to collaborate. Did they ever exceed every expectation, and you know we have high expectations! Speaking of expectations, we apologize for starting the show later than usual, we had some unexpected sound setup issues that pushed us a little late. We’ll be on time next time, promise!

Just a friendly reminder that we don’t allow any form of videotaping or photography during our show, unless you’re a designated photographer (if you’re a professional photographer and are interested in shooting, please contact us at livejazzburlesque@gmail.com)- this includes cameras as well as iPhones and all those fancy little devices. We know it’s oh-so-tempting to try to snag a picture of that amaaazing moment that is playing out on stage, but then you have to take your eyes away from the stage and look through a screen. And that is not nearly as awesome as absorbing and indulging in the performance real time. And that is what we live for- indulging you in real time, completely live. We spend so much time in front of computer screens for work and un fun purposes, it really tickles us to be able to connect with our audiences one hundred percent! Furthermore… if you are caught breaking the rules (naughty!) then you’ll have to deal with me. And I’m a very nice person, but my will is even firmer than my backside. I realize that’s hard to believe, but just ask around.

On the bright side! This little issue inspired something that I think is VERY cool. We’re going to have a polaroid camera (can those things be called retro yet? Or are they just outdated? whatevs) so that you can purchase autographed photos of you and your friends with our performers and musicians! I love sassy keepsakes. I was inspired by the gorgeous Voodoo Pixie at our wedding reception- she snapped a picture of John and I and it’s just so charming. What’s more, is it was signed by a number of the guests at our party. I love it so much, and after watching so many people struggle to get pictures with their camera phones (It’s out of focus! That one didn’t take! I blinked! Why is my camera frozen!) I thought it would be so nice if people could just sit back, relax, and have their photo taken and have a little autographed treasure handed to them to take home right away.

Wow, I’ve talked for two paragraphs about photos. They say a good act runs with three’s… so, here you go.

A photo blog! Featuring the stunning artistry of Voodoo Bill!

Just what you’re been waiting for! Unless you were clever and skipped over my blathering. In which case, good on you. You made it through 723 words.
Ta-da!


Devious Dames, Debussey, and Derrieres!

On November 13th at Guilt & Co in the heart of Gastown, join us on a flight of fancy to

Un Cafe de Paris!

We have two spectacular internationally renowned special guests contributing to Miss Fitt’s Parisian fantasy: The merveilleux Amber Ray (New York City) and the incroyable Lady Josephine! (Montreal)
Doors 7 pm, show 9 pm. Seating on a first come first serve basis. Suggested donation $10.

***

Now, I know what you’re here for. A photo blog, perhaps? We’ve got one for you. But before we get to that, we have a couple important announcements to make!

Pandora and The Locksmiths are thrilled to be performing at the 12th Annual Clayoquot Sound Oyster Festival! On Saturday, November 17th, Burgundy Brixx, yours truly, August Wiled, Ruthe Ordare, and the wonderful Locksmiths invade Tofino with class, sensuality, and sweet music in honour of the sweet aphrodisiac the festival celebrates!

But wait, there’s more! You have a chance to win a prize package of

  • Two nights at the iconic Wickaninnish Inn, in a deluxe guest room, two Oyster Trio dishes at SoBo Restaurant, and two admission tickets to all of these Clayoquot Oyster Festival events:
  • Mermaid’s Ball on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 8:00pm
  • Clayoquot Sound Oyster Farm Tour with Remote Passages Marine Excursions on Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:30am departure
  • Oyster Gala on Saturday, November 17 at 7:00pm

The total value of this prize package is over $1,000!  The winner will be drawn on November 7, 2012.
Click here to enter this fabulous contest!

Holy smokes. Does that not just sound like the most indulgent getaway ever? We are so excited for this production- it’s our first out of town gig as a group! Oysters, jazz, showgirls, love… what better first time could there be? (Also, did you see that there will be the unveiling of the new oyster which has been named “The Clayoquot Climax”? Ahem. Looking forward….!)

***

Ready for the photo blog? Well, here you go! We’re featuring the wonderful photography of Cameron Brown in this blog.
Enjoy!
xox
Nicky Ninedoors


L’amour! Je deteste wordpress!

