Thread: A Burlesque Round up of 2008

As the year draws to a close I though it might be fun to reflect on the Burlesque related highs and lows of 2008... so i have devised a fun questionnaire... feel free to add questions of you own too people... (ps sorry if some of the questions don't apply to everyone... i'm not trying to leave anyone out)

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?

Please add more questions if you want to!

WARNING

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Ooh this looks like fun!

1. What has been your favourite night you performed at this year?
Hmmm... this is tricky. There are only 4 to choose from and I enjoyed them all. I can't answer it.

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)
I did enjoy it but if I had to pick the worst was one where everything was running 90 minutes late, I didn't get on stage until 1am and had to scrap my second act.

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?
My first one was in Peterborough on Halloween. My very very first performance.
The last was at the Martini Lounge on Wednesday

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?
I saw Vicky Butterfly perform her Victorian Butterfly act at Hot Muffins in September. It was absolutely breathtaking!

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?
See above

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?
Ooh good question. Possibly Millie Dollar's peacock outfit. I love the bit at the end of the routine.

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?
Having to travel at stupid times to fit performing around uni.

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?
So many! Notable mention goes to Amethyst, Eris, Pixie and May.

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?
Lots of things. Well, the two acts that I have at the moment (not including my Halloween one) were inspired by the British Heart Foundation (my Secret Admirer act was made up purely for the Heart of Burlesque) and Victorian society. For the next acts in the pipeline I'm inspired by my Latin American dance background, the idea of revenge and a celebrity trainwreck.

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?
Starting to perform!

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?
Again, to actually perform was one of them!
Then I set myself little targets after each performance to hit for the next one. I think my first was to enjoy myself more on stage, the second was go for it more with facial expressions and the third was to improve a prop for one of my acts. I have a fourth but I like keeping my targets quiet until I achieve them.

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?
The fourth that I am keeping quiet

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?
Meh, it's all been a bit up and down. There are those who love it, and those who think it's just another form of the sex trade. Dita von Teese has got a lot to do with the high profile but it's nice to see other performers showing through in the media now.

OK then, let's give this a go:

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

I think it has to be Appleby Burlesque back in June, when it was Cherryfox's birthday. It's always a fun night but this one was something else. Poor old CF was actually rather ill after this night so she might not have the best memories of it, bless her, but it was a riot!

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

I'm saying nothing on this one - I couldn't think how to word a suitable reply!

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?

The first was the Pitty Patt Romance-a-Rama in February
The last will be the Appleby Festive Favourites tonight

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?

Chrys Columbine at House of the Golden Lotus was quite special - an example of polish and perfection that made me want to up my game

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?

Probably Anna Fur Laxis' 'Memory of a Goldfish' - oh that costume!

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?

Anna's was awesome, but I feel special mention has to go to Diva Hollywood's Magic Makeover 'pasties' ...

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?

Having to take about three months' break in order to have my operation - I was so unconfident taking back to the stage after it, and wobbly too ...

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?

Lots and lots of people, although Delilah Dufoe and El Kapitan stand out this year!

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?

Performances - I have no idea! The ideas have just been seeming to come to me rather than having some definite inspiration

Modelling - classic pin ups and realising that I can do cheesy big smiley faces and actually look OK!

Costume design - the desire to make a lot of them myself and my limited sewing abilities! I play to my strengths - so their construction is always pretty bad, but it's strong and durable, and the embellishment is always pretty darn good!

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?

Putting on my own event, the Bonne Nuit Speakeasy, in October. It was incredibly stressful, but went really well, and since I was surrounded by friends it was a very enjoyable night

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?

To perform more than I did last year and to build up a good solid reputation on the scene. I've definitely achieved the first, and I hope I have the second!

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?

More of the same - and to become 'established'

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?

Not really - I take very little notice of the media. The fact that when I went for an agency audition the owner of the venue asked 'what's that?' when I said I did burlesque makes me think that media coverage is still pretty low - but better low coverage than over-saturation and inaccuracy!

