New Artist: Roxi Dlite
July 2nd, 2009
It’s with great pleasure we announce a new Artist on our books, Roxi Dlite..
Roxi Dlite is a self-proclaimed Stripographer. A lengthy performance resume as Canada’s International Burlesque Performer, Aerial Artist, and Pinup Model paved the way for Roxi Dlite Photography, a vintage pin-up and glamour photography studio.
Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Roxi began performing burlesque in 2004. Since then, she has devoted her life to a sultry, swanky and sophisticated life of glamour known as burlesque.
Roxi kicked things up a notch when she included the jaw-dropping aerial act that has since become her signature show. Roxi was professionally trained by a former Cirque Du Soleil performer and credits her own childhood involvement in gymnastics for the successful transition.
Roxi has performed on stages all over Canada and the United States for the best in the industry, including the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas where she won the 1st runner-up to Miss Exotic World 2009, the Toronto International Burlesque Festival and Chaz Royale’s Burlesque Goes North Festival. Roxi made her New York City debut for performances at the New York Burlesque Festival and America’s Favourite Burlesque Game Show, This or That!
The wild Big Apple weekend was capped off by a pair of coveted NYBF Golden Pastie Awards earning the 2008 titles for Hottest Freshman and Biggest Tease. She is a regular performer at Detroit’s Theatre Bizarre and world renown Dirty Show and has even been interviewed by Eric Powell himself for a burlesque inspired issue of the Eisner Award winning comic, The Goon.
Roxi has been voted one of the 20 Hottest Burlesque Stars in the world (Asylum Magazine). Canada’s national newspaper calls her a “stellar variety act,” (Globe and Mail) and she is known throughout the metropolitan Detroit area as the "reigning burlesque diva" (Windsor Star).
Roxi recently completed what she calls one of her most gratifying accomplishments – a critically acclaimed run as the lead in Wonderland, a burlesque-inspired retelling of the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The visionaries behind Detroit’s Theater Bizarre were inspired by the Roxi Dlite’s Cabaret Series production of the Mad Hatter’s Tease Party.
Wonderland featured burlesque, singing, suspension artists, contact juggling, aerial artists, belly dancing and an original soundtrack performed live by a 7-piece band. The entire production is slated to be released on DVD in the coming months.
Burlesque paved the way to Roxi’s second love of pinup photography and modeling. Roxi, believe it or not, was once camera shy. She began modeling for her own promotional material and fell in love with the camera. Roxi has been featured in publications such as Java’s Bachelor Pad magazine, Car Kulture DeLuxe magazine and Issue 20 of The Goon Comic.
The Drinking, Smoking, Stripping Machine now works both sides of a camera for Roxi Dlite Photography. Using her background in graphic design and her eye for glamour, Roxi styles, shoots and edits all of her modeling material as well as anyone else who wants to be a “Pin-Up for a Day.”
Roxi is a spokesmodel for Cameo-Intimates.com, a Canadian retro-inspired lingerie company and has photographed and modeled for Goth Fox Pasties, Vivien of Holloway, My Sweet Corazon, and Pretty Bird Accessories.
"I’m just a kind and humble gal, who just likes to take her clothes off. I’ll continue to strip ‘til the audience throws tomatoes at me. Then, being a savvy business woman, I’ll go in to the ketchup business."
The Burlesque Ball 2010 – Headliner Announced and Pre Sale Open – Dated Tickets on SALE!
June 30th, 2009
Headliner – Julie Atlas Muz
It is with incredible excitement we announce our 2010 headliner for The Burlesque Ball – Julie Atlas Muz.
Miss Exotic World and Miss Coney Island 2006, Julie Atlas Muz is one of the most acclaimed and prolific conceptual performers and choreographers in New York.
She sucker punches the boundaries between performance art, dance and burlesque with dark, twisted, come-hither performances that have secured her place in the underworld of nightlife as well as the bastion of the art world.
Muz has been awarded Artist- in-Residency status from Chashama (2002), Joyce Soho (2001), Mondo Conne Artist-in-Residency at Dixon Place (2000) and Movement Research Artist-in-Residence (1998-99). 2004 Whitney Biennial Artist and a 2005 Valencia Bienal Artist.
We also have announced a few more of our key performers, MC Ophelia Bitz (UK), Imogen Kelly (AUS), Sarah Lea Cheesecake (AUS) and The Gamble Sisters (AUS).
There are quite a few more acts being offered places and securing as we speak, so check the website regularly for updates. There are a few more international names worth getting VERY excited for!!
PRE-SALE OPEN DATED TICKETS are now ON SALE from www.burlesqueball.com for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane(or) Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth!!
PRE SALE $49
FIRST RELEASE $59
SECOND RELEASE $69
ON THE DOOR $79
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO jac@jacbowie.com
News from Julie Atlas Muz in New York
June 29th, 2009
HI EVERYONE! I’m back in New York City & SOOOO happy to be here! Following are two shows that I’m in and producing that shouldn’t be missed.
WANTED at Rodeo Bar and SEALBOY & the BLONDES part 3 FULL MOON on FIRE ISLAND
Below are all the details. Hope to see you there.Love Julie
————————
DOC & JAM Productions Bring You:
WANTED! Wild Bandits of Burlesque
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 (and Every Last Tuesday of the Month)
Show at 11pm; Live music at 9 pm
Rodeo Bar
375 3rd Avenue at 27th Street
New York , NY
FREE FREE FREE FREE LIVE GIRLS & GUYS
NEVER A COVER
(2 drink minimum)
Subway: 6 train to 28th Street
Starring:
DIRTY MARTINI
MAT FRASER aka SEALBOY!
JULIE ATLAS MUZ
PEEK A BOO POINTE
& the wildest dude west of 2nd Avenue:
BRADFORD SCOOBIE as COUSIN ROOSTER
With Boinky the Clown
photo: Ted D’Ottavio
Dust off those sparklers and whip out your red, white and blue for a pre-Independence Day Spectacular! Wanted! Wild Bandits of Burlesque will bring you some fireworks you’ll never forget! This month stars special guests DIRTY MARTINI, MAT FRASER aka SEALBOY, PEEK-A-BOO POINTE and, as always, Cousin Rooster, Julie Atlas Muz, Dr. Lucky, and Boinky the Clown. Wanted! Wild Bandits of Burlesque brings you the best and the brightest burlesque legends, art stars, and circus side show freaks! Part saloon, part salon, the last Tuesday of every month brings death-defying novelty acts, gorgeous showgirls, campfire sing alongs, and an evening of guaranteed side-splitting laughter and eye-popping thrills. The Double D Ranch Wranglers are giving you a recession special you’ll never forget! NO COVER EVER! Come early for live honky-tonk music and stay late — kitchen closes at 2 am. DJ Momotaro spinning the shit-kicking tunes all night long. Happy Trails!
AND
SEALBOY AND THE BLONDES PART 3
FULL MOON on FIRE ISLAND
July 7th $5
The Ice Palace, Cherry Grove, Fire Island 
\
Julieatlasmuz.com
_________________________________
iloveyou@julieatlasmuz.com
The Ruby Revue this Week in Sydney!
June 29th, 2009
This Saturday 4th July we have a very special lineup for you, filled with debut and interstate acts including special guest host JK Easy, and feauring The Fabulous Chandeliers, Rosy Rabbit (Melbourne), Rita Fontaine (Brisbane) and What Makes Men Blush make their debut!
More acts still to be confirmed!
Limited tickets still remain, so book now at www.therubyrevue.com
Review on Hobart Burlesque Scene
June 29th, 2009
Zombie Cabaret 27th June 2009 by Hayley Clinch
Its amazing how many strangers will come up and talk to you when you are covered from head to toe in green and white funky face paint, with blood dripping from the mouth and hardware engorged through your skin, clothes half torn off and the clothes that are still clinging to you by a thread are covered in goo and blood, looking like zombies is fantastic.
The Zombie Cabaret was held to raise funds for a Tasmanian film, produced and directed by local artists, actors from here and there and everywhere, all for the love of film, acting and zombies. With a huge range of local talents the cabaret was sure to be interesting and deadlicious, so good some may say that you would eat your own ear to get a view of the show.
