Calendar of Events

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend and San Francisco performers, June 3-6, 2010

Congratulations to the Bay Area performers who will be appearing at this week's Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2010 in Las Vegas!

Flame Cynders
and Kiss Me Kate will be performing at the Opening Night Gala on Thursday night, June 3. All shows will be at the Shag Showroom at the Plaza Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas.

On Friday night, San Francisco's very own Kitten on the Keys will be co-hosting The Titans of Tease 53rd Annual Striptease Reunion Showcase. Satans Angel will be performing before she comes to San Francisco for her Ta Ta Flambe Tour begins on June 16.

On Saturday, the Saturday Night Competition will feature Roky Roulette, competing for "Best Boylesque," and Shabnam, competing for "Best Variety." Also in the competition are former Bay Areans Mariel a la Mode ("Best Variety") and Kristina Nekyia ("The Reigning Queen of Burlesque"). Also, Lady Monster will be modeling at Dr. Sketchy's Las Vegas All Star Session from 1 to 4pm at Firefly in the Plaza Hotel.

Sunday night's event will be the All-Star Closing Gala, which will be co-hosted by Kitten on the Keys. Sparkly Devil will representing San Francisco proudly!

Here is a list of performers: (Updated on June 4, 2010)
THURSDAY NIGHT OPENING SHOW
Hosted by Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill in the Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow

Anna Bells & Lorena Bells (Los Angeles, CA)
Belle Cozette & Evilyn Sin Claire (Seattle, WA)
Betsy Bottomdollar (Victoria, BC)
Burgundy Brixx (British Columbia, CA)
Champagne Sparkles (Victoria, BC, Canada)
Coco Lectric (Austin, TX)
Coppelia (Tokyo, Japan)
Dinah Might (London, UK)
Flame Cynders (San Francisco, CA)
Frenchie Kiss (Chicago, IL)
Gigi La Femme (Brooklyn, NY)
Gilbert (Tokyo, Japan)
Jett Adore (Chicago, IL)
Kiss Me Kate (Berkeley, CA)
Leroi the Girlboi (New York, NY)
Lil Steph (Philadelphia, Pa)
Mena Von Fleisch (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Miss Tempest Rose (London, UK)
Polly Wood (Seattle, WA)
Stormy Leigh (Tucson, AZ)
The Tease Queens (Finland)
Torchy Taboo (Atlanta, GA)
Vicky Sin (Chicago, IL)
Zoe Scarlett (Zurich,SW)
Anna Bells & Lorena Bells (Los Angeles, CA)


FRIDAY NIGHT TITANS OF TEASE LEGENDS SHOWCASE
Hosted by The WORLD FAMOUS *BOB* & KITTEN ON THE KEYS

The BURLESQUE HALL OF FAME is proud to announce a truly all-star line-up for the Friday night TITANS OF TEASE legends showcase. This historic show celebrates the 53rd anniversary of the Strip Tease Reunions with an epic line up!

Starring:

Candy Caramello
Daisy Delight
Dee Milo
Dixie Evans
Dusty Summers
Ellion Ness
Gina Bon Bon
Joan Arline
Marinka
Satans Angel
Shannon Doah
Tempest Storm
Tiffany Carter
Toni Elling
Wild Cherry

Catherine D'Lish (Miss Exotic World 1992/1994)
Stephanie Blake (Miss Exotic World 1997/1998)
Kitten DeVille (Miss Exotic World 2002)
Dirty Martini (Miss Exotic World 2004)
Michelle L'amour (Miss Exotic World 2005)
Julie Atlas Muz (Miss Exotic World 2006)
Angie Pontani (Miss Exotic World 2008)

Jo Boobs
Indigo Blue

Plus

Legend interviews from Dr. Lucky and Tigger!

Presentation of the Dixie Evans Legend of the Year Award

A tribute to the Queens of the Tropics: the Rumberas from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema by Kellita!

and even more to be announced!

