VK Q&A: Getting into Burlesque Dancing
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Question:
Hello, I’m actually wondering how do I get into burlesque dancing? (DS)
Answer:
I recommend looking into local classes first. This is a great way to meet others with your desire, and working professional which can be a great networking tool if your aim is to become a performer in burlesque.
How to become a burlesque performer is one of the most popular questions I receive. Last year I presented a step-by-step basic guideline on how to start.
Part I:Â Understanding Burlesque
Part II:Â Creating Your Character
Part III: Â Music Selection and Preparation for Composition
If you have any particular question not covered, please feel free to contact me.
Burlesque Dance Contest
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The upcoming movie Burlesque is about a small town girl finding fame and success in a burlesque club in LA. In promotion of Burlesque the movie, MTV and Burlesque have teamed up to give local aspiring stars a chance at burlesque fame.
They will be holding auditions in select cities nation wide. At each location one performer will be selected and their routine uploaded to the Burlesque Dance Contest website for final voting. The national winner will be selected by users votes, and receive $5,000.
The contest is open to amateur dancers, ages 13 – 30. Selected music for the audition is provided and can be downloaded from the website.
The Burlesque Dance Contest will be in Dallas on October 24, 2010, beginning at 2:00 pm at Studio 22: A Ballroom & Social Dance Club (14902 Preston Road, Suite 400, Dallas, 75254, contact 214.520.5646).
For official rules and more information, visit Burlesque Dance Contest. For more information about the movie visit Burlesque.
Special one-time only Burlesque Body Sculpt Workshop!
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Special 2-hr BBS workshop , Monday, October 18, 6:30-7:30pm –This is a one-time only workshop teaching of an original Velvet Kittens’ dance number from the VK repertoire!
Monday, October 18th we are offering a one-time only special Burlesque Body Sculpt workshop! From 6:30 – 8:30 pm, students will learn an original Velvet Kitten dance number from our repertoire! The Workshop begins with the Burlesque Body Sculpt foundation: stretching for flexibility, dancer toning exercises, core work, and the intense crunch-push-up combo, then move into learning a beginner/intermediate VK dance. **Workout or dance wear recommended, and knee pads and/or tights or leggings.
RSVP by calling Verandah Club manager Cara at 214.761.7895, or by contacting us here.
Cost for the Oct 17th 2-hour workshop:
Verandah Club members: $15+tax
Existing burlesque students: $25+tax
New students, registered by October 15: $35+tax
New students, registered after October 15: $45+tax
Coming up in late-Oct thru Dec:
Next weekly workshop with performance opportunity : Naughty and Nice
Monday nights from 6:30-7:30pm
Begins October 25th
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Next special 2-hr workshop will be Dec 13th. More information to come!
All Burlesque Body Sculpt classes are held exclusively at the Hilton Anatole Verandah Club (2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas TX 75207). Burlesque Body Sculpt is created/structured/choreographed by Jana Edele, artistic director of the Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque.
Burlesque Body Sculpt and Velvet Kittens next performance
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
The Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque and our Burlesque Body Sculpt students will be performing this Sunday at Spookfest. Spookfest is a collaboration of diverse metroplex dance companies, choreographers, and performers representing the variety of dance entertainment available today – and all in one stage show.Â
The Velvet Kitten dancers will be performing three varied numbers, from an intense stylized jazz piece (Smooth Criminal), a cabaret-style number choreographed to a treasured holiday classic (The Spanish Variation from the Nutcracker Suite), and one of our signature dances from our VK repertoire (Sugar Moonlight). Our Burlesque Body Sculpt students will be performing a cabaret-burlesque style dance, Insatiable (featured on Good Morning Texas), and the debut of the latest BBS featured workshop, Spellbound.Â
The Velvet Kitten featured dancers:Â Heather Arnold, Tami Christensen, Jana Edele, Lea Essmyer, Colleen Kachlic, Mark-Brian Sonna, Michelle Turner
~Insatiable, Spellbound, Sugar Moonlight, Smooth Criminal are choreographed by Jana Edele; The Spanish Variation is choreographed by Mark-Brian Sonna~
Spookfest is this Sunday (Oct 17), 2:00 PM, at Carrollton Plaza Arts Center (1115 Fourth Avenue, Carrollton TX 75006). Tickets are available by contacting Cindy from HOF at house of funk theatre co at yahoo dot com.
Tickets:Â General Admission $10; Children (11 and under) and Senior Citizens (65+) $7; Balcony Seating $15.
Other featured companies and performers:Â House of Funk, The Nerd Krew, Cassandra Capener, Airheadz Krew, Texas Elite Krumpers, Taylor Dance Center, Hathaway Academy of Ballet, Contemporary Dance of Dallas, Urban Dance Crew, Canyon Lake Performing Arts Center.
Spookfest is presented by House of Funk Theatre Co.
Lucifer Descending
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
After Lucifer’s conflict with God he creates Hell in response. He descends to earth shortly thereafter to abduct Seth, the third child of Adam and Eve, and takes him through the depths of the underworld. He sees the future and the fate of humanity’s worst sinners.
 
Lucifer Descending is one of the “Choreographed Plays†that has become a signature style for MBS Productions: There is only a back drop; it is through the use of the actor’s bodies, movements, and fabric that all the sets and locations the play is created.
Â
October 14 – November 7, 2010
Written, Directed and Choreographed by Mark-Brian Sonna
Starring:
Ivan Jones  Rey Torres
David Gorman  Charli Armstrong  Sara Ragsdale
Alejandra Flores  Dylan Peck
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For more information on Lucifer Descending and MBS Productions, visit here.
~MBS Productions is an on-going sponsor of the Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque~
BBS “Spellbound†Performance Prep Workshop Schedule
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
“Spellbound” students are required to attend the Performance Prep Workshop to perform on Sun. Oct 17th. We’re offering 4 dates for Performance Prep. Students are not required to attend all 4 dates, but it is recommended to attend as many as possible. For Saturday students unable to make Mondays, we can add additional Saturday classes.
Class times currently available:
Mondays – September 27, October 4 & 11: 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Saturdays – October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Rates:Â All four classes – $45; three classes – $35; two classes – $25, pay per class – $15.
Upon the discretion of the instructor, a student who is not ready by performance time will be required to wait till next performance opportunity. Additional Performance Prep classes can be added to the schedule upon discussion with instructor, or private lessons scheduled, to ensure each student is confident and prepared for Oct. 17th.Â
 ***Must be a student of the BBS “Spellbound†Workshop to attend the “Spellbound†Performance Prep Workshop.
Tonight’s Line Up
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Burlesque Body Sculpt students begin the evening with a performance from our “Insatiable†workshop, followed by performances from the Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque dancers. Local Dallas band Inner Frequency will then take the stage, and dancing to live music our July featured Burlesque Body Sculpt workshop “The Hot Seat†students perform, and the Velvet Kittens’ dancers also make a guest appearance with Inner Frequency!     Â
The fun and frolic begins at 11:30 PM.
Where:Â 2826 Arnetic (2826 Elm St, Dallas TX 75226)
When:Â Saturday, September 18th
Admission:Â $5.00
Get a sneak peak of “Insatiable†from our appearance on Good Morning Texas here.
Burlesque Class – Q&A
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Question:Â
I have no dance background and am a total ‘elaine’ on the dance floor–do you have a beginner’s class for someone like me?
Answer:
I offer Burlesque Basics on Monday nights, 8:30 -9:15 pm (available September 13, 17, and 27). Burlesque Basics is perfect for anyone desiring to ease into a dance class. Every Burlesque Basics class is different, as I originate each class around the particular interests and level of the students in attendance. With 17 years of teaching experience, I have the skill and ability to access each student individually and provide unique instruction at a personal level.
Burlesque Basics is available as a drop-in class, $20.00 per class. RSVP for class at [email protected] (cara dot young at yahoo dot com). Classes are held at the Verandah Club (2201 Stemmons Freeway) in Dallas, TX.
Do you have a question? Contact me!
September Burlesque Class Schedule
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Upcoming September Velvet Kittens’ Burlesque Body Sculpt and Dance Workshops/Classes:
For the month of September, we are offering the following: “Spellbound†Burlesque Workshop, Burlesque Basics (weekly drop-in class), and “Insatiable†Burlesque Performance Prep Workshop. We have also added a Saturday class! Below are the descriptions and additional information on each September workshop and class offered by the Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque. All classes are held at the Verandah Club (2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas TX). To reserve your place in class, please contact Cara Young at the Verandah Club ([email protected]).
The “Spellboundâ€
Burlesque Workshop
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Work your magic and spellbound your audience with this Velvet Kitten exclusively choreographed dance number! Each class begins with our originally designed Burlesque Body Sculpt foundation, sculpting your body to a dancer’s physique using traditional dancer exercises, then moves into this month’s themed burlesque style dance number. The “Spellbound†Burlesque Dance is taught in four one-hour class sessions. We also provide choreography notes for at home preparation. Students from our “Spellbound†Burlesque Workshop will receive an invitation to enroll in a Performance Preparation Workshop, and offered an opportunity to perform in a student showcase in October. Early registration rate: $45 (must register by September 7th). Regular Registration: $60.00. (There is an additional charge to participate in Performance Prep Workshop).
We are offering two different sessions for the “Spellbound†Burlesque Workshop. Students can sign up for a weeknight or weekend workshop session!
“Spellbound†Burlesque Workshop I – Mondays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm (Sept. 13, 20, 27, & Oct. 4)
“Spellbound†Burlesque Workshop II – Saturdays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm (Sept. 18, 25, 2, & Oct. 9)
**All workshops must attain a certain number of pre-registered students prior to the beginning of the session, or session may be cancelled.
Burlesque Basics –
September Schedule
 Burlesque Basics is an introductory burlesque dance class that focuses on the basic foundation of the burlesque style of movement. This drop-in class is perfect for students curious about burlesque, and desiring to try-out a class before registering for one of our workshops.Â
This is also a great class for students who want to learn the burlesque style of dance outside of a workshop, students looking for a beginning dance foundation, and anyone who just wants to indulge in a fun burlesque dance class.
Mondays, 8:30 – 9:15 (Available September 13, 17, and 27)
Drop-in class: $20.00 per class.
“Insatiableâ€
Performance Prep Workshop –
 September Schedule
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The “Insatiable†Performance Preparation Workshop takes the student to the next level. The Performance Workshop focuses on the previously learned choreographed number taking the student into a “rehearsal†period, and continues instruction on technique, posture, execution, and memory – and prepares the performer to take the stage. There is also a performance opportunity for the students at the end of this workshop. It is not mandatory to perform, only an offered opportunity.
Students are required to learn the choreography prior to the performance workshops by attending the workshop or scheduling private lessons prior to Performance Prep Workshop.
“Insatiable†Performance Prep Workshop Schedule-
Monday, Sept 13 – 7:30 –8:30 pm
Thursday, Sept 16 – 7:45 – 8:45 pm
Saturday, Sept 18 – 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Rates:Â All three classes $35.00; two classes $25.00; Pay per class $15 each.
**It is recommended students participate in as many rehearsal classes as possible, but also understand the difficulty of time commitments and are offering this session three options to accommodate.Â
Workshops coming up in October/Nov/Dec:Â
-        Special two-hour workshop! Reserve the date: Monday, October 18th (6:30 – 8:30 pm) we will offer a one-time only workshop teaching an original Velvet Kittens’ dance number from the VK repertoire! (Choreography by the Velvet Kittens’ artistic director Jana Edele)
Next Featured Workshop with performance opportunity:Â “Naughty and Nice” (4 class series)
Special Two-Hour Workshop! Reserve the date: December 13 (6:30 – 8:30 PM). One day only holiday themed workshop. Details to come!
Velvet Kittens Upcoming Performance Events
Posted by Jana Edele | Filed under News
Shows
Upcoming September Performance: The Velvet Kittens will be performing on Saturday, September18th at 2826 Arnetic (2826 Elm St, Dallas TX 75226, www.club2826.com). This evening will also feature a Student Showcase, followed by live music by local Dallas band Inner Frequency. 11:30 PM.
Upcoming October Performance: The Velvet Kittens will be taking the stage at Spookfest, presented by House of Funk Theatre Company, at the Carrollton Plaza Arts Center (1115 Fourth Avenue, Carrollton TX 75006, www.plazaartscenter.com). Our burlesque students will also be performing at this event, on Sunday October 17th, 2:00 PM. For more information about Spookfest, visit www.houseoffunktheatrecompany.com (tickets on sale in Oct.).