Dita Von Teese in Basel? Well, if it’s good enough for the Dalai Lama …
Dear Auntie SAM: I would like to ask you, since you are organising Burlesque Shows, if Dita von Teese would perform in Basel or Zürich? I know that is probably an expensive and difficult mission.
The world of burlesque is run on trust. Performers are often self-managed. Contacts and deals are completed online, without a single word exchanged between parties. Usually the first time I meet a performer is at the airport. Most arrive wearing comfy clothes, no make-up, & their hair pulled into a ponytail. Often tired, jet-lagged, & running from gig to gig in various cities, they arrive looking very little like glamour girls and more like lost lambs who are just hoping I’ll be as decent to them in real life as I’ve been online.
When I arrived in Europe four years ago, I knew no one. But I had with me a very powerful if old-fashioned invention: a letter of introduction & recommendations from titans within the US burlesque scene. Miss Indigo Blue, Scotty the Blue Bunny, Kitten La Rue, Lily Verlaine, Jasper McCann, Sydni Devereaux, Paula the Swedish Housewife, Armitage Shanks, & Jamie Von Stratton all let me build my reputation in Seattle and then lent me their reputations so I could further mine here.
Burlesque is like a family. Sometimes we chat quite regularly; other times, we go for months – or years – without speaking. But, when we see each other (& this includes the lost lambs I meet in the airport), we are nearly instantly bonded & often end up going back to my place to have tea on my sofa.
Practicing the art of seduction as a profession can be a dangerous job. There are producers in this industry that I would not recommend any performer speak to; let alone get undressed in front of, or heaven forbid, agree to sleep on their sofa. But even some producers I trust do not protect their performers, their costumes, their props as much as I do.
Perhaps because I got my start backstage: sitting on a fire escape stairwell, repairing costumes by hand, chatting with dancers as they warmed up, listening to them during hours of practice, bringing them ice packs for aches & champagne for triumphs, drying their tears, escorting their fans away when they became bothersome, meeting their parents, ensuring they looked perfect when they walked onto stage, sitting silently with them when they needed a friend … perhaps because of these reasons, in this family, I am Auntie.
The fact is, I studied costuming under Dita’s closest friend. I’m also very good friends with other producers & performers who have hired or worked with Dita. All it would take is a little note from me to bring her here for you.
So, difficult? No. But, you are correct: she is expensive. Dita is one of those burlesque performers (much like Basel’s own Zoe Scarlett) who earns most of her fees from corporations with very deep pockets. So, to secure her, I have to price compete.
Additionally, the more fantastic the show she brings, the higher her costs due to moving and securing props or costumes.
I wouldn’t ever bring her here unless I could ensure she would bring you a fantastic show. Meaning, I need the resources & belief that she, her costumes, & her property would be handled with the utmost care.
And so, while I sincerely appreciate your written support & enthusiasm for more burlesque in Basel, it will take more than mere words for me to bring Dita.
You’re going to have to show me I can find a way to make both you & her happy. You’re going to have to show me you want my family to come to town.
Come to my show at Volkshaus on Valentine’s Day. Show me with your presence – your enthusiasm – that you want more of what I do, & I assure you, I will follow through.
But, to answer your last question: No. No, not ever in Zurich 😉 I’m loyal to you.
xo
AS
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Still confused about what burlesque is? Have a listen to this interview by another expat in love with Basel: http://whatilikeaboutbasel.ch/2015/02/01/auntie-sam-presents-the-burlesque-ode-to-love/
(Please rest assured I am learning German.)
AND, speaking of worldwide families living life creates:
In honor of HIS HOLINESS THE 14th DALAI LAMA’s teachings and public talk SATURDAY & SUNDAY 7 & 8 FEBRUARY 2015, in BASEL, join a truly impressive line-up of talent including the WINNER of the 1st SWISS GRAND AWARD FOR MUSIC FRANZ TREICHLER (THE YOUNG GODS), jazz great MALCOLM BRAFF, filmmaker DODO HUNZIKER, & POROK KARPO, THE BAND with Tibetan singer LOTEN NAMLING, this SATURDAY, 7 FEBRUARY at 7PM for the cinematic debut of TIBETAN WARRIOR at KULT.KINO ATELIER, 18 CHF.
Then, follow the performers to STADTCASINO BASEL for THE TIBETAN FREEDOM CONCERT at 10PM, 27 CHF (receive a 5 CHF discount when also attending the film).
„An organic and powerful fusion of these melodious Tibetan songs with the earthy sounds of Western Alternative Rock. A perfect allegory to the life of exiled Tibetans away from their homeland, still carrying their heritage within their hearts.“ For more information, please see:
