Mistress Kira
San Francis

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tease-o-rama! new orleans, la

Scene report by Mistress Kira

Freaks, geeks, and libertines all love the South's City of Sin. For good reason: New Orleans is infused with heat, madness and voodoo spells of bygone days, not to mention 24-hr alcohol. What better place to resurrect the lost art of burlesque? Forget Moulin Rouge, Tease O Rama is the real deal.

Sixteen dance troupes from all over the US and Europe descended on New Orleans for one glorious weekend of tassel twirling, synchronized go-go, and fan dances. The 1st annual Tease O Rama Burlesque convention promised to be a saucy affair, and the 150 dancers, while taking the theme of burlesque, were incredibly, surprisingly diverse; the flamboyant showmanship of NYC's Pontani Sisters incorporated tap and ballet, while the ShimShamettes harked back to lush Busby Berkeley style sets and synchronization.

Of course, burlesque in its heyday incorporated much more than the delectable strip tease; deliberately unfunny MC's often provided pointed social commentary, there was often a guy in a gorilla suit, and a back line of seasoned musicians provided a swinging roar of live music to help the girls shimmy and strip. Both the Shim Sham Revue and The Fisherman's Burlesque tipped their hats to tradition, providing a well-rounded variety act that kept the crowd on their toes. But front and center, of course, were the dancers.

San Francisco's own Devil-Ettes stole the show charmingly by not taking off any clothing, while fetish model Dita Von Teese and cohort Catherine D'Lish offered more X-rated fare. The old school was represented by the 76-year old Dixie Evans from Exotic World - the "Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque." Dixie stripped and then taught women young enough to be her granddaughters how to walk the burlesque walk.

Classes in pasties making and go-go aerobics abounded, as women networked day and night, and their boyfriends’ fetched slippers from hotels rooms. It was a surprisingly feminist affair and it was refreshing to be in a post punk environment where women run the show. With tattoos, not fake tits, being the body mod of choice it was obvious that today's burlesque artists are doing it for the control, not the money.

Rock conventions should take a page out of Tease-O-Rama's book: when women run the show, you get to see a lot more flesh. If your interest is peaked, stay tuned to www.teaseorama.com. Year two is already in the works. The real question is: can you take the heat?

Mistress Kira with a client

 

Mistress Kira Veritas
can be reached in
San Francisco at:
www.asianatrix.com
[email protected]
415-436-9669

 

 

 

 

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