Lady Divina

Unless you have been living under a rock, chances are you know about the fabulous woman who I will be interviewing this week. She personifies elegance, grace, and timeless beauty (you'd swear she was born in the wrong time period.) She is Lady Divina, the raven haired entertainer who has been a beacon in the DFW burlesque scene. She, along with Diamond Jim, have brought many famous burlesque entertainers to DFW, including Michelle L'Amour, Kitten DeVille, and soon Kalani Kokonuts and Rene L'Roux! Her penchant for classic burlesque keeps her legion of fans begging for more, and her attention to detail (right down to the rhinestoned stilettos) make women everywhere drool (including me, she got me hooked on Swarovski's!) Read on to discover more about your beloved Divina!



1.) How did you get into burlesque?

I have always been in love with the 30’s and 40’s era. I’ve seen Dita von Teese three times in Dallas and I fell in love with the art of the tease. I’ve always talked about dabbling in burlesque and pin-up modeling. I finally got into pin-up modeling a few years ago and Jill Rasco, one of my favorite photographers asked me to do a burlesque number in her website launch party at the Church. Well, the rest is history!


2.) Who are your main influences?

I would have to say, even though I have the upmost respect for Dita von Teese, it is her contemporary, Catherine D’Lish who has inspired me the most. She is the reason I wanted to give burlesque a try. I am also influenced by the sirens and femme fatales of the silver screen, Mae West (we are born on the same day), Ava Gardener, Heddy Lamarr, and Elizabeth Taylor.


3.) You are known for your beautiful routines decked out in Swarovski crystals... how long does it take you to finish a costume generally?

Some of my costumes can take a few weeks, but most of them take a few months. Hand-placing Swarovskis on costumes can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Most of my corsets are custom made from a corset maker from California. I currently have a costume that is being custom made by my costume consultant friend, which may take over a month for the gown alone, not including the thousands of Swarovskis rhinestones that will be hand placed on the lace.






4.) What has been a challenge for you this year, and what has been your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest challenge is this year is keeping up with the high standards, as the Dallas burlesque community keeps raising the bar with each and every performance. There are some fabulous and creative talent that is wowing the audiences with over the top numbers and routines. I’m trying my very best to keep up with dazzling costumes and bigger routine ideas.
My biggest accomplishment is that our show is constantly booking national talent & the brightest local performers. WE have one of the best stages in town to call home to our productions (see Lakewood Theater).


5.) Having accomplished so much this year, and so many more things in the works, how do you blow off steam and keep sane?

I do a lot of bicycling, it’s great exercise and very therapeutic. Pasty making is also therapeutic for me; there is a method and process to it, which I enjoy.


6.) What is in store for La Divina and La Divina Productions in the future?

I got some great shows coming up in the very near future. We just finished our Dallas debut of Naked Girls Reading, created by our favourite Chicago performer, Michelle L’amour. The show was a huge hit and we are currently working on the next show for mid November. This month we have the Nouvelle Burlesque at the Lakewood Theater, which the winner of the burlesque competition will get a spot in our Burlesque Nocturne Revue in October. The Burlesque Nocturne will arguable be our most extravagant show, featuring the current Reigning Queen of Burlesque, Kalani Kokonuts. Visit www.ladivinaburlesque.com for more details.
And by no means are we slowing down from there! We have two shows that are in the works, including one with a huge burlesque celebrity, Catherine D'Lish! So, keep tuned to the Dallas website, www.dallasburlesque.com.

If Divina says it is exciting, then you better believe I'll be on board! I went to the Naked Girls reading with my friend Cayla of Decadent Dame Designs, and let me tell you, do not miss the next one! It is a fun event that you will never forget!

Keep on the lookout in the next week, I have brought on Ms. Vinny Velour, a newcomer to the burlesque scene, to be a guest writer for the Daily Shot! Give her a shoout out when she makes her debut post, let her know how much you love her!

Cheers!

Vivienne

As promised, lovelies - Ginger Valentine!

As you know, DFW is BRIMMING with absolutely lovely talent... and I want to show you another side to the shimmy and the sequins, the women behind the feather fans and the red lipstick. My first gal is one of my favorite performers, and she has made QUITE the name for herself - and what's more important, is that she has done it herself... she books herself, manages her shoots... there's pretty much nothing this gal can't do (she's even taught me the art of the bump and grind!)



