Starlight, Starbright

 

Last Friday night I was fortunate enough to find myself at my very first Starlight Burlesque show, and it was a Christmas show at that! I have had a fascination with burlesque dancing since I was assigned a story for SPIRIT Magazine on Native burlesque dancers back in December 2007. Recently I connected with Emmanuelle La Gitane on Twitter, who is part Algonquin. So of course I was stoked to see what her troupe is up to in Toronto.

The George Lake Swing Band

Their Christmas show was at Blue Moon and had their troupe, which consists of performers Esther De Ville, Virginia D'Vine, St. Stella, in addition to Emmanuelle La Gitane.  There was also special performances by Coco Framboise, Mina LaFleur, Incredible Edible Akynos reppin' NYC, and even fire-eater Dante Inferno. What made this show unique was that the George Lake Swing Band was there, a sixteen-piece jazz orchestra. How amazing is that?

Esther De Ville by Mopo Art

 

Esther De Ville opened the show with her twirling umbrella (see pic above), and Emmanuelle La Gitane was up next. She started the show in a cute little Nutcracker ensemble busting some ballet moves, and then stripped down to a bellydance outfit where she did some Middle-Eastern influenced grooves. And for her finale she swayed on while wearing a hot little red number.

Emmanuelle's background is in bellydance which have her the agility and ability to combine those elements in her burlesque performance. She began burlesque dancing only a year ago and started her classes in Paris after being encouraged by a burlesque performer in Toronto who was taking her bellydance classes.

Saint Stella. Photo by Dean Villafuerte.

Saint Stella showed off her flexibility during her performances. 

And a fire-eater, oh my!

 

Virginia D'Vine is divine.

The deliciously talented Coco Frambroise.

Photo by Dean Villafuerte.

Emmanuelle does it again.

 Aykyno' look here reminds me of my friend Erika Archer.

Now that's a wrap! Mini LaFleur.

As you can see there was plenty of entertainment and plenty of eye candy at this event. If you haven't been to a burlesque show yet, by all means seek out the next event in your town and get out there. It is really fun to go with girlfriends and gab and gush over all the pretty costumes and that old-time glamour. It really makes you want to go out and re-enact all those '50s musical scenes complete with silk, satin, and little bit of sexuality. In fact that's exactly what it makes me want to do! I know I've said it before but don't be surprised if you find me at a burlesque class soon, in fact  I heard that those Starlight Burlesque ladies might just be giving some next year ...

isKwe and I left happy girls. It was her first time at a burlesque show!

NB: Look for the next Starlight Burlesque show by joining their Facebook group here.

See related posts:

-Burlesque Baby

-Tomahawk Tassels I

-Tomahawk Tassels II