On September 5, 2015, Le Femme Mystique Burlesque will get the season of spookiness kicked off with their Oddi-Tease show, which will feature Vita DeVoid, Gigi DeLuxe, Discord Addams, Bella Sin and Noella DeVille. The evening will be hosted by Abby Downton.

Vita DeVoid has been a fireball on stage in the Southern U.S. Burlesque Revival since early 2003, performing solo and with a variety of productions based in Florida, while also touring the United States. Bringing back the iconic glamour of the 20s Vaudeville age through the 40s burlesque striptease arts, Vita keeps her unique style true to form with her playful, animated stage persona, glamorous cabaret costuming, musical selections and sense of humor. In early 2005, she founded the VaudeVillains Burlesque Company, Florida’s first full-scale variety show based on early 20th Century vaudeville, striptease and comedic one-act plays. The group remains a staple in Florida’s burlesque scene today, performing at various conventions, nightclubs, dinner theaters, charity events and concerts. Vita’s strongest performances vary from traditional bump ‘n grind striptease acts, tribal-esque belly dance, club go-go dance, fire performance, comedic event emceeing, human blockhead, one-act comedy sketches and character/actress impersonations, including one of Lucille Ball that has become one of her most demanded characters. 

Gigi DeLuxe’s art is as eclectic as the heritage that flows through her veins and the home in which she produces. Living and breathing through all forms of creation, Gigi is not content to limiting her expression to one medium. Whether it is art, sideshow or even her own body, Gigi’s range is one that is vast and not easily defined. Her inspiration comes for the predominantly working class neighborhood of her youth where she spent her time among the decrepit abattoirs and train tracks of Chicago’s South Side, her relationship with her uncle who served as an incredible influence during her teenage years and later on, as a noted member of the infamous Club Kid party scene in New York’s nightlife. With an aesthetic that blends a respect to the traditions and techniques of the old masters, the Secessionist spirit to explore and express without the restraints of conventional academic regiment, the abandon of the low-brow movement and just a hint of young British artists’ cheekiness, Gigi’s vision is one of ever-expanding desire to grow through conception. She fell in love with costuming at a young age and dedicates herself to preserving circus and sideshow tradition while adding the glamorous touch of burlesque in her performances. 

Discord Addams wants to look like she just stumbled out of a trailer after having a gang bang with Motley Crue. At her heart, Discord is a rock star, with a touch of every style of drag coming together to make up this queen’s performances. Discord got her name from the Goddess of Chaos, with her surname coming from the Addams Family. As she puts it, “I like to think I would fit right in at a family dinner.” Discord Addams will captivate you as she takes the stage. Come see her before she’s whisked off by RuPaul for Drag Race. We all know it’s an inevitability with this one.

This evening would not be possible without Cleveland’s Burlesque Queen Bella Sin, who will capture the crowd’s attention from the moment she takes the stage with her vibrant red hair and bright personality. Winner of 3 gold medals at Ohio Burlypicks !
Newcomer Noella DeVille will delight the crowd as she takes the stage with a vibrant shock of teal hair and mesmerizing moves.

Tickets to this primarily seated event are available for $15-25, including VIP and Reserved seating options. Doors will open at7:30pm and the show will begin at 8:30pm.

A modern form of discrimination to our community is gaining light through national media. Dancer Lottie Ellington was slut-shamed, humiliated, and left without her career over her love of burlesque performance.  How normal is this?  Very normal actually. 
She is not the first one, she will not be the last one,
 but what can we do to protect ourselves and help others?
 Let's learn the story of Lottie Ellington from Virginia. 

Lottie performed to a sold-out room of peers and fans, receiving a standing ovation for the number she was persecuted for earlier in the month.  We sat down with Lottie, who opened up about the ordeal and her future life as a performer. 

Where are you from?
 Originally from Detroit, Michigan, but currently I live in Richmond Virginia.

How is the mentality of the community as far as education in Richmond? 
Where I taught there wasn't a whole lot of community support.  At a school of over 1,500 I was lucky if I got 20 parents to parent-teacher conference night. There are no theaters or artistic venues in the city; the biggest theatrical event they have is the yearly high school play.

Was this job your main source of income? 
Teaching was my only source of income.

What were your feelings when you were outed?
 I felt betrayed and hurt.

Do you still live in the community? 
No, I moved after shortly after a drive by shooting.

Do you think this will limit your job opportunities? 
I can't get a job right now because of all of the media attention.  My face is everywhere, so it looks like I'm going to have to make Lottie Ellington a full time interest. 

As a teacher, what came to your mind about your students seeing the video?
 At first, I didn't care because I had already resigned so I considered it to be a non issue. However after it went viral and the parents called the local TV station, I was hurt and violated because it all amounted to cyber bullying on a large scale.  People (students & parents) were going to my Lottie Ellington Facebook page, downloading my pictures and passing them around.  Then adding insult to injury they started sending friend requests to my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  I had to change all of the privacy setting on my accounts to slow the spread and distribution of my image. 

What got you started in burlesque? 
I got started the best way possible... I went to a show!   

How did you find burlesque was right for you?
 I have danced my entire life, so as I watched my first burlesque show I said to myself... I can do that!

When did you and why did you start traveling? 
I did my first out of town show in Detroit, Michigan.  Richmond has a budding burlesque community, but because of the strict liquor laws, we are only allowed to perform in theaters.  So I started looking for work out of state to broaden my performance base and to lower the risk of being accidentally outed by an audience member. 

Did you ask for the video of you to be taken down? 
Yes, when the Michigan Burlesque Festival realized that my video had gone viral, they asked if I wanted them to take it down or just remove the negative comments and I requested that they take it down. 

Do you think this was discrimination against a misunderstood art form? 
This was "slut shaming" at its highest form.  Burlesque is female dominated and female empowering, and it strikes fear in the hearts of some people in Hopewell to think a woman could be smart, educated, and sexy in the absence of a man.  Again, this is a city with no cultural center.  A city that just this year considered eliminating the Fine Arts programs in the school district to save money. Many of the residents have no concept in a "metropolitan sense" of art or theater and even fewer residents know what burlesque is.  Without that context and prior knowledge it is difficult to fully process what you are seeing or reading.  There have been several parents, fellow teachers, and former students of mine that have reached out to show their support.  I just regret that the school administration felt it was necessary or appropriate to promote such a public scandal.  Hopewell is a small city (11 square miles) and after 8 years of teaching and living there, I know how things work.  I know why some stories hit the news and other stories never see the light of day.  It all depends on who you are, who you know, and who will benefit.  When all of the dust settles I will continue to hold my head up high, pursue my art, and fight for artistic freedom for all creatives. 

Where to now? 
Now I am focusing on building my brand, opening my etsy store, booking shows, preparing to produce shows, and being and advocate for my fellow performers.