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Hispanic Heritage In Burlesque

10/14/2015

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Gina Bon Bon
Latinos have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage month thru the highlight of many different community members in the United States, Latinos have a beautiful colorful history and that is including burlesque. Legends like Gina Bon Bon a Cuban performer began her career in burlesque in NYC in 1965, as a dancer in the chorus line of  the Latin Fire All-Latin Revue. She has since worked clubs and theaters all over the U.S., Canada and Guam, including a co-starring role in Burlesque USA alongside legendary comedian Red Buttons and singer/dancer Robert Alda (Alan Alda‘s dad) and feature engagements with Minsky’s Follies, the Chicago Playboy Club, and Cabaret Las Vegas. Marinka The Amazon, Ezi Rider, Di Alba, Kitten Natividad and more. 
Legends Like Marinka The Amazon,  Di Alba and Ezi Rider 
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BHOF- Bella Sin, Gina Bon Bon, Lola Fox Marinaka and Suzette Fontaine.
Represent some of the stars of the Hispanic world from the yesterday, Inspiring a whole new generation of Hispanic women to take upon the art form with pride in the neo burlesque era. 
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Ruby Champagne
We start in California with Ruby Champagne this burlesquer has presently perform in BHOF 2015 in Best Debut! 

Pretty Boy Rock is the award-winning boylesque persona of singer/actor/dancer/stand-up comedian Jade Esteban Estrada as seen
 on Comedy Central and Bravo TV. 

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Pretty Boy Rock
We reached out to some Latin Burlesquers- And Asked How do you bring burlesque and
​ Latino culture together? 
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Name- Bianca Dagga
Location-  New York City
Your Heritage- Afro/ indigenous Puerto Rican and indigenous Chilena, culturally raised Nuyorican. My mother's side is from the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico and my father's side is Mapuche, (indigenous from the Andean mountains of Chile.)

 it is so important to me to stay true to my roots in my performances. I use aspects of my latin upbringing in every act. Aspects such as dance influence, rhythmic movements, that certain fuego in my presence, and hip gyrations. The hip gyrations and undulations is often perceived to be a sexual gesture especially in burlesque but in my Puerto Rican culture, it is part of the custom to dance like that, even at young prepubescent ages.  In Latin culture dance is a means to tell stories, and it is the same with burlesque. I won Princess Of Latin Burlesque at the Latin Burlesque Festival with a tribute act to my Nuyorican roots. Growing up with my abuela and abuelo they would play boogaloo which is a fusion of Puerto Rican salsa and american soul & r&b music of the 50's and 60's. That originated when musicians from Puerto Rico came to New York in the 50s and found the r&b and jazz clubs in Harlem and naturally the collaboration of both genres was born. Right now I am working on creating a Bomba act. Bomba is another genre of music from Puerto Rico. It is traditional heavy percussion based music that is a call and response between the drummers and dancer. It is a spiritual and political release/ expression that originated when enslaved Africans in Puerto Rico used the style of music and dance as a means of rebellion and uprising as well as celebration and to create identity and community. In the future I would love to do a tribute performance for my Mapuche Chilean side. There is incredible music and stories that originate in that culture. I have spent a lot of time at Pow Wows learning about my dad's people of the Andes, as well as listen to his stories of his time there. I'm excited to represent my Hispanic culture not only in every day life, but in burlesque!

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Name: Ophelia Cox
Location: Eureka,CA
Heritage: Mexican/American  aka Chicana

As a Chicana, I have always had a place in my heart for my heritage and cultural roots.  I began learning the traditional dances of Mexico at the age of 7 and soon it became a big part  of life.  Once I started exploring the beauty and artistic freedom that is burlesque, ideas of enveloping both dance forms came to mind.  One of my signature acts called Aztec Reyna, is a neo-traditional burlesque act that consists of a fusion of Danza Azteca, Cumbia, and rock n roll. I decided to use traditional Azteca regalia to share the authenticity and beauty of that time in history. There are so many different and beautifully rich subcultures for each state in Mexico. My goal is to share all of it with the audience one act at a time.
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Name- Lola Coquette
Location- Phoenix, Arizona
Your Heritage- Mexicana, Sonoran Yaqui, and Sur Americana Mix
I have an extensive background in various forms of Latin American dance, from Latin Ballroom to Mexican Folklore, Brazilian Samba, Cumbia, Merengue, Salsa, and Tex Mex. Thanks to my diverse ethnic background I grew up being fluent and educated in five languages- English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French and being very educated on Latino History I have not only been a burlesque performer for five years but also an instructor, and when I teach a class, I bring in Latin culture not only through physical dance movement but the langue and history associated which each type unique dance. 

I feel when I first started burlesque, there were few references to Latino(a) performers unless you look at old grind house movies. Even burlesque history and pin-up culture were very whitewashed. As I started to delve into burlesque I fell in love with discovering our Latina Legends & pioneers and have even fortunate enough to have them share their stories with me and guide me. Growing up in Nogales, Arizona, I never quite felt like I fit in to either Mexican or "American" culture. I played in a Mariachi but also in punk band. I danced ballet Folklorico but also classic ballet, contemporary and jazz on the high school pomline. I was too "white-washed" for the traditional Mexican community but too "Mexican" for American culture. I spent so much time trying to assimilate to white culture and deny my roots. Burlesque has brought my back to having orgullo for my cultures and my ethnic backgrounds. I love that I can blend it in with classic bump and grind, neo or comedy to offer it to my audiences. I feel as every performance I am blessed with, I am given a chance not only to know another layer of my as a burlesque performer but as representative of my culture. All this has given me a spotlight and a stage to educate and promote our culture and bring up questions of ethnic/culture/social issues. And nothing more could solidity this growth than by winning the Best Representation of Latin Culture at the 2014 Latin Burlesque Festival and being published in Latin Magazine September 2014 Issue.  

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Name: Chola Magnolia
Location: Austin, Texas by way of San Antonio, Texas
Your heritage: Mexican American
The majority of my performances are derived from some part of my culture. The music I use is primarily Latino, whether it be Tejano/ Polka, Conjunto, Banda, Cumbias, corridas, or norteno. If the music is not Latino, then my dancing and my costuming reflect my culture. For example, my latest performance is to American music, but has been heavily influence by my childhood, dancing as a matachine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I am extremely proud of my heritage and wish to share how beautiful it is with my audience as much as possible. 

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Name: Lily LeCroix
​Location: Allen, Texas
Heritage: Puerto Rican

I bring Burlesque and my culture together by producing Latin burlesque festival and shows and I am also the director of a Latin fusion dance company in DFW metroplex, Texas. I enjoy sharing different Latin style dances with our audience.

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Name:Bella Sin
Location: Cleveland
Heritage: Mexican 

The adelita is my favorite memory of Mexico i have, I admired those women along with the elegance of  El Baile Folklorico dancers with the energy they give on stage. I feel my goal is to represent the idols of my youth in with great energy and costumes. I often have to tell people am from Mexico born and raise at times is hard to not be considered Latin but i have found more and more as i grow older my color does not define my heritage. I love being Mexicana and i like to tell people how amazing our food and traditions are thru burlesque. Every year i know that i have really inspired other Hispanic performers to tell their stories. 

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Pulling Up All The Haunts! Halloween Costumes!

10/13/2015

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We all know the struggle when you are looking for costumes and as Halloween comes closer 
the stress get's higher. Not to worry your friends at Ohio Burlesque have you covered. 

Costuming Store Galore 
Let's talk LOCAL costuming stores.

Do you want to be a Pin Up Doll? Sexy Ghoul? or A Darker Mysterious Vixen? The Mission Boutique- 14625 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 
Pre-Packed Costumes buy to own no lay-aways
$10.00 - $230.00  in Size XS- 4X 
This store have been open over a decade and has everything from shoes, wigs, jewelry, hosiery and corsets!
***This store is locally owned
Year Around Monday Thru Saturday
12:00PM - 9:00PM and Sunday 12:00PM-5:00PM


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Looking for something unique with a bit of history? Something for not just the spooky holiday but a every day lovely vintage find?

 The Cleveland Shop 
6511 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Half and Half  ranging from $20 to $200
3-day rental - XS to L 
Small but mighty Plus Sizes upto 4X
This year they will sell 80% of their rentals
***This store is open year around and is locally own for 36 years
Year Around hours 
Tuesday thru Saturday 12pm-7pm

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If you are looking for something more traditional that will be a show stopper this store is huge and it has a wide selection of costumes for all ages.  
Mr. Fun Costumes and Magic Emporium- 4130 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Large Rental range from $35.00 to $75.00
Pre-Packed range from $30.00 to $60.00
Sizes go from XS- 2X
***This store is locally own and has been open since 1968 but in this location for 10 years. 
Monday thru Saturday 10:00AM-9:00PM
Sunday from 12:00PM-5:00PM



Rentals with out regret, Don't want to fuzz ..? No Muss the friendly staff at Cleveland Costume
on 1271 Pearl Road Brunswick, Ohio 44212, Will help you find the costume that will work best for you this Halloween season. 
Mostly Rental ranging from $19 to $89 for 3 days - Sizes go up to 3X
Newly moved an open on the 1st of the month in Brunswick, 
was located in Strongville for 18 years. 
***This store is open year around and is locally own
Year Around Hours 12pm-7pm Tuesday- Friday
Halloween Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
12pm-9pm

Starship Earth is located on 16880 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, Ohio and it has a very large wig selection really literally any wig you can think of is there. They have a large selection of gloves, accessories, masks and make up ranging from Ben Nye to Melkon. Head there with time to look around they do have a heck of a lot to look at and try out. 

Chelsea's Costumes is located on 1412 W 116th Cleveland, Ohio and it is a giant store with mostly rental costumes. They do have weird hours so please call prior to making your trip they can really offer anything but you have to go with time to dig around to make sure you find what you need. 

Buying local and supporting local ! 
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Scares Are In The Family- Akron Haunted School HouseĀ 

10/10/2015

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The Haunted School House in Laboratory located in 1300 Triplett Boulevard in Akron, Ohio has been a 42 years long family tradition. The haunt host around 100 actors in two buildings.The haunt is set with in two buildings that combine provide 7 floors of terror filled entertainment.  
​We were lucky to have a behind the scenes look October 4th a busy night for 15 year veteran ​Ryan Haidet our guide thru the haunt and it's behind the scenes, The lines have been steady thru out the night and we are swept away to the make up room downstairs where a mural of the last 42 year of scenes stands in it's colorful beauty in the back wall along with a detailed reaper on the side wall that was quite beautiful. and so we went up into the void with our trusted guide.  

The ambiance is there from point of entry and as the hearts race the first scare is delivered. The set design is highly detailed from make up to set design the artists at the haunt have absolutely designed with their all their customers in mind. It's creator Don John's started to built his nightmare house in 1974 and The Thomastown Elementary School served as 3 floors of the attractions and in 1981 he purchased The Guggenheim Airship Institute and created the laboratory.
For 40 years Don created a small family with in the two buildings he was the brain behind the art, scenes and a trendsetter with in the scare house business.  He would have very particular props like in the Laboratory morgue scene there is a retired embalming table that served for 25 years in a local funeral home and the family kept the unique prop addition after his passing in 2013 with his funeral flowers being added to the decor of the 7 floors and a loving memory to it's creator Don.   
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There is so many interesting details about the laboratory that Fred Coladonato 19 year veteran revealed to me along with Ryan. The first parachute was made in the building as it was The Guggenheim Airship Institute in the early 1920s. The art deco architectural design decorates the laboratory entrance and in the back the goddess of flight decorates the top of the building. Fred tells me that there is some suspicious paranormal activity in the building. People during their ever so popular black out hear voices and sounds when there is no one around the floors, The old building used to be used to make caskets for our fallen solders in 1947. 
The Laboratory also hosts 2-10 ft Tesla Coils with 1/2 Million Bolts of Electricity on inside the laboratory and the other on top of the building making quite the show for drivers passing by.
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Besides the haunted history of this location the last 42 years of this haunted house have been more then just scares, The family of 100 members works year around to make sure the first day of the scare season is not only full of fun and excitement but family. 

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The Akron Haunted School House and Laboratory resent Cleveland Scene Magazine Visit Images.

For Tickets, Hours and Schesual - 
http://www.hauntedlab.net/

Thank you to Cindy, Ryan and Fred for their hospitality! 

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