12 Days of Christmakwanzakah: Day 5-Brown Girls Burlesque "The Feast"

I'm just under the gun for day 5 of our 12 Days of Christmakwanzakah series...never on schedule but always on time :) I'm inspired by sister goddess Angelika's post yesterday dedicated to Artemis, so each of our subsequent posts will reference a different goddess. 5 is the number associated with Oshun so it only makes sense to feature something beautiful, smart and sensual.

I have shared bits of my burlesque journey here on Goddesses Rising and tomorrow night I'm debuting on stage with Brown Girls Burlesque. I'm really excited about this...and admittedly anxious (that fun butterflies in your stomach feeling)...it's something I've been working towards in 2010 so it's an appropriate end to a transformational year.

The show, entitled "The Feast," is all about the overindulgence of the holidays. You know...so many parties, so much food, drink, lights, gift-giving, merriment, shopping and...tomfoolery. So in the spirit of decadence, we're just gonna go overboard with sass, satire and sex appeal.

One of the things I really dig about burlesque is that it's a means of story-telling with bodies and nudity...you can tantalize and/or excite people's intellect, or just let go and be seductive. I'm new in this space but I like that it challenges people's ideas of art and sexuality. It also has made me hyperaware that many people can't combine a woman's intellect and sexuality...it's like the two can't co-exist. My teacher, Howlin' Vic, likes to say that society is cool with naked women, but is scared of a naked woman talking. Communication comes in many different forms...

If you haven't experienced it, see for yourself. At the very least, your admission of $10 with 3 cans of food will support the NY Foodbank during this cold holiday season. And how could I forget our special guests: BLAZE will be bringing some man meat and Queen Esther will be blessing us with some vocal stylings. And bring a partner (or meet one there)...it's a perfect grown folks holiday gift: delicious foreplay... ;)

Saturday, December 18
Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY
Doors at 9:30 p.m., Show starts at 10:00 p.m.
$15 - http://tinyurl.com/BGB15Feast
-OR-
$10 with a holiday donation of 3 cans of food to the NY Foodbank
http://tinyurl.com/BGBTheFeast-10

Here's some nearby by places to pick up can goods to donate:
4th Street Food Co - 58 East 4th St
Met Food Supermarket - 251 Mulberry St
Melisa Grocery Store - 73 East 4th St
Whole Foods Market - Bowery - 95 East Houston St

read more

Oh No She Di'n't...!

I'm coming to understand that many people thumb their nose at burlesque and think it's just about some chicks stripping on a stage thinking they're fancy cuz they wear boas and corsets. Now boas and corsets are hella fun and sexy and there's nothing wrong with getting nekkid but there is a very specific theatrical aspect to the art form of burlesque that should be revered and respected.

The ladies of Brown Girls Burlesque are masters of this art, making political statements and telling relevant stories to the audience with sass, strength and satire. Last month's Culture Classics was a full-out production providing commentary on mail order brides, Christian imperialism, the myth of the "tragic mulatto," and Israeli occupation of Gaza. It challenged your brains and your loins ;) Mindblowing, huh?

Well, now the ladies are cooling it down with "Oh No She Di'n't..." (part of the Coney Island Burlesque at the Beach series) which shows women coming out of their comfort zones, acting a fool and being controversial. The show will cover religion, abortion, international violence while uncovering some beautiful and powerful goddesses. I am the "Stage Mommy" of the show and I'm totally amped to be working with these dynamic sisters again. The legendary Miss Astrid is hosting so it should get pretty raucous. If you missed Culture Classics, here's your second chance to see how brown girls get down...

read more

Ladies In Limbo: Burlesque Broads Unleash Their Inner Goddess

The infamous, illustrious ladies of Brown Girls Burlesque present "Ladies In Limbo: Unmasking the Inner Goddess," a showcase of the first class of Broad Squad Institute! Six ladies from across NYC came together on a mission to unleash some raw sensuality on that @$$ :) They are making their debut this Sunday, September 26 at the Bowery Poetry Club in NYC from 10-11 p.m. Show some love and support for these foxy goddesses. $3 will get you in but of course, be generous with the tips...these ladies in limbo have been working hard and you will be thoroughly entertained! I'll be there as my alter-ego, jazabel jade. Be prepared to be transformed!

read more