Debut Issue - April 2010
OUR DIRECTION: MISSION STATEMENT

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Why create a magazine about burlesque? Isn’t it enough to just see the shows and have fun? Why spend countless hours interviewing and photographing, editing and designing? The answer is this: Burlesque represents more than just a performance. It is more than dance. It’s about the people. In the journey of putting together a burlesque magazine, I have learned much and grown to care about the artists who make up the New Orleans burlesque scene. They’re fine human beings and they’re a lot like us.

These are people who spend vastly disproportional amounts of their hard earned income on fancy stage outfits, who work tirelessly after their day jobs are over, who come together for hours in eclectic New Orleans places and practice the choreography.

People who bare their souls and more, week after week in pursuit of their art, people who have had to become very supportive family to each other through times of loss as well as accomplishment.

We’ve asked them to open up their lives to us and to trust that we would attempt to present a view of burlesque to complement the art of their work, and also be true to the uniqueness of these creative individuals. I know we have striven for that with this first issue, so share your feedback to help make us better. We will open a wondrous doorway into the New Orleans burlesque scene for you, our most valuable reader, to marvel at the rise of a new retro art form that is sweeping the planet. Come see burlesque, New Orleans style!

Burlesque is very relevant in today’s world.

It is an entertainment form that began more than a century ago during tough economic times as an affordable alternative to expensive stage shows. It is retro and old-time and fun make-believe that refreshes the spirit of its audience and lets us play. Burlesque is a provocative tease that quickens the hearts of men and women alike. Last but not least is the affection I have seen women show for burlesque when I have told them what I was working on. Quite to my pleasant surprise, most women view performing burlesque as sure fire liberation and self empowerment. Indeed, upon seeing our Scene Diva Bella Blue’s Burlesque 101’s graduating class performance, I couldn’t tell who was more thrilled, the students or the teacher, and most certainly the audience. Burlesque is a viable form of social entertainment - the audiences are just as full of women as of men.

For all these reasons and more, we perceive burlesque to be in the same rebirth state as 1950’s jazz, with stellar performances interspersed throughout. Our cameras will seek glimpses and our words will touch moments. Stay with us as each issue of Burlesque Scene chronicles the social evolution of a grand new retro entertainment form called burlesque.

Jeff Teachworth
Editor and Publisher

 Burlesque Scene’s Director Rico Barrera is hard at work interviewing Ruby Joule and Coco Lectric backstage at New Orleans House of Blues.

LETTER FROM OUR CORPORATE STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Burlesque Scene magazine is more than just a pickup line...

That has become an inside joke between Jeff and myself. I have a series of "fun" questions I ask during the interview and one of them is, "What's the most memorable pick up line that has ever been said to you?" Lacey Coffey threw me the zinger by saying "Hmmm... well it's probably going to be something like, I'm starting this website about burlesque in New Orleans..." Then she winked at me and made a gun gesture with her hand and shot me. What a great girl!

I'm not even going to tell you what Ben Wisdom's answer was to my question "Where's the worst and the best place to get laid?" You'll have to come out and see the show in person if you want to hear that one.

This project has been a lot of fun because I have the freedom to ask whatever I want; and I do push the envelope with sexy. Well let's be honest here, isn't that what burlesque is all about? Pushing the envelope of sexy? I've gotten a wide variety of answers. We're here to share all the crazy antics and great personalities of the people involved in the New Orleans burlesque scene. Also the photos and the schedules and who's who and where to see them perform. 

Total freedom is a misnomer because with total freedom comes a great responsibility. The responsibility to present the heart and soul of New Orleans burlesque. This is for you: the girl who wants to express herself and come out of her shell, those who love burlesque and go to the shows regularly, and the couple from Baltimore who wants to catch something that is classic New Orleans on their stay in this city. Even for all the grandparents who go to shows that remind them of their younger years, and especially for all who are curious about burlesque... this is for you! This is the heart and soul of New Orleans Burlesque!

Welcome to Burlesque Scene!

Rico Barrera
Director and General Manager
 

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