A Night Of Insanity...

So, last Saturday I went to the big burlesque event Fräulein Frauke Presents at Nalen. The theme this time was Victorian Asylum, so I decided to skip the fake lashes, done up hair, red lipstick, jewelry and pretty dress I usually wear for these parties, simply throw on an old night gown from the 30s, and go as a lunatic! Here I have to make a note of the fact that one of my followers on social media got really upset that I used the word lunatic to describe my character for this evening, because that's not a term you use for mentally ill persons anymore, and she asked me to "refrain from furthering harmful stereotypes". Of course I am fully aware of this, and I wouldn't actually call anyone a lunatic, but in my apology to her I explained that the theme for the night wasn't 2014 Psychiatric Hospital, but Victorian Asylum. In Victorian days these places were actually called Lunatic Asylums, and so I felt I had full right to use the term lunatic when describing myself that night! In these days of Political Correctness you have to be able to separate "real" words, actually written to describe someone's truth about something, and word-play used to just describe fiction - without being harmful - to stay sane. Excuse the ramble, just didn't want to upset anyone else's feelings with the words used in this post. Because since these parties are like masquerades, and masquerades are - infact - all about dressing up as stereotypes, and with the theme in mind there were several lunatics there, and freaks, and evil doctors, and nurses, and lots of other weirdos! And it was fabulous!!!

This is the 30s nightgown I wore. I got it from my grandma a long time ago. I tried to do a sickly-looking makeup, and people said I looked really scary, so I think I succeeded pretty well! Several people I went up to say "hi" to also said they didn't recognize me at first, so I guess this is a good incognito look for me. Haha!

Ziegfried was the evening's conférencière, and he looked very cute in his hospital gown...

Harley Queen made her amazing debut as a burlesque dancer!

Johanna Fossum sang a beautiful song.

Aurora Galore did two crazy acts. The energy of this girl is just incredible!

Fräulein Frauke did a very French act. Vive la France!

And then there was the mysterious POP COB, who showed us how to make popcorn.

The performer who got the most sound out of the audience though (both sounds of horror, awe, and amusement), was The Baron. He holds the Guinness World Record of having the strongest nipples on Earth, and he really showed what he could do by hanging heavy weights not only from his nipples, but also from his earlobes and eyes. Yes - eyes!!!

Watching the people in the audience at these events is a show in itself. And tonight there were all sorts of creatures fitting for a Victorian Asylum sharing the dance floors. These nurses were kind enough to give me some medicine! And here are a few more examples of what you could find a Nalen this evening...

Some people even had to be put in shackles...

Yours truly! I had no idea why people were looking at me so strangely on the subway...

And last, but certainly not least, John Paul Bichard - co-producer (together with Fräulein Frauke) of this insane evening, and also the photographer behind all these amazing pictures! To see all the photos, please go here!

Photo (except for the top one: John Paul Bichard

Fräulein Frauke Presents - Victorian Asylum

I've missed the last two Fräulein Frauke Presents because of work, but this Saturday, November 29th, I'm free to go! Yay! The theme of this fabulous burlesque event this time will be Victorian Asylum. So I'm sure it will be a crazy night! Mohahaaa!

Photo: John Paul Bichard

During the 19th century and the Victorian era, the lunatic asylums were horrible places where people were treated like animals, instead of getting the help they needed. But on Saturday we can all go to Nalen, where the event will take place, and let loose our deepest fears, fobias, and inner craziness among like-minded freaks... A few of the performers there to enlighten our evening are:

Source

The Baron - who holds the Guinness World Record in the category Strongest Nipples On Earth!

Photo: Tigz Rice Studios

 

Aurora Galore!

Photo: John Paul Bichard

And of course Fräulein Frauke herself, who will make sure we all take our pills... I will be there getting my crazy on! Just hope my doctor lets me go... 

For more info about the evening, go here! And if you want to pre-order your tickets (which I highly recommend as these events usually sell out), you can do it here!

The Third International Stockholm Burlesque Festival

October 4th-6th the International Stockholm Burlesque Festival took place for the third time - and I can tell you, it was AMAZING!!! Organizers of the whole thing was Fräulein Frauke and John Paul Bichard, with support from Duchess Dubois and The Amazing Knicker Kittens, and I'm so impressed with the way they make it all happen!

It all began on the Friday, when the show took place at the beautiful Södra Teatern at Mosebacke. The tickets had sold out completely!

Photo: Jan Persson

I wore a vintage dress from the 50s, that I got from vintagebluemoon on Etsy. It's black with red details.

Armitage Shanks was our witty conférencière for the evening. And the performers were:

The Itty-Bitty Tease Cabaret!

Lily De Luxe!

Lou Safire!

Pepper Sparkles!

Aurora Galore!

Valentina del Pearls!

Trixi Tassels!

Ruby Luscious!

Champagne Sparkles!

Blackbird Burlesque Cabaret!

Lady Francescca!

Heikki Matero and Miss Acrolicious!

Apathy Angel!

Yvette Les Fesses!

Willy Waterlily!

Fräulein Frauke!

Mr Pustra!

Banbury Cross!

Minnie Tonka!

This was probably the best burlesque show I have ever seen, and after it ended, the party continued! I fell into bed sometime around 3 am, after being harassed by two French guys on my way home, who tried to give me Snickers and Tequila (but thankfully I got rescued by Velma Voluptuous), and then by some other man on the subway who of course had to get off at the same station as me *le big sigh*... 

The next day I went to a masterclass in vaudeville, held by Mr Pustra, who turned out to be as lovely in person as he is on stage. It was very inspiring to hear him talk about the history of vaudeville, and give us some tips on how to become better artists. That evening the burlesque festival continued with a big party at Nalen. Since I had to get up really early Sunday morning, to work and perform during the last day of the festival, I decided to skip that one though. My pain demon was a bit upset too, so I wanted to calm him down as much as I could until it was my turn to take the stage. But more about that on Wednesday!

If you want to see the rest of the photos from both the Friday and the Saturday shows, you can see them here!

All photos by John Paul Bichard (except for the one of me, which was taken by Jan Persson). 

PS. This week I'm back as "Pinup of the week, two years later" on Rockabilly-Online. Check it out here!