Interview With Audacious

by Cary

Burlesque Performer, Hula Hoop Artiste and Raconteur Audacious.

Classic Burlesque has become a huge phenomena lately, what about it first captured your interest?

Burlesque found me. I fell into it quite unintentionally. A group of artists and friends that I have collaborated with in various ways over the years were putting on a ribald show called Dr. Toledo. I was involved in the final production on Halloween weekend 2005, which was a four day extravaganza of blood, guts, and raw energy. The show was revamped into what is now the professional and acclaimed Super Happy Funtime Burlesque, which I have been a part of since its inception.

SHFTB morphed into a highly ambitious show of full of extremely driven performers. As our show grew, I developed a serious passion for burlesque. I always loved costuming, outrageous garb, being on stage and glitter! Burlesque gave those interests a purpose.

As I sought to improve as a performer, I found myself obsessed with collecting any book dealing with the subject – new or out of print. I deeply enjoy learning about the history of burlesque as I feel it is very pertinent not only to what I am doing, but to the modern world of performance art. It is important to understand the historical context and how it relates to neo-burlesque.

There is a lot of classic burlesque performance out there today. It is beautiful and celebrates elaborate, artful tease and often explores traditional concepts like fan dances or balloon acts. The modernity of current burlesque pushes different kinds of boundaries – classic burlesque involved satire of the bourgeoisie, government and upper class not to mention the shock of scantily clad women. While today those angles are still present, the boundary of sex in the mainstream had been saturated, so sometimes other themes are explored that are unique to the times we live in and often can be more akin to performance art. I think that is where some of the popularity comes from. People want to see the art of the tease while being shocked and awed, too.

I love that I have room to explore so much in any given act, from simply putting on an alluring performance, to challenging beauty stereotypes or making social commentary. I never expected I would be doing this but it fits me well. I found my calling.

What kind of performance do you put on?

My signature act always involves a "hula" hoop. Hooping burlesque is a unique art form. It takes two old styles of movement and pairs them together in a new way. Interestingly, hooping - which is the art of hoop dance – began its rise in the late 1990s around the time burlesque was causing a ruckus again.

I have always “hula” hooped. I won contests as a child and as a teenager, I would hoop for exercise. When I first became involved in burlesque, I discovered the art of hoop dance and immediately knew that’s what I was meant to do. By our third show, I was rocking the hoop.

Since I began incorporating the hoop into my acts, more and more, I see burlesquers turning to the hoop. In the beginning, I would search for hooping burlyQ dancers with almost no results. It certainly has become more popular.

Hooping is not all that I do. I enjoy straight striptease numbers without the hoop, as a hoop act involves some costuming limitations. I also perform classic group numbers with the other ladies - what I like to call lady dances and I dabble in skits here and there.

I also do fire performing and have a fire hoop. Generally, I fire hoop at more rock style shows, where no stripping is involved.

At what kind of events do you perform?

My craft enables me to be adaptable. Beyond performing with SHFTB, I also do a variety of other solo gigs. The hoop is very family friendly. I have performed at outdoor art festivals, independent-radio fundraisers, circus themed events, erotic art shows, metal shows, night clubs, fetish nights, kids birthday parties, “Rockette” style corporate parties and I’ve accompanied bands. I enjoy being versatile and performing in any way I can. Its fun doing events that are a departure from the usual striptease or hoop acts.

Also, I always enjoy performing at national burlesque festivals. Those events are among my favorites because you get to hobnob with talented performers from all over the country and are immersed in a glorious energy of mutual support and excitement.

What's it like performing all over and experiencing the different scenes?

One of my favorite aspects of performing across the state and throughout the country is the unpredictable nature of performing in a new place. There are interesting surprises in each venue and city.

Also, performing in different scenes is always a unique experience. The fans have their own way of receiving you depending on what kind of event it is. I enjoy being immersed in different worlds, from a corporate circus themed event to a raucous metal show.

One night, I could be a riding-crop wielding badass, and the next night I am a modest hoop dancer wooing big-wigs at a business Christmas party.

Where is your favorite place to perform?

I love the cozy familiarity of our “home” stage, the Wealthy Theater. But, more than favoring a specific location, there are certain types of venues which tend to posses special elements that augment a performance.

While I love to perform on a large stage that has ample room to play with my hoop – I love the experience of an intimate stage setting. There is something very classic about a modest sized stage where you have more direct contact with the audience.

Historically, part of burlesque’s subversive nature was the direct communication with the audience, through eye contact and proximity. There is something very exciting about witnessing burlesque up close. You can feel the energy of the performer. As a performer, you feel the energy of the audience. Large stages can be luxurious but, sometimes you are awash in a vast space. I feel that a performance can carry more power if the setting is more intimately designed.

Has anything crazy ever happened at a show?

Wild things happen, but mostly the craziness lies in the element of chaos that is present at any show. You never know what’s going to transpire. Also, being surrounded by hooligan performers or inebriated, effusive fans guarantees that things will get interesting!

That said, the craziest moment actually occurred during the formative days of Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. We had just closed out the show at the Sazerac Lounge when suddenly, the vice squad stormed in! There were about nine officers blanketing the place and asking anyone who hadn’t already fled a slew of questions.

Apparently, someone with an agenda of defamation went around posing as SHFTB, posting fake flyers. Curiously, the flyers were only posted near the cop shop, downtown. The faux adverts claimed that we were putting on a live sex show that included sex acts with animals. Patently untrue! We put on a sexy show, yes – but not a show involving some poor Fido!

Naturally, we immediately retaliated at our next show. In the tradition of satire as thick as molasses, La La Vulvaria and I donned cop outfits and put on a skit illuminating that extreme violence is somehow perfectly acceptable, but not sassy, sexy ladies! Our striptease ended with both of us in whitey tighties, with the word LEGAL painted in glitter glue across the bum.

Additionally, we had a gag involving a donkey, written by a now-former member of the show. While there was no donkey, there were plenty of lewd jokes, with donkey sounds playing offstage on a stereo. The donkey gag appeared in several shows, culminating with a giant cardboard donkey ass, which balls were shot out of with an air-soft gun. Personally, I don’t miss the donkey jokes…

It took a long time to shake that false image. I’m sure to some we still embody some sort of sexual horror show aimed at corruption. Luckily, we don’t experience too much trouble with silly folks like that anymore.

What do you think about pinup becoming part of the mainstream culture?

Pinups can be cheeky, convey classy sexuality, titillate, or shock. Generally, I believe pinups are a healthy way to express sexuality. The beauty of the human form should be celebrated. Sex will always be in art imagery and the media but, pinups tend to have retro qualities which hearkens back to the days where there was less explicit sexual imagery in the mainstream. Everyone knows that even Betty Page’s racy work was tame compared to what is out there today.

Pinups are tied to burlesque and the art of the tease. A pinup can be gorgeous and alluring without being raunchy. Although, it is possible to push boundaries of what is acceptable and challenge people’s conception of beauty. I think the return of pinups in mainstream culture reminds people that saucy art can be tasteful, and still be exciting. Also, pinups are a way for women to express themselves sexually in a rewarding way.

What is it that excites you about pinup modeling?

Contrary to some feminist belief, I think it is very empowering to allow oneself to exude and manifest an expressive sexuality. We are all sexual beings so, why not celebrate?! I love the art of the physical form and enjoy the wide range of ways to style oneself.

My father is a photographer, so I grew up in front of a camera. I am very comfortable on both sides of the camera but, I always joke that photos are my lifeblood, I love modeling! I like to experiment with themes and costuming. I never focus on just one type of pinup image. Whenever I have an upcoming shoot, I am determined to create images that I haven’t done before. I strive to be versatile and embody different characters or moods. I enjoy shoots where the photographer has a very specific goal but, the most fulfilling shoots involve creatively exploring new visual territory.

Are there any other creative mediums you work in?

I often lament the endless creative desires that I have because there is never enough time in the day to sufficiently dabble. I love art of all forms from painting, drawing, mixed media, and collage, to writing and photography. I grew up experimenting with everything I could get my hands on but, as a daughter of a photographer, my heart is in the darkroom. Lately, I have been lusting for a digital SLR, as I finally got over the technological transition from film and am desperate to get back to shooting!

Currently, I am enjoying my focus on the art of writing and performance art – Freelance writing is very fulfilling, as the art of language is one of my callings. The beauty of hooping and burlesque is that I am working/ thriving creatively. I love to make pasties, create outlandish costumes, go wild with the glue gun and bedazzle everything! When I hand craft my professional, Audacious Hoops, I get to be creative in the pairing of color – which is often my driving motivation in art and fashion.

What kind of music do you like?

I have eclectic musical taste, although, I have a penchant for unusual sounds. I enjoy most all genres so my choices tend to be mood based. In my performances, I like to choose more avant-garde or lesser known artists to keep my act fresh and interesting.

I once performed a Rumpelstiltskin Hoop Striptease to the UK band, Renaldo and the Loaf’s song, “Bearded Cats,” The song has a circular quality which was appropriate for the act. SHFTB’s house band, End Times Orchestra performed the song for me. Band leader, Corey Ruffin is a longtime admirer of their music so he sent them the video of my performance. R & L liked Ruffin’s orchestration so much that they took his recording and put their own vocals overtop of it! That was a very exciting moment.

Another favorite is Yma Sumac. She has phenomenal vocal range and a lovely but sometimes eerie sound. I use her song, “Gopher”, for my Carmen Miranda Hoop striptease.

I do enjoy more familiar artists, too. I recently debuted my Lady Werewolf Hoop act to “Teenage Werewolf,” by The Cramps. In my downtime, I am currently obsessed with Danzig – those vocals are sexy and furious at the same time.

What do you like to do for fun?

I’m too busy for fun! But seriously - luckily I’ve fallen into creative ambitions that keep me excited and entertained – I generally never have to wonder what I am going to do from day to day as most days are booked solid with projects, teaching hoop classes, photo shoots or gigs. Thankfully, my work involves a certain kind of zaniness and my closest friends are also my collaborators. We work hard, but have a bit too much fun doing it! In my downtime, I like to hang out with my lover and partner in crime, I read voraciously when I can, relax to some good records and I tend to the growing jungle in my house and prod my vegetable garden.

See more of Audacious at:

www.myspace.com/vivaciousmissaudacious

www.myspace.com/superhappyfuntimeburlesque

www.myspace.com/thedevildolls