Fall Flirtations
Coming Up Next…
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!!
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Here are some photos of this month’s cast, on and off the Guilt & Co stage. See you next week.
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- Ruthe Ordare Off Stage
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- Ruthe On Stage!
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- Miss Sydney Claire Off Stage
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- Miss Sydney Claire On Stage! Ok, this isn’t the Guilt & Co stage, but that’s because it’s her very first show with us there as a vocalist!
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- Miss Fitt Off Stage
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- Miss Fitt On Stage!
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- Nicky Ninedoors Off Stage
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- Nicky On Stage!
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- Carole Brunette Off Stage
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- Carole On Stage!
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- Ariel Helvetica Off Stage
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- Ariel On Stage!
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- Ava Lure Off Stage
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- Ava On Stage!
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- The Locksmiths On Stage!
Merry Stripmas!
Coming Up Next…
Pandora & The Locksmiths at Guilt&Co!
That’s right, darlings, we’re back at guilt&co in Gastown for a holiday extravaganza. Saturday, December 26 will be a riot of a sexy time. Singing! Dancing! Balloons filled with prizes! Jazz! Funk! and striptease! You know you’ll need to drink away your awkward Christmas dinner, do it with us, why don’t you?
On stage that evening:
AVA LURE
NICKY NINEDOORS
MISS KISS
CAROLE BRUNETTE
RUTHE ORDARE
With the melodious accompaniment of that smokin’ 6 piece band,
THE LOCKSMITHS
And hosted by:
MISS KISS aka STRIPPER JESUS
Doors 8 pm
Show 9 pm
Suggested minimum donation $10 with all proceeds going to the performers. See you there!
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In the Giving Spirit
Sooo, if you ever run into any of us over the holidays, we hope you’ll be in the giving spirit! The ladies of Pandora have some pretty fun wish lists this year, why not make our dreams come true? Last year, Miss Kiss asked for dragon wings, but for 2015, she’s asking for the whole dragon (with treasure, an added bonus)! Ariel Helvetica wants an unlimited travel budget and if that can’t be done, feathers of her own. Superstripper Nicky Ninedoors would like fetish boots and lingerie – no messing around! August Wiled would like a Time Turner… wait, no, just more time to spend with friends. Last but not least, Ava Lure is still wishing to add to her kitty family – an exotic shorthair would be perfect!
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Looking Snappy!
A little while back, the whole group did an in-studio photo shoot with the fabulous people of Fubarfoto. Check out our awesome team!
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- Ava Lure
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- Ariel Helvetica
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- Sean – Keys
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- Voracious V
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- Miss Fitt
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- Dominic – Sax
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- August Wiled
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- Miss Kiss
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- John – Bass
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- Carole Brunette
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- Nicky Ninedoors
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- Alison – Trumpet
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- Ruthe Ordare
Striptease Superstars!
We’ll be seeing you soon…
That’s right darlings, we’re planning a show! Everyone knows that November 1st is the true beginning of the Holiday Season, let’s not deny it. Well, we can’t wait for present time so we’re putting together a little show for Boxing Day featuring a lineup of Pandora superstars. Guess where – at Guilt & Co! I heard that Stripper Jesus might be there, so don’t miss it (cause we know you miss us). We’ll be announcing the full lineup later on, so make sure to check back here.
In the Meantime
You can catch the members of Pandora around Vancouver, Western Canada, and even in the U.S. of A!
Just returned from her tour of Europe, Ariel Helvetica is not slowing down any time soon! She’ll be heading down to Seattle this week to teach at Burlycon, a burlesque education convention. You can also catch her at Silk Tease in Seattle this Wednesday and at The Orchid Club at the Fox Cabaret November 24!
Ruthe Ordare just made her NSFW: Hip Hop Meets Striptease debut as a sexy sock monkey! Something only she is capable of. Ruthe has also recently stepped up as Associate Producer of The Orchid Club and will also be performing in this month’s edition. Producer pants look good on this one!
Nicky Ninedoors also slayed at NSFW this weekend. You want more of her stripper magic? She’ll be bringing her act around B.C. and Alberta so keep an eye on her Facebook page to see when she’ll be in your town!
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Summer Dreams
The last time we were all together on stage was way back in June – woah! Even though the Winter Solstice is approaching, we can still fantasize about the Summer Equinox, no? Thanks to these pictures from fubarfoto, WE SURE CAN!
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- Ginger Avenue joins the sunrise.
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- Brother Keys!
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- Ruthe Ordare soars.
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- Miss Fitt at the river.
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- Ava Lure’s farewell to Spring.
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- Peakaboo Freakin’ Pointe!
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- Dominic on sax!
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- Miss Kiss and Nicky Ninedoors rock it!
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- Hello there, Ariel Helvetica.
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- Ava and August’s duality.
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- The one and only Lola Frost, our FemmeC for the evening.
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- Miss Kiss is way cooler than Lestat.
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- August Wiled brings the feels.
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- Peekaboo Pointe stunns.
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- Awoooo! Howl at the moon.
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- Hey, Liam!
As Told In Myth and Legend
Introducing…
Visions of Lore – VIBF 2015
That’s right people! Get yourselves ready for our next big production! Visions of Lore will debut at this year’s Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. Comprised of entirely new material, Visions of Lore explores interpretation of myth and legend from a female perspective. Join us on this quest for power, knowledge, beauty, and danger on May 2nd at the Vogue Theatre.
Now, we don’t want to give it all away but we do want to share some inspiration with you! Dive into our hearts and minds to discover the beings that will be gracing the stage.
Pandora
Thought of as the first woman to be created by the gods, Pandora received many gifts of knowledge from the divine world. Her curiosity led to the releasing of all things terrible on earth when she opened that fateful box.
Aura
Known as “the divine personification of the breeze,” the Aurae command both light and blustering winds. Stunning to behold, the Aurae disappear and reappear while gliding through the air.
Moth
Represented by Eunomia, the goddess of law and order and Itzpapalotl, the skeletal warrior goddess with flint-tipped claws, the moth is forever in conflict with itself. Can she resist the flame, or will she take on its destructive power?
Curious for more? Next week we’ll be sharing three more mythical beings with you!
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March at the Fox Cabaret
Wait a sec, it’s just been pictures of not us this entire blog post! Let’s get re-acquainted, shall we? Thank you, David Tresham for these sassy photos of our March show at the Fox Cabaret.
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- The brass section!
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- Ruthe Ordare kicks it off with some classic sizzle.
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- Ava Lure, as seen from behind.
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- Nicky Ninedoors flies away with our hearts.
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- Ariel Helvetica; Black Magic Woman!
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- Host Miss Kiss couldn’t handle the hotness and needed some help from Voracious V.
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- Twirly Nicky!
