Five In Five Days

May 15, 2018

My days in Detroit was just a busy trip home. Click to read more.

Hubcaps and Tail Lights: A Motor City Burlesque Review

June 30, 2015

Recently Sinnator Charlotte put on a production outside of her IBBC productions, and give people something different with Hubcaps and Tail Lights: A Motor City Burlesque Review. This production was showcased at the Huma Room at the HopCat in Midtown Detroit. The Huma Room's stage was a nice size for each of the performers to properly perform each of their sets. The lightning for the stage was some of the best that I've seen around, I was able to photograph the entire show without the use of a flash. As using a speedlight would take away from the mood that was displayed from each set.

From my busy day I was having, I was a few minutes late to the show. I ended up messing a few acts before the intermission of the show. When I entered, Sinnator Charlotte was introducing Luna Legare. Luna first set was that of 1960's (I'm pretty bad with eras) style of clothing. It was here where Luna showcased a very fun playful side. Her second performance with a blue dress that revealed a split dress underneath showed her sensual side still with a bit of playfulness. Next to the stage was Holly Hock, her first performance was that of 1920's. After the intermission, her second performance was fiery hot. Holly came out as a lady to entice the crowd to embrace their dirty sides.

After a brief intermission, more performers were up next. We given a brief history of jitting from Sinnator Charlotte before she introduced Hardcore Detroit's The Jitterbugs. Each member of The Jitterbugs showcase each of their individual skills in the art of jitting. Within the group were three males and one female who held her own with fellas. Next was Magenta Demure, unfortunately I missed her first performance. Her second performance was something of straight seduction from beginning to end. Her look, her attitude, and movement was all to seduce and entice the audience. Rose Chocolat is another who I missed in the beginning due to my tardiness. Rose performed a set that was taught to her by Sinnator. With anything that is taught to someone, they will add their own twist to it. Rose gives off a bit of sass and a lot attitude that this routine truly became her own. The show closer was the host herself Sinnator Charlotte. Just like any performance she leaves the audience wanting more. With a style that shows her why she lives up to the name of Sinnator.

From the point of when I arrived to the very end, I enjoyed each and every performer. I loved everything about it, Sinnator brings sassy, sexiness, attitude, and silliness. Luna has fun, silliness and sexiness to her performances, Rose adds sass, attitude, and confidence. Magenta brings seductiveness, enticement, and a classic beauty that is not seen by most in today's era. I can't wait to see more each performer.

Sinnator Charlotte

The Jitterbugs

Holly Hock

Luna Legare

Mangenta Demure

Rose Chocolat

Noir Night At Tangent Gallery/Hastings Ballroom

February 28, 2015

One whole year has passed since last years Noir Night. For those who don't know Noir Night is an art and history lesson for those willing to learn something different about the city of Detroit. Not many know about the rich history of Detroit that had many jazz musicians that started or came through the city.

This was brought about that the founder of International Black Burlesque Company (IBBC) Rachel McCollough a.k.a. Sinnator Charlotte. She wanted to give people a history lesson of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Not to bore you with all the details here's the link for you to read.

Black Bottom was a predominantly black neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, that was demolished and replaced with Lafayette Park in the 1960s. The Black Bottom–Paradise Valley area on the city's east side became known for its significant contribution to American music including Blues, Big Band, and Jazz from the 1930s to the 1950s.^[1] It was located on Detroit's near East Side bounded by Gratiot Avenue, Brush Street, Vernor Highway, and the Grand Trunk railroad tracks. The entire district was razed in the early 1960s.

The French gave the Black Bottom area its name because of its fertile, dark topsoil. The name is not a reference to "black people".^[2]

Black Bottom was a predominantly black neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, that was demolished and replaced with Lafayette Park in the 1960s. The Black Bottom-Paradise Valley area on the city's east side became known for its significant contribution to American music including Blues, Big Band, and Jazz from the 1930s to the 1950s.

What Sinnator Charlotte also does is also give info to those who would never believe coexisted together, and that's burlesque and jazz. Sinnator Charlotte states is that during that time of Paradise Valley during the 1920's two styles worked extremely well together.

As many people don't really understand burlesque, as many see burlesque as only stripping. As it is stripping but it's more than that it's an art form. It can tell a story to go along with that music that they are dancing to. When most think of burlesque they think of the movie Burlesque but it's much more that. The movie on glorify one type of female body type, but it's women of all shape and sizes that participate in burlesque shows.

By introducing Detroiters to this particular art form not only does this opens their minds but also truly inform everyone like hey she can do than maybe I can do it. All the ladies who performed are beautiful, talented, and showed so much confidence that you can not tell I they were nervous at all. The all the ladies performed extremely well, and the audience showed love and participation with every performer. As with any event of this caliber there is always one heckler in the audience that gets a little too drunk for themselves.

For all those who missed out, you missed a wonderful show. I was happy I was able be bring family and friends to this, and introduce them to the things I love to enjoy. I can't wait til the next show and I hope to bring more people with me. I will continue to support IBBC with all that they do. Well enough talking time for some pictures.