SATURDAY NIGHT COMPETITION
Hosted by Ms. Astrid

BOYLESQUE:
Mister Burlesque (Melbourne, Australia)
Roky Roulette (San Francisco, CA)
The Evil Hate Monkey (Baltimore, MD)

GROUP:
The Amazing Knicker Kittens Burlesque Revue (Stockholm, Sweden)
Chicago Starlets (Chicago, IL)
Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Sweet Soul Burlesque (Vancouver BC, Canada)

VARIETY:
Lola Martinet & Tila von Twirl (Chicago, IL)
Mariel a la Mode (Los Angeles, CA)
Shabnam (San Francisco, CA)

DEBUT:
Ava Garter (Los Angeles, CA)
Cherry On Top (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Coco Framboise (Toronto, ONT, Canada)
Kisa von Teasa (Knoxville, TN)
Lola Frost (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Miss Hell's Belle (Glasgow, Scotland, UK)
Ms Tickle (Brooklyn, NY)
Philly Caramel (Marlton, NJ)
Scarlett James (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Sydni Deveraux (Seattle, WA)
Tasia (Sydney, Australia)

MISS BHOF, THE REIGNING QUEEN OF BURLESQUE:
Amber Ray (Brooklyn, NY)
Kristina Nekyia (Los Angeles, CA)
Lux LaCroix (Los Angeles, CA)
Melody Mangler (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Midnite Martini (Denver, CO)
Mimi First (Chicago, IL)
Mimi LeMeaux (San Diego, CA)
Nasty Canasta (Brooklyn, NY)
Ophelia Flame (Minneapolis, MN)
Perle Noire (New Orleans, LA)
Renea' Le Roux (Atlanta, GA)
Roxi Dlite (Windsor, Canada)
Sweetpea (Minneapolis, MN)
Trixie Little (Baltimore, MD)
Violet Eva (Tokyo, Japan)

SUNDAY NIGHT ALL-STAR CLOSING GALA
Hosted by Kitten on the Keys and Foxy Tann
And featuring a sizzling concert by Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears!
Check them out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-M_8pY6TI

Cherry Typhoon (Tokyo, JP)
Desire' d'Amour (Tucson, AZ)
Foxy Tann (Minneapolis, MN)
Gigi & Pop (New York, NY)
Harvest Moon (Brooklyn, NY)
Jewel of Denial (Los Angeles, CA)
Pinchbottom Burlesque (Brooklyn, NY)
The Shanghai Pearl (Seattle, WA)
Sparkly Devil (San Francisco, CA)
Tatah DuJour (Key West, FL)
Torchy Taboo (Atlanta, GA)
Venus DeMille (Los Angeles, CA)
Vivienne VaVoom (Denver, CO)

SPECIAL SUNDAY POOLSIDE APPEARANCES BY:


Clams Casino (Brooklyn, NY)
Girls On Top Risque Cabaret (Vancouver, Canada)
Tila von Twirl, Ray Gunn, & Bazooka Joe aka Nuts N Cherries (Chicago, IL)

A Brief Guide to Attending the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2010

If you're planning on going to Vegas this year, here is a brief list of things that I wished I knew before going last year. These tips should make your trip slightly easier and result in a better experience.
  • If you're arriving by air, you'll need to make your way to the Plaza Hotel or the Golden Nugget downtown. It's usually better to stay near the showrooms and all of the BHoF action, and it seems the Golden Nugget is where most burlesquers are staying this year. If you're arriving solo into McCarran, it's far less expensive to catch one of the shuttles. There are several shuttle companies with ticket/token booths in the middle of the baggage claim level curbside. Fares are around $16 round trip, or $8 one way. You can arrange pick up at the hotel when you return, so get a phone number from your company. If there's two or more of you, you can split a taxi or limousine. I remember people getting angry last year because it cost $20-25 each way by taxi to get to the Orleans. Taxis will shave some minutes off your travel time, but you'll have to do the cost-benefit analysis for yourself.

  • Though the people who run the Weekend do a great job, I noticed last year that things don't always go smoothly and information about the events tends to be scarce, unless you're part of the network "in the know." Here's a copy of the full schedule of events that came from the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend's Facebook page's notes. Though it may be in the program which you can purchase, it's probably best to print it out and keep it with you:
    BHOF 2010 Weekend Schedule

    We will try to keep this completely updated but please know that this is always subject to change!

    Thursday, June 3
    Daytime Schedule
    Weekend Performer Check-in / Ticket Will-call
    Outside of vending room on the third floor 3pm to 5pm

    Burlesque Bazaar Vendor Setup (Vendors only)
    3rd floor Plaza
    11am to 5pm

    Evening Schedule
    Opening Night Cocktail Party
    Aqua Lounge
    8:00 PM – 10 PM

    Opening Night Gala Show
    Hosted by Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill and featuring the Lucky Daredevil Thrill Show!
    The Plaza Showroom
    Doors at 10:00 PM, show at 10:30 PM


    Friday, June 4
    Daytime Schedule

    Weekend Performer Check-in / Ticket Will-call
    Outside of vending room on the third floor 3pm to 5pm

    Burlesque Bazaar
    2nd floor of the Plaza
    11am- 5:00 PM

    Performer Rehearsal space
    Burlesque Bazaar room backside
    Sign-in for times, 1 PM – 5:00 PM

    Breast Defense Cast sale
    Burlesque Bazaar all weekend long
    Keep A Breast will be on site doing invited castings

    Workshops and Classes
    By Jo Weldon of the New York School of Burlesque and Indigo Blue of Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque
    Full Schedule coming soon! (see www.schoolofburlesque.com/bhofclasses2010.html for announced classes)

    BHOF MUSEUM GRAND OPENING 5 PM
    With ribbon cutting attended by special guests
    520 East Fremont St., downtown Las Vegas
    (this is a very short walk from the Plaza)

    Evening Schedule
    The Titans of Tease: 53rd Annual Striptease Reunion Showcase
    Hosted by World Famous BOB and Kitten on the Keys
    With special guest hosts
    The Plaza Showroom
    Doors at 7:00, show at 8:00

    Titans of Tease After-party
    Firefly with DJ Momotaro
    12:00 – 4 AM

    Texas Tease ‘Em 5: Official BHoF Weekend Poker Tournament
    Hosted by Jonny Porkpie
    Plaza Poker Room
    12:30 AM


    Saturday June 5
    Daytime Schedule

    Burlesque Bazaar
    2nd floor Plaza
    11am- 5:00 PM

    Performer Rehearsal space
    Burlesque Bazaar back room
    Sign-in for times, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Workshops and Classes
    By Jo Weldon of the New York School of Burlesque and Indigo Blue of Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque
    Full Schedule coming soon! (see www.schoolofburlesque.com/bhofclasses2010.html for announced classes)

    Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
    Hosted by Cha Cha Velour
    1 to 4PM at Firefly

    Annual Pinup Safari with Don Spiro and Dale Rio
    Schedule coming soon! 1 to 5 PM

    Naked Girls Reading
    Time and Location coming soon!

    Evening Schedule
    Weekend Performer Check-in / Ticket Will-call
    Outside the showroom starting at 7 PM

    World's Best Burlesque: Featuring the 20th Annual BHoF reunion
    Hosted by Miss Astrid
    The Plaza Showroom
    Doors at 7:00, show at 8:00

    The World’s Best Burlesque After-party
    Firefly with DJ Howie Pyro
    12:30 – 4 AM


    Sunday June 6
    Daytime Schedule

    Burlesque Bazaar
    2nd floor of Plaza
    11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Performer Rehearsal space
    Burlesque Bazaar back room
    Sign-in for times, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Stars of Classic Burlesque Q&A
    Hosted by Dr Lukki
    Firefly
    12:30 – 3:30 PM

    Pinup Pool Party Hosted by Sabina Kelley
    With pin up photos shot by Lesley Slenning
    Dress to impress!
    Pool side burlesque
    DJ Switched On Audrey
    The Plaza Pool
    12:00 – 8 PM

