MEET THE TROUPES
NEW ORLEANS AREA

by Jeff Teachworth

Some of you have been here and there to see burlesque shows around town, but might not be that familiar with the personalities and personnel of the actual burlesque troupes. We present this BurlesqueScene.com Troupes page for info and website links as your friendly guide to the local burlesque troupes so you can get to know them better...

RAZORBLADE WALTZ REVUE

RazorBlade Waltz Revue is not you traditional Burlesque troupe. They lean in more of a darker and ironic direction, mixing Neo-Burlesque with Gorelesque and spice it with live Rock-N-Roll and humor. At a RazorBlade Waltz show, you could expect to see weapon play (including knife throwing and sword spinning among other things), gender bending, sexy women covered in blood, tons of glitter and sometimes even audience members debasing themselves to win one their tee shirts... Lagniappe: The Blades give everyone a prize at the door just for showing up and serve treats for tips. Shows are usually $10... The Revue performs at several venues. Such as The Dragon’s Den, 1135 Decatur and Siberia. Their season runs from Sept-April - once a month shows with edgy and sometimes offensive themes. They LOVE to push the envelope - must be seen!! The shows are "one time only events" mostly because so many props and costumes get destroyed...

Bustout Burlesque Rick Delaup (Producer) Athena (Performer/Singer) Foxy Flambeaux, Praline Dupree, Perle Noir, Mina Méchante Debbie Davis (Singer), Wild Cherry (Legend), Dante (MC & Magician), BAND: Matt Bell, Brent Rose, Jim Thornton, Greg Schatz, Doc Richards Style: Classic Burlesque http://BustoutBurlesque.com

BUSTOUT BURLESQUE

Bustout Burlesque are a classic vaudeville show mix, a cast of characters well-chosen by burlesque historian and show producer, Rick Delaup. They perform monthly at the venerable New Orleans House of Blues, which has a lovable voodoo-art beauty all its own that certainly adds dimension to the Bustout shows. Each show features an out of town burlesque celebrity as a headliner, but this troupe's performers are themselves each headliner quality. There's a beautiful Greek singer/burlesque performer named Athena who sings show tunes like she's in a Hollywood movie, then in a separate act, comes out dressed as a harem girl and does a graceful yet very sensual yet tasteful striptease. There's Dante the Magician, the embodiment of a classic vaudeville performer, whose magic is as satisfying as his great audience rapport. Foxy Flambeaux and Praline Dupree are two classic beauties who are always professional and gorgeous onstage in their burlesque performances. Wild Cherry is an elderly lady, an authentic French Quarter stripper from decades ago, who regales the audience with her stories about the past and her advice to the young women of today. Matt Bell is the musical director and guitarist for the Bustout Burlesque Jazz Band that performs with the show at the House of Blues. Other talents of note are Doc Richards (drums), Brent Rose (sax), Jim Thornton (trumpet), and Greg Schatz (upright bass) and Debbie Davis (singer).

CRESCENT CITY CUPCAKES

The Crescent City Cupcakes burlesque troupe is a spicy collection of some of New Orleans’ freshest new faces in burlesque. This all female cast comes to you quarterly with provocative new themes and thrilling guest performers, setting it apart from any show you’ve seen before. With a sensational core group of performers, the Cupcakes vary not just in an array of delectable body types to suit every palate, but also in creativity - with backgrounds that include dance, theater, go-go, and stand-up comedy. Each Cupcake brings her own unique, individual style to the stage, making each performance more exciting than the last. Brought to you by the saucy Sparrow D’lux and the tantalizing Tulip Kiss (Burlesque Scene’s Spotlight Girl in Issue 2), the Cupcakes will awe you and tempt you with their special blend of spoof and seduction. This bevy of beauties are super sassy but oh so sweet! You’ll be feeling like you should pay your dentist a visit after sinking your teeth into these sweet Cupcakes! Bonus points for their great M.C.’s, such as Ann Howe, who is also a singer.

DAMES D'LISH

Dames D’Lish Ma’Dame D'Lirium (producer/choreographer) Ginger La'Rouge (guest artist from Los Angeles) Eden Le'Claire Daisy Smalls Cherri D'erriere(performer/stand up comedian) Lola Vicious Deja Vieuxx Holly Pop Auda Vega Imoanna Moore Lacee PanTease Apple Sunshine D'Vine (guest artist from NYC) Emcees Silly Willy & Floyd Style: Neo Burlesque - Modern Dance Cabaret Based on the Northshore but shows on both shores damesdlish@live.com DamesDLish.com

