Va Va Voom

Anyone following the Scottish cabaret scene will be aware of Dee of Itsy's Collective. Having programmed Scotland's Torture Garden and given burlesque a raw edge through Kabarett, she also promotes Va Va Voom, a night in a venue better known as an ultra-modern karaoke bar.
Event preview by Gareth K Vile.
Published 02 March 2010

"The Electric Circus is a perfect venue for a performance-led club night," says Dee. "The stage is visible from every corner of the club space- which is great for both performers & guests. The cosy booths are great for those keen to watch from a far with a chilled bottle of bubbly to hand and those who prefer to be up close & personal can grab a chaise lounge down on the dancefloor. The lush interior also perfectly compliments the retro chic and burlesque vibe."

Despite the glamour of the venue, Dee is present two acts that capture the style of burlesque that she has made her own: witty, punk edged and with a distinctive counter-culture edge. Glasgow's Cat Aclysmic and Cherryfox from Birmingham are both radical corrections to the bland, smooth burlesque that is safe enough for Guardian readers.

Cherryfox comes up from England with a repertoire that includes slow routines inspired by jazz and sinister Gothic sensuality. Back at Hallowe'en, Dee comments, "she stormed the Va Va Voom stage when she made her Scottish debut."

Cherryfox has been performing burlesque for four years, even running her own night in the Midlands: describing herself as "an original tattoo'd, pierced, pink haired, sculpted sex kitten," her performances connect to the punk spirit of the early years of the neo-burlesque revival.

Cat Aclysmic needs no introduction to Scottish audiences: she's thrown shapes and flames at everything from Skinny parties to her own night Rockaburley, taking in Torture Garden, High Tease and The Bongo Club along the way. Picking her notorious devil routine- wild enough to make a Jesuit abandon his chastity- and the rockabilly driven Powder Puff, she is finally making her Va Va Voom debut.

"The eclectic tastes and provocative humour of Dee Itsy set the tone, making the night without a doubt one of the most vibrant places to perform in Edinburgh," Cat enthuses. I'll be adding my eyebrow raising brand of raunch and sparkle to the mix but the pleasure, I feel, will be all mine.

The Dee Itsy is hosting and DJing a retro/rockabilly/jump blues & mash up selection and promised that she will be joined by a gaggle of resurrected celebrities especially for a very special birthday celebration.

 

Comments (7)

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  • What a grand event it will be, looking forward to a very special evening - join us!
    - Dee Itsy x

    Posted by Anonymous | Wednesday March 2010 @ 10:12

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  • I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

    Love VA VA VOOM, Love ELECTRIC CIRCUS! xxxx

    Posted by Emma Tolmie | Wednesday March 2010 @ 13:39

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  • Itsy represents the tough edge of burlesque culture. Bring it on!

    Posted by Phil Gatt | Wednesday March 2010 @ 19:14

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  • It's going to be a great night, come for me propping up the stage, stay for me propping up the bar...

    Posted by Cat Aclysmic | Wednesday March 2010 @ 20:23

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  • No bearded lady this time? Shame.

    Posted by Bill Michael | Thursday March 2010 @ 11:07

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  • So excited, Va Va Voom is tonight.
    Come one, come all...
    Dx

    Posted by Dee | Saturday March 2010 @ 19:23

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  • Va Va Voom is back this Saturday at the Electric Circus with performance by Vendetta Vain, Daiquiri Dusk, Wild Card Kitty + special guests & host Dee Itsy & DJ Cat spinning something a little Retro - expect to Rock and indeed Roll!!

    Posted by Anonymous | Wednesday March 2010 @ 02:41

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