The Ooh-La-Las Burlesque

Erik Tait's webcomic, Beatnik Beat

As you may have noticed from our Facebook page, our Ooh-La-La of the month for September is not one of our lovely, dancing ladies and gents, but instead our "delightfully dark" host, Erik Tait. We decided not to give him our standard performer interview. We don't need to ask him why he's taking his clothes off, because we already have to do that every time we invite him over for tea (that photo on the banner is a "before" photo). 

But also because he talks plenty on his own, of course! For starters, you can check out this video of him doing some standup at The Funnybone in Columbus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj1XHKE9gmk

Our Ooh-La-La of the month for July is "The reason they say blondes have more fun," Cherie Blondell! If you've seen any of our shows in the past, oh, 5 or 6 years you probably know her, and she's produced many of our (and your!) favorites, such as Girls, Gags & Giggles, Stars and Strips, The Rock & Roll Burlesque Show and tons of others! Want to hear more? Take it from her!

Q: Where did you get the idea for your stage name? A: When I started out, my stage name was Harlow Le Teuse. I quickly decided that the name just wasn’t “me.” I didn’t want something so burlesque-sounding, and because I am a pin-up model, wanted something that sounded like it could be my real name. Cherie is the name of Marilyn Monroe’s (my idol) character in Bus Stop. I also tried one of those burlesque name generators and it gave me Cherie so I figured it was meant to be. I chose Blondell because I’m a blonde (natch) and because I love the actress Joan Blondell.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of burlesque? A: Burlesque combines all of my creative loves and outlets: dance, theater, costuming, vintage style, big band music, and drama. It’s very theraputic for me as well because I get to put all of me into my acts and leave it all out on the stage. It’s a source of pure joy when done correctly.

Q: Which one of your acts is your favorite to perform? A: Currently my favorite act is “I Wanna Be Loved By You” which I will be performing at The Ohio Burlesque Festival. I LOVE my costume, which was I am very proud of. I also love my choreography. It’s one of those times where everything just went completely right when creating an act.

Q: Where do you hope to see your burlesque career take you? A: I’d love to become an international performer. My dream is to one day go on a European tour.

Q: What is your favorite drink? A: Champagne, Dahhhling.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? A: Tuscany, Italy. I’ve dreamt of going there since I was in high school. It has always held a special kinds of magic for me.

Q: Who are some of your favorite burlesque artists? A: Kitten DeVille, Angie Pontani, and Coco Lectric come immediately to mind. I’ve also recently discovered Missy Lisa and Medianoche and they just blow my mind.

Q: What is the ringtone on your phone? A: “Every Baby Needs a Da-Da-Daddy”, a song Marilyn Monroe sang in the film “Ladies of the Chorus”.

Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment? A: My biggest accomplishment is being a mom, while still being able to perform, model, and pursue my interests. It’s a balancing act but I feel like I’ve done it well.

Q: Name your top five anything. A: My top 5 favorite Marilyn Monroe movies: 1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 2. Niagara 3. How to Marry a Millionaire 4. Bus Stop 5. The Seven Year Itch

Q: What is your favorite type of music?A: I love big band music and the American Songbook. I also love 1950s- early 1960s rock n’ roll.

Q: Do you have any recent accomplishments you'd like to tell us about?  A: I’m very excited to be a Feature performer at this year’s Ohio Burlesque Festival. I’ll be performing on Saturday, August 2nd at the Beachland Ballroom.

Q: Where can we see you perform in the near future? A: Oh, I’m sure you can always find me on a stage somewhere in Columbus or in the pages of a pin up magazine. You’ll have to stay tuned to my Facebook page and website for updates!

Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to perform burlesque? A: Study. Learn the art, know its history. Burlesque is so much more than just taking your clothes off and you have to figure out first what it can be and then you can perform. Develop your character, which will take time. Don’t be a copy cat. There’s a difference between being inspired by other performers (and PLEASE be inspired!) and just taking from them. Go out and see as many burlesque shows and attend as many festivals as possible. Become a part of our community. And lastly, if you get the chance to study with or meet our Legends, do it. They won’t be around forever and they have so much wisdom to give us.

Meet our Ooh-La-La of the month for June, Dolly Moxy! How about getting to know this bedazzled, sassy broad? We asked her to answer a few interview questions, and here's what she gave us:

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for your stage name? A: It started with Moxy--sassy, spunky, gotta lotta balls--a sadly underused word that I thought needed some new life. Dolly worked well with it, and every time I’m onstage I'm like a little dress-up doll that has been let out to play! The words slightly contradict one another, and that couldn't be more appropriate for me.

Q: How long have you been performing with the Ooh-La-Las? A: Just over a year. My first time on stage as an Ooh-La-La was March 2013, for an Erotic 'N' Roll show. The number I did was "Bathwater," which has now become my signature routine. It really highlights my cheeky style.

Q: Which one of your acts is your favorite to perform? A: I really love “Do I Wanna Know” by the Arctic Monkeys, I find the song itself so mesmerizing (I heard it on the radio the other day and now I have to perform it this month!). It was also a challenge for me because I often incorporate comedy into my routines and this song is the first I’ve ever done that is straight sexy with no silly.

Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of taking off your clothes? A: Lots! I love to work in my garden, take yoga, climb trees, read, sew... anything to keep me busy. I don’t sit still very well.

Q: What famous person, living or dead, inspires you? A: I am incredibly inspired by drag queens. I am a die-hard fan of Ru Paul's Drag Race and I love Nina West to pieces. I love to see how they personify women in such a powerful, over the top way. AND THEY ARE SO SPARKLY!

Q: What is your favorite cocktail? A: I love gin and ginger beer served up with a dash of lemon and a champagne float to make it classy.

Q: What is your favorite non-edible item? A: Pillows.

Q: Who are some of your favorite burlesque artists? A: I saw Red Rum at the Ohio Burlesque Festival last year and she knocked my socks off. If you haven’t seen her you should check her out!

Q: Do you collect anything? A: Compliments, and I welcome anyone to add to my collection.

Q: Write a poem A: How about a haiku? Glitter sparkles catch the eye Fringe swishes sensually over voluptuous buttocks Dolly Moxy is a slut

Q: Name your top 5 anything. A: My top 5 animal videos for when I need a smile: 1. Honeybadger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg 2. Hopping llama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuuXXjJly2I 3. Baby sloths pooping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x5tjPWwABc&feature=kp 4. Pangolin in mud: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMiYjkG4onM 5. Damn Nature you Scary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge4oufdIOMc&feature=kp

Q: What is your favorite type of music? What kind of music do you like to use for your acts? A: Gosh, I love music so much, I couldn’t pick a favorite type. I was really into ska, new wave, electronic, alternative/indy and hip-hop as a kid and I guess they are still kinda my go-to styles. Music is the base of all my numbers so I take the time to pick songs I find really catchy or that have some sort of meaning to me. For my acts I try to use music that is unexpected, unknown or something the audience may not have heard in some time that really fits the theme of the costume.

Q: Do you have any recent accomplishments you'd like to tell us about? A: This year so far two pretty cool things happened; I won best lip sync at Ohio Burlypicks (against a drag queen!) and also received the People’s Choice recognition for a costume I created for a recent runway show (non-burlesque related). It’s exciting to apply my talents developed in burlesque for other things.

Q: Where can we see you in the near future? A: My dance card is super full this summer- with monthly shows at Circus (June 13th) and Shrunken Head (June 28th), the Trulie Awesome Show (June 26) and appearances at World Naked Bike Ride (June 14th) and PRIDE (June 21st). I will also be at the Ohio Burlesque Festival up in Cleveland in July and CD102.5 Summerfest in August.

Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to perform burlesque? A: The wonderful thing about burlesques is you can be any shape, size, color or gender and as long as you are genuine to yourself people are going to love it! All it takes it a little bit of confidence and creative disrobing!

How about some Q&A with our Ooh-La-La of the month, Crimson Fox? He's a ginger who loves comic books, sarcasm and craft beer and whose favorite animal is... well, you can probably guess. And here's more!

Q: How long have you been performing with The Ooh-La-Las? A: Since October, 2013.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of burlesque? A: The costumes. It's fun to pretend to be someone else for a little bit. The fact that the crowd cheers when I take my pants off doesn't hurt, either.

Q: Do you have any special talents? A: I have been known to make up new voices from time to time. My Wookie voice is unparalleled.

Q: Where do you hope to see your burlesque career take you? A: Honestly, I'm just here for the fun.

Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of taking off your clothes? A: Yes, and they're all nerdy: playing board games, collecting comics, making homemade armor, cosplay, etc.

Q: What is your most prized possession? A: My copy of Spectacular Spider-Man issue 202.

Q: What is the ringtone on your phone? A: The Doctor Who show intro.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto? A: "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit." - W.C. Fields

Q: Tell us a scary story. A: Unprotected sex can lead to babies.

Q: Are you a vampire, and if not, are you just saying that to make us think you're not a vampire? A: No, and no. Though I *am* a soulless ginger who shuns the day-star.

Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to perform burlesque? A: Generally, the audience doesn't know when you make a mistake, so even if that happens, just calm down, slow down and have fun!

Q: Where can we see you in the near future? A: With the Ooh-La-Las! Particularly at this month's Girls, Gags & Giggles show, Saturday, May 24th at The Shrunken Head.