Pasties and a g-string

Burlesque covers a range of genres- troupes, duos, solo artists, cabaret. Political satire, classic bumps and grinds, veiled Salome's wafting across the stage and fringed dancers twirling their tassels.

But what connects us is the element of tease and the signature reveal to pasties and a g-string.

Some dancers I have performed with are reluctant to perform in pasties, others, have no problem with baring their breasts.

I fall into the latter option, although, for the first six months of performing in 2007, I remained remarkably clothed and demure. 

Remarkable to me now, but at the time, Hobart was experiencing its first taste of burlesque and I was frequently facing the task of explaining that we were not working at the local Mens Gallery but, we are strippers...

My first pair of pasties were feathered and bejewelled, the size of young blackbirds. The second pair were used in a neo act,  nude with large red pom poms for nipples. 
I then graduated to smaller pasties, sequined, rhinestoned, feathered and be- ribboned- tassels were neglected until 2011... due to concerns over helping gravity win over my bust line.

Pom Pom Pasties

sequined and be- ribboned

Along with the pasties came g-strings, my frilly knickers banished to a top drawer. 

I succumbed to the realisation that rather than feeling self conscious, wearing less  gave me confidence and a further element of tease. 

Miss Kitty's Meow, a Hobart burlesque troupe, produce many events in Hobart, they also perform at events that require them to tone down the flesh. On these occasions, they perform a Boston version, tease without the strip.

Although I have discussed this topic with fellow performers in the past, it was coming across this blog entry on the New Orleans Burlesque Festival blog that got me thinking about the importance of pasties and a G-string- although the G-String has since been reduced to a merkin, again, adding an extra layer of tease for an audience that anticipate the last reveal.

Excerpt of an interview with Jo Weldon. 
Link to full blog at the end.

I've come across women who want to perform in burlesque shows, but don't want to strip down to pasties or a g-string. Is there room for them in burlesque?

I have to teach on TV fairly often, and I'm able to convey some of the movement and style of burlesque without going that far. However I think pasties and g- strings are what ultimately make burlesque so remarkable. It's the only performing art in the world which striptease plays a part. Why leave out the thing that makes it unique? The other elements-- sexiness, satire, etc.-- are all available elsewhere

Jo Weldon talking to Rick Delaup

New Orleans Burlesque Festival Blog

Moving Snapshots

Kate Burton, a passionate photographer based in Hobart joined Scarlett Jezebel and I as we rehearsed and filmed our acts for the Australian Burlesque Festival in March 2010.

... Peeling to the voice of Marion Cotillard- the angry emotion in Take It All was an instant inspiration to me.

The dispassionate man in the background...



And the fabulous dress in the foreground...
(Proving that the man is actually rather astute- the best christmas present I have ever received)

The peel begins...

 

Popped a pastie.

His expression finally changed however it was hidden by a heavy frosting of cream pie.

This act was accepted by The Australian Burlesque Festival for the Hobart 'Big Tease' June 3, 2011
Scarlett Jezebel will be performing her Peacock Routine and Hobart based Troupe, 'Miss Kitty's Meow' will be performing a fan dance on the same night.

A Big Tease

After much procrastination, hurried editing and a nervous wait, I am excited to be performing 'Take It All' as part of The Big Tease in the Second Annual Australian Burlesque Festival.

The joy I feel comes from the knowledge that I get to perform with women I respect and enjoy spending time with, meet new performers, see interstate and overseas acts, be part of something fantastic and perform on a new stage.

The first Festival had such a welcoming, communal vibe. Spread over four days in Melbourne, the Festival encompassed both newcomers and old (glamorous) hands.
I only managed to catch two nights of the Festival due to Uni exams, attending The Big Tease at Red Bennies and performing at Miss Libertine as a Baby Bombshell so I was overjoyed when I saw that this year, the Festival is touring Sydney, Canberra and Hobart as well as the four nights in Melbourne. 

The Big Tease was inspiring, although due to exams I barely made it, missing the first two acts and drawing some bemused looks from commuters on the St Kilda tram for my low cut, nude coloured gown.
The stand outs for me were Gypsy Wood, Imogen Kelly and Rosy Rabbit, although everyone I spoke to had differing opinions which really, is what it's all about, performers appealing to different people, performing a variety of genres, classic, neo, vaudeville, ethereal, contemporary, balletic but all of them professing a love for burlesque that they communicated from the stage.

Performing as a 'Baby Bombshell' at Miss Libertine was electrifying, fun and friendly.
I had performed with the many of the girls previously and we all shared a tiny space backstage, asphyxiating on hairspray and glitter until one by one (or two) we were led by downstairs by Dolores Daiquiri to await our cue.

Performing my original Peacock routine. These days it doesn't feel right without Scarlett Jezebel challenging my... territory?

 The gorgeous Baby Bombshells of 2010 with producer and emcee, Sapphira.

Poppy Cherry, Lux St Sin, Lucy Sky Diamond, Honey B. Goode, Scarlett Jezebel, Catherine Berruer, Becky Lou
 
 The Australian Burlesque Festival