Fleur de Tease Trixie Minx (Producer and Performer), Bella Blue, Natasha Fiore, Madame Mystere, Roxie le Rouge, Sarah the Bobcat, the Lovely Aimee, Ooops the Clown, Chris Lane (MC), Magic Mike (Magician/MC) Style: Neo Burlesque http://FleurDeTease.com

FLEUR DE TEASE

Fleur de Tease is a very professional burlesque troupe, featuring imaginative sets and colorful performances at the respected One Eyed Jacks venue on Toulouse and Chartres. An example of their work is their recent production of Wizard of Oz, which featured very entertaining interpretations of familiar characters. A Wicked Witch of the Westbank with flaming tassels (Natasha Fiore), a huge fiery projection of a deranged wise-cracking Wizard of Oz asking for "Who Dats" from the audience (MC Chris Lane), a very glittery and unusually silent Glinda (Bella Blue), a charmingly "Mystereous" Dorothy and company, accompanied by a very creative musical score (Pink Floyd for the trip to Oz, for example) combined to make "Oz" a memorable New Orleans cultural event. Fleur de Tease is one of the hottest troupes in town who not only satisfies your expectations but usually exceeds them. Did I forget to mention acrobatics? Oops! The clown hanging from the heights, or is it a Bobcat?

HAUS OF VIGILANTE

Dorian Faust of Silver Knife Productions has been involved in burlesque in New Orleans longer than most, and now she brings her exotic touch to the newest troupe formed in town. Burlesque newcomers fill the ranks and surprise the audience with a range of music, specializing in indie music and interpretive styles of dance performance. The Reverend Spooky LeStrange, Jessa DeNuit and Cherry Bombshell have all appeared as guest performers, along with troupe regular Adora Galore, who doubles as one of the only female show MC's in town. The renegade Haus of Vigilante was last seen performing at Checkpoint Charlie's and is being sought out by burlesque audiences for further investigation.

The Sin Lilies Burlescapades Tillie Vermillion, Lana Allure Tulip Kiss, Adora Galore, Lilu DeNuit and Guests A consortium of performers Style: Neo Burlesque Contact: TillieVermillion@gmail.com (troupe photo at right)     Haus of Vigilante Dorian Faust Lilu DeNuit Basil Fatale Style: Neo Burlesque Experimental

What comes to mind when you hear the words Sin Lilies Burlescapades? For me, this troupe is aptly named. Sinful delights in a burlesque escapism are presented whenever they perform. A newer troupe than most (about a year old), Sin Lilies features the likes of bountiful Lana Allure, a veteran of the 1st New Orleans Burlesque Festival; Jessa DeNuit, a sensual beauty who could dance the seven veils and make you lose count; Tillie Vermillion, a southern belle who looks like she just stepped out of historic Storyville, Tulip Kiss with
her smoldering girl next door persona; the tasty Candi Apples, and Dorian Faust, an exotic voodoo queen who'll put a spell on you if
you're not careful. A frequent guest is Cherry Bombshell, a scarlet-haired beauty with Lauren Bacall's simmering sexuality. They currently appear as OpenHouse Music's guest performers on Tuesdays at the Howlin' Wolf's side bar, the Wolf's Den. Also worthy of commendation is the live band accompaniment of The Dirty Bourbon River Band, composed of Loyola music scholars, with the admirable sax, range and pipes to provide quality backing completing a very cozy mid-week burlesque outing.

SLOW BURN BURLESQUE

Slow Burn is a very popular troupe here in NOLA due to their eclectic mix of performers and ribald show content. You usually get the full range of burlesque with these folks, from glamorous dancing sex kittens through tributes to cross-dressing porn stars. Neo-burlesque for sure, with elements of goth and rock thrown in. Ben Wisdom is the working man's MC, with his campy theatrics and running commentary about life, nothing is off limits for his satirical wit. Lady Lucerne is always flamboyant, Moxie shows admirable "moxie" and charm, and Nona Narcisse moves like silk in water. As a guest, the comedic performance of Kitty Kaos was especially clever and worthy of commendation. All in all, Slow Burn is a kaleidoscope of burlesque entertainment, usually found at the Howlin' Wolf.

Storyville Starlettes Madame Mystere (Producer and Performer) Natasha Fiore, Dottie Von Polka, Cherry Brown, Claire de Lune, Helena Honeypot, Kali, Chesty S’mores, Guests: Magic Mike and Kitty Kaos, Richard Mayer (MC) Style: Neo Burlesque

STORYVILLE STARLETTES

One of the longest running burlesque troupes in town, the Storyville Starlettes have inevitably helped launched many local burlesque celebrities from their ranks. The current lineup is impressive, including local favorite, the rapturous Madame Mystere, who seems to be everywhere these days. Their MC is Magic Mike, who is so professional we expect him to have his own TV show soon (wait a minute, he does. It's called "Below Sea Level" about life in New Orleans after Katrina). Claire de Lune, Helena Honeypot, Cherry Brown, Dottie von Polka are among the very creative and entertaining members of this troupe. Expect lots of fun shows from Storyville, an example is "Sexy Summer Sampler" where the girls performed to a summer picnic theme and actually fed the audience treats such as ice cream bars, marshmallow peeps, Zapp's potato chips and of course, hot mini sausages, all of which matched the audience's sentiments exactly. These days, catch the Starlettes at the Maison on Frenchmen and at Richard Mayer's beautiful and newly renovated Shadowbox Theatre on St. Claude and St. Roch Avenue.
 

Billion Dollar Baby Dolls Rev. Spooky LeStrange (Producer and Performer), Saturn Spin, Ms. Felix Roxx, Lana Allure, Luzianna Sunshine, Starry Knightshade, Cherry Bombshell, & MC Spackle Mc Crackle. The Swaggers: DC Harbold, Dan Cooper, Jason Goodman, Greg Schatz (Shown here with Special Guest, Singer Andre Williams) Style: Neo Burlesque

The lights are dimmed as Reverend Spooky LeStrange saunters onstage amid cigarette smoke and low lights like a movie siren. Slowly she entices you as the venerable band "The Swaggers", led by her husband D.C. Harbold, serenades the seduction. Spooky and D.C. are among the respected true originals of the retro burlesque acts begun here in New Orleans in the late 1990's. The Billion Dollar Baby Dolls are a bevy of performers with supporting acts to the reverend's performance. As an old-time bible thumping prohibition and abstinence leader, Rev. Spooky who ultimately fails her mission, as the Baby dolls perform to evolve their inevitable "burlesque liberation" for a cheering audience. When they’re performing, it’s usually at the neighborhood favorite HiHo Lounge on St. Claude Avenue.
 

OTHER ACTS - NOT QUITE A TROUPE

Since the dawn of time (or shortly thereafter) man and beast have always been fascinated by fire and pyrotechnics. Though not specifically a burlesque troupe, SINGE is worthy of mention because of Ami Korczak, better known as "Replicant Girl" has appeared many times spinning great balls of fire in local burlesque shows. Ami headlines this group of half a dozen fire "poi" wizards who juggle, twirl, and even swallow fire for local audiences at venues such as Pravda's outdoor patio. If ever there was a perfect time to order a "Flaming Dr. Pepper" with your friends, it's during a Singe performance! Always exciting and a crowd pleaser, be sure you keep up with their schedule.

BURLESQUE BALLROOM is the brainchild of Trixie Minx and Grammy winner Irvin Mayfield. Usually a threesome of local burlesque performers such as Nona Narcisse, Bella Blue, Roxie LaRouge, along with the charming Trixie Minx herself. Very reminiscent of the Hollywood style glamour of a ritzy 1940's style nightclub atmosphere, Burlesque Ballroom will charm you and carry you away to the spirit of yesteryear. Happens around midnight on Fridays at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse, inside the opulent Royal Sonesta in the French Quarter.

While not a troupe, OpenHouse Music is a local booking and event company that books many local burlesque shows,such as “The Big Busk! Tuesdays at The Howlin’ Wolf (In the Den)” as well as a traveling monthly tribute show. They are also known for mixing live music, burlesque and other creative arts into single events. Zack Kushner’s OpenHouse Music events are an excellent place to see performers from many local troupes as well as traveling performers.
Contact: zackushner@gmail.com

The NEW ORLEANS BURLESQUE FEST is an annual show is more like a national convention we are lucky to have here in NOLA. No other local event provides a greater opportunity to tour the burlesque scene as this show at Harrah's and the House of Blues. Now past its second year, the New Orleans Burlesque Fest is produced by world-respected burlesque historian Rick Delaup, who is also the producer of Bustout Burlesque. Words can't describe the opulence of glamour and the high quality atmosphere of this mega-show. Many of the world's most famous and talented performers participate over a three day weekend to make this show a must see if you are in any way a fan of pageantry, dance, showgirls, retro pinup or burlesque in general. Even if you're not yet a fan, you'll become one after a visit to this big production. A definite value and a "command performance" event. Happens in September.

Remember, our troupes are out there working hard to guarantee freedom of entertainment as well as the right for women to express themselves in a respectful and safe way. Come enjoy the shows and remember to support our troupes!

Listings are in no particular order and as up to date as possible. Some performers appear in more than one troupe. Photos are linked to their photographer’s sites, and the web site of each troupe is shown below their roster.

So we can stay up to date, please e-mail corrections and updates to us at Jeff@BurlesqueScene.com. Thank you.

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