Sunday, June 19, 2011

Rock'N Roll, An Alumni Spectacular

Finishing a year of Alumni Shows, the power house production team of Bella Bijoux, Wiggy Stardust, and Juniper Gin, presented Rock'N Roll, An Alumni Spectacular.  This, like other AoB, alumni shows, was equal parts class reunion, talent showcase, and ongoing education.  Over a dozen former students of Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque appeared on the stage of West Hall last night, and they brought with them acts based on the rock roll themes of rebellion, independence, and "not your grandmother"'s brand of entertainment.

The performance ranged in type, style, extravagence, and production polish, but all benefited from the granduer of West Hall.  Performances just feel more epic on that stage.  With the great blue curtains, good sound, better lighting then most venues can boast, and a full sized stage, it gives performers the opportunity to be bigger and challenges them to really fill the space.  That being said, some fill the space better than others.

While all of the performer reached the bar a few were ahead of the class in their concepts, choreography and performance values.

Flirty Sanchez, the evening's emcee, was the performer I enjoyed the most.  With quirky charm, and a clever tongue, Flirty made good use of innuendo, 'tat for tit' tactics, and self depracating humor.  Many hosts beat you over the head with boobs, but Flirty was just that... a flirt and it worked beautifully.

Lila Dread and Sir Eddie Van Glam made a great duo, as a sexy school marm, and a horny juvenile delinquent.  Sir Eddie, brings a certain sexy camp to anything he does, and Lila's serious, dom energy provided a nice contrast.  I would have liked to see this number go a little further, a good sign as the pair left the audience wanting more.

Piston Chambers roots for the underdog, and in his number last night he brought a comedic underdog back into the spot light.  In a parody of the "Where are they now?" style television show, Piston portrayed the character made famous by Will Ferrel on SNL (cowbell anyone?)... that being said Piston is a far sexier man then Ferrel has ever been; and was surprisingly good on the makeshift set of drums.  You got to love multi talented performers.  Piston's prop heavy performance are best suited to larger venues like West Hall, so when you have a chance, check this Guy out.

Donatella MeLies is one of the few performers I've seen turn trash into art.  This lady made Hefty bags haute.  Her initial emergence, tearing her way out of a big black trash bag was particularly brilliant.  This number is a bit impractical (as she seemed to destroy her costume), and would probably make recycling nuts cringe, but as a one shot performance piece it was spectacular!

Iva Handfull is proof that with dedication, and drive you can go far, having recently competed at Exotic World and won some much deserved acclaim.  While practicing for her performance in Las Vegas, Iva, a legendarily meticulous performer, discovered that her Firestarter fan dance sinched up comically well with very different song.  While I can't remember the name of the song, I will say that watching Iva perform this rather intense act, to a power ballad was ridiculously awesome.

I could go on, and on, commenting on each and every performer but for the time being will stick with this highlights.  It was a good show, and I applaud each of the performers, and the producers who put it together.  I look forward to seeing more of the alumni shows, and to seeing each of these performers again sometime.

Loves!
~ Fosse Jack



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