Saturday, April 17, 2010 - Classes
Greenhouse Theatre
2257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago IL 60614

Our workshop classes are intended for performers and non-performers alike to enjoy together. If you have never performed before, we've made a note of a few classes that will be especially easy for you to jump in and play along with-- but feel free to register for any class, regardless of your level of experience! The only exceptions are classes indicated as "For Experienced Performers Only," as these classes will be hard to follow if you do not already have some experience performing burlesque.

Burlesque Craft and Construction
Bling Bling Bling: Glitter, Sequins, and Rhinestones with Penny Starr Jr.
$25, Noon-1:30pm
Get the low down on bringing up the sparkle of your costume through glitter, sequins and rhinestones. Review color theory, why sequins are great on a budget, the different qualities of rhinestones, employing bling into an existing pattern on your fabric and how to stretch one gross of rhinestones a very long way. Glue, rhinestones and craft kits will be available for purchase during class.
What to Bring: something to take notes on, some cash ($2-$30) if you wish to purchase bling or craft kits in class.

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$20, 3-4:30pm
Lady Annabelle, the pastie-maker-in-residence of Chicago's own Belmont Burlesque Revue, will provide all the silks, spangles, tassels, and trim necessary for participants to create their very own pair of fabulous stage (or bedroom!)-worthy pasties. Enjoy a relaxing sewing-circle style crafting session as Lady Annabelle guides you through the process from pattern to pasties, providing tips on the best fabrics, tools, and trims to create your own unique designs. No burlesque or crafting experience is needed to succeed in this fun, low-key workshop.
What to Bring: $5 for supplies. Participants may also choose to bring a costume piece or favorite fabric to use to inspire or create their design.

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$20, 4:30-6pm
From finger-waves to rats and rollers, learn to re-create fabulous vintage hairstyles and makeup to match. Whether you're a vamp or a vixen, professional stylist Red Hot Annie will work with you to not only teach you the how-to's, but also help you figure out the best look for your face shape and best shades for your skin tone.
What to Bring: Your own makeup basics from home, a favorite brush or comb, and a clean face and unstyled hair if you want to "play along" or be a demo subject in class!

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$15, 4-5pm
A great way to quite literally add some "flash" to your act! This class will cover a variety of simple, safe, and affordable special effects that can be used on stage in most venues. We’ll cover ways to use fire, smoke, light-up costume pieces, confetti cannons, bubbles, and more! As well as learning the safe and correct ways to use each item, each student will also receive information sheets listing the average cost of each item and where to find them on-line or in your home town! As a bonus, we'll also include information on where to find oversized novelty props and specialty costume pieces.
What to Bring/Wear: Wear clothes that can get a little messy - we'll provide the rest!

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Headliners and Master Classes

$20, 1-2pm
Learn to shake and shimmy like the Queen of Quake herself as Miss Exotic World 2002 teaches you the secrets to her high-energy performance style of rock-and-roll bump-and-grind. Enjoy the chance to indulge in classic moves with a contemporary twist as you awaken your inner pin-up and make her pop, shine and sparkle on stage.
What to Bring/Wear: Wear comfortable clothing you can move in.

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$20, 2-3pm
Learn signature moves from award-winning Hot Pink Feathers dance troupe vocabulary! Articulate your chest and hips with specificity and sass! Don’t just dance the music, BE the music! Students in this class will learn several approaches to showgirl samba, improved musicality and rythym, and increased sensuality!
What to Bring/Wear: Wear comfortable, form fitting clothing you can move and sweat in and be prepared to dance in bare feet.

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$20, 3-4pm
Work with San Francisco's 2008 Queen of Carnival to learn a whole routine from her award-winning Hot Pink Feathers' repertoire! Learn to convey a brilliant stage presence, increase your ability to embody sassy choreography and make it your own, and improve your on-stage confidence. Participants who take this class and learn the choreography are eligible to join the Hot Pink Feathers in San Francisco for the 2010 Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday, May 30th!!!
What to Bring/Wear: Wear comfortable, form fitting clothing you can move and sweat in and be prepared to dance in bare feet.

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For Experienced Performers Only

$20, 1:30-3pm
Getting tired of the same old bump and grind? MsPixy will help you find ways to bring fresh air to your walks, wiggles, and winks. We'll start with what you already know and learn ways to expand your movement vocabulary, finesse your facial expressions, and add sparkle to your staging. This workshop will cover choreography techniques for both solo and group numbers. [Note: students in this class will not be learning a pre-choreographed routine or set of moves—this class is for students who wish to learn new development techniques for creating their own numbers from scratch or improving existing choreography!]
What to Bring/Wear: Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, bring a notebook to write down your brilliant ideas! You may bring music for an existing number or number in progress if you wish.

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$15, 5-6pm
A class for performers who want to take their Burlesque and performance career to the next level. Learn how to get your name out there and be recognized on a larger scale, how to get the seats occupied, and how to negotiate your bookings (plus publicity and press cheats!). Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional this class is essential.
What to Wear/Bring: Yourself and your questions about self-promotion!

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ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS:
Kitten Deville
Java's Bachelor Pad calls her "One of the best shimmy-and-shake gals around right now..." and says, "When you see this blonde bombshell burst onto a stage, you can see why this beauty is called 'The Queen of the Quake.' If that wasn't enough, DeVille also holds the title of Miss Exotic World 2002."

Kellita of Hot Pink Feathers
Ecstatic, exuberant shimmy-shaker extraordinaire, Kellita is Queen of Carnaval San Francisco 2008. Her Spanish grandmother routinely danced flamenco on tabletops while her Lebanese aunt entertained vaudeville audiences as The Chocolate Princess with her signature hula striptease dance. Kellita continues the tradition of interpreting world dance through a showgirl lens. When not directing and performing with her 9+ year-old award-winning dance troupe, Hot Pink Feathers, Kellita delights audiences with her captivating solo acts. Her accolades include the Little Miss Aftershock title from Miss Exotic World Contest 2002 for outstanding shimmy-shake and 2 Golden Pastie Awards from the New York Burlesque Festival: Best Derriere (2004) and Most Sensual (2009).

Penny Starr, Jr.
"A Delightful Sexpot" LA WEEKLY Granddaughter of Philadelphia burlesque legend Penny Starr, Jr. is "the Pe-Tite Barnum of Burlesque": director of the documentary THE VELVET HAMMER BURLESQUE and the Princess Farhana line of dance videos, First Runner-Up Miss Exotic World 2004, co-founder of Striptease Symposium burlesque classes and producer of both Victory Variety Hour and Club Schmutzig in Los Angeles.

Red Hot Annie of Vaudezilla Productions
When she's not busy making the wieners boil, the First Lady of Vaudzilla Productions spends her off-stage time moonlighting ("daylighting?") as a professional makeup artist and stylist. Her work has been seen in countless film and photo shoots as well as on stage in her own shows and productions.

MsPixy of the Belmont Burlesque Revue
A lifelong exhibitionist and educator, MsPixy is delighted to combine her two passions as the Education Director of the Windy City Burlesque fest. As a founding member of the Belmont Burlesque Revue, MsPixy has been choreographing for the burlesque stage since 2004. However, in her secret life outside the burlesque world, MsPixy has spent over 10 years teaching guided creative processes for theater and dance and learning a million and one ways to create a big impact with a small budget!

Lady Annabelle of the Belmont Burlesque Revue
As the resident pastie-maker of the Belmont Burlesque Revue, Lady Annabelle has made literally hundreds of pasties in all shapes, sizes, and styles. When she's not gluing up a sparkly storm in her pastie-making workshop, the Dirty Debutante can be found on-stage in the Belmont Burlesque's monthly revue, or guest starring at a variety of venues throughout Chicago.

Katherine Lashe of Syrens of the South Productions
Katherine Lashe, along with her business partner, began Syrens of the South Productions almost three years ago. Its resounding success has been a testament to her past managerial positions and booking finesse garnered through years of experience and trial and error. This class has been taught at The Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival and The New Orleans Burlesque Festival.