Ruby TV talks with Sheena Miss Demeanour about A Velvet Affair – a cabaret/burlesque/variety night not to be missed this Friday night at The Supper Club as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras festival season.
How did you become involved in this Velvet Affair?
A Velvet Affair was created by Sarah Jade Martin around 18 months ago, I assist her in booking talent for the night. Originally the concept was created because there was a gap in the market that didn’t give scope for increased performance opportunities for the wide array of professional burlesque and or vaudeville/cabaret performers in Sydney. This particular show is a celebration of the love of all things Mardi Gras, it will be colourful, fun and our gender bending host will keep you wondering…
Who’s performing?
Performers on the night range from traditional bump and grind performers, hoola hoopers, dark twisted cabaret, comical burlesque and boylesque…basically boys stripping with intent and wit and without those silly white towels and body oil!! Heidi Hoops is a crowd favourite from past Velvet Affairs who never disappoints, Venus Vamp is a new alternative performer and cabaret performer Nikki Nouveau has some cheeky tricks up her sleeve! Also gracing the stage will be Matthius da Labidinous, Jazmin Baret, Slutartris and Sheena Miss Demeanour herself.
What for you makes a good burlesque/cabaret performance?
If a performer takes me on a journey, keeps me fixated on them from beginning to end, makes me laugh, makes me cry or even makes me feel a little uncomfortable, this can all make for a good performance in my view. I love a narrative first and foremost, but being a dancer myself, I also love to see provocative and exciting movement and burlesque style dancing done with passion, intention and from the heart definitely excites me. Music choice also plays a big role with me enjoying a performance – it doesn’t have to be music that I would necessarily listen to, but if music is cleverly chosen and or composed and matched well with the performer’s story line, it can lift the act to another level.
How would you describe the state of the Sydney scene in terms of variety performance?
With the recent influx of many women wanting to become burlesque performers and many promoters putting on burlesque events, I feel some nights lack the variety side of things and some events can turn into one twirling pastie after another. I would like to see a more collaborative approach where the unique, crazy and bold all come together under the one roof. But, because there are so many performance communities out there, this is sometimes hard to manage, as they tend to stick together, e.g. Circus, Pole, Burlesque, Magic, Cabaret etc. Also finding venues that can cater for all these performance styles can be tricky. A Velvet Affair has always presented itself as more of a variety night more than a burlesque night: in the past we have offered magic, singing and comedy as part of the line-up with the inclusion of burlesque. I think Sydney audiences are starting to embrace variety but crave the added twist of burlesque as that extra bit of spice that didn’t exist in the variety shows of the 40’s and 50’s. Back then it was either burlesque or variety so I see “variety” evolving in a new way for today’s audience.
How would you say you have most grown as a performer over the years and what were the biggest learning curves?
Travelling to international festivals has definitely assisted with my growth as a performer, pushing myself that little bit further to ensure that I impress an audience no matter where I go. My audiences and colleagues also have helped me grow, their reactions and feedback are invaluable. I continually assess my acts and look to see how I can improve or embellish until it becomes seamless. My involvement in last year’s Sydney Fringe Festival also moved my burlesque persona into a different space, working with respected Sydney spoken word artist Onur Karaozbek in A POET AND A DANCER. This was a challenging experience combining two minds and creative juices. It was hard work, but it paid off in the end and gave burlesque audiences something they had never experienced before. It also gave me an alternative perception of myself as a performer which has given me inspiration to follow other dreams I previously thought may not have been possible.
What’s next for Sheena?
There is always an event here and there that I will be pulling together and or performing at, but the biggest project of the year will be my contribution as a performer and choreographer for a burlesque play coming soon to a stage near you! Stay tuned…. Also the Paris Burlesque Festival is on the cards later in the year!
A Velevet Affair is at The Supper Club & Polo Lounge The Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst in Sydney on Friday 18th February at 8pm. Tix are $20 or $15 for NMG members. While tickets are available on door, advance purchase is advised- through moshtix or the VA site. The event is also here on FB.