Hold onto your hats, ladies and gentlemen, we’re taking a ride on Miss Fitt’s French wings of fancy on November 13th and turning Guilt & Co into

We are thrilled to have two spectacular special guests for Un Cafe de Paris!

Pictured above, the shimmering sensationalist from New York, Amber Ray! www.amberray.net

And from Montreal, the marvelously musical Lady Josephine! www.facebook.com/TheLadyJosephine

Yeah, um, the only word I can think of right now is YOWZERS! Holy fierce, batman!

Miss Fitt, Burgundy Brixx, and yours truly will be adding new Parisian inspired solo acts to the show, and we’re creating a silky new trio! Voracious V will be on feather and balloon duty, and The Locksmiths will play beautiful music to serenade us all! We’re looking forward to a truly spectacular evening!
November 13th at Guilt & Co. Doors 7 show 9. Suggested donation $10. Get there early- with these guests we are going to fill up faster than ever!
***
Speaking of l’amour, we’d like to thank you for being a part of Fall (in love again) last month! Our most recent production truly lived up to its title, with the finale of our fabulous trumpeter Alison Gorman proposing to her long time girlfriend Soo on stage. It was magical. Burgundy Brixx created an act to Ravel’s Bolero and danced en pointe to an enraptured crowd, then sneakily got Soo up on stage at the end to “thank her” for helping in the act. Heh heh heh. At that moment, Alison came out from the back of the stage playing a beautiful melody (to the completely unsuspecting Soo, I might add) and then got down on bended knee and proposed! It was only at that moment that Soo had any idea what was going on. The crowd jumped to their feet and gave the loudest cheers I’ve ever heard there. There were many happy tears. (On a related note, I’m not sure how we all managed to keep a secret for like, two months, but no one brought kleenex. Come on. Troupe full of ladies. No kleenex. Really?)

Congratulations to the beautiful couple. We wish you many, many happy years together. Thank you for sharing your love with all of us. It’s beautiful and we love you.

On that wonderful note, onto the fabulous photos taken by Cameron Brown!

Enjoy!


Beautiful, Beautiful Autumn

Why hello!

This entry will be short and oh so sweet. My apartment is having its windows powerwashed, and I’m not allowed to have any open windows at all…. did I mention that my apartment is south facing? I rarely wear clothes in here as it is, but no open windows?! So I’m here to deliver you the saucey evidence of our Anniversary show on September 11th at Guilt, while simultaneously enticing you to

Fall In Love Again!

Our next show on October 9th at Guilt & Co is shaping up to be a real cozy affair!
Not only do we have the usual instigators Burgundy Brixx, Voracious V, and yours truly, but we also have the hottest new burlesque sensation in Vancouver, August Wiled!
But wait, there’s more!
We have a special guest with us this month that we’ve been trying to coordinate with since we began two years ago: the stunning

Via Rose!

photo credit to Chris Mitchell

This gorgeously auburn performer is not only a wonderful burlesque artist, but she also plays the bassoon and the contrabassoon, often with the VSO. She’s just dripping with class and it’s a joy that our schedules have finally coordinated!
See you at our next show!

Now, for the eye candy…
I have a bit of a confession to make. Our lighting wasn’t exactly excellent for photo purposes last time and so this photo blog will be smaller. It just goes to show you that if you really want to be a part of our shows and experience the full meal deal of singers, dancers, burlesque, and live music… you gotta be there 😉
I love how I manage to turn the issue of me not double checking the lighting into a “you need to come to our shows”. Ha!

Photos are by our resident live photo sponsor, Cameron Brown

Enjoy!


The Summer of Love

Well, it’s certainly been a while since the last blog entry, but we’re back at it now, feeling refreshed and inspired and ready to dazzle- just in time for our

2nd Anniversary Spectacular!

We’ve gone through a few little growth spurts and changes over the past few months: the addition of Ruthe Ordare, August Wiled, Miss Kiss, and Ava Lure officially into our collective fold (naughty!), bidding farewell to our incredible drummer Trevor Grant, who is going to be living in Charlottetown with his amazing lady Samantha (so sad, but so happy!) and we’re currently wishing our keyboardist, my big brother Sean Bayntun, loads of luck and success as his project Facts participate in The Peak Performance Project this year, right before embarking on a cross country tour!

