Interested in Burlesque

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

Joan Rhodes - The Strong Lady of Burlesque

Style, grace and strength .. Wonderful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB4S9HkWWFw&mode=related&search=

She's got a book coming out soon "Coming On Strong".

 

[LolitaHaze]

Yay! Thank you for posting that.

 

[Pink Dahlia]

Wow! She's kicks butt! Literally!

 

[JazzBaby]

Wow, great clip? Is that her singing? If so, she sounds a bit like Marilyn...

 

[goldwyn girl]

She's fabulous, thanks for posting.

 

[RetroModelSari]

Wow

 

[MissHuff]

great video! thanks.

 

[dahliaoleander]

Dance Troupes?

I love the idea of vintage-y dance or burlesque / semi-burlesque troupes performing for people nowadays. But I can't think of many that are around. I've heard a few. I know I've heard of the decobelles. But I can't think of the others!

What dance (etc.) troupes other than the Decobelles have you heard of?

Any around Los Angeles?

Anybody seen any?

Any reviews? Sites?

Any particularly good (quality) videos?

 

[Tourbillion]

There used to be more troupes around LA, but most of them are now disbanded.

In Los Angeles/Orange County there are at least two groups. There is the Satin Dollz and the Atomic Cherry Bombs. They are two very different groups. I've seen both. You didn't mention why you wanted to know, are you just curious, want to hire dancers, or looking to join up?

Atomic Cherry Bombs are new. I've seen them once, and they have a 20's to 30's chorus girl look/feel. I prefer this group, but I might be biased because I know some of the girls from the dark ages of the swing scene. They are really cute.

Satin Dollz are very sexy, with a "retro" look, they have a routine with a 40's USO theme. They are the sexier group and they have a lot more experience and are more well known in the area. They are cute and very professional, but not that accurate in terms of costume or styling IMHO. They do a more burlesque kind of thing, i.e. they wear corsets, remove items of clothing in their routines, etc. They are very popular.

Also a friend of mine, a musician, has been rehearsing some of her friends (one of whom is a deco belle) for a while and they may debut at Cicada Club at some point in the future. At least that is what she is threatening to do. *This may or may not happen.*

There may be other groups out there, if I think of any I'll post them here. There might be groups in other areas as well. I'd like to see them too.

 

[Miss 1929]

Que horror! The DecoBelles are not, and never have been, and never will be a "burlesque" troupe!

They are an old-fashioned chorus line, like in the Busby Berkeley musicals. Invented on the spur of the moment for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon, in 1986, by me. They have performed at almost every Gatsby since, and (also due to my insistence when the event producer) now they crown the Art Deco Society of California's theme girl, Miss Art Deco at the Gatsby each year. They are managed by Laurie Gordon, who has been a tremendous influence on my love of vintage, she drafted me!

There have been about 150 DecoBelles since then, they continue to delight Bay Area audiences with their charming, classy, and non-sexual dance numbers. Sexy, but not burlesque.

http://www.martinimusic.com/decobelles.htm

 

[dahliaoleander]

Que horror! The DecoBelles are not, and never have been, and never will be a "burlesque" troupe!

They are an old-fashioned chorus line, like in the Busby Berkeley musicals.

And thats exactly what I meant to ask for, I just forgot the magic all-encompassing words "Busby Berkeley-type Chorus Line".

Too bad that instead of the Bay Area I live in Los Angeles near Glendale.

Invented on the spur of the moment for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon, in 1986, by me.

That's a killer reccomendation if I ever heard one!

 

[LoserVonTeese]

I've messed up wrong page...

 

[Derek WC]

Not to chastise you, but the Lounge is really not a place to discuss this.

 

[LoserVonTeese]

ok... sorry...

 

[Derek WC]

ok... sorry...

Don't be, I was just giving some friendly advice.

 

[Lady Day]

Not to chastise you, but the Lounge is really not a place to discuss this.

Well, Im going to chastise you. You can and cannot tell people what to talk about. Thats a mod's job. Burlesque is fine here. Its history, its impact on society, etc. I do believe there are threads already on the topic, LVT. A search might help.

LD

 

[Derek WC]

I believe I came off rude, my apologies miss VonTisse.

I wasn't meaning to tell her that she could not ask it, I just thought it was inappropriate to ask how to go about doing burlesque.

 

[Smuterella]

Why would it be inappropriate?

Just google - I'm sure you can find a class or two in your area - its so popular these days that, at least in the UK, you can get classes at the gym!

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I don't understand why a male would deem what we ladies talk about in the POWDER ROOM "inappropriate", but LVT -- only listen to Bartenders and never apologise to anyone

As for burlesque, I agree with Smuts. Look for a class in your area or watch old videos.

 

[Smuterella]

I agree, I personally think its damned innappropriate of a chap to come in here and tell us what we can and can't talk about. I'm glad he has apologised though it seemed a tad pained. Sheesh.

Its funny how sometimes men are at their most boorish and least gentlemanly when trying to protect the little ladies modesty.