AND Burlesque Virtual Event – May 16th
Thanks for the interview, Céleste! Always a pleasure. Very excited about the upcoming Tease A GoGo burlesque event on May 16th.
You are a Detroit area based burlesque dancer, but there will be many people from all over the country at the show, right?
Yes, I live & primarily perform in Detroit, but Tease A GoGo is a monthly Lansing show I love being a part of. Most performers are from the Lansing, Metro Detroit, or Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti areas, but this lineup also has performers from Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids.
What makes you most excited about the show?
I’m looking forward to seeing the creativity & ingenuity the performers are bringing & the opportunity to just sit & enjoy the show. When you’re performing at a live show, there often isn’t the chance to easily relax or watch your friends take the stage. It will be my first chance to cheer on a few performers I’ve sadly never been able to see.
For you, is the preparation different for an online show versus a live show. How are they the same?
How are they different? Preparation in many senses is the same — I have to rehearse & brush up on special skills like fan dancing, prep & repair my costume, promote the show, & those sorts of standard things. But due to copyright & restrictions platforms like YouTube & Instagram have, most if not all of us have had to take existing acts or create new ones based on public domain music or purchase rights to the music, which can be costly. This isn’t something we typically have to deal with because venues pay music license fees, so this has been a huge barrier for the Burlesque community in terms of producing law-abiding shows. Another thing that’s different is that we are now not only performers but our own tech crew. We have to figure out lighting, filming, sound quality, video editing, & more. That’s a lot of added work we are not used to navigating, thanks to many talented tech crews who we all dearly miss. The one other difference, that maybe I independently feel, is the pressure to have an absolutely perfect act, because it is filmed & you can do it again & again. But that’s an unrealistic expectation — things go wrong during shows, but audiences often have no idea it even happened.
You have been to some competitions. What do you feel on stage? What are your best memories?
I competed in the 2018 Burlypicks Michigan regionals & won First Place, as well as Master of Amazement, which allowed me to attend Nationals where I won the title of Most Classic. The MI Regional was my second ever burlesque performance & I was very nervous to be among talented company, but I have always been able to navigate stage fright, since I was studying ballet years ago. The show must go on! If you rehearse enough, once you hit the stage, muscle memory takes over, plus it’s all about having fun. I have many fond memories from Burlypicks Nationals — I was able to watch so many outstanding performers from across the U.S., meet burlesque legends, & grow closer to the Detroit burly-q community.
What is an odd, quirky, or fun memory that sticks out involving both you and burlesque?
Ohhh, that’s quite a question… I loved the reactions my friends had to the first time I performed — they were pleasantly shocked & excited for me. Some of them have known me for over a decade & met me when I was terribly restrained & afraid to be my true self. They have seen me blossom & now I have the privilege to inspire others & watch their growth.
Who and/or what inspired you to get started in burlesque?
I’ve always wanted to participate in this art form, I just didn’t know it for the longest time because I grew up in a religious home. It combines things I’ve loved for like jazz music, vintage fashion, craftsmanship, & dance, but more importantly, it has allowed me to take time to pursue those loves on my terms & share them. I also desperately wanted to develop a better relationship with my body, which was destroyed by my ballet studies. Burlesque can & should be a very inclusive art form & as a feminist/humanist, I want to support & uplift those who have been suppressed. Burlesque is also an art where my long-suppressed interest of fetish & BDSM can be embraced & I am able to display my sexuality on my terms. As a sexual abuse survivor, this has been paramount to my recovery.
Describe burlesque, for you, in three words.
Whatever I want. Dreams come true. The best escapism. Jokes, ridicule, mockery. P.S. That last one isn’t mine! Look up the origins of burlesque.
There are some who believe that everyone should try burlesque at least once. Are you in that school of thought? What are some of the reasons you think some people should explore it?
I think people should explore what interests them. Burlesque can be extremely empowering, but for some, it’s not & I respect that. I think more people should try burlesque, comedy, dance, etc., even if it’s taking a class & never pursuing it professionally. Being in a safe space with people who share a passion or interest is comforting, inspiring, & healing. And we could all use more of that in our life. And as a dancer, I can’t help but point out when people connect with their bodies through the movement of dance; it has amazing positive effects. No matter the specific style, you can find freedom & euphoria.
How can they support the burlesque community at large during these trying times?
If you’d like to support our community, there are several ways to help, including a few free ways!
1 — Attend our online shows & competitions.
2 — Tip us via channels like PayPal, Venmo, & CashApp. Most of us post our handles, but if not, just ask!
3 — Join our fan clubs & creative platforms like OnlyFans & Patreon.
4 — Buy photos, artwork, or merchandise from us.
5 — Follow us on social media & like, comment on, & share our content with your network.
6 — Commission us to create things for you, such as costumes & clothing.
7 — Hire us to entertain you at online parties or gift a digital performance for a friend.
8 — Hire us to coach you or take our online classes.
9 — Support candidates & legislation that allow burlesque & other sex workers to continue their craft.
10 — Simply ask us how you can support us. Some of us have jobs & are relatively stable, considering the circumstances, whereas some of us have little to no income, government assistance, resources, opportunities, or options to carry us through.
The upcoming show on May 16th, where can people see it? How do people get tickets?
The show is available starting May 16th, 2020, via a private YouTube link starting at 8 pm & will be available for 24 hours.
$10 suggested donation
18+
TO RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE SHOW:
1 — Send donation ($10 suggested) to teaseagogo@yahoo.com through PayPal.
2 — On your donation in the note section, attach the email address that you would like your private link and setlist sent to.
3 — On May 16th, links will be sent out to your email address a few hours before showtime. Follow the link and enjoy the show for up to 24 hours!
For questions, concerns, or if PayPal is unavailable to you, please feel free to email us at teaseagogo@yahoo.com.
INSTAGRAM — @teaseagogo
STARRING
Ada Vice
Caffeyne Luv
Cinna Moan
Coco Brulee
Céleste Vé Dette
Darryn Storm
Deliah Poppers
Dish Delish
Dusk Hex
Ellie Camino
Fearless
Fòrce Majeure
Mabel Syrup
Magenta De Mure
Mila De Luna
Phoenix Aftermath
Pixel Universe
Sophia Von Stardust
Tommy Gun
Venus Valentine
Veronica Lockhart
HOSTED BY Sarah Jean Anderson
SPONSORED BY
Shelby Wiborn – professional hairstylist/ MUA
Autumn Luciano Studios
People wanting to follow you in burlesque and where life takes you, where can they go to connect?
FACEBOOK — @celestevedette / fb.com/celestevedette
INSTAGRAM — @celestevedette / instagram.com/celestevedette
WEBSITE — celestevedette.com
FAN CLUB — OnlyFans.com/celestevedette
Looking forward to the show, thank you for the interview. There are so many fantastic topics and questions, from outfits to music, classes to culture, history, and more. I hope to share more knowledge and passion with the world. See you on the 16th!