With all these shifts and positive changes happening, we’ve been getting together to figure out how to operate even better as a collective, and how to make even more solid productions. Ruthe Ordare is now our official Social Media Showgirl, handling our Twitter and Instagram accounts, Burgundy Brixx is our official poster designer for our events, I handle photo wrangling and blog action, and we all fill in the cracks when it comes to admin and all the non-showgirl tasks that are involved in being showgirls. Like printing set lists. Or sending reminder emails. You know, super sexy things like that. In addition to fun task assignment, yay, we’re also working on developing productions! In November, Miss Fitt puts on the artistic director panties for our show at Guilt & Co, and she has not one, but two incredible headliners lined up for the occasion. I’ll leave the reveal to her, so you’ll just have to wait.

Now, you know I didn’t just come on here to write about “Oooo, we’re made of rainbows and love eachother and positive growth and sustainability and stuff”. You know I came on here to share some eye candy with you. Ohhhh yeah. In the midst of all the love and positivity and crap, John Bews and I got married! And since I didn’t organize photos from our last show, I’m going to tide you over with photos from our wedding ceremony. Just so you know, my parents haven’t even seen these yet. They’re having to read this blog in order to see the photos. I’m going to hear about this. The sacrifices I make for our readers is astounding. 🙂 FEEL SPECIAL.

All these photos were taken by Maria Koehn of Frozen Reflections Photography. She is a dream to work with! My gown and John’s suit were designed and made by Messica Demolition (with the lace appliques on the skirt cut out and sewn on by my mother and my aunt). Messica’s dress is a 20s flapper dress with beautiful daisy lace print, and she added a new silk slip underneath and a silk sash for shape. Catherine’s sequinned gown was originally this incredible find of an old lady’s dress, but with some simple modifications became an absolute stunner! The green gown on Voracious V is one of my costumes made by Messica, AND Messica also made my mother’s gown! She’s a machine! Highly, highly recommend…!

Enjoy!


Stolen by a Kiss

With Summer Groove just around the corner, we felt it was time to introduce you to another new member of our collective…
Miss Kiss!

But before we get to her interview (and gallery! Shazam!) let me tell you a little bit about our upcoming show. We have a craaaazy lineup in store for you, and this show is all about the groove. Burgundy Brixx and I will be performing, as per usual, and Miss Fitt will be lending her sweet voice for the show, but in addition to that we have fierce burlesque vocalist Miss Kiss, and Vancouver’s high energy sweet-heart from Sweet Soul Burlesque and the Vancouver Burlesque Centre, Cherry On Top! We’ve never performed with her before and we’ve been dying to for a long time! And with Cherry in the mix, you know there will be lots of  booty groovin music abounding. Have I mentioned how hard we work our musicians? One month it’s all 1940s and classic jazz, the next month we make them do funk and soul. And they switch gears like nobodies business. NBD.

Alright. Let’s get to know Miss Kiss. And let me give you a disclaimer- this little kissing bandit is much more likely to throw you down and kiss you than wait for a knight in shining armour to come deliver one. She’s fierce. Read about her. The lady is gettin naked for you, so get to know her!

***

What is your performance and training background? 

I, like a lot people, did drama and vocal jazz in high school. I have always been a ball of energy that liked to express myself through music, movement and appearance. I was also in a band with a bunch of boys that would play punk rock music in a sweaty basement. We went on to play such big events as my friend Shawna’s house-party-birthday-party. So then the real training came! I took singing lessons after graduating high school, as my first love is singing. I have Celine Dion and the Spice Girls to thank for this. I did some community theatre as well.

After being out of school for a year, my Mom said I better get doing something, so I thought, okay, I like to sing and express myself and dress up in costumes – how bout musical theatre? So I auditioned for the Capilano Musical Threatre Diploma Program. So that is three years of training which includes, but was not limited to: singing, acting, jazz, tap, ballet, film, music theory, and a lot of masterclasses! This does not mean I am a pro at all these things, but I have lots to draw on for performances should I need them! I learned that you can really disguise how terrible you are at tap if you learn to smile…ha! I was the rocker girl dressing up as Alice Cooper for first year ice breakers and not having a clue who Sondheim was. I quickly learned though! I have performed with many local theatre companies since graduating, including Gateway Threatre, Theatre Under the Stars and the Arts Club Theatre. 

 
How and when and why did you get into burlesque?
I remember being a young girl and begging my mom to buy me this blue negligee with white hearts. I was too young to have money of my own and promised I would clean the house if I could have it. She asked what I would even wear such a thing for and I said, ” I don’t know! Cleaning the house?!” I did not get it. But I have certainly made up for that with the lingerie collection I have today! I also would get to wear a very special babydoll of my Grandmother’s when ever I slept over at her house. I felt so glamourous!!! So a love glamour and extravagance started at a young age.

I also started getting into Marilyn Monroe around Grade 9. My dad bought me a Monroe lunchbox as a gift for good grades and I started watching her films and wearing red lipstick everyday – with my doc martins and bondage pants. So I have always had this mix of rock n’ roll and glamour. I also found out I make a terrible blonde and could not be Monroe.

Enter Bettie Page and the burlesque world. “Oh my gawd! So amazing! Where can I find this world?!” I asked myself as a little girl from Surrey. Well thank goodness for The Purrrfessor!!! We were in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” with TUTS in 2008 and he told me about Kitty Nights, that I should come out, and maybe Go-Go sometime. Thank you Jesus! Ha! Here are all these amazing women who come in all shapes, sizes and colours just kicking ass on stage being sexy and fun and strong! Love love love at first sight! So needless to say, I did Go-Go, and went on to start doing my own numbers. Burgundy Brixx really showed me how it is done and has always been someone who inspires me as a performer, teacher and friend.  

So more on the “why burlesque”: it is a medium where I feel I get to truly express myself and my vision how I choose. It gives me a chance to be my own character instead of one already created in a script. It also has helped me be more comfortable with myself. Miss Kiss does not have body issues or insecurities – she just wants to have a good time and entertain! 

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 
Lots of musicians have inspired me to be a performer, like Ann Wilson of Heart. Bowie and Iggy have inspired the male in me. And I always say when I grow up, I wanna be Alice Cooper. These people are so theatrical and rock so hard! I draw inspiration from books and comics as well. I am also a film fanatic and see things for stage like a movie in my mind – and then I have to find a way to make it work! When I hear a song I really connect to, I make a music video or film sequence in my head.  And of course a huuuuuuge inspiration is all the sensational ladies from burlesque past and present. Seeing these amazing women work that stage is just so breathtaking and killer. These women are seriously superheros! Awesome superheros who get naked. They inspire me to be greater and try new things, that as a woman you don’t have to be in a box, you can be crazy and cute and fierce and coy and bloody and whatever you can dream up! As the wise Frankie says, “Don’t dream it, be it”. So we shall!
 Any big plans or productions you’re a part of in the future you’re excited about?
I have taken a break this summer from theatre, which gives me a chance to take vacations and see my friends and family! I always say I am a Jack-of-all-Trades and want to do too many things at once. I am so excited to be on stage this summer with Pandora and the Locksmiths. I feel like such a nerd! I have always been in awe of the skilled ladies of Pandora and can’t believe I have been asked to perform with them! Even though I now call some of these ladies friends, I still feel like a fan-girl that has been let backstage. Squee!

***

We’re really stoked to work with Miss Kiss. She has a massive voice, as you may have seen during our “Night Owl Revue” production for the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, or in Blue Morris’ Beatles Burlesque. With the amount of skill she has, it’s no wonder we’re all trying to get a piece!
Enjoy the photos!


We shall never be Ruth-less again!

Tomorrow evening at Guilt & Co we’re turning up the heat even more and bringing you a full fledged…
Heat Wave!

In the past couple of weeks you’ve been getting to know our newest collective members. So far you’ve read interviews with Ava Lure and August Wiled. Today, we bring you the divine bombshell
Ruthe Ordare!

Read all about her below!
***

 What is your performance and training background?
Most of my performance and training background has been in dance, I began jazz and ballet when I was 10 and began studying it seriously when I was around 15.  I was very focused and determined in my ballet training, and I was lucky to have a very talented teacher who helped me reach the Royal Academy of Dance’s grade 8 in ballet after only four years.  I also competed in local dance competitions in Ontario. 
In my late teens, I started teaching dance at my studio and choreographed competitive routines, performance company pieces and studio recital numbers.  I also owned and operated my own summer dance camp before I moved west to Vancouver.
While I was attending university, I choreographed five musicals.  It was a huge learning experience since my choreography now had to factor in singing as well as performers who had little to no training.  But it was also some of the most fun I had at university!
Some of my biggest performances have included dancing for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for CBC in 2002 and in the Opening Ceremonies at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  
Currently I am taking classes at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre and you can occasionally find me substituting when Burgundy Brixx or Lola Frost are away!

 How and when and why did you get into burlesque? 
I began looking into burlesque a few years ago but didn’t have the opportunity to pursue it until 2010.  In my final year of university I had a class with another local performer Evelyn Ivory, and we somehow started chatting about musicals and dance when burlesque came up.  She referred me to Burgundy Brixx’s School of Tease classes and the rest is history!  I began taking lessons with Burgundy in November 2010 and made my debut in January 2011 as one of her Minsky Follies girls at Kitty Nights. 

What drew me to Burlesque was the idea of being able to use my dance and stage training.  When I was in my late teens I knew I didn’t have the physique for ballet, and I also didn’t have the T&A they wanted for most commercial dance work – so dance had become less of a focus.  When I found burlesque it was so refreshing to be in a space where artists are celebrated for their talent, creativity and skill and not for their ability to fit a pre-constructed mold of “perfection”.  I can be beautiful, funny, silly, sexy, serious or magical!  I also have full control of the image I’d project to my audience, I am the final say on costumes, make-up, choreography and vision.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From so many places, I’m constantly inspired by other performers who are trying new things and expanding the genre.  I find ideas from movies, books, and primarily music.  The dancer in me hears a piece of music and decides “I need to dance to this”.  From there I’ll spend time listening to it and the ideas for costumes and  movement develop in my head.   Any big plans or productions you’re a part of in the future you’re excited about? 
Well, first of all I’m very excited to become an official member with Pandora & The Locksmiths, I’ve had the pleasure of stage kittening with them for almost a year now and it’s an honour to be asked to join the ranks with performers whom I highly respect.  Outside of Pandora, I’m looking forward to staging our Burlesque “beauty pageant” Ta-tas and Tiaras with April O’Peel and Madame Mae I on July 13th at the Rio Theatre.  I’m also taking on my first attempt at producing this fall with Blue Morris Productions!

***

Is that not an impressive resume or what?
We’re thrilled to have her perform with us for the first time tomorrow alongside Burgundy Brixx, Nicky Ninedoors, August Wiled, and special guest Villainy Loveless. You’ll enjoy the vocal talents of Miss Fitt and Doug Thoms (our fabulous host this month) as well as, you guessed it, the musical stylings of the five piece sensation, The Locksmiths! And don’t forget about the balloon popping fun with Ava Lure!
Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 9 pm.
Suggested donation $10.
It fills up fast. Get there early and get yourself a cool drink, cuz it’s going to be a real scorcher!


A Wiled Ride Ahead

Heat Wave! is just around the corner…

and in that production, we’re officially introducing our newest collective members. Last week you got to know Ava Lure, and this week you can get into the head of the sensational…

August Wiled!

Winner of the 2nd place award in Vancouver’s Strip Search for her first ever burlesque performance (!!), August Wiled has materialized onto the burlesque scene here with a passion for this art form and  natural skill that don’t normally come to performers right away. If I do say so myself, ladies and gentlemen, she’s one to watch very closely. We’re pretty awe struck, and very excited to be working with her.

Let’s find out what makes her tick/strip!

***

What is your performance and training background?

  After spending much time dancing in front of ballets on public access television, I was enrolled in dance lessons at the age of three; mostly ballet, but over time including jazz, and lyrical. With dance I was able to spend time performing in competitions, and local shows. I have also performed as a singer, and as a musician; music pervades my life!

  How and when and why did you get into burlesque?

Burlesque and burlesque culture is something I have always been intrigued by. Even as a young teenager, I adored pin up artwork and beautiful lingerie; scratching at the surface, I suppose.  Somehow though, it took me until last year to realize that burlesque was something that I could actually partake in outside the audience role!  I started taking classes with Burgundy at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre, and after just the first one, it became very apparent to me that this was something that I HAD to be involved in, and really something that I was meant to be doing; it’s all my most favorite things combined and makes me so damn happy.

Just a few short months ago, I entered “Strip Search”, a burlesque competition for new performers.  I was delighted at the opportunity to get on stage and really challenge myself to create something I was proud of. I had absolutely no expectations going into it as far as “winning” anything (aside from the experience, and that was enough for me), but much to my surprise, I was awarded second place, and given the opportunity to perform again at Kitty Nights that weekend!!  I was so overwhelmed and humbled by the wonderful responses I got from audience members, and performers that I really look up to; it was like a dream, the most wonderful feeling dream, and completely solidified my decision to continue pursuing the art form further.

On a personal level, burlesque is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I am never as nervous as I think I should be before going on stage, and have an obscene amount of fun performing, and feeling so natural in it is a bit of a strange revelation for me; though always looking for an opportunity to laugh, I am a rather reserved person in my daily life, even shy sometimes. I was thinking recently about my “burlesque character”, but in all honesty, it turns out that my character is really just myself in my truest form! Ha, it feels more like the “daytime” me is really the one in character for my 9-5… But in any case, it all makes sense to me now!

  Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Oh my, this is difficult and vast! Of course I am always inspired by other performers, and the level of ingenuity the exists in the burlesque community in general, both past and present, but I would have to say that creatively, I find most of my inspiration in music; music has always been dominant, and even therapeutic in my life.  When I listen to something that I really connect with, it plays out like a film in my head; movements, mood, colors, you name it. I try to just feel it, and let those feelings dictate what I do; I think that’s really important, to put your thoughts aside and just see what happens.

  Any big plans or productions you’re a part of in the future you’re excited about?

I am always conspiring and dreaming…I need more hours in the day to get to all my plans!  First and foremost though, THIS, Pandora and The Locksmiths; I am so excited and honored to be considered a member of such an extraordinary group of talented individuals. I was a fan before I knew anyone in the group, so it seems a bit crazy to me still.  I went to my first PaTL show completely alone because I just really wanted to be there no matter what; I dressed up, did my hair and makeup, and ventured to Guilt and Co. for the evening, it was great!

I am so new to the community, so for now, I’m just going to keep creating, and learning, and getting out there as much as I can; every opportunity is so thrilling for me.  I’m really looking forward to just spending time with, and getting to know other performers as well!

***

Photograph by David Denofreo

Well, there you have it! Like I said, she’s one to watch. A stunning dancer, a total sweetheart, and a powerhouse talent all around!
See you Tuesday, July 10th!


Boudoir, Racey Routines, and Bear Bums

While you’re anxiously awaiting our Heat Wave! production at Guilt & Company……

we’ve got a delectable stash of photos for you to enjoy in the meantime. Omnomnom!

Here is Act 2 of our most recent show at Guilt, photographed by Cameron Brown.

Enjoy!

PS- congratulations to the new board of directors for the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival– directors continuing on include Roxette Starr, Mike Cooper, Blue Morris,  Sparkle Plenty, and April O’Peel. The board has welcomed Stevie Lix and Nicky Ninedoors into the sparkly workaholic fold! Let the world domination begin!


A Cactus, Ruby Slippers, and a Muff

How’s that for a title? It’s all true, I swear it.

But first things first, our next show at Guilt on July 10th:
Heat Wave!
In this show we’re featuring one of our favourite ladies to work with, Villainy Loveless, the “Marilyn Monroe of East Van”, a member of The Starlet Harlots, and sister to the fierce Lola Frost. She’s got talent, style, and attitude, and we like it.
We’re also presenting two of our newest members- Ruthe Ordare and August Wiled!
I’m going to do a whole entry on the newest contributors to our collective as soon as I get my paws on some photos they would like for me to promote them with. Hint hint. 😉

You’ll also see acts from Burgundy Brixx and myself, our stage will be vixen-ed by Ava Lure, and the night will be hosted by Doug Thoms. Oh yeah, and that five piece band we just can’t seem to get rid of, The Locksmiths, will be providing the live bump to our grind…

Down to the itty bitties…

This is going to be part one of the photos taken by Cameron Brown at our recent show on June 12th. Because we’re tease artists and you don’t get it all at once. You’re going to have to work for it. You’re going to at least have to pretend you just read something before clicking on the nudie photos. And we’ll all just pretend I don’t see exactly what you’re searching when you’re sent to our blog. AHEM. Cuz we don’t judge here!