Beuaville Baptist Book Club Presents: A Bur-less-que Nutcracker (inspired by the VELVET KITTENS)
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Beuaville Baptist Book Club Presents: A Bur-less-que Nutcracker!
Inspired by the Velvet Kittens, a friend of mine wrote a new holiday classic…Beuaville Baptist Book Club Presents: A Bur-less-que Nutcracker! The Kittens and I attended opening night and were to treated to a production of comedy and sassy entertainment! Enjoy a whole new cast of Kittens just for this Burlesque Nutcracker production!
(You can catch the official Velvet Kittens and I performing in Dallas Dec. 22nd for an upcoming charity event! Kitten dancers, singers, comedy, and more!)
“Whoo-hoo!”
Gini Moscorro – KERA FM
“Hot Ticket”
Lawson Taitte – Dallas Morning News
“Guide Pick”
Guidelive.com
“MBS Productions’ A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker transcends the conventional with gleeful delight and sends its audience out into the night with ho ho ho holiday hubba-hubba.”
Alexandra Bonifield – PegasusNews.com
“Nothing enlivens family holiday gatherings quite like a burlesque routine.”
Jessey Hughey – Dallas Observer
“…the new work with a Texas twang by playwright and star Mark-Brian Sonna…about an impromptu production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with hilarious consequences.”
Arnold Wayne Jones – Dallas Voice
Are you tired of the typical Holiday shows? Come check ours out! The women of the Beulaville Baptist Book Club are in dire straits financially, and as a last ditch attempt to save their book club they decide to do a fundraiser and hire the Beaumont Ballet to perform Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”. Madge’s Piña Colada Casserole unfortunately sickens the entire cast with food poisoning and they are unable to perform. Luckily, there is another dance troop in town. It seems the Velvet Kittens Burlesque Dancers are stuck in Beulaville because their van broke down on their way to New Orleans. Madge has never heard of Burlesque, or as she pronounces it “Bur-less-Q”, and in an act of necessity hires the dance troupe to do “The Nutcracker”. The end result? The most original, unusual, and comical Nutcracker you have ever seen!
November 29 through December 22, 2007, Wednesday – Saturday, showtime 8pm.
The show will be presented at the Stone Cottage Theatre, 15650 Addison Road, Addison TX 75001, 214-477-4942.
The play is directed by Jared Culpepper, based on an concept by Jana Edele, and written by Mark-Brian Sonna. Choreography is by Jana Edele and Mark-Brian Sonna with sets and costumes by Alejandro de la Costa.
The Bur-less-que Nutcracker is a hilarious hoiday treat!—-Jana Edele, Artistic Director/Choreographer of The Velvet Kittens
EROTIQUE (The Burlesque Revue)
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Be seduced by the Velvet Kittens as we present Erotique (The Burlesque Revue) on Nov. 16th at 8:15pm & Nov. 17th at 9:00pm.
For ticket information and reservations: www.dallashubtheater.org
Dallas Hub Theater is located at 2809 Canton St, Dallas TX 75226
Upcoming November Events!!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
November performance dates announced: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 16th & 17th! New performance dates posted weekly! Dallas & Fort Worth events!
EROTIQUE (The Burlesque Revue)
Be seduced by the Velvet Kittens as we present Erotique (The Burlesque Revue) Nov. 16 & 17, 2007!
Showtimes:
Friday November 16th at 8:15pm
Saturday November 17th at 9:00pm
For ticket information and reservations: www.dallashubtheater.org
at: Dallas Hub Theater, 2809 Canton St, Dallas TX 75226
VELVET KITTENS BURLESQUE! SATURDAY NOV. 10TH @ CAFE’ REMBRANDT!
Join the Kittens w/ Live 105.3 fm & Dick Hunter as we present a Velvet Kitten Burlesque Revue! Singers, dancers, and stand up comedy of Dawn Diamond! This week…special guests!
SHOWTIME: 11:00pm
Cafe’ Rembrandt is located at 703 McKinney Ave., Dallas 75202 (caferembrandtdallas.com)
Thursday, November 8th @ 1:00PM………Velvet Kitten Television Interview! Show air dates/times will be posted!
VELVET KITTEN BURLESQUE REVUE!!
w/ Live 105.3 fm & Dick Hunter!
This Saturday join the Velvet Kittens and Dick Hunter at Cafe’ Rembrandt in Dallas for a Velvet Kitten Burlesque Revue! Featuring: The Velvet Kitten dancers, singers, and the stand up comedy of Dawn Diamond!
Showtime: 11pm
Cafe’ Rembrandt is located at 703 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
caferembrandtdallas.com
myspace.com/caferembrandtdallas
AND SUNDAY, NOV 4 JOIN US IN DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH FOR THE VELVET KITTEN HALF TIME PERFORMANCE @ HYENA’S!
Kittens at Obar Ultra Lounge! Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 join the Velvet Kittens at Obar in downtown Dallas for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Charity Event!
1602 Main St. Suite B, Dallas, 75201
Upcoming shows October Shows! & 105.3fm Interview w/Dick Hunter!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Allow us to arouse your interest…
FOOTBALL & BURLESQUE!! Catch the Dallas Cowboys game at Hyena’s Sports Lounge in downtown Fort Worth, and enjoy the special Velvet Kitten’s Half-time Burlesque Performance!
Only at Hyena’s Sport’s Lounge!! 605 Houston St. in downtown Fort Worth (on Houston and 5th)
Monday October 8th, gametime 7:30pm
Sunday November 4th, gametime 7:15pm
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
The Velvet Kittens would like to wish State and Allen Lounge in uptown Dallas a Happy 3rd Anniversary!! The Velvet Kitten dancers will give a very special burlesque performance at State and Allen Lounge’s 3rd Anniversary Party!!!
Friday, October 12th beginning @ 10pm
State and Allen Lounge, 2400 Allen St, Dallas 75204
Saturday Oct. 13th you can catch a Velvet Kitten burlesque performance @ Ivy Lounge’s Studio 54 party in downtown Dallas! 1217 Main St. (Field & Main)
VELVET KITTENS RADIO INTERVIEW!!! Join the Kittens at Cafe’ Rembrandt for their 105.3fm interview with Dick Hunter! Interview at 8:30pm, and then a Velvet Kitten Burlesque Performance at 11:00PM!
Cafe’ Rembrandt is located at 703 McKinney Ave, Dallas in Victory Plaza.
www.caferembrandtdallas.com for more info.
THE VELVET KITTEN BURLESQUE REVUE
Join the Velvet Kittens Oct. 27th for The Velvet Kitten Burlesque Revue, a full length revue featuring Velvet Kitten dancers, singers, and stand up comedy of emcee Dawn Diamond!!!! Showtime: 10pm at the Hub Theater!
Address:2809 Canton St, Dallas 75226
Contact the Hub Theater for ticket information/reservations.
214.749.7010 or dallashubtheater.org
~~~Be Sure to Add Us as Your Myspace Friend!! www.myspace.com/le_cabaret_burlesque~~~
Velvet Kitten Auditions!
Posted by BPL Admin | Filed under News
The website is currently being worked on, but more Information about our upcoming events is on it’s way soon.
Kittens @ WILD SUMMER NIGHTS w/ENVY Magazine!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Velvet Kittens at Carson’s
Live….June 20th w/Envy Mag….Wild Summer Nights!!!
WILD SUMMER NIGHTS !
JUNE 20th 6pm-2am
ENVY takes over Carsons Live!
17727 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
Music performances by Manny Trevin, Josh Goode Band, Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, Pale, and Odis.
Don’t miss the burlesque show with the Velvet Kitten Cabaret and a high style runway show focused on summer fashion brought to you by
Everything But Water, KLAD, LFT, Bella Bella, Friction, with accessories by Todd Bloom.
Gift bags to the first 150 people in attendance, $1 U-Call Its all night!, 9-10 VIP Happy Hour!
RSVP to irpdallas@envymags.com
Kitten Call….Velvet Kitten Dance Audition!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque are now accepting applicants for new Velvet Kitten dancers. Please message us for details on our Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/le_cabaret_burlesque, or you can contact us here through our website.
ALL KITTENS MUST BE PROFESSIONAL, CLASSICALLY TRAINED DANCERS WITH A STRONG JAZZ BACKGROUND. ALL KITTENS MUST HAVE STRONG PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY. ALL KITTENS MUST BE PHYSICALLY FIT, HEIGHT/WEIGHT APPROPRIATE.
The Velvet Kittens is a professional dance troupe of trained dancers performing vintage style nightclub entertainment. From Moulin Rouge, the Speakeasys in the 20’s, to the modern stage shows of the Vegas’s strip, nightclub stage shows have been a source of escape from the pressures of life and a place to mingle with friends. The Velvet Kittens recreate that feel with sexiness and style, comedy and class. All shows are aimed to please both men and women. We do not recreate the end of burlesque, when bump and grind led to pole dancing. We recreate the feel of earlier vaudevillian burlesque and cabarets, a place where both sexes met for dining, wining, dancing, and entertainment. The Velvet Kittens re-create the vintage night out on the town with our engaging stage shows. As the Velvet Kittens, we are Dallas/Fort Worth’s only premier, professional dance troupe. Others imitate, but none come close.
Past venues/clients include: Dallas House of Blues (Dallas), Bent Lounge (Fort Worth), Aqua Lounge (Fort Worth), Island/Def Jam Records, Minc (Dallas), Ed Hardy, Monkey Bar (Dallas), Lee Harvey’s (Dallas), Double Wide (Dallas), The Windmill (Dallas), Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas), Hub Theater (Dallas), Grapevine Runway Theater (Grapevine), 6th Lounge (Austin).
**We are not accepting applications for choreographers. Thank you.
Special Velvet Kitten Appearance!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The Velvet Kittens will be making a special appearance at Bent Lounge for the revival of the Sunday night phenomenon of Fort Worth in the 90’s known as Nervosa with DJ Britton & DJ Merritt!
When: Sunday, May 27th
Time: 9:00pm-2:00am
Where: Bent Lounge
Address: 907 Houston St (between 8th & 9th streets), Fort Worth, 76102
For More Info….www.bentlounge.com or www.myspace.com/bentlounge
DALLAS OBSERVER ARTICLE BY ANDREA GRIMES
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Beneath Dallas’ thick outer skin of oversexed beautiful people in tight jeans and breast-baring halter tops are groups of creative, clever women who know there’s more to turning people on than jiggling your butt floss. … the Velvet Kittens are reviving the art of burlesque dancing and old-school pin-up style. Using vintage costuming and props such as fans, balloons, baseball bats and the all-important nipple pasties to hide their goods, the ladies of the local burlesque revival are bravely putting the “tease” back in “striptease,” wisely realizing that what you don’t show onstage can be as titillating as what you do.
Burlesque theater, naughtier than its cousin vaudeville, started back in the mid-19th century as a variety show, usually comprised of bawdy comedy routines, singing and dancing, and novelty acts, all with an emphasis on satire and social commentary. Mostly it was a big jab at The Man, especially the adult-oriented stripteases that were developed in the early 20th century and perfected by the likes of Gypsy Rose Lee and Mae West. Eventually, burlesque shows morphed from variety programs to mere striptease events, losing the credibility and wit they’d had in the early years. Dallas’ modern burlesque shows feature magicians, musicians and sexy ladies.
… the Dallas-based Velvet Kittens have opted to reclaim burlesque in its heyday, with sexy costumes, flirtatious dances and the occasional song. Leaning toward the more wholesome vaudevillian era, the Velvet Kittens perform mostly to period numbers and show tunes. They also ought to be commended for their bravery: They let me suit up in a pair of fishnets and join them for a dance.
I met Jana Edele, Velvet Kitten and troupe choreographer, at a Grand Prairie dance studio to learn the routine I’d be performing the following weekend. Little girls with puffy bangs and sequined leotards stared out at me from photos mounted on the studio walls; trophies from untold numbers of dance competitions lined the rooms. This is the stuff of nightmares for girls like me who spent years being the kinda-sucky girl in dance class who always just barely made the cut.
What seemed like five minutes later, Jana was showing me my ending pose, a hippy little bent-over position that demanded a coy look at the audience. I can do coy, I thought. I’m coy like a fox. A fox with two left feet and a drinking problem. Possibly caught in a leg trap. Coy. Sure.
Lucky for me and my vague sense of self-respect, the Velvet Kittens don’t do nudity. Oh, they do sexy, but they don’t get naked. Elaborate costuming is part of the burlesque tradition, something the Velvet Kittens go all out with. Jana told me to bring a black bra, a thong and a pair of black heels to our pre-show rehearsal, and she’d supply the rest.
On the day of my big show, I arrived at the studio to meet the rest of the Kittens, all of them classically trained dancers. There’s a Velvet Kitten for every taste, whether you prefer a Marilyn Monroe-esque blonde such as Jana or a saucy little Bettie Page reincarnate such as Delilah. And none try to emulate the hair-extensioned, surgically enhanced, impossibly skinny Barbie dolls that lad magazines such as Maxim have made the plastic standard for sexy these days. Burlesque is as much about dancing ability as it is being sexy; you can’t have one without the other and hope to impress these girls.
After a run-through of the dance in which I only accidentally ran into other Kittens 40 million times while scurrying to my spot a mere four counts too late, Jana tossed me a pair of fishnets and told me to cut off the waistband so I didn’t get a muffin-top spilling out between my frilly black panties and black lace-up corset. I strapped on a pair of black heels and was crowned with the group’s trademark fuzzy black cat ears.
The Monkey Bar, where we’re scheduled to perform at the insanely early hour of 8:30 p.m., was empty. A group of drinkers made a beeline out the door when our chatty clan rushed in, freezing in our tiny outfits. The rest of the girls were disappointed; I secretly rejoiced.
“Didn’t you invite your friends?” they ask.
Yeah, right. “Dear friends, please join me in what could very possibly be the most embarrassing moment of my life as I teeter around on a stage in high heels with a bunch of beautiful, classically trained burlesque dancers who have had weeks to learn a routine I tried to master in an hour. Be sure to look for the signature move I like to call ‘Andrea Squats in Woods.'”
But I am proud to say the Monkey Bar bartenders got quite a show, and I managed to wiggle, shake and shimmy without incident for the benefit of a very attractive faux ficus in the back corner that I do believe was undressing me with its leaves. I’ve never felt sexier. The rest of the Velvet Kittens later hauled off to a late show in Fort Worth they knew better than to bring me to.
As I relinquished my black satin gloves and kitty-cat ears to Jana, I thanked the girls profusely for letting me dance with them. It’s not often a girl gets to help bring sexy back, even if it was to a plastic tree.
Runway Theatre, January 27th
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A special Velvet Kitten Burlesque Revue at the Runway Theatre in Grapevine following the performance of Steve Martin’s PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE every Friday and Saturday night, starting January 27th. www.runwaytheatre.com/PicassoattheLapinAgile.php for details!
All guests that visit the Lapin Agile for Steve Martin’s PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE will be invited to stay for a VELVET KITTENS Burlesque Event onstage at the Lapin Agile. Come join the singers and dancers for an after hours romp at the Lapin Agile. As always, donations are accepted for any and all adult beverages at the Lapin Agile. Come join us for a night to remember – a night where the stars align in the sky and history is made at the Lapin Agile!