The Flaming Dames bite into the Windy City

Chicago IL- On September 25th, The Flaming Dames, Chicago’s premier concept burlesque troupe, are back to drain audiences dry and leave them screaming for more in their highly anticipated annual Halloween offering, and this time it’s a sequel: Vamp II. The wickedly sexy Veruca Venom, Scarlett Night, Fiona Fang, Missy Massacre, and Stella Strange return to sink their teeth into the night and become vicious blood sucking vampires hell bent on teasing and titillating rabid fans through the witching hour. And back in the fold to help lighten the mood are the Masters of Ceremony Mr. Vampire and Ms. Zombie bringing their signature comedy ‘stylings’ incorporating some of the scariest things since Joan Rivers. Halloween season’s getting started in Chicago, and The Flaming Dames in Vamp II will remind those who come out, just why you should be afraid of the dark.



The Flaming Dames in Vamp II marks the 13th production since 2003 for the venerable Chicago troupe and their fourth with a horror theme. In recent years the Dames have wowed audiences with the enormously successful Bump & Grindhouse, Hell’s Belles, and Vamp revues. "The concentration in Vamp II has definitely been on the choreography,” says Music Manager and contributing Choreographer Meagan Piccochi. “We’ve assembled some incredible talent that will be showcased.”

“Since the first Vamp in 2005, we’ve been taking it to the next level each year, pushing the envelope as far as possible,” explains Writer, Director, and Flaming Dames creator Leslie Kerrigan. Describing the attraction to horror-themed revues, Kerrigan adds, “there is something extremely compelling about the energy and chemistry generated by horror-themed burlesque that we’ve been able to harness.”

"I have a massive vampire obsession, so I am ecstatic to share that dark, sensual character with our fantastic audiences,” describes Ellen Domonkos, who plays a dual role as both choreographer and cast member.

The Flaming Dames in Vamp II is just one half of New Millennium Theatre Company's seasonal fun with the world premiere of Plans 1 Through 8 From Outer Space opening concurrently down the street at National Pastime Theater. NMTC have become the go-to ghouls for raising Halloween spirits on Chicago’s north side in recent years with the Flaming Dames’ continued success and stage productions including The Texas Chainsaw Musical, Manos: Rock Opera of Fate, Hack Slash: Stage Fright, and Evil Dead: The Musical.

The Flaming Dames in Vamp II runs Friday nights at 10:15 pm, September 25 through October 30 at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway in Chicago. There will be no performance on Friday October 9. Special Halloween performances on Saturday, October 31st at 7:45 pm and 10:15 pm. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.nmtchicago.org or reserved by calling 312-458-9083. Half price tickets available at www.goldstar.com while supplies last. Limited tickets are available at the door.

I had the opportunity to speak with this EXTREMELY talented bunch... and wow! I love thier passion, energy and drive to do what they do! Stay tuned for the follow up interview to come! If you are in the Chicago area, you NEED to stay up with this group and see this show!

Cheers!

Vivienne

Michelle L'Amour

Michelle L'Amour, Miss Exotic World 2005, is an international burlesque sensation. She has performed for millions of people both in person and on TV, with her appearance on the 1st season of America's Got Talent. She resides in Chicago where she owes Studio L'amour, Chicago's only burlesque dance school. Michelle also runs the Chicago Starlets and produces shows with Franky Vivid. L'amour's newest project is Naked Girls Reading. It began in Chicago and has since opened in Denver and Dallas, and is soon coming to New York, New Orleans, and Key West.


Photos by Pez, NakedLens.Org and Sopheava

1.) You have a degree in accounting, correct? How did you get into burlesque from there?

Yes, I have a degree in finance. Bleh. I suppose it's helping me now in my career because I own a production company and a dance school, but I much prefer the burlesque. I got into burlesque after college. I was approached by Franky Vivid to choreograph and dance in a burlesque show. I said, 'sure', not really knowing what it was all about. But, once I heard the music, I was hooked and knew exactly what to do. I have a background in classical dance, but they don't teach you this is those classes! I had been training for this my whole life before I even knew what it was.

2.) What performance/venue/location have/do you love to perform at? Why?

I love to perform at the Music Box Theater in Chicago. It's a gorgeous 750 seat, 80 yr. old movie house. It has a great red curtain and so much character. I love it!

3.) Tell us a little about a challenge you've faced this year, and about a great achievement!

I think one of my proudest moments was selling out the Music Box Theater this year. That audience was great and it felt awesome performing for them. The challenges I've had have been many. It's difficult to balance running a dance school, running a company, and traveling to pursue my own career. I think all is working out nicely now that I'm in a groove.


Photo by Sopheava

4.) Where do you get the inspiration for the creative ideas and events you come up with (ie Naked Girls Reading) ?

Well, I was reading naked at home and Franky found me and he realized he always had a thing for that image. Then we started joking about an event called Naked Girls Reading and we bought a website. We thought we would just do this on the internet and we sat on it for about 2 years. Then when I opened the studio, I thought it might be cool to do it as a live event. So, here we are! We started it at the studio in March of 2009. We thought we couldn't just keep this event to ourselves so we opened it up to other cities.

5.) I have the pleasure of meeting both you and Frankie back in March, and he's a doll! Tell us a little about your onstage wedding at MEW this year!

I was super nervous! I performed right before the wedding and I don't even know what happened in the performance, because I knew what was about to happen. The piece I did was on a giant heart and it ends with me getting all oiled up. In order to get married, I had to wipe the oil off me before I put on the wedding address. I made it a spectacle and had the Chicago Starlets wipe off my oil and dress me for the wedding while I was on stage. Then, I went to Franky and Miss Astrid married us in an eye patch. I was very happy for the comic relief because I'm super sappy and didn't want to cry the entire time. I cried a lot anyway because I can't help myself.

6.) Any goals for this year?

I would like to open more Naked Girls Reading in other cities. I would like to take a honeymoon. I would like to take over the world. :-)

7.) Make up and answer your own question

Would the world be a better place if people just agreed with me?
Yes, yes it would.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Michelle perform many times and she just gets better every time! I saw the full "Most Naked Woman" routine in New Orleans at the Fest and MAN! The heart shaped bed is just the TOPPING on the cake! Word is that she may be coming a comeback to Dallas next spring... keep tuned to my blog and I will let you know ALL the details as they arise!

Cheers!

Vivienne

MIss Coco Lectric!

You all know I love my Austin gals - there are so many talented ladies in ATX! Among them are the lovely Jigglewatts, and I have had the priviledge of performing with the dynamite duo of Ruby Joule and Coco Lectric on various stages... and since I have already had Ruby on my blog, it's Coco's turn to give you her take on traveling, troupe life, and why she loves to dance!



Miss Coco Lectric has been gracing stages all over Texas and the southwest with the Jigglewatts Burlesque for three years. She utilizes her classic dance training, love for the exotic, and her cutting wit to astound audiences across the globe. She has performed in Austin at La Zona Rosa, Antone's, Stubb's, and Continental Club, and the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas, among many others. Honors include: Texas Bikini Team Best Dance Performance Award, and the Audience Choice Award at the Texas Burlesque Festival 2009, and just finished a national tour performing burlesque and go-go with psychobilly band Johnny Hootrock.

1.) What got you into burlesque?

I had been interested in striptease for the ten years I had been a professional choreographer and dancer and had incorporated it into some of my jazz and go-go choreography. However, it wasn’t until a moment on the set of an independent zombie movie musical that Miss Ruby Joule and Miss Cherry Zapp and I decided to form a group with the sole purpose of creating burlesque. I got into burlesque, personally, because I love putting sensuality and fun back into being sexy.

2.) You have some of the most amazingly unique routines! How do you come up with the inspiration for them?

They just happen. My brain is tuned into burlesque most of the time. It’s what I think of when I wake up in the morning and, consequently, I am inspired by the things I see and hear throughout the day. Sometimes I’ll hear a song and all of the sudden I have the whole number played out for me in my head, and I think, “Yeah, this has to happen.” At other times I decide that I want to be a character like the Queen of Hearts, or a carousel pony, or even a tangerine, and I make that happen. There are even times that friends and lovers inspire an act; routines are very personal to me and I give each number my all.

3.) You have been part of the Jigglewatts for some time now, how would you describe your troupe?

Our troupe is fabulous! We had quite a theatrical beginning. Our first shows were theme oriented and we incorporated a lot of ensembles. As time went on we began to notice that solos were much easier to put together because getting four to five girls together on a regular basis can be difficult. When we decided to focus on solos our group really started to flourish; our individual styles became more apparent and beautiful. We are a very supportive troupe and we have similar goals—to create amazing routines and support women who are working toward the same goal. Currently, our troupe consists of Miss Ruby Joule, Cherry Zapp, Goldie Candela, Pearl Lux, Champagne Shock, and me.



4.) What has been a challenge for you this year? Your biggest achievement?

Oddly enough, the challenge for me this year has been coordinating all of the shows that we’re performing in and the ones that we’re creating. It’s more of a matter of time and money that makes burlesque so complicated; it takes a great deal of both to be successful.
Miss Ruby and I have gone to great lengths this year to hone our craft; this has required a great deal of travel. We learned so much from our trip to Las Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame/Miss Exotic World weekend. The business aspect of burlesque can be just as important at the artistic side—no one will ever see what we’ve created if we don’t find a way to get it out there.
My biggest achievement this year has been the opportunity to show large audiences what we can do and make friends with other burlesque groups from around the world. This year I won the Audience Choice Award at the Texas Burlesque Festival, which was a great and surprising moment for me; we made some great new friends at the event, too. The next day Miss Ruby and I performed at Hot Rods & Heels in Dallas where we made a grand impression on the audience there, and of course, more new friends. Miss Ruby and I were able to show the nation a thing or two while on tour with psychobilly band, Johnny Hootrock. It was an honor to be able to bring classic burlesque to stages all over the southwest. We were particularly elated to perform at the Viper Room in Los Angeles.

5.) What's a personal goal you'd like to see accomplished in the coming months?

My personal goal for the coming months is to perform for a larger and broader audience. I look forward to knocking some socks off in New Orleans at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival Burlesque Bash with Catherine D’Lish on September 12th, in Dallas in Burlesque Nocturne featuring Kalani Kokonuts on October 23rd, and I am honored to be headlining with Miss Ruby Joule in the Gifts & Garters holiday event in Dallas on December 5th.



6.) Burlesque can be a time consuming and expensive venture, why is it so important for you to continue to perform?

For me, the art of burlesque is not only enjoyable, but also rewarding. The art of burlesque incorporates many aspects of the artist’s sensuality, social climate, and their own traits and desires. Being burlesque performer is empowering and inspiring. As a performer with a diverse cultural background and a fuller figure, I find that I am able to encourage many other women to test the limits of their sensuality by example. When I’m on stage I am having the time of my life; I feel honored to be able to be so available to the audience. I’m there to feel special and make others feel special, too. It’s the greatest compliment when women approach me after the show to tell me how much they want to do what I’m doing and that they’d love to learn.

Thank you so much Coco for letting me interview you! I'm excited to be able to perform with you and Ruby again at Gifts and Garters in December!

Cheers!

Vivienne

Photo Credits - Allie Smith Photography, Chris Gomez Photography, Miss Missy Photography

Hot Rods and Heels, Oh my!

Wow! What a night! Hot Rods and Heels had an AMAZING turnout! The vendors were amazing... the cars were gorgeous... and the burlesque was HOT! So many great routines, from golden suitcases to a very phallic piece of equipment... it was FANTASTIC! Save the date for next year... May 15th, 2010, at the Lakewood! Guest performer will be... Cardinal Cyn!!!! Seriously, don't miss out! I have a video of my performance on MySpace...

www.myspace.com/blue_phreak20

Also, be sure to check out...

www.myspace.com/g3splat
www.myspace.com/davethephotoman
www.myspace.com/thenakedlens

for photos from the event soon... these photogs are some of the FINEST in DFW... please check out thier work!!! NakedLens and G3 will be involved in an event coming up... please check back for that info... Have a wonderful evening... ;)

V