Angel Burlesque Announces Summer Performance Series Featuring Superstars of Burlesque

Indianapolis shows to feature Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe of Chicago’s Stage Door Johnnies and Jiggles McGee of St. Louis’s Randy Dandies.

Indianapolis, IN – Angel Burlesque announces its summer 2012 performance series with Going Down: A Fallen Angels Revue, Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe of Chicago’s Stage Door Johnnies and Jiggles McGee from St. Louis’s Randy Dandies  headlining Hot Summer Nights: The Boys are Back in Town and featured performances at the Days of the Dead horror Convention,. Angel Burlesque is also making their debut at the Indianapolis Fringe Festival with Prrrrr-Lesque: A Pretty Kitty Review.

Angel Burlesque is pleased to welcome back Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe of Chicago’s Stage Door Johnnies (the World’s Best Burlesque Group 2011 and ranked #9 in Twentieth Century Pinups list of top 50 international burlesque stars) and Jiggle McGee from St. Louis’s Randy Dandies for Hot Summer Nights: The Boys are Back in Town on Friday, June 29 at the Athenaeum. Tickets will be available for those 18 and older at angelburlesque.com for $20.  Bazuka Joe appeared with Angel Burlesque in 2011 at Nerdgasm!, Angel’s tribute to GenCon.  Ray Gunn was a featured performer in Boo-lesque! Things that Go Bump and Grind in the Night, delighting audiences with his athletic, dance-inspired theatricality.

Bazuka Joe and Ray Gunn will each offer their expertise in 90-minute workshops available to the public on Saturday, June 30.  Sign-up for “Boylesque: For Men Only” by Bazuka Joe, and “The Business of Burlesque” by Ray Gunn at angelburlesque.com.

Going Down: A Fallen Angel Revue, a naughtier branch of Angel Burlesque, will make their debut on Saturday, June 16 at Indy’s Jukebox.  This revue features favorite Angel Burlesque performers exploring darker, more edgy material.  Tickets are $10, cash only at the door.  Doors open at 8:00, performance starts at 10:00; 21 and over venue.

Prrrrr-Lesque: A Pretty Kitty Review, marks Angel Burlesque’s first foray into the Indianapolis Fringe Festival. An all cat-themed show, Prrrrr-Lesque will feature a rotating cast of Angels presenting the furry art of the striptease.  The IndyFringe festival runs August 17-26.

Members of Angel Burlesque will be featured performers at the Days of the Dead convention in Indianapolis, July 6-8.    Days of the Dead is a national convention for horror fans that visits Indy yearly. The Angels will have a booth at the convention and provide their special brand of horror burlesque at the VIP party for fans and celebrities of the horror genre.

In addition to local performances, Katie Angel and Desda Mae Q Moana represented Angel Burlesque at the Show Me Burlesque Festival in St. Louis in May and will also perform at The Windy City Burlesque Festival in Chicago from July 11-14

In Short:

Going Down: A Fallen Angels Revue

Saturday, June 16, 2012 10:00 p.m.

Indy’s Jukebox, 21 and over

$10, cash only at the door

Hot Summer Nights: The Boys are Back in Town
with Bazuka Joe and Ray Gunn
Friday, June 29, 2012 8:00 p.m.

Athenaeum, 18 and over

Tickets (18+)  $20 at angelburlesque.com

Workshops: Boylesque & The Business of Burlesque

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Fox Hill Dance Academy

Register (18+) $30 per workshop at angelburlesque.com

Days of the Dead

Friday-Sunday, July 6-8, 2012

Tickets for Convention attendees only - http://www.daysofthedead.net/indianapolis/

Prrrrr-Lesque: A Pretty Kitty Review

 August 17-26, 2012

Indianapolis Fringe Festival

Tickets and Information at indyfringe.org

About Angel Burlesque:

Angel Burlesque showcases ladies and gentlemen of all shapes and sizes celebrating their bodies with confidence and sassiness.  Professional, classy and dedicated to giving the audience a great show, Angel Burlesque delivers a theatrical experience that has Indy buzzing! Find Angel Burlesque at angelburlesque.com, facebook.com/angelburlesque,  on Twitter @angelburlesque and www.youtube.com/angelburlesque14

About our Special Guests:

The original Death by Chocolate, Ray Gunn combines acrobatics, capoeira and Chinese pole in his striptease arsenal with over 15 years of training and performance experience behind him. This sexual assault on your senses is the morning coffee of burlesque—he’s strong, black and keeps you going all day long. Ray Gunn is one-third of the only all-male burlesque group in Chicago, The Stage Door Johnnies, who won the Best Group at the 2011 Burlesque Hall of Fame showcase in Las Vegas.

Bazuka Joe is one third of The Stage Door Johnnies from Chicago ~ winners of Best Group 2011 at the Burlesque Hall of Fame and named in the top 10 performers in the world! Headlining at venues all over the world he routinely gives his mother a reason to wonder 'Where did I go wrong?' And just like his hometown's famous hot dog he's 100% pure beef pleasure (and too classy for ketchup!)

You've heard of Burlesque, you've heard of Boylesque, but you've never heard of BRO-LESQUE!  Jiggles McGee is the Midwest's Original Bro-lesque Performer.  Women want him, children want to grow up to be him, and men leave him feeling confusion mingled with shame and adoration. With a twist in every performance, Jiggles McGee is the man for everyone. Vote for Jiggles and he'll bring giggles.

Media Inquiries Contact:

Katie Angel,  angelburlesque@gmail.com

Fact Checking vs. Examiner.com

As is quickly becoming a regular occurrence, a recent Tribune article - FBI Agent Believes Mary Kennedy 'May Have Acted Alone' - was taken as real by a "reputable" journalistic source - Examiner.com.

In the mix of trying to establish the facts surrounding Kennedy's suicide, it appears that Roz Zurko - an "award-winning freelance writer whose articles have appeared on popular websites such as Fox 411, CNN.com, and TMZ" forgot to establish her sources. 


We're proud of the fact that she even cited "Federal Agent Curtis Howard" who, as far as we know (see disclaimer), is utterly fictional. Have a read for yourselves, by clicking here.

'Strange Dreamz with Kevin J. Thornton'

2012 Show debuts at ComedySportz Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 2012) – Kevin J. Thornton, musician, storyteller and stand-up comic returns to his home state with a one-night only show 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 at ComedySportz Indianapolis, 721 Massachusetts Avenue.  “Strange Dreamz with Kevin J. Thornton” takes you on a high energy ride with music, comedy and stories about love, sex and the meaning of life from a gay man in the 21st century.

Image credit: Zoia Wiseman

Tickets cost $15.00 online at www.indycomedysportz.com or at the door. For information about ComedySportz call 317-951-8499.

Kevin J Thornton is a road warrior and Fringe festival veteran who appeared in 10 festivals nationwide in 2011 including the IndyFringe Festival. Thornton will miss IndyFringe 2012 as he journeys to Canada this August for his debut in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2011 Thornton won the "Audience Choice Award for Favorite Show" at the Orlando International Fringe Festival and "Best Writing & Performance" at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

“Strange Dreamz” is also the title of the podcast the self-proclaimed “gay male Oprah with a potty mouth” produces weekly. Most Sundays Thornton and the occasional guest discuss touring adventures, current events, music, issues affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and the meaning of life. Thornton’s podcast is the highest rated program on the LGBT related online radio station “Click Click Expose” based in Miami, Florida and an incubator for his live show.

The 90 minute live show also features short stories from Thornton’s 2012 paperback book “The Universe Sock Puppet” available on Amazon.com and retailers worldwide.

The Evansville, Ind. native is a Los Angeles Times "Best Bet," has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and is a “New Faces Winner” at The Comedy Store in Hollywood. In 2011 Thornton was a guest lecturer at University of California, Berkeley where he spoke about his successful use of his podcast and social media in connection with his national touring act.

Thornton’s social networking, podcast and one-person shows, including his 2009 hit debut “Sex, Dreams & Self Control,” and 2010’s “I Love You (We’re Fucked)” have garnered him a loyal following in Indianapolis and across the country. Thornton’s 2012 show will include brand new stories and humor but unlike the songwriter’s previous year’s shows he will cover songs like Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream" and his hilarious rendition of TLC’s “No Scrubs.”

Awards received on Thornton’s 2011 15-city tour include the Audience Choice Award for Favorite Show and the Fringe Crush Award in Orlando as well as the League of Cincinnati Theatre Award for Best Writing and Performance. Matthew J. Palm, theater critic for the Orlando Sentinel, called Thornton “an enthusiastic musician, a quick-witted comic and a really funny storyteller” and Cincinnati’s CityBeat said “he kept the audience in the palm of his hand during the sold out performance... he’s a fast-talking, high-energy powerhouse of a performer.”

Approx. Running Time: 90 minutes

Other Resources
http://www.facebook.com/kevinjthornton
http://twitter.com/thekevthornton
http://www.youtube.com/kevinjthornton

Nationally Touring Storyteller Paul Strickland Performs His New One-person Show Add Songs, Stir at the IndyFringe Theater

Nationally Touring Storyteller and IndyFringe Favorite Paul Strickland performs his new one-person show “Add Songs, Stir” at the IndyFringe Theater.

Creator of Fringe Hits “A Brighter Shade of Blue” and “Any Title That Works,” Strickland returns to Indianapolis with a brand new show sure to defy all expectations.  Weaving 5 songs with plenty of his unique stories (including the legend of the “City Under The Lake” and a touching tale about a woman who falls in love with a windowpane) Paul will play his guitar, sing his songs and tell his stories, stirring the combination into a collage-like performance that will live in your imagination long after the final note has been played. 

Performance times:  March 2^nd @ 8pm, March 3^rd @ 8pm.  Ticket price $10.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.indyfringe.org.

A Rebellious Shortened URL

Anyone who has ever entered the mysterious world of Twitter will no doubt be familiar with the concept of shortened URLs. For those who aren't, shortened URLs are like dwarf versions of an actual URL. For example, a shortened version of www.theindytribune.com is http://bit.ly/wN6q7v.

So you'll imagine our amusement when we came across this beauty of a shortened URL, which, coincidentally, was a link to an Indy Tribune article that had synced with Twitter via Facebook..

Click on the image to see a bigger, more sharable, version.

Indy Tribune Article Taken as Genuine by a Catholic Blog

In the last few days, it has come to our attention that our January 27 article - titled, Catholic Priest 'Desperately Waiting for Child to Turn 16' - has been taken as completely genuine by a blog devoted to discussing the practices of Catholicism.

Evidently, the site - which publishes ongoing email conversations between its devout creators - saw no irony whatsoever in the line "young, innocent alter boys such as Matthew should not have to live in fear of pedophiles in a place of worship. That is why I am prepared to wait until he is 16."

Below is an excerpt from the email dialogue, with a user named William sharing and commenting on the link to our story:

"This is what the denial of, "absolutely no salvation outside the Church" leads to. 

http://www.theindytribune.com/2012/01/catholic-priest-desperately-waiting-for.html

William"

And thus came the response from user Tom Miles:

"Brothers,

That news article story from William about the pedophile parading around in the guise of a "Vatican II priest" just goes to show the VII sect's thinking, that they can do no wrong.  Hopefully a light goes off in that dark chapel of Satan and the parents of the 12-year old wake-up… and then run as fast as they can from the evils of that sect.

Proverbs 30:20. Such is also the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no evil.

God Bless your work,

Tom Miles"

For the rest of the conversation - if you dare go there - go here.

Angel Burlesque Announces Show Dates for the Start of 2012

NEXT EVENT:
Angel Burlesque presents a full evening of singing, dancing and the classic art of the striptease at Indianapolis’ newest venue, Deluxe at the Old National Centre. The January 6, 2012, extravaganza includes your favorite Angels and features guest star Red Hot Annie from Chicago (voted one of the top 50 burlesque performers in the nation in 2010) and two artists who will perform at the Best of Midwest Burlesk Festival in Minneapolis in February—Tessa Von Twinkle and Sugar Lee. It’s the perfect after-holiday treat! 

Angel Burlesque at Deluxe
Friday, January 6, 2012
Deluxe at the Old National Centre
Doors open at 9:00, Performance at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20, cash at the door or credit card by calling 317-536-6512
18 and over, non-smoking, bar available
www.angelburlesque.com 

ABOUT RED HOT ANNIE:
Drawing on over a decade of performance background, Red Hot Annie turned her attentions to burlesque in early 2008. Over 350 performances later, she has become one of the most recognizable and visible faces in Chicago burlesque, blending comedy, sexiness, and storytelling into a crowd-pleasing style.  Red Hot Annie teaches burlesque classes at Vaudezilla Studios and also serves as one of the Executive Producers of the Windy City Burlesque Fest since its inception in 2010.  She had the honor of being voted into the Top 50 Burlesque performers for 2010.  Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you: Red Hot Annie really knows how to make the wieners boil! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Our highly successful Open Bra series (Like an Open Mic Night but with Burlesque!) continues on the last Monday of every month at the Crackers Comedy Club in Broad Ripple. In honor of the Big Game, our January 30th performance will be The SuperBra Spectacular.

Do you have an idea for a routine?
Want to do your first solo?
Need some experience performing?

Open Bra night is the perfect venue! We are looking to fill this open mic-style evening with women and men from all of Indy's burlesque troupes and those who have never performed burlesque before.  Variety acts, performance art, singing, dancing, and most especially, the art of the striptease are all welcome. All body shapes and sizes are encouraged and welcome; Angels believe that “Real is Sexy!”  Contact angelburlesque@gmail.com if you are interested in performing; we have a limited number of spaces which fill quickly.

The SuperBra Spectacular Open Bra Night (Like an Open Mic Night but with Burlesque!)
Monday, January 30, 2012
8:30 p.m.
Crackers Comedy Club in Broad Ripple
Tickets $8.  Reservations by calling 317-255-4211 or through www.angelburlesque.com
18 and over, 2 drink minimum, non-smoking venue 

Angel Burlesque at Deluxe
Friday, March 2, 2012
Doors at 9:00, Show at 9:30.
Tickets are $20, cash at the door or credit card by calling 317-536-6512
18 and over, non-smoking, bar available
www.angelburlesque.com

Image credit: supplied by Angel Burlesque.

Chicago's Shawn Bowers Tells Us How Bummed Out He is About His Son's Kidnapping and What You Can Do to Help

Indianapolis met up with Chicago this week, as The Indy Tribune spoke with Chicago comic and blogger Shawn Bowers about his latest project - Babies for my Son - a blog that sees the lighter side of kidnapping. Read the exclusive interview here in full.

***

TIT: Ladies and gentleman of the internet, please welcome Chicago’s very own Mr Shawn Bowers. Now, Shawn, be warned that we here at the Indy Tribune don’t shy away from the hard and probing questions: with that said, how’s the weather up in Chicago?

SB: It's cold-ish, rainy, not snowing yet, and surprisingly average for a midwestern winter. I like it because I can wear a coat without gloves, because I just lost my gloves. But I plan to buy new ones at Target this week, for those who are concerned.

TIT: Sounds like you'll need 'em. I hear that Chicago is set to be destroyed by “the white stuff” this year - in, like, record fashion.

SB: I haven't heard that, but I don't follow the weather too closely… I'm used to it by now. I'm from Kansas. Chicago snow days are pretty tame by comparison.

TIT: Wow! Okay, time to get serious (well, not really): I understand that your son Brand was kidnapped. That must be a bit of a bummer?

SB: It's more than a bummer, it's the ultimate bummer. My son was brutally kidnapped right out from under me by someone who won't even clearly identify himself, and now I'm left to pick up the pieces like an idiot. His mother's pissed, the authorities are no help…it's just a mess. As far as messes go, it's one of them.

TIT: Oh man I feel for you. I understand the kidnapper has some pretty strong demands in order for you to get your son back, am I right?

SB: Yeah, I mean…most kidnappers ask for money. That's pretty standard, and it makes sense if you think about it. The man who kidnapped my son, who calls himself "Stexxx," has demanded 500 photos of babies in costumes in exchange for my son's life. Now that may not seem like a difficult task, but you can only Google Image Search so much every day.

TIT: I can imagine, I tried running a quick search before this interview... you know, as part of my research? There were some pretty distasteful pictures, man. Mind you, I think that was an issue with my settings. Now, I’ve seen the website - babiesformyson.net - that you’ve set up to raise awareness of Brand’s kidnapping and where you’ve compiled a growing list of novel baby photos. What can people do to help? Can others contribute photos?

SB: I think the biggest thing that people can do to help is pray. The second thing that people can do to help is to send ME money so that I can support a lifestyle that can in turn give me the emotional strength to get my son back. The third thing people can do is deliver food, or gifts. Beyond that, yes. People can submit photos of their own babies or babies they know wearing costumes. I've only had a few personal submissions thus far, which I assume means people hate my son and want him to stay kidnapped.

TIT: Holy... I'm lost for words. Can't imagine what you're going through right now.

SB: Also, the trick to searching for baby photos is to organize your words properly. Keep your "Safe Search" firmly on and search for "baby in a costume" as opposed to something like "baby costumes" or "costume of a baby." That's going to be mostly adult fetish porn.

TIT: THAT'S where I was going wrong.

SB: Which is not at all what my site is about. If I can get one thing across to people, it's that my site is not adult fetish porn.

TIT: I can vouch for that.

SB: Thank you.

TIT: Now, how else can people keep abreast (hehe) of the latest photos?

SB: Well we have a Facebook page at facebook.com/BabiesForMySon. Or people can e-mail submissions or general letters of encouragement to BabiesForMySon@gmail.com. There's a link on the site as well, which is the photo of a baby police officer coming out of an envelope. It's adorable. It's all adorable, honestly. It's the cutest ransom ever…because my son? He's ten years old. He's past the point of cute and into the realm of "oh I see where this is going." These babies…looking into the cold digital eyes of a baby wearing a hot dog costume every day…I miss the disappointed eyes of my live, less adorable son. Now I know how Meg Ryan felt in the film Proof of Life, kind of.

TIT: I know how she felt in the cafe scene from When Harry Met Sally, but I digress. Time for the hard-hitting question: if you could spend one minute in a sound proof room with Stexxx, what do you think you’d say to him?

SB: First, I'd say "who are you?," because I legitimately want to know. Then…I don't know, I might thank him, as weird as that sounds. I yell at him a lot on the website, because I'm angry and sometimes my keyboard gets stuck in bold italics. But in a lot of ways, this Stexxx character has taught me a lesson. I didn't even really know Brand that well. I didn't know he existed until a few days before he was kidnapped, and just as I was getting to know him, he was taken from me. And now, in the months since he's been gone, I've learned even less about him because I can't ask him direct questions on account of him being kidnapped. They say that kidnapping makes a daddy's heart grow more interested. I think that's the old wives phrase. And I get that now. I WANT to know my son. I WANT him to survive. And more than anything, I WANT STEXXX TO BURN FOR THE CRIMES THAT HE'S COMMITTED AGAINST MY NEWFOUND FAMILY.

TIT: I can only sympathize. I truly hope you make it to 500 pictures in time. Final question: do you have any questions for us?

SB: I do. Do you have a folder with, like…468 photos of babies in costumes lying around anywhere?

TIT: Yes, but they were acquired while safe search was off. Is that going to be a problem?

SB: I think you may have just incriminated yourself.

TIT: I just better hope no one reads all the way down to the bottom of the interview. Or I could just edit this thing.

SB: Nobody reads to the bottom of things anymore, you'll be fine.

TIT: That's what I thought. And with that, Mr Shawn Bowers, you are free to leave.

SB: Thank you, sir! Tell anyone with access to a Google Computer Account to spread the good word and dig up some interesting babies! I'm off to a Web Cafe to continue fighting the good fight (and probably getting distracted with a Sudoku or something too).

Image credit: courtesy of Shawn Bowers.

Indiana Native Kevin J. Thornton Talks About Gay Rights, Touring and His Hit Show

Last night, The Indy Tribune (TIT) caught up with comedian, singer-songwriter and all-round entertainer Kevin J. Thornton, who has been busy touring the country with his stand-up show I Love You (We're Fucked) throughout 2011. This week, Kevin hits Bloomington, before returning for a gig in Indianapolis on November 5th!

TIT: Welcome Kevin; glad you were able to find the time to sit down with us in between shows. How is the tour going?

KJT: I'm so ready for this year to be over; my ass is so worn out! (Laughs). It's been an amazing year for me, but I started this tour in January and my last show is November 17th. I literally have not stopped in 10 months!

TIT: Yes, I saw from your website that you've been a busy bee. I was lucky enough to see your hit show I Love You (We’re Fucked) at this year’s IndyFringe Festival. I get the feeling you rather like Fringe theatre, am I right?

KJT: I do love it. I did 10 fringe fests this year. It's kind of a dream come true for me; it allows me to go to a town where I might not really have a following yet and draw on an existing crowd. And thanks for saying my show was a "hit". Please keep up that sort of language.

TIT: It was five-star brilliance! I was sitting on the front row at ComedySportz. Now, your act doesn’t just consist of stand-up comedy, does it?

KJT: No, sir. It's truly a hybrid of concert, stand-up and storytelling. Although, I want to find a different word besides "storytelling", because I think, for some, that sounds like a librarian with a sock puppet or something.

TIT: Yes, and I wouldn't quite say you fit such a description. Now, in I Love You (We’re Fucked) you opened up about your childhood - growing up gay in conservative southern Indiana. How do you think this has effected your world view and what lasting effect did it have on Kevin J Thornton the performer?

KJT: Well, I think first and foremost it taught me not to give a fuck. But that was no easy lesson to learn. It took many years. But now that's pretty instilled in me. I think for some, that lesson might translate into bitterness (which a lot of comics embody) but for me I think it translated into bravery. And hopefully hilarity.

TIT: I certainly drew both of those characteristics from your show.

KJT: My hit show?

TIT: Sorry, yes. Your mesmerizingly dazzling wonder of a hit show!

KJT: Right.

TIT: Now earlier this year, the state of Indiana passed legislation banning same-sex marriages: will Indiana ever emerge from the Victorian age?

KJT: Oh yeah, for sure. But there's going to be this tipping point; the more conservative states will hold out until the bitter end, then there will be a landslide - pretty much like every other social issue.

TIT: So kind of like a Civil Rights Movement for the 21st century?

KJT: Hell, I don't know really. I'd like to think so, but sometimes my faith in humanity is really thin. I'm really afraid that in 2012 we are going to go into a really intense phase of neoconservatism as the sea of hillbillies lash out against the Obama administration.

TIT: If so, I'm moving home to England! I've already reserved the flights. Now, let’s talk a little more about your tour. You have a show this Thursday at Rachael’s Cafe in Bloomington, IN. Where do we sign up?

KJT: Yes, yes! Well, there are tickets available online on my website, but at the door is fine too.

TIT: Excellent! And how can people keep up-to-date with all your upcoming soon-to-be hit shows?

KJT: I'm a social media whore. Actually, I just gave a lecture on social media at Berkley in San Fransisco! But my website is a good place to start - http://www.kevinjthornton.com.

TIT: How about an exclusive “blood story” for our readers?

KJT: (Laughs). That's always the part everyone remembers (from my shows). On a couple of occasions, I've had complete strangers sing the theme song to me on the street. Would it be a mistake to do that section at Rachael's Cafe if people are eating? (Laughs).

TIT: Depends on the story, I guess. And the food.

KJT: Right, right... I'll have to stay really tuned in.

TIT: Okay, well I understand if you want to save your "blood stories" for the show. Final question: do you have any questions for us?

KJT: Yes, yes I do: I've been sleep walking lately. Why do you think that is?

TIT: Hmm, let me just consult Wikipedia... it says here that Kevin J Thornton has been such a hit on the comedy circuit that he has forgotten to hit something else... the sack! Other reports suggest that he might be a Zombie!

KJT: That's probably the truth, except for the zombie part.

TIT: And on that note, Kevin, you are free to leave.

KJT: Great! Thanks!

Image credit: Zoia Wiseman.

Katie Angel Shatters a Few Burlesque Myths and Talks About Angel Burlesque's Upcoming Shows

This week, The Indy Tribune (TIT) got to catch up with founder and CEO of Angel Burlesque, Katie Angel, to get more of an insight into the wonderful world of burlesque. Here, she talks about the hard work that goes into putting on a burlesque event and helps to tackle the myths that surround this parodic profession.


IT: Welcome, Katie. May I call you Katie?

KA: Yes, please.

IT: Excellent. Now, as CEO of Angel Burlesque, you’ve been a busy lady haven’t you? Tell us a little more about running a successful burlesque company in Indiana.

KA: I've been so busy! Last Thursday I had a nine-hour rehearsal session - we ran through nine different routines and today I had a six-hour rehearsal session. I have a lot to do at home with writing the script, promoting the show, building my own costumes and props and also helping my performers with their costumes and props.

IT: So you basically do a bit of everything?

KA: Yes. As the CEO it's my job to keep an eye on the overall picture. There are aspects of the job that I love and aspects that I find a bit tedious but need to be done anyway.

IT: Burlesque is making quite the comeback across the Midwest. How does it feel to be at the forefront of that?

KA: It's funny because while burlesque is so hot in Indianapolis right now, the revival started in the early to mid-90s on the coasts. So while I do feel like I'm on the forefront in the midwest, we'll go to the conferences or larger workshops like the Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend in June in Las Vegas and we feel like such Baby Burlesquers. We're so new! But people in New York and in California have been working and building their international reputations for years now. We have a lot of catching up to do to make Indy a real presence in the national burlesque scene.

IT: I like the fresh and raw aspect you bring to the scene. As a frequent patron of Crackers Comedy Club, I feel like I see one or two new performers every time I see an Angel Burlesque show. How many performers, at last count, do you have?

KA: Ooh...let me count.

IT: Take your time.

KA: What's especially neat about the Crackers scene is this Open Bra (Like an Open Mic Night but with Burlesque) series we have created. We have given an opportunity for people who have never done burlesque before to try it out and we are also very inviting to other burlesque troupes to perform and have a chance to be onstage. With burlesque, especially, you cannot improve unless you perform and we give people a chance to perform. Anyway, at last count, we have 25 Angels - some more or less involved than others, which is the beauty of having so many performers.

IT: And you have an emerging boy-lesque scene, am I right?

KA: Oh, yes! And with boy-lesque I am particularly excited that we are hosting Ray Gunn from Chicago's Stage Door Johnnies at our Halloween Boo-lesque show! Right now we have two gentlemen Angels. A new Angel boy-lesquer is going to make his debut at Halloween and we've finally had a boy-lesque performer at our Open Bra night - we did a routine to the Reverend Horton Heat's Where in the Hell Did You Go with My Toothbrush? He was our first straight boy-lesquer and our first gentleman who is larger and not model perfect to get onstage - everyone loved him.

IT: What would you say to people who say that Burlesque is “probably not my scene”?

KA: First, I want to figure out what is their perception of burlesque? Do they not like to laugh? Do they not like good-natured fun? I feel a lot of people have a lot of misconceptions about burlesque. We are not a strip club; we are not grinding on poles or giving lap dances. We are a very theatrically based group of performers that don't take ourselves too seriously, but love entertaining people and making them laugh. Do we take off our clothes? Yes. But the way we take off our clothes is usually hilarious or very stylized and lots of fun. The most common response I get after a show from a newbie audience member is 1) "I had no idea it would be so funny and I'd have so much fun" and 2) "Seeing those real bodies onstage makes me feel confident and proud to be a woman" - unless you're a dude, then you don't think the last part. But if you did, that'd be okay too.

IT: Haha. Well, I'm glad we got to shatter some myths, there.

KA: I'm always intrigued to see why people are not interested in coming to a show - especially guys. Usually, if they are in a relationship they might be hesitant because they are not sure what their wife or girlfriend would think, but the girls are the ones having the most fun!

IT: So how can fans and even reluctant newcomers keep up-to-date with the latest Angel Burlesque events?

KA: Facebook is best: www.facebook.com/angelburlesque. Also www.angelburlesque.com. We have great videos and picture galleries online. Brigitte Petite, one of our lovely ladies, keeps our website up to date...bless her.

IT: Awesome! Now you spoke a little bit about recruiting new Angels. How should one go about becoming a member of Angel Burlesque?

KA: The best way is to attend a workshop - our next one is on December 4th (which sounds so far away, but with the holidays it will be here sooner than we think) - and to take a big breath and sign up to do a routine at our next Open Bra on Monday, December 12th. There is a sign up sheet on our website and you can apply to perform. As a part of the Open Bra Night, all of the performers get a free coaching session with one of the Head Angels to help prepare you for performing. Our last few Angels came out of the workshops. People who were interested took a workshop, learned how to build a routine, and then performed. We were impressed and invited them to join us.

IT: Final question: A little birdie tells me you have one or two other big events coming up before Open Bra Night?

KA: Yes, so many fun things. Thursday, October 27 thru Saturday, October 29th there are five opportunities to see our Boo-lesque! Things that Go Bump (and Grind) in the Night! show with special guest Ray Gunn at the Crackers Comedy Club at Broad Ripple. Thursday-Saturday at 8;00; Friday and Saturday also at 10:30, Tickets at www.angelburlesque.com or save a $2 web charge and call 317-255-4211. Also, we are performing at Deluxe in the Old National Center on Friday, November 4th and Friday, December 2nd at 9:30. Tickets at www.livenation.com or by calling 317-536-6512. In November there is a Food Truck Festival so you can get some tasty eats and then go see some tasty treats onstage.

IT: I know I said "final question", but I almost forgot the Indy tribune's signature question, which is... "do you have any questions for us?"

KA: If you had to wear a dress in public and couldn't explain that it was on a dare, would you wear red or black and why?

IT: I'd wear red because it matches my lips, but don't tell my readers that... oops, too late.

KA: (Laughter) Awesome!

IT: And on that note, Mrs Katie Angel, you are free to leave!

KA: Thanks! I'm going to bed.

Phil van Hest Talks About Cats, Homegrown Veggies and his New Show

This month, Wit's End sat down with one of Indiana's rising stars of stand-up comedy Phil van Hest, whose monthly show - 'Funny About That' - premieres at the IndyFringe Building Wednesday. Here's how it all went down. 

IT: How are you doing, Phil?

PHIL: I have never been busier or happier in my life.  A speech for Public Social University through the IMA, a speech on sustainability for Butler's first annual Green Summit, a grant to inspire high school kids in Indiana to fearlessly pursue "gender non-traditional careers," And I just got a third cat that doesn't get along with the other two cats.  It's like having a baby with teeth that fights your other babies at night, very loudly.

IT: Welcome again to Indiana. You're not from around here are you?

PHIL: Nah brah, Cali.  My laugh line is "I moved from Los Angeles to Indianapolis (expertly timed comedic pause) to pursue a career in show 
business (bask in laugh-glory).

IT: The world premiere of your new monthly show - 'Funny About That' - takes place at the IndyFringe Building on October 12. Give us the low down!

PHIL: This is my attempt at self-sustainability. I want this show to become my full time job.  It is the reason I am here, and I am anxiously anticipating not screwing it up this Wednesday. If I do, the blow will be cushioned by free beer.  The beer will be free for all comers to the October/November shows. After that, to prevent my print advertising from becoming a lie, I will provide a free beer to at least one audience member. I will decide who based on a complex set of random values I arbitrarily invent each night after again spending all month forgetting to devise a system.

IT: How else can we sample Phil Van Hest (I'm thinking online media)?

PHIL: I work hard to concentrate all things Phil into my site, FunnyAboutThat.com. If it's about me and it's not there, it's probably a shitty review.

IT: What's the second greatest thing that has ever happened to you?

PHIL: Battlecat Tonic Water Forte, of the Broken Whiskers.

IT: I understand you have a thing for cats? 

PHIL: Why, did I just imply something like that?

IT: And what's all this about homegrown vegetables?

PHIL: They taste better, render you more independent, and subvert the concept of mandatory consumer spending.

IT: So, how can people keep abreast (hehe) of all your upcoming events? 

PHIL: I have a delightful semi-quarterly newsletter, and people are free to sign up for it at FunnyAboutThat.com!  Or send me an email! philvanhest@gmail.com.

IT: Do you have any questions for us?

PHIL: Will I see you at the world premiere of my new monthly show, "FREE BEER with Phil van Hest?"

IT: Well, unfortunately we will be busy launching some shitty website that evening, but we will certainly make it to the November, December and January gigs. Anyway, you are now free to leave.

PHIL: Great, because I am busy as fuck.

Funny About That with Phil van Hest -- AND YOU! 

Wednesday, October 12th @ 8PM

IndyFringe Building,
719 E St Clair St,
Indianapolis, IN 46202


FREE Flat12 draft beer!

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Phil van Hest presents a monthly LIVE talk show featuring Indy personalities, and special guests. He's handing a megaphone and an audience to the community voice.   FUNNY ABOUT THAT will uncover sundry, silly, and direly hilarious news and opinion items that, in van Hest's words, "may have eluded the attention of larger media outlets." 

Image credit: Mike Soultanian