Held at the Alley Cat in North Hobart, with the candy striped bar, plastic chandeliers, umbrellas hanging from the roof because there was not a drop of rain in the air for a change and the sound of pool balls clicking along the black felt while someone aims for the black ball but more importantly the sound of a whip being whacked on that beautiful candy striped bar, well I hope that it was the bar and not the sound of bare skin, ouch (but more on that whip, and the owner of that whip later).
Earlier in the day there was a Zombie march held through the city and surrounding suburbs of people dressing up and popping blood capsules in theirs mouths so that the effect could be even more gruesome, re-enacting scenes from cult zombies movies, most of these zombies were there to celebrate and embrace the Zombie cabaret with a few groans and moans and limping through the crowd.
Hosted by, the one, the only, Madame Goulash, with those beautiful, bountiful eyelashes (what were you thinking??) and the thick Russian accent and that whip, that’s right THAT whip. The audience were in hysterics, it’s hard not to laugh when you are threatened with a whipping, with a local celebrity new reader in the front row I think he thought that he would go unnoticed but nothing goes past Madame Goulash. Not only is Madame Goulash the most talented Mc she also performs her own routines as well. Mr Celebrity was dragged up on stage to the song ‘Whip it’, all the while Madame Goulash preparing to whip him, (I think he loved it more than Madame Goulash or the audience).
With many exuberating local talents from comedians Tim Logan and Mama Rosa to burlesque dancers The Southern Belles and Birds of Paradise, from burlesque to robot singing dancing doll Sister O, from singing dancing dolls to cotton balls puppeteer super star, from super star puppeteers to little miss innocent, prim and proper Ms Ricky Day it was hard to take your eyes off the little black stage tucked away in the corner of North Hobart.
Birds of Paradise are a fantastic duo, described as ‘ta-da’ girls with no magician, with amazing las Vegas show girl costumes ( I would hate to know how many naked birds there are out their now, who sacrificed their foliage for the love of burlesque) and long sparkly batons which move in synchronization to ‘Rocking Robin’. Their second performance included magic tricks involving cutting each other in half all the while looking fabulous.
Sister O, an eccentric solo artist who combined with quirky head jerking movements and 80’s robot like dance moves was a refreshing act to watch and be entertained by. Not only were the dance moves so in time and perfect for the music, there came the surprise of the singing the sensational singing. Sister O has a voice like an angel well a zombified angel.
Have you ever felt so emotionally attached to cotton balls as to whimper when one gets attacked? I know I never would have imagined watching someone with a face on some cotton balls which were made into a body could be so captivating. Think cute little old man made out of cotton balls, he has his little body and little walking stick all in pure white, he sees that there is a lake to swim in so this little fragile cotton ball man goes for a swim, unfortunately he drowns and becomes limp with no movement but as the music becomes more intense more Beethoven like along comes a big cotton ball sabre tooth tiger. The tiger discovers the man in the water and rescues him, well the audience is held in suspense as you think the tiger is going to rescue the man, but then this pure white cotton ball man in the lap of the big cotton ball sabre tooth tiger becomes drenched in fire engine red blood, the audience gasps as the blood is sprayed out on the front row and there are a few ohh’s as the song comes to an end and sabre tooth tiger walks off with the little mans walking stick, all this emotion and suspense created by using cotton balls. Amazing!!!
And of course the green zombilicous Southern Belles, performing in true zombie style with rigid movements and fresh blood dripping down their chins, limped on stage to a plonky tune called ‘Ramalama’. The Southern Belles successfully pulled off the sexy zombie look, as they seductively peeled their skin off and ate it before throwing it into the crowd, and ripping theirs goo hearts out to again share with the crowd (the poor people in the front row, first blood now skin and goo, and flinching anytime Madame Goulash was in whipping distance). With stylish ripped fishnets and cute little top hats, the look was not complete until Miss Scarlett Jezebel revealed under her blood soaked corset, just underneath the bolt which was gouged into her chest some bright red sparkly pasties.
Zombie Cabaret was a huge success not only did it raise a huge amount of funds for the movie production it gave some fantastic local talent a chance to show Hobart what they are made of!! It was fantastic to see the amount of variety in performances but also the support from the crowd was phenomenal.
Hayley is the Jac Bowie Blog Correspondent for Tasmania. To have Hayley attend one of your events please contact her at hayley@jacbowie.com
UK Burlesque Auditions Notice
June 25th, 2009
CHAZ ROYAL ENTERTAINMENT
In Conjunction with the *London Burlesque Social Club* PRESENTS….
The ~BRITISH BURLESQUE INVASION~ *TOUR AUDITIONS*
CALLING ALL: Burlesque Strip Teasers, Cabaret Cuties, Vaudeville Villans, Mysterious Magicians, Circus Sideshow Sirens & Anyone else that gives a DAMN!!!!
Be apart of History! The BRITISH BURLESQUE INVASION is coming!
2 Exclusive Public Audition Dates! Open to UK Residents Only!
Thursday August 6th & September 3rd 2009
@ MADAME JOJO’S, 8-10- Brewer St. Soho. W1F 0SE
Final Registration 6pm-7:30pm, Doors Open 8:30pm,
Auditions Start at 9pm Sharp!
BE APART OF THE AUDIENCE! TICKETS ONLY £8.50
AND ONLY AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE THROUGH TICKETWEB.CO.UK
DOOR SALES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. BUY IN ADVANCE!
ON SALE JULY 3rd 2009
*ALL PROCEEDS TOWARDS TOUR SUPPORT FOR 2010
Chaz Royal will be launching the
~BRITISH BURLESQUE INVASION~ TOUR
with a trial run late 2009 in the NETHERLANDS!!!
The Tour will go on to perform EXCLUSIVE Fly-In dates & potential
Roadshows throughout 2010.
If you are a Burlesque, Cabaret or Variety entertainer who would like to be considered for an Audition slot, please email CHAZROYAL@HOTMAIL.COM for a full registration form.
Please include your name, stage name, email address, website & 1 video link to receive a form. Anyone who does not send these will not receive a registration form.
Please note that NO PAYMENT will be issued for the Auditions. As a gesture each participant will receive 1 guest ticket for a friend.
Kimberley writes about The Ruby Revue
June 22nd, 2009
It’s with pleasure we bring you the first piece by our Sydney Blog Writer Kimberley Fulton. If you would like Kimberley to attend and cover your event / review please contact her at kimberley@jacbowie.com
It is another Saturday evening in the city of Sydney. The temperature outside is sitting at a chilly 13 degrees and the streets are filled with fervent punters.
Determined not to let a little slice of winter ruin their evenings, they scurry from one venue to the next, rugged up in heavy black jackets and scarves – all of which are to be shed once they’ve safely arrived at their destinations.
On this particular evening in June, jackets and scarves are not the only pieces of clothing being shed within the veiled heart of Sydney’s nightlife.
Something far more glamorous than the ritual winter unrobing is taking place at the Arthouse Hotel on Pitt Street.
The Arthouse is not only a popular watering hole for urbanites, it also plays host to an eclectic monthly cabaret and variety show known as The Ruby Revue.
The Ruby Revue has become a well anticipated event on every self respecting burlesque enthusiast’s calendar and is a unique and exciting addition to the Australian entertainment scene. Put together by Australia’s premier burlesque, vaudeville and vintage producers, Jac Bowie PR & Events, the revue is evocative of a traditional variety show with a fresh line up of both emerging and well recognised burlesque acts, magicians, circus acts, comedians and musicians.
Shedding my own cumbersome winter robes upon arriving at the Arthouse on Saturday 13th June, my associate and I are greeted by an animated host with a mile wide smile and a bold cigarette girl costume to match. We are offered a seat at a table draped in velvet underneath a canopy of white fabric which seems to give the entire room a subtle hint of romantic boudoir allure. Though the lights are suitably dim, the room is full of patrons and emits the satisfying, audible hum of people enjoying themselves.
Audience members who wish to take advantage of the full cabaret experience are encouraged to book a ticket that allows them to enjoy dinner and the show from the best seats in the house. Not having taken advantage of this experience myself, it is not long until the neatly presented food that is ferried past my table by the diverse and friendly hotel staff has roused my appetite and I find myself at the bar ordering my own meal.
The combination of a good meal, a good wine and a good show has always been one of my favourite types of satisfaction, and the arrival of my meal no less than five minutes before the entertainment commences ensures that this occasion is no exception.
The charismatic Cam Hot August Knight, our MC for the evening, takes to the small black stage and draws a hush over the settling audience with a smooth introduction to the night’s festivities and a little satire that only a man of his charm and confident character could get away with.
The first act of the evening comes in the form of a lovely willowy performer who exudes a certain French-noir chic and goes by the name of Lauren La Rouge.
Havingseen Lauren in action once before, I knew she would not disappoint, and I was right.
Her legs seem to go on for years. This evening Miss La Rouge reminds me of a sexed-up version of little red riding hood, clad in all black with an umbrella sporting a glittering spider web that showers her in bite sized chunks of glitter confetti as she opens the show with a less than subtle reminder of what burlesque is all about.
As hard of an act as Lauren La Rouge may have been to follow, the next players on the bill did the job quiet graciously. The comic manage et toi known as The Margaritas strutted up to the microphone to show the audience that three is always better than one. An amazing voice is a powerful weapon of its own accord, but three powerful voices combined with an impeccable sense of comic timing and a little risqué humour makes for a riotous act. The Margaritas recital was reminiscent of an old dance-hall style of comedy and song that had the audience splitting their sides well after they’d left the stage.
Next on the agenda was the remarkable Danica Lee. Danica’s act came complete with a prop that resembled the Garden of Eden, had god been a woman with a penchant for glitter. Emerging from a sheer curtain, the tiny opulent figure that is Miss Lee reminded everyone in the room that they were sinners of the naughtiest kind with her endearing re-enactment of the notorious biblical story of Adam and Eve.
Complete with phallic snake and glittering apple, her routine was an ingenious reverse strip tease that mocked the concept of a little modesty, a little too late.
Following Danica Lee came the sensuous vocal stylings of songstress Mira.
With a voice like syrup and honey, with the lights down low and just a single microphone to set the stage, Mira’s performance provided the audience with a chance to unwind from the frenzied energy of the previous acts.
One short intermission and a glass of champagne later, death-defying Dangerboy took to the stage. A humble magician with an amiable stage presence , he had the audience perched on the edge of their seats. Whilst swallowing balloons and razor blades may not seem like such a poetic feat, for the entirety of his act, Dangerboy could have cut the suspense in the air with a knife. The end of his performance was met with an onslaught of applause.
The last performer of the evening was without a doubt my personal favorite. Belly dancing sensation Kayele had every single eye in the house fixed in her direction as she performed a hypnotizing routine that left us all reeling for more. Having recently made the trip from Alice Springs to Sydney city, Kayele’s ambrosial demonstration of why god gave women hips was an indication that things in the red centre really are hot.
The infectious joy that had been circulating the room the entire night did not die at the conclusion of the performances, with most punters opting to move outside to the court yard to continue to enjoy the Arthouse hospitality.
The Ruby Revue is a fantastic evening out for die hard burlesque fans and cabaret virgins alike. If you come armed with a sense of humor and an expectation to see some unique entertainment, there is no way this event could disappoint. If choose to spend only one day a month enjoying the best that Sydney has to offer, I’d highly advise you mark the next Ruby Revue on your calenders!
Great Review on The Ruby Revue – last Saturday in Sydney
June 17th, 2009
By Katie Bell!
If you would like to come along to The Ruby Revue in Sydney or Melbourne please book online at www.therubyrevue.com
| When You Were a Kid… did you dance around the lounge room with your friends making up daggy dance moves to the likes of "I think we’re alone now"? |
| I did. I remember making up dances with my friends to most of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and the Smurf’s covers of many kitsch 80’s songs (think of the smurfs doing Cocomo!) |
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| So imagine my great delight (and total flash backs) at Saturday’s Ruby Review when headline act The Margaritas took to the stage with the choreographed running man stylings of "I Think We’re Alone Now" fully clad in gold lame styled short jumpsuits. I think I fell in love. |
| This is what I love about Cabaret, the entertainment, the parody, the exaggeration for pure pleasure. I shouldn’t tell you about the giggling fits my table had when The Margaritas first took to the stage mistaking a Dildo for a mobile phone… and serenading it with "Do it to me one more time" *giggles furiously* They’re well worth seeing if they’re traipsing past your town. |
| This month’s Ruby Review had such a wonderful mix of acts, the lovely Lauren LaRouge opened the show with her fab black cape, dance and snow confetti falling from her brolly. |
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Danica Lee presented a terribly amusing burlesque piece which I like to call ‘God really does like a bit of smut’. The scene starts in the garden of Eden and the gorgeous Eve is glorious in her innocence, twirling and dancing through her day. Then that pesky snake convinces her to chomp on the sparkliest red apple you ever did see. Oh the embarrassment when poor Eve notices her nudity, she quickly whisks herself away to cover herself in a – barely there – long black dress. To say God gets a bit cranky would be an understatement… so to appease a cranky God (or maybe to just win him over) Miss Eve (to steal a phrase from SYTYCD) Dances for her Life, one piece of clothing at a time. Again, my table of girls (and token boy, Hi Paul *waves*) giggled a lot. |
| Mira sang some of my favourite Cole Porter songs, she was just lovely. And I was good, I didn’t sing along *too much* I can’t find any online links to her so I’ll keep my eyes peeled in case she pops up in performances down the track. |
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| OH! and OMG Kael, I missed her at Dr Sketchy’s a few weeks ago but am sure glad I saw her at the Review. She is a Bellydancer from Alice Springs who has recently moved to Sydney to adjust to City Life before she disappears to Los Angeles for further dance training. She is gorgeous and entrancing. Her dancing started with her wrapped in a beautiful orange shawl which she slowly, throughout the dance unravelled herself from. I often forget how much I like Bellydancing, the oscillation and isolated movement of hips vs upper body is just scintillating! |
| There may have been more performers, I’ve lost track, but it was an excellent show to see. Certainly a lot of variety and fabulousness on that there stage! |
| *cough* I may have entered the singing competition and forgotten all the words to the Proclaimer’s 500 miles *cough* |
| I had a great night hanging out with new friends and generally soaking up the atmosphere. It’s much better than your average night out at a pub. I look forward to bringing more and more friends to the Ruby Review and other events, like getting my Mum to a Tuesday night Dr Sketchy’s some time soon *cough* sick days for Mum *cough* |
| Of course I did have a brilliant plan for my own cabaret act, but I’ll keep that tightly under wraps for now… |
MELBOURNE RUBY REVUE OPENING NIGHT – Almost sold out!!
June 16th, 2009
Hi Everyone
Just letting you know we have now sold out of all Dinner & Show tickets to the opening night at Ruby Revue in Melbourne.
We do have a limited amount of Show Only tickets still available, but I suggest you hop online and book asap at http://www.therubyrevue.com as there won’t be any available at the door!!
xx JB
The Ruby Revue – Sydney & Melbourne Auditions
June 16th, 2009
The Ruby Revue is once again seeking fresh new cabaret talent for it’s regular night held at The Arthouse Hotel in Sydney.
To register your interest and secure an audition time, please head to www.therubyrevue.com and visit the APPLY page.
The next auditions are on Saturday 4th July in Sydney and Saturday 27th June in Melbourne.
Next Time at Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Sydney
June 16th, 2009
HMAS Heidihoops is back with Dr Sketchys debut Holly Ja’Doll!! Join us for a night of dames, drinking, drawing and DEBAUCHERY!!!
Book now at www.drsketchy.com.au
Tuesday 23rd June, 6:30-9:30pm, The Arthouse Hotel 275 Pitt Street Sydney
Molly Crabapple’s new novel is about to be launched!!
June 13th, 2009
On July 8th, Fugu Press will release “Scarlett Takes Manhattan,” the first graphic novel by Dr. Sketchy’s creator Molly Crabapple and her longtime collaborator John Leavitt. Set in the demimonde of Gilded Age New York, “Scarlett Takes Manhattan” tells the story of poor Bowery girl Shifra Helfgott, who rises to become the premier fire-eater of her age.
Chock full of rigged boxing matches, dirty politics, and turn of the century lesbian culture, “Scarlett” has been described as “disgustingly wonderful” by Warren Ellis and led Margaret Cho to call Molly “THE artist of our time.”
JUNE RUBY REVUE in Sydney & Melbourne
June 11th, 2009
Book now at www.therubyrevue.com
Full lineup details:
Sydney
THE MARGARITAS, MC Cam HotAugust Knight, Meera Belle, Danica Lee, Lauren LaRouge, Kael Murray and Dangerboy!!
Melbourne
THE TOWN BIKES, MC Kelly Ann Doll, Sarah Lea Cheesecake, Rosy Rabbit, L’Amour, Lena Marlene, Miss Sapphira, Danica Lee
New Blog Correpondents!!
June 11th, 2009
Thanks to everyone who has sent in applications for Correspondents for our blog. We have selected writers now for Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania, but of course have vacancies at other cities around the world.
Please stay tuned over the next few weeks for the first installments for our writers.
If you would like to invite any of the girls to write about YOUR show, please email us x
Winners of Burlesque Hall of Fame 2009
June 11th, 2009
Reigning Queen of Burlesque: Kalani Kokonuts
First Runner Up: Roxi Delite
Second Runner Up: Pearle Noir
Best Troupe: Nanda
Best Debut: Melody Mangler
Best Variety: Gigi and Pop
Best Boylesque: Hot Toddy
Most Comical: Little Brooklyn
Most Dazzling: Kalani Kokonuts
Most Innovative: Arabella Trapeze
Most Classic: Amazing Knicker Kittens
Courtesy of Jo Weldon at Daily Burlesque
June 11th, 2009
In honor of Kalani’s winning weekend, I’m reposting my interview with her from last year. 
Kalani Takes the Stage at MEW 2006. Photo by Jo Weldon.
How did you get interested in burlesque?
I was stripping underage in a topless biker bar in Alaska, when I first saw a ”feature entertainer.” Features are week long acts that are booked to perform about 3-4 shows a night. They usually have centerfold credits or they can be porn actresses. Week after week the club would book different acts. Some were good, some were not so good. It seemed very glamorous to me. So I watched the features every night and learned. When I turned 21 I decide that if I wanted to perform and improve I would have to move where I thought the best performers were. I packed all my costumes into the back of my truck, I had six trunks and that was all that would fit. So I left everything else. Then I drove from Alaska to Las Vegas. Where I learned to perform real burlesque at the” World Famous Palomino Club”. By then burlesque was on it’s last leg and a year later the owner died, so I went on the road as a ”feature entertainer”. I never really cared for feature entertaining, some of the venues were sketchy and mob owned.
Where did your stage name come from?
My stage name Kalani Kokonuts was a nickname my sister gave me. She also calls me K-nuts or Special K. I don’t particularly care for it, but I never thought of anything better. 
Kalani in the dressing room at Tease-O-Rama. Photo by Amanda Brooks.
What does burlesque mean to you?
Burlesque is the way I express my art. I am very shy by nature, so I have I this conflict between the desire to reach an audience and the desire to be secretive and esoteric.
Do you travel to perform?
Yes, I do often travel for shows, I rarely update the schedule on my site though…I’m lazy.
Who inspires you most, and why?
I am not so inspired by performers as much as I am inspired by music. When I hear music I see images of how I could create an act. Music moves me, frees my mind and distracts my conscious thoughts so I can create from a higher place.
What is your favorite aspect of burlesque as it is now?
I love the variety in burlesque. Please give me more variety!
What would you like to do or see next in burlesque?
Honestly, I would like to see more commitment, and more production quality. Great acts need great costumes. I know that costumes are expensive. For that reason I only create one show a year. It is better to have 3-5 amazing costumes than 20 mediocre ones.
How do you go about creating a show?
Okay, this is my method for creating shows. I set the intention that I would like to create a new act. Then I send that intention out into the universe. I ask creator or God for an idea that is spiritual beautiful and powerful. All I do now is wait. It usually takes about a week or less for something to hit me suddenly. I load up my Ipod with potential music and then I space out at the gym or get stoned. If my mind is empty and my body is engaged I get more ideas than I could possibly ever create. After I flesh out the idea in my head, and make sure that the idea is possible, I start to draw out what the costume might look like. I research resources online, then I start. It is important to stay focused and on task, or you never finish the act. In my opinion it’s all about the music or song that you choose. Everything else is secondary. You must get the audience’s attention in less than five seconds. If I haven’t given you goose bumps or had your complete undivided attention, I have failed. Myself and the audience. 
Kalani onstage in Las Vegas, 2007. Photo by Mike Albov.
You did one of the most spectacular productions I’ve ever seen in or out of burlesque at MEW 2007. How much of that is your property is yours? How do you transport it? Who made the costume and props, and where did you learn to twirl fans like that? Can you tell I’m amazed?
Thank you so much! I started to put that show together right after MEW ‘06. The Japanese Taiko drummers are a local drumming troupe which I had booked seven months in advance. They needed the time to learn the song and choreography. Everything else is mine including the snowmaker. If I am booked to perform the full show, first I have to book my drummers. Then the very large Odaiko drum must be transported by a moving truck earlier on the day of the show. The Odaiko drum is extremely expensive and weighs one ton, so it must be moved by seven or eight people. Of course the drums belong to the drummers. As far as the costume is concerned, it was made by Imagination Costume in Las Vegas. It took them nine months to complete. I drew out exactly what I wanted and how it would be removed. I also perform that same show to different music where I do Mulan or Kung Fu fighting fans. It is very fast and dynamic. I trained with a Kung Fu master from Hawaii for almost a year to perform the fighting fans. Though I prefer the softer version I did at MEW ‘07. Twirling fans is easy, stick your finger in the slat, and twirl; I swear that’s it. You just have to use a professional fan.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Someone once told me that an ounce of presence is worth a pound of performance. With presence in place, everything else can be learned.
A brief clip of Kalani onstage at MEW 2007.
Kalani’s Website
Kalani on MySpace
Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque, for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com.
Office Closed for additional Week
June 9th, 2009
Hi All
Unfortunately our new internet provider has been held up with our connection at the office for an additional week, due to a fault at the telephone exchange.
For any urgent enquiries please phone 0439 078 606 or email us at info@jacbowie.com and we will be in touch as soon as we have internet access.
For all enquiries for Dr Sketchy’s Sydney, please email alisa@jacbowie.com
Coming Up in Sydney…
June 6th, 2009
Moving Office
June 5th, 2009
Whilst we are moving our office to Melbourne we will not have access to emails or phone until Tuesday 10th June.
If the matter is urgent please email Alisa Angell alisa@jacbowie.com or call 0415 505 007
Positions Available
May 31st, 2009
We have a range of positions available right now at Jac Bowie PR & Events Pty Ltd. Please see below and if you would like to apply , please email apply@jacbowie.com .
Melbourne PA
I require a Personal Assistant based in Melbourne for a variety of tasks including: office & email management, booking agent work, ticketing management, advertising sales, sponsorship, newsletter writing, publicity, networking & website updates, event assistant and much more. This role is unpaid, but involves commission on event sales, advertising sales, Artist bookings and publicity placements. The right person will also be given full management of a selection of events.
Sydney, Brisbane, London and New York Interns
Required to assist promotions and manage street teams for our Sydney events. Also required to work as an event assistant as required for Dr Sketchys and The Ruby Revue. These roles are unpaid but offer commissions and of course loads of free tickets!!
Blog Correspondents
Are you a dedicated follower of Burlesque in your city? Write about it for our blog, including pictures and/or videos and become one of our official correspondents! We would require monthly updates, and would send you to your events complimentary and line up interviews with the most fabulous performers in your area. How fabulous!!
Booking Agents
Seeking Booking Agent based in Australia, the Uk, Europe and USA. Commission based.
Dr Sketchys Helpers
Dr Sketchy’s in Sydney is seeking Door Staff and other assistants. For these roles please email alisa@jacbowie.com
The Ruby Revue Melbourne
Seeking event crew, door girls, sound, assistant stage manager. Email alisa@jacbowie.com
Please send your resume and outline your relevant experience. We would love to also see a 20-30 word outline on why YOU should be a part of our team.
