Interview With Red Hots Burlesque

by Cary

Keeping burlesque alive, The Red Hots is a celebration of creativity, comedy and intellect.

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

The first time I saw modern burlesque performance was at Coney Island USA. I walked in while Dirty Martini was performing; my life was forever changed. She combines classic moves with a modern day appeal. I always enjoyed pin-up looks and anything that pointed to a woman's sexuality, but my burlesque history follows a more modern path. From the time I saw the finale scene in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark when she's spinning her tassels, I knew I had a calling.

How did Red Hots Burlesque come together?

After studying with Ducky Doolittle and performing at various shows in NYC, I wanted a space where newbies and seasoned performers could share the stage together. I produced events in NYC for 6 years and when I moved to San Francisco, it was a natural progression to continue producing events. I am now producing SF's only weekly burlesque show and burlesque classes in the Bay Area. We continue to bring bawdiness to our bumps and grinds!

Who are the members of Red Hots Burlesque and what are their specialties?

There are a great group of performers in San Francisco and the world that all perform for Red Hots Burlesque. We have performers who can twirl fire tassels, clown performers, singers, accordion payers, those that specialize in comedy or costuming and just about anything you can think of. At every show we promise hot bods, outrageous costumes and a sexy good time! You never really know what you're going to get, but we always like to push the envelope and challenge our audience.

What kind of performance do you put on?

It's funny, I'm either adorable and charming or down right vicious. I'm known to cause a ruckus with a horn, shake it up and bring bawdy brouhaha where ever I may go. I have a huge list of performances I do: zombie, classic beauty, blood bath, waitress, killer crawfish, pig, Mrs. Claus, beach babe, house wife, killer clown and so on and so on. It really depends on the situation, although I often do like to see the look on people's faces when they're expecting a classy broad and out I come smacking my ass with a fish.

At what kind of events do you perform?

I go where ever will have me. Birthday parties, corporate events, book/cd release parties, celebrations of any kind. I also perform at drag shows, variety shows and more. I seriously will perform anywhere that will have me. I've performed at the sideshow and at rock shows.

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

I'm not really a scenester. I'm just my own type of gal living in my crazy world. I am so lucky to be able to share my art with the world. I was so touched by the first burlesque performances I saw and hope to inspire the same feelings of empowering womanhood to all that see me perform. Sometimes it's very glamorous with fabulous people decorating a fancy dressing room and sometimes I'm changing behind a dumpster. That's what I really enjoy about performing; it's exciting, I never really know what's going to fall in my lap.

Where is your favorite place to perform?

I would have to say at the weekly show I produce. It's like home. If you come to the show you're family and it really feels that way. There are always amazing performers gracing our stage and even though the dressing room is tiny and the stage can be treacherous; we're all in it together. It's a sliding scale show so that everybody can share in the fun.

Has anything crazy ever happened at a show?

The thing that is the craziest to me is that audience members sometimes forget that performers are human and that they can hear. I'm not really shocked by outrageous behavior and what most people would see as crazy; it's all part of the sex, drugs and rock and roll. I don't find masturbation simulation or honking a horn in your butt crazy. What I find shocking is when audience members talk badly about performers, while they're on stage or as close as 2 feet away. A few acts have brought on new meaning simply because of what an audience member says. So remember, if you like something or you don't, performers are a lot more aware than you think. We can hear you.

See more of Red Hots Burlesque at:

http://www.redhotburlesque.com/

http://www.myspace.com/redhotburlesque

See more of Red Hots Burlesque at:

http://www.redhotburlesque.com/

http://www.myspace.com/redhotburlesque

Photos by: Jeff Sprier, Kelly Hsaio, Paola Mojica, Ryan Roman, Ted D'Ottavio, Tim Wells