I am so excited to announce that I will be performing next Tuesday December 9th at Kitty Nights at Cherry Colas in Toronto! I will be doing 2 brand new acts that have never been done for a live audience before. I hope to see lots of familiar faces in the crowd for a fun night of burlesque featuring…
Dolly Berlin
Kage Wolfe
Kkunt Factory
Go-Go dancing kitten by Harley Payne
Hosted by Belle Jumelle
DJ Johnny B Goode
Special Kitty Nights After Dark set by Esther DeVille
Doors: 8:00pm Show: 9:30pm
TIX: $10.00 at the door
Today I bring you my favourite photo set to date that I have shot with Geoff Larkin. With a look inspired by Amy Adams in American Hustle, we made use of the dramatic lighting in the bathroom at the loft in which we shoot. I love the plunging neckline with loose cleavage that Amy has in the film and was very influenced by that classic 1970s look. The results are sultry, sensual and seductive with cigar in hand. I hope you enjoy Madame Dolly’s mirrored gaze.
Early in 2014 I was working tirelessly on one of the biggest costume commissions I have ever had. My muse, Miss Laura Desiree requested a new costume for the Girlesque Festival in Toronto. Working with her dance partner, Sexy Mark Brown, Laura wanted an outfit that had three changeable bottoms to reflect the three types of dance they were performing. First a knee-length circle skirt for a romantic slow dance, then a pair of short shorts for their tap number, finally a long chiffon skirt for their ballroom waltz. I also made a bustier to go with all three looks that was heavily embellished with lace, beading and swarovski crystals. I absolutely love how these garments turned out and Laura looks absolutely lovely flowing through this dance. Please check out the video below for the full routine.
Just a couple pics today from my most recent collaboration with Geoff Larkin. I whipped up this cute little metallic dress a couple of weeks ago for an event. The fabric, which is appropriately called Oil Slick, is so fun I had to make myself a little something with it. Enjoy!
Last weekend my best bud Betty Quirk and I had a stroll through High Park with the lovely photographer Tyrone Islington and my amazing assistant Val! The lovely fall leaves were the perfect setting for a little spooky, halloween inspired shoot. The jacket I am wearing was a costume piece I made a few years ago for a burlesque routine and the skirt Betty is wearing I made for her with the left over material. Betty and I are no strangers to dressing in co-ordinating outfits and I love the way these two looks compliment each other. Enjoy our halloween pinup photos and have a very scary Halloween!
Vampira, also known as Maila Nurmi, made a namer for herself in the 1950s as the very first television Horror Host as well as through her work in film. Nurmi began her career as a model, working with legends such as Bernard of Hollywood, Alberto Vargas and Man Ray. She had some small roles in films and on stage but it wasn’t until television producer Hunt Stomberg Jr caught a glimpse of the dark haired vixen at a masquerade party all done up to look like Morticia Addams that Vampira came to be. Stromberg hunted down Nurmi after this party and offered her a job on his network. On May 1st 1954 The Vampira Show aired for the first time and viewers were entranced by the image of the tall, devious beauty floating down a dark, smokey corridor and then screaming into the camera. The show, in which Vampira, while laying on a Victorian sofa, would introduce and mock horror films, began increasingly popular and though it first aired at midnight it soon took over the 10:30 spot.
Though Vampira was nominated for an Emmy in the category of ‘Most Outstanding Female Personality’ in 1954, by 1955 The Vampira Show had been cancelled and Nurmi, still retaining the rights to the character of Vampira, took the concept to competing networks. After her time as a horror host fizzled out Nurmi returned to the silver screen and stared in a number of movies, including the infamous Ed Wood film Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Nurmi died on January 10, 2008 of natural causes. She continues to inspire generations of horror fans through her timeless works as Vampira.
I thought I should start the week off with something fun; a little set of photos from my most recent shoot with Geoff Larkin! I made this robe many months ago for another photoshoot but I didn’t end up using it. I love the sparkly, shear fabric and was inspired by a classic 1960s evening robe look. Enjoy!
Our final Peepshow TO show by all means should have been a sad affair. It was the final time our amazing group of performers and friends would come together to put on the biggest and best nerdlesque show in town. The last time we would all gather backstage, getting ready and gabbing, swapping eyelash glue and pastie tape. The final collective feeling of putting on a show that was truly entertaining, inspiring and unique. But instead of feeling loss and despair I could not imagine a more electric evening. There was a buzz in the air from the minute the Great Hall began filling up. Every seat was taken and still people stood to watch what can only be described as one of the greatest shows that we have ever created. From start to finish the energy was palpable. Not one lull or low moment was felt and the volume of cheers and laughs echoed endlessly through the night. Every performer brought their best and the roaring crowd pushed each of us to be that much better.
I feel so lucky to have such talented, inspiring and loving friends and to have had so many opportunities to work with these amazing people. Even though this was the last Peepshow event (for now anyways) I couldn’t be sad for even one second because my mind is filled with all the wonderful moments I have shared with this group.
Thank you Leelando, Sevvy and Betty for giving us a stage to perform on, for making it possible for us to come together as a team and for working so tirelessly to ensure each event has been more outstanding than the last. Thank you to all the performers who have constantly pushed each other to be more creative simply by being endlessly creative themselves. Thank you to Rena, Mong Tho, Amie and everyone who has worked backstage throughout the past few years. Without you we would be utterly lost. And finally, thanks to everyone who has come out to support our shows. Hearing the excitement in your cheers is the fuel that drives us.
The final curtain has closed. The show has concluded. But I promise this is not the last you will hear or see of the members of the PeepshowTO family.
Curtain Call by Lick My Lens CapLeelando Calrissian as NamorDelicia Pastiche as Beast, Betty Quirk as GamoraDante Him as Wolverine, Dolly Monroe as Emma FrostBetty Quirk as GamoraDr. Orifice as Mr. FantasticLoretta Jean as StarlordAlex as Stan Lee, Velvet Valhalla as Lady PunisherLoretta Jean as Starlord, Betty Quirk as GamoraDolly Monroe as Emma FrostMiss Elle Towe as Lady SifSky Blew as Captain AmericaVeronica Vile as Scarlett WitchDelicia Pastiche as BeastDr. Orifice as Mr. FantasticSevvy Skellington as GrootScarlett LaFlamme as Black WidowLeelando Calrissian as NamorHenrietta VIII as She-HulkDante Him as WolverineLeelando Calrissian, Sevvy Skellington and Betty Quirk doing their goodbye speechCharlie Quinn as Captain MarvelZilly Lilly as Dark Pheonix
My wonderfully multi-talented friend Ketzia Kobrah has begun working on a video project called the Brick Wall Sessions. This series of videos features burlesque performers doing titillating one minute stripteases. My lovely friends Betty Quirk and Leelando Calrissian and I were the first few participants in this series. We each did a solo routine and Betty and I also did our go-go dancing duet. I have my videos on www.missdollymonroe.com in my new burlesque tab but you can see all the videos from the Brick Wall Sessions here! Ketzia is still looking for participants in this project, so if you are a burlesque performer, in Toronto and interested in being a part of this series please comment below. For now I leave you with this cute teaser video…
I have some very exciting news today… I finally have my very own personal website!
I thought it was about time to start expanding the Dolly Monroe empire and the next logical step was to create a website. For now it is mostly full of photos from my modelling and design portfolios, but I have big plans and many exciting projects in the works that will eventually be up on the site. I am so looking forward to what is to come and cannot wait to share more details with you lovelies.
CLASSICALLY CURVY 