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Friday, October 1, 2010

Gratitude this Week

‘Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.’~Lao Tzu
 keerakeera

Kawaii Sookie and Bill from True Blood. Love it so much! I have devoured Season 3 and am so excited about the developments happening, especially to Alexander Skarsgard's character Eric Northman. I loves him.

Having someone come up with the great Idea of having a Brisbane Burlesque website with event information. So Great, because I think it is so important to keep performers in Brisbane, having fun, building up the scene and a fan base here.

Other Things I Love This Week

Art vs. Science > Candles > Ray Ban Sunnies > Induction Training for my new Job (night-fill for a discount department store, but hey, it's money) > Mocha Ice Cream > Spartacus: Blood and Sand > Doing some sketches for Bridesmaid dresses for my Sisters Wedding next year > Bed > Homemade Pizza > Going shopping with my Tall, Exotic looking Sister and having her asked to be a in a music video (hello? i'm standing right here?) > Washington (the singer; not that state or city) > A birthday party that was Rocket themed with a table full of colour co-ordinated lollies, popcorn, cupcakes with stars (giving me idea's for my son's birthday in Dec, I'm thinking Dr. Suess > Trying on Shoes > Planning Blog posts > 'Little from column A, a little from column B' > Looking through Fashion and Makeup Blogs and planning a wardrobe overhaul (when I have the money?) > Sleeping in > Still reading Phillip Pullman's book two in the 'His Dark Materials' series > Wil Andersen from the Gruen Transfer :)
The Age Newspaper

Performing at Barsoma on Sunday was amazingly fun, and I love the vibes and the people. I am eagerly anticipating tonight, hanging with my sisters, watching Lola the Vamp and Coppelia Jane at Ric's, and then running around the corner to Barsoma to see this licentious lineup:
Sweet Soul Sister's
La Viola Vixen
Julz DiVine
Lady Cave
Dynamite Boom Boom
Blaike Starlet
Davina Mercy
Diamond Dahlia
The Judy Dolls (I highly recommend you click these ones, they will whisk you over to some great youtube video performances)
As well as the Pillowbook Girls doing body painting during the night.
The anticipation!!!!
Yay.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

First Photo's from Qsesh



b551.com

Symbolism

A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On maps, crossed sabres may indicate a battlefield. Numerals are symbols for numbers (amounts). All language consists of symbols. Personal names are symbols representing individuals. - Wikipedia page on the Symbol
I personally believe that our society, is rife with symbolism. These symbols have extremely deep esoteric meanings that we are unaware of. Becoming in touch with these meanings can help us learn more about ourselves, they way we view the world and who we are. I will be starting a new Blog feature each week delving into a symbol, archetype or sign. I will research and compare Eastern and Western Philosophies and search for common ground where this symbol is used.

What does this have to do with Burlesque? Plenty. Understanding the symbolism in the shows you watch and create gives them a deeper meaning and communicates on levels that most people don't understand but are definately memorable.
Kenneth Burke described Homo sapiens as a "symbol-using, symbol making, and symbol misusing animal" to indicate that a person creates symbols in her or his life as well as misuses them.
The First Symbol in the series will be AIR

Air is the first in the Classical Elements of Air, Water, Earth and Fire. It is connected to breath, clarification, life and communication. It rules the Astrological signs of Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. It is also connected to the colours of yellow and white.

Deva Darling's Aerial Burlesque
Aerial Goddesses of the Velvet Hammer
The Nekyia: Bellydance, Burlesque, Fire and Aerial Acrobatics

Air is seen in many cultures as a universal power and made of pure substance.
Its fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire, and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare ("to breathe"). Air - Classical Element
Greeks.
Plato considered air to be mathematically common with the Octahedron.
Octahedron

The Ancient Greeks split Air into two parts, AER being the lower human self, and AETHER being one of the Protogenoi, a first born Elemental God. He personifies Space and Purity, being the Air the Gods breathe.
Anaximenes of Miletus thought of air as being the Arche; the Origin of Life, the Beginning.

