Burlesque Your Heart Out

Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean the love has to end. If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate with a partner/friend/whoever – and benefit Amnesty International while you’re at it – may we suggest attending the next Burlesque for Peace event this Saturday, February 17th?

This year’s theme is “Black Tie Burlesque,” and prizes will be awarded for the best James Bond, Bond girl, and Bond villain costumes. The annual show draws a bigger crowd each year, and we had a chance to speak with lovely producer Audrey Maker about the organization that brings you sexy burlesque you can feel good about.

How/when did Burlesque for Peace begin?
Burlesque for Peace started in response to the war in Afghanistan in late 2001. Our first show was Valentine’s Day, 2002. I wanted to do something to raise money for Adopt-A-Minefield, and we came up with a vaudeville-style variety show. That first year we raised about $2,500.

Burlesque was the art form that best encompassed the performance styles of comedy, dance, song and other variety performances that my friends wanted to do. I wanted to sing opera naked and one of my friends wanted to dress as a bag lady and dance to a saxophone solo. I had never seen a burlesque show but I knew the word, so we called it Burlesque for Peace. Only after the success of that show did I research the recent burlesque resurgence. Now there are different burlesque shows all the time here in Austin, and I am excited to see so many different troops and styles.

How do you choose the charities that BfP benefits?
We're a volunteer organization, so at the beginning of the production cycle we have a meeting with the people who are going to be working on the next show and decide the charity together. We try to pick direct action non-profits that address the issues of the current war. We have raised more than $11,000 for Adopt-A-Minefield, RAWA, Doctors Without Borders, Bake Sales for Body Armor, and Amnesty International.

Any plans to expand BfP outside of the Austin area?
Members of Burlesque for Peace have performed regularly in Houston Burlesque and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, which has performed all over Texas and in New Orleans. But our Austin shows regularly have 40 performers and crew. Traveling with that large of a show is not financially feasible, but it sure is a hell of a show. We try to draw burlesque performers from all over Austin and hope to grow an audience here. Austin has a great night life and many people who support burlesque as an entertainment movement and an art form.

In your experience as producer, what has been people's general response to BfP?
People love my shows! They are very well received and have always made good money for the charities. We have trouble finding venues big enough to hold all the people who want to come. We would love to find a regular home for burlesque in Austin so we can have enough shows for everyone who wants to see them. They are some of the most fun you can have during a night out in Austin.

What do you love most about being part of BfP?
I love producing these shows because they bring a unique experience to a live audience. The performers have a blast and the audience gets to see something fun and sexy, but also they see real people expressing themselves in whatever crazy way they want. It challenges the very narrow conventions about what is beautiful and who is sexy. It is perfect for a Valentine's celebration because couples and singles can come to the same show and have a great time. Everyone has a Valentine at a burlesque show!

Burlesque for Peace: Black Tie Burlesque
Benefiting Amnesty International
Saturday, February 17th
Redrum, 401 Sabine St.
Doors at 8pm, Show at 10pm
Tickets available at Forbidden Fruit locations
No tickets will be available at the door – get ‘em now before they’re gone!