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- Boom! Bam! Ruthe Ordare.
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- Ava got a bit snacky.
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- All done!
Springing Forward
Coming Up Next…
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!
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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.
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.
February was full of action! Voracious V and Nicky Ninedoors both brought down the house in Burlesque Duos on February 14.
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.
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.
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:
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- The antique beauty of Hotel Vancouver.
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- Balloon Girl August Wiled warms up the crowd.
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- Locksmith Liam.
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- Check out that microphone!
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- Bam! It’s Ruthe Ordare.
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- Oh hai there.
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- Swoosh!
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- Super seductress Nicky Ninedoors.
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- Ariel Helvetica hits the stage…
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- …and flies away with a million new crushes!
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- Special guest Mr. Diva.
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- Very bend, such flex.
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- Snail Lady.
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- Slow ridin’ with Voracious V.
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- Who could it be?
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- #coolbutts
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- Group finale!
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- Happy 2015, everyone!
Dashing Through The NO
Season’s Greetings!
In the spirit of the grumpiest of kitties, we’ve welcomed December with a mix of sassy cynicism and child-like anticipation. Want to know what we’re wishing for this holiday season? Take a peek into our most ridiculous wants and whims.
Ariel Helvetica
This long-legged lady wants to be whisked away to Europe to wait out the winter. Bye bye muggle job!
Nicky Ninedoors
Nicky would like to lounge around in a pearl-filled bathtub, please. Oh, and to be dressed in the finest lingerie for the remainder of the season.
Ava Lure
Also wishing to get away, Ava will take one ticket to Japan, please, and a front row seat at the Murasaki Babydoll show!
Miss Kiss
Miss Kiss would like to trade in her bat wings for… DRAGON wings- and then fly to either Disneyland or Disneyworld.
Think you can handle our showgirl wish lists? Good -we’ll be patiently awaiting your gifts this year!
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Fox Cabaret Launch Party
Last month we took our new home, the Fox Cabaret, by storm. With beautiful new digs, and even a signature cocktail, we celebrated change and new beginnings! Check out these beautiful photos from David Tresham.
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- Sax!
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- Nicky opens the night with a sexy serenade.
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- Laura June takes flight.
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- Shake it, Amber!
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- Fabulousness.
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- Some sass from Voracious V.
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- Carole and her beautiful boa.
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- It’s getting hot in here…
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- Smoky sensuality.
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- Bam! Space rays!
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- Thank You!
In-story photos from Ninedoors Photography, lindsaysdiet.com, and Jess Desaulniers-Lea.
Fall Fox Fun!
Coming Up Next…
Pandora & The Locksmiths at the FOX CABARET
After the whirlwind that was Halloween at the Hotel Vancouver, we’re happy to rest in our new home, the Fox Cabaret. That’s right folks, our monthly show is back with a vengeance and ready to take on Mount Pleasant! Join us November 14th for performances by a wide range of Pandora superstars- from founding members to our newest acquisitions. Don’t forget to grab a cocktail from some of the cutest bartenders in town!
Witness on stage:
VORACIOUS V
NICKY NINEDOORS
LAURA JUNE
CAROLE BRUNETTE
AMBER ROSE
Our fantastic host:
MISS KISS
And live music by:
THE LOCKSMITHS
For all the details you’ll ever need, keep an eye on the Facebook event page. We can’t wait to see all your lovely faces again!
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Checking In!
It’s been a busy fall for the ladies of Pandora, and that’s not about to stop. So what do we have coming up this fall? Carole Brunette is happy to be new faculty at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre. She’ll be substitute teaching in the next little while and also coming up with her very own class! At The Rio, Voracious V will be featured in Burlesque Long Form November 22nd and Ariel Helvetica will be pirouetting across the stage in Nightmare Before The Nutcracker December 5th and 12th. Miss Fitt will be travelling North America, embracing the calm and the crazy with stops in Saskatchewan and Las Vegas. Skin Game at The Emerald, Ava Lure’s new co-production with Vanity Feral, will be back November 26. The stage-free evening of burlesque and card games features Ruthe Ordare as a guest this month to boot! So many opportunities to catch these ladies in action!
Photographie
Oh yes, we have more photos from the 4th anniversary show for you! Prepare for the return of our monthly celebration of titillation by feasting your eyes on these lovely images from Reckless Photography.
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- Balloon POP!
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- Fancy cozy guests.
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- Every lady needs a signature sun hat.
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- Amber Rose!
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- Piano keys.
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- Mistress Miss Kiss.
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- Ava’s art deco inspiration.
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- Check out Ruthe Ordare hosting!
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- Oh hey, Ariel’s bum!
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- Yay! Miss Fitt celebrates.
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- Regal Ruthe.
4 Years of Scintillating Burlesque!
Coming Up Next…
PANDORA & THE LOCKSMITHS 4-YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA with OUR NEW MEMBER…
THIS SHOW IS GOING TO BE CRAZY, YOU GUYS!
Another year has come and gone and Pandora & The Locksmiths is about to turn FOUR! Join us in Gastown for another dazzling evening of the live music and scintillating burlesque we’ve become known for.
This month’s show will feature almost every member of Pandora & The Locksmiths in one capacity or another. Be it belting out a tune, hitting the stage with a burlesque number, hosting, acting as stage mistress, or doing absolutely everything (!) this group is ready to take your breath away!
They are:
VORACIOUS V
RUTHE ORDARE
NICKY NINEDOORS
MISS KISS
MISS FITT
CAROLE BRUNETTE
AVA LURE
AMBER ROSE
AUGUST WILED
Live music, as ever, by:
THE LOCKSMITHS
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm, with a suggested donation of $10 and all money going toward the artists. We thank you for four years of keeping Gastown absolutely sizzling on a Tuesday!
ALSO ON STAGE THIS EVENING, FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH PANDORA & THE LOCKSMITHS:
ARIEL HELVETICA
Credit: Glass Boudoir Photography
Ariel Helvetica has been stamping her unique font all over the Vancouver Burlesque scene since her 2010 debut. A born and raised dancer, Ariel spent 5 years abroad, wowing audiences in France as a professional Can-Can/Showgirl, and then criss-crossing the globe and criss-crossing her long legs as a professional high-kicker on cruise ships, visiting 45 countries along the way.
Growing up and training to be a “serious” dancer, Ms. Helvetica’s natural talent and drive took her far into the realm of traditional dance and ballet. But her love of performing, musicals, show tunes and, above all else, dancing to the beat of her own drum, hinted she would eventually leave those constricting toe shoes behind for bigger – and higher – kicks. Sure enough, Ariel’s raw sense of creativity and passion soon pulled her towards the hot red lights of burlesque, where she finally gave in to temptation, biting the apple and beginning her training at Burgundy Brixx’s School of Tease. You can also find this kinky kicker working her magic at Blue Morris’s Rock and Roll Burlesque, Tarantino Burlesque and the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. Ariel is a teacher at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre.