    Car Show, Plaza valet
    1:00 PM – 1:00 AM

    Evening Schedule
    Closing Gala
    Hosted by Kitten on the Keys and Foxy Tann
    Featuring Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
    The Plaza Showroom
    Doors at 10pm, show at 10:30

    Closing Gala After-party
    With DJ Scott Ewalt
    Firefly
    12:30 – 4 AM
  • The Weekend is like a convention for the burlesque community, so lots of people already know each other and share the latest information that way. Probably over 70% of the attendees (reportedly about 1200 last year) are either performers, teachers, students, or photographers who are part of the burlesque scene in their cities. It's a great opportunity to get to know burlesque people from other areas of the country and world so don't be shy and say hi to people!

  • If you're not close to people "in the know," one of the best ways to keep abreast of news, events, changes in schedule, etc. is to follow people who are attending on Twitter. Use the hashtag "#bhof" to see who's posting information about the Weekend. There may also be Tweetups, and people will post invitations to join them in the lounges and such to socialize. It was the best use of Twitter in my experience so far!

  • You can also join the Miss Exotic World Yahoo! Group and keep track of the aforementioned Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend's Facebook Page. If you need extra tickets, people have been posting some for sale or trade on the Yahoo! Groups site. The Weekend is sold out, so that may be an option if you don't have tickets yet.

  • For sure, check-in early so you're not late to any events. Also make sure to bring your identification and proof that you're registered (e.g., tickets, a letter proving you're on the guest list, media credentials, etc.). Last year, they gave us bracelets that let us into the various events for the weekend. They may or may not be doing the same thing this year, but just make sure you've got yours.

  • The Pinup Safari details will be announced on Friday evening during the Legends show. If you have a camera (even if it's just a click-and-shoot) or want to model and get some photos of yourself, the Pinup Safari is definitely fun. They load photogs on top of a double decker bus, and models on the lower level. Then they take everyone to several Vegas locations (Las Vegas sign, Rat Pack era motel, etc.) and pictures are taken. For models, just be sure to get the contact information from the photogs themselves, or else they may forget to contact you. It looks like the Safari will once again be organized by Don Spiro and will take place on Saturday afternoon.

  • It looks like the event is sold out, so make sure you get to the shows early if you want good seats and don't have one of the few reserved tickets. It looked like the Plaza's showroom is a lot smaller than the Orleans, and I think I remember reading that some people waited a few hours the last time the event was held at the Plaza. If you're a part of a group, you may want to try and designate a seat holder who will wait in line with his or her iPad, Kindle, or other entertainment device. You can buy him or her drinks at the after parties.

  • I found enough to do last year to keep me busy just hanging out near the Orleans, but I did make time on Sunday afternoon to check out a few casinos on the Strip. There's a Bettie Page Clothing Store in the Planet Hollywood shopping area that's cool to visit. There are also a number of other stores in the area for all of your wardrobe needs. You may want to Tweet to see if people have some recommendations. Just use "#bhof" in all of your Weekend related Tweets.

  • For internet access, see if there are some cheaper options than in-room access. For example, the Orleans had a coffee place in the lobby with free internet. Lots of burlesque people sat in the lobby with their laptops. There's a Starbucks in the Golden Nugget, so that may be an option for you.

  • The Burlesque Hall of Fame Grand Opening on Friday afternoon looks like a can't miss event. I was hoping to see it last year, but it wasn't ready to open. It's close to the Plaza, so getting there should be easy!

It looks like lots of things are coming together at the last minute this year for the Weekend. If you track all of the Weekend events online, especially through Twitter, you should be alright information-wise. Information was often difficult to come by last year, but fortunately I knew a few people who had it or could get it.

Good luck to all of the Bay Area performers! And I hope that all attendees have a great time in Vegas this weekend. Wish I was going!
Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend and San Francisco performers, June 3-6, 2010SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

No comments: