Summerfest is getting closer. The first two days of June will be full of music and (we hope) sunshine in Eleanor Tinsley Park.

Pretty Riot will be there, busting interviews and copping pictures, not to mention acting as foolish as it is possible to act without passing out from heatstroke.

One of the acts I’m most looking forward to is Cat Power, which is basically a lady named Chan Marshall. She’s had many styles over the course of her career, and all of them have been top-notch.

Sometimes, she looks like this:

In hopes of getting you prepared for her set, we’re sharing a couple of videos. First up is a single from my favorite Cat Power album (The Greatest). It’s a song called “Lived in Bars”, and it goes like this:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The next song is ‘Manhattan’, the single off her most recent album (Sun). Take a listen:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

There’ll be plenty more like this at Summerfest, so make note of the time for Cat Power, and we’ll see you there.

We’ll be dancing real slow, with our eyes closed.

Have you missed me? I’m sure you’ve been eagerly awaiting my words. Lucky you! I do, have a little something from my vault. In January I wanted to do this interview with Houston Burlesque Revue so I got in touch with Lady Jae, HBR’s artistic director and choreographer. She was so awesome in getting back to me with everything. I had hoped to share it a while ago but must have seen something shiny… Or a cupcake… Or maybe even a shiny cupcake. Long of the short: here it is today. These lovely ladies will be performing at this weekends Masquerade Ball put on by Houston’s own Benefit Betties so I feel this is the perfect time to share this li’l diddy with you.

So please, with out further adieu, allow me to introduce to you Lady Jae and the other glamorous members of the Houston Burlesque Revue!

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HBR hit the scene February 2011. How did HBR come together?

Really the Houston Burlesque Revue came together after I went to Las Vegas for the first time. I saw a few shows, and got the burlesque bug. I have been dancing my entire life and have always loved old Hollywood glamour and sex appeal, but had never been really introduced to burlesque. After Vegas, I came home and started researching everything, and decided it was time to create my own group of glamorous showgirls right here in my home town, and so the Houston Burlesque Revue was born.

Yourself (Lady Jae) and St. Stella are sisters, not to mention daughters of a dance teacher. How did you decide to incorporate the art of burlesque with your already existing backgrounds in dance?

When you get to a certain age as a classically trained dancer, you have a few different options as to what you can really do:

1. Become a professional dancer. Seeing that I did not finish my dance degree, I was not ready to go audition for the Martha Graham Company any time soon, and the professional dance world has become so saturated with “so you think you can dance” style dancers, that unless you’re well versed in the acrobatic arts, it’s almost impossible to get a professional dance gig.

2. Become a teacher. Well, I already do teach dance. Have been since I was 16 years old, now don’t get me wrong, I love teaching, but this girl still has a lot of performer left in her, and not just when I get to do the “teacher dance” at the recital each year.

3. Talk about the “Good ole Days” This is what happens to most girls over 25 who no longer have the flexibility to audition for the Rockettes, and this was not an option for us!

SO, burlesque became the natural progression. It is the art form that former “professionally trained” dancers can turn to for a new performance outlet. Also with age and maturity comes the evolution of those little girl dancers “sex appeal” in their dancing. We love being sexy, acting sexy and dressing sexy…. So again “dancing” sexy just came naturally. We have loved every moment of this evolution in our dance careers and have been overjoyed to be welcomed by the burlesque community, it feels like a dance family of half naked beauties, and we are thrilