Burlesque profile: Vivienne Vavoom

November 4, 6:57 PMNY Burlesque ExaminerJ.N. Urbanski

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Vivienne Vavoom

Ted D'Ottavio

Michelle Baldwin, aka Vivienne Vavoom, wrote the book "Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind" published in 2004 which charts the history of burlesque. Vavoom is burlesque's all-American pin-up and is a regular on the NY circuit even though she's based in Denver, the mile-high city. This image by Ted D'Ottavio shows her in all her brassy glory.

JNU: How long have you been in Burlesque?
VV: 11 years. My first show was in 1998.

JNU: How did you get started in Burlesque?
VV: I saw a show, Jane Blevin as Evangeline the Oyster Girl. She had a giant oyster shell and a three-piece band and was so magnetic and sexy. I'd never seen anything like it. I fell in love with Burlesque at that moment. Soon after that I saw my first variety burlesque show, Red Vixen Burlesque in NYC featuring Tigger, Velocity Chyaldd and others. I came home from New York with the goal to put on a show: the rest is history!

JNU: What or who are your biggest inspirations and how do they translate into your act?
VV: I'm very inspired by the legends of the forties and fifties. I'm not sure if it's some kind of possession or just because I watched so many old Burlesque videos, but the old movies feel the most natural to me and I almost unconsciously move and dance like they did.

JNU: Do you travel for work?
VV: A bit, mostly festivals.

JNU: And if so, which show in which city was the most memorable?
VV: My heart is definitely in NYC, but Seattle really blows me away. The incredible variety and creativity in that community, plus the number and quality of the shows they produce, is staggering.

JNU: How do you stay fit?
VV: I'm blessed with a thin figure from my father's side of the family, but I try to get up every morning and dance a bit; just free form, ranging from slow stretch-conducive songs to cardio-friendly gogo music.

JNU: When's your next show in New York? (Or if not New York, then you’re next show).
VV: I'm starting up a couple of weekly shows in Denver with my friend and emcee Cora Vette. The first starts November 19 at Bender's Tavern and the other December 1 at Blue Ice.