Ottawa Burlesque Festival: You have to start somewhere

 I didn't realise that this year was the inaugural Ottawa Burlesque Festival, the first I hope of many.

It was a mass exodus from our house on Dundas/ Parliament in Toronto.
My housemates flew far South to the humid heat of Louisiana for the New Orleans Burlesque Festival while I headed near South to Ottawa in a car of fabulous. Lucky Minx and James and the Giant Pastie taking the wheel, Wrong Note Rusty, Knox Harder and Imogen Quest and I packing the back for a short and merry roadtrip.

Guns, fish and children were the main features of Tinder profiles between TO and Ottawa.

The drive, long in miles passed quickly, assisted by the changing scenery of fall colours and the changing faces on Tinder- at least three of us decided that viewing pictures of gun toting, fish holding dudes would help the hours pass quicker. It did.

We made good time and I was dropped off at a local performer's downtown apartment. Ariel had offered to put me up for a few nights on her couch, I was so grateful as I hadn't really bothered thinking about accommodation until a week prior to the festival as I was only staying for one night.

This is layering up back before I realised how cold Canada gets...

I got to know Ottawa's public transport system this weekend, Ariel provided bus tokens and we traveled to the Gladstone Theatre arriving with a couple of  hours to spare which meant we could take advantage of the theatre's proximity to Little Italy and indulge in calorie rich risotto and gluten free biscotti from Simply Biscotti.

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Simply Biscotti on Preston st

The night was sold but I managed to score a seat in the second row. The stand outs for me were Toronto's own Regina Dentata, Wrong Note Rusty as a laid off office worker using his box of cleaned out paper with grand effect and Ryan Hinds who sang his heart out and made me cheer with his rendition of Bring on the Men, sung without microphone or monitoring.
Statuesque Sydni Devereaux from NYC via Seattle was one of the Festival headliners, appearing on stage in a fully sequined playsuit and bunny ears, a reluctant waitress with satirical intent, she made my night.

Friday night's Dark Side of the Merkin

On Saturday I slept in, awaking around 10am to do some sightseeing with Ariel. We got good coffee from Planet Coffee for a fantastic coffee- note of warning, it's cash only.
I also picked up some postcards for friends and family at the French only bookshop,  Librairie du Soleil, I attempted some sketchy french and was rewarded with rapid fire responses that I couldn't follow at all... So I resorted to my dodgy "Parlez vous anglais, je suis Australien" which didn't get a lot of love.

I miss good cheese...

Fresh produce stalls at Byward

frosted cookies at Aux Delices

We continued on, checking out Ottawa's Byward Market for some sweets and fresh produce and walking up towards Parliament hill past the Rideau canal with it's many locks.

On a bridge overlooking the Rideau Canal

Do the tour!! Big regret that I couldn't.

Ariel was a fantastic tour guide, we walked the scenic route, found chipmunks in a park and saw Ottawa's incredible gothic revival architecture including the main building and the library. You can do tours inside but we didn't have time.

Being a tourist!

We also headed to check out Ragtime vintage in Asheville. It was recommended to me but ended up being a bit of a disappointment with only a small selection of mid century dresses available in smaller sizes. They rent and sell vintage clothing and most of the bigger items were rent only.
It was packed with clothing and perhaps with more time I would have unearthed some treasures.

It's a bear, Eh.

We headed back to Ariel's so I could start getting ready for the show, Opulance and Oddities at the Bronson Centre. We took another bus and then worked our legs by walking up a long hill to the theatre.
The World Famous *Bob* emceed, she spent the evening hanging out mostly at the side of stage, watching the acts and talking to the performers which was a good space to be considering the number of performers who were filling up the backstage area.
The backstage area was tiny, yet we found ways to make it work, even if one of the two toilets was clogged and stopped flushing...

Two showgirls in one skirt, backstage with Sassy Ray

I was performing my peacock act and was surprised to find there was another performer with a similar bouffant blue tulle costume performing shortly before me.
Slightly frustrating as you always want to have a uniquely impressive costume when you perform a classic act, however, Sassy Ray has her own brassy style and we got along fine!

