Subverse Aphrodesia

I'm not here to argue that "vaudeville is back" or whether it even died to begin with. What we've seen emerge in this first decade of the 21st century is not a recreation of vaudeville but rather a shared aesthetic most effectively defined by term "NeoVaudeville," despite the oppostion of many.

This aesthetic seeks its edge in a dusting off of a pre-electronic culture before mass market media. It is DIY, highly-theatrical, romantic and darkly sexy, and often comic while confrontational, questioning the superficiality of packaged pop and our materialistic excesses. It is LIVE but also uses modern technological advances to its utmost populist potential. It is hobo chic.

It is for everyone but does not patronize or sink to the lowest common denominator.

In addition to alternative circuses like Bindlestiff and variety troupes like Yard Dogs Road Show and the retro New Burlesque movement, I've been following punk cabaret artists like Amanda Palmer and Dresden Dolls and gypsy-influenced bands like Luminescent Orchestrii and Fishtank Ensemble. Here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I've found artists like And the Moneynotes and the Lotus Fire Belly Dancers surfing the zeitgeist. Electric Theatre Company's modern commedia troupe Zuppa del Giorno should be celebrated as well as ensemble member Conor McGuigan’s variety puppet shows and Richard Grunn's Il Circo di Urbano.

Other points of interest include the rapidly exploding Steampunk movement and venues of choice such as the Spiegeltents. Absinthe and old-fashioned cocktails have enjoyed a revival. And it was the sponsorship of Magic Hat brewing company that brought Bindlestiff Family Cirkus to Scranton, Pa. in 2007. Neither is it a coincidence that a stage musical adaptation of thee 1986 movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been running in various incarnations since opening in London in 2002. Or that Minsky’s “the new, old-fashioned musical about a Depression-era burlesque house” enjoyed considerable success at the Ahmanson in L.A. in early 2009 (there’s been buzz about a Broadway and/or West End transfer?)

Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. The Vintage Theater, Penn Avenue in Scranton. www.scrantonsvintagetheater.com. FREE; donations to the venue suggested. 

   

"In this post-MTV, post-postmodern, attention deficit-ridden age of electronics-induced schizophrenia, I make bold to suggest that few of us will have a problem with this "fractured" aesthetic."

- Trav S.D., founder of the American Vaudeville Theatre

No Applause - Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous

The Aesthetic

I've identified the unifying characteristics across the NeoVaudeville spectrum as:

Celebration of the pre-electronic era (yet computer literate & tech savvy). Pre-'50s retro. Victoian, steampunk, Depression-era. Vintage is prized byt replicas are preferred to ugly modern mass production. ACOUSTIC.

High-theatricality. Costume: feathers, lingerie, corsets, garters, silks/slios, natural fabrics, petticoats & bloomers, top hats and tails, formal suits and hats, pocketwatch. Anachronisms: compass, monacle, etc. Gender bending. MAKEUP. Stripes. SEXY.

Authenticity at all costs. (Yet, not above a little ballyhoo to get your attention and good showmanship to keep it.)

Smart is good. Learning is exciting. Lazy is boring

Freaks are welcome. Unique is key.

Hobo-chic: We're not owned by anything because we don't own anything. Cheap Art Manifesto.

Independent mangement / DIY: distrust of the mainstream / mass market. Self-branding. Merchandising is sharing (and survival).

Playfulness/ Clowning: Serious about maintaining the appearance that it does not take itself too seriously. Extends to creative instrumentation (e.g. toy pianos, ukuleles, melodica, saw, washboard & spoons, etc.

Challenging edge. Push the envelope. Sexually stimulating and/or verbally risque. Want the audience to experience some discomfort: a manifestation of growth? Vague political questioning?)

Conviction in the magic of live experience: You will not see this on TV.

The Party: Absinthe, Moonshine, Magic Hat, Hendrick’s Gin, The Cocktail: Cointreau.

*The characteristics of traditional burlesque have been cited by Cecile Camart as: exaggeration, parody, outrage, caricature, extravagance, comedy, bullfoonery, grotesque, and satire.

It's almost daily that I stumple upon another new lead in to the increasing influence of NeoVaudeville.

I established this blog to track the latest news as it meets my radar now that the initial project has been drafted.

*Videos appear as links in this blog feed. To view as intended visit http://neovaudeville.spaces.live.com.

-ag

March 10

Allentown Freak Out

Received news in the day job email today about a new fringe festival launching in Allentown, Pa.

The inaugural event appears to be sponsored in part by Allentown Public Theatre and will be held at multiple venues June 18-19.

According to the press announcement, this event "showcasing performers and artwork outside the mainstream" will feature: fire arts performers, hula-hoopers, art exhibits, indie musicians, drum circle, vintage film screening, theatrical performances, and more.

 

To get an idea of what they've already got on tap, visit http://www.AllentownFreakOut.com. The preliminary line-up is not breathtaking (at least in print), but as anyone who's ever launched an event knows, you've got to start with a vision and sketch it out with whatever resources you can scrape together. It's often only after the community experiences the manifestation of your vision that they'll get on board, and help build the future. 

No word if they're accepting inquiries from acts outside the Lehigh Valley who'd like to perform. If you find out, let us know.

 

The organizers are currently seeking fundraising assistance, donations, performer sponsorships, and volunteers. Contact info@allentownfreakout.com for more information.

 

-ag

 

 

6:18 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 08

Behind the Burly Q

 

According to the description at YouTube, director Leslie Zemeckis and producer Sheri Hellard "traveled extensively across the country from the Bayous of post-Katrina Mississippi, to New Jersey, Florida to ...record dozens of interviews with little-known performers to the last of the living legends of burlesque."

The documentary is scheduled to open April 23, 2010 at the Quad Cinema in New York City.

Among tthose interviewed are former musicians, strippers, novelty acts, club owners, funny men and women, authors and historians.

-ag

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February 23

A Hot Toddy Success Story!

 

As fortune and perhaps good dharma bestowed it, Steamtown Vaudeville's inaugural production was a huge success. We officially sold out two days before the show and after the willing squeezed into standing room in order to be part of this once in a a lifetime experience, we had to turn people away.

 

The goal was to produce an experience -- for it truly was more than just a show -- so wonderful that people would be begging us for more and we would have no choice but to do it again.

 

At this point in time, it appears that there will be another show of some sort. It will be different. It will, hopefully, be just as special even if it lacks that raw adreneline rush of "the first time."

 

In the meantime, please enjoy our photos of event. We'll be back with video soon.

 

 

 

-ag

 

 

 

 

11:47 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 18

Talking about PR Fire | Events / Exhibitions >> Steampunk, cabaret, burlesque, vaudeville, circus, magic and more

 

This is what White Mischief's got coming up in London. I'm loving the idea of these science of steampunk stunts!

-ali

Quote

PR Fire | Events / Exhibitions >> Steampunk, cabaret, burlesque, vaudeville, circus, magic and more
The nights theme will be The Great Exhibition, a reference perhaps to the grand and evocative Worlds Fairs of yesteryear. There will certainly be enough to take in, with acts as many and varied as Voltini, the outrageous mad scientist who electrocutes himself with visible bolts of lightning from a tesla coil; Bruce Airhead, a six-foot man who climbs inside a balloon; Keda Breeze, who makes sparks fly with an angle-grinding routine; and Steampunk burlesque acts from Beau Burlington and Meg La Mania.

 

 

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February 09

Picasa Web Albums - AliGrega - The Spectacular Scrantonian Spectacular

 

The Spectacular Scrantonian Spectacular

 

Electric Theatre Company's Out on a Limb series presents a playful evening of entertainment curated by Jeff Wills and featuring Kate Chadwick, Richard Grunn, Sheridan Grunn, Patrick Lacey, and Billy Rogan.

 

 

 

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