Not all the games in London have to do with boxing and basketball. Some focus on the body — we’re not talking Olympic rings, but curves. On Friday, Adéle Wolf’s Burlesque and Variety Show features a dancer who recently competed in the 2012 World Burlesque Games in London.
Honey Cocoa Bordeauxx, also known as the “Creole Bombshell,” was one of 13 women from nine countries selected to compete in that elite contest. Like the Olympics, the burlesque games have multiple categories and attract many hopefuls, although only a few are chosen among the hundreds of would-be competitors.
A Texas native, Bordeauxx has opened for the swing/ska band the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (“Zoot Suit Riot”) and performed for the prince of Saudi Arabia.
She isn’t the only luminary from the burlesque world to take the spotlight at this weekend’s show. Iris Le’Mour recently captured the Most Sensual Dancer award at this year’s Dallas Burlesque Festival, and Oklahoma City’s own Adéle Wolf, who produces and performs in her shows, won the Satan’s Angel award for hottest body at the same festival.
For Wolf, a large part of a successful show is finding dancers who will give a fun and creative performance. Her branded variety revue is a monthly event, but she often books performers two months in advance to work around demands on their schedules. Many times, burlesque talent featured by Wolf have worked the globe.
“Iris and Honey are both amazing and talented,” said Wolf. “We also have a cast of local performers.”
Among those locals are Janelle DeJohn and Ayperi Al Jawahir — singer and belly dancer, respectively — both of whom hail from OKC. The show is hosted by John Ferguson, better known by his longtime local television persona of horror-movie host Count Gregore.
“I think my shows are a great introduction to burlesque,” Wolf said. “We focus on burlesque as the art of the striptease, but within that there are so many subgenres that are included. We have comedy, classic and neo-burlesque routines at every show, so there’s something for everyone.”Most important, she said, is that the audience remembers burlesque is, at its heart, a theatrical performance. Dancers can incorporate story, humor and emotion, as well as sensuality and titillation into their routines, like musical theater for grown-ups.