Photo by Viktor S. Divice

Saturday night's line up

on stage selfies with Holly Von Sin

Burlesque is so glamorous.

I was leaving that night after the show, getting a lift home with a TSOB student.
I'd scored the front seat while Rusty and Ryan took the back. It was a long drive back, we left around 1am and got home at 5:30, somehow our driver was able to stay alert... I'm sure it was the lively conversation and addition of stops for Tims coffee and Mcdonalds in Kingston where we disturbed a young couple in the carpark and tried to walk through the drive through.

Maccas weren't so keen on our attempt at walking through... 4am in Kingston

The housemates were still away in New Orleans so our depressed rescue cat, originally called Frisky but anything but, greeted me at the door with the type of fear that you see in the abandoned, yowling for food and oddly for her, joining me in my University style (read bare) room for company.

The look of love.

Keep an eye out, the Festival will be on again September 17-20 2015
Applications opening March 1!

New York I Love you...

They say the third time's the charm, so what do should be expected on a fourth visit?
I have been to the Big Apple three times, the first as a nine year old where my mum, two brother's and I navigated the cold dark pre- Giuliani streets.
The second time was in 2008, after a stint as a camp counselor in a Pennsylvanian Summer camp.
I spent five glorious weeks living in Harlem, enjoying an Indian summer in Central Park, discovering Angie Pontani, Peekaboo Pointe, Indigo Blue and so many other performers at the Corio's This Is Burlesque and the New York Burlesque Festival.

Statue of Liberty in 2008, rocking my Camp Saginaw appropriate denim shorts!

 My third visit was in 2011, my mum and one of my brother's for four weeks my trips to the New Orleans and New York Burlesque Festival's acting as bookends, defining the beginning and end of a family holiday.

Empire State Building September 2011

Canal street in New Orleans 2011

 My family accept and now champion burlesque but they haven't actually seen what I do... so I got on stage at the Bowery Poetry Club for Dr Sketchys and Geek Girl Burlesque, on the floor at Hotel Chantelle and stage kittened in the NOBF and NYBF while they explored Manhatten in their own way.

Bowery stage

Backstage at the Bowery getting ready for NYC Dr Sketchys!

The artist let me keep this cutie!

Quick photo shoot in NYC with Ron Gejon

Imagine- John Lennon memorial at Central Park on 11/09/11

backstage with Green Carded burlesque Genius, Bettina May

Emcee for the night, World Famous Bob

Bettina May and Dave Bishop- opens the shows and manages with a hand mightier than Gods...

  So I'm pretty chuffed to tell you that I'll be heading back to the Big Apple, for one quick week in September- for when else could I visit!
This time I'll be attending the New York Burlesque Festival as a performer and I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces- not just Americans (and ex Canadians)
 A wealth of Aussies are making their way to the US to perform  Becky Lou for NYBF and NOBF, Ms Strawberry Siren, Agatha Frisky and Becky Page for NOBF but hopping it to New York to watch (and party)
I'll be performing a new Erte inspired act on Sunday night at the Highline ballroom.

A candid moment on stage... Agatha Frisky, Frankie Faux, Luna Eclipse, Danica Lee, Becky Lou, Ms Strawberry Siren and me!

I can't wait to soak up the sun, some food (half a bagel will hurt but it won't harm) check out Chelsea Flea market, straggle into the FatCat jazz club to warm my throat with some Korean liquor and wander Manhatten's streets in the pre traffic rush- dawn light.
I used to imagine it as SATC's character, Carrie's New York, but now I know it can be anyone's New York, even an adventurous tourist from the Apple Isle.

Australian Burlesque Festival 2013- Bunnies, ponies, native hens oh my!

Oh my! What a tour!
The first showgirl to arrive in Launie was New Zealand performer Bonita Dangerdoll, who really is a doll!
I picked her up from the airport on Tuesday morning, promptly getting lost and driving us in a loop before pulling into the grounds of the Launceston Country club- white palings, ponies grazing on one side, golf greens on the other, ducks, swans and Launceston's abundant roadrunner- like native hens.
We indulged at Nannas, a sweet cafe located in the CBD and then walked to the Gorge where peacocks and wallabies roam freely through native Australian bush.