We cant wait to welcome her to the P&L family this evening!
WE ACTUALLY HAVE ANOTHER SURPRISE FOR YOU… ONE MORE NEW MEMBER!
She made her burlesque debut one year ago on our anniversary stage, and although she is not performing tonight, we’d like to welcome:
LAURA JUNE
Laura June is a dance performer and variety act with Pandora and the Locksmiths, as well as a founding member and co-director of Luciterra Dance Company. She has been studying dance for over 20 years, and has been performing across North America and around the world since 2008. A lover of nuance, the hyper-real, mystery, elegance, vintage dust, and praxis, Laura holds multiple certifications with the Royal Conservatory of Music as well as with her dance teachers Suhaila Salimpour, Jamila Salimpour, Colleena Shakti, and Rachel Brice. She is an ongoing and committed student at the Salimpour School of Dance in San Francisco, California, and at the Shakti School of Dance (classical Odissi) in Rajasthan, India. In addition to her technical artistic studies, Laura holds a degree in Humanities from Simon Fraser University, where she studied Art History. She is particularly fascinated with the intersection of art and social change, and the role of the artist in society. Currently, Laura studies, performs, and teaches dance full time, both locally and internationally. When home, Laura co-teaches 7 dance classes a week in East Vancouver. www.luciterradance.com
More Pretty Pictures
The performers are gearing up for this evening’s performance, are you ready? Take a look at last month’s show, as captured by Bob Ayers, and get totally psyched!
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- Some casual loungin’ by August Wiled
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- Happy Miss Fitt!
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- Spooky special guest, Voodoo Pixie.
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- Space power!
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- Cabaret kid, Ava Lure.
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- High drama!
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- August is werkin’ it.
Resplendent Remembrances
Four Years of Pandora & The Locksmiths Memories!
It’s amazing to think that it’s been four whole years since the inception of Pandora & The Locksmiths! Over that time, members of the group have graced countless stages in Vancouver, represented at international festivals, welcomed esteemed guests, and grown hugely as artists. Our expanding group is undoubtedly a family of creators who support and challenge each other on a daily basis. To gear up for our anniversary show at guilt&co on September 9 we pooled our collective minds to come up with the top few memories from the past four years. Here we go!
The Infamous Rabbit Costume
So this has become a bit of a right of passage for newer members of Pandora & The Locksmiths: “YOU, NEWBIE, GET IN THE BUNNY SUIT!” As part of the finale of Miss Fitt’s Aquarius number, both Ava Lure and August Wiled have donned the white mask and danced around blindly to the sounds of The Fifth Dimension. Big ups to Voracious V for getting in the puppy suit twice.
Ninedoors Photo Police
“You know there are no photos allowed at our shows, right? You there, with your phone out- there are no photos. Oh and you, official photographer? You can sit down. You’re blocking the glamour. Get it? Good. Love you!”
The Proposal
Remember that time Alison proposed to Soo on stage!? We do! This is one of the MOST treasured moments as voted by the members of Pandora & The Locksmiths. A bunch of hopeless romantics, I tell ya!
August at Guilt&Co
Earlier this month, we welcomed Voodoo Pixie and Arnt Arntzen to the guilt&co stage! August’s heat was no match for these performers- their dazzling ways sent chills through the audience. Check out these lovely photos from Bob Ayers!
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- Ava Lure is a sneaky balloon girl!
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- August Wiled and the Peel.
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- Miss Fitt’s Shibari styles.
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- Specia Guest Voodoo Pixie.
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- “I’m from space!”
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- A patented Ava stare-down.
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- Blue Voodoo.
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- Nicky Ninedoors sings a tune.
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- Goodbye bra strap!
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- Yay! Such fun!
I’ll be on the beach…
Coming up next…
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!
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- Miss Kiss kicks things off with the balloon game!
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- The Locksmiths set the musical tone.
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- Such prizes. So win.
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- Ava Lure stretches out in the sun.
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- August Wiled in repose.
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- Ruthe Ordare owns YOU!
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- Special Guest Raven Virginia!
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- Oh hai, shoes…
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- Yay! Ruthe!
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- Ava noms on her glove, rawrr!
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- August Wiled is all gams.
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- Our host, Mama Kay!
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- Raven Virginia wows the crowd.
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- Ta da!
Night Heat
Coming up Next…
Pandora & The Locksmiths at Guilt&Co with RAVEN VIRGINIA
Coming all the way from Calgary, Alberta, this month’s special guest is none other than RAVEN VIRGINIA. Raven is a member of the Garter Girls and has graced stages across North America, including the Burlesque Hall of Fame and our very own Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. Join us in sizzling Gastown on July 8th for a show that shouldn’t be missed!
The ladies of Pandora will be serving you two numbers each this evening.
On stage you will see:
RUTHE ORDARE
AUGUST WILED
AVA LURE
With vocals from our stage mistress:
MISS KISS
Our fabulous host:
MAMA KAY
And live music in an array of styles from:
THE LOCKSMITHS
Doors are at 8:00pm with the show starting at 9:00pm. Suggested $10 donation at the door, with all proceeds going to the artists.
Bring your hand fans and wear something flowy- this is sure to be a hot one!
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June at Guilt&Co
Our June show kicked off the summer in style! Relive the glamour with sultry photos from Bob Ayers.
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- Starting things off, balloon girl Voracious v!
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- Just loungin’ with Ruthe Ordare.
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- Delilah Dare show us some fusion bellydance!
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- Gorgeous Carole Brunette.
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- Miss Fitt is trippin’ out.
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- Veil fans and the band!
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- Precision.
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- Carole’s chair dance.
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- A graceful Miss Fitt.
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- Ruthe says, “ta da!”
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- Curtain call, everyone!
Springtime Shimmer
Coming Up Next…
PANDORA & THE LOCKSMITHS at GUILT&CO
Join us at our home base, guilt&co, in Gastown on Tuesday, June 10 for our monthly live music burlesque extravaganza! Let us know you’re coming by checking out the Facebook event here. Get shimmying and shaking on a hot spring evening with performances by:
RUTHE ORDARE
MISS FITT
DELILAH DARE
CAROLE BRUNETTE
with stage mistress
NICKY NINEDOORS
musical accompaniment by
THE LOCKSMITHS
and hostess for the evening
MAMA KAY
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm. Suggested donation of $10 with all proceeds going to the artists.
