Rosy Rabbit Burlesque

The Kit Kat Club

2012-01-31T01:08:00.000-08:00

Red Bennies enters the terrible two's in sexy style, celebrating the launch of the KIT KAT CLUB BURLESQUE

Join us for a night of mayhem and glamour in Red Bennies 2nd Birthday Extravaganza!

Melbourne's premier burleque artists bring you a boundary breaking new format, KIT KAT CLUB BURLESQUE that will leave you on the edge of your seat and gasping for breath. A little bit twisted with lashings of raunch, Kit Kat Club Burlesque provides the best evening's entertainment available in Melbourne.

So with cocktail in hand step into a hazy world where not everything is as it seems and rules were meant to be broken, where inhibition is left behind with the tug of a garter and toss of a glove.

Dates: Friday 3rd February

Time: 7pm

Price: $20 Presale $25 on the Door

TICKETS

The Living History of Australian Burlesque

2012-01-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

Inspired by America's Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends night Australia’s Queen of Burlesque, Imogen Kelly, has decided to host an event honouring our legends and pioneers. The event follows a time line through the history of our burlesque including footage and recreations. If you are in Sydney I urge you to go along!

In 1843 a burlesque performer raised her skirts to the mining towns of Victoria, they showered the performer with gold nuggets. Abe Saffron had some of the most notorious strip clubs in the world and the performers are still alive to tell their tales. When Elizabeth Burton performed for the troops in Vietnam, they stopped the war until she was finished.

The eighties and nineties saw the evolution of what was once the most hardcore performance niche on the planet- in Sydney…

These and many other incredible stories will unfold as Australia’s Queen of Burlesque, Imogen Kelly, takes you on a trip through time to unearth Australia’s secret history of burlesque legends.

From Lola Montez to Miss Nude World, from Norman Lindsay Tableau Vivants to 65 year old ladies doing bump and grind- this night has it all.

Footage:

Annette Kellerman the original Million Dollar Mermaid

The Corrick Family films

Australia’s fastest Tassel Twirler from The Tivoli

Vonni of Les Girls

Performances by

Marrisa Yeo as Lola Montez

Lola The Vamp demonstrates the Victorian way

Gypsy Wood a tribute to Norman Lindsay

Imogen Kelly Tributes Pauletta Perry “The Ostrich Girl” from the Tivioli

Tasia and The Go Gets as The Whiskey Girls

Jeanette Wood of Whiskey A Go Go Fame

Lilikoi and Kim Kaos of Archaos Circus Fame

Birdman on the Mic

Doris Goddard of B-grade Hollywood movie star fame

Cindy Pastel the inspiration for Pricilla Queen of the Desert

Lauren La Rouge sharing the Mic

Christa Hughes of Machine Gun Fellatio

Glitta Supernova of Gurlesque

Judith Lanigan of Go Go Burlesco

Tiger Lil of Tarnished

And finally Elizabeth Burton!!!! Australia’s Grand Empress of Striptease,

February 11, 2012
The Factory Theatre
105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, ns 2204

BUY TICKETS

A return to costuming

2012-01-14T01:58:00.000-08:00

As I have had a longish pause in designing I have been itching to get my hands busy with some new ideas, one of which has been bubbling away for quite some time, and that is my brand new act, "Teach Me Tiger" I will be showing this to you very soon!
It was so much fun to get the design brain switched back on and lovingly stich this crazy idea into life so I really am looking forward to sharing, it is also the most fun I have had with an act in a long time!

I am also very excited to be starting a new project for my fellow performer and friend, Evie Red, who will be getting a very elegant showgirl ensemble. It will be such a treat to have her wearing something of mine as she is just gorgeous and definitely an up-and-coming talent to keep your eyes on!

In the meantime I thought I would post some beautiful and fierce costume inspiration I have been collecting...

*Please excuse my lack of credits, I tend to click and save images without checking, oh dear!

Midsumma Carnival!

2012-01-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

This Sunday Dolores Daiquiri, Miss Jane, Evie Red and I will be heading down to the biggest event on the Midsumma calendar to perform between 12pm and 3pm. There might just be a chance to win some tickets to the Australian Burlesque Festival coming up in June, so if you are around make sure you come and say hello!

Back in the land of tassels!

2011-10-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hi folks!
I thought it was probably about time I get back on the blogging train since I have in the last month or so been performing again post baby and have so many exciting things to share with you!

I was flat out all of September with Metropolis 2040 at Red Bennies. We had a 6 show run and I enjoyed every minute of it! I cannot praise creatrix, Vesper White, enough for her vision, attention to detail and creativity in this stunning show. It is such a joy to see our artform being driven by thoughtful, artistic people and I finished the season feeling triumphant and utterly inspired! I will be posting pictures and a proper review shortly, so stay tuned.

In Burlesque Festival news, we have bid farewell to co-founder, Sapphira, as she embarks on some very exciting personal projects and I wish her the very best!
We have got some REALLY exciting surprises in store for 2012, but I will have to keep a lid on it for a bit longer, though I tell ya, it aint easy! As always it is going to be bigger, better and all round bombastic!

I have a few other nice little projects coming up including a new event "Sirens of Sin - The Seven Deadly Sins Reavealed!" Which I will cover in a later post, as well as a burlesque open mic (open shirt?) night, which will hopefully be launching by the end of the year.

The Fringe festival has been on in Melbourne, which unfortunately I have completely missed out on, but from the looks of it there have been some killer show and I am hoping to make it to Fringe Royal Rumble this Sunday (and you should too!) where the cream of Melbourne Fringe Festivals performers have been hand picked to enter into mortal combat in the Red Bennies Mexican Wrestling ring of carny carnage! Burlesque vs Vaudeville! Comedians vs Cabaret! Mime vs Circus! - its going to be outrageous!
Sounds too good to miss out on! You can get tix here.

In other news, The Gorelesque beast is on the road! Last weekend Sydney got their first taste and tonight and tomorrow Adelaide, before the bus of gore comes home to Melbourne. This looks like a blood-tastic feast, and if B-grade horror films and zombies are your thing I implore you to check it out. See photos here. Tickets available through the website.

This is what The Armchair Traveller had to say:

"Armchair Traveller had the shock and awe treatment - or should that be shock and gore - at Gorlesque! Touring nationally this October - catch it - so you too can be covered in blood, meat, vomit, mothers milk and flesh! Yes - Armchair Traveller was up stage and is now soaked in gore! A night well spent!"

And thats all for now! I look forward to seeing you at a show real soon.

Kisses, RR

Burlesque in Melbourne this weekend!

2010-10-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the is a veritable feast of Burlesque happening in Melbourne! Come see me run my mouth as MC on friday, as well as perform, and Saturday I will be getting my gore on...

FRIDAY

A night of burlesque to celebrate the launch of 'Burlesque - A Retrospective', Samantha Diamond and Angela McConnell present an event you won't want to miss... Featuring performances from many of the books stars, including a final farewell performance from Miss Diamond herself, book signings, amazing prizes, dancing and debauchery, book your tickets as this will be a night to remember! !

Special giveaways on the night for "Best Dressed" patrons so dress to impress!
Prizes from:
The Pinup Gal

Kiss Me Quick
Hexotica

'Burlesque - A Retrospective' Launch Party
Friday Oct 29th
8pm - Late
Red Bennies - 373 Chapel St, South Yarra
$20 entry includes $5 off the book
Buy tickets here.

SATURDAY

Due to an overwhelming demand for tickets, a second and definitely final show will be staged for Halloween 2010. Can't keep a good zombie down!

The Gorelesque crew are proud to present yet another evening of dark burlesque, horror-riety and gore-a-go-go for your voyeuristic pleasure! Featuring firm crowd favourites from the first show, and an array of fresh meat show treats for those wanting more!

Plus!
...A brand new film from the Gorelesque studios, installations and surprises by our resident Gorehound Girls, a special late-night horror show for the truly twisted, and the world's first interactive human Operation game!

Come and play with the scream queens on October 30th! F*%k what you've heard, this is THE place to be on Halloween! We're going to howl, party, and help the undead dance until dawn...

Shake the grave dust blues away. GET SOME!

Starring:

The brain-eating... MISS NIC

Creature from the burly lagoon... VESPER WHITE

Scream teen beauty queen... GYPSY WOOD

The hoop-wielding heart-stopper KIRA HU-LA-LA (SYD)

The flame-haired secretary of your dreams... TANK

The grave-shaking, tomb stomping... BETTY BLOOD

Freddy's nightmare... FOXTROT INDIA

Goddess of destruction herself... ROSY RABBIT

Your favourite creep from the deep... ROD LARA

Voodoo ragdolly... TULLY JADE

With your evilly dead MC, the great ASHER TRELEAVEN

And DJ DOT COM to help you make a mess of yourself on the dance floor

PRIZES FOR BEST DRESSED from our generous sponsors. Dress for Halloween!

$15 PRESALE, $20 ON THE DOOR
Tix available Friday 10th September from www.redbennies.com. Get in quick, we sold out in advance last time!

Early 'til late!

"Burlesque a Retrospective" Book Launch

2010-10-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Featuring some of Australian Burlesque's brightest stars, 'Burlesque - A Retrospective', is sure to become a cult favourite. Starring burning fixtures of the Burlesque stage, from some of Australia's most famous burlesque names, to rising stars you will soon know and love, 'Burlesque - A Retrospective' is a must have for any Burle...sque enthusiast, or just the curious!

To celebrate the launch of 'Burlesque - A Retrospective', Samantha Diamond and Angela McConnell present an event you won't want to miss... Featuring performances from many of the book's stars, including a final farewell performance from Miss Diamond herself, book signings, amazing prizes, dancing and debauchery, book your tickets as this will be a night to remember!

Burlesque a Retrospective

A Pictorial Book Starring:

Cat of Nine Tails
Dolores Daquiri
Foxtrot India
Kelly Ann Doll
Lux St Sin
Rosy Rabbit
Samantha Diamond
Sarah Lea Cheesecake
Scarlett
The Strawberry Siren

Special giveaways on the night for "Best Dressed" patrons so dress to impress!

Prizes from:

'Burlesque - A Retrospective' Launch Party
Friday Oct 29th
8pm - Late
$20 entry (includes $5 off purchase of the book)
Red Bennies
373 Chapel St, South Yarra

Buy tickets online here!

Noir Revue.... The review

2010-10-15T23:56:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I performed in the Sydney Fringe festival as part of "Noir Revue" which fellow performer and showgirl extraordinare Sarina Del Fuego masterfully put together.

It was such a treat to be in a run of shows! The nature of being a burlesque performer means no two gigs are ever alike, you are always in a different venue, with different co-stars and although it is an exciting life there is something to say for being able to really sink your teeth into one show each night!

I chose to do a performance unlike any other I have ever done, more theatre than burlesque it was based around the premise of a woman waiting for her man to get home, the torment she experiences deciding she has had enough and has to leave and finally the realisation that she can't. It was really powerful for me and I even had a few tears on stage on one of the nights! A woman scorned...

On the nights that I performed I was blessed to have some truly talented co-stars who as a whole gave each night (that different slightly from the last) the feeling of a dark and sordid Berlin cabaret, smokey and moody and tantalisingly sultry.

There was ofcourse the madame of the house herself, Sarina Del Fuego, who did a couple of different numbers, one was a sensual nude illusion fan dance with truly epic blue feather fans (the envy of all backstage!) and a cheeky, smokey number that had the crowd's gaze as she weaved her way through them puffing and mincing...

One of my favourite aerial performers, Missy, performed an agonsingly beautiful and slow aerial hoop number. Spinning slowly she had such fluidity and control in her act, it really was draw dropping! what a talented lady...

Missy also performed a dark, ambiguous cabaret chair duo with fellow aerialist Paloma Negra, who also stunned the crowed with her graceful and delicate trapeze routine...

As always, Kelly Ann Doll had the crowd eating out of her hand! Kelly is one of those acts that never fails to impress, she is an exceptional dancer and flawless entertainer and I have loved every single show I have ever see her do... A total star!

Unfortunatly I don't have photos of all of the performers yet, but will update when I do! We were very lucky to have the gorgeous Scarlett Jezabel come all the way from Tasmania along with Tiger Lilly. Unfortunately I didn't get to see either of their acts though I could most deffinitely hear the crowd's appreciation and I have heard nothing but great things of these two, especially of Scarlett's beautiful peacock number which oozed elegance...

We had with us one of the most beautiful cabaret voices I have heard in a long time. Chantal has this amazing voice that is at once smoky and moody then clear and sweet and a bell, a pleasure to hear as well as see, a classic beauty with the most amount of beautiful gowns and divine accessories (and a lightning fast changer!)

It really was a treat to be part of the show, I can't thank Sarina enough for bringing together such a fabulous cast! the atmosphere was perfect, with the audience at the front tables becoming part of the show and observerers at the same time. The week went by so quickly and before we knew it, it was the finale show and Cleveland street Theatre was left with the tang of smoke and heady purfume and an air that something very special had taken place...

To read some other reviews of the show click on the links below.

Scarlett's Letter's

Betty Brimstone

Sydney here I come...

2010-09-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

This morning I am getting ready to go to Sydney, and as usual have left my packing to the last minute! And this packing will be no easy task considering I have 3 costumes to bring (one of which is an oversized stuffed lobster) as well as a weeks worth of clothing!

I am super excited to be going on this trip, its rare that I have more than a day there if I go up for a show but because I will be there for a week I will have plenty of time for some long overdue catch-ups with dear friends from when I lived there.

I am also very pleased that it will be warm up there! Melbourne winter has been dragging its miserable feet and I am craving some sunshine, It is supposed to be Spring after all!

Anyhoo, if you are in Sydney and would like to pop along to one of the fantastic shows Noir Revue or Underwater Love (or both!) don't forget to get your tickets early, I would love to see everyone there!

Issue 6 of Burlesque Magazine out now!

2010-09-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

Lots of interesting articles from around the burlesque globe, with reigning Burlesque Hall of Fame Queen "Roxi Delite" gracing the cover, lovely interview with her plus lots more on the BHoF weekend.

There is a fantastic "backstage ettiquette guide" with New York School of Burlesque Headmistress, Jo Weldon.

The Australian Burlesque Festival gets a special double pager with photography by everyone's fave, Angela Mcconnell!

"WHERE Sydney and Melbourne
HIGHLIGHTS A sparkling event supporting burlesque in Australia, some of the nation’s most talented performers took to the stage in several sold-out shows. We loved the vicious tassle twirler that is Foxtrot India, the Latino-inspired Imogen Kelly, the fiery Tasia and of course, you can never go wrong with pocket rocket Kelly Ann Doll. Special mention goes to British Heart’s crazy boylesque performance! We want more!"

Plus lots more, and you can read the full issue here!

Interviews and whatnot.

2010-09-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

The other day I was talking with miss Amy Duncan of Chapel Tattoo about the angst that goes along with being interviewed.

You really never quite know how you are going to come across in written word, even with blogging I forget sometimes that I'm not really allowed to use sarcasm due to the lack of inflection! (sarcasm is one of my favourite things, though best used in spoken conversation with someone else who appreciates it)

Any way, a few months back I was interviewed for the Red Bennies website, if you would like to read it, you can here.

Speaking of interviews, blogs and Amy if you get a chance to pop over to Amy's blog Pennywhistles and Moonpies you really aught to because she has lots of wise and interesting things to say and share, you can even read an interview with her!

Amy is a very talented tattooist and I am very lucky to be having a piece done by her at the moment (though I am somewhat of a wimp so can only go a few hours at a time) we have great conversations too, which I almost look forward to as much as getting pretty art from her!

Hurrah!

ps here is an editorial piece for which I was interviewed around the Australian Burlesque Festival in June this year.

Shimmy Shake!

2010-09-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

Its that time of the month again! hooray!

This month as well as resident performers Foxtrot India, Poppy Cherry and myself, you will be treated to the whimsical magic of Lola The Vamp (Syd) and with sparkles, giggles and partial nudity miss Becky Lou (miss Burlesque Tasmania).

Springtime... oh yes!!

2010-08-31T02:33:00.000-07:00

At last! Tomorrow is the first day of spring and I am so very, very pleased!

Having missed out on the warmer months last year while I was honeymooning in America, I feel I am long overdue for some warm golden days and breezy light-filled evenings... oh rapture!

Springtime always seems to bring with it this wonderful sense of unfolding. New ideas start bursting out as blossoms do...

sigh...

BIG HAIR...

2010-08-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

This little post is about BIG hair.

...And how much I am digging it at the moment! Especially beehives and other sky-high up dos...

My little obsession has come from my divinely hot mama friend L'amour and her incredible bouffant styles she always has going on, what a bombshell! How could anyone resist wanting to look like this amazing woman!
This first pic is of her pre-baby and the second one with her most beautiful and delightful little family!

What a total babe! Gah!!!

I think it would be criminal to has a blog post on big hair without an honorable mention of the heart-meltingly sexy Brigitte Bardot... this photo makes me weak at the knees I tell you...

I also must feature to honey-voiced Dusty Springfield and her equally honey toned and impressive 'do.

Another songstress with immaculate hair, Mary Wells... what a beauty... sigh...

An Alexander McQueen catwalk creation channelling Elizabethan glamour...

No wonder Marie Antoinette was always smiling, she had AWESOME HAIR!

Some unknown, but nonetheless deluxe hairdos! I particularly love love love number 2, this is what I want to look like!! weeeeee!!!

This is me, today... hurrah!

And now for something to give you a cackle... Someone I loath almost as much as Delta Goodrem... don't ask why, just giggle... x

Do you love big hair? what 'do are you rocking at the moment? Do tell!

NOIR REVUE _ Sydney Fringe Festival

2010-08-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

Sarina del Fuego and Sydney Fringe present Noir Revue.

Darker than shadows and steamier than a warm lamp lit street after the rain, Noir Revue will take you back to a time when men were men and femmes were fatale.

Noir Revue is produced by Sarina del Fuego and starring the sensational Sarina del Fuego, ravishing Rosy Rabbit, kissable Kelly Ann Doll, mesmerizing Missy, sultry Scarlett Jezebel, tempting Tiger Lilly and more to be announced.

There is a cliché in the cabaret world: 'leave your troubles at the door'. Imagine an underground club where it is alright to wear your troubles on your sleeve. That will be the "Noir Revue", from the moment you meet with the moody door girl to the dark and blues-filled performances on stage in dance and in song. Tragic beauties, sinister fellows and dames you wouldn't want to mess with. Like stepping back in to the age of Jazz or a Film Noir musical.

As part of The Sydney Fringe Festival, Noir Revue will be held at Cleveland Street Theatre on the following dates.

Wednesday 15th September, 8pm
Featuring The Blue Angel, Missy, Paloma Negra, Baby Blue Bergman, Venus Vamp.

Monday 20 September, 8pm
Featuring Rosy Rabbit, Sarina del Fuego, Kelly Ann Doll, Paloma Negra.

Wednesday 22 September, 9.30pm
Featuring Missy, Rosy Rabbit, Paloma Negra, Sarina del Fuego.

Thursday 23 September, 9.30pm
Featuring Rosy Rabbit, Sarina del Fuego, Missy, Paloma Negra.

Saturday 25 September, 5pm
Featuring Sarina del Fuego, Rosy Rabbit, Missy, Scarlett Jezebel, Miss Tiger Lilly (TAS)

Sunday 26 September, 9.30pm
Featuring Sarina del Fuego, Rosy Rabbit, Missy, Scarlett Jezebel, Miss Tiger Lilly (TAS)

TICKETS:
Adult: $24.00
Concession: $20.00

Click here for online bookings.

GORELESQUE 2

2010-08-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Following on from last years brilliant sold out first edition, the highly anticipated Gorelesque II promised to be everything and more than its predecessor!

The crowd was dressed to the nines and the drinks were to die for! All the freaks and creeps where out on patrol and ready to feed on the bloody, gorey mess of hotness that ensued!

Thank you to the wonderful brains and beauty of Vesper White and Miss Nic for putting the show together!

A few weeks prior to the night we had all risen early on a Sunday morning (the horror!) to film what was masterfully turned into the opening sequence to 2010's production of Gorelesque II. Written by Vesper White, Directed by Nick Turner and Vesper White, Editing by Nick Turner, Film Assistant Patrick Waring.

Gorelesque II Opening Video from Gorelesque on Vimeo.

As the show was a complete sell-out there where many of you who missed out, so here is a little teaser... keep your eyes out for an encore show in the next couple of months!

Thanks to the ever-talented and cheery photographer Angela Mcconnell, you can see more of her amazing work here. Really, go have a look, she is amazing!

Now... the evidence...

Vesper White

Betty Blood

Rosy Rabbit

Foxtrot India

Rod Lara

Tank

La Viola Vixen

Anton De Lorde and Madame Natalia

Miss Nic

Shimmy Shake!

2010-08-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, another month has gone by in the blink of an eye!

This months installment of Melbourne's newest night, Shimmy Shake has some red hot hotties dancing to a live jazz quartet, showgirls, delish cocktails and now that its on a friday night you have no excuse...

The stars:
Dolores Daiquiri
Sapphira
Rosy Rabbit
Poppy Cherry
Foxtrot India

And special guests:
Kitty Van Horne (Sydney)
Cat of Nine Tails

Date: FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Doors: 7pm
Show: 9pm
Venue: Red Bennies
373 Chapel St South Yarra 3141
Cost: $25 plus bf or $20 before 8pm

You can ofcourse check out more info on the website or Facebook.

See you there!

xx RR

Shimmy Shake!

2010-07-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night the very first Shimmy Shake went down at Red Bennies.

Happily, next month we are moving to a Friday night which will be even better!

my co-producers of the Australian Burlesque Festival, Dolores Daiquiri and Sapphira, put on a fantastic show and all the performances were a knock out.
We had the pleasure of performing with a fantastic little jazz trio and boy oh boy is it nice to have live music to dance to!

Also performing on the night were Dolores Daiquiri, Sapphira, Foxtrot India, Poppy Cherry, Lux St Sin and MC Andrew Mcllennan.

Showgirls you ask? showgirls their were! Foxtrot India and I swanned around on stage as Sapphira sang to the fabulous band, and we have more showgirl antics planned for next month!

From next month Shimmy Shake will be on the first Friday night of each month, getting the weekend and the month off to a shimmy shakin' good time!

For tickets and more info go here.

Taking the leap...

2010-07-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

This year has really woken me up to the fact that I need to make some decisions about my life, the directions I want to take and the fact that I need to organise myself better! Through the festival preparations I was still working on all of my personal projects as well as working part time, and it was a struggle!
I want to share with you my thoughts on the process of turning your dreams into reality, your hobby into a career. Its certainly not easy and I have seen so many friends work their fingers to the bone getting their dreams off the ground. But here is the state that I am in:

I have been doing burlesque for over 4 years now, and the question arises: When does a hobby turn in to a career? And more importantly, how can you make this transition smoothly? There have been so many times I have doubted myself, my skills, my dreams... on a daily basis really. I certainly never though that doing burlesque could be any sort of career. But over time I found myself investing in a future, with new props and costumes, travel and finding new and creative ways to raise the funds to do these things I want to.

For a long time I maintained a full-time job as well as doing burlesque. It was a terrible telemarketing position, but my idea was that if I had a mindless, boring day job I would be able to invest all my creative energy and inspiration into the things I was passionate about. Good idea in theory, but in actual fact the constant boredom and depressing atmosphere had quite the opposite effect and I found myself so drained and down at the end of the day that all I could muster the energy for was to order take-out, flop on the sofa and watch TV. Horrid.
To be honest, even now that I am only working part-time in a much less awful environment, I still find it takes away from me being the creative, inspired person I know I have the potential to be.

So this brings me to the reason it is so difficult to ditch the day job and be a full-time artist... MONEY. Probably the number one source of depression, fear and frustration in the western world. We are so conditioned to believe that being "financially secure" is one of the most important things in life. This is one dogmatic idea that I have found seriously hard to shake. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of spending 50 years of my life working 9-5 in a job I loathe simply to have nice things, that is one of the most ridiculously materialistic sacrifices we make, to give up your life in order to have a nice car, a pretty house and designer clothes. BUT, and it is a big but, it doesn't stop me from having a panic attack when I get an exceptionally large phone bill or can't pay the rent...

So this is when your average burlesque dancer realises that she needs to be more than just a dancer if she wants to support herself. Especially in Australia where gigs are not that easy to come by and certainly not enough to sustain any sort of standard of living. Whether its teaching classes, making costumes or putting on events, if burlesque is your lively-hood, you need to make it work for you. You need to create your own brand and market yourself as you would any product or service. It doesn't pay to be shy or under-sell yourself, if you are getting booked for gigs you want it to be because you are a professional and high quality performer, and not just because you are cheaper than the act they really want to book.

So you do these things to make yourself stand out from the crowd and you are at the point where I am, working part-time, juggling producing shows, performing, designing costumes, traveling, trying to be a half-way decent partner and friend... its HARD. Like any creative venture, you can end up obsessing over things and leaving zero time for healthy relationships let alone any semblance of "me time". Some days I will get up, spend 2-3 hours replying to emails and working on projects, go to work in the shop for 8 hours, then go straight to a gig and not get home till 1:00am.. that is a 17 hour day. That is also not very healthy physically or emotionally, right?

So when do you take that leap? When do you ditch the day job and allow your dreams to become your reality? It is so hard to take a risk that might end up in financial ruin, or worse: FAILURE (this is a big one for me.)But if you don't focus everything on your goals you are never able to put in 100%, and how can you expect to get 100% if you can't give it?

So I guess the answer is that there is never a good time, you just have to do it and hope for the best, and hope that your friends and family still love you even though you haven't always the wife/daughter/buddy that you could be...

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

x RR

Shimmy Shake!

2010-06-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Do you like your burlesque glamorous, sophisticated, fun and naughty? Then 'Shimmy Shake' is the show for you.
This Sunday is the first of what will become a monthly installment at Red Bennies with yours truly as a resident performer.

Showcasing:
Melbourne's burlesque elite
Sassy chorus line showgirls
Opulent classic tease
Seductive live jazz band

Resident artists
Dolores Daiquiri
Sapphira
Rosy Rabbit
Foxtrot India
Poppy Cherry
plus special guests Lux St Sin

Presented by the co-producers of the HUGELY successful 'Australian Burlesque Festival' Dolores Daiquiri & Sapphira.

First show Sunday 4th July!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Bama-Lama!

2010-06-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I performed at the hot box that is Bama-Lama!
The miserable weather seemed only to get folks more rowdy and there was much dancing and hollering!

Thanks for having me guys!

xx

For the love of tassels...

2010-06-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

One aspect of being a burlesque performer that makes me a very happy gal and feeds my creativity is the constant costuming that takes place... lusting for crystals rhinestones and silk trims, scanning op-shops for jeweled brooches to make a perfect centrepiece on a bralette... It all pays off when you get to pull together something breath-taking and take that first step onstage to debut your newest creation!

I like to create most of my costumes from top to toe, meaning everything from hand sewn corsets to painstaking beading is lovingly tended to and more often than not sends me into fits of frustration working out new patterns and un-picking miles of dodgy starts.

So yes, it can be a love/hate affair at times pulling a whole ensemble together, but the one thing I always adore without fail is making the nipple tassels! An experienced pastie-maker should be able to knock up a pair of beauties whilst watching a good movie on the couch with a big pot of tea and some cake.

When making a new costume I always leave the tassels as the last thing, they should be the icing on the costume-cake! The cherries on top!

There are endless methods of tassel making, and I use lots of different ones, infact I doubt that any of them are the same come to think of it!
For example, for good spinners you need a very stiff base with a high peak so they can twirl for days, or sometime a soft backing is good as I find it is much easier to make them stay stuck. between you and me, in a rush to get a pair done at the last minute I once used cardboard from a box of oatmeal... The burlesque dancer is a industrious breed...

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my handy-work and also some lovely ones that I have stumbled across!

Made for Melbourne Burlesquer, Cat of Nine Tails for her debut performance at the ABF's Baby Bombshells!

Made for the lovely Laura

A selection of well-loved Rosy Rabbits!

Some of L'amours to-die-for numbers

Etsy love! Autumn Luciano creations-so cute!!! see them here

These little fellows blow my mind a little... I really admire the intricate folding, this would take a lot of patience and practice! There are some amazing other silken origami creations at ClytemnestrasCloset ... Sigh...

Desert anyone?!?
Charlotte Harlot has some of the cutest pasties I have ever seen, including mini cowboy hats and poker face pasties!

So there you have it... the joy of nipple tassel and pastie making!
I hope I have inspired you to get out some pretty sequins and hack up a box of cereal to create something from vixen to siren to sweet as Cherry pie!... and on that note....

Sweet dreams, I'm off to bed...

xx RR

2010-06-18T01:10:00.000-07:00

Although an enourmous post-festival entry is on its way I thought I would share something very special with you... a new and simply devine little blog witten by my dear friend, Miss L'amour!

As well as scrumtious little tid-bits on her favourite things, you can also see her wonderful bedazzled creations which she custom makes for an ever-expanding list of customers...

All her items are super cute, hand-sewn with love and ooze luxurious glamour! Check out the gorgeous cream and dusty pink silk garter from the gold leaf charm series below... sigh...

So go and take a peep...

misslamour.blogspot.com

Meghan O'Hehir Photgraphy

2010-05-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked by the very talented Meghan O'Hehir to do some lovely 1920's inspired photos...

While I was there I asked her if she would pretty please take a couple of pics in my favourite costume of the moment and this is what happened! Love!

The Australian Burlesque Festival 2010

2010-05-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

The festival is coming up very quickly and I am furiously bedazzling in the hope to have my costume up to scratch for my performance! I am fortunate to have the help of my wonderful friend and talented bedazzler, the lovely L'amour. We have had many a day of sequining and endless cups of tea (between me emailing and making phone calls!) to get the job done! L'amour has astounded me at her generosity of time, energy and support especially when she is very soon to be bringing a little baby into the world!!

It has been a massive learning curve to produce such a large scale event and have been truly blessed with a wonderful team of co-producers. We have been working round the clock (often to the detriment of the rest of our lives, partners, jobs etc!) to make the most wonderful event for audiences and performers alike...

This evening the four of us; Dolores Daiquiri, Sapphira and Chaz Royal had our first face to face meeting since Chaz only arrived from London last week. It was such a treat to all sit down and talk about everything after the trillions of emails that have zipped across the world back and forth. I am pleased as punch with our little gang!

So, on that note, if you haven't already got your tickets I suggest you be quick about it or you won't get one! The Gala "Big Tease" in Melbourne has sold out and all other events are hurtling towards the same thing!

All the info is on our website here.

I HATE VOLCANOES

2010-04-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

There really isn't much to say other than due to the Volcano is Iceland I will not be performing at the London Burlesque Festival 2010.
A little heartbroken...

The Australian Burlesque Festival 2010

2010-03-26T00:24:00.000-07:00

Over the past 6 months or so I have been working very hard on the biggest project I have endeavored yet! - The first Annual International Australian Burlesque Festival!

It is really a labour of love and co-producers Chaz Royal, Dolores Daiquiri and Sapphira have been pouring the love in let me tell you!

We now have the full line-up announced and with tickets going on sale very soon we are so very excited! Its truly going to be an extraordinary experience for performers and patrons alike with something for everyone including workshops for those wanting to give it a go!

Make sure you take a peek at the website!

Need a website or branding?

2010-03-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

The amazing Le Sphinx is having a sale at the moment for all the burlesque performers!
Check it out, she is a very talented lady and for a limited time you can get her services for a really reasonable price...see some of her work here.

2010-03-12T04:08:00.000-08:00

So much going on in my life at the moment! I have not stopped since returning from the US, but I feel as though I hit the ground running and great things are happening!

My most important project coming up is co-producing the first annual Australian Burlesque Festival in June, and it is a massive task, but we are getting there and its shaping up to knock some serious socks off!

If you haven't checked it out yet, drop past the website here!

Thats all for now.. I'm really going to try and catch up on things and get some more photos of recent performances up but for now, BED! (after I finish some sewing... ai!)

xx

Rosy Rabbit Goes To London!

2010-03-04T19:01:00.000-08:00

Little Rosy Rabbit has been invited to perform at this years London Burlesque Week, and needs your help to get there!

So in true burlesque style that means lets have a party!

Sunday March 21st @ Miss Libertines, 34 Franklin St Melb.

$15 -for presale tickets please visit my myspace page - www.myspace.com/missrosyrabbit

Entertainment from 8pm including:

CASKET RADIO (live duo) http://www.myspace.com/introducingcasketradio
LEON THOMAS (Live) www.myspace.com/leonthomasmelbourne
LOWBROW DJ's

Burlesque acts starring:
Dolores Daquiri
Sarah Lea Cheesecake
Samantha Diamond
Kelly Ann Doll
Vesper White
Frankie Valentine
Miss Nic
Poppy Cherry
Rosy Rabbit
and more!

PLUS...

go in to the draw to win a droolworthy prize from one of our amazingly fabulous sponsors...

A double pass for the season return of THE RUBY REVUE (http://www.jacbowie.com)

Gift Vouchers from:
HOPELESS LINGERIE - $200 (www.hopelesshotel.com.au)
PETA PLEDGER - $250 + Other treats! (http://www.petapledger.com)
BLUE ATTIC - $50 (http://www.blueattic.com.au)

Gifts from:
OUTRE GALLERY (http://www.outregallery.com)
and something for the fellows....
INSOMNIA SKATEBOARDS (http://www.insomniaskates.com)

Phew! What a night! Its going to be a hot-house of fun so make sure you come along and please invite all your Melbourne friends!!

xx

Photos from Gorelesque

2009-09-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night Noise bar was over run with vampires, zombies and gimps... and that was before the shows started!
Was fantastic to see so many people get dressed up and the place was pretty darn packed!
Backstage was a riot on slime and blood as some amazingly gory and inventive routines were showcased... take a peek!
Miss Nic treated us to a vampiric version on the old martini glass number, bathing in a coffin filled with blood and instead of the requisite olive sponge scooped and splashed with a charming severed head.
Our charming hosts entertained as Vesper White took to the stage in my personal favourite of her routines, "Octopussy". Vesper has such a huge stage presence its impossible to tear your eyes away as she shimmies the house down!
Samantha Diamond treated us to a zombie school girl routine, the statuesque beauty let her hair down to wild roars from the crowd...
New comer Jasper Jewel drew gasps as a blood-soaked and forlorn soon to be widow...
I was carried on stage wrapped in Gladwrap and dripping wet by two lovely gentlemen. Slowly un-winding from the plastic wrap and drizzling slime I debut my very first "horror routine! what fun!
Velma Valentine drew howls from the audience with her Voodoo Wild Woman dance, never did leopard print look so good!
Miss Nic returned to the stage in "Miss Druscilla Monte'Carlo" and Vesper White capped of the shows with "Little Bo Wolf"
It was a great night and congratulations to Miss Nic and Vesper White on their first ever production, a Gorey time was had by all!

Notorious Dames - Helen McLean

2009-08-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Helen McLean has done it again, or should I say is doing it with this amazing exhibition coming up next year...

Helen is a very busy girls around town with her own web design and photographic studio Limelight Design Studios as well as being the mastermind of the fabulous Ink & Lead Life Drawing, an art class in the vein of the worldwide phenominon Dr. Sketchy's.

Based on 1930s/40s Film Noir, complete with femme fatales, weapons and hot rods – these images will be presented in black + white with a splash of red – inspired by one of my favourite movies directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, Sin City.

So Keep you eyes peeled for more details and updates here.

The Gangsters’ Ball

2009-08-24T16:10:00.001-07:00

The Gangsters’ Ball 2008 was an amazing success, selling out 700 tickets some 4 weeks in advance with nearly 200 people queuing at the door for up to 3 hours to purchase the remaining 50 tickets… It was widely regarded by those who attended as “the best event of its type ever held in Sydney” and voted by the Drum Media Street Press Magazine in it's 2008 Readers Poll Edition as the “best Swing/Rockabilly Event of 2008”.

The promoters are extremely excited to announce the following stellar line-up for 2009:

Special Guest MC/Performer: Meow Meow! (New York’s world renowned Cabaret Starlet)

Live Band: The Velvet Set 10-piece Swing Band (Australia’s most dynamic swing band)

Burlesque & Cabaret: (with city of performance)
Bree Robertson (Contortionist) - Syd
Imogen Kelly (burlesque/aerials) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Lola the Vamp (burlesque) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Tasia (burlesque) - Syd & Melb
Mark Winmill (cabaret/hula hoops/aerials) - Syd & Bris
Sarina Del Fuego (burlesque) - Syd & Bris
The Birdmann (vaudeville cabaret) - Melb
Kitty Van Horne (singing burlesque) - Syd
Rosy Rabbit (burlesque) - Syd & Bris
Frankie Valentine (burlesque) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Hi Ball Burlesque (burlesque troupe) - Melb
Laura la Reyna (cabaret/hula hoops/aerials) - Melb
B.B. le Buff (burlesque) - Bris
La Viola Vixen (burlesque) - Bris

Swing Dancing Performances: (with city of performance)
Swing Patrol Performance Troupe - Syd & Melb
Swingtime Performance Troupe - Syd
Swing Dance Brisbane - Bris

Every show also features:

DJ’s: The country’s best Swing, Rockabilly and 50’s Rock & Roll DJ’s including Limpin’ Jimmy & the Swingin’ Kitten (Syd) & Jack Shit (FBI Radio - Syd).

The Gambling Den: FREE Poker, Roulette and Black Jack tables

Dance Competitions: Swing and 50’s Rock & Roll dancing contests with great prizes

Plus: Cigarette girls & pin-up models, merchandise stalls, cocktail bar, themed photo booth and fantastic prizes for the best dressed, best dancers and lucky door

Dress Code: Strictly Gangster, Moll, Flapper, Burlesque & Vintage…
more info www.gangstersball.com.au

GORELESQUE!

2009-08-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

In my first attempts at Horror Burlesque, my brand new routine will be something between drown victim and japanese bondage! I'm very excited to debut this puppy as should you be to see it and all the other Melbourne burlesque beauties about to get blood-soaked and slime crusted...

A NIGHT OF ROCK'N'ROLL, BOOZE, BEER BLOOD AND BABES!

KING CANNONS FEATURE AS THE GUEST BAND ON A NIGHT OF "GORE" and TOUNGE IN CHEEK PERFORMANCES FROM....

MELBOURNES DARLING ROSY RABBIT

SCREAM QUEEN MISS VESPER WHITE,

TATTOOED TREASURE MISS NIC,

SPARKLING CUTEY JASPER LA JEWEL

BURLESQUE BEAUTY VELMA VALENTINA

AND THE SENSATIONAL SAMAMTHA DIAMOND!.

THIS SHOW IS BOUND TO MAKE YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR!!

SO HOW MUCH DOES ONE PAY FOR THIS PRIME RIB SHOW?

$10 ENTRY!

Incarnations of Rosy Rabbit (some oldies but goodies!)

2009-07-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

FLASH FACTION

2009-07-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Calling all superheroes, secret agents and space cadets! Join us as we part the Iron Curtain for a one-night celebration of neo-constructivist design, agit-pop fashion, and over the wall performance.

East meets West in an atomic blast of Cold War chic, space-age hysteria and paramilitary excess as Melbourne's newest late-night hideout is invaded by the political party of the year.

Hear: late 70s Neurodisko, East German gogo, Avant-space rock, All-American garage pop and Cold-War soundscapes by Sam Wareing and DJs Ms Emma Peel, Hannah Fox and Master Bedroom

See: Costume and concept by FAD Productions, Set and performance design by Supple Fox featuring Sveta Dobranoch and her vodka swilling cheersquad, Marawa the Amazing on batons, Russian Goldiloks, the White Rose Resistance and other surprises too good to tell!

Dress: Choose your camp and be ready to cheer as Mother Russia and Uncle Sam come head to head in a performance-off of nuclear proportions, or sit on the fence - while it lasts.

Tix $20 through http://www.flashfaction.org/

Design Festival: http://www.stateofdesign.com.au/events/design-for-everyone/flash-faction/#e309

Berlin Bar: http://www.berlinbar.com.au/

Humble beginings and Modern Burlesque

2009-07-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have been involved in theatre for as long as I can remember, the first grand entrance being as a dwarf policeman in the musical “Sweeny Todd”. I was a member of a youth theatre company all through school competed in everything I could get my paws on from Eisteddfods and Shakespeare festivals to Short film competitions and back yard clay-mation.

I clearly remember going to my first burlesque show, and from that day on it has been a little obsession of mine! To see this woman on stage absorbed in the simple task of removing a glove I was breathless. She had the whole audience eating out of the palm of her hand and she had only just walked on stage. With a flick of the wrist and a bump of the hip she tore down any inhibitions remaining in the audience and left a mess of hollering, flush-cheeked and grinning woman and men with a glow and a spice that I still don’t have a name for.

This, I thought to myself, this is what something I might try.

And I did.

Burlesque has grown so much since the original 1950’s strip-tease shows and is now truly becoming a contempory and constantly evolving art form which can be as political and thought-provoking as it is titillating and entertaining.

Burlesque is one of the only performing arts that I know of where the performer has complete creative control of her show from choreography, to costume and set design, to sound design, marketing, scripting, character development and styling. She has 3-5 minutes to engage the audience, win them over, navigate the logistics of corsets and garter removal, entertain, seduce and (something I am still working on) twirl her nipple tassels to high heaven! This whole production is then packed neatly into a vintage suitcase and lugged on teetering heels from show to show.

The Modern burlesquette is a creative and fiercely independent woman. Burlesque is blossoming in every corner of the globe, from New York to Copenhagen, Shanghai to Tasmania. There are so many opportunities for performers, and if there are none I bet your bottom dollar that they will create one for themselves.