Sat June 9 Carolina Sweet Tease Showcase & Pageant
Sweet Tease Pageant Round 1 Emcee Baroness von Schmalhausen
Under the big top and over the rainbow, I was born in a traveling circus. My mother was the lady on the flying trapeze, my father was the ringmaster – the performers were my playmates and the sideshow was my fantasy world. While on the European jaunt of our worldwide tour, my parents shared with me our family secret. We were runaway royalty, heirs to a Hungarian castle overtaken by The Ottoman Empire. Armed with a title, and a desire to perform – I set out on my own journey to the stage inspired by my circus upbringing and passion for the comedic burlesque.
Sweet Tease Pageant Round 2 Emcee Big Gay James
Big Gay James was born one chilly Iowa morning October 11th 1980. Some say his first words were a fart joke, others say it was simply the phrase "fuck off", but regardless it was clear from the get go that he had a lot to say. After a pilgrimage with his family to East Tennessee in the early ...90s, Big Gay James (or Little Big Gay James at the time) began to show interest in acting. His ever encouraging and supportive mother took him to the local playhouse where he landed a small but crucial part in the first show he auditioned for. He continued to blaze a trail through the community theater circuit where he had the pleasure to work with outstanding performers from across the country. In the summer of 2001 BGJ had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Siren Santina. He knew in that moment that she would help change his life forever. They began a whirlwind love affair (the kind that only a gay man and a female opera loving, vintage BMW driving, classic British television aficionado could have) that would rival the classics. For years he sat in the audience in awe of her talent as a singer, and eventually a Burlesque performer. Sitting in on a rehearsal on a fall evening in 2008 BGJ decided it was his turn to have a crack at the bat. He partnered with the infamous Weird Alice and began to wright and act in original sketch comedy for Salome Cabaret. This eventually lead to him taking over hosting duties, turning him into the Emcee you know and love today.
Sweet Tease Pageant
Cherry Von Bomb Charlotte NC
This lil southern firecracker combines ballroom dance, razzmatazz, and punk-rock infused choreography in her own brand of classic burlesque and sideshow concoctions. She has performed all over the USA, participating in national touring acts and has been selected for several burlesque festivals. Cherry loves to perform for any kind of audience and loves the odd things in life. Eyes flutter and hearts putter, sweeter than a maraschino, Cherry Von Bomb!
Iris Le'Mour Dallas TX
Iris Le’Mour, also known as the "Exotic Flower of Burlesque", is a native
born Texan infamous for her dangerous curves that have been known to
drive men and women into a state of carnal frenzy. She possesses the
four B’s that are necessary for a woman to succeed – beauty, brains,
boobs, and booty. Staying true to the Texan girl in me, I keep
everything big – big hair, big smile, big props, and BIG personality. I
entered burlesque with a bang debuting in the Nouvelle Burlesque
Competition and walking away with the title. I also won 2nd Place in the
Newcomer Division of the 2010 Texas Burlesque Festival,took Most
Sensual Award at Dallas Burlesque Festival 2012, and is the current
reigning Miss Burlesque America. These are hopefully the first of many
awards I hope to receive. With each show I try to grow into a better
performer, doing my best to learn everything that those have come before
me have to teach. I have an insatiable hunger for the music, stage,
and, who could forget, the sparkles of Burlesque. I see myself being
involved in the Burlesque scene for as long as they will have me in it.
Cherie Blondell Columbus OH
Growing up on a tropical island, Cherie began performing at the tender age of three in her father's magic show. She performed over the years in theatre as a young dancer and actress, eventually branching out into burlesque. She began performing with The Ooh-La-Las Burlesque in 2008. Cherie's performance style ranges from classic burlesque to a more theatrical version, which is a result of her background in theatre. She choreographs all of her routines, as well as many of The Ooh-La-Las' group routines. As a model, she specializes in pinup and boudoir, and has been known to perform as a Marilyn Monroe tribute artist on occasion. Ever creating and expanding her repertoire, Cherie is the blonde that will make YOU have more fun!
Laura Desiree Toronto Ontario
From the lips of two lovers in a smokey exchange was birthed the vixen herself. Part femme fatale part leading lady, Laura Desiree began her cabaret career as a Go-Go dancer in the dingy dives and colourful drag clubs of lower Manhattan. Polishing her skill and persona under the careful guidance of Miss Jo Boobs Weldon and Miss Calamity Chang, she began her burlesque reincarnation. Relocating back to her hometown of Toronto, Ontario, she hit the pavement running, creating her own unique cabaret production company entitled, Vamps Like Us, a burlesque collective that stages monthly conceptual gala's as well a corporate and private functions. Wearing two hats, she produces and performs in the shows in order to execute the utmost fantasies.
Mona del Rio Denver, CO
In 2008, Miss Mona del Rio began her journey as a burlesque performer. Mona has performed in small burlesque productions around Colorado. In 2012, she was accepted to perform in the 2012 Colorado Burlesque Festival. She is now a guest performer at Lannies Clocktower Cabaret. Miss Mona del Rio has a culture-rich burlesque style. She digs deep within her cultural roots for inspiration. Mona’s Mexican-inspired dances are energetic, passionate, multi-dimensional and unique. She aims to incorporate sexy with culture. This vixen is a princess of Latin burlesque, and proudly waves her colors hoping to open the doors for more and more performers to embrace their own colors.
Eva Mae Garnet San Diego CA
Born in the back of a caravan, in a notorious gypsy camp this lass came out with sass. Her mother was a fire swinging belly dancer, while her father sailed the seven seas with his damned crew. Every couple of months, he would send her bits of clothe, rhinestones, and jewels. This would soon become her first costume, empowering her with the ability to shimmy her way into any audiences heart.Now here in San Diego, Eva took her first jump into pasties in 2010 with Hell on Heels Burlesque Revue. Since then, she has danced at various events including Tease-O-Rama and Ink-N-Iron and is quickly setting the city ablaze. She is now a proud member of San Diego’s own Drop Dead Dames Burlesque Revue and ready to ignite her way throughout the world!
Smokin McQueen Pittsburgh PA
Smokin' McQueen has been performing his own style of male vaudeville burlesque for over six years. He has performed all over the US, Europe, and Australia, and was featured on Season 3 of TV's America's Got Talent. A true southern gentleman, Smokin' hails from Greensboro, North Carolina. His childhood summers were spent under a grand magnolia tree sipping mint juleps, smoking the finest southern tobacco, and humming classic Dixieland tunes. It was here, under the influence of too much moonshine, that Smokin' realized his fondness for taking off his clothes. Thus, the tobacco states favorite son became a burlesque stripper.
Dot Mitzvah New Haven CT
Born from a delirious one-night stand between a rabbi from Flatbush Avenue and a Lotte Lenya impersonator, Dot Mitzvah bravely carves a place in the burlesque world with a mix of comedy, music, and good ol' fashioned cheesecake.As a burlesque artist, Dot has has had the honor of performing with the New York School of Burlesque, Kitty Nights NYC, Bon Appetit Burlesque, Brick City Burlesque, and many other venues. She was a featured performer at the First Annual Boston Burlesque Marathon in 2010, won "Best Hybrid Performance" at 2012's Great Burlesque Exposition, "Best Variety Act" at 2012's Great Southern Exposure Pageant, and was a finalist at the 2012 World Burlesque Games in London. Dot will be a part of the Windy City, New York, and Montreal Burlesque Fests in 2012. She was also featured in the documentary "The Road Less Traveled".
Dangrr Doll Brooklyn NY
Born from a background in theater and costuming as well as a near-obsession with fantasy novels and video games, Dangrrr Doll has been a performance artist and burlesque dancer since 2006. Known as the Twisted Beauty of New York City, Dangrrr brings classic beauty combined with pop culture savvy and a dose of heavy metal to the stage. Dangrrr is the co-producer of RAWR! Burlesque, a regular performer with D20 Burlesque and Gotham Burlesque, and can frequently be seen at such well known NYC venues as Webster Hall and the Slipper Room. She is the winner of “Most Humorous Act” at the 2013 Boston Burlesque Expo, and is also the 2012 NYBF Golden Pastie Award winner of “Cutest Geek in Burlesque”.
Rosie Cheeks New York, NY
Hailing from Asheville, NC, where she grew up as a farmgirl, Rosie quickly traded her overalls for evening gowns when she came of age. She has graced stages in South Korea, and all over the United States as a Follies girl. After growing weary of the musical theatre life, Rosie tried her hand at burlesque, and fell in love! Rosie currently resides in New York City, where she performs regularly at Dances of Vice, The Slipper Room, and other various NYC stages. As it's one of her favorite cities, Rosie is thrilled to be performing in Charleston!
Nipsy Tussle Knoxville TN
Nipsy Tussle is a burlesque performer, cabaret singer, twirler, dancer, silly spitfire, producing member of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School: Knoxville, dance educator, choreographer and producer from Knoxville, Tennessee. Proud member of the burlesque and vaudeville variety troupe Salomé Cabaret she and her troupe-mates have proudly strutted throughout the states and are available for performance and instructional engagements at a location near you! Nipsy is thefounder and creative director of The Follies Girls (unique showgirl troupe), and has performed with Biz'Cirque. Nipsy is blessed to have shared the stage with such icons as Jo "Boobs" Weldon, Miss Dirty Martini (Miss Exotic World 2004), and the luscious ladies of Dangerous Curves Ahead, she has also been estatic to have studied and taken classes from some of the biggest names in burlesque including Satan's Angel, Indigo Blue (Miss Exotic World 2011), Perle Noire to name only a few and is dedicated to the goals and vision of Burly-Con Seattle in promoting burlesque and educating.
Franki Markstone Saint Petersburg , FL
Franki Marstone hails from the sunny state of Florida. Franki is known as one of the most beloved and influential performers in the LGBT community. Her outrageous costumes and vivacious energy has been captivating audiences for over ten years. Not to mention her very unique tassel isolation(s). Always striving to bring pop culture and old era glamour together in one, Franki Marstone is sure to dance, skip, tease, and bounce her way into your heart.
Panama Red Los Angeles, CA
Panama Red has had an ongoing love affair with burlesque for nearly five years. The costumes, rhinestones, and rebelliousness drew her to the art form. Panama's style is greatly influenced by burlesque of the 60's and 70's. Her seductive abilities, suggestive moves, and need to be nude have given her the tagline, "Smokin' Hot!" Her home is Los Angeles, CA and she is a troupe member of Victory Variety Hour, currently in it's 7th year. She is an instructor for All-Starr Burlesque classes headed by Penny Starr, Jr. Panama Red has performed in various burlesque festivals around the country including most recently the Windy City Burlesque Festival and the SouthWest Burlesque Showcase in Albuquerque.
Lil Steph Philadelphia PA
The Criminally Cute Lil' Steph is one of Philadelphia's leading burlesque performers as well as the founder and co- producer of Bravissimo Burlesque. Lil' Steph was the resident go-go vixen at Philly's legendary Fast Cheap and Out of Control for 9 years and is now a resident at The Dolphin Tavern. As one of Philadelphia's most sought after performers she has performed at such local events as Diabolique Fetish Ball, the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, Carnivolution Dr. Sketchy's Philly, the Philadlpehia Fringe Festival's Late Nite Cabaret, and has done guest spots with Philadelphia's award winning troupe The Peek-A-Boo Revue.
Lil' Steph has brought her adorable stage presence to venues and shows up and down the Eastern Seaboard! She has performed at Palace of Wonders and Red Palace,Mojo 13, Slipper Room, Public Assembly, Tamany Hall, Bowery Poetry Club and Cha Cha's. She has appeared in such shows as Brick City Burlesque,Drunken Dragon Nights, Spanking the Lower East Side, Room 69, Shaken and Stirred, Kitty Nights, Tilted Torch, Party in a Box, and Ball Drop. In addition Lil' Steph has performed in festivals like The Burlesque Hall of Fame, Philly's Burlesque-n-Beyond, The PA Burlesque Festival and The Coney Island Rockabilly Festival.
Lil' Steph has brought her adorable stage presence to venues and shows up and down the Eastern Seaboard! She has performed at Palace of Wonders and Red Palace,Mojo 13, Slipper Room, Public Assembly, Tamany Hall, Bowery Poetry Club and Cha Cha's. She has appeared in such shows as Brick City Burlesque,Drunken Dragon Nights, Spanking the Lower East Side, Room 69, Shaken and Stirred, Kitty Nights, Tilted Torch, Party in a Box, and Ball Drop. In addition Lil' Steph has performed in festivals like The Burlesque Hall of Fame, Philly's Burlesque-n-Beyond, The PA Burlesque Festival and The Coney Island Rockabilly Festival.
Pan D'Orable Knoxville TN
Pan D'Orable is the dancing bear of the award winning Salome Cabaret from Knoxville, TN. Having grown up in both traditional and musical theater, he shirked the stage in his late teens, opting to just live his life theatrically everyday. In 2012, he made his triumphant return to the stage with Salome Cabaret, and he hasn't looked back since. Being a larger, hairy fella, he considers what he does "bearlesque" and enjoys entertaining while presenting his unconventional beauty. He just recently made his festival debut at the 2013 Southern Fried Burlesque festival, and he's hungry for more. And as we all know, there's nothing more dangerous than a hungry bear.
Hayley Jane
A self-proclaimed burlesque addict, Hayley Jane delights in gorging herself on all the information she can find regarding the history of erotic entertainment. Since her burlesque debut in November 2008, she has stripped up and down the East Coast, and performed alongside 2010 Exotic World Roxi D’Lite as well as Tigger!, Julie Atlas Muz, and Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey. She doesn’t plan on kicking the habit anytime soon.
Sweet Tease Showcase
Fonda Lingue Atlanta GA
Fonda Lingue hails from Atlanta, GA after a lengthy career as a professional ballet dancer. She was a featured performer and judge at last year's Carolina Burlesque Festival and in 2010 was crowned King of Burlesque at The Great Southern Exposure. She produces The Jewel Box Revue in Atlanta as well as teaches at Studio Burlesque. She regularly performs and teaches at festivals and venues throughout the world.
Annabella Lugosi San Antonio TX
A little angel with devil horns, Miss Lugosi has over a decade of performance art experience under her garter belt. In 2009, she formed The Scarlet Darlings, a classic vaudeville style burlesque troupe in San Antonio, TX. Miss Lugosi has been featured in such publications as "Pin-Up Perfection Magazine", "Five B Pinups", "San Antonio Express News", "Plaza de Armas', "Backbeat Magazine", "Street Talk Magazine" and various calendars. Televised appearances include a Top Story on Fox News SA, as well as a dancer in the Girl In A Coma music video for "Walkin' After Midnight". Annabella Lugosi has produced and performed in many shows in Texas and continuously strives to bring a passion for the art of burlesque into peoples lives.
VB Page Charleston SC
VB Has been studying the art of burlesque for a little over 4yrs. Ive performed at my home bar Club Patricks for over 4years. I have the pleasure of performing at,Daje Vue II, Club Pantheon and Marlboro Station. Im know for my remixes of classic burlesque music with more modern music. Im a trained Cabertte Singer.My signature song is Let Me Entertain You. I recently had the pleasure of joining Fetish Burlesque. I am honered to be apart of this Festival
Violet Vixxxen Paducah, KY
The Violet Vixxxen is the founder, director, and executive producer of Vixen Productions - Paducah Kentucky's premier burlesque production company.
Violet's burlesque roots are in Nashville where she was trained by the incomparable LulaLicious of PantyRaid!, then a member of Music City Burlesque and guest instructor for Delinquent Debutantes.
Violet is now back home bringing burlesque to the heart of the bible belt in Paducah, Kentucky where she produced, hosted, and performed in "Paducah's Burlesque Premier - Paducah's first burlesque show in over 70 years", as well as teaching her 6 week burlesque basics class.
Violet's burlesque roots are in Nashville where she was trained by the incomparable LulaLicious of PantyRaid!, then a member of Music City Burlesque and guest instructor for Delinquent Debutantes.
Violet is now back home bringing burlesque to the heart of the bible belt in Paducah, Kentucky where she produced, hosted, and performed in "Paducah's Burlesque Premier - Paducah's first burlesque show in over 70 years", as well as teaching her 6 week burlesque basics class.
Träshique D'Lamour Lexington KY
Trashique D'Lamour has been in the industry for three years with Deadly Sins Burlesque out of Lexington, Kentucky. In that short time, she has quickly organized and subsequently disorganized everything she knew, and was soon sharing the stage with entertainment veteran Voltaire, touring with the gypsy/punk/alternative/progressive/circus/cabaret/funk troupe Ford Theatre Reunion, and shimmying and shaking her way in and out of the Black Hills of Kentucky as far in all directions as she could go! She also moonlights as the one & only to Captain Darron von Awesome & together they create Tinderbox Circus Sideshow.
