Sunday, December 1, 2019
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Miss Exotic World 2010
What does a girl do when she's turning 29, dreading 30, and unhappy with her position in life?
Head to Vegas, of course!
Last week, I packed up and went to Vegas to celebrate my 29th birthday and to attend the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. The event consists of show kicking off the weekend, a show celebrating the legends of burlesque ("The Titans of Tease"), and culminates in the pagent for Miss Exotic World a/k/a The Reigning Queen of Burlesque. There is also a closing night event.
My first night there I barely had time to check in and shimmy into a dress and stilettos before heading to the kick off event. Entering the showroom at The Plaza hotel, where all of the shows were to be held, I was stunned by how many different kinds of ladies were in attendance. Women of all different races, shapes, sizes, and gender expressions (from high femme to uber butch) were there. What struck me the most was how comfortable everyone seemed in their own skin. Chicago's own Frenchie Kiss rocked the show, presenting her homage to the Flight of the Conchords. It was a great start to a glitter filled weekend.
Friday brought the ribbon cutting at the Hall of Fame, which was founded by burlesque legend Dixie Evans. It houses memorabilia from legends of the past, like Gypsy Rose Lee, and photos of current burlesque legends and winners of Miss Exotic World. The Hall has been a long time coming, and is very exciting to see it finally getting off the ground.
Friday evening brought the very exciting - and very long - Titans of Tease program. Performances and interviews with living legends like Satan's Angel and Candy "Baby" Caramelo were intertwined with performances by current legends, including Karl Lagerfeld's most recent muse Dirty Martini and the author of the recently released book The Burlesque Handbook Jo "Boobs" Weldon, who did a stunning tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee.
Saturday was the big event! A standing room only audience sat on the edge of our seats anxious to find out who would be crowned Miss Exotic World 2010. The host, Miss Astrid (seen here oficiating a wedding at last year's event) was one of the funniest, sharpest MC's I have seen in ages. In addition to her quick wit, she had the audience recite a pledge stating that we were all feminists and as such recognized that participating in a pagent is deeply ironic, and accordingly we promised to have fun. Hearing an entire showroom declare themselves to be feminists was just as thrilling as seeing all of the rhinestones, glitter and pasties that filled the evening.
The winners of the evening were all very deserving. New York's Miss Tickle took the trophy for Best Debut (the category for, as Miss Atrid put it, "when we don't know who the fuck you are"). Best Group went to the amazing Chicago Starlets for their charming painter's number. The new Reigning King of Burlesque was awarded to The Evil Hate Monkey (the cutest hateful thing since Gremlins), and Best Variety went to Lola Martinet and Tila Von Twirl, also from Chicago.
The competition for Miss Exotic World 2010 was stiff. One of my favorite performers, Nasty Canasta did a high-tech routine referencing The Portrait of Dorian Gray (and came in 2nd runner up!). Midnite Martini presented a stunning routine that showcased her flexibility and amazing strength (the fact that she teaches aerial burlesque makes me want to move to Seattle!). The winner, Roxi D'lite wowed with a routine featuring giant lit cigar and a dress made seemingly all of glitter.
By the time I boarded the plane to head back to Chicago, I had seen over 11 hours of burlesque dance, and had a brand new appreciation for art and the community it can foster among women. I can't wait for next year!
Head to Vegas, of course!
Last week, I packed up and went to Vegas to celebrate my 29th birthday and to attend the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. The event consists of show kicking off the weekend, a show celebrating the legends of burlesque ("The Titans of Tease"), and culminates in the pagent for Miss Exotic World a/k/a The Reigning Queen of Burlesque. There is also a closing night event.
My first night there I barely had time to check in and shimmy into a dress and stilettos before heading to the kick off event. Entering the showroom at The Plaza hotel, where all of the shows were to be held, I was stunned by how many different kinds of ladies were in attendance. Women of all different races, shapes, sizes, and gender expressions (from high femme to uber butch) were there. What struck me the most was how comfortable everyone seemed in their own skin. Chicago's own Frenchie Kiss rocked the show, presenting her homage to the Flight of the Conchords. It was a great start to a glitter filled weekend.
Friday brought the ribbon cutting at the Hall of Fame, which was founded by burlesque legend Dixie Evans. It houses memorabilia from legends of the past, like Gypsy Rose Lee, and photos of current burlesque legends and winners of Miss Exotic World. The Hall has been a long time coming, and is very exciting to see it finally getting off the ground.
Friday evening brought the very exciting - and very long - Titans of Tease program. Performances and interviews with living legends like Satan's Angel and Candy "Baby" Caramelo were intertwined with performances by current legends, including Karl Lagerfeld's most recent muse Dirty Martini and the author of the recently released book The Burlesque Handbook Jo "Boobs" Weldon, who did a stunning tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee.
Saturday was the big event! A standing room only audience sat on the edge of our seats anxious to find out who would be crowned Miss Exotic World 2010. The host, Miss Astrid (seen here oficiating a wedding at last year's event) was one of the funniest, sharpest MC's I have seen in ages. In addition to her quick wit, she had the audience recite a pledge stating that we were all feminists and as such recognized that participating in a pagent is deeply ironic, and accordingly we promised to have fun. Hearing an entire showroom declare themselves to be feminists was just as thrilling as seeing all of the rhinestones, glitter and pasties that filled the evening.
The winners of the evening were all very deserving. New York's Miss Tickle took the trophy for Best Debut (the category for, as Miss Atrid put it, "when we don't know who the fuck you are"). Best Group went to the amazing Chicago Starlets for their charming painter's number. The new Reigning King of Burlesque was awarded to The Evil Hate Monkey (the cutest hateful thing since Gremlins), and Best Variety went to Lola Martinet and Tila Von Twirl, also from Chicago.
The competition for Miss Exotic World 2010 was stiff. One of my favorite performers, Nasty Canasta did a high-tech routine referencing The Portrait of Dorian Gray (and came in 2nd runner up!). Midnite Martini presented a stunning routine that showcased her flexibility and amazing strength (the fact that she teaches aerial burlesque makes me want to move to Seattle!). The winner, Roxi D'lite wowed with a routine featuring giant lit cigar and a dress made seemingly all of glitter.
By the time I boarded the plane to head back to Chicago, I had seen over 11 hours of burlesque dance, and had a brand new appreciation for art and the community it can foster among women. I can't wait for next year!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Vixens with Vinyl
A vintage photo gallery of Chicks-n-Records, thanks to Retrospace.
(I liked the title "Chicks with Discs" better.)
(I liked the title "Chicks with Discs" better.)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Feminist Action Figures - Bronte Sisters Power Up!
I was tipped off to this YouTube gem from my friend and fan of the Bronte sisters, Tarina yesterday. If only there were feminist action figures!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
From a first class lady who left us today -
"You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way."
- Lena Horne
"You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way."
- Lena Horne
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