For
your listening pleasure, here is the our radio interview
with Deutschland
Radio Kulture.
A
vamp.
A joke.
A bump.
A grind.
Burlesque.
Welcome to the world of the Velvet Hammer.
The show is about to begin.
Forged in 1995, in the heart of Hollywood, the mark
of Velvet Hammer is proudly bestowed upon its voluptuous
ensemble of women. Hardly a mere exercise in retro kitsch,
the artistic mission of Velvet Hammer is firmly committed
to preserving a true piece of American folklore — burlesque.
Evolving from variety show to vaudeville to Minsky extravaganza,
the influence of burlesque in current American pop culture
has never been more important. While modern audiences can
push the envelope into questionable taste, there lies the
marked difference with true burlesque. There was always
something this side of scandalous when it came to the “burly-q”
or “leg show.” It was the naughty illusion of
sexuality and freedom, even offering social commentary in
the process. As legendary New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson
exclaimed about the groundbreaking Minsky shows, “What
the Follies Bergere is to Paris, the Minsky shows are to
a lucky New York.” Ever the showmen, upon publication
of that review, the Minsky brothers ran ads that read “Burlesque
as you like — the poor man’s Follies! Not a family
show!”
And eighty years later, the Velvet Hammer maintains the
tradition, revitalizing the art form of burlesque by remaining
true to its initial process — entertainment. And what
has emerged as in the aura of Minsky is a hugely popular
part of Los Angeles night culture.
“I started the group using blackmail and coercion on
our friends and then we moved on to auditions to beef up
the act,” says Velvet Hammer founder Michelle Carr,
“and see what lil’ starlets were hiding out there.
We are in Hollywood, ya know. Plus, scrutiny is so much
fun.”
