Inga Ingenue crowns Jeez Loueez Miss Viva Las Vegas 2012 (POC Photo)

-Written and photographed by Paul O’Connell of POC Photo (Contributor, Seattle)

Viva Las Vegas, now in its 15th year, is “the Biggest Rockabilly Party in The World” with rockabilly fashion, hundreds of souped-up vintage cars, scores of bands, and more neck tattoos than I have ever seen. And of course, burlesque.

The main event for burlesque at VLV was the Saturday night competition at the showroom at The Orleans Hotel, where eight ladies competed for the title Miss VLV 2012. This show was hosted by Dizzy Von Damn, Miss VLV 2008. This year’s honors went to Jeez Loueez of Chicago. Tears came down her face as last year’s Miss VLV, Seattle’s own Inga Ingénue, placed the crown upon her head. Jeez is part of Vaudeville Productions in Chicago, and producer of Jeezy’s Juke Joint: A Black Burly-Q Revue. 1st Runner up was Lydia DeCarllo from Vancouver, Canada and 2nd runner-up was Jolie Goodnight from Austin, Texas. The judges for this competition were the audience; using the special “applause-o-meter”, clearly Jeez Loueez was the winner. After all, she gave an incredible, show-stopping performance.

On Friday, Rick Delaup brought his Bustout Burlesque review from New Orleans for three consecutive shows. These events were hosted by Seattle’s own Vincent Drambuie and featured performances by some of the regular Bustout Burlesque cast- all shaking it to a live jazz band- including Perle Noire, Ginger Valentine, Lola Van Ella and Athena. Throughout Viva, there were also many Burlesque Bingo shows. Audrey DeLuxe brought Bingo to VLV from Los Angeles, with featured performances by some top burlesque beauties such as Inga Ingénue, Coco Lectric, and Kitten de Ville. The concept is simple: as the ladies remove their clothes and fall onto the bingo-numbered floor, players mark off each number. (As that glove hits N44, you mark it off). The ladies strip till “bingo” is called, and then fabulous prizes are given. Seattle’s Miss Kitty Baby attended Viva once again with her Pin-Up Angels, helping to raise money for care packages for deployed servicemen and women.

Once again, what I like about this festival is seeing burlesquers from around the country… and eating at Vegas buffets. Special shout-outs to Miss Kitty Baby and Boom Boom L’Roux for allowing me to share their room, and to fellow photographer Derek Jackson and 1st runner up and all around cool Canadian, Lydia DeCarllo. Look for sexy photos of Lydia from our midnight shoot at The Orleans Hotel coming soon. Next up, I’ll be on the road to the Texas Burlesque Festival in Austin, April 12-14.

Jeez Loueez (POC Photo)

Seattle's Sydni Deveraux (POC Photo)

Inga Ingenue- Miss VLV 2011 (POC Photo)

Dizzy Von Damn- Miss VLV 2008 (POC Photo)

Jeez Loueez (POC Photo)

Jolie Goodnight (POC Photo)

Lydia DeCarllo (POC Photo)

Jolie Goodnight, Lydia DeCarllo, and Jeez Loueez (POC Photo)

The winner is announced (POC Photo)

Jeez Loueez, Miss Viva Las Vegas 2012 (POC Photo)

Perle Noire (POC Photo)

Lou Lou D'vil (POC Photo)

Lola Van Ella (POC Photo)

Ginger Valentine (POC Photo)

Athena (POC Photo)

Medianoche at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2012 (POC Photo)

Madisun Avenue by Photographer Fiona Pepe (www.FIONAPEPE.COM)

Madisun Avenue and partner David Stern have been quietly (or not so quietly, depending how you look at it) running the monthly Metalesque! series as well as one-of-a kind shows under the banner Reckless Revue. This Saturday March 31, Metalesque! features Madisun Avenue herself, as well as Boom Boom L’Roux, Mitzy Sixx, Olatsa Assin, and Laela Lovechild. Then on April 1, Reckless Revue brings Portland’s Wanderlust Circus to the Columbia City Theater.

Read about Metalesque! and the upcoming tribute to the Tom Waits classic Frank’s Wild Years in the Burlesque Box  HERE, and check out the related show listings at the Columbia City Theater HERE.

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In other news, POC Photo will soon be heading to Sin City for VLV15: the 15th annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. Inga Ingénue, the Reigning VLV Queen 2011, will give a farewell performance and our very own Sydni Deveraux will compete for the title this year. More coverage to follow when POC returns…and best of luck to Sydni, as well as all the performers heading to Vegas.

VLV15!

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And last but not least, it’s just been announced that the lovely ladies of Heavenly Spies are launching a brand new show called MAJESTY on April 6 at Can Can. The seven dancers will pack the tiny but venerable stage- including choreographer/performer Agent Rhinestone, who took a brief time out for her new baby during the last production. More to come on this show in the weeks to follow; for now the show’s press info declares:

The seven Spies set the Can Can stage on fire with their high energy, athletic choreography set to lively indie pop music fit for the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! MAJESTY joins all genres of dance and couples strong female archetypes with colorful utopian imagery. Get ready to see cupid wings, tit slings and mermaids on swings, pole dancing and square dancing, and the best booty-pop’n royal highnies in the Northwest! Opening night is April 6th at Can Can Kitchen & Cabaret and will continue every Friday night in May and June at 10:30pm.

For more information and tickets, please visit Can Can at the sidebar, right.

The Heavenly Spies in MAJESTY (Photo credit pending)

Victoria Vengeance presents the VLV Burlesque Showcase 2011

The annual Viva Las Vegas Weekender takes place April 21-24 2011 in Vegas. Though it hinges on a sprawling pre-1963 only car show, the Friday night VLV Burlesque Showcase (produced by Victoria Vengeance) has become a major attraction- this year expanding to three shows featuring Michelle L’amour, Mimi le Meaux, Catherine D’Lish, and the crown jewel of emcees, Miss Astrid (who incidentally, hosts the Gypsy Centennial in Seattle this weekend).

Aside from the annual showcase, there’s a Saturday night VLV Burlesque Competition as well. A mysterious panel of judges have announced four of the eight competitors, two of them from here in the Northwest:

Inga Ingénue (Seattle)
Charlotte Treuse (Portland)
Coco Lectric (Austin)
Ms. Redd (Las Vegas)

The remaining “to be determined” contestants will be featured on the VLV website during the month of January, where the public can vote for their favorites to round out the competition. Cast your vote (and then confirm it from your email box) by clicking HERE.

Inga Ingenue (Photo by Debora Spencer)

Charlotte Treuse performing @ New Orleans Burlesque Festival (POC Photo)