Uni girls flying high as The Velveteens
Published on 23 November, 2010
Music Theatre graduates Jess Peters and Casey Eidintas and current student Steph McKenna are flying high with their new cabaret show as The Velveteens* -Velvet Air.
In their latest guise, the 'first-class trio of airhostesses take musical comedy to new heights'.
The trio's blend of comedy, cabaret and contemporary burlesque was created with help from CQUniversity lecturer Kim Kirkman, who also helped to found the Ten Tenors and operatic boy band Formidable.
Velvet Air will be staged from 8pm on Friday, December 10, at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, with bookings available via http://www.mackaytix.com.au/ and details via 4961 9777 or mackaytix@mackay.qld.gov.au
The Velveteens will also be appearing at Carols by Candlelight in Mackay on December 4.
LINK for a larger image Velveteens member and director Jess Peters says burlesque is performance art with a rich history.
"It has integrated aspects of cabaret and vaudeville whilst always retaining its core elements; an invigorating tendency to not take itself too seriously, bawdy satire and an invitation to the audience to witness a raw, engaging theatrical experience," she said.
"Burlesque has always thrived on being non-conformist and I feel that its timely resurgence has come because today's audiences are crying out for entertainment with an edge, something that breaks the old tired formulas and boasts substance.
"In another age, the spontaneity of burlesque is where artists cut their teeth. It is this unique surrender of the artist and the anticipation of promiscuity that will keep burlesque audiences lining up at the box office for many years to come."
"The Velveteens will be releasing their first EP this December and are pleased to be doing so in their old stomping ground. Mackay will always hold a special place in our hearts as the place where it all began. 2011 will see The Velveteens embark on an Australian tour before heading overseas in 2012 for some of the major arts and burlesque festivals around the world. It's always been a personal goal of mine to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, then there's the Amsterdam Burlesque Fest, London Burlesque week and not to forget our Aussie fans, we'll also be showing at the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals."
* Who Are The Velveteens?
The Velveteens are a live comedy musical burlesque troupe with an essence of frivolous debauchery played out with sarcasm and wit. The Velveteens present a theatrically styled cabaret featuring all your favourite tunes with a cheeky twist; this is coupled with their unique added flavour of wicked satire and sassy dance. The Velveteens live show offers a highly stylised performance which is infused with their own unique blend of rock, comedy and burlesque, and attracts wide acclaim from both men and women audience members. The Velveteens present a show that incorporates the burlesque tradition of tease and add their own fusion of soaring vocals, snappy dance routines and witty humour; taking the audience on a journey of satire, song, dance and risqué humour, they are sassy, fun and cheeky all at once. Details viahttp://www.thevelveteens.com.au/ or http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=864#!/pages/The-Velveteens/219350605580
A brief history of The Velveteens since being formed:
- debuted at 2009 Mackay Festival of Arts
- 2009 performance at the CQ Conservatorium of Music
- sell out season at The Ocean International Hotel
- corporate entertainment performances
- Mackay Carols by Candlelight
- 2010 Mackay Festival of Arts
- Brisbane debut in renowned burlesque review The RaGTaG Review at The Fringe Bar, Brisbane. The Velveteens were featured as a special guest performance. The title of the review was Vive La RaGTaG and was a celebration of all things French. The Velveteens performed an excerpt of their new show, Velvet Air with a French twist.
- More corporate performances