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Collective Structure
You may or may not know this, but Pandora & The Locksmiths operates as an artist collective rather than a company or troupe. What this means is that there is no assigned “leader” and all jobs -from social media, to band leading, to writing this here blog- are delegated among members. We cast performance spots based on availability and rotate sweeping duties. Sometimes we have one member lead a group number if it is a theme they are particularly passionate about, but most of the time we create as a team. It may take a lot longer, but we all feel strongly about creating with equality among artists. Miss Fitt and Nicky Ninedoors echo the sentiments of the group with their thoughts on our collective structure:
Miss Fitt
The most interesting part for me is how we seem to grow so much as individual performers through our work together. I get inspired all the time by my team. Performing along side such diverse and talented people helps me to become a stronger performer. I get ideas, I see what is exciting and effective for others and I bring my own unique talents and ideas to the table as well. I feel we each contribute to setting the bar higher for ourselves and support each other with our goals and ideas. We all benefit from each others success and grow stronger as a group as a result.
Nicky Ninedoors
What I found incredibly powerful about the process of Awakenings, was that it put us all in a really intense state of vulnerability. We had to be completely open with our feelings, consider the validity of the feelings of others, while working together towards a common goal. I feel that common goal was realized in the creation of “Hunter”, which closed the show. Performing as part of that act was powerful for me because it was created by eight people who were willing to listen to each other, who practiced saying “Yes” to each others ideas, while being humble and gracious when ideas didn’t work or needed revisiting.
It was a really hard process, but as a group we have been evolving for a while, recognizing the talents of each individual within the group, and striving to move away from the idea that any one individual is solely in charge. Each member of the collective is incredibly valuable, and it’s empowering to be surrounded by women who respect, admire, and encourage each other through the challenges they face.
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Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend
Photo by Alex Laurente
A huge “BREAK A LEG” to all the hugely talented women jetting off to Las Vegas to compete in the Tournament of Tease! The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender is a huge four-day fundraiser for the one and only Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum. Team Vancouver will be lighting up multiple categories this year. For Queen of Burlesque we have April O’Peel, Melody Mangler, Burgundy Brixx, and Lola Frost, for best group we have a duo by Lola Frost & Rita Star, and up for Best Debut, our very own VORACIOUS V! Kick some butt down there, Nebula Nipples!
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Vancouver International Burlesque Festival
It was such an honour to grace the Vogue stage with “Awakenings,” a huge collaboration between our collective, Four on The Floor String Quartet, and K-Tel. Want to know what the VIBF is like first-hand? Check out Ava Lure’s Festival Diary in Pin Curl Magazine! Enjoy these amazing photos of our VIBF production from Fubarfoto and Reckless Photography.
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- Early morning.
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- Sunrise.
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- Keys!
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- Bird of paradise, Ruthe Ordare.
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- Singing!
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- Miss Fitt, at the side of the river.
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- Sax, trumpet, trombone!
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- Angel of death, Miss Kiss.
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- Bass!
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- Two-sided symmetry, Ava Lure & August Wiled.
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- Four on The Floor Sting Quartet!
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- Wolf pack on the hunt.
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- Howling at the moon.
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- Thank you!
Art Attack!
Coming up next…
Pandora & The Locksmiths at Guilt & Co!
with special guests:
APRIL O’PEEL & NOUVEAUX TABLEAUX
Reeling from the whirlwind that was the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Pandora & The Locksmiths return to the Guilt & Co stage! Blending fine art with performance, we welcome special guests APRIL O’PEEL and NOUVEAUX TABLEAUX.
Featuring burlesque performances of the classically glamorous persuasion:
VORACIOUS V
RUTHE ORDARE
NICKY NINEDOORS
AUGUST WILED
APRIL O’PEEL
Sounds by:
THE LOCKSMITHS
Bringing fine art to life with Tableaux Vivants:
NOUVEAUX TABLEAUX- MOLLY MALONE and ALLEY CAT HATFIELD
Hosted by:
MAMA KAY
Door at 8:00pm, show at 9:00. $10 suggested donation, all proceeds going to the artists. Let us know you’re coming by checking out the Facebook event!
What is Tableaux Vivants, you ask?
“Not unlike today, social mores of the early 19th century objected to any public exposure of a naked human body. Based on moral, religious or decency grounds, the exposure of a naked body was regarded as inherently sexual. As a result of strict morality laws forbidding women from dancing in the nude, Tableaux Vivants became a form of erotic entertainment under the guise of of art and culture. A Tableau Vivant occurs when a group of performers create a scene without movement or speech to create a living picture. This was a popular form of entertainment before radio, film or television and at one time were a major feature at festivities for royal weddings, coronations, and royal entries to cities. Enterprising producers argued that if classical art works were permitted to show female nudity, they should be as well. Tableaux Vivants were agreed as acceptable as it became understood that it was movement that caused the female form to become sexual. This meant that recreations of classical works using nude women could and would be permitted. “
See it for yourself on Tuesday, May 13 at guilt&co!
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VIBF Favourite Moments
The recent Vancouver International Burlesque Festival was a resounding success! Each act was more dazzling than the last and the audience faces were the smilin’-est in town. Our production, Awakenings, is still vivid in our hearts and minds and it was such an honour to share it with the crowd. Now it’s time to check in! Members of Pandora, what were your favourite VIBF moments? and what are you working on now?
John Bews had a roaring good time chauffeuring our guest legend, Kitten Natividad! Her comedic spirit kept him in stitches and all her jokes were totally on point. This spring, John looks forward to re-organizing his encyclopaedic record collection.
Voracious V, Queen of Tea (Bagging) was honoured to give guest host, Judith Stein, a vocabulary lesson worthy of Urban Dictionary! Judith walked away from the Thursday afternoon tech rehearsal with a whole new understanding of a seemingly innocent innuendo. Next up for Voracious, getting ready to rock Las Vegas when she competed for “Best Début” at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in June.
Nicky Ninedoors revelled in backstage antics while at the Vogue. Her favourite moment was racing up the back staircase with Miss Fitt to make their cue! Can you say, “Sabbatical”? This summer, Nicky plans to focus on creating ornate hairpieces, dance lessons, and re-discovering her song-writing voice.
August Wiled also had a wonderful time backstage. She really enjoyed all the chatter and excitement in the Pandora dressing room. Who doesn’t love spending time with friends? In the next few months, August plans on getting crafty by delving into the art of lingerie construction.
Miss Fitt was very pleased to share a dressing room with The Wet Spots on Thursday night. The conversations they had were heart-warming, groin-tingling, and totally invaluable. This summer, Miss Fitt is going to focus on belly dance classes!
Getting to perform at the Vogue for the first time was the highlight for Miss Kiss. After seeing heroes like Alice Cooper up on that stage, she was overjoyed to finally get her turn! As Pandora’s resident musical theatre nerd, Miss Kiss will be jetting off to New York City this month for a vacation!
