Hello,
creatures. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the first
variety show by the Pumps Pinups, a group of burlesque performers
affiliated with the Brooklyn anti-gentleman’s club Pumps. I wrote a
brilliantly worded review HERE. I was luckily able to catch up with the
show’s founder/director Scarlett la Rosa and ask a few questions about
their upcoming show (June 23rd, more details after the interview) and
her views on burlesque. Read ahead for all the finer things in life:
Love, laughter, and dangerously gorgeous dancing girls.
Scarlett:
My experience in burlesque is none! However, At 3 years old I was
already begging my mom to let me take dance lessons, and being amazing,
she obliged. I recall never wanting to take off my costume till I
absolutely had to go to sleep! So sequins and fringe have always made
me happy. Then I began performing in musical theatre at 9 years old. I
studied at the Boston conservatory and got my BFA in musical theatre,
with a voice concentrate. I have always admired and respected dancers,
and the female body. My wonderful, dearly departed grandpa was an
artist...he did a lot of landscapes, still life, and beautiful charcoal
nudes which I remember being enamored with. He always taught me that the
nude body is a work of art, and instilled this in me. Falling in love
with singing jazz, and seeing these talented girls dancing made a little
lightbulb go off...actually, my boyfriend Greg planted the seed. I
researched burlesque, sang in one show downtown with Joey Nova, and I
was hooked. I thought, why not bring together the three things I love
most! Jazz, musical theatre, and beautiful dancing girls! I went to Andy
(owner of Pumps) with this idea and he was thrilled! He supported the
girls and I 100%, opening the club on Sundays so we could rehearse,
giving feedback, etc. I then realized why not incorporate art as well!
Knowing Aubrey for years, having posed for her, seeing her
portraits...I realized she could really add another level to the show.
And to bring visual art was to honor my Grandfather Joe as well!
Mister: Choosing a burlesque stage name is a serious decision. How did you decide on Scarlett la Rosa?
Scarlett:
I have always identified with the color red, and felt it defines my
personality. It's a strong sexy color, and the name Scarlett la Rosa is
basically "Scarlett the rose" in Italian (the background of my artist
grandpa, and my grandma Rita). My grandmother had a rose bush outside
and roses make me think of her always.
Mister: What performers have inspired you most?
Scarlett: The
first burlesque performer who I saw live was the beautiful Nikki le
Villian. She is the epitome of old hollywood glamour, and really puts
thought into her performances, doing very traditional burlesque, belly
dancing, she dances with snakes even! I saw her and said, "I wanna be
her when I grow up!" Other performers: Dean Martin, Liza Minelli, Alan
Cummings (I modeled our MC Harix and much of the show after his
performance in the revival of "Cabaret"), Gene Kelly, Fred and Ginger,
Donald O'Connor...and of course I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra
every time I was at Pop-pop (Grandpa Joe) and Mom-mom (Rita)'s house,
gazing at the beautiful nudes while the smells of Sunday "gravy and
macaroni" wafted through the house. All of these things and people are
the backbone of my inspiration for the Pumps Pinups.
Mister: Each Pumps Pinup has such a unique, distinct style. How would you describe your performance style or approach?
Scarlett:
Thank you for noticing! I purposely chose a wide range of girls and
really instructed them to find their own "character" and become it! I
would say that my style is sultry and tongue in cheek. I have chosen
sexier, traditional jazz songs and also modeled my outfit (hat, little
blazer) to compliment Harix and Rocket, and to emulate one of my
favorite styles of dance, Fosse. Burlesque can be flashy, which I love.
But I've chosen Scarlett's personality to have a "less is more"
approach. But expect surprises to come!
Mister:
The show on June 23rd will be modeled after last month's debut. What
sort of changes should those seeing it a second time expect?
Scarlett:
I would like to keep the same formula, and build upon it. There will be
some of the same songs, and many different....mostly just the beginning
"intro" will remain almost the same..but a new group number is in the
works and I'd like to have more comedy between the MCs. There is still a
"story" to everyone's character, which I want to really concentrate on
keeping because I feel that it's what makes this show a bit different
from other burlesque that's happening right now.
Mister: Some
people who haven't seen burlesque picture it as some seedy backroom
sleaze-fest. Could you describe what the art form means to you?
Scarlett:
This is my favorite question. I guess I kinda answered a lot of this
referring to my grandpa and growing up with art all around me. But
burlesque to me, celebrates the body and sexiness. It's all about
showmanship, glamour, and comedy. It’s, to me, the ultimate form of
entertainment if done in a true fashion. There is a documentary called The Best of the Burly Q
which really inspired me while working on this project. Burlesque
started really taking off back in the depression, when men were working
and sometimes trying to sell vacuums every day, or what have you. At the
end of the day, when as one of the women said in the movie...if he had a
nickel in his pocket, at least he could go have a laugh, and see a
pretty girl dance. She also said in that time, there wasn't much
laughter...but if you fell into one of those shows, you'd definitely
have a smile on your face and a hard chuckle! This is why I love this
art form. And also why most wonderful theatre comes out of bad times. At
the end of the day, don’t we all just want to smile, hear good music
and see some pretty girls?
Mister: The
show will follow an art exhibit featuring the work of Aubrey Roemer.
Could you just share a few thoughts on the artwork that will grace
Pumps' walls?
Scarlett: Oh
Aubrey! That's my girl. She really understands how to capture the soul
of the people she paints, which is why I love her work. I think this
time around, she wants to continue and elaborate. We may have more
artists involved, I think there will be more black, white, gunmetal,
gray...girls emerging, if you will, from the shadows. The first exhibit
was all about glowing and colors...this will give a other feeling...like
being in a black and white film. Her work has the dichotomy of grit and
class that I want to portray in our show, so it's a perfect
collaboration.
Mister: What's your strangest burlesque story and your favorite memory?
Scarlett:
My strangest memory! And perhaps most embarrassing! But I'll share
because that's what this about...not taking yourself too seriously. I was
asked to sing with Joey Nova (a well known burlesque MC) for a
Christmas show. We were to do "Baby, It's Cold Outside,” great old
school holiday jazz song. I thought "piece of cake!" I don't know about
you, but every time I've thought that, a disaster occurred! It's really
not a piece of cake song, in that it is quite repetitive, with small
word changes. I totally blanked on lyrics! I don't know what, if
anything, started to come out of my mouth! Well, that's show business.
The show must go on!
Fondest
memory...well of course, the way all of the Pumps Pinups pulled it
together. This was most of our first time at the opera, and nerves were
flying, at times attitudes in full swing, our dress rehearsal the week
before was scary! But at the end of the day, we all really came
together and knocked it out of the water. Costume mishap? Spanx Sinatra
took out her iPhone and busted out a jazz standard while Rocket found
her headpiece! As we left the night of the dress rehearsal, I said to
Shanlita Bandita, "Well, we're just gonna do this thing." She said,
“Yea. We're gonna do the fuck out of it!" And I think we did! I'll never
forget that moment.
Mister: What do you have planned for the future of the Pumps Pinups? What are your short and long-term goals?
Scarlett:
Goals...well I really like to think big. I really wanted to use the
name Pumps because the significance is huge. We all met at pumps, this
wouldn't be possible without Andy and his beautiful wife Kat, who, by
the way, was Mama on the day of the show. Pulling out bras and fishnets
and eyelashes from her store downstairs, making last minute costume
alterations, and generally calming us all down. Anyway, I stray. If it
wasn't for their support and time, and their belief in us, we wouldn’t
be here. So I plan to continue this show monthly, perhaps talk about
touring and recording some of the songs, really getting us out there.
I’d say within a year I'd like us to be extremely well known not just in
Brooklyn but everywhere. I'd like to feature different vocalists and
musicians, I'd love for people to say, "I'm getting to perform with the
Pumps Pinups!" I'd like to really break the mold and show that
burlesque, music, art, and theatre are all connected. I want to make
people happy and for them to come and lose themselves for a couple
hours! Leave your troubles at the door!
Many
thanks to Scarlett for taking the time while they’re fiercely working
at choreographing their new numbers! As promised, here are the details
for the show:
Date: Sunday, June 23rd
Art show: Doors open at 7 PM.
Pumps Pinups: Show starts at 9 PM.
Location: Pumps, 1089 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Cover
charge: No official word on admission price yet. Last time it was $7,
and as always you should plan on bringing money for drinks, tips for the
awesome bartenders, and donations to the Pumps Pinups to promote their
sexy brand of entertainment.
For more information on Pumps check out the website here: http://pumpsbar.com/
Hello, creatures. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the first variety show by the Pumps Pinups, a group of burlesque performers ... pumpsrosa.blogspot.de
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