Vinny's Q&A: Intimate Wear and How to Wear it!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Halloween Show - THE WAKE in Deep Ellum!

So, yours truly absolutely LOVES Halloween - when else can you dress up crazy and become someone totally different, and be given CANDY for it??? Awesome! So, here's my Halloween candy treat for you -

The Wake, hosted by Nomad Arts, will be a night of infinite fun, fright, mayhem and adventure!

Live music from 6 of Dallas' hottest bands with 7 drop dead gorgeous burlesque performers!
DJs and video projections on 3 separate floors.

Massive 15,000 sq.ft. 3 story event complex.
Including lounge areas and rooftop patio facing downtown.

Costume contest with $1,000 in cash and prizes!

I'm even featured on the website, along with my fellow lovely friends performing that evening! Check us out!



See you there??

Vivienne

This is a Christmas show you won't forget!

burle

www.myspace.com/giftsandgarters

Now, I'm among the throngs of folks who HATE seeing Christmas stuff crammed down our throats before Halloween.... but... it's NEVER too early for burlesque, even a Christmas burlesque revue! Add the above page and keep watch for new and exciting news! I will be a featured performer at this show, debuting my biggest, most sparkliest (is that a word? Can I make it a word?) routine YET. Don't miss this! Also - add thier sister show -

www.myspace.com/hotrodsandheels

It was an AMAZING show last May, and it proves to be great again this next year!

Cheers!

Vivienne

Hey all you hip cats and cool chicks, ready for some real interaction with yours truly?

...Sorry boys and girls, not that kind of interaction...

What I'm talking about is the brand spankin' new Q & A portion of this blog! That's right you will be able to submit all of your atomic age, pin up, burlesque lifestyle questions and you'll leave the answering to me! Have a question about vintage hair products? Or maybe what foundation wear is best worn under satin? Want some good literature on this swinging performance art? How about what drink to order that pretty thing at the end of the bar? Ask away, the topics are limitless! Please do keep topics as specific as possible though so I can help you out as best I can dolls! Questions should be answered within two weeks of submission!

Please submit all questions to vinnyvelour@gmail.com 

xoxo

Vinny

The Herstory of a Tempest

What’s 44DD-25-35, red all over and has a wicked sense of humor? Well if my title didn’t give it away, you’ve been living under that proverbial rock. Still need a hint?  She’s one of the most beloved Ecdysiasts of all time! Okay now everyone together say, “ Tempest Storm”…see dolls, you’re catching on.  Her name wasn’t always so provocative though, like many of our other well-known femme fatales of Burlesque, she too had a humble and obstacle-ridden beginning.

Tempest was actually born Annie Blanche Banks, in the very small town of Eastman, Georgia to sharecropping parents.  A place she fled as soon as she could. She led a very tumultuous life up until her mid 20s; surviving constant sexual abuse at the hand of her father as well as being raped by a local gang. An event that was not easily overcome for Annie. Despite the violence around her, Annie eventually married and divorced twice and ended up leaving that town, to put the past behind her and she moved on to start a new life. One she decidedly would not live in fear of.  Annie was a survivor.

In the 1950s she legally adopted her stage name, Tempest Storm. She landed gigs right away due to her winning personality; her sharp mind…and her “money makers” (as she affectionately referred to her own breasts). She got her start as a chorus girl before establishing herself in some memorable “c” films and on stage. She was most notable for the exquisite control she had over her body, and her natural flaming red hair. She called the Oakland Theatre home for a number of years. She also graced many stages in Las Vegas, and around the world for that matter performing her exceptional burlesque routines. She has adorned the covers of countless magazines for both women and men, and has become a cult icon due to her performances in films like Irving Klaw’s Teaserama (also featuring our beloved Bettie Page).  Tempest is said to have had the longest burlesque performance career, spanning over an astounding 40 years! Tempest made it her mission to break down social taboos, and continued to disrobe into her 60s, embracing her figure and flaunting it with pride (Muller/Faris, Grindhouse). Even though she officially retired at the age of 60, she continues to make special appearances and one-time-only performances.

This dame knew what life was about, and chose to embrace it and live it to its fullest! She has inspired and empowered throngs of women ever since she began performing, and say what you will, she is still shakin’ it in her 80s! This is one icon of a woman, who did the unpopular thing by divorcing herself of not just her husbands but of her prescribed societal gender role too! Be sure to check out the many films featuring our lovely Tempest, and pick up her biography (Tempest Storm: The Lady Is a Vamp) while you’re at it!

xoxo

Vinny

Dr. Sketchy's Denton, featuring Kali Ann!

I am so happy to announce that we are bringing Dallas model Kali Ann to our Dr. Sketchy's session on Oct. 11th! It will be at Banter cafe, and it will be amazing! Halloween themed, so bring your spooky sketchpads and be prepared to sketch the AMAZING TATTOOED LADY, watch performances from Jade Pearl and Bridgette Noir, and see Zamra eat FIRE! DAMN!

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