June 2003

Culture © the other press ©

 

 

I think more sexy women should take
their clothes off, don’t you agree?

JAL: Absolutely. Actually it seems to me
that women really enjoy burlesque. When I
talked to some of the staff of the paper I
think all the women knew about burlesque
and some of the guys didn't. Do you find
that a lot of burlesque fans are women?

CD: It depends on the venue, but often
we have more women than men in the
audience and they love it. Burlesque is
such a sexy good time that everyone
enjoys it.

JAL: Do you have a favourite venue you
like to perform in?

CD: Not really, I like them all. Of
course it is nice to play in a place you've
been before where you know where your
dressing room is and such. But, no I like
something about them all.

JAL: I've seen photos of you online and
your costumes are gorgeous. Do you design
them yourself?

CD: I design all my own. I’m so glad
you like them.

JAL: Really? Wow, that’s amazing. Do you
get someone to sew them for you?

CD: No, I make all my own costumes
myself.

JAL: That’ incredible. I guess thats a part
of burlesque — having a lot of skills. I can't
believe you make them yourself. Again they

.

are absolutely beautiful.

CD: Thank you, I love working on
them.

JAL: I think that’s one of the things that
attract me to burlesque. The spectacle the
beautiful costumes, the beautiful women. I
know that even when I go to the opera or
something like that, Im looking at the cos-
tumes and the hair and make up.

CD: Well isn’t it all that more enjoyable
when it’s good looking? Growing up, I
loved all the old musicals. The big dra-
matic scenes and costumes — it was all
very glamorous. Burlesque is like that.

JAL: Now, Dita Von Teese...
CD: Oh, we're best friends.

JAL: Really? Well I know you work closely
together. Anything in the works right now?

CD: Oh yes, we're always working on
something. We are right now — very top
secret.

JAL: I know Dita has her  .wn
clothing/merchandise line. Anything like
that in the works for you?

CD: Actually I also design and make all
of Dita’s costumes.

JAL: No way! Really?

CD: Yup. I love designing for Dita, she’s
beautiful and she’s my best friend, so I
want to make things she will love. I am

 

I think more sexy women
should take their clothes off;
dont you agree?

working corsets for Dita’s line of cloth-
ing. This way everyone can have one.

JAL: I've been to gentlemen's clubs and I've
been to some of the seediest strip clubs in
Canada, but I've never been to a burlesque
show. Is there any particular audience eti-
quette I should be aware of?

CD: There's no etiquette. Except of
course, no leaping on stage. Don’t worry
we'll take our clothes off; you don’t have
to rip them off of us. No, burlesque is
just such a fun, sexy time.

JAL: In strip clubs the atmosphere is often
subdued and kind of creepy — with the
silent gaping and all. How is this different
from a burlesque show?

CD: (laughs) That's a whole different
scene. In strip clubs there’s often a hus-
tling atmosphere. The girl is doing her
yob. With burlesque it’s more of a show.
Its entertainment and it’s a lot of fun. It’s
a safe place to go to experience some-
thing sexy. Ia think burlesque show is a
great place to take friends, or someone
you're sleeping with or someone youre
planning on sleeping with. It’s also good
for someone who wants to experience
something sexy, but is maybe too intim-
idated to enter a strip club or some other
venue. It’s acceptable and so much fun.

JAL: Well, I cant wait to see the show.
Thank you so much for your time.

CD: Oh you're welcome and I hope to
meet you at the show.

http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca

 

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