Nearing close to 20 years of showcasing alternative beauty, SuicideGirls has been nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. From shaping the way everyone viewed MySpace (sometimes privately), to enduring a wide shift in social media preferences, the go-to site for unconventional models nevertheless persists.
And it does so by perfecting old tricks with a new-school vibe in its ongoing stage show: Blackheart Burlesque. To give us some insight on how it all goes down, we employed the help of Liryc, Bricksie and Sunny, three performers in the show, to provide some much needed answers.
Blackheart Burlesque is now on tour, coming to a city near you.
Tell us a little about what the Blackheart Burlesque show is all about:
Bricksie: Our show gives Suicide Girls fans a chance to see their favorite girls in a whole new light. It's not your typical burlesque show in any sense! To me, the satirical/comedic aspects of it almost ring true to what traditional burlesque started out as, we're are just now offering that to an alternative audience. All of our acts have movie or pop culture themes which can be cute, sexy, fun, nerdy all in one.
Sunny: Having been a lifetime supporter of SuicideGirls, as well as an East Coast burlesque performer and pinup enthusiast, I can say I love my job and being able to share these experiences with so many babes.
Is there a certain comfort behind stripping down on stage or is it absolutely terrifying?
Bricksie: My experience has been that once you're up there with the lights blaring in your face and you realize, ‘Hey I'm topless in a thong and expressing myself with all my flaws and people came to see me … ,’ it's an overwhelming sense of freedom and authenticity that I think is pretty special.
Sunny: That's actually a very funny question, as I just got home from a burlesque gig where I was not stripping down to pasties. It's funny how an act doesn't feel satisfying if we aren't able to complete it with a powerful reveal. The dynamics that teasing and removing items of clothing add to a number become irreplaceable to you, and then you do arrive in a city where the legislation may not allow you to remove your full costume, and suddenly that's the uncomfortable moment.
Liryc: :When I first started , before my very first show, I was so terrified of stripping down on stage. But once I did my first show, I have fallen in love with that part of performing more than dancing itself. There is something so invigorating and empowering about baring it all on stage. I myself have struggled with self love and being comfortable with the body I am in; yet since starting this tour, I love every inch of my body.
What kind of injuries do burlesque dancers usually get?
Bricksie: Ha! Was this question made for me, specifically? I'm joking, but as someone who's been touring with BHB for 5 years now, I have definitely sustained my fair share of injuries, holy shit. Both times I hurt myself I wasn't dancing, I had injured my shin on a piece of stage equipment as I was exiting in the blackout during the first tour. Then this past year I slipped, fell and broke my foot outside of the venue going in to shower.
Do you try and hold off eating filling meals before showtime?
Bricksie: Yeah, we usually go for a mid day family brunch then stuff our faces with a late dinner after we've used up every calorie doing the show. I think one year in Philly we all ate cheesesteaks pre-show and regretted it.
Speaking of meals; what's your ideal lunch?
Bricksie: Any hipster type restaurant with a cool font in any city will do.
Sunny: Mine personally?! Usually breakfast for lunch! I'm a big brunch fan! Add a little whiskey and that's just an afternoon delight!
Liryc: One of my favorite meals at home is gluten-free pasta with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and peppers and fresh avocado. Its my favorite because its so tasty and healthy!
Any preference on cereals? Honey Maid S'mores is our jam right now …
Bricksie: Special K & Almond Milk (Unsweetened vanilla). I'm boring.
Sunny: I love my cheerios man, what can I say. I'm like a kid though, Frosted Flakes & Cocoa Puffs are a guilty pleasure I have not indulged in a very long time … great, now I'm not resting until I make sure one of these is stocked in my kitchen.
Liryc: If I had to pick one cereal to be my favorite it would be cinnamon toast crunch! SO GOOD!
What can audiences expect from a night with Suicide Girls?
Bricksie: Expect the unexpected! That sounds corny but it's true! Also expect plenty of partial nudity and lots of surprises.
Sunny: Expect to find something (you) really love, celebrate and perhaps have nostalgia about come to life on stage with booties, boobies & tats! A night with us is never what you would expect it to be, people reach out post show with appreciation for the real women with real bodies that they were so grateful to see put on a full body positive and high energy production. That's my favorite feedback each and every time!
Does anyone get creepy at the shows? Any stories to share?
Liryc: We definitely have experienced some over the top moments with super fans. One time in Florida, we had a guy come to our bus and when I opened the door, he starting yelling asking for a SuicideGirl, who was not on tour. When I told him multiple times she was not on tour, he began banging his head on the side of our tour bus! Security of the venue made him leave, and when I went outside, there was a dent from his head on our bus! That was definitely a creepy experience.
What's a positive story you can share about an audience experience?
Liryc: On the first U.S. Tour, I did a show in Denver, Colorado, and after the show was done our tour manager came backstage and let me know there was a girl who was dying to meet me and asked if I wanted to say hello to her. This was my very first fan, so I thought why not! I went out and was approached my this beautiful girl who was very excited to see me. She was hugging me and then explained to me that she had the same health condition as I did and she found it very inspiring that I still travel and dance. She told me I inspired her to begin hooping again! Ever since that day, her and I remained friends. Unfortunately, a couple years ago she passed away from the condition, but every time I feel like I am in over my head, I think of her and it pushes me forward. RIP Josie <3
Can anyone get into burlesque or does it take a special person?
Bricksie: I believe anyone can do burlesque,or anything for that matter, if it's something you're passionate about. I've been so lucky to see girls go from feeling too shy to perform, to being long standing members of our cast. It just takes a little training. That being said, it does take a brave person to be a performer, and a strong and hardworking person to do an 11 or 12 week tour.
Best TV show to fall asleep to?
Bricksie: Law & Order Special Victims Unit 100 percent. Shout out to Dick Wolf.
Sunny: Mad Men, definitely watching it now 😉
Final Words:
Bricksie: Follow my social media @nickybricks for performances, creative direction work, music releases, writing excerpts and behind the scenes tour antics! I'll be on the Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque Spring Tour 2018 on all dates between Austin, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois.
Liryc: I really encourage women to come to show! A lot of women always say they are worried that the show is for men and to me, its more for women. We try to touch the heart and minds of every women in the crowd and remind that they are beautiful and perfect the way they are. Lets all embrace our flaws together!
GO TO BLACKHEARTBURLESQUE.COM FOR TICKETS & TOUR DATES!
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