Beautiful, sexy, creative – amazing Burlesque all weekend at Vancouver Int’l Burlesque Festival

Beautiful, sexy, creative – amazing Burlesque all weekend at the 5th annual Vancouver Int’l Burlesque Festival at the newly renovated Rickshaw Theatre. This year the VIBF features four jam-packed nights with 14 unique productions and 2 performer showcases by entertainers from Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, and Portland !

I went to the VIBF on Thursday and Friday. The shows were inspiring, the audience was wildly enthusiastic, and the theatre was beautiful. Every night was full of great performances, far too many to cover in one article

A few of the organizers and performers shared their stories with me on the VIBF and the exciting growth Burlesque in Vancouver.

Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick spoke with me about the Festival and his involvement as Vice-President of the Vancouver Burlesque Festival Society a non-profit that puts on the VIBF.

Burgandy Brixx, on the Board of Directors for the VIBF society, spoke with me about exciting growth of Burlesque from New York to Vancouver. Originally from New York city, she moved here two years to produce Vancouver’s longest running weekly burlesque show called Kitty Nights West at the Biltmore Cabaret. Burgandy works full time managing and performing in Kitty Nights while also running a dance studio featuring Burlesque lessons. She says that Vancouver’s Burlesque is rapidly growing and gaining International recognition. On Sunday night, she will in “Kitty Nights Burlesque: East Village meets East Van!” that will be a “food piece that involves cherries”, which exemplifies her style of classic Burlesque infused with comedy.

BonBon Bombay, Burlesque performer, dancer, and choreographer spoke to me about her show on Sunday and her work with Rosanna Wijenberg, aka Rosie Delight on “Rosie Delight… needs a New Brain!”. Rosie Delight was recently diagnosed with a very rare, progressive and disabling neurological movement disorder, which affects her ability to control her movements. BonBon told me that she worked closely with Rosie to include movements that triggers her disorder. During our interview I was told that Director Rick Podd and a film crew are working on a full length about Rosie, her life, and her disorder. In addition to discussing Rosie Delight’s moving piece, BonBon mentioned that she will be performing on Sunday at the Midnight showcase called “The Barber shop”

Jenny Magenta spoke to me about being a professional performer in Burlesque, Dance, Film, and Theatre. She started in Classical Ballet, which typically leads to a short dance career, so is proud to be dancing her forties as a full time performer and dancer. Jenny collaborates with Burlesque dancers in the Vancouver and North American communities. On Thursday she organized and performed in the “Banquet of Broads”, which showcase dancers unique performance styles that include puppetry, comedy, tragedy, and multimedia. Jenny talks about pushing the boundaries both within the Burlesque and beyond by experimenting with new styles, slideshows, nudity, and reverse stripping. One of the appeals that Jenny finds in Burlesque is how people with extensive dance backgrounds such as herself or Crystal Precious can dance but also people without experience or “perfect” bodies. She says that everyone is very accepting in the Burlesque community, which is reflected in the shows and workshops that are part of VIBF.

Valery Vyntage spoke with me about presenting her first shoe for VIBF at the Sunday midnight show called “Vyntage Fetish”. Her show blends the Burlesque and Fetish styles. In addition to her show, she has been involved in organizing Volunteers for VIBF. Valery got involved in Burlesque about a year and a half ago. She is actively involved in the Screaming Chickens Theatrical Society. After graduating from the Becoming Burlesque classes run by SCTS, she started performing at Burlesque nights around Vancouver venues.

For people wanting to explore dancing Burlesque for fun or a new career, there will be many workshops happening during the Festival. You can check out the workshop schedule here: http://www.vanburlesquefest.com/workshops.html. Several local professional Burlesque groups run dance studios that will continue to offer Burlesque lessons, but the workshops this weekend will give you a taste of this pleasurable and liberating experience

You can find all the details about the performers and the VIBF schedule at: http://www.vanburlesquefest.com Thursday and Friday were both sold out, so be sure to buy your tickets online using paypal or at the following venues around town: Scout, Virgin Mary’s, Zulu Records, Flaming Angels, and Cherry Bomb.

Here’s the schedule for the VIBF. The Festival runs from Thursday May 6th t0 Sunday May 9th.

Thursday, May 6

9pm: Pink Flamingo Burlesque

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=365350376017#!/event.php?eid=116105488417687&ref=nf

10pm: Paris a Minuit

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102445599798586

11pm: Starlet Harlots – Haus of Harlots

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=112775415426920

Midnight: Banquet of Broads

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=112199975486762

~~~

Friday, May 7

9pm: Rosie Delight…Needs A New Brain

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=340023519938

10pm: Rosebud Burlesque Club (Saskatoon) – Happy Endings

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108051182561757

11pm: Sweet Soul Burlesque – Ass-Sass-ination! 2010

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6763521422#!/event.php?eid=114198808605316&ref=mf

Midnight: VIBFA SHOWCASE

