This (JAM PACKED) week with Atlanta Burlesque!

This past week?
GOODNESS WHERE TO START?!?

On the international front, the Amsterdam Burlesque Festival got a nice write up in the Burlesque Baby Blog this week: http://burlesquebaby.blogspot.com/2009/10/1st-annual-international-amsterdam.html

To find out more about this new festival check out the website here (it's awful creamy isn't it?):
http://amsterdamburlesquefest.com/home

Syrens of the South played to a packed Variety playhouse, I have to say, there isn't much better for a lady's birthday than that! LOOK! You can see our booth in the background! heh, the only one I could find just yet, teehee!


Miss Renea' le Roux is back in Atlanta fresh and lovely from her performance with some of the biggest names in burlesque, including the reigning Miss Exotic World, Kalani Kokonuts





Honestly, I don't think this town can do Halloween without Burlesque, every year we talk about how busy we are and it never seems to go out of fashion to have at least one burlesque event on Halloween so here's the line up of the must see's and do's of the dames of daring and darling decolletage!

Tomorrow:

Drink and Draw is figure drawing with live models in amazing cosplay outfits from your favorite comic books and movies. There are timed sketches with trivia questions and prizes in between. Come on down and hang with some of the greatest amateur and professional artists from all over Atlanta. Beer and food specials run all night long. To celebrate Halloween this month, we are having a Drink and Draw masquerade. Anyone who shows up in costume and will pose for a 5 or 10 minute sketch, eats and drinks for free! At the end of the night there will be a costume contest for anyone who comes dressed up - whether you modeled or not. The grand prize will be over $150 worth of house cash and goodies, and bragging rights until next year. Please let us know in the comments if your interested in modeling so we can keep enough spaces open. It will be a great night of drinking and art, and a great trial run for your Halloween costume. Come on out and have some fun!!
FRIDAY:
Dames Aflame Show!
Dames Aflame's "Showbiz What Sizzles!"
at Le Maison Rouge inside Paris on Ponce

Two show times: 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Proceeds to benefit The Rainbow Center.

The special Halloween production of "Showbiz What Sizzles" features brand new acts along with your favorite Dames Aflame classics. This adult-themed show attracts a diverse audience with its edgy comedy and elegant striptease.
Costume Contest! Fabulous Prizes!
Celebrate Halloween and Pride all for a good cause.
Portion of the evening's proceeds to benefit the Rainbow Center.

Tickets on sale now at TicketLeap.com.
General Admission $25.
Limited VIP seating also available.

Le Maison Rouge is located inside
Paris on Ponce
716 Ponce de Leon Place, NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
www.parisonponce.com

SATURDAY:
Double Header Party with Blast Off!!! Come ON!!! IT's not Halloween without the spook show, it just isn't, what's great about doing the spookshow on halloween is you can do the afternoon matinee and then take your kids out trick or treating afterwards!



Double header Halloween Party with the Syrens!
Bring Out Your dead!
Get Back from the Grave!
Embrace your Inner Zombie!

FIRST SHOW:
Join us for an evening of Art, Poetry, Burlesque, and Music!
Featuring The Atomic Rockets, Syrens of the South & The Tennessee Tease, and Night of the Living George!
Bubba K performing outdoors throughout the night!
Costume contest with a Cash Prize!
$10 cover includes all entertainment and Beer! Wine! at the Gratuity Bar!



SECOND SHOW:
Looking for something to do this Halloween? Come check out this amazing event at the Spring 4th center brought to you by Horrible Children and featuring talent from Syrens of the South Productions!




SUNDAY: NO ABC's AND 123's of Burlesque this week folks!!! Holidays are important to the Syrens but stay tuned next week because I will be teaching classes on vintage hair and burlesque bellydancing! See you then!

Little 5 Points Halloween Parade

Yesterday and today, the 8th annual Halloween Festival and Parade was held in Little 5 Points. The weather for the parade couldn't have been better, and the whole parade route was completely packed with spectators, many of whom were also in full costume.

The Silver Scream Spook Show's Professor Morte was the grand marshall, accompanied by the Blast-Off and Spook Show cast.



If you somehow missed out this year, you should definitely check it out next year. Little 5 + Halloween? How can you go wrong with that?

Accolades

Calu

Calu was featured on the November 2008 cover of Total Tattoo Magazine.

Vagina Jenkins

Vagina Jenkins was the critic's pick for Best Burlesque Dancer in Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta '08.

Dames Aflame

Dames Aflame was the readers' pick for Best Burlesque Troupe in Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta '08.

Blast-Off Burlesque

The Silver Scream Spook Show was the readers' pick for Best Film Series in Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta '08.

BURLESQUE ATLANTA PERSONALITY FOR OCTOBER

CHINITA OF BLASTOFF BURLESQUE!



1 You're recognized as the best pure dancer in the burlesque Atlanta scene. How long have you been training and where'd you get your start?

Why thank you. That is a very nice compliment!

I started hula dancing as well as performing in front of audiences at the age of 7 . One of my first hula dance performances, I recall my hands shaking so much because I was too nervous. I still get nervous today but I like to channel that energy into intensity.

I took some ballet and jazz in my late teens. Additionally, I danced at some of the Atlanta adult exotic clubs during the 90's which I feel contributed with my stripteasing abilities. ;)

Getting lost in dance music is the finest high for me.and I used to hit a lot of the old school Atlanta dance clubs like the Chamber, The Velvet, Club Kaya and The Star Bar. By the late 90's I was go-go dancing around several local nigthclubs and art events. I learned a lot through the Atlanta dance clubs because my favorite teachers were those I could connect with on the dance floor. You would always catch me dancing at least 3 - 4 nights a week back in those days.

2 What's the worst job you've ever had?
I must admit it's been waiting tables. I get flighty and lose patience after a while because I'd rather be dancing, singing or painting.

3 Blast Off Burlesque is known for its sexy wackiness, do you guys bikini wrestle in baby oil backstage or….is that just something I've been fantasizing about? Does Dickie Van Dyke win?
Of course you aren't fantasizing. It's all TRUE! We also love mud wrestling cuz it's great for your skin. And yes, Dickie always wins.

4 Tell me a dirty joke.
Cat poop and doggie doo doo.

5 You're a secret agent in a Bond movie, what's your spy name? Keep in mind Dr. Holly Goodhead, Pussy Galore, Penelope Smallbone, Plenty O'Toole, and Honey Ryder are already taken.
I've used the name, Via Agra.
And sometimes I've used, Maxx. Gluteous Maxx... (say it with a British accent)

6 Most unusual place you've made love? Bonus points if you include the phrase "but the priest didn't mind."
Hmm... Well when I was just a little dumpling, I once had sex in "Purgatory" at the Masquerade. Yup, that's right. But the priest didn't mind because when I confessed my sins he wanted more details. I just told him it was a straight shot to heaven after that fateful night. Naughty devil-girl I am.

7 I've noticed a trend in teaching burlesque dance to housewives. Does your performance persona carry over to domestic life? Does burlesque make you a sexier partner? Tips, tricks? Pole in the bedroom? C'mon, just help a brotha out.
There's nothing more fun than putting on some high heels, sexy lingerie and dancing around to your favorite music. Do up your hair and make up. It just feels sexy! Experimenting and practice makes perfect. Once you're ready, go play show and tell with your honey. Most important, I believe in embracing, expressing and appreciating your own sexuality.

Btw... which "pole in the bedroom" were you talking about??

8 You're a very principled person but who was the last person you sucked up to and why?
I really don't like sucking up to anyone. I just like being myself.

9 What method do you use to attach your tassels?
I have used eyelash glue and double stick tape. Spirit gum is my main method although sometimes it would be kinda nice to have a particular cute boy putting the tassels on for me.

10 You wake up tomorrow and you've got a new super power: Can you fly, bend steel, or become invisible? How would you use this new super power in your burlesque act?
I would fly of course! I'd shimmy around and fly into the sky. At the end of my act all you would see were my tassels and underwear falling on top of your head.

Burlesque Atlanta Personality of the Month: SADIE HAWKINS

Sadie Hawkins is one of the first people I met in Atlanta's neo-burlesque scene. She started out as a card girl with Calu's DOLLSQUAD BURLESQUE REVUE, became a featured dancer (I'll never think of Hanukkah the same way again), and is now the co-leader of her very own rabble rousing retro 60s matinée biker gang, BLASTOFF BURLESQUE.


1. Sadie, have you ever killed a man with your AWESOMENESS?
SADIE: If, by "awesomeness" you mean "making it look accidental," then.... well, I can't really speak to that.


2. Was that man named Bill?
SADIE: I can't remember all their names, really.


3. If you were in the passenger seat of a Mercedes Benz CLK 600 piloted by a coked out Robert Downey Jr. and heading for Las Vegas across the Arizona desert what would be the massage settings on your seat? (hint: I like slow and vigorous)
SADIE: They have car seats that massage, now? Wow. I should run with a different crowd. But really, sitting next to Robert Downey Jr. would give me all the exciting relaxation I'd need.



4. Describe in minute detail the best burlesque act you've ever witnessed.
SADIE: Well, not so much best act, but best performer... all of Dickie Van Dyke's solo acts blow my mind.



5. Describe in 5 words the worst burlesque act you've witnessed.
SADIE: Far, far, far too long.

6. How tall do you wish you were?
SADIE: Well, I'm just about 61 inches, and that's okay.



7. Do you have an Amazon wish list? What's on it?
SADIE: I do now! A growing, yet incredibly unexciting selection of music and books, and probably some other junk.


8. You're performing and some asshole yells, "show me your tits!" What's your response?
SADIE: Well, there's a good possibility they'll make an appearance, anyway. But that asshole sure will be disappointed by the pasties.


9. Before you perform what do you eat / drink to maintain energy?
SADIE: Hmm... not so much to maintain energy, but I tend to bring some cider along for shows.


10. After you perform what do you eat / drink to calm down?
SADIE: Whatever is left of the cider.


VIDEO BONUS ANSWER Unfortunately I don't remember the exact question. Could somebody do me a favor and send me a question that fits please?




STILL CAN'T GET ENOUGH SADIE HAWKINS?

HEY, LOOK AT ALL OF MY PIX!

BURLESQUE-A-PADES March 22, 2008

Set list:
Blast Off Burlesque: Burlesque-A-Pades
Alcove Gallery
22 March 2008
Renea' Le Roux
Talloolah Love
Veronica Lashe
Contest #1: Banana Eating Contest (winner: Victor)
Blast Off Burlesque
Dickie Van Dyke
Contest #2: Ring Toss (winner: Steve)
Jess
Chinita w/ Dickie Van Dyke
Vagina Jenkins
Contest #3: Strip Off (winner: Teesha)
Sadie Hawkins
Alexxx Seltzer and Chinita
Dickie Van Dyke and Barbalicious
Ferris Hilton w/ Blast Off Burlesque

THE RETURN OF THE DOLLSQUAD (kinda sorta)

Friday Jan. 18
Smith's Olde Bar

The first of Calu's Lil' Peepshows for 2008 was like taking a time warp way back into 2005. But not exactly. Let me explain. This event had all of the signs of a return to form for the Dollsquad crew: Calu, Sadie, Barbalicious, Naughtalie, and Sassparilla plus card girl regulars Lisa and Suzi were all in attendance and at the top of their game.

But it wasn't all business as usual. New faces to the lineup included crowd favorites such as Moxie Cabaret's Vagina Jenkins and former Dames Aflame standout Chinita. The charmingly enigmatic Dickie Van Dyke from Blast-Off Burlesque put in some fine work as a clown, a SpaceCowboy and Chinita's lover-bull.

All-in-all a wonderful show. The attendance was decent but not a sell out the way it should have been. Maybe next time it won't occur right before Atlanta's first snowstorm of the season.

I'll keep you posted about future Peepshow happenings. Let's hope it's not another two years before we see this much talent on one stage.

BLAST-OFF BURLESQUE Jan. 12, 2008

Jailhouse Rock Elvis Bash
The Plaza Theatre



Check out the slideshow to see our local burlesque ladies interacting with the King.

Spook Show: Infra-Man

So I thought I would wander on over to the Plaza Theatre last night and check out Blast-Off Burlesque's Silver Scream Spook Show. There were monsters and robots and kung-fu fighting and bad movies and much fun to be had!
[slideshow]

The Elvis Memorial and TIKI TIKI TIKI

Two shows. Two different burlesque crowds. Lots of pictures. Check out the slideshow as I add pix.





CHECK OUT THE SLIDESHOW ON Flickr

A Super Busy Week In Burlesque

Man, where do I start?

I guess we could start with some outtakes from last Sunday's Blacksheep shoot:







The brunette's name is Amy and she was working the lens like no one I've shot in quite a while. Erica is the fire headed girl. I want her to be my new best friend. Really funny and fun shoot. I'll post more after the Blacksheep Show.




SATURDAY






I got a chance to see Blast-Off Burlesque's Spook Show. I absolutely adore Sadie and Barb and the gang.





Added bonus, I finally got the chance to meet a member of "The Dixie Pistols," none other than Vagina Jenkins herself.



Then there was a visit to Elliott Street for their one year anniversary.



A good time was had by all.



Is this what Mike and Pete mean by "high gravity beer?"



SUNDAY

Sunday included a trip to a surrealist play and the opening of Memorial Tattoo in Cabbagetown. The highlight was the opportunity to see my friends Calu, Mark, Lisa, and Troy.