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J. Tillman at the Mohawk - Giveaway
Show Preview: Brackett & Co., Real Estate
Christian and Celeste Casasare laughing about their obsession with the movie Flashdance.
“I think the guys in the audience who saw Flashdance will be like...” Christian looks up, smiling in a daze with her finger pointed up, in recognition of Jennifer Beals’ sexy dance routine to Shandi's "He's A Dream."
The sisters — both charming and classic beauties — describe the steamiest number of The Southern Sirens' burlesque performance while sipping margaritas. That’s right; they’re burlesque dancers, and Christian's the director and choreographer. Tomorrow night, the group will give Austin a taste of their talent tomorrow night, at Austinist's private event, "Local Music is Sexy 3." (Ed Note: we'll be giving away additional tickets to this later in the afternoon.)
Christian and Celeste were practically born dancing, having taken ballet lessons as early as they can remember. When they got older, Celeste took a five to six year break from dancing to pursue photography. Christian, on the other hand, received a scholarship to Hollywood's Edge Performing Arts Center in 2000. She danced professionally in Los Angeles and in Reno until she injured her knee and moved back to Austin in late 2005.
“I auditioned for the Pussycat Girls before they were a pop group, when they were just a burlesque show,” Christian says. “There were probably 200 girls in lingerie. It was the biggest cattle call I’ve ever been to. And I got overlooked. But, I’m thinking, I can do this.”
The idea of starting a burlesque group here was planted in Christian’s head two years ago. “A lot of my girlfriends were part of these groups, and I saw how successful they were,” Christian says. “So, I was like, Austin needs a group. It’s such a cutting-edge city. Why not?” Now Christian’s idea is coming to fruition.
Christian organized three auditions to find ten physically fit and technically trained dancers (and two singers) in January. The sisters admitted several of the girls were apprehensive about dancing in lingerie – at first.
“We had to massage them a bit,” Celeste says. But after their first rehearsal, all of the girls were totally committed, because they danced so well together. “It’s so cool to see how this has changed everybody’s mentality,” Christian. “It’s about being a woman.”
The sisters say their choreography is more artistic and less theatrical than what people imagine when they hear the word “burlesque.” It’s high-energy performance suited for a younger, night-clubbing audience, Christian adds.
Since the group started rehearsing in January, things have been moving quickly. Christian already found a producer to work on their electronic press kit and website. The group’s first full length performance is set for May.
“It’s so cool having these girls and being a really tight product, already, because it sells itself,” Christian says. “I hope we wow the night life.”
The Southern Sirens will debut several short routines at Austinist’s “Local Music is Sexy 3” party tomorrow night at PureVolume Indoors on East 2nd and Trinity Street. Due to space considerations, the party is invite-only.
Photos by Mark Guerra
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I guess these girls don't get out much as Austin is already chalk full of talented burly-q groups. The first kittens of burlesque,Kitty Kitty Bang Bang turns 5 this year! It will be interesting to see if these upstarts can maintain the same level of artistic integrity and growth.LOL!
That's what I wanted to say. There are so many burlesque groups in Austin, we've gotten to the point that they have to dance in Depends to be somewhat original. That and that these women look old. Not just old in age, but old like these pictures were taken in 1989 old. So that's a new spin I guess. Grannies in Tight Panties.
How to begin?
We'd like to welcome you to our lovely liberal city. Secondly, we wish you the best of luck. It appears that you are hard-working and willing to put a new spin on burlesque in Austin. As a "burlesque/risque cabaret" performance company, we've found that there are just as many takes on burly-q as there are artists to perform them; we're sure you'll find your niche. We look forward to your next show! XOXO--The Jigglewatts