Jolie Ampere Goodnight talks family, circus, music, relocating, regional burlesque scenes, and love.

Interview: Shoshana

Q: Although you were born and raised in Texas, you got your burlesque start with Hell on Heels in San Diego, performing for years in California before returning to Texas to perform.  How do the two scenes differ?

A lot of the difference between the two scenes is about aesthetic. The San Diego scene is mostly very traditional. I find that outside of San Diego people are using music and costumes from all decades. San Diego’s performers use mostly concepts, music, and costumes from decades no later than 1960.  This works well there though because I think San Diego audiences really want nostalgia more than anything, perhaps because of the military heavy audiences, perhaps because of the nostalgic nature of the history of California. San Diego performers tend to be more purists, while Texas seems to be constantly pushing boundaries. Personally I love both scenes because I love both attitudes.

Q: There was a short lull for you after the move in which you were finding it hard to make the connections necessary in Texas to start performing again, and now you gracing stages all over Texas.  Describe that experience for our readers and what advice would you give to performers who have recently relocated?

It was of course a bit of a struggle in the beginning. I had worked so hard in San Diego and when I found myself starting all over again I felt discouraged. However once I started auditioning more and making myself recognizable to the community, everything fell into place. Suddenly people really started to believe in me and support me. My advice is to never stop believing in your worth. Attend shows, audition, make connections, put yourself out there as much as possible, keep working hard! I put all of my goals up each week on a chalkboard and cross them off as I achieve them.

Q: Within a year, you went from “new kid in town” in Austin to winning “Best Tease” at Texas Burlesque Festival in April.  Tell us about the experience.

My first burlesque show in Texas was with Viva Dallas Burlesque at the Lakewood Theatre and for the first time I was really nervous and it showed in my performance. I walked away from that show so disappointed in myself that I decided to really take my performances to the next level. I’ve spent the past year challenging myself to be not only more sultry and dynamic but also to give as much of myself to the audience as possible. I firmly believe that the more you give to your audience the happier they are. But the most beautiful thing about it all is the phenomenal support I receive from The Jigglewatts and the rest of the community. I feel so blessed and grateful.

Q: You are known for your amazing sultry voice, paying homage to the jazz classics of your childhood. What are your current music projects?

The past few months have been interesting because what I’ve been working on is somewhat of a departure from my beloved jazz standards. I’m working with Fred Gras of The Lovers on an album that combines elements of lounge, trip hop, and jazz. I find it’s important to push your own boundaries, to submerge yourself in something outside of your comfort zone in order to grow. This project is different from anything else I’ve ever done and yet it’s teaching me new ways to approach my old material as well.

Q: You grew up in an interesting family with two parents touring for their various theater and music projects, as well as a grandfather who joined the circus as a young child.  What were your earliest experiences with art, theater and music?

I’ve been singing since the beginning of my life, I put my first pair of ballet shows on when I was four, I began acting in the 5^th grade, and I had my first job as a costumer at twelve years old. I’ve known since the very first moment I spent on stage that I was in love with performing. Something in me comes alive on stage, as if another part of me opens up that could not open up in another realm. I’ve always appreciated the vulnerability of being on stage, it’s refreshing and invigorating. Though really, the magic for me as a kid wasn’t just on stage. I loved the magic of behind the scenes too; watching the older ballerinas putting on their point shoes, the trill of a singer’s voice, the scurry caused by stage-hands, the last minute needle stitching a costume. As I child I loved the idea of people all coming together to great special moments together.

Q: You are close to your family, and your father’s cancer has come out of remission and he is once again fighting, staying in Houston to receive treatment with both chemo and radiation.  How have you managed to continue performing while you are spending so much time and energy caring for your family?

Luckily my family, being performers, understands that I would completely breakdown if I couldn’t perform. My parents taught me that no matter what is going on in your life, you absolutely have to continue to do what brings you joy. Of course it’s a balancing act both physically and emotionally, but that’s what the stage is for isn’t it? To turn sorrow into delight, to turn stress into decadence, to turn pain into joy? I treat every moment on stage as an opportunity to heal and to transform something negative into something positive.

Q: What does the future hold for Jolie Ampere Goodnight?

Quite literally the near future holds shows in California, Paris and hopefully New Orleans, a European and UK CD release, and blogging opportunities in New York. Hopefully between all of these cities and prospects there will be an abundance of health, happiness, champagne, Chanel perfume, and love.

Madame Mystere of New Orleans’ Fleur de Tease sits down to talk burlesque style diversity, inspiration, New Orleans Burlesque Festival, absinthe, bacon and Viva Dallas Burlesque.

By Divertida Devotchka

You’ve been a dancer since the age of three. What was your first experience with dance and in which styles of dance do you have experience?

My first memories of dance are of being in class.  I had wonderful teachers growing up; they made me fall in love with it.  We had a big recital every summer and it was something I really looked forward to, more than anything else all year.  The stage, the lights, the costumes, the dancing, the applause!  The bulk of my dance training is in ballet, tap, and jazz, with abbreviated training in modern, lyrical, clogging, hip-hop, musical theater, Irish step dancing, and belly dancing.  I love it all.

You moved to New Orleans from the Midwest in 2002, and by 2003 you had started your burlesque career. How exactly did you get started?

My fiancé and I were living uptown and our neighborhood bar was also a laundromat!  So we would go there to do our laundry and hang out and we became friends with the staff there.  One day the manager said she was going to start a burlesque troupe and wanted me to be in it, and I was like, “what’s that?”  Well, she went on to explain a bit and I thought “oh no, I can’t do that.  I can’t take my clothes off in front of people, but I’ll still come to the shows.”  So my fiancé was their stage manager and I helped with whatever I could and cheered them on every week.  After a while it became harder and harder for me to just sit and watch and NOT be onstage.  So I joined the troupe the “Steamin’ Mimis”.  My very first act was a tango inspired dance, and I only stripped down to a full corset, ruffle panties, and fishnets.

Unlike most performers who tend to stick to one style (be it classic, neo, etc.) you seem to dabble in all styles. What are your thoughts on folks who insist that classic performers should stick to classic burlesque (and that neo-burlesquers should only do neo?)

I think I HAVE touched on every style at one point or another.  If someone insisted that I should only do one style, I might think they were being a bit selfish at first, but maybe they’re complimenting me on performing a specific style particularly well.  I guess it could go either way, but I feel that it should always be up to the performer.  If you love neo, keep doin’ it!  If you’re comfy in classic, keep doin’ it!  Do it your way and have fun!  But since we’re all creative people, sometimes “sticking to” a certain style can lead to feeling “stuck in” that style.  My advice is to try each one on and see what fits, maybe all of them will.

In one Fleur de Tease dance you choreographed, you and 2 other performers do a spot on ode to Bollywood-style dancing. In another, you do a mash up of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Beastie Boys “Intergalactic,” complete with an alien dance-off. You’ve stated that your Darth Vader striptease is one of your favorite routines to perform, and you also have more classic boa/glove/gown strips to music like Ray Charles. From where or whom do you draw your influences? Do you find it difficult to come up with fresh and exciting material or are you the type that always has a million new ideas stewing on the back burner?

I’m definitely influenced by all types of dance and all types of music.  For me, most of the time a skit idea will come from a song.  Sometimes it comes from a specific costume piece, or a show theme, or a random idea that gets bounced off someone else, which is exactly how the Intergalactic dance-off came about!  Natasha Fiore (my alien cohort in that number) and I used to work together at a day job and we would throw around wacky ideas all day, and some of them stuck, like the space dance.  And I get inspired by watching my fellow performers; we have some really talented burly girls here in New Orleans!  Sometimes it does get difficult to come up with new material, I get dancer’s block, or I can’t figure out just what to do for that theme show.  But oh yes, I’ve got ideas that have been on the back burner for a while, mostly due to lack of funds.  But it’s okay, I’m hopeful that I can pull them out of limbo in the near future.

You’re performing at the 2nd Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival’s Risque Soiree on Friday, September 17 at the House of Blues. What aspect of the festival are you looking forward to the most?

I’m really happy to be included in the fest again this year.  Last year I missed out on the daytime activities, so I’m looking forward to attending some of the classes and panel discussions.  And of course I’m excited to perform and to meet the other performers and watch them do their thing.

What other events or upcoming projects do you have in the works?

Well, I’m really excited to be heading to Dallas to perform at the Lakewood Theater on October 1st as a special guest for Viva Dallas Burlesque!  And I’ll probably be hitting the road with Tony Clifton/Comic Relief for a few dates in October as well.  With Fleur de Tease, we’re preparing for a big “Wizard of Oz” show, September 11th & 12th.  We’re gearing it towards New Orleans (instead of Kansas) so it should be fun, and we’ll be performing at the Voodoo Music Experience again this year on Halloween Day.  With the Storyville Starlettes, we’re having a show at the Shadowbox Theatre on October 24th.  It will most likely be a Halloween theme that could veer towards serial killers and/or scary movies.  And we’re planning a Facebook themed show soon, so look out!

Please share 3 little known facts about yourself.

–I once chased down a purse snatcher to retrieve my friend’s purse, even after being threatened with stabbing.

–I have love affairs with absinthe, Twizzlers, and bacon, but not at the same time.

–I can get any song out of my head by singing “Red Red Wine” to myself.  It works!

Pin Curl Magazine is proud to present: Viva Dallas Burlesque!

Dallas’ first consistent monthly burlesque revue! The first Friday of every month the Lakewood Theater will host Viva Dallas Burlesque, featuring your favorite local ladies of burlesque.

June’s show features Angela Ryan and the aerial acts of Angi B Lovely! This show will also feature the return of beloved Comedian Justin Foster as MC. This promises to be a night of laughs, stunning visuals, and lots of fun.

Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $20 in advance. Tickets