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.

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 

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

January 28

JIM THORPE BURLESQUE FESTIVAL!!!

 

We are crazy super psyched about the inaugural Jim Thorpe Burlesque Festival coming March 27-28.

Sponsored by Dragontown Corsets, the weekend long event will be held in the historic Mauch Chunk Opera House. In addition to a burlesque competition with cash prizes, the festival will also include a Burlesque Bazaar at the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center as well as workshops and classes.

 

8:38 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

January 27

Bellydancers at NEPA Indie Arts Bazaar

 

 

Professional Belly Dancer & Instructor, Haifa (below) and some of her students (above) performed at the first NEPA Independent Arts Bazaar at Eleanor Rigby's in Jermyn on Saturday, Jan. 23. Haifa specializes in tribal, Eqyptian, and gothic belly dance and is based in Northeastern Pennsylvania a.k.a the 570. Find her online at www.haifabellydance.com.

 

 

8:29 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

January 04

Charisma Artist Showcase

 

This is a dream! Several of my favorite artists of the past few years all performing together in one night under one roof.

If I thought I could get out of Scranton to NYC to experience it, I'd say "pinch me."

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City Winery
A special Charisma Artist Agency APAP showcase, featuring 10 top bandsThe APAP Conference 2010 brings together luminaries in the Performing Arts world for a five day conference in New York City. The Annual conference also acts a showcase for new and emerging performers.

The theme this year is "Risk.Opportunity.Now" and embracing the opportunities presented when you take a chance. Join APAP and City Winery in exploring the opportunities presented by great new music.

Featuring :Fishtank Ensemble, Jan Bell, Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade, THE WIYOS, Boulder Acoustic Society, Asylum Street Spankers, moira smiley & VOCO, Kailin Yong Peace Project, Sxip Shirey and many more TBD.......

The APAP showcase runs from 7.00pm to 12.00am and features sets from all bands. Tickets are $10.00 ($15 door). Free entry for APAP Presenters and Badge Holders.

10:24 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

January 03

Talking about News: Brit Steampunk THE MARIONETTE UNIT Impresses.

 

Hope the resulting film - assuming it gets produced - isn't as misogynist as the Fun Size Studios inception video suggests. Just look at the smugly pleasured looks on the faces of those men. Ugh. Would breaking free from their tryanny in the end justify 90 minutes of watching women subjugated first?

Maybe it's feminist in the same way Joss Whedon's Dollhouse is supposedly feminist.

It wouldn't be the first time I've been fooled.

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News: Brit Steampunk THE MARIONETTE UNIT Impresses.
Set in an alternate Victorian-era London in which steam driven technology has developed at a ferocious rate and all creative endeavors are strictly government controlled, the film revolves around a dancer struggling to be freed from the machine which controls her movements on stage.

5:31 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

Save the date: annual Belly Dance Festival in NJ

 

I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure this is the one Rachel Dare and Kendra McHugh of Lotus Fire recommended to me in our ec/dc interview last year. Seems funny to say that, but it was 2009, so... 

I'm wondering what Steampunk Belly Dance is exactly? Is it worth a road trip to find out? As if the lure belly dancers alone is not enough. :)

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Prep the calendar: Must-Dos for 2010 | NJ.com: Ent. Home - Impact - - New Jersey Entertainment | Mus
Veils will swirl and hips will snap during the Spring Caravan Belly-Dance Festival at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, April 28 through May 2. Besides performances by troupes and solo artists, there will be basic classes for newbies and kids, plus advanced workshops in funk fusion, urban tribal and the ever popular steampunk.

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