Hinduism
The pancha mahabhuta, or "five great elements", of Hinduism are kshiti or bhūmi (earth), ap or jala (water), tejas or agni (fire), marut or pavan (air or wind), byom or shunya (or akash?) (aether or void). Hindus believe that the Creator used akasha, the most "subtle" element, to create the other four traditional elements; each element created is in turn used to create the next, each less subtle than the last. Hindus believe that all of creation, including the human body, is made up of these five essential elements and that upon death, the human body dissolves into these five elements of nature, thereby balancing the cycle of nature set in motion by the Creator. Each of the five elements is associated with one of the five senses, and acts as the gross medium for the experience of sensations. According to Hindu thought, the basest element, Earth, was created using all the other elements and thus can be perceived by all five senses - hearing, touch, taste, smell, and sight. The next higher element, water, has no odor but can be seen, tasted, heard, and felt. Next comes fire, which can be seen, heard and felt. Air can be heard and felt. "Akasha" (ether)is the medium of sound but is inaccessible to all other senses. -Classical elements in Hinduism

Vayu

Tarot
Air is connected to the suite of Swords.
As Signs governed by the element of air, GEMINI, LIBRA and AQUARIUS are also associated with the Tarot Deck's Suit of Swords which belongs to the Minor Aracana. This Suit is sometimes referred to as Spades and its elemental ruler is air. The season linked to the Suit of Swords is Autumn and its direction is East. This Suit governs intellectual activity and is essentially male in character. It is the Root of the Powers of the Air...a picture of the intellect in its best and most controlled aspect. The Zodiac Signs associated with Swords are progressive, often given to eccentricity and flights of fancy. The Ace of Swords symbolizes the beginning of clear and creative thought. It is the Suit of mental perception with an awareness that appears to be beyond the understanding of general society. It cuts away outmoded patterns, clearing the path toward new ideas. However, the cutting away of the past and rebelling against acceptable thought can bring about situations of conflict. Thus, it is necessary for analytical and logical thought to give way to spirit, so that resolution of the highest order may be achieved. Swords are primarily concerned with thought and communication. Unfortunately, they are also often associated with emotional turmoil and contain more cards that are deemed to be "bad" than another other Suit of the Tarot. The Ace of Swords is a particularly decisive card and one of powerful energy, denoting clearness of vision and freedom from confusion. It enables personal understanding and the ability to understand others. In a spiritual sense, this card often marks a turning point or breakthrough into new clarity and wisdom. The Ace of Swords, in essence, is a sweeping and whirling energy...a breath of fresh air which blows away the cobwebs and washes away the red herrings. The Aces of the Tarot represent new beginnings, strength, speed and energy. In short, the life force in its true essence. They are the beginning of the growth process, whether that growth be physical, mental or spiritual. Aces also symbolize the growth of an idea, concept or belief, in addition to being indicative of new careers, new relationships and changes of residence. Each Ace represents the beginning of some type of journey.
 paulomara


Chinese
Air is not one of the Chinese Classical Elements, but it has been linked to Qi and also to the Classical Element of Metal. Qi is an energy flow contained in every living being. Reflexology and Acupuncture have been developed from Ancient Chinese knowledge of Qi points on the Body.

Buddhism
A core belief of Buddhism is Anapanasati, or 'Mindfulness of the Breath'. It is a basic form of Meditation that I have applied in my life, and has helped my Depression and Anxiety enormously. Practicing this form of Meditation is one of the parts of the 'Noble Eightfold Path', to end suffering and achieve self awakening.

