Did you know…
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Robert Louis "Bob" Fosse (June 23, 1927 - September 23, 1987) started his career performing in vaudeville and burlesque shows? This talented choreographer and fellow dancer Charles Grass made up the collaborative dance duo called the Riff Brothers in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. It was from these experiences, and the influence of the great Fred Astaire, he developed his signature jazz style.
This noted choreographer, director, and writer was an honored award winner, and the first person to win a Tony, an Emmy and an Academy Award in the same year. Some of his most recognizable works include Cabaret, Chicago, and Sweet Charity.
Velvet Kittens' choreographer was intrigued as a child by the works of jazz legends Jack Cole and Bob Fosse, and has studied the techniques of Fosse and Luigi jazz. These influences are evident in her choreography, and taught in her dance instruction.
Some of her favorite Fosse quotes:
~"If you think you can do better, then do better. Don’t compete with anyone, just yourself. When you are in trouble or have a dilemma, ask yourself, “What’s the important thing?” And when you wake up in the morning, ask yourself how you can be a better person, not just a better performer."
~"Don’t dance for the audience; dance for yourself."
~"Live like you’ll die tomorrow, work like you don’t need the money, and dance like nobody’s watching."
and
~"They may not know what I’m doing, but they know I’m doing something!"
You can read more about Bob Fosse here, here, and here.
Dime Store Trio
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
James Miller from the swanky jazz band Q Lobster Jim will be sitting in with Dime Store Trio at Strokers Ice House this Sat. from 7:00 - 11:00 if you happen to be out and about and want to release your inner €˜biker chick' and/or get your drink on! You can also catch Strokers Saturday hot rod car show!
The Velvet Kittens Burlesque Show at PM Lounge!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The Velvet Kittens will once again grace the stage of the Joule Hotel's exotic upscale nightclub PM Nightlife Lounge this Saturday night!
Unfortunately, all tables are reserved this burlesque night, but if you would like to schedule Velvet Kittens Burlesque solo performances or a burlesque show at your next event at PM Lounge, contact Sarah Thornhill.
The Burlesque Ball Change
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
This is a Burlesque Basic!!
The ball change is a common beginner dance step used in jazz and tap. This same step is often displayed not only on the burlesque stages today, but was a popular dance step for the burlesque artists of yesterdays. Most every vintage video shows popular strip teasers working this novice step! Because of the popularity of this dance step in burlesque, the Kittens' have coined it the "burlesque ball change."
In dance we train both sides of the body. The following instructions will start on the right side, and transition to the left. One of the instructions will be the word step. Sounds easy right? Well, this sometimes becomes difficult in a dance class for beginners. When you step, the foot you step on takes the entire weight of your body (even if the other foot is still on the floor). I recommend when first learning a dance move such as this to actually lift the other foot off the floor, ensuring that your weight is transitioned to the correct foot to complete the step!
Here's how you do it:
1. Stand feet together in parallel, toes pointing forward. In jazz dance this position is called 1st parallel. In ballet, it's referred to either as 6th position or feet parallel. Weight is evenly distributed on both feet. Throughout these steps, keep shoulders and hip bones pointed forward (or "centered").
2. Lift your right foot and step to the right side, shifting your weight to the right foot. Your feet will be shoulder width apart.
3. Lift your left foot, placing it behind your right. Lift your right foot off the ground at the same time, putting all your weight onto the left foot in the back.
4. Return your right foot to the same position in front of your left, lifting the left foot off the ground.
5. Now we go to the left side! Step your left foot to your left side. Your feet will once again be shoulder width apart.
6. Lift your right foot, placing it behind your left. Lift your left foot off the ground at the same time, putting all your weight onto the right foot in the back.
7. Return your left foot to the same position in front of your right, lifting the right foot off the ground.
You've now completed the Burlesque Ball Change! Or as it's known in the dance world, the step ball change.
Wanna advance this step a little for a more graceful look?
In dance, the weight is constantly maintained on balls of the feet. Normally in life, we keep our balance by placing our weight backward, or toward the heels of the feet.
Test it! Stand in 1st parallel (feet together; toes pointed forward). Now, try to lift up onto your toes. You'll notice that your body has shifted forward to rise up.
For an intermediate level burlesque ball change, repeat the above directions, but without placing the heels on the floor…ever! In dance, we do put our heels on the floor but always keep our weight on the balls of our feet. By rehearsing with the heels off the floor, it will be easier to learn.
Wanna get more advanced? Let's add style!
Stylized movement often goes against what's natural in movement, but these simple isolations add a more graceful and artistic quality to dance arrangements.
First addition: this is a basic in jazz, and sometimes a hard concept to get! As you are stepping on one foot, you will actually push through the other. Imagine jumping in the air. There's a push off that enables you to leave the ground. Using this same concept, push through the opposite foot. If you are doing the right side (stepping on the right foot first), push through the left foot, shifting your weight as you step.
Second addition: Isolations of the shoulders and rib cage!
As I mentioned earlier, you are keeping both your shoulders and hip bones facing forward. The natural tendency is to release one side of our body back; this is also a great sign of an amateur. When stepping to the right (as we first start in step 2) and then placing your left foot behind the right (step 3), we want to let both our left shoulder and hip fall or release behind us slightly.
To add style, keep the hips facing center (or front), and have the left shoulder shift forward, opposite of what the left foot is doing (moving back).
For a more graceful look: Don't push the left shoulder forward! Pull the right shoulder back. This requires pulling with the muscles in your back.
This also engages another concept that is immense in jazz dancing: Rib cage isolation. Simply using the muscles differently to achieve the same look adds an alluring and stylized quality that will have you looking like a pro in no time!
What to watch out for: The biggest pet peeve in stylized jazz comes down to one simple mistake in the ball change: levels!
When shifting the weight forward (off the heels, and onto the balls of the feet), during the ball change the level will change. Standing in 1st parallel, our head is at one level. When we ball change, because we're stepping back onto the balls of our feet we lift up, and when we step back forward we shift down. I had a great dance instructor tell me that me that this is one of the differences of a child dancing and an adult. The solution: always keep your knees slightly bent, and bend slightly more when you notice yourself lifting higher.
Fun fact: In ballet, there’s a step called balance, a rocking step. It’s a step that shifts body weight from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time. This is very similar to the burlesque, jazz, and tap ball change.
The Velvet Kittens will be back with variations of the ball change and more burlesque dance steps, plus additional info for the burlesque performer in you!
How to Talk to Girls
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
This is just too cute!
Nine year old Alec Greven has written a book on dating advice which began as a handwritten pamphlet sold at his school book fair. HarperCollins published the book and it's in stores now!
Some of his advice includes: “It is easy to spot pretty girls because they have big earrings, fancy dresses and all the jewelry. Pretty girls are like cars that need a lot of oil.”
And: “The best choice for most boys is a regular girl. Remember, some pretty girls are coldhearted when it comes to boys. Don’t let them get to you.”
Also: "A crush is like a love disease that can drive you mad."
As well as grooming advice: “Comb your hair and don’t wear sweats.”
Not much into reading these days? That's ok, because Hollywood Reporter has posted that Fox Studio has just bought the movie rights to Greven's book.
From the original story from the
New York Post:
For those looking for a little local dating help and guidance, try
Adore Matchmaking. Adore Matchmaking is a personalized matchmaking service that offers image and dating consulting.
Burlettas
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Your burlesque definition of the day is: Burletta.
What is a burletta?
By definition: A comic operetta; a music farce.
During what is known as the Golden Age of Burlesque (1900's-1930's) burlettas were performed usually at the beginning and end of each burlesque show. A burletta originally referred to a type of Italian operatic comedy, and later in English Opera. In burlesque, burlettas were extended skits that mocked pop culture of the time and parodied fashionable shows.
A current example would be the holiday tradition of the Nutcracker ballet performed with a lampoon twist in today's burlesque shows.
This burlesque nutcracker is up and running, and continues through December 21, 2008, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. There is an added 2:30 PM performance on Sunday, December 21st. The show will be presented at the Stone Cottage Theatre in Addison, 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001. Tickets are $18 to $21 depending on the night of the week. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.BurlesqueNutcracker.com or call 214-477-4942
Wanna keep up in burlesque?
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The Velvet Kittens recommend the Burlesque Baby Blog!
Stay up to date on all the burlesque happenings! From burlesque performers, shows, fashion to videos, this is a great blog to keep up to date in the activities and events in the burlesque community!
And a special thanks to everyone who came out to the premier of the annual Velvet Kitten holiday show, Un Noel Coquin (A Naughty Christmas) Burlesque Show! We had a fabulous time performing, and hope you had a marvelous time at our show! We’ll be back at Rembrandt’s Dutch Pub Dec. 20th for our final performance of Un Noel Coquin! XO
Burlesque Show Tonight!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Un Noel Coquin (A Naughty Xmas), our annual full length holiday themed Velvet Kitten Burlesque Revue show, begins tonight!
Featuring the Velvet Kittens' Burlesque Dancers, the vocal stylings of Lola Love, and the stand up comedy of Dawn Diamond, this naughty holiday spectacular is our seasonal gift to you! Happy Holidays!
**Un Noel Coquin (A Naughty Xmas) Burlesque Revue is part of our monthly Rembrandt's Dutch Pub shows. This naughty extravaganza will be presented on Dec. 6 and 20, with 10:00 pm show times.
Rembrandt's Dutch Pub is located in Dallas in the Victory Park/West End area (703 McKinney Ave) in the old brewery buildings. Parking is free. All Velvet Kitten Burlesque Shows offered in our monthly Rembrandt series are free. The Velvet Kittens' Burlesque Shows at Rembrandt are the only ongoing monthly burlesque shows in Dallas.
Want to know more about this model? Zabrina Rodriguez is a Velvet Kitten friend and fan, also a VK specialized workshop instructor. Zabrina is also the creator of Total Glamour.
Photographer and VK friend: Michael De La Cruz
Lingerie: How to Purchase on the Internet
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
We're back with more tips from Richard Romo of Flirty Lingerie on buying lingerie for the woman in your life:
Lingerie: The do’s and dont’s of buying lingerie for the woman in your life, and why not following the rules can be a disaster.
By Richard Romo
The beauty of the internet shopping is offset slightly by the disadvantage of being unable to try items on. This can be a substantial disadvantage in some cases. I suggest you shop online but beware of a couple of things. Check out their return policy and call them if you have any questions about what can be returned. Second understand your sizing as lingerie does not generally follow conventional sizing due to the nature of the lingerie, as well as deviations in products made overseas where sizing is concerned. Finally, remember that the model wearing the outfit on the internet is likely 10-15 pounds lighter in real life, is 5’4″ tall before she puts on the 5 inch platforms and the garment has been pinned, tucked and perhaps altered to fit her body like a second skin. She is a model, after all. Even if your girlfriend is a model, or ought to be, the garment will likely fit differently.
The benefits of internet purchases are generally selection as few boutiques in your hometown will carry the styles, colors and brands available on line. Next, the cost of items online is generally much lower than in retail stores. Finally is the anonymity of buying sexy lingerie and adult sex toys from your home is far different from driving down to your local neighborhood adult store and facing a female unfriendly environment. If you have a store in your community that caters to women with a good selection of sexy lingerie, toys and DVD's then that may be your best bet as long as being anonymous is not a factor.
When you sit down to look at lingerie online, use your, save as a favorite, function liberally. Why? Because you are going to need to sit down with your girl to refine the search, and perhaps make a purchase or two. What should you look for when you are searching alone? Here is where the information you have previously gathered comes into play. What is your woman’s favorite feature? Her breasts? Her legs, her butt, her tummy or her feet? This is where you start. For instance if she has great boobs, and she doesn't’ care who knows it, then a bustier or a corset is a good option. The corset accentuates the breasts, pushing them together, up and out for a sexy look and feel. Does she have a nice tummy with a sexy belly button ring? Then a babydoll that shows off her stomach will likely make a good fit. Does she have legs from the floor to the ceiling that drive men wild? Then lingerie set with stockings, garter belt and a matching bra may be just the ticket.
Stay tuned for more tips from Mr. Romo of Flirty Lingerie!
~Photos of Kitten Zabrina in purple tank and panties by Velvet Kitten friend Michael De La Cruz~
Best Burlesque Songs for Your Bumps & Grinds!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Looking to get started in Burlesque? Or perhaps just wanting to engage in the art of the strip tease behind closed doors? Here are a few suggestions from the Velvet Kitten creator and choreographer to get you started!
First and foremost, find something that entices you as an individual. This can be from any genre, and any era. All that matters is that the music makes you want to move!
Some Burlesque standards can be found on the popular CD Take It Off!: Striptease Classics. Some of my favorites are Chivas Regal, Bumps & Grinds, More Bumps & Grinds, and Stripper.
I'm also a big fan of Julie London, and particularly love her renditions of Daddy, Every Baby Needs a Daddy, and Cry Me a River.
One of my favorite melodies is Harlem Nocturne (by Earle Hagen, lyrics by Dick Rogers). This has been covered by a variety of artists. I recommend the Viscounts or Coltrane's versions. Another excellent suggestion is Night Train (by Jimmy Forrest, Oscar Washington, and Lewis C. Simpson).
Fever, an additional popular tune covered by many artists, has definitely become a beloved burlesque standard on stage.
Remember, many famous jazz musicians played in the burlesque houses. If you want to stay more authentic, perform a little research and find those selections that stimulated your particular iconic burlesque entertainer across the stage!
Want something a little more modern day? Some additional Velvet Kitten favorites: American Woman (Guess Who version), School Boy Crush (Average White Band), Season of the Witch (Dr. John and the Blues Brothers Band), Slippage and Black Cherry (Goldfrapp), If Loving You is Wrong (Faithless). And we can't forget those sexy Broadway tunes that have become staples in the burlesque scene: Big Spender (Sweet Charity), Whatever Lola Wants (Damn Yankees), Don't Tell Mama (Cabaret), Let Me Entertain You and You Gotta Have a Gimmick (Gypsy)….just to name a few!
If you have a particular favorite you'd like to share, please leave us a comment!
And Don't Forget!!! This Saturday you can hear some of these fine tunes as the Velvet Kittens' present Un Noel Coquin (A Naughty Xmas) Burlesque Revue!
Show Dates: December 6 and 20
At: Rembrandt's Dutch Pub in Dallas' West End/Victory Park area (703 McKinney Ave).
Show times: 10:00pm
~Reservations not required, but recommended~
And remember, all Velvet Kitten Burlesque shows at Rembrandt are free.