A former ballerina turned burlesque dancer and instructor, Ginger is an award-winning performer and the premiere model for the Dallas Dr. Sketchy chapter, modeling for them many times. She has shimmied in bars, clubs and historical theaters all over Dallas. In 2009, Ginger launched her Burlesque Charm School where she teaches classic striptease to a variety of levels. She also traveled to Chicago to perform in Michelle L'amour's Bells and Whistles show benefiting the Burlesque Hall of Fame. In addition to teaching and performing, Miss Valentine writes her own blog and has her own product line in the works with Tara to the T. She is also the news reporter for the burlesque blog, The Candy Pitch.

I caught her recently for a few minutes in between her preparations for her new round of burlesque classes at the Girl's Room, meetings with Tara to the T about her FAB new line, her new posas reporter for the blog ...

VV - What drew you into burlesque?

GV - The fat paycheck of course! Ha-ha. I've always had an interest in performing and glamour, but two documentaries really turned me on to striptease: Liz Goldwyn's Pretty Things, and Dierdre Timmons' A Wink and a Smile. Also, I watched a lot of musicals growing up and was really inspired by Gypsy and Cabaret.

VV - What do you enjoy most about being a burlesque dancer/pinup model?

GV - At this point, I'm excited about different opportunities and meeting new people. I really want to apply and travel to a lot of the national events such as Burly Con (Seattle), Toronto Burlesque Festival, Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend (Las Vegas) and so on. In addition to traveling, the creative outlet really satiates my need to bedazzle and decorate. I just love the whole creative process.

VV - There is so much you do in and around the community, it's astounding, like your burlesque class for example. Tell us more about it!

GV - I love teaching my classes! I am so grateful to Karyn at the Girls Room and my students for supporting my dream. I teach various levels of burlesque striptease. Graduates of my program learn the bump and grind and shimmy, boa work and how to remove gloves, bras and panties. I also give demos on applying fake eyelashes, hair and makeup. My students get a brief introduction to burlesque history and we talk about current performers. I always encourage my students to attend local shows. I tease them that it's for extra credit. Someday I'd love to produce a showcase for my advanced students. I also do act review for performers as well.

VV - What inspires you?

GV - Anything and everything. Music, shoes, colors, food, people, animals. So many things trigger ideas and excitement. It's hard to keep my mind quiet, and I usually carry a small notebook with me everywhere so I can jot down my crazy ideas.

VV - Tell us a little about some of the most memorable moments you've had this past year...

GV - One was last month in Chicago on stage for the curtain call at the Bells and Whistles show. I got a pasty-to-pasty hug from Michelle L'amour for a job well done. Also an alum of my Charm School came to me with tears in her eyes telling her that I'd helped her accept herself and feel beautiful. It might sound kind of cheesy here in this blog, but at the time, it was a really special moment that reminded me that teaching is a calling for me, not just performing. And of course, winning an award at Hot Rods and Heels was pretty special too.

VV - You do burlesque full time, what is a typical day like for you?

GV - I try to avoid typical days as much as possible, but I do have somewhat of a routine. I usually get to my computer around 10 a.m. and I answer emails. Then I'll do some marketing and promotional work for my classes and/or any upcoming shows. When the phone rings, it will be photographers, producers or my sponsor Tara. Sometimes the phone doesn't ring at all, and some days I feel like I'm on the phone all day. After I've updated my blog and other profile pages, I rehearse. I try to rehearse daily. I'm used to being really disciplined from ballet, and I try to apply the same mentality to burlesque. Some days, I'll run errands, or go to Tara's studio to work on product. In the evenings, I teach. Also, I have meetings and photo shoots to attend and sometimes interviews to fill out (like today). I'm learning to take time off when I have it. It's a sweet life.

Ginger is such the sweetheart - please make sure and catch her at an upcoming show! She will be featured at next months' La Divina Production ATOMIC FROLIC, in association with Bachelor Pad Magazine, over at the Lakewood on July 18th. In fact, I will be the panty wrangler! Kitten DeVille will be flying in to highlight the show, along with Rose Darling, Black Mariah, La Divina, Angela Ryan, and the music stylings of Ricki Derek!

Thanks, Ginger! You are simply amazing, and I wish you the best!!!

And while you are already reading a blog... go check out Ginger's -

thegarterbelt.blogspot.com

XOXO
Vivienne Vermuth