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Hispanic Heritage Month In Burlesque 2018

9/14/2018

Latinos have brought their sazon to America with in their artistry, thru out time their collaborations in Music, Art and Theater has been critically acclaim . Now most of ever we are working to shine thru the storms not only to weather it but to inspire others to stand proud of our Latinidad. Burlesque has been no diffrent, Latina legends worked to end discrimination with in the industry that now holds space for latinas thru out, even tho we still have our challenges we continue to build spaces thru latin shows representing our Gente thru out the land.

Most recently Perlita Picante produced the show "Azúcar!" In Olympia, WA.
She states "In short, I wanted to showcase Latin/Hispanic talent, and how different we are even though our cultures are very similar throughout Latin American countries. We're much more than the stereotypical spice and fire, and that we represent a variety of shades, shapes, sizes, ability levels, and taste. At Azúcar, I gave each artist freedom of expression by asking them to bring an act that best represents their own voice. The result was a stage full of diversity, in which many of the attendees (there were many Latinos who hadn't been to a burlesque show before) saw themselves represented through performance art."

Across the Country the Hispanic Burlesque Showcase made it's Debut in Denver, Colorado at The Clocktower Cabaret produced by "Cleveland's Burlesque Queen" Bella Sin. She stated " Highlight shows like this need to be brought to places where we might see our gente working thru out shows and we want to inspire them to create spaces where they can be them with out code switching, Diversity in burlesque is still hard to come by and the excuse of having "Not Many People Applying" - "Not that many POC in our city that do burlesque" or what ever excuse they give to not put the work to produce a diverse show needs to stop. This is why shows like these are necessary! You will not give us space? Ok Will make our own"- Bella Sin
The hispanic burlesque showcase on it's second annual show will take place in Cleveland at The Beachland Ballroom November 1st.

Hispanic Burlesque Showcase Denver. Cast and Mc Dolly Patron Kittens (non POC)

Producers across the country have been producing shows in representation of the latinx culture with some notable name such as Frankie Elenor, Vivi Valens, Bella Sin and Ruby Rounds to mention a few. After the Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festival in Orlando this year we see the inspiration of the support of latino culture in burlesque via shows but also some producers and festival understand that Latinx performers are in need now more then ever of platforms to represent, speak and shine on stage.

Dancers like Lola Coquette , Ruby Champagne and 2017 Queen of Burlesque Medianoche inspire hundreds of our gente to continue to represent for our countries every where.

Our legends of Latin Burlesque paved the way for us to dance thru the door thru the years of working hard thru an industry that almost exclusively booked non poc dancers,

Legends like Suzette Fontaine whom resides in New York City.
She had her start as a go-go dancer in the early 1960’s of Puerto Rico to her ballet dancing with a company at Carnegie Hall until 1968 brought her into the world of burlesque at the Playhouse Theater on 42nd St. To avoid the stigma and exclusion facing many Latina and African American dancers of her time, Suzette chose the last name of her favorite English ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, and picked “Suzette” for its French flair. Suggesting a European background, Suzette Fontaine was born and began her career lasting over twenty-five years.

She was among Marinka, Julie Mist , Gypsy Louise , Lola Foxx, Gina Bon Bon and The first legend latina legend of the year (BHOF) just to name a few of our latina icons.

Then and now our identity is complex to people not familiar with latinidad and always bulk us together is on but keep in mind not all of us are from the same country nor speak the same language and many do not understand terms or definitions when it comes to Hispanic, Latinx, Latino, Afro Latino, Mexican and Chicano.

Here is a is a the definitions.

Hispanic - Some one who descends from a spanish speaking country.
Latinx - A gender neutral alternative to latino or latina referring to sone one of
latin american descent.
Latino/Latina - A person of Latin American origin this includes brazil but excludes Spain*
(Not every one does identify as latino/a)
Afro Latino/a - A black person of latino/a or latinx descend with african heritage.
Mexican - A person of Mexican descend
Mexican American / Chicano - A person from Mexican descend (1st or 2nd gen) born in the USA

Burlesqueras are thriving thru out the world, showing everyone que si se puede!
and so this is the years submissions of our Hispanic Heritage in burlesque!

Burlesqueros con Orgullo!
Check out vedettes latinas, latinx, mexicanas, afro latinas and hispanos giving some sazon to the burlesquera movement internationally.