New Zealand's Bonita Dangerdoll at Nannas

Strawberry Siren arrived the following morning with bountiful amounts of luggage and Bella de Jac and Evie Red touched down during the Tech run.
Evie it turns out has a fear of birds... Something I discovered as she wedged herself into a corner of my car whilst I enlightened her to the native hens running about the Country Club grounds.
Dusk was falling and we were amused to note an excited, hot roller adorned Banbury Cross taking photos of the wallabys that were out in force on the Casino grounds.

Backstage was cramped- 5 showgirls to a room isn't ideal but we made the most of the situation. Adelaide's Luna Eclipse adopted a corner at stage right to watch Game of Thrones while Bonita and I stretched nearby as the audince started arrive.

Bella de Jac, Lucy, Luna Eclipse, Evie Red hamming it up backstage

The show started on time which for a performer is both a blessing and a curse.
I'm so used to shows starting late that I was still getting my hair up when the first act, Hobart's Miss Kitty's Meow, hit the stage.
Oopsy Daisy and Tiger Lilly hurried back to shed themselves of their remaining costumes and don cloaks to be my creepy (only for 4 minutes!) skirt waving minions of the sea.
I'm always so thankful to the girls who help me with my act as waving the skirt gives you a work out!

The stage was a little slippery which prevented me from doing some of the more acrobatic choreography and the audience was rowdier then usual while I was performing which led the emcee, Andrew, to challenge them (Wisteria, I have my eye on you darling!) to a duel.

The best bit about performing in the first set was retiring to the balcony to watch the next two sets.
Stand outs on the night for me were Banbury Cross, Perle Noire and from the audience, three dapper gents and their ladies, seated at a table on the left, who were loving the show, clapping along with huge smiles on their faces! I said hello after the show finished and they told me they had enjoyed every minute...

Photo by Ricky Pfieffer

Some quick happy snaps with Bonita, and Perle Noire, who forgave me for being Sassy when I first saw her at tech and I drove myself home, I had work at 4:45am so I was desperate for sleep.

Post show posing with Tiger Lilly and Bonita Danger Doll

uh... with Bonita and Luna Eclipse

with Perle Noire... I cannot wait to see this lady again in a few months time!!!

I managed a quick brekkie with the Kitty's and Le Fay before they, like the rest of the tour, hit the road for the drive to Hobart.

Huge thanks as always to Rosy Rabbit and Dolores Daiquri for putting on ABF for another year and for bringing it to Launceston, my new home town!

Pageant Queen at Miss Burlesque Tasmania 2013

About a year ago I asked a college friend if he had ever thought he would see me on stage, performing burlesque. The response was a firm "no." I was not known for wearing dresses or skirts, I didn't start wearing more than mascara until I was 22 and even then I had to get someone else to help me apply the extra pancake.

So, winning Miss Burlesque 2013 wasn't really on the cards. I think my face says it all...

I entered the competition after chatting to Grace Cherry who competed in 2012 and judged me the first time I competed in 2010. Her motivations appealed to me, the idea of polishing three acts, gaining video footage and challenging myself on the night.

Sarah Muir from Tasmania's Pole and Burlesque Academy in Moonah sponsored me, this sponsorship included free studio time, massages and even some fabric to costume the skirt wavers in my Sirenes act.
Sarah has always supported Tasmanian burlesque, she revived burlesque in Tasmania in 2007 with a group that included Miss Kitty's Meow's Grace Cherry and Tiger Lilly, The Diamond's of Burlesque Bebe Sparkle as well as myself.

The night itself started for the performers and crew at 1:30pm when we were allowed to clutter the changerooms with all manner of fantastic costumes and props. I shared a smaller dressing room with Grace Cherry, Oopsy Daisy and Velvet Sway. Above the door written in texta was 'the room of cock,' we liked it. The room was loud with laughter and chatter as well as my oft uttered "I'm so tired... I'm so hungry..." Velvet came to my rescue with some dried apricots!

Costumes ready to go



Grace Cherry, Velvet Sway and Oopsy Daisy backstage before the gown parade



Tech run went over time which led to some of us having a less than perfect run through but it was great to jump onto the Theatre Royal stage again, it really is a gorgeous space to perform in, there's something wonderful about standing in wings of heavy black velvet before you perform.

The theatre Royal from the stage!

Tiger Lilly was my hair and make up go to gal, we did a quick test prior to the competition and determined on a style that could evolve during the night. We did really well until my unique which required a lot of glue and glitter around my eyes,  after which it was hard to recover a flawless finish for the presentations at the end of the night!

Tiger Lilly

The actual competition started at 7pm, Missy de Meanour performed a classic act before making her way to the judging table. Then, the gown parade, picture ten nervous girls waiting side of stage for about 15 minutes. I attacked my walk, my gown was a little bit creased so whenever I stopped I would pick up the hem to show my foot or twist the skirt to make it less obvious.
The night was on, three hours of running from stage to room to the back up dancers room and back to the stage.
Classic was next, I already had my pasties on, so it was easy enough to change, yell a quick "chookas!!" to the other girls and then stride out onto the stage, a little nervous at first as I start with a slow walk, but then as the energy picked up I felt myself sinking into character, becoming bolder, remembering that really, it's just another show.
I finished with a fabulously deep back bend tassel twirl at the edge of the stage and flashed a brilliant grin to the audience.

Classic act

Neo was next, I enlisted my friend Jo to dress as a drag king and waltz me around the stage as we did a take off of Strictly ballroom. Tiger Lily swept my fringe up into a glitter strewn confection and painted my lips a frosty pink. For this act we were going back to the 80's!

With Jo aka Raoul de Silva before my neo act

We all had to run backstage and change for unique. Even though only five would get through you had to remain optimistic and be ready to go onstage. Bebe came backstage and drew the names in order of performance.

The five remaining finalists were: Velvet Sway, Lucy Sky Diamond, Miss BonnieVille Lulu L'Pearl and Grace Cherry.
A flurry of activity and then suddenly I was racing on to the darkened stage with my shrouded boys, Zeb and Dean. My tech run had been cut short so I was a little hesitant in my movement and looked down more than I normally would but my new head piece and Thai fingernails were something extra that I could play with and I relished the time I had on stage.

Photo by CezB photography

Photo by CezB Phtography

Finally I had to peel the glue off my face and do a 5 second dodgy make up retouch before returning to the stage for the presentation.

From L- R Grace Cherry, Oopsy Daisy, Lucy Sky Diamond, Velvet Sway and Miss Jaye backstage before presentation

I remember looking at the faces of the judges, I know I made eye contact with John X, Scarlett Jezebel and Missy de Meanour and to their credit they gave me no hint of what was to come!
I had hopes that I would make the top three but as someone who used to compete in gymnastics I was used to assuming that I had not carried off a routine to perfection and would therefore be lucky to place.
Miss Bonnie Ville standing behind me won the Miss Burlesque Tasmania Ambassador Award, Grace Cherry was then announced as the second runner up followed by Miss Bonnie Ville as first runner up.

Grace Cherry is announced as the Second Runner Up

 Bebe then announced my name and the next couple of minutes are lost to the screams of the audience and my fellow performers, I know someone was hugging me from behind and then I had to walk out to be crowned. Missy helped me when my crown would not stay on, saying she'd had the same problem last year!

Going into protection mode as Oopsy Daisy attacks me with hugs!

Missy adjusting my crown

I was crowned, sashed and handed a brown paper bag which contained a prize from one of the sponsors. My only regret was being unable to thank the audience, the judges and the other performers instead I stood there and smiled uncertainly, gestured towards the other girls and smiled some more!
Finally the curtain dropped and again I was engulfed by arms and cheers!!

With Jo backstage, Jo aka Raoul de Silva is my partner in my neo act!

After a quick pack up and drink with some of the crew I headed to Ivory Bar in Hobart for a celebratory drink, my crown was borrowed and then scarily, my foot was kissed.
With Great power comes great responsibility and apparently foot kissing. I see many manicures in my future.

I'll be updating the blog in the months leading up to the Miss Burlesque Grand Finals held in Melbourne on May 24 with photos, more of my vintage costumes and backstage gossip!
xx