#burlesqueinterviewnysb

[schoolofburlesque]

Interview With Perle Noire--Dancer, Teacher, International Entrepreneur

NYSB: How did you get started in burlesque?

Perle: I started burlesque in 2003, in New Orleans. I was starring in a burlesque musical called, Backstage at Da Fonky B. The musical was about Brownie Gleandale, a strip-tease artist turned t.v mogul and her past with her colorful friend,Lolli Fedici. I played Lolli, of course. We traveled with this show for a few years before I transitioned into a solo artist. I met Dollie Rivas at an audition for Rick Delaup's 1950's burlesque show, Bustout Burlesque.

NYSB: Talk about your creative process. What goes into crafting a successful burlesque performance for you? What do you want audiences to take away?

Perle: My creative process is an extensive process. I begin with inspiration from fashion, art, or historical figures. Then, of course, I look to music to inspire my heart and soul so my body will move. This usually takes about 4 to 6 months. Before I present my artistry to a live audience, I spend months working on the choreography in the mirror. And lastly, I convene with a group of advisers for their input. When I finally present the act to the world, I hope the audience escapes with me. I hope that they feel inspired to live out loud. And I hope they forget about their troubles, heartbreaks, and revel in  a moment of felicity with me- if only for a moment.

NYSB: What do you teach ? What is the class all about?

Perle: I'm currently teaching Perlesque,  which is a dance class combined with burlesque, jazz, Latin, and African dance moves. During this class, the students learn a dance combination, which is fun, but the class is also about empowerment, artistic therapy, and of course, working up a sweat. My goal is to create a cathartic experience with the power of movement.

NYSB: You've also talked about how you are expanding Perlesque and taking it around the world. What are some of your plans? Where can your fans find your classes next

Perle: My current aspiration is to transition into a dance therapist, and I would like to incorporate burlesque dance as a form of art therapy. I plan to continue to travel within the U.S and abroad as a catalyst for empowerment, and therapeutic expression through dance. The fans have been so supportive, and I'm truly grateful. I'm proud to announce that 90% of my classes have sold-out world-wide and the class is in high demand world-wide . My next class will be at the Dallas Burlesque Festival during Valentines day weekend. And of course, I'm working on future dates at the  New York School of Burlesque . Due to the support, I've decided to orchestrate a Perlesque tour within the U.S and in Canda. Please visit perlenoireburlesque.biz for updates.

NYSB: Where can people catch you performing ?

Perle: I'm currently performing all over the globe, including New York, Dallas, Austin, and Helsinki. To keep up with my performances, please follow me on twitter and like my fanpage.

My twitter handle is:msperlenoire. 

My fanpage is Facebook.com/PerleNoireBurlesqueFanPage.

About Perle Noire

Perle Noire has been featured in several publications including the L.A Times and Pincurl Magazine. Perle won the Best Debut category at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2008 and went on to win Second Runner-up in the Reigning Queen of Burlesque Pageant the following year. Perle was the very first winner of the "Queen of Burlesque" title at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival. She was the featured performer at the Tetro Circo Price in Spain in 2011 and frequently tours with Dita Von Teese. All of her accomplishments and accolades are due to her amazing stage presence, seductive moves, and artistry which you will get a rare chance to learn from during the Perlesque workshop.

You can find more on what Perle is teaching on the The New York School of Burlesque class page. Visit Perle on her website at perlenoireburlesque.biz

This interview has been brought to you by the schoolofburlesque.com

[schoolofburlesque]

Interview With NYSB Instructor, Darlinda Just Darlinda

NYSB: How did you get started in burlesque?

Darlinda: In 2003 I heard about Burlesque from my college roommate in Monterey, California; she had just gotten back from Tease-o-rama, she described Burlesque to me and I thought "mixing humour with sexuality? That's what I want to do!" So in June of 2003 we did a burlesque performance at our friends birthday.

Then I moved to NYC with the hopes of becoming a theater director (I got my degree in theater direction) but burlesque was calling me! In November of 2003 I met Minnie Tonka at a Buy Nothing Day protest after-party and we immediately connected and wanted to work together. In February of 2004 we did our first burlesque performance at what is now called The House of Collection (we did the Jean Idelle BHOF legends benefit there last year!) Anyway, I met Rhinestone Debbie, a long time performer and supporter of BHOF at a bar I was bar tending at and I told her I did burlesque, she hired me for a gig go-go dancing for an after party for Cirque Du Soliel's opening. I met Julie Atlas Muz, Little Brooklyn and Bunny Love at that gig and Little Brooklyn told me about Starshine Burlesque. I went to Starshine Burlesque and shortly after Creamy Stevens and Little Brooklyn booked me and I never looked back!

NYSB: Talk about your creative process. What goes into crafting a successful burlesque performance for you? What do you want audiences to take away?

Darlinda: This is a big question! It all starts  and ends with inspiration. The inspiration can come from a themed show, a costume, a piece of music, a character I want to create, a sentiment that I am feeling about society once I get the inspiration then everything else comes into place!

What I hear most from audiences is that they feel inspired. That's exactly what I want audiences to feel after they see me perform! I want to inspire people to have rich, exciting and confident lives!

NYSB: You are an instructor at the school of burlesque. What do you teach ? What is the class all about?

Darlinda: Yes, I'm an instructor at NYSB as well as BurlyCon and I have taught internationally!

At NYSB I mainly teach Flirting with Burlesque (happening every Thursday) and Performance Art Burlesque (happening Saturday afternoons in February.)

Flirting with Burlesque is an introduction to the school of burlesque, and a real great basic performance/dance class. I provide a great physical warmup that give students basic performance skills then I  teach a simple routine and then students have the opportunity to perform at the NYSB student showcase! 

My Performance Art Burlesque Series is an advanced class for students with performance experience. This class provides students with an opportunity to workshop their performance art burlesque acts as well as lectures from local peroformance art burlesque legends such as Tigger! and Velocity Chayldd!

Above: Darlinda and Scary Ben conjoined at the face in a show flyer for Bushwick Burlesque.

NYSB: Where can people catch you performing ?

Darlinda: I perform/produce with my partner Scary Ben First and Third Tuesdays at Bushwick Burlesque which takes place at a venue in Bushwick called Bizarre.I perform regularly at The Slipper Room, Coney Island (in the Summer), and various down town locations.

February 10th is a NYSB Student Showcase called DANCE IT OFF:A dance based burlesque show! Featuring the students of and performances by Perle Noire, Aurora Black, Rosie 151, Cheeky Cheetah, Scarlett Lace,Tiddy Fickle, Sizzle Dizzle, Zoob Fernandez and more!

NYSB: What advice to you have to those just getting started in burlesque or to newer performers?

Darlinda: GO SEE SHOWS, GO SEE SHOWS, GO SEE SHOWS! This helps to see what's out there, lots of new performers think they invented the concepts that they come up with, but a lot of things have already been done, so it's up to new performers to see what is already out there so that they can develop something NEW!

DON'T PRODUCE, the biggest mistake I see with new performers is that they produce within the first year of performing. FOCUS ON BEING A PERFORMER, producing is a whole other kind of job, it take a ton of work and what I see with new performers that produce is that their performance lacks when they produce a show. If you are dying to have your own show, hire a professional, pay them to do the work producing and promoting and then you can focus on your performances! Or take The School of Burlesque Driver's seat producing class, with Jonny Porkpie and Calamity Chang  have lots to teach you!! Above all take classes, learn, research and focus on becoming the best you can be. BurlyCon is one of the best things around for new burlesque performers!

About Darlinda Just Darlinda

Darlinda Just Darlinda "Mastermind of Bizarre Extravaganza" (as described in The village Voice!) has been working as a Burlesque Performer and Producer locally(NYC) and nationally since 2003.

Darlinda also performs in Off Broadway and television. In October 2009 Darlinda participated in Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge(Obie) as The Bride Love. She can be found on television; in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. She's crossed over into performance art with her year long "life as art" projects, “The Year in Rainbow” and most recently "The Year in Dance." In Darlinda was honored to perform with Julie Atlas Muz at PS122 in The Divine Comedy of an Exquisite Corpse. Darlinda is one half of the Burlesque duo The Schlep Sisters, co producing such shows as Menorah Horah and The Burning Bush vs.The Second Coming.

Darlinda is also a proud co-producer and member of the national touring group The Dangerous Curves Ahead: Burlesque on the Go-Go. Voted in the Top 50 Burlesque dancers in the world in 2012 and 2013, she is also the proud winner of the Liz Renay look-a-like contest and the recipient of the 2009 Golden Pastie Awards for The Biggest Hair and Most Innovative and Creative! She is also the recipient of The Brooklyn Nightlife Award for Best Burlesque Performer 2013!

Darlinda is a current faculty member at the New York School of Burlesque. In October of 2007 Darlinda participated in the Feminist Neo-Burlesque Symposium at The Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London. The Village Voice calls Darlinda a “Mastermind of Bizarre Extravaganza.” USA Today says “It’s hard to top Darlinda”

You can find more on what Darlinda  is teaching on the The New York School of Burlesque class page. Visit Darlinda on her website at Darlindajustdarlinda.com

To get tickets or find out more on DANCE IT OFF ! A New York School of Burlesque Dance Based Showcase, visit our See Live Burlesque Shows Page !

This interview has been brought to you by the schoolofburlesque.com