Babes in Space has come and gone again. For those who don't know (how could you not?) Babes in Space is my yearly Star Trek vs Star Wars burlesque show. For the last two years we've run double shows, which I've discovered is actually much easier and more fulfilling than running a single show!
El Toro, Kinky Biskit, and Charlie Quinn as Ewoks
This year the theme was 3-DD and I like to think we entertained in ALL dimensions! With singing, dancing, ewoks, cupcakes, aerialists, and some high profile audience members (like Playboy illustrator Doug Sneyd!) it was a packed show both nights!
Daytona Bitch as Princess Leia
This show has always been plagued with controversy, duplicates, and last minute 'Augh' factors...and this year was no different. The biggest hurdle this year was trying to figure out whether the show would have its customary booth at FanExpo, Toronto's largest nerd convention. Despite registration back in January, I didn't actually know if I had a table until a few weeks before the show. Luckily, I was able to share a space with The Comic Book Lounge, since despite my early registration I apparently did NOT have a position.
Coco Framboise as Uhura
The convention went well, despite the fact that the late notice meant I had no actualy merchandise beyond some prints and pasties to sell at the table. We sell a lot of tickets at the convention, but unfortunately that doesn't go towards covering the high table cost! It goes straight to production costs and performer pay.
That being said, the success of the show always makes the hurdles of putting it on worth it.
Nasty Canasta as Darth Vader
I had the privilege of booking Nasty Canasta,
one of NYC's biggest (and most hilarious) performers. Nasty had been
incredibly welcoming in my July trip to NYC (despite being under the
weather and very busy) and I was happy to have her and her Darth Vader booty on my stage.
Here's a few shots from the show, and a video with clips and reviews from the first night!
Nix and Myla are
definitely an experience to work with. Their shoots typically have an
edge to the sexiness, involving blood, heads not attached to bodies, or
heavy machinery. I love photo sets that have a narrative, maybe because
of my writer background. Every time they contact me with an idea, I'm
super excited to jump on it.
Our first shoot tougher involved nuns, school girls, and heavy
blood-covered chainsaws. While the photos didn't turn out due to some
bad luck, the experience was hilarious and the story behind the shoot
and their attitudes really encouraged me to continue working with them
and I'm so glad I did.
Here are some photos we've worked on together with Rodrigo from Rue Morgue Magazine!
The redhead always wins! Photos by Nix, makeup by 3BArtistry
Nix and Myla float
between Detroit and Toronto (and possibly some other places) and have
recently opened up their studio in Detroit, where one of our shoots was
used as a major unveiling! This one:
Christmas Corpse! Photo by Nix
As a bonus, I never leave a shoot with them empty handed. Whether it's a gorgeous fascinator, a really lush Santa Hat, or even framed prints of our previous work, they really appreciate and support the girls who work with them.
Pardon me while I come down from the high, hustle, and bustle of producing. How will I ever survive without the adrenaline rush?
Oh no wait, I've got a show next week. No worries. (Gah!)
SCANDALOUS! Tabloid themed burlesque was this past Sunday at Revival Nightclub here in chilly Toronto. It was my first real foray into co-producing, with the lovely Toni Wallachy of Pink Panther Studios, as well as my first show under associate producers Les Coquettes.
It was also hilarious and potentially illegal in the Good Times factor.
2011 was a whirlwind year for me, and now that it's at a close I finally have a chance to look back over what I've accomplished and what still needs to be done in the coming year.
This year I made the decision to roll with the punches and layoffs and try to manage a self-employed career involving burlesque and some of my other talents. I'm hoping I can keep that up in 2012!
Image from weheartit.com
Productions:
I produced two shows this year, and helped out with a few others. Ladies in Red was the first show of the year, at Cherry Cola's Rock 'N Rolla. The show went spectacularly, and I am so happy to have had a chance to work with the girls who have become a staple in my cast for producing. Also on this show was the debut of Izzy Ridged, aka Joey Arrigo who you may know from So You Think You Can Dance Canada. The drama following this show was disappointing and I found myself losing faith in the community due to the behaviour of some jealous people but it's best to ignore it and move forward, and that's what I did and will continue to do!
Babes in Space was another resounding success! My Star Trek vs Star Wars burlesque show sold out both nights of its show and received several positive reviews, as well as TV spots with Naked News and Cosmo TV. I'm so thankful to the audience and my performers for pulling out all the stops to make this show amazing, and to my friends who worked their pert asses off at FanExpo to help with the booth.
I've come to expect drama surrounding productions. Babes in Space was dogged by a very similar pair of productions by a group that had originally stated that they were aiming to promote and contribute to their community. Originally. I've removed myself from their association and the success of my event speaks for itself.
I've learned to guard my productions a little bit more seriously heading forward, and to consider those who I am making partnerships with more carefully. There are a lot of unscrupulous people that I simply do not need to waste time on. I will continue to surround myself with inspiring and talented people who don't feel the need to bully others to get ahead. Lead by example and all! Both shows were great success and moving forward with that will be my main goal!
Babes in Space group finale, photo by Chris Suppa
Shows:
I've had a chance to perform and play with a load of amazing people this year! The highlight was the recent show with my teacher Coco Framboise. Performing with Armitage Shanks and the whole cast was stellar.
The Toronto Burlesque Festival seemed to whip by this year and I really wish I had more of a chance to throw myself into the crowd! My performance on Sunday was both less and MORE stressful than performing at the beginning of the 2010 festival. Last year I was the Thursday opening act, and able to enjoy the rest of the weekend with the pressure off (though the pre-performance pressure was insane!). This year I had a load of other performances in my head and nervous anticipation leading up to the show! But the environment was great and I was in the first set so I got to see the rest of the performances. I was also able to write up the first few days of the festival for 21st Century Burlesque, and you can check out my diary over there!
Impromptease is probably my favourite regular show, both for the reason that its producers are brilliant, and the show is a ball of hilarity. I was also able to perform at Comedy Bar again, which was a bit nostalgic as that's the bar where I did my first burlesque performance!
Learning:
I was able to take quite a few classes this year, and I hope I can continue that into the new year. Coco's classes are a regular thing for me, and I was excited to take lessons from Burgundy Brixx and Jett Adore (whom I got to interview later). Through her I was also able to learn from Minnie Tonka and Armitage Shanks (who was brilliant, as usual).
Other classes I was able to take included a series of circus classes with my trainer through Centre of Gravity. I hope to focus more on my aerial skills in 2012, since quite a few things got in my way this year! I managed to make some progress on vocal classes with my sexy teacher, but due to time and cash I also had to let those slide. Again, something I want to pursue more responsibly in 2012! I also took some dace classes with Carla Catharwood, and though her idea of burlesque is at odds with mine (PussyCat Dolls style vs Strip Tease, which is a whole other blog post) she's an amazing dancer and a great teacher. I'd like to take more classes from her in the future.
A major class I took with the Hourglass Workout with Lyzabeth Lopez. This is a really hardcore women-only bootcamp focused on creating and enhancing an hourglass figure. I lost 15lb and about 15 inches over the course of the her classes, and made huge increases in strength. I'm continuing these classes in 2012, and you should too.
People:
I met some great people this year and furthered some previously existing relationships.
Toni Wallachy of Pink Panther Studios was a great connection and we've done amazing work together (and I hope to continue to do so).
Brook Alviano has continued to make some amazing costumes for me and others, and was indispensable with Kinky Biscuit (an upcoming star) during Babes in Space and the insanity there.
Tatiana of Spanish Fly Films has been incredible at filming and editing some amazing trailers, and I've got a load of work for her in the new year!
Coco Framboise stepped in near the end of the year and has been amazing, despite her busy schedule.
Kinky Biscuit, Toni Wallachy, and Tatiana in Windsor
I've learned a lot about how to keep positive influences close and disregard the negative ones that come out, and I'm going to try to get better at this in 2012.
The Future!
2012 already has a ton of things underway. I've been running in circles throughout December trying to get moving on projects that don't have dates yet. Of course, without dates, I have nowhere to go!
I'm really excited for the productions I have lined up for the new year! You can expect another Babes in Space from me some time around FanExpo. I will also be coproducing with the amazing Toni Wallachy of Pink Panther Studios , and have another show in the works with another infamous (and dapper) colleague that I'm incredibly excited about.
My monthly show is an experiment that will be launching February1st (stay tuned for more news!) and I have plans being made to attendMiss Exotic World in Las Vegas during the summer, and BurlyCon (finally!) in the fall.
With my passport renewal underway I'm excited to explore performance opportunities across the border and maybe even overseas!
That being said, obviously production is a major push for me this coming year. I'm hoping to continue my streak of sold-out shows! No pressure.
With my employment situation transforming from corporate salary to self-run business, I'll be looking for multiple opportunities to expand my social media clientele and taking some time to teach myself more tips and tricks in this area. Even though I feel I'm strong in this category, I'm all about staying on top of learning!
This blog will be undergoing a mini-makeover with some expansion into advertising, and I'm hoping to push forward on my Youtube page as well! My website needs an overhaul. This'll be a top priority for me.
As for my performances, I would like to audit my current acts and work on 'upping' their 'wow' factor. Less acts, higher quality! There are two festival style acts that I have buzzing in my head, and I'd like to refine my plane act as well.
This
high voltage hottie should be the queen of your universe, and the
senator of your inner republic. Her hair is as high as her shoes, and
she is going to reason you senseless with her body language. She’s a live
wire whose passion for politics never interferes with her play
Patastrophic Sexapeel
Side: Star Trek
Type: Clown/Vamp
Boylesque T.O member, who spocked the crowd at the 2011 Toronto burlesque festival. Patastrophic is always climbing mountains. This bad boy rarely plays by the rules, but always wows the crowed with his no holds barred sense of comedic justice.
Red Herring
Side: Star Wars
Type: Professional Distraction
R2DWho?
Toronto’s hottest little droid not only produces, she also performs,
models, and has appeared on several TV shows including Dragon’s Den and
Love Inc. A professional distraction who never comes up short on
excitement and the producer of Babes in Space!
This wonderful report on the nakedness that you will be witnessing August 28th and September 1st was compiled by your friendly neighborhood alien, Asston von Martian. See her on stage, being an intergalactic Panty Bandit between acts!
…Capitan’s Log Star date 2011… Model turned boylesque tantaliser, debuted on the Toronto
burlesque stage earlier this summer. His rugged good looks and sensuous movements will have you shatnering yourself with anticipation.
Miranda Tempest
Side: Star Trek
Type: Aerial Royalty
This naughty number is at home in a space cube, and has spent the last six years performing
internationally. She never fails to add your uniqueness to her own to create mesmerizing acts. This sinful seven of nine is always a perfect ten, and when is comes to her sexy seductions, resistance is futile.
Skaii Walker
Side: Star Wars
Type: Dirty Girl
Ramp up those thrusters and hold onto your pods...This racy rebel will excite your mideclorians and bring balance to the force. Her mesmerizing manoeuvres leave no doubt that she is the best xxx-wing fighter in this showdown.
Ty Tanya
Side: Star Wars
Type: Belly Dance
No stranger to shaking her money maker, this princess’s got great buns! Ty’s Sexy sway and captivating curves will have you babbling like JarJar and drooling like Jaba the hut. Not one to be chained down, her seductive sedation is just too powerful to keep hidden for long.
This wonderful report on the
nakedness that you will be witnessing August 28th and September 1st was
compiled by your friendly neighborhood alien, Asston von Martian. See
her on stage, being an intergalactic Panty Bandit between acts!
Who's your daddy? Dolly Berlin is a cheeky little number who will defiantly turn you her dark side. She’ll have you ready to give your left hand for a chance to see her sequel.
Faeya Tal Side: Star Trek
Type: Neo circus
This phaser-toting babe and her high-flying aerial silk performances are always stunning. With a penchant for getting herself into trouble, someone better call the doctor! This red-hot redshirt has a target on her back.
Mickey D. Liscious
Side: Star Wars
Type: Edible
This rough and tumble pretty boy who hails from the boylesque TO crew will have your Kessel running in less than 12 parsecs. His reveal is so good, it should be contraband. Watch out! ‘Cause he won’t take orders from anyone, and he’s ready to show you whose boss.
This wonderful report on the nakedness that you will be witnessing August 28th and September 1st was compiled by your friendly neighborhood alien, Asston von Martian. See her on stage, being an intergalactic Panty Bandit between acts!