Astrology
THE ELEMENT AIR: (GEMINI, May 21-June 21, LIBRA, September 23-October 22, AQUARIUS, January 20-February 18) Here you will find the talkers and communicators of the zodiac. If you need something written or spoken, ask an air sign. Ideas seem to materialize out of thin air for them. These people are like the air we breathe. Always moving and changing. Just when we think we know them poof, they change again. Very social, these air signs. If your party seems dull and no one is talking, you don't have enough air sign people to fill in the gaps between words with more words.
Objective and rational; no emotionalism here. The air signs are so objective they can become impractical in their actions and beliefs. Superficial, these signs never want to get into heavy emotional discussions about the dreaded "feelings" dialog that are more important to watery signs. Like the air, these signs hate to be restricted. Freedom of thought and movement are their most cherished desires.
Fire signs work well with air signs. Fire needs air to generate heat. The fires stimulate and help motivate the air signs into new ideas.
-nancee star
Modern Wicca
Air is one of the five elements that appear in most Wicca and Pagan traditions. Common Wicca attributions include:
  • Cardinal direction: The East
  • Season: Spring
  • Time of Day: Sunrise
  • Time of Life: Childhood
  • Elemental Being: Sylph or Fairies

electricwitch
Air's place on the pentagram is the left hand point.
Sumer
A civilization found in Mesopotamia and Iraq  during the Early Bronze Age believed Enlil was the Lord of the Wind. Enlil was the God of the Weather. It was said that he created Humans, was annoyed by our noise, and tried to drown us with a Flood.
He who is all bright eyes,
will be laying eyes upon you,
the great mountain, father Enlil,
who is all bright eyes,
will be laying eyes upon you,
the shepherd, the decision maker,
who is all bright eyes,
will be laying eyes upon you.
From 'The Harps That Once... Translations of Sumerian Poetry' By Thorkild Jacobsen 1987

Egypt
Shu was a Primordial God of Air. As the air, Shu was considered to be cooling, and thus calming, influence, and pacifier. Due to the association with air, calm, and thus Ma'at (truth, justice and order), Shu was portrayed in art as wearing one to four ostrich feathers as a Headdress. He became an emblem of strength by virtue of his role in separating Nut (sky) from Geb (earth).
 Aztecs
Quetzalcóatl, (Feathered Serpent/Precious Twin), was the God of Knowledge, second son of Tonacateuctli and Tonacacíhuatl (Xochiquétzal). He is the God of Air, associated with life/life-giving and wind and is related to Venus as morning and evening star. He co-created all attributed to Huitzilopochtli above. He also is said to have created the second world after the flood with Tezcatlipoca. His twin brother is Xolotl. As Eecatl, he is the Wind-God whose breath moves the heavens.

 Maori
In Māori mythology, Tāwhirimātea (or Tāwhiri) is the god of weather, including thunder and lightning, wind, clouds and storms. He is a son of Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father). In his anger at his brothers for separating their parents, Tāwhirimātea destroyed the forests of Tāne (god of forests), drove Tangaroa (god of the sea) and his progeny into the sea, pursued Rongo and Haumia-tiketike till they had to take refuge in the bosom of their mother Papa, and only found in Tūmatauenga a worthy opponent and eternal enemy (Tregear 1891:499).


Today

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Aang's special-ness comes not only because he is the Avatar (able to 'bend' all elements) but also because his natural element is Air, and all Airbenders were wiped out nearly 100 years before the series begins.
Triangular Symbols of Air used as Warning signs for Danger.

2801 is used in some 40 modern ideographic systems. It is used in the ground-to-air emergency code to mean it is probably safe to land here. In botany it means evergreen perennials. It appears as a tele-engineering sign for telephone and in meteorology can signify hail. Philatelists use it to indicate that enough of the envelope is left to show the whole postmark together with the stamp. It is used in physics to indicate a lowering of the freezing point or a lowering of the temperature. Chemists, however, use it to mean warming up (as did the alchemists). In cartography 2801 sometimes stands for natural gas, while 2851 in the same context can stand for oil or oil well, all these denotations connected to the element of fire.

In Harry Potter the element of Air is given to the house of Ravenclaw, and there are many many references to flying, (either through charmwork or brooms) Many of the animals in the series also fly. Griffins, Horses, Owls, a Phoenix.

In Robert Jordan's series 'Wheel of Time, Men and Women can 'channel' magic, weaving elements of Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Spirit. If you look hard enough, there are symbols and uses of the Triangular all around is, in the books we read, to the music we listen to.


To the Movies we watch:


If you wanna geek out some more I recommend Wikipedia, The Vigilant Citizen and Pseudo Occult Media.
Keep an Eye out.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Dali

  • The art of Salvador Dalí, an extreme metaphor at a time when only the extreme will do, constitutes a body of prophecy about ourselves unequaled in accuracy since Freud's "Civilization And Its Discontents". Voyeurism, self-disgust, the infantile basis of our fears and longings, and our need to pursue our own psychopathologies as a game — these diseases of the psyche Dali has diagnosed with dismaying accuracy. His paintings not only anticipate the psychic crisis which produced our glaucous paradise, but document the uncertain pleasures of living within it. The great twin leitmotifs of the 20th century — sex and paranoia — preside over his life, as over ours.
    • J. G. Ballard, "Introduction" to Diary of a Genius (1974) by Salvador Dalí

 The Hallucinogenic Toreador

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Whatever Lola Wants

 Dan Blank did this WONDERFUL music Video of the Satin Dollz
I love it so much it hurts.

For some reason, the embed code does not want to work, so just click on the links below for the juicy goodness of Old Hollywood glamour.

Whatever Lola Wants

Making of

Enjoy.
Whatever Lola wants...Lola gets
And little man, little Lola wants you
Make up your mind to have.... no regrets
Recline yourself, resign yourself, you're through
I always get... what I aim for
And your heart'n soul is what I came for

Whatever Lola wants... Lola gets,
Take off your coat
Don't you know you can't win?
You're no exception to the rule,
I'm irresistible, you fool, Give in!

Cyan Reign

Cyan Reign is a great little boutique I recently stopped into on my way to a job interview. The mannequins out front were dressed in goth burlesque and I couldn't resist ducking in, even though I was dressed boring corporate. The card I picked up from the friendly owner boasts made to measure Couture Corsetry for women, men & waist training, Bridal, Formal wear and Avaunt-garde. I was discussing with her the fact that I am just starting in Burlesque in Brisbane, and that most corsets don't fit me perfectly because I have Scoliosis.
Surprisingly, she offers a discount to anyone in the industry, payment plans if money is tight, and true spiral steel boned corsets that can be fitted to look symmetrical, even when I am not, and help to move the ribcage and spine into a more natural position. Needless to say, I have been checking out their website and love the photography, the models and the clothes!
I love that we have really talented people right here in Brisbane, and I will be featuring Performers, Events and Stores weekly in this blog, so keep checking in regularly for more news and hidden surprises!
“Fashion isn't meant to be serious. It's meant to be fun and harmless. A way of rebelling without hurting anyone and I love how you can step out the door as a different person every day depending on what you're wearing.” - Cyan

Cyan Reign Corset featured in Vogue

Featured in Brisbane Times

Cyan herself from the website which is incredibly put together.

The website is www.cyanreign.com.au and they can be found at the Upper Level, Shop 5 (above Thread'n'Bone which is also amazing, but I will cover that in another post) 251-253 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Reveiw

We drove into the car park at McWhirters and saundered around the block chatting away about how great Garuva's Tranquility Bar was last week. The footpath was uneven, and I really had to focus on where I was stepping, but was so excited when I turned the corner into Constance St and saw the sign for Barsoma. There was a VW Bug on the side of the road painted Green and Gold. A girl from the class crossed the road with curlers in her hair. Another one was on the phone just outside the door.
The space was retro, clean and comfy. The bartenders were cheeky. The change rooms were full of props and graffiti. I had booked a table for six. Myself, my boyfriend (without who I would not have even been able to go to dance classes), my two sisters and their respective partners. It was about 5:30pm and I saw Chad and Kat trying to figure out who was dancing where and how. La Viola Vixen had been stuck in Sydney, having her flight cancelled. As Lola kept saying 'She has been kidnapped by Virgins'

The wrap sheet was scrawled on a napkin.
The photographer was taking photos of the mayhem.
The girls and I were trying to figure out music and fans and run through with the stage in mind.
Talking over the top of each other and giggling nervously.
It was exciting and time was accelerating closer and closer to the time we were meant to perform and I was trying to split my time between my little family at my table (now eating pizza and beer-battered chips) and the girls backstage, getting changed, bossing each other around, complementing the costumes, oozing with pride and nervous excitement.
=UtenaTenjou1212
Our fan performance was first on stage, starting at 7pm. We marched in, on stage and in front, the stage lights hot, the faces we were performing too, eager. Of course there were mistakes (It was our first time on stage, and it was uneven) but for the most part, we did it. And it was Hot. I felt like my smile was going to quiver off my face.
Once off it was a quick scramble to get changed and get back out there to watch a solo. Jasmine from Aladdin became a bikie chick. I was finally able to relax and watch some of the video that my sister took of my performance. It needs editing, but will be on you-tube soon and I will be linking to it! Many photos were taken, drinks ordered, dirty jokes told.
~PsikoPower
The band, 'Card Houses' got up and played a set, great to listen to, too loud to really talk over. Classic kind of rock with a lead singer who was playing with a synth alot. Not dance music either, just kinda chill the room out a bit.
The Parasol routine was next, and was so cute with the hide and peek. I especially love the part where the legs are shown up over the Parasol on the floor. The music was cut off awkwardly, because it was not the same mix that they had been learning and practicing to. More solo's.
Paige La Belle was cheeky during her Go-go routine, and probably the most comfortable solo performer that night, and everyone cheered her on. Ruby Le Rose was next doing an extremely risque chair routine, and then a long wait (wardrobe malfunction) for the last solo performance: Lily le Raven.
Chad St James, Lola and Lady Cave all stepped forward taking turns on the mike to entertain, educate and tease. There was one serious moment when Lady Cave gave some great advice to all amateur Burlesque girls. Get people to come, and get them to drink. That is how you get paid. The more gigs we get in Brisbane, the better, the less we have to travel to do shows, the better. It definitely gave me some food for thought.

*JAtothemuthafinC
All in all it was a great night and venue with a very supportive and understanding environment for us to start in. Big thank you's to Chad St James, for being full of drama and angst, and keeping us feeling like stars. Lola the Vamp for cheering us up and on. Kat Creasey for stepping in for Viola. Huge thank you to my Boyfriend, who is supportive of this new crazy venture I'm doing (he watches my son for me when I have to go to dance class), helps me come up with ideas, and he pays for my costumes (unemployment sucks ass). Also my sister, Elly and her Hubby Rick, for drinks and pizza and parking, photos and video and many drunken antics, Jai and Rob for their support and encouragement. Everyone else who turned up! All the girls at the Bombshell Burlesque and Beauty Academy for professionalism and keeping the show going :)
I am so glad to be a part of this and just want to sink deeper and deeper into it. I kept saying after the performance, "Oh, my God! I wanna do it again!"

And I do.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Tonight.

Barsoma, 22 Constance st, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
sunday 26th september
qit presents
qsesh
la viola vixen
the bombshell burlesque//beauty academy
$5 pizzas and drink specials all night!
come in for great food, awesome cocktails and cool tunes.
doors open at 5pm
no cover charge

This could quite possibly be one the most action packed Qsesh to date!

This instalment of Qsesh sees 'The Bombshell Burlesque and Beauty Academy' invading Qsesh. "Bombshell's Burlesque with headmistress La Viola Vixen", who will be making their grand graduating debut with a series of burlesque performances throughout the evening.

With a headmistress such as La Viola Vixen, you can be you will be applauding for more.

Rilrae on Deviantart
......
Now if that wasn't enough, the band with a difference 'Card Houses' will be making their return after their successful performance back in May for the Qsesh first birthday. Add this with other special guests Charis and Friends, drink specials, $5 pizzas and other yummy foods, this is going to be one epic Qsesh.

So come join your host Chad St James at Qsesh for another sunday session with a difference.

Remember doors open @ 5pm with the live entertainment kicking off at 6pm sharp.

Get in early for prime seating and if you're thinking of wanting a table for the night call Barsoma for bookings on 32529550