Ruthe Ordare enjoyed warming up to our collective theme song, “Yankin’” by Lady, truly a fine jem of modern music! This summer, she is excited to work on new numbers as well as mentor up-and-coming burlesque babes at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre.
The improbable was made possible for Ava Lure on Saturday night of the festival. She was floored to see Perle Noire VOGUEING on stage as part of her multi-song routine. This summer, Ava is all theatre everything! She will be creating an adapted piece of site-specific work as a participant of the Fringe Onsite program, as well as hitting the books as a fourth-year student in Capilano University’s new Bachelor of Performing Arts cohort program.
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Birds of a Feather
In April, we were so pleased to welcome spring chicken, Faye Havoc, to the guilt&co stage! Already a mega-talented seamstress (did you see our lace cage lingerie sets at the VIBF?), we are so excited to watch her growth into a performer. The other ladies of Pandora brought out their favourite animal-inspired numbers for your enjoyment. Peruse these gorgeous photos by Clint Trahan and journey back with us.
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- Sax, bass, and drums! Dom, John and Liam.
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- Miss Fitt dances so fast!
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- Like a tiger!
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- Miss Kiss hosts and Carole Brunette sweeps!
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- Ruthe Ordare takes flight.
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- Dreamy feathers.
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- Dominic on sax!
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- Faye Havoc goes from pea-hen…
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- to peacock!
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- The bears can’t open the honey jars…
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- Just kidding!
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- Sean on keys!
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- Voracious V as a spooky black kitty.
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- Animalistic Nicky Ninedoors.
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- Playing some tunes.
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- Curtain call!
Something’s A-brewing…
Coming Up Next…
AWAKENINGS
at the
Vancouver International Burlesque Festival
We will be bringing our full-length production Awakenings to the VIBF on Friday, May 2 at the Vogue Theatre. Or exploration of dreams, the moon cycle, and the ethereal world will feature some favourites from the show’s last run, but will comprise mostly of brand new, top-secret work.
On Stage:
VORACIOUS V
RUTHE ORDARE
NICKY NINEDOORS
MISS KISS
MISS FITT
CAROLE BRUNETTE
AUGUST WILED
AVA LURE
&
THE LOCKSMITHS
with
FOUR ON THE FLOOR STRING QUARTET
and visuals by
The festival runs from May 1-3. Tickets for the VIBF can be purchased here.
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VIBF Legacy
Now in it’s ninth year, the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival is steadily growing into one of North America’s leading burlesque festivals. Performers bring their very best to vie for a spot on the Vogue theatre’s art deco-inspired stage. Pandora & The Locksmiths is honoured to be included again this year. Some of our members would like to share memories from their very first VIBF experience; what they saw, what they felt, and how it changed them as burlesque artists.
MISS FITT:
“My first experience was with Miss Kiss at the VIBF in..was it 2008? It was the first time we ever wore pasties on stage. Burgundy and Purrfessor had us (Miss Kiss,Carole, and myself) as dancers in their Laughedelic Love-In show. It was so much fun to be a part of it. Later that weekend I was nominated for an award for best go-go dancing and officially dubbed ‘The Queen of Go-Go’ by Evil Bastard at the awards show. I had a few gigs as stage Kitty at Kitty Nights prior to that and I guess people noticed my knack for freestyle go-go. I was touched to be recognized in the community even before I had officially made my solo burlesque debut- which I did shortly after on the Kitty Nights stage.”
NICKY NINEDOORS:
“My first VIBF experience was in 2009 at Jenny Magenta’s banquet of broads show at the Wise Hall. I was volunteering at the bar helping with drinks (ie. sitting on the bar and preening) and I struck up a conversation with someone who was admiring my backseam stockings… And a loyal fan was made!”
AVA LURE:
“My first experience was a few months after my Becoming Burlesque grad in 2010. I was volunteering at the Rickshaw selling tickets at the door. When the show began I got to get up from my post and peek into the theatre where I saw Tigger! perform for the first time. I was so blown away by his performance and had never seen anything like it before so I read his bio in his class description. I noticed he had a degree in theatre and thought to myself, ‘I MUST BE THAT AWESOME TOO! I MUST GET A DEGREE IN THEATRE!’ and am now entering the final year of that degree. Overall, a hugely life-changing event.”
RUTHE ORDARE:
“My first experience with the VIBF was in 2011 when I was brand-spanking new! I had debuted in January 2011 and had met a few of my future collective-mates already. I was asked by Pandora & The Locksmiths to kitten their production and was a stage slave for Bloody Betty’s production at the Rickshaw. The next night I was taking tickets and watching the other performances. On showcase night Burgundy asked me to be a part of her “Fireball” number as they were the main sponsor. It was a group number with Lola Frost, Carole Brunette, Miss Fitt and Voracious V!
It’s hard to remember much of it because it was such a whirlwind and I really had no idea how big the community was at that point. I made so many connections at that festival and knew I wanted to be on that stage as a soloist one day. I think Burgundy and the ladies of Pandora had the biggest impact on me because they believed in me as a new performer and gave me opportunities to be involved!”
JOHN BEWS:
“My first experience was with “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be,” our production at the Rickshaw for 2011. We were only a cast of 9 at that time. It went by really quickly and we were left with a large keyhole prop.”
AUGUST WILED:
“My first VIBF experience was 2012, as a spectator. What I remember best was being blown away by Nicky Ninedoors and Sean Bayntun performing “Nude” at the Vogue. As a newbie, I felt at home there, like ‘Yes, these are all my people.'”
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For some visual stimulation before we hit the Vogue stage, please peruse these photos from last month’s run of Awakenings. Images by Jess Desaulniers-Lea and Cameron Brown.
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- Hippie dreamscape with Miss Fitt. Following photos by Jess Desaulniers-Lea
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- In the boudoir with Ruthe Ordare.
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- Angel of Death Miss Kiss
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- August Wiled serenades with her legs!
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- Balloon fun with Voracious V! Following photos by Cameron Brown.
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- Femme-C Lola Frost
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- Ava Lure opens her fancy presents!
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- Don’t pet my belly!
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- Addicted to August Wiled.
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- Ruthe Ordare swirls like smoke.
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- Chanteuses: Nicky Ninedoors, Miss Kiss, and August Wiled.
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- One half Ava, one half August.
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- An intimate moment with Nicky Ninedoors.
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- Nude Nicky.
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- Miss Kiss…
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- …sucks young blood.
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- Curtain Call!
Equinox
Coming Up Next…
Birds of a Feather with Pandora & The Locksmiths
Are you ready for a creature feature? We’re ecstatic to be back at our home base- guilt&co! Our spirits are high and we’re tapping in to our animal instincts to bring you our favourite creature-themed routines. This month, we present to you a special guest- spring chicken FAYE HAVOC! You’ve seen her costumes on the bodies of Vancouver’s top burlesque performers and now it’s time for Faye to strut her stuff on stage. So creep, crawl, shimmy, shake your way to Gastown on April 8!
Birds of a Feather will also feature:
NICKY NINEDOORS
VORACIOUS V
MISS FITT
RUTHE ORDARE
Stage Mistress:
MISS KISS
And song stylings of:
THE LOCKSMITHS
Doors at 7
Show at 9
*Suggested donation of $10 at the door, all going towards the performers*
Welcoming April
This month is high energy for the ladies of Pandora, let’s check in!
Nicky Ninedoors -a staple of powerhouse producer April O’Peel‘s mainstage shows- will be facing the wheel of destiny in Burlesque Improv at the Rio Theatre on April 5. You don’t want to miss this one, a rubber chicken is involved! Later this month, she will be taking up a week-long residency at Vancouver’s infamous Penthouse Nightclub. The Penthouse has seen everything from jazz greats to Mafia dons and is now one of the city’s top exotic entertainment venues. See Nicky become part of the legend the week of April 14.
Ruthe Ordare is our globe-trotting darling this month! She will be touring with three different productions through BC and Amurica! From April 4-6, she will be heading up to Quensel with her partner in crime Villainy Loveless to teach and to perform at the Caribooby Cabaret. Then, from April 9-12 she will be heading down south to Austin to compete in the Texas Burlesque Festival! Woot woot! Finally, from April 18-20 she will be touring Kamloops and Prince George as part of the Dirty Dancing Burlesque cast. Catch her if you can, far-away friends!
Ava Lure is pleased to be joining an all-star cast of the second instalment of Night Circus. Every weekend in April, let her take you on a Space Cruise! This production, at Vancouver FanClub, features Blue Morris’ Rock & Roll Burlesque band, mind-bending circus artists, Cruise Director David C. Jones, and some of the city’s best and brightest burlesquers. Join the cast for their first two weekends for $5 off when entering promo code AvaLure when you purchase tickets online in advance! OH did I mention the show is set to 80s music? Cause it’s space!
It is with great honour and the awesomest sauce that we announce Voracious V‘s acceptance to the “Best Début” category of this year’s Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender. The weekender -which runs June 1-5- celebrates the international burlesque scene’s most outstanding stars with four evenings of unstoppable showcases. We can’t wait to cheer on our favourite purple Space Goddess in Las Vegas this summer!
Also, a HUGE congratulations to the wonderful Vancouverites accepted to perform in the Queen category: Melody Mangler, April O’Peel, Burgundy Brixx, and Lola Frost!
Voyages & Adventures
Well, it looks like our wishful thinking worked! Voyages & Adventures- last month’s vacation-themed show- brought in a spectacular Spring! Let the sun shine in with these photos from Bob Ayers.
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- Peachy Burgundy Brixx.
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- Ava Lure loungin’ in the sand.
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- Voracious V is too darn hot!
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- Island babe Carole Brunette.
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- A mustachio’d V.
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- Rien!
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- Delightful Delilah Dare.
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- Ava in gold.
Come on Home, Girl!
Coming Up Next…
Voyages and Adventures
AND
Awakenings
with Pandora & The Locksmiths
Awakenings is a dream and nightmare-themed extravaganza that will feature a rotating cast of Pandora striptease artists and vocalists.
Join us at Vancouver FanClub on Granville Street for an evening of glitz and glamour! Opening March 7, the premier evening will also include a photo exhibition from Ninedoors Photography. Awakenings will run every Friday of the month of March.
Ready to escape the snow and rain? Voyages and Adventures with Pandora & The Locksmiths will create the feel of a far-off vacation! Head down to guilt&co on Tuesday, March 11 to heat things up.
Featuring:
VORACIOUS V
DELILAH DARE
BURGUNDY BRIXX
AVA LURE
Hosted by:
THE PURRFESSOR
With stage mistresses:
MISS FITT
AUGUST WILED
And song stylings of:
THE LOCKSMITHS
Doors at 7
Show at 9
*Suggested donation of $10 at the door, all going towards the performers*
Heart & Soul
Heart & Soul was a shimmy-shaking, sing-your-heart-out celebration of RAD. Special surprise guest Jo Weldon rocked the house with an impromptu bump and grind, tassel/assel-twirling lesson. The audience was thrilled! Take a break from your day and get lost in these gorgeous images from Reckless Photography.
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- Carole brunette is…
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- FOXY!
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- Ruthe Ordare gets that stocking on
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- Burgundy Brixx floats into your dreams.
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- Miss Fitt frolics in the garden.
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- Stage Mistress Ava has it handled.
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- Somebody to love? Ruthe Ordare!
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- Nicky Ninedoors sings her heart.
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- A little trace…
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- Miss Fitt can fly!
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- Burgundy as Lucretia McEvil.
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- Curtain call. Thanks Jo!
Daydreams and Night-terrors
Step Into Our Dream World
Announcement time! You may have guessed at this but now it’s time to spill the beans. Every Friday for the month of March, Pandora & The Locksmiths will be presenting a collection of favourite pieces at Fanclub in downtown Vancouver. “Awakenings” will pull the audience through the light and dark of the dream state. Each act will bring onlookers into the performer’s dream world, be it a glittery pajama party, a space adventure, or a visit from the angel of death. More information on tickets and showtimes will be available on our Facebook page very soon.
Until you can join us at Fanclub, why not lean a little more about our real-life dreams? The ladies of Pandora have very active imaginations! Nicky Ninedoors often dreams of the deep blue ocean and the terrifying notion of perishing in a killer whale attack. In the future, she hopes to travel to majestic Iceland (probably to meet Bjork). Miss Kiss dreams of becoming Alice Cooper one day, if she doesn’t lend her voice to a Disney princess character first! Ava Lure has a recurring dream: doomsday prepping! If she survives the apocalypse, Ava hopes to share billing with Violet Eva one day (because that would mean she also gets to go to Japan). August Wiled also dreams of underwater menace; her home being swallowed whole by the whale from Pinocchio. What’s with these whales??
Do you like that gorgeous photo of Miss Fitt? The opening night of “Awakenings” will be coupled with an exhibition of selected photos from Ninedoors Photography. Make sure to mark down March 7th in your calendar, you won’t want to miss this glamorous event! Until then, check out Ninedoors Photography on Tumblr.
Heart & Soul
Are you ready for Heart & Soul with Pandora & The Locksmiths? I bet you want to know who our super sexy guest host is… well, we’re going to keep you guessing! That’s going to be shared on our Facebook event page so make sure to check in. See you on the evening of the 11th at guilt&co, show at 9:00pm!
Everything Old Is New Again
Until you can see us in person, pour over more photos from last month’s show by Bob Ayers.
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- Nicky opens the show with a song.
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- Ava Lure.
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- Piano keys.
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- August Wiled.
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- The brass section.
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- Ruthe Ordare.
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- Miss Kiss.
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- Did I not say brass section?
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- Nicky Ninedoors.
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- Drums.
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- Ruthe Ordare.
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- Ava Lure & August Wiled.
Sensual Celebrations, You’re Invited!
Coming Up Next:
Heart & Soul with Pandora & The Locksmiths
We’d sure love to see you at guilt&co on Tuesday, February 11th! This month we’re busting out some of our all-time favourite soul jams to put a little heat in that heart of yours! Bring a date, bring your friends, bring your mom (the ladies of Pandora do it!) and visit us in glittering Gastown, won’t you?
And guess what? We’ve got a surprise for you…
February’s show will feature a very sexy surprise guest HOSTESS! Stay glued to our Facebook page to hear the big announcement! Who could it be?
And the Locksmiths’ sizzling band accompanying the lovely ladies of Pandora baring their souls and singing their hearts out…
MISS FITT
NICKY NINEDOORS
BURGUNDY BRIXX
RUTHE ORDARE
and
MISS KISS
with guest vocals by THE PURRRFESSOR
and stage mistress AVA LURE
Doors 7 pm
Show time 9 pm
*Suggested donation $10*
We’ll warm your heart and satisfy your soul – it’s a Valentine for the senses…
Everything Old Is New Again
January’s show was a dazzling spectacle of energy and joy! A new year came with new challenges and the team brought their A-game to wow the crowd! Want to see some photos? Well lucky you! Check out these gorgeous photos from Bob Ayers.
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- Play the balloon game with Voracious V!
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- Ladies and gentleman, Rachel Bruner.
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- Ava Lure kicks off the show.
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- Ava Lure
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- Beaming.
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- August Wiled
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- WOW, Ruthe Ordare!
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- Nicky Ninedoors
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- Delicate decadence.
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- Choosing her prey.
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- Miss Kiss
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- Oozing sensuality.
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- Ava & August pull your heart in two.
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- Moustache rides for everyone!
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Get Acquainted with The Locksmiths!
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?
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!
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!
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?
We’ll just leave that there.
Winter Is On It’s Way!
Coming up next – Winter Magic with Pandora and The Locksmiths
Let the twinkling lights of Gastown welcome you to guilt&co on December 10th.
Doors at 7pm, show at 9pm, with a suggested admission donation of $10.
This month, TRAVIS BERNHARDT brings his unparalleled slight of hand to the Guilt & Company stage!
“Travis Bernhardt became a full time professional magician in 2008, fulfilling his lifelong ambition—retroactively decided upon—of never becoming qualified for anything else.
Sort of fresh off touring his award winning solo show Unpossible! across Canada—selling out in Edmonton and held over for an extended run in Vancouver- Travis looks forward to the holiday season, depleted bank accounts and seasonal affective disorder.”
So how ’bout it?
The show will also feature:
VORACIOUS V
CAROLE BRUNETTE
BURGUNDY BRIXX
and
AVA LURE
With stage management by RUTHE ORDARE
Festive melodies from THE LOCKSMITHS
And hosted by THE PURRFESSOR
Nouveau Paris
Nouveau Paris was an alluring mix of new acts and returning favourites. Relive the most enticing moments by taking a look at these photos from Clint Trahran.
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- Our gorgeous host for the evening, Mama Kay
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- Ava Lure starts things off
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- Showgirl Sass
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- Voracious V dreams of violin
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- Nicky Ninedoors sings, “L’amour!”
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- Burgundy Brixx tangos upside down
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- Hypnotique
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- Ruthe Ordare
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- Un gant élégant!
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- Just an innocent tea party…
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- Or maybe not.
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- Definitely not.
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- Et Voilà!
Seasonal Sensations
Only days away from Nouveau Paris, are you excited?
We sure are!
Late November will be host to a number of other extra special events that feature some of our members… Curious?
Burlesque Bazaar
On November 24th you can look forward to the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival Association’s first event of the year, it’s the Burlesque Bazaar! This event is the brainchild of Mama Kay, and is sure to delight! Titivate so you can titillate with goodies from over 10 amazing vendors. Did you know that four of our members are on the first all-female board of directors for the VIBF? Burgundy Brixx reigns as President, Nicky Ninedoors act as Vice President, and Mama Kay and Ava Lure sit as Members-at-Large. Busy busy!
Burlesque Long Form
Powerhouse producer April O’Peel is back with this year’s edition of Burlesque Long Form. This innovative show challenges Vancouver’s top burlesque artists to create and perform an extended piece. This year, the lineup will feature our very own Voracious V and Burgundy Brixx! Make sure to get tickets in advance here as they are sure to go fast!
PinCurl Magazine
Burgundy Brixx will be featured in the upcoming “Best Of” edition of PinCurl Magazine! PinCurl is one of the burlesque community’s most trusted magazines and this year’s December issue will proudly include an interview and photo spread of Ms. Brixx in all her winter-time glory. Southern P&L fans, take note- Burgundy will be performing in Viva Dallas Burlesque for the issue launch on December 6th, and also in Corpus Christi for the After Dark Revue, December 7th.
Lots of amazing information in there, maybe we don’t need eye candy this time…
SO KIDDING.
Cameron Brown captured some of our ladies’ best assets last month at Sugar & Spice, take a peek!
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- Lydia DeCarllo’s beautiful arch.
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- August Wiled takes it off slowly.
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- Voracious V revealing her dark side.
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- Nicky Ninedoors’ legendary behind
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- Miss Kiss claims another victim.
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!
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- Pop!
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- Sometimes, even the Purrrfessor is a tease
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- She’s ready to get it on
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- Lacing up
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- Lucky Lipstick!
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- Come on home, girl
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- Pure magic
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- Smooth moves
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- Welcome to Brixx house
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- Funky
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- Foxy lady
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- Spin!
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- She’s going to grab that money no matter what
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- For your love
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- Oops, did she drop something?
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- No peeking yet
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- Drive a young man insane
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- She’s on fire!
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- Sweet, sweet harmony
Soul, Funk, Fringe Fest and more!
Up next, we’re taking you to….
Pandora and The Locksmiths are taking you on a 60’s and 70’s FLASH-back (pun intended!) on tuesday August 13th as we dive into a cool pool of retro-sexy goodness we like to call FUNKY TOWN!
With performances in the 60’s and 70’s groove by:
CAROLE BRUNETTE
RUTHE ORDARE
BURGUNDY BRIXX
and
NICKY NINEDOORS
plus DOUBLE TROUBLE stage management and siren skills by
MISS KISS
and
AUGUST WILED!
With classic funk and soul to spice up your hot August night by our 5 piece band, THE LOCKSMITHS!
And hosted by the the rip roaring vocal talents of
DOUG THOMS!
The show starts at 9 pm with the band while our balloon babe 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 delightfully indulgent 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!
* * *
Super Awesome Reminder: We’re in The Vancouver Fringe Festival!
This is the show you’ve been hearing about and your chance to see it fully staged at the beautiful historic theatre at The Cultch is just around the corner!
Join us on a racy romp through the golden age of burlesque and experience Minsky’s famous Burlesque Follies as remembered by the one and only Gypsy Rose Lee!
Starring BURGUNDY BRIXX as burlesque legend GYPSY ROSE LEE!
The PURRRFESSOR as comedian RAGS RAGLAND!
And in tribute performances to these other legendary burlesque queens:
NICKY NINEDOORS as extreme edyciast MARGIE HART!
APRIL O’PEEL as the tassel twirling CARRIE FINNEL!l
AUGUST WILED as the ever-elegant SHERRY BRITTON!
and MISS FITT as the feisty fireball GEORGIA SOTHERN!
Plus
SOCRATEASE
And RUTHE ORDARE, VORACIOUS V, and AVA LURE as The Famous Minsky Rosebuds!
And live music and fun with our HOT jazz band, THE LOCKSMITHS!
Sean Bayntun on Keys
John Bews on Bass
Alison Gorman on Trumpet
Dominic Conway on Sax
and Liam MacDonald on Drums
A production of Livestage Performance in association with Kitty Nights Burlesque and Pandora and the Locksmiths as part of the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Inspired by “Gypsy Rose Lee and the Minsky Follies” as produced by Albert Garzon and Ixion Burlesque
Here is the full schedule of when you can find us!
Sept 6 @ 8:55pm
Sept 7 @ 10pm
Sept 8 @ 1:45pm
Sept 11 @ 9:45pm
Sept 13 @ 5pm
Weekend Fringe Festival show tickets are just $12 each, and weekday shows are only $10!
More info on the Fringe Festival here:
http://www.vancouverfringe.com/
* * *
So awesome. Reminder, if you want to follow us on twitter we’re @livejazzburlesk
on instagram we were allowed more characters in our name (yay!) so we’re @pandoraandthelocksmiths
Tweet at us and let us know what you think of our shows! We love interacting with our guests all over the place!
* * *
Hmmmm…. I wonder if we have any other news.
Well, it is a month and a half until our third anniversary! That’s pretty spectacular. We have a lineup featuring almost every single one of our members, a show full of duets, plus two gorgeous group numbers, a new solo from one of our founding members (she is very excited about it, so you should be too!)
AND
We have a burlesque debut. (!!!!)
I’m getting choked up just typing this sh*t, I’m so excited.
You’ve seen her in the incredibly talented fusion bellydance group, Luciterra.
*deep breath*
LAURA!
Here’s a cute picture of her on the right (from my wedding after party, actually!) with one of her Luciterra sisters and one of our Pandora sisters, Delilah Dare! Delilah will be our stage manager in the show. I can’t wait to watch her face watching Laura! Oh, sister love. ❤
This is so damn exciting. I love our extended collective family!
I might add that you can find Luciterra performing at Guilt & Co on the last Tuesday of every month. They also teach classes- many of our members have been in their workshops getting our shimmy on. Check out their website if you want to learn more!
Photo by Amanda Flagg
* * *
Okay, I think that’s it for announcements. I can breathe now. My heartbeat can return to a slightly less elevated rate!
Except now it’s time for gorgeous photos taken at our most recent Guilt & Co production, by Jess Desaulniers-Lea.
Heart races. Swoon.
The Heat of the Night
Summer is here! And it’s glorious! We’ll be celebrating by disrobing… tell all your friends 😉
As warm breezes sweep through the city,
And the sweltering sun starts to set,
We’d like to invite you to join us inside,
Where we’ll tease ’til you work up a sweat.
Pandora and The Locksmiths are happy to present you with with a sizzling show that’s sure to raise your temperature!
Featuring:
CAROLE BRUNETTE
AVA LURE
AUGUST WILED
MISS KISS
VORACIOUS V
We are also incredibly pleased to have the stunningly sultry NICKY NINEDOORS singing steamy tunes, and keeping our ladies in line.
Not only will we satisfy your eyes, but you’re ears will be delighted with smoking hot music by the fabulous five piece jazz band THE LOCKSMITHS! If you thought it couldn’t possibly get better, the always scorching MAMA KAY will guide you through the evening and keep the mercury rising.
The show starts with the band at 9pm while Nicky NineDoors gets all her prize filled balloons popped; a rare treat indeed! We highly recommend arriving early so you may enjoy the amazing cocktails and tapas at Guilt & Co.
Admission is a suggested $10 donation*
*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!
Whew! That show is sure to be a hot one. Don’t worry, Guilt & Co has air conditioning, so all that heat is going to be strictly internal, and our fault. Oopsies.
Before we get to some jaw dropping photos, we have a couple other things we would love to promote, because they are awesome.
Avenue Q!
Go see the incredible hit production that is getting rave reviews across the city! It’s innapropriate, it’s definitely not PC, and it’s fabulous! We were going to link to all the reviews to prove how awesome it is, but there are SO many. We’re not just saying that. Google is your friend. Avenue Q was over 80% sold out of the ENTIRE RUN until August 3rd, and then they extended it until August 17th due to demand. It’s amazing. It’s totally side splitting. Do yourself a favour and go.
Also, our own Brother Keys aka Sean Bayntun is the music director! And Mr Ninedoors is playing bass in the band with Sean!
Find out more and get tickets here!
and…
The Burlesque Assassins!
Reasons why we love this film:
1) “Rather than a film about burlesque, it is a burlesque film”- This is Cabaret
The BA features hugely inspirational performers such as Roxi D’Lite as the leading lady, plus our good friend Amber Ray as one of the dancers in the club! (There are so many inspiring performers in this film it’s kinda hard to list them all.) It’s a salacious romp of espionage in the land of absurdity. Love. which leads us to our next reason we love it…
2) Hello, cult hit!!
3) It’s Canadian made!
4) And bonus, they launched the film in Vancouver because they love Vancouver. Awesome. Nice work, guys!
If you’d like to buy this movie or rent it, please click here! They are doing an affiliate program with lots of burlesque community members, so a portion of the sales go back to to the community! We think that’s super awesome.
Know what else is awesome? If they do well selling this film, they plan to make another movie!! AWESOME!
Follow this link! Watch the preview! Purchase the movie! Support the little guys- they do big things!
Okay. Now that you’re done with our opinions, you may have some eye candy. Please enjoy a single serving of each of our performers featured in our upcoming show at Guilt & Co!
xo
Pandora and The Locksmiths 