Story and photographs by Sharon Armstrong.
There is a theory that I have heard that says that women dress not for men, but for other women. If that is true, then the burlesque girls of Fleur de Tease certainly proved that they can definitely undress for other women as well, in their spectacular, glittering and teasingly provocative Holiday Show last night at One Eyed Jacks, in the French Quarter.
The secret of a good burlesque show lies with not so much what the girls actually show to their audiences, although what they got ain’t in any way bad, but what they keep hidden. The titillation(no pun intended) has to be tag-teamed with both grace and comedy, and the brilliance of Fleur de Tease is that not only are the girls all almost painfully sexy, they are incredibly funny as well.
For those who have never been to one of Fleur de Tease’s shows, the main attraction is always the sheer creativity with which the artists effortlessly walk a quivering tightrope between soft porn and strangely wholesome good humor in their performances.
The other essential ingredient for good burlesque is surprise and novelty. Joining Director/dancer Trixie Minx, fire-dancer Natasha Fiore, Lily Summers, Madame Mystere, and Bella Blue last night, flexible guest aerialist Sarah the Bobcat, sexy circusesque Oops the Clown, and the impressive whip-wielding ‘glamazon’ Madame Chartreuse (billed as 'six foot nine & worth the climb') all added their own innovations to the show.
Whether hanging from silken hammocks from the ceiling, or dancing almost naked with whirling fire, extolling the hirsute values of various questionable g-strings, or looking adorable boxing that last minute "BEEP! in a box" while sporting a fake beard, the girls never faltered or failed to keep their tongues firmly in cheek
Impossible to capture jazz in pictures, you say?
Well, a recently published book, HISTORIC PHOTOS OF NEW ORLEANS JAZZ (Turner Publishing), with text by our good friend Tom Morgan, achieves the closest thing: with period pictures culled from national and private archives, the collection presents a thorough glance at many of the people and places that shaped New Orleans music.
Story by Ignacio Sanguinetti.
Friends of Humberto “Pupi” Menes, along with the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, will hold a benefit concert for the renowned percussionist this Sunday, October 11 at 2 pm at the Balcony Music Club. The concert will be hosted by “Freddy Omar con su Banda” and features a “descarga” or jam session with Pupi’s fellow musicians. Pupi suffered a debilitating stroke last month, and this event has been organized to raise money to help with his medical bills.
Pupi is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest congueros in New Orleans. Pupi plays with a unique style that mixes tumbadora, bongo and chekere.
Born in the Cuban port city of Matanzas, Pupi began his musical career in the 1960s, playing drums in Miami. He continued playing drums in the rock band ‘Ocean’ before shifting to percussion to play with the great Cuban vocalist Ruben Gonzalez.
Since then, he became a fixture in the New Orleans Latin scene, playing with many popular acts including Santiago, The Iguanas, Caliente, Elegant Gypsy, the Pedro Cruz Band, Acoustic Swiftness, and others. He also has toured and recorded with the funk band Smilin’ Myron.
Today he is a key member of Freddy Omar con su Banda –appearing on all of Freddy Omar’s albums- as well as the Latin band Otra, and the jazz group Two Pan Sam.
“This event is an opportunity for all those who know “Pupi” to show how much we love him and tell him that we are waiting for him”, said Freddy Omar to WWOZ. “Pupi is not only a great musician, he is a good man, a good friend. New Orleans needs his energy on stage", he added.
Pupi was also a volunteer at WWOZ, where he hosted the Latin show whenever he could. “Pupi played with every musician in town, he has a special personality and beat. He has been playing for more than 30 years”, says Yolanda Estrada, who now hosts the show
Story and photograph by Ignacio Sanguinetti.
Margie Perez is a lovely singer and also a fantastic songwriter. Her last CD, “Singing for my Supper,” is soon going to be re-released through a non-profit label dedicated to helping New Orleans musicians. You can always find her performing all over the city. We recently had a short chat with her at the Balcony Music Club (BMC).
Story by Sharon Armstrong.
New Orleans-born dancer Eliza Alcalá remembers the day she decided to give up ballet, which she had studied since the age of three, in favor of Flamenco.
Story by Sharon Armstrong.
A guitarist, a bassist, a drummer and a mandolin player all walk into a bar in San Francisco – what do you get? The answer is the distinctly New Orleans blending of funk, roots music and country that is the Honey Island Swamp Band.
Les Getrex, along with a galaxy of other New Orleans musicians, will play at Tipitina's on Saturday, August 22, as part of a 'Benefit Jam' for New Orleans' own Queen of the Blues, Ms. Marva Wright. Marva is recovering from two strokes that she suffered during the last few months, and the benefit show, which starts at 9 p.m., will raise money to help cover the star’s medical expenses.
Story by Rosie Ledezma.
On Saturday, June 27th, Sean O’Meara was presented with an appreciation award on behalf of the local Irish and Celtic community. The surprise ceremony was a part of the monthly “ceili” or dance held at the Deutsches Haus in New Orleans. They kicked off the festivities with traditional Irish folk music accompanied by dancing and - what else? - beer.
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