Interview With Bitsi Rini
by Cary
Classic Burlesque has become a huge phenomena lately, what about it first captured your interest?
I’ve always been interested in the glamour of it all, of the whole era really. I love everything vintage. When I was a little girl I watched a lot of classic movies, especially the musicals. I loved the brilliance of Marlene Dietrich. I took dance classes because I wanted to be like Ginger Rogers. I loved glitter and feathers, elegant dresses and intricate hats. I remember the first time I saw film shorts of classic burlesque, I was in awe. Really taken aback by the beauty of it, I felt just like I did as a four-year-old watching Ginger twirl across the floor. Later, while doing pin-up I was introduced to some burlesque performers in the current Seattle scene and started going to shows, it was really the first time I realized that burlesque had come back as much as it had and I knew I had to experience it hands on. Then, with a few encouraging pushes from the wonderful Trixie Lane- I was off into the wonderful world I call now call home.
What kind of performance do you put on?
I work as a solo performer as well as part of a duo, The Emerald Dollies. I do a lot of cabaret inspired acts; I try and put a lot of my personality into them and have a lot of influence from the film stars I idolized as a child. I realized a long time ago that I’d never be as elegant as Ginger, but I could be sassy like Marlene and cutesy like Shirley Temple, so I incorporate those personalities. That’s why The Emerald Dollies really work, I have the cute, comedic kind of performance personality and Lulu Bell is so elegant and classic. We play off of each other really well.
At what kind of events do you perform?
Events range from birthday parties to variety shows to charity events. As The Emerald Dollies, we’ve performed for an event thrown by a ballet company, a charity event for the troops with the Pin-up Angels (http://www.thepinupangels.com) various birthday parties, hotrod shows and festivals, cabarets and vaudeville variety shows, bachelor/bachelorette parties, sideshows, CD release parties for local artists. And we do a monthly show with the Tempting Tarts Burlesque (www.myspace.com/temptingtarts). We’re all over the place all the time.
it like performing all over and experiencing the different scenes?
I love it. You meet people you might have never been able to otherwise. You get to hear other people’s stories, share amazing memories, and make wonderful friends. You meet people who love burlesque and people who’ve never seen it before. Sometimes you inspire people; sometimes you come out inspired by others. Each show, each person I encounter is a learning experience and a page in my life that is unforgettable.
Where is your favorite place to perform?
Anywhere the atmosphere is great. It makes a big difference if the audience is really into being there and who the performers you are working with are. Some of my best memories have been on tiny stages with a great group of performers and small crowd that were so excited to be there, we all had so much fun. Burlesque is all about fun! Whether it’s a big or small crowd, it’s tough when you come out to a quiet one. The louder the audience is, the more the performers play off of the energy and everyone ends up having more fun. When you go see burlesque, show some love!
Has anything crazy ever happened at a show?
I’ve seen and known many performers who have lost their pasties during a show. So far I haven’t had any indecent exposure incidents, but I’m waiting for it. Once though, when I was performing an Emerald Dollies act where we wear these curly wigs, mine got caught on a sequin on my dress, and when the dress came off, my wig went with it! It was a bit embarrassing. Little malfunctions-usually costume related- happen often enough that it keeps you on your toes and calls for a bit of improvisation. But I think the craziest things that happen during the shows is what the audience comes up with to yell, it's usually dirty jokes, but sometimes it’s a really clever line and it’s hard to keep from laughing right in the middle of your performance. It’s a live show, you just never know what’s going to happen.
What do you think about pinup becoming part of the mainstream culture?
There are positives and negatives to anything becoming mainstream. I’ve always loved pinup, and always will. And although sometimes it might be annoying that some people are into it now only because it's a trend or whatever, I do think it’s great that more people are discovering it and loving it too. As with a lot of things, the trend will come and go, but whether pinup is mainstream or not, there will always be a huge amount of love for it as an art, a culture.
What is it that excites you about pinup modeling?
Everything. The time period, the clothing, the hairstyles, the silhouettes. It's so beautiful, fun, and flirty. It simply makes me feel sexy, that's what I love about it.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
From an early age I was training as a dancer, so I love dance of all kinds and I’m always trying to pick up new kinds of dancing skills. The latest has been Classical Japanese dance and I want to brush up on my Ballroom dance skills. I also sew a lot. I design and sew most of my costumes for solo acts and for The Emerald Dollies.
What kind of music do you like?
All kinds, really! I was raised around a lot of different influences. Personally, I love rockabilly and swing because I love to dance to it and I can’t listen to it without smiling, that's important to me. I also love the psychobilly scene and the surf scene. I listen to a lot of “oldies” and music from the classic musicals.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love music, my favorite thing to do is go to live shows. I love the circus and theme parks. I’m obsessed with Disneyland; I try my hardest to squeeze in a trip every time I’m in the LA area. If I wasn’t already a performer/model in the scene, I would still be here going to burlesque shows, car shows, rockabilly festivals. I love that scene. I’m so blessed to be able to be a part of it and do what I love to do.
See more of Bitsi Rini at:
www.bitsyrini.com
www.emeralddollies.com
www.burlesqueclass.com/
www.oldschoolpinups.com
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