NZ Burlesque Festival comes to Palmerston North this week

A woman reputed to be the world’s best burlesque performer, Loulou D’vil from Finland, the current Guinness Book of Records holder for the world’s strongest nipples, The Baron, and the godmother of NZ burlesque, Eva Strangelove, will be attending the NZ Burlesque festival in Palmerston North later this week.

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The 2014 New Zealand Burlesque Festival takes place at Palmerston North’s Globe Theatre on 9 - 10 October and Distinction Hotel on 11 October (followed by a one off show in Christchurch on 18 October).

“The New Zealand Burlesque Festival is the biggest event on the NZ Burlesque Calendar,” says Danny Rascal, Co-Owner and Producer of the New Zealand Burlesque Festival.

The event will feature a total of 55 performers from New Zealand, Australia, USA and Europe.

“We have performers ranging from newbies who’ve only been dancing/performing for a year or less, right through to, arguably, the world’s best burlesque performer Loulou D’vil from Finland, [and] her partner The Baron, who is a current Guinness World Record Holder (The World’s Strongest Nipples) with his Circus Strongman Routine. We also have the Godmother of NZ Burlesque, Eva Strangelove, making her first return to NZ in five years from Austin Texas,” says Danny.

The festival will also feature former Palmerston North performer Willow Noire (Miss Burlesque NZ 2012) and current Manawatu locals Trillian (1st Runner Up Miss Burlesque 2014) and MisRed Delicious (Miss Burlesque NZ 2013).

“The festival also incorporates a King and Queen of the Festival competition, in which some of NZ and Australia’s best burlesque performers duke it out for the crowns,” says Danny.

The festival this year has a strong influence on what is known in the industry as Classic Burlesque, taking its cues and style from the early burlesque performers, such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Bettie Page, and Tempest Storm, but also plenty of more modern style Neo Burlesque, which incorporates elaborate costuming and often very tongue in cheek humour in the routines.

In addition to the opportunity to see top burlesquers perform, this year the festival will have a Burlesque Expo on Saturday 11 October at The Globe, where the public can come along and meet the headline acts along with some of the producers and manufacturers. There are also discussion panels and demonstrations, including a presentation from the festival’s inaugural Burlesque Exchange Scholar, a world first initiative that the festival owners put in place to give one Kiwi performer the chance to perform in the USA each year, to gain valuable experience and knowledge.

Workshops are also available for people for the general public right through to experienced performers to come along and learn from the best in the business.

Danny says the burlesque scene in New Zealand is flourishing and the number of small shows popping up around the country is a great sign that people are discovering and embracing the vibrant art form.

“Based on the number of Kiwi girls we’ve seen heading overseas to perform in the last 12-18 months, I’d definitely say the scene is very strong, and I think the reason for that is the increased opportunity being provided to local girls to meet and learn from the international performers we’ve been bringing into the country,” he says.

The festival owners decided to move the event to Palmerston North as they live locally and have built a strong and supportive local burlesque community.

“Palmy doesn’t have an international festival so we felt it was time to do something about that. I think there is a horrible misconception that nothing ever happens here, so we thought, why not make something really unique happen here,” says Danny.

He looks forward to meeting more people who want to become involved with the art form and says it’s a great way to build a positive self image and gain some confidence.

“Burlesque is a very accepting art form, and has a lot to offer in the way of supporting and encouraging all body types. I think this appeals to audiences because they can see performers on stage, who they can relate to, it’s a very honest type of show, and a massive amount of fun. It’s a great environment where you're always guaranteed of having a good night out,” says Danny.

For more information about the New Zealand Burlesque Festival and to purchase tickets go to www.nzburlesquefestival.com or Eventfinder. Contact Danny Rascal on 027-630-7803.

What is burlesque?

“The term Burlesque comes from the Italian word Burla, which means 'To Mock' and was originally literary in it’s use, and referred to satirical and often politically charged writings, but has also been retrospectively applied to the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare. The modern form of burlesque as most people would now recognise it, has its roots in the 1800’s, but really exploded in the prohibition era speakeasy and jazz clubs of the USA. Burlesque shows during this era often had comedians, musicians and a very Vaudeville feel to them, with the 'Exotic Dancing Girls' almost as an afterthought, but as promoters found that the girls attracted more audience, the shows rapidly became more focussed on the striptease aspect, and the girls became the focal point,” says Danny.

ENDS

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