Be Cozy, Drink Beer, Have Fun.
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Beer. It has to be hands-down one of the greatest beverages ever known to man. We have a two-drink minimum at our shows, but thankfully Ronny Smeink has lovingly stocked his bar with a variety of imported beer, so you can always try something new and delicious.
We go on at 10. So if you get there at 9, that gives you just enough time to grab a good seat, get a drink and get ready for the best two-act cabaret-style burlesque show you’ve ever seen.
Still not convinced? I’ve got 10 irresistible reasons why you should come check out our show.
The Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque at Cafe Rembrandt’s Dutch Pub this Saturday, 10 p.m. Stay up past your bedtime for once. We’re sure to give you sweet dreams.
xoxo
Happy Tuesday!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Hello lovelies,
Arn’t you glad you don’t have to start the week on a Monday?
(photo credit: angelovodd)
My birthday is this weekend, how about your present to me is coming to the show this
Saturday at Cafe Rembrandt. Show starts at 10pm, but come early and get a good seat, they fill up fast!
Hope you see you there darlings!
xoxo Rose Darling
Interview With Dawn Diamond
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Dawn Diamond is the stand-up comic in the Velvet Kittens, and she also happens to be one hell of a singer. Learn more about this brassy babe here.
How did you transition from being Young Miss Texas to a stand-up comic?
I have always been a “ham” if you will, and I always loved competing. I have been a singer/actor most of my life. I started doing plus size modeling for an agency here in Dallas, they pitched my portfolio to Wilhelmina Modeling Agency in NYC and they wanted to sign me as a print model/singer/actor. I moved to NYC (loved it!!!) and met my BFF up there Cerelia. She was a comic and I went to an open-mic with her. She dared me to go up, so I did, and the rest is history! I love it! I love to make people smile and laugh and have a great time!
How long have you been doing comedy? Do you remember your first gig?
I have been doing comedy now for 8 yrs. My very 1st gig was at the famous “Carolines on Broadway” (no pressure, right?) and I was scared to death. I had my whole set written down on my hand! That was the longest five minutes of my life! The crowd loved it and then the “bug” had offically bit me. It was a high like I have never experienced.
How did you meet Jana Edele?
I met Jana through Randy Butler who is the owner of Hyena’s Comedy Night Clubs. He was wanting to put on a burlsque show called the Red Light Burlesque Revue and he called me up and said “Dawn, I want you to meet the director of the show, I think she’ll love you… I need a front person who is a big girl, great singer, pretty and funny, I think you fit the bill”… Coming from Randy, that’s a huge compliment!
What did you like most about the shows at The Red Light?
The thing that I loved most about the Red Light was that we had a venue set up for just us and that it introduced me to where I think that I fit in the best, I get to do the two things I love the most about performing… stand-up and singing!
You also are a very talented singer. Tell me how you use your comedic background into the songs you sing. In our show, I try to pick songs that fit our show and that fits the “Mae West”/”Gypsy Rose” style. I would like to do some serious songs in the future too.
Does the fact that you perform in a vaudevillian-style burlesque show affect the way that you write jokes? I don’t think that I really write vaudevillian style jokes because most of those are one-liners… What inspires me to write is life itself and things that I see and think. I try to do jokes that are non-male bashing, but life experience. Now about the formula? I think it’s just trial and error! But I love it.
What is your most memorable moment performing with the Velvet Kittens. ALL OF THEM!!! That may sound cheesy but, I think that we are the most talented group of women that I have ever had the honor to work with and I am proud to be a Kitten! I think that we get better and over come obstacles all the time and that makes us the best at what we do!
You spent some time in NY and LA, are there some stories that you would like to share from those experiences? How did you get back to Texas?
My time in NY and LA made me a better performer I think, and I was able to meet and hang out with some awesome people. In NY I learned how to write comedy, and in LA I learned how to act out the comedy. I came home to Texas to finish my degree and go back because I was tired of waiting tables between gigs. As I was at home doing my internship I met the man of my dreams, my husband Drew, and decided that I wanted to be “Normal” (whatever that is!) and I think it’s been God’s way of getting me ready for what the Kittens have in store. I think that there is no limit to our future!
What stand-up performers do you admire most?
There are so many, and for so many different reasons! Some are clean, some are dirtier than dirty! But they are Debi Gutierezz, Brett Butler, Ron White, Jeff Dunham, Bill Cosby, Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce, Minnie Pearl, Paul Mooney, Monique, Lisa Lampanelli… I could go on and on, but these are a few. They each have taught me something, either in person from working with them, or from studying their work.
House of Funk Auditions
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Cindy Capener of Dallas is starting House of Funk Theatre Company and auditions are coming up. See the flyer for details.
Get Behind Your Ballet.
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Texas Ballet Theater has 60 days to raise $1 million before they open their 2008-09 season, or else they will have to shut down.
Dancers from the company are doing everything in their power to raise the money. You can show your support on Saturday, September 6th at the Texas Ballet Theater Studios in Fort Worth. The dancers of TBT have organized a fund raising sale to benefit the company. In addition to performances, there will also be a raffle and silent auction.
Garage and bake sales will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
September, 6 2008 at Fundraising Sale at Texas Ballet Theater Studios
6845 Green Oaks Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76116
Cost : Free
Upcoming Show Dates
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
We had a blast on Saturday night. And judging by your enthusiasm, we think you had fun too.
If you didn’t make it out on Saturday, don’t pout. We have two shows lined up in September and we hope to see you there!
We Do Not Accept a Passive Audience.
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
At the end of the second act, we always perform one of our favorite numbers, Pink Panther. Why do we love this number so much? Because we get to pull unsuspecting audience members up for a very special dance, and that’s always fun.
Check out the guy on the far left, I wonder what’s on his mind?
Skye Vega will thrill you. Wanna catch her eye on Saturday? Take a seat at the bar as close to the stage as possible, and if you’re lucky she’ll pick you.
The show is tomorrow night at Cafe Rembrandt at 10 p.m. No cover, so no excuses.
xoxo
Pictures, Subscribers and Shows…Oh My!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Hello Darlings,
Our show is this Saturday, so we’re putting the final touches on our new numbers. But we still have time to answer a few requests and share some news.
First item of business: Pictures. We have heard you loud and clear — you want more pictures! We are working on not only getting more pictures of all your favorite Kittens, but we are creating a new photo gallery for our website. In the meantime, you can always find pictures of us on flickr. Also, if you have pictures of us from shows, please share them! We’d love to add them to our galleries, with your permission of course.
Second item: Subscribers! Today we reached a major goal in subscriptions and we want to thank you so much. We are really proud of our website and we work very hard to provide valuable content. So thank you for adding us to your google reader and email subscriptions. We really appreciate your support!
And finally: Tomorrow night, don’t forget Holy Diver is playing at Cafe Rembrandt, and the Kittens will be there. If you like rock and roll and you haven’t seen this band before, you are doing yourself a grave disservice. They will rock your socks with baby instruments, and that’s all I’m saying.
xoxo
GV
Find the Best Burlesque Class for You — Tips from The Velvet Kitten Choreographer
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
As a choreographer and dance instructor, dancers are always asking me how to find the best training for them. With the rise of burlesque offered as fitness or as a dance class, I thought I would integrate the same list of questions and qualifications for burlesque classes as I do to help dancers find their studio classes. I hope you find the information valuable and useful in your journey to the enjoyment of the modern trend of burlesque!
Wanna Bump and Grind?
If you're drawn to the glamour of late era burlesque, and want to learn to master the striptease and engage your naughty side, I suggest trying a one day workshop. These types of classes will focus more on character, presentation and of course, striptease. These classes aren’t as “dance-y” as others, but that doesn’t make them any less fun!
1. Check out potential instructors online.
There are so many diverse burlesque troupes and performers out there who offer burlesque classes and workshops, how do you pick the best one for you? Websites like YouTube can be a great way to check out not only different styles of burlesque, but your prospective teacher as well. Which leads me to number two:
2. As in any area of dance, take a class from an experienced dancer.
For the best burlesque class, make sure your teacher is an accomplished performer. Take from someone who's worked the burlesque stage. Bonus: They'll also offer entertaining stories of their experiences. And don’t forget that many troupes and performers offer workshops in different cities. You may have to wait a bit for your favorite burlesque queen to come to town, but it will be worth the wait.
3. Find someone with not only a lot of burlesque performance experience, but also teaching experience.
I've found that everyone learns differently. Your teacher should be accommodating and able to work with you as an individual.
4. Instructional videos are good for the timid and shy.
Still a little intimidated? There are plenty of burlesque videos available. Whet your appetite in the privacy of your home before your workshop.
5. And as the Velvet Kittens always say….check your inhibitions at the door! Trying something new is always difficult. Set your anxiety to the side and embrace your inner burlesque dancer!
— Jana Edele
Director/Choreographer, The Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque
Now…what if you're looking to take burlesque as a fitness or dance class? Check back later this week for what to look for in on-going burlesque classes!
Velvet Kittens’ Favorites: Holy Diver
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Holy Diver has quickly established itself as one of the most hilarious musical acts in Dallas. You may have heard about their recent Dallas Music Observer Award nomination for Best Cover Band. It is also rumored that this trio of handsome devils manage to rock audiences while playing songs like Spinal Tap’s Big Bottom, Rush’s Tom Saywer and Cream’s Tale of Brave Ulysses on teeny-tiny instruments. Why? That’s for you to find out.
Catch Holy Diver tonight at Cool Beans in Denton at 10 p.m. and next Friday, August 22 at Cafe Rembrandt at 10 p.m. I will be there. Will you?
Still want more? Read an interview with Holy Diver here .
photo by: jenifer