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

As a promoter I'd say Silk Stocking Striptease Show 4. we finally hit the big time on a Saturday night. As a stage manager it's The Big Burlesque Bout. As an organiser it's the SPiT LiKE THiS Album Launch Party.

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

Oh dear - Angel and I want to put it behind us, suffice to say everything was wrong.

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?

I don't remember which was the first show of 2008 but the last was Scarlet Fever Presents - unless someone runs a burlesque show in Birmingham very soon.

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?

Overall I would say Diva Hollywood, although it's been a tough choice to make as I've seen some bloody brilliant performers this year.

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?

Really tough choice - I'll go with the Emerald Ace Octopuss act.

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?

Angel LaVey's new outfit for 'Angel's Nightmare - Enter Mr. Sandman'

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?

Not being able to see, nosiy uninterested audience members (please :censored: off to the cinema) and the bull:censored: politics that insecure little :censored:'s inject into the scene.

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?

The Decadent Gent and Miss Ditzy Diamond really stick out in my mind - also CYNDi ROTT of SPiT LiKE THiS.

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?

Alan Sugar.

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?

Taking a concept with no budget and turning it into a respected burlesque show.

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?

To make the Silk Stocking Striptease Show an event people want to perform at and/or watch - achieved.

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?

Silk Stocking Striptease Show to survive the credit crunch.

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?

Utter drivel bar a few well informed articles.

Originally Posted by Gehenna

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?

Really tough choice - I'll go with the Emerald Ace Octopuss act.

.

Haha, I'll pay you later hun! (Seriously though... thanks, that's really kind!)

Ok, so I'm going to attempt my own questionnaire... here goes!

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

I think some of my faves to perform at were Bonne Nuit Speakeasy (it was a really fun night with a super line-up, and i got a bit tiddly after on the free wine!), Silk Stocking Striptease (the audience were so enthusiastic and backstage ran like clockwork), Belle Epoque (beautiful venue and great girls), the Wet Spot (the best lineup ever!), Big Burlesque Bout (the feeling backstage was perfect, it felt like being in a girls dorm or something, i almost expected pillow fights!)... god it's so hard to choose, there were so many really fun ones!

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

I performed at one show where the organiser had never put on an event before (i don't think they have done one since either), nothing ran to time, there were way too many acts and an absolutely tiny audience (i think if you included the band there were more people performing than watching!) and there was no stage! In reality i actually still had a fun time, but it was probably the least professional fun time i have been involved with!

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?
First was one NYE last year (and tipped over into after midnight) and was a walkabout at Circo in Liverpool with Millie Dollar, the last was the Wet Spot at the end of November.

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?
I really enjoyed watching Lydia Darling, Vicky Butterfly (i don't think i have seen her perform live this year tho), Khandie Kisses, Golden Delicious, The Chantilly Belles, Diva Hollywood, Suri Sumatra, Anna Fur Laxis, Ryvita Von Cheese, Meg la Mania, Amelie Soleil, Warren Speed, Marianne Cheesecake, Vendetta Vain, Des O' Connor, Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey... god, i could go on and on!

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?
Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey's act to total eclipse of the heart... wow!

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?
It's so hard to pick one... i adore the intricate detail of Vicky Butterfly's Victorian Butterfly costume and I also love Anna Fur Laxis's Memory of a Goldfish costume (even more knowing she made it herself)

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?
Scene politics - until this year i though that burlesque was a fairly supportive, un-bitchy scene... and I have to say i still believe that it is, on the whole... i think every scene has people who will lie and manipulate people to get what they want, but this year i have experienced it personally and have heard similar experiences from friends and fellow forum users. I think in 2009 it would be great for the scene as a whole to have a year without power struggles, nepotism, lies and bullsh*t (it could happen!) and also without Big Suitcases on Trains (never going to happen!).

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?
I have met so many super people this year, the ones i really bonded with include Darkteaser, Cherryfox, Khandie Kisses, Golden Delicious, Lisa/Candee Handful, Cecilia Rouge... this could become another shopping list but i am going to stop there and say i met loads of great people... it was amazing!

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?
Comics, old photographs, a certain dress by Alexander McQuean (hopefully the fruit of this should be showing up in 09), Jean Harlow, Wigs, Hybrid creatures, silent movies, biographies, weird daydreams, 30s songs, things that can only fit in big suitcases (damn, damn, damn!), the longing to be (or appear to be) 36, 24, 36 (well, i have the 36!)... ok, that became rather stream of consciousness... i'll stop there before i reveal too much about my tangled little mind!

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?
The big achievement for me was finally (after months of preparation) releasing my octopus act on the world, that felt good! Also, I finally got to perform at the Edinburgh fringe which has been an ambition of mine since i was about 12(although at that age i did not envisage performing burlesque there... that would be silly!)

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?
To do as many shows as i could - i did work quite a few, although there is always room for more! To get my Octopus from my imagination onto the stage... done and done!

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?
First and foremost... learn to drive! No more trains in 09! If i fail in this task i will me most unimpressed.
To bring out another strange creature from my imagination to meet you all (i'm not going to say too much more at this stage, suffice to say this should be an act with a very different flavour)

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?
The highlight for me was in the Sun where they talked about a celebrity going to see a Burlesque Lesbian Sex Show... from that description I was picturing an amusing re-enactment with lots of Benny Hill style running around and a finale astride a giant rhinestoned vibrator... unfortunately it was probably just a regular old lesbian sex show... with corsets.

There, so i answered my own questions... it was harder work than i though... but answer them anyway because i am nosy!

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

Scarlet Fever presents Burlesque in Stoke Christmas show - a fantastic show, outstanding acts, audience loving it, organisationally everything going really well or being able to be sorted quickly without audience knowing and the night when I felt proudest about my maiding....getting all my little ideas about how to quickest get stuff on and off the stage the best, and the infamous sainsbury bags

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

Luckily I didn't give up after seeing my very first burlesque show at the start of the year....it was really badly organised, huge gaps between acts, minimal compereing so we didn't know how long before next act....or at the end whether the show had actually finished. Thankfully I went to my first Cherry Pop after this and saw how burlesque should be done.

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?

See above....and the last was Scarlet Fever's one also mentioned above.

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?

So many....Crimson Skye, Anna Fur Laxis, Honey Lulu, RedSarah, Emerald Ace, Miss Ditzy Diamond, Candee Handful, Des O' Connor, Willow Blue, Angel LaVey, Fleur Du Mal, Lola Pops and loads more that will pop back into my mind once I've finished this I'm sure.

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?

Crimson Skye's 'I Saw Mumming Killing Santa Claus'

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?

Honey Lulu's Storm in a Teacup - I'm learning to sew and am making my own costumes so I obsess when I see anything with sparkle on it, trying to work out what's been done and how and why it works (I've been a real pain watching Strictly Come Dancing ) So this costume blew me away....down to the sparkle along the gloves, on the corset, the stockings, the flowers on the bra, the way the dress came off....everything - just beautiful. Though second place would have to go to Candee Handful's Rouge Rum costume - which is fantastic, and beautiful, intricate, clever.....etc

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?

Not having enough money to go to shows - though being a maid has really helped out here - I get to see shows for free!! Well, bits of them, but it's better than nothing at all.

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?

Far too many to name, everyone has been so brilliant in accepting me and supporting me and my madness. If I'm forced to single some out they'd have to be Deb/Tiptop Photography, Candee Handful and Jacob, Angel and Gehenna, The Decadent Gent and Miss Ditzy Diamond, Scarlet Fever and Tony, Heather Sweet, Tara ra Boomdeay and online only so far the wonderfully supportive Diva Hollywood and RedSarah. Sorry to anyone I've missed

I'm going to have to answer the rest later - the lids are shouting for their tea........

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?
Since I've only performed at a couple so far I choose not to answer this one

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)
One up north. Complete with performer who hadn't decided to rehearse or listen to the tracks they were going to use. They also thought that a 15 minute act sounded like a good idea. you could feel the embarrassment of the audience after the first minute. By the 15'th you were willing for a fire alarm.

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?
Performed for the first time at Halloween, and the last time was first week of December.

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?
Anna Fur Laxis. Khandie Kisses, Diva Hollywood and loads more

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?
Probably Kitten on the Keys. Fantastic.

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?
That's a hard one. Probably Anna Fur Laxis'

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?
Performing with a really bad cold - not surprisingly my worst performance to date.

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?
Loads of wonderful people - special mentions to December Charm, Honey Wilde and Scarlet Fever

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?
Alexander McQueen, Vogue, Tim burton - and my job (I always get my best ideas during the most boring meetings)

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?
Performing for the first time.

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?
My goals were : to perform so yep

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?
Learn to drive.

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?
Could have done without the Russell Brand thing.

Please add more questions if you want to![/QUOTE]

This is a really lovely idea, Thanks Emerald!

1. Performers, maids, promotors etc - what has been you favourite night you performed at/promoted/organised/maided/compered/helped out with this year?

There's been quite a few this year but I think the Jeepers Peepers when Diva Hollywood guested was my fave. I don't think I slept for two days with all the nattering and giggling!

1a. Without naming names - tell us about the worst show you were involved in/watched this year (if there was one!)

I have an odd feeling this is actually the same as Emeralds! In addition, the promoter was incredibly selfish, my friend fell through part of the dressing room and got hurt and they put a BIKE LOCK on the fire exit as security. Lessons in not trusting promoters learnt...

2. What was/is your first and last gig of 2008 (watching or performing)?
First gig was Volupte beginning Jan, last was unexpectedly last week in Milan. I had planned to be performing 19,20,24,30,31st but I've got horribly sick and had to cancel

3. Who were your favourite performers to watch this year?
I was very lucky to see and meet my idols Michelle L'Amour and Dirty Martini. Kitten on The Keys blew me away.

4. What was the best act you saw this year (and who did it)?
Bobbie Burlesque's reverse strip at Tease-O-Rama, simple, perfect and sexy as hell. It completely redefined my ideas of what an act can be, contain and represent. I also saw Dirty Martini's balloon act, I'd already seen it on video but it was still unbelievable.

5. What was the best costume you saw this year (and who did it belong to)?
For concept, Jo Boobs Weldon's Godzilla (complete with feet) for construction and execution it has to be pretty much anything by Vicky Butterfly.

6. What was the worst thing about being a burlesque fan/performer this year?
Some horrible politics, nasty email messages etc. Also having to fight to ensure performers were getting paid properly and being looked after.

7. Who have you met and made friends with this year though burlesque?
Blimey, I don't want to name names but I've got a lot friendlier with the Scottish contingent with some beauties amongst them. I think most of my good burly friends I've known for over a year now.

8. What has been inspiring your performances/modelling/costume design etc this year?
Shadows and playing with light. My head was also spun by the glitz of the American scene so I'm sure next year I'll be adding sparkle to most of my costumes

9. What have you achieved/been proud of this year?
Being a full time performer, arranging with almost military precision 34 days of nonstop shows in the summer throughout Europe.

10. What were your Burly related goals this year, did you achieve them?
I wanted to break out of the 'northern' scene and ended up going international so I'm incredibly pleased. On the negative, I really wanted to work on my pinup photos but I still can't face it. I had a good start to the year then it went horribly wrong.

11. What are your Burly related goals for 2009?
Work more in London and spend Jan/Feb overhauling costumes, acts and ideas. I also want to work more with my partner on double acts.

12. Burlesque in the media in '08... any thoughts?
I was very pleased to see the beautiful article in the Daily Fail with Chrys Columbine and friends. It was actually well written and shot.

I'm really hoping the beginning of 09 will be better, I'm having a terrible week in that I'm sick, my suitcase with ALL of my costumes, make up, fans and props is missing in action after an airport disaster...

xx

So many people saying politics ruin things. It's true though, they do *sigh* I had enough of two facedness, bitching and backstabbing, and negotiating alliances and petty spats when I was 16 - and I can safely say that's an era of my life I NEVER want to go back to!

Oh, and Emerald - cheque's in the post ^__^