#bagsrilez

Erika Belle  “I remember her (Madonna) saying to me “I should audition some dancers (for the video)” and then I said to her “I’ll dance for you!” and then she said “You can audition for me!”

Madonna would begin track dates, which were club performances where she would sing live over taped music, taking her act with dancers Erika Belle and Bags Rilez all over the country.

Madonna performed a track date at this club and agreed to let them record it, but requested the lighting not be changed, thus working well for the live audience but not the cameras. She performed with her usual crew Erika Belle, Bags Rilez and now her brother Christopher Ciccone. Madonna taped two commercials for the club. She was asked to return but refused as she didn’t want to play track dates anymore.

Unsure of date or what this was for. Possibly a Japanese fashion magazine, maybe for Maripol or Madonna. They are posing in front the 1964 World’s Fair Unisphere.

Celebrity Club Harlem, NY June 17th 1983

Out and about and performing. Seen with Jean-Michel Basquiat, Martin Burgoyne, Debi Mazar, Erika Belle and Bags Rilez

John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez was the DJ at The Fun House. Madonna performed there a few times early on. Possibly this was when they met.