Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Video Blog!

For the first time ever, I just attended the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas! For those who aren't aware, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend is held annually as a fundraiser and competition to benefit the Burlesque Hall of Fame (henceforth, BHoF). Every year burlesque dancers from all over the world flock to Vegas to watch or compete for the title 'Queen of Burlesque" also known in the past as Miss Exotic World.

So, my first time at BHoF,  my first time in Vegas.

The whole weekend? Utter win.

As many of my road trip vlogs apparently do, please be aware that this contains bikini's, debauchery, hot women, alcohol, and profanity. Also glitter.

~ Red Herring

Heading off to the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend!

.Off to Vegas I go!

Burlesque Hall of Fame, here I come!

One of the images from 2011's event

This year is the 55th weekend event and the 22nd annual Miss Exotic World Pageant that will decide the Queen of Burlesque for the year! It's being held at The Orleans Hotel and Casino.

I'm so unbelievably and extremely excited to finally be heading to Vegas. This will be my first BHoF, and my first Vegas experience! A little overwhelming...but luckily I've been so busy lately that I haven't even had a chance to worry about what I've gotten myself into (aside from the spastic flailings at showgirls who have gone, along the 'What do I pack?!' lines)Luckily, the BHoF site has this little gem of a guide:

Vegas for Burlesquers

I want to go to everything.

I will be heading there with he talented Toni Wallachy of Orangeroads Photography, and Pink Panther Studios, who you've seen images done by...everywhere. Including yours truly. She will be one of the official photographers of the weekend, so keep an eye on 21st Century Burlesque for almost instant photos of performances over the course of the weekend!

This year's image! That's Jennie Lee and Dirty Martini!

'What is Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend?' you may be asking:

The Burlesque Hall of Fame is the name of the burlesque museum that is now located on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. It was formerly located on the site of an abandoned goat farm in California and known as Exotic World. Dancer Jennie Lee started collecting burlesque memorabilia after she retired. After Lee's death in 1990, burlesque legend Dixie Evans took over the farm and turned it into The Exotic World Burlesque Museum. Disrepair and a host of other events eventually had it relocated to where it now sits on Fremont Street.


Dixie Evans started the Miss Exotic World competition in 1990 as a way to draw people to the museum. Queens of the past include Dirty Martini, Michelle L'amour, and more.

Indigo Blue, in chartreuse. Previous queen Roxi D'Lite in blue. Photo by Don Spiro, from BHoF 2011

The annual Miss Exotic World pageant is the first Saturday of every June. Each year a burlesque performer is crowned Miss Exotic World in a contest that is basically the Miss America of Burlesque, or the Superbowl of Burlesque. Winners receive both the title and a gigantic trophy. Last year Miss Indigo Blue of Seattle won, and the year before we had our first ever Canadian winner: Roxi D'Lite!

Roxi D'Lite. Photo by Don Spiro, from BHoF 2010

This year, who knows?

Off to...pack? Ick.

~Red

The Charleston Burlesque Festival!

A brief announcement:

I've been accepted to perform in the Charleston Burlesque Festival in South Carolina!

Showgirl travel booking commences! So many trips this year!

What is BurlyCon?

You need to go.

I'm just going to write that there before dumping any more information on you, so you get it. Do you get it? Do you understand?

If you are a burlesque performer, or want to be a performer, or are involved in the burlesque scene in a large way...you really need to attend this event. And if it's not 'for you' to attend? You need to promote it to every performer that you know.

BurlyCon is the only annual Burlesque Educational convention that I know of. No shows, no competitions, just pure, old fashioned learnin'!

From the site:

Our aim is to further the development and historical knowledge of this rare American art form that is experiencing a popular resurgence worldwide. Unlike other Festivals and Expos that highlight Burlesque performance, this weekend-long gathering contains no show and no audience. Rather, all activities at BurlyCon are focused on the behind-the-scenes components of Burlesque: building skills, deepening knowledge, and growing as a community.             ~ BurlyCon

BurlyCon is coming up in November, from the 1st to the 4th. That may seem like a ways off, but the deals for tickets started months ago. I advise you get in on it now!

They also have payment plans available! More information and registration options are AVAILABLE HERE!

BurlyCon 2011 class photo, by Don Spiro

You get four days of expert instruction, over 100 classes to choose from, and teachers like Alotta Boutté, Ophelia Flame, and Peekaboo Pointe! 

Keep an eye on their website for more updates, or sign up for their newsletter!

Will I see you there?

~Red

Video Blog from the Boston Burlesque Exposition

Earlier this year, I applied and got into the Boston burlesque festival, known as The Great Burlesque Exposition. In order to get my plane down there (my awesome prop by 3bArtistry) I embarked on a road trip with my videographer (the maker of all the awesome trailers you see). Lord, was this trip an experience!

My faithful driving companion The Spanish Fly (aka Tatiana) was kind enough tot take on the task of driving me and my plane all the way from Toronto to Boston.

And then the car broke down.

The hilarity. It ensued.

Here're the videos of our adventures!

And part two!

So...warning for drinking, bikini's, and hilarity. How 'bout that sponsorship Doritos? Eh?

~ Red Herring

New Burlesque Performers! - Strip Search Toronto is Back!

Ladies and gentlemen, and those resolutely refusing to be classified as neither (scoundrels and strumpets!) Toronto's Strip Search competition is back!

 Though they skipped a year, they've returned strong, and if you're a new performer you're really going to want to get in on this chance to ROCKET to stardom like Trixi Jones, the previous Strip Search winner! Past Strip Search competitiors include Obskyura, Dew Lily and Miss dd Starr! All have gone on to become well known names in our community and beyond! Follow in their glittery footsteps. I compel you.

I've included the event information and application below, kindly stolen from our community staple, the Canadian Wolfman!

The Toronto Burlesque Festival Presents:
STRIP SEARCH
Sunday April 1st at The Revival Nightclub
783 College Street, Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm.  
****
Performer Application

(IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to participate in Strip Search Toronto, you
must have only been performing in Burlesque since no earlier than June
1, 2010. Contest open to Ontario residents only.)  
Name:
Stage name:
Email:
Phone Number to be best reached at:
BACKGROUND INFO  
Have you ever performed a live burlesque act?
If so, when and at what show was your first performance?
Have you performed in any subsequent shows? Give brief details.
Why do you want to take part in Strip Search?
How long have you been going to burlesque shows as an audience member?
Give details of your general performance and/or dance background, if any (i.e. theatre experience, dance classes, etc.):
YOUR ACT  
Musical Selection (if applicable):
a) Name of song you are using:
b) Artist:
c) Length of act:

* Please provide a description of your act. Include information on your
costume, mood of the routine, any gimmicks or props, the plot/storyline
of your act or anything else you think is important to share. If you
are altering your number from a video you have attached, please let us
know of the planned changes. We will be using this information to help
craft the show so that your act has maximum impact, in the event that
you are selected to compete.
*Please provide the URL to a video of your act, IF you have one (we understand that many new performers may not have this )

*Are there other people involved in your routine? This includes people
in walk-on roles. Please list both stage and real names here, if any:

*What are your technical requirements for this number, in terms of
clean-up and set-up? Be especially specific and thorough about what you
require for stage set-up.
Please e-mail applications to Canadian Wolfman at wolfspill@yahoo.com and be SURE to attach a photo of yourself.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE MARCH 5, AND ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MARCH 12.

My monthly show Reveal Me at the Rivoli is all about supporting and integrating new performers into our community. I believe in giving my Virgin Vixens a solid start, and Strip Search is definitely a step in the right direction!

I'll be there at the show April 1st to cheer on all of the newcomers, and I hope you will too!

~Red

How to Survive a Burlesque Festival - feat Fish nor Fowl

The lovely Freya West, whom I've featured here a little while ago, has written up a wonderful list of tips and tricks for surviving a burlesque festival, whether it's your first time or your fiftieth. Click here to check out her list!

 

Freya West. I told you she was lovely.

Photography by LA Photographie

On the list such things as: gorgeous and uncomfortable shoes, false eyelashes, and a strong constitution.

This is a very good primer for what to expect to carry for a festival. For more of an in-depth look at the festival experience, I point you to my Toronto Burlesque Festival Recaps!

Wednesday

Thursday 

Friday

Saturday

Now, for some of my additions to Freya's amazing list:

1. Business Cards
 You may run into any number of people, from Producers of stage shows to Producers of all things TV and media-land. Business cards are the most basic of all professional items. Hand them out like candy, and collect them too!

2. Business Card Holder
 For all those business cards you'll be taking in return, you'll need a fancy little holder. I have an adorable polka-dotted one that helps me corral the little beasts so that I can follow up with all the contacts I've met after the festival.

Here's a cute one featuring Bettie Page 

from Pinup Girl Clothing! 

You can get them in a variety of styles. Check out places like etsy as well!

3. Small-but-Fabulous purse
 To hold your wallet, lipstick, business card holder, maybe some pressed power, raffle tickets, and anything else that you may come across! Bonus points if it's large enough to stuff your phone in beside your cash. Something like below would be cute!

4. Large-and-also-Fabulous Bag

 Something for toting around more substantial things, like a change of shoes (flats in case you have to trek somewhere!) notepads or notebooks, etc. Below is a really nice one, but you may want to go even bigger, like a tote bag (try leopard or zebra print!)

That's it for my additions!

Is there anything else you would add, lovely readers?

Be sure to have a look at Freya's website (recently made fabulous) and maybe join her in a Top Hat Tuesday?

~ Red Herring