THE MAISON BURLESQUE BLOG
Feathers, sequins, showgirl secrets…oh my!
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Getting to Know…Lauren Bok!
Between the two worlds of burlesque and comedy, a fine “Jester of Burlesque” rises to the occasion of giving you both butterflies in your stomach, and the ability to snort-laugh at the same time.
Being a multifaceted performer, there are many sides of Lauren.
We meet Lauren - the award winning stand up comedian with big attitude, big energy and big face. Having performed in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth FringeWorld and Edinburgh Fringe, Lauren has aquired a rolodex of hosting and comedic appearances throughout the world, creating joy everywhere she turns/
Then we meet Ivana Showoff - the ravenous burlesque artist with a heart of gold, and legs to boot. Proving she’s fierce competition in the 2023 edition of Mx Burlesque Victoria, you can find Ivana galavanting in the evenings as a frequent Burlesque Showboat host.
Getting to Know…Joanna!
For over 25 years, Joanna’s experience in the performing arts has led her to achieve proficiency in numerous dance forms outside of belly dance - including ballet, jazz, and musical theatre. She holds a Bachelor in Entertainment Business Management, as well as Certificates across music theory, performance and sound engineering.
Joanna’s love of MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic & Turkish) dance has thrusted her into the international realm, where she has performed on festival stages across France, Spain and Greece. Her belly dance style is described as traditional oriental, however she is known in Australia for her strong influences in musical theatre, queer culture and cabaret.
Getting to Know…Azcadelia
Prepare your fantasies and your nightmares for AZCADELIA - the face that launched a thousand sexual awakenings.
Masterful onstage and a masterpiece in visual media, this Queen of Queer is both the princess and evil stepmother of her own fairy tale: a Gemini with two faces- and they’re both irresistible!
Right where arthouse meets madhouse, Azcadelia is coming to hypnotise and terrorise. EROTIC. ERRATIC. ELECTRIC. THEY ARE - AZCADELIA!
We sat down with the Draglesque instructor and asked some “hard hitting” questions…
Getting to Know… Valerie “Va Va” Valentine
Valerie VaVa Valentine is the epitome of Classic Burlesque. She looks like she has literally stepped out of a Marilyn Monroe film, and with a cheeky smile and a silly bump wins hearts across our dear city.
We sat down with Valerie and asked her the hard hitting burly questions. Read on to get to know a little bit more about this bubbling personality!
Getting to know…Evana De Lune!
She’s been part of the furniture for a while now, and who would have thunk it that we never properly “got to know her”?
Well, we finally sat down with the self-described Lizard Queen, the legendary Trundle Bed winner turned teacher, Evana De Lune.
Getting to know…SHAM!
Because we all need more strengthening & conditioning in our lives, we are so honoured to bring you the multi-faceted performance artist, Sham, to our teaching team with her specialised Burlesque Barre class!
We sat down with Sham and asked her some questions to get to know her better!
Getting to Know…Gina Stirling
LOOK WHO WE HAVE SNAGGED AT MAISON BURLESQUE!
Yup, the ICONIC Gina Stirling is putting the 'G' in 'G Spot' as a brand new instructor at Maison Burlesque, and revealing herself as a radical, queer, self-loving act.
Getting to Know…The Strawberry Siren!
The Strawberry Siren is one of the fabulous new additions to our teaching staff, and we couldn’t be more honoured to have such a powerhouse as a part of the Maison Team! With 20 years in the performance industry, Strawberry’s long list of accolades and projects has cemented her as an icon in the burlesque, circus, pole and comedy scenes in Australia. Plus she’s even a qualified fitness trainer and beauty therapist! What hasn’t she done?
Getting to know...Iva Grande!
We sat down with resident Strip Hop instructor, Iva Grande. She's got the gift of the gab with this juicy interview. Settle down, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy this fascinating read.
Getting to know… Egson Ham!
Our Boylesque instructor is really a character. Born into a world of dance, Egson Ham's whole career revolves around moving and shaking, with his name bedazzled in neon lights. Read up on our dirty, jazzy instructor and be sure to catch him at his next show! He truly becomes everyone's favourite person after the first bite.
Getting to Know… Juniper Fox!
We thought it's high time you met one of Maison Burlesque's newest instructors - the lovely and oh-so-bendy JUNIPER FOX! Juniper joined us at Maison Burlesque at the start of 2019 and teaches Low and Limber, Chair Dance, Floorwork, and Ballet for Burlesque!
We sat down to get to know her a little better.
Getting to know… Whisky Falls!
Whisky Falls has headlined shows at the London Burlesque Festival & Best of Burlesque (Edinburgh Fringe), as well as countless shows in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany & the Czech Republic. Whisky is also started producing a new burlesque show “to Hogmanay at the Highlander” right here in Melbourne!
Getting to know… Our Trundle Bed Queens!
Burlesque can be an addictive thing... And we have some wonderful students who spend so much time dancing and shimmying and twirling their tassels here we have often turned up to work only to find them asleep amongst the sparkly costumes & feather fans...
And so in 2017, the annual "Maison Burlesque Trundle Bed" awards were born! We thought seeing as they essentially live at the studio it would be great to get to know our Trundle Bed winners a little better! So grab a tea cup (and then put some champagne in it) and check out the little chat we had with Miss Trundle Bed 2018 - Jean Jerminx and Miss Trundle Bed 2019 - Megs Akimbo!
Getting to know… Velma Vouloir!
Part fiery femme-fatale, part 80s geek and a whole lotta Showgirl - Velma Vouloir the current Miss Burlesque Victoria, Miss Burlesque Australia 'Miss Classic' & resident Burly Flex & Showgirl Follies instructor here at Maison Burlesque! We had a little chat to her about her love of silver screen starlets, all things 80s & getting started in burlesque.
Getting to know… Miss Maple Rose!
One of our fabulous instructors here at Maison Burlesque, Miss Maple Rose is the self-pronounced ambassador for the True White North who burst onto the Australian burlesque scene in 2011. Since she has worked tirelessly at reviving the glory of old Hollywood glamour on Australia’s seediest stages. This bright eyed, autumn haired siren began her performing career as a ballerina, and combines her professional expertise in costume and set design with her foundation in dance to create cheeky routines that are entirely original...
Getting to know… Domino De Jour
Part 1950s bombshell, part 1980s hair-rock groupie... She's the platinum blonde with the itty bitty waist and the huge personality! We all know and adore Miss Domino De Jour as one of our amazing burlesque teachers at Maison Burlesque, but we thought we'd get to know her a little better!
Getting to know… Poppy Cherry!
Blonde Bombshell, Mother Hen, Rum Fiend & Fan-Weilding Fantasy... She's the co-owner of this little wonderspace we call Maison Burlesque as well as being a much loved performer, instructor, MC, producer, stylist, pastie maker & cat-mum. We had a little chat to her about all things burlesque!