~~~

Saturday, May 8

9pm: GOT Cabaret Society – Decades of Deviance

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=358001147217

10pm: Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society – Best of Taboo Revue

http://www.facebook.com//event.php?eid=118641758157559

11pm: Cheesecake Burlesque Review (Victoria)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111764565509555

Midnight: VIBFA SHOWCASE

~~~

Sunday, May 9

9pm: Kitty Nights Burlesque: East Village meets East Van!

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events&s=3#!/event.php?eid=110757805626963&ref=mf

10pm: East Vanity Parlour – Sex at the Circus!

11pm: Bonnie Kilroe’s Corrupt Cabaret

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=120662857950881&ref=nf

Midnight: Vyntage Fetish

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events&s=3#!/event.php?eid=102717799768478

Please note: if you’ve taken additional photos of the event and want me to mention or include them in this article, then contact me at jonathan@hanleymade.com

 

Burgandy Brixx backstage at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

 

Jenny Magenta backstage at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

 

Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick and Valery Vyntage ( working with Volunteers before her Sunday show ) backstage at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

 

Vancouver International Burlesque Festival at the Rickshaw Theatre on Hastings street.

 

Misty Greer’s Trunk show vendor booth at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.

 

The Flash slide show of my photos on flickr.com/pixelate

 

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jelly roll morton vancouver show

My friends came to see C.R. Avery…

I’m overhearing friends talk about relationships and sex while they stand next to me in the lineup. The sounds of cool New Orleans Jazz plays intermingles with the conversation, then I realize it’s not background music that I hear. I lift myself up onto the divider separating those waiting and those watching from inside the venue. At the other end of the room I could see a black baby grand on a small stage. A man wearing a black leather hat and dark sunglasses was playing melodic jazz. I found myself bobbing my head in time with his playing, because it was a catchy kind of tune. I felt transported to an imaginary bar in New Orleans.

Is it the venue, the music, or the CBC filled the Patricia Pub to overflowing? I had found out about the event because a friend told me about it who had heard it listed on the radio and tracked it down online. The real beauty of the internet lets a real life event be successfully promoted very quickly.

The crowd was a mix that reflected the mixture of acts that were on tonight. Twenty year olds with their toques and skinny jeans were next to the older men who looked like their names were etched on the bar seats. The layout of the pub, with it’s many arches covered in beer signs, makes it difficult to know how many people were there, but it certainly feels full of energy and buzz.

Looking through the crowd while continuing to sit on the ledge, I notice the interweave of people talking and the piano playing. It’s Henry Butler from New Orleans playing at the piano. Henry is a passionate pianist and the force of his playing slowly seduces the attention of the audience. The hum of conversations begins to dim. One by one the audience becomes enraptured by his exploration of emotions and passion. Sometimes the song is forceful and passionate, while at other times it slows down and becomes seductive and sensual. Your ears are kept stimulated and attentive as you follow the story he’s telling with his keys.

Whistles, cheers, and clapping as Henry Butler rises from his piano. His first set is done. I notice the walking stick and for a flash moment see that he’s blind.

The first set is done. I meet a few friends I haven’t seen in years, so we go outside to talk and take photos of them. I see C.R. Avery and musicians from Carnival and Brass Roots Band. It seems that many of them know each other, so I ask to take photos of them together. I like C.R Avery’s style, which reflects his poetry. Cool, full of character, and a mix of human and emotion. It’s worth seeing him at an event around town.

Smoke breaks for musicians. Everything settles down after a very long 15 minute set break.

The audience is now quiet, no more idle chatter. The serious jazz lovers have stayed to witness Henry Butler work those keys.

Such passion, yet steady calm. He stamps his foot and you can feel it in the pub dance floor. The small stage shakes a little when Henry plays and stomps and moves the melody along. The end of the song lifts the audience from their trance. Henry speaks in a deep voice, one you’d expect from a man with his presence. He’s telling a story about a song and all I hear are words: New Orleans, New York, Jazz, Blues, Gospel. The song’s name is New Orleans Inspiration and I smile, I feel inspired.

Henry Butler looks straight ahead, his face barely moves as he plays in concentration. The stage lights reflect off of his dark glasses. His left shoe stomps while his right shoe taps. I can imagine him marching in a New Orleans parade – leading us along while carrying a marching baton instead of a walking stick. Marching along, the music builds, the audience claps. Their claps get stronger, the two rising together. The best part of a concert is the musician and the audience merging together.

Cheers erupt. We’re in.

I realise that having waited so long in line I didn’t have a chance to see anyone else on the Bill. I was able to hear James Danderfer Trio, and Ndidi Onukwulu before I went to the show. One of the reasons I went to the show was because I heard Ndidi Onukwulu beautiful singing voice.

So check out all the musicians from the night:

Henry Butler New Orleans Jazz pianist
Ndidi Onukwulu Blues singer
The James Danderfer Trio Jazz ensemble with pianist Miles Black on piano and drummer Joe Poole
Brass Roots Band
C.R. Avery Vancouver poet, pianist and composer

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