Boom Boom L'Roux's Late Night Revue 4/20

This past Friday night saw the second of three late night burlesque variatae shows occurring this spring at The Triple Door.

Boom Boom L’Roux’s Late Night Revue was hosted by local personality Vincent Drambuie, and featured the talents of the producer, Miss Boom Boom L’Roux, herself, Canadian transplant Lola Lockheart, the fearless, Jenny Penny, Emerald City burlesquers Persephone Illyri, and The Luminous Pariah, and the one and only ‘Yodeling Dominatrix’, Manuela Horn.

The Luminous Pariah and Manuela Horn were the high points of the show.  As a long time Luminous fan, it was a pleasure to see him on the big stage again.  Some artists really shine when they have the space to fill and the freedom to move and he is definitely among them.  Also I burlesque narrated by David Attenborough may be my favorite thing ever.  It was my first time seeing the yodeling dominatrix (well on stage), after hearing about her from other artists and her appearance on America’s Got Talent, and seeing an impromptu song and spanking at a friend’s birthday party.  I was super excited for this opportunity, and the sexy, graceful giantess that she is by no means failed to impress.  'Highway to Yodel' may also be one of my favorite things.

 

Aside: The Luminous Pariah can be caught around town, but next week leaves for a two month tour with his troupe Mod Carousel.  The foursome (which includes The Original Twins, Paris and Trojan, and the Incomparable Leeni) will be stopping in New York and then jetting across the pond to tour Europe.  Manuela can be found as a regular performer at Teatro Zinzanni.  Both can be found on Facebook, and I think you should look them up.

As a host, Vincent Drambuie’s material is tried and well used.  His approach to hosting is a blending Bob Hope style stand-up comedy and unabashed lasciviousness.  His jokes aren’t particularly funny, a fact that he is unashamedly self-referential about, but his commitment to the material and genuine appreciation of the artists he works with, is what makes him good at what he does.

Persephone Illyri’s performances were very pretty, though the material of her second piece was a little confusing.  I loved the dress, the song, the rocking horse, and even the knife play but didn’t understand how they fit together.  Lola Lockheart’s first act was simple and cute, though I think she would benefit from a slightly heftier boa, size does matter when burlesque props are considered. It is all about finding what size works for you! Also, I don’t want to be harsh, but I do need to say, I felt that her vocal selection in act two was ill picked.  It’s a fun song and if you nail it can be show stopper, but it kind felt like she was the nail and the song the hammer.

Jenny Penny’s acrobatic number with performance partner… I didn’t catch his name, was a great take on a classic, old fashioned routine.  They took material that I have seen done at ‘full speed’ and slowed it way down.  You got to see the mechanics of each trick, which was cool, and with the music choice, the routine became sexy.  A simple decision but one I haven’t seen often.  Her fire act was fun, but didn’t quite fill the space.  I would have loved to see her take advantage of the big stage.

As for Boom Boom herself, her style of performance is straightforward tease (at least this selection).  Her contact with the audience is excellent, and she draws things out, going through movements slowly and sensually.  Confident and congenial, Boom Boom L’Roux is a pleasure to watch perform.

All acts considered, this was not the strongest lineup that I have seen at The Triple Door, but it was a promising one.  Boom Boom L’Roux has only recently moved into producing shows on this scale.  With time and a little more practice I believe she will grow into the big stage, and that time may come soon!  Her May lineup is promising and includes: blues artist Lydia Decarllo, the Exposing Composer, EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!, and The Temptress of Taipei, the Shanghai Pearl.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to encourage you to check out the third and final (for this season at least) production of Boom Boom L’Roux’s Late Night Revue, which will take place on Friday, May 18^th, show at 11:30 (21+), doors open at 11:00pm.  Tickets are not available yet, but should go online within the next week or two.  Until then check out the performers I’ve listed above, see what you’ve missed and how to take advantage of others opportunities.  You can find Boom Boom L’Roux on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BoomBoomlroux, and Twitter @BoomBoomLRoux.

Oh, a tip concerning The Triple Door.  Be prepared to wait.  Things rarely start on time at this otherwise splendid Downtown venue.  The serving staff is friendly and responsive, and the shows are worth seeing but unless you actually like the band playing the Musicquarium, standing in line for 30-40 minutes can be somewhat painful.  Just my opinion but I figured I’d share it.

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack

Behind the Pasties: A Burlesque Mockumentary

For the next five weeks you have the opportunity to experience an artistic experiment as conceived by Seattle’s longest running weekly burlesque revue.  Sinner Saint Burlesque, at The Noc Noc, is branching out, theatrically speaking, with a new, entertaining and highly promising show.

Behind the Pasties: A Burlesque Mockumentary gives the audience a peak behind the scenes of Sinner Saint Burlesque.  Host Diva le Deviant dialogues with the audience and with ‘BQ1 interviewer’ Aman, the Chocolate Boy-Wonder, about the history, pre-show rituals, inner secrets and foibles of this troupe of glittering artists.

The audience is told the tale of how Evilyn Sin Claire became known as ‘The Wild Child.’ We are shown how Dona De Couri overcame her insecurities, and like in the story of the ugly duckling, discovered her own beauty, and glamour.  We learn a bit about the secret kinks of the Debutante of Derriere, Lady TaTas, and are made privy to the hard work and the various trials that burlesque artists undertake in training, glamorizing and making their onstage personas… stick.  And for last night's audience, we were given a "where is she now" look at one of SSB's former Sweet Hearts, the 'Martha Graham of Hip Hop', Randi Rascal.

On the surface, Behind the Pasties is standard fare for those who have become accustomed to Sinner Saint’s work.  The individual performances are well executed, sexy, fun and appropriately rhinestoned.  Diva le Deviant is her usual, “Bitch in Charge” self, full of biting wit, and good-natured, over-sexed humor.  Fellow performers, and those intimately connected to burlesque artists will be rewarded with some humorously acted inside jokes, and asides.  In fact the addition of comedic tableaus and mini sketches were my favorite parts of the show.

The emcee-interviewer dialogue added depth to the audience experience, as did, the participation of audience members in a ‘love poem’ from SSB to their fans.  These together with Diva's 'motherly' and affectionate overtures to the audience gave the show the feel of Roxie’s parting line from Chicago, “Thank you, we could not have done it without you!”

Look a little closer, and you might find that ‘Behind the Pasties’ is not yet a finished product.  It is an experiment, or test run, a first draft of something really awesome in the making.  While it is a fun and entertaining show in its current state, it is my hope that the ladies of Sinner Saint Burlesque will continue to develop this show.  I would love to see more history (or comedic pseudo-history), more group sketch work, and eventually I would love to hear the individual voices of the Sinner Saints themselves.

I would encourage Seattle burlesque fans, and fellow performers, to check this show out.  Sinner Saint Burlesque is an ongoing part of Seattle burlesque history. It is due to both the hard work and dedication of the artists, and the love of viewers like you that theirs is a story of success.

Sinner Saint Burlesque performs every Thursday night at The Noc Noc, in Downtown Seattle. Behind the Pasties will run for another five weeks.  For more information you can check them out at http://www.facebook.com/SinnerSaintBurlesque.  As a self-declared SSB fanboy, I don't ask you take my word for it, but I do ask you to see for yourself.

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack

Grab Bag! A Burlesque Revue

Tonight a new producer has made her mark on the ever growing Seattle Burlesque Scene.  Miss Scarlett O’Hairdye, a graduate of the Academy of Burlesque and a founding member of the Sass Boom Bang Burlesque Troupe has launched Unnatural Redhead Productions with Grab Bag! A Burlesque Revue.

Typically the term ‘grab bag’ is one laden with mixed connotations, but the show this evening was pretty solid all around.  The evening had elements of glamour, comedy, seduction, and more with the comic styling of Jenny Sayquah tying things together.

From experienced burlesquers Iva Handfull, Whisper De Corvo and Mitzy Sixx to some of Seattle’s newer talent such as Solange Corbeau, Lotti Glitterati, Ginger Julep and Violet Deville, to belly dancer Katana, and of course producer Scarlett, “Grab Bag!” provides a fair variety of burlesque entertainment.

The highlights of the show were most definitely Iva Handfull, whose precision performance and hyper sexuality is among the best in Seattle, Lotti Glitterati, a Burlesque Starlet in the making, and producer Scarlet O’Hairdye whose in your face attitude was a particular crowd pleaser and whose act was good finish to the show.

As far as back bar entertainment goes, you could do far worse than “Grab Bag!” at The Marsbar, and if you don’t already have plans this Saturday evening, I’d suggest you check it out.  The Marsbar has decently priced drinks, and for its first show Unnatural Redhead Productions has put together a good line up and a consistently entertaining show.

Grab Bag! A Burlesque Revue

Feb 4th @ 8:00pm and 10:00pm.
Tickets $10 at the door.
Boobs Included.

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack

A Burlesque Double Feature!

Dear Friends and Readers,

February is going to be jam packed with awesome shows to see.  It seems that folks are feeling particularly frisky and amorous what with Valentine’s Day coming up.  That being said there are two shows that I would particularly like to recommend to you, and if you are looking for a night out the best thing about them is that they are Two-Shows-In-One, a bona fide Burlesque Double Feature!

The first is Pinups & Pasties, A Cabaret For Our Troops! The Pinup Angels are partnering up with Bachelor Pad Magazine to bring you a bevy of classic babes and burlesque!  The line-up will include Miss Kitty Baby, Pidgeon Von Tramp, Inga Ingénue, Lydia McLane and more and will be hosted by Bachelor Pad’s own Java!

Vital Statistics: February 18^th at The Re-Bar; Doors 7:30pm/Show 8:00pm; Tickets: pinupsandpasties2012.eventbrite.com; $12 Advance or $15 at The Door. (Proceeds of the show benefit The Pinup Angel’s care package efforts and USA troops near and far!)

The second follows right on the tassels of Pinups & Pasties! Fosse’s Follies ~ Boys! Bois! Boyz! This Boylesque Revue is brought to you by Jack & Wood Productions and Sir Eddie Van Glam.  This celebration of ‘boydom’ will explore many of the myriad aspects of boylesque, from both the male and female points of view!  The performers with include: Sir Eddie Van Glam, EmpeROAR Fabulous, Mitzy Sixx, Man Johnson, Dominick, Bolt Action, and me, Fosse Jack; and to wrangle all these rowdy boyz, we have Daddy le Deviant!   

Vital Statistics: February 18^th at The Re-Bar; Doors 10:00pm/Show 10:30pm; Tickets: boysboisboyz.eventbrite.com; $12 Advance or $15 at The Door. (%15 of tickets sales of Fosse’s Follies will be donated to Fosse’s charity of choice: Lambert House.)

Now what is this Burlesque Double Feature you mentioned Fosse? Well its quite simple, it’s Two Shows For $20!  What more it’s the perfect burlesque night for boy & girl couples! Ladies take your Boys to see the Pinups, and Gentlemen take your Girls to see the Boyz!

We would love to see you there, it is bound to be a highly entertaining evening!

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack

The Velvet Stage

Velvet is a private club in the Sodo-District that offers an aesthetically unique and genuinely Seattle experience that is perfect for private and corporate events. 

Reclaimed from a once abandoned warehouse space, two blocks South of Safeco Field, Velvet combines the rustic qualities of Pacific North West hardwoods, gritty, Old Seattle locale with the softer Old World charms of rich velvets, candlelight ambience and elegant artwork.

“It is like stepping into a New Orleans bordello or the boudoir of one of Old Seattle’s Seamstresses.”

As a private club, Velvet is capable of catering to your individual needs.  Whether you simply seek a sultry Seattle locale to host your party, or are interested in putting together a raucous affair with full service bar and food catering, Velvet can help make your vision come true.

Furthermore, Velvet is uniquely positioned to provide a wide variety of entertainment, both tame and exotic to those who would like to spice up their events!  With extensive connections throughout Seattle’s rich and vibrant artistic community, Velvet can help you line up entertainment from circus arts and aerialists, DJs and dancers, vocalists and musicians, to some of Seattle’s finest burlesque artists.

Entertain your guests with a choice artist or two, or simply have one of Velvet’s fine DJ connections provide ambiance and dance music to help facilitate social interactions and liven up your event. 

Looking to entertain your guests with a full blown show?  Talk to us.  Our artistic team would be happy to work with you to design a full program that will keep your guests talking long after the event is past!

Velvet is located at 1701 1^st Avenue South, Seattle WA; Second Floor (stair access only).  Parking is available (and free) at the back of the building. 

Looking for more information?  Want to see the space for yourself?

Website: www.velvetstage.com

E-Mail: info@velvetstage.com

Call: 206-380-9576

Personal Note:

The first time I walked into Velvet, I nearly started crying.  It was like stepping into a dream, and I am convinced that I am not the only person to feel this way, indeed I am sure that you will too once you experience it for yourself.

It is all class, and charm, grit and rusticity all at the same time.  It is the perfect Seattle venue; smart, sexy, independent and determined to be its own thing.  Don’t believe me, see for yourself!

Loves!

Fosse Jack

MOD CAROUSEL in Sinner Saint Burlesque's Winter Guests Extravaganza

Okay, so there are times when writing a review of a show is difficult.  One is when you are friends with the performers and the show is not very good (not applicable).  Two is when you are a bit intoxicated (admittedly applicable).  Three is when the you are friends with the performers and they are so good that they blow your minds (very applicable!).  If any or all of these are true is it almost impossible to be objective, there for, I'm not going to try.


MOD CAROUSEL's performance at The NocNoc tonight was f*ing awesome!  A show about three super sexy super heroes fighting a 'trio' of pop-diva vixens that would turn half of Seattle's Drag Queens green with envy?  How could this not be amazing?  Well it couldn't, because it is amazing!


Okay, forewarning, my Boy calls me "Puddles" for good reason... this puddle is just for Mod Carousel.  ;-)


The Luminous Pariah has been among my top favorite male performers ever since I saw him perform at Magnum, four years ago (ish).  His comedic timing, showmanship and daring would be enough make him amazing.  Add that on top of a smoking hot body?  Okay... a reviewer should maintain objectivity... not objectify.  Two different things.  But it's true.  Luminous takes the Drag art-form and makes it his own.  He lip syncs, and struts about in outrageous costumes, but he is really smart about.  I already think David Attenborough adorable, but thanks to Luminous... well I might need my Sweetie on hand next time I watch The Life of Birds.


The Paris Original made me cry the first time I saw him perform.  Few women, let alone men, have such mastery of the emotional element of ballet as Paris does, and his skill en pointe is breath taking.  What more he blends prima ballerina poise with go-go boy's abandon and that is something even fewer people can do!  So whether he is selling a soul wrenching piece of choreo or making me laugh myself silly with a sly look and boyish grin I adore this performer, and am constantly in awe of his skills.


Trojan Original, the "Strong Man" of this super trio is a bon-a-fide stud muffin.  With the bravado a premier danseur and the talent to back it up, Trojan is a delight to watch.  He is what would happen if a cartoonist captured the disciplined essence of Baryshnikov and the campy styles of a self-aware Schwarzenegger.  On a side note, few hetero-guys can do what Trojan does with impunity.  I'm serious, a lot of straight guys in burlesque, make straight guys in the audience uncomfortable.  Trojan knows how to play his audience.  He tugs at the... um, heart strings, of straight women and gay men, and makes straight boys laugh their asses off, cause he's just that good.


Okay so anyone who has heard me gush over one or all of these boys knows that I have a huge crush on each of them, but let me tell you that after tonight that crush extends to their female member as well.  Leeni, the hostess and chanteuse of the evening was amazing, and played the roles of three different drag queens with the flare of a true musical theatre maven.  I haven't felt this way about a girl since I watched Megan Mullaly perform in Young Frankenstein.  Great stage presence, great voice and excellent versatility.  Brava diva!



And no I didn't forget you Dona, sweetie! Dona De Cuori, the lovely lass whose task it is to hold down her the fort while her Sisters are off in London rocked it tonight.  Dona's blend of dancer and comedienne is solid, and highly enjoyable, and her acts fit beautifully into the story line.  Win!


Okay, gushing done, artistically this was a very good show.  The individual choreo was superb and even though the physicality of the three male performers did not sync up perfectly in the group numbers, their dedication and joy in the art forms did.  As for the show as a whole, it is one of the better examples of a theme show, woven through story, that I have seen in a long time.  The individual acts, pulled from existing repertoire were easy to see in the new light of Leeni's comic book plot line.


Ladies and gentlemen, let me seriously recommend this show.  Well as seriously as I can knowing that their is only one more chance to see it and I want to go again.  :-)  Next Thursday at The Noc Noc.


Loves!
Fosse Jack

Upcoming Shows to Start the New Year!

Happy New Year Dear Ones!


So after a tumultuous end to 2011, I am back and am excited to make my first post of 2012. What better way to start off the New Year with a sneak peak at an upcoming show? Well a sneak peak at several upcoming shows, of courses!

The first coming up is the closing night of DARK MATTER, Sinner Saint Burlesque’s latest burlesque revue. Thursday night will be the last performance of this run, and the last time you will get to see the Ladies of SSB before they jet-set to London for a 2 month run at The Brickhouse! Join host Delilah, and performers Evilyn Sin Claire, Lady Tatas, Jesse Belle-Jones, and Polly Wood as they explore the darker side of the universe, world, and femininity.

DARK MATTER

I know you are asking yourselves: What?! The luscious ladies of Sinner Saint Burlesque are going to be gone for TWO MONTHS? What will we do on our Thursday’s nights? Well the answer is simple, you are going to keep going to SSB’s weekly revue and see some pretty awesome guest artists

! To start this extravaganza of Sinner Saint’s Friends and Family will be another of Seattle’s hottest troupes: MOD CAROUSEL!

Join the Luminous Pariah, the Paris Original, the Trojan Original, and the lovely Leeni, with SSB’s Dona de Cuori rounding out the line up with those luscious hips and shapely legs! With so much sexiness on stage, this is a show you don’t want to miss!


MOD CAROUSEL

Finally, one more show to put on your calendar will be your first chance to see me performer this year! Resolutions: A Burlesque and Drag Review Show is the lasted production by Vixen Valentine and Beatrice Belladona. This one is going to be a performer’s choice show, so anything could happen. The lineup includes: Vixen Valentine, Beatrice Belladona, Ursula Major, Sara Dippidty, Chesty LaRue and more. And hosting this grab bag of burlesque will be The Glamorous Gal With The Golden Gullet, Gams Galore!

Resolutions: A Burlesque and Drag Review Show

A lot can and will happen this year so make sure you get out and make the best of it! Hope to see you at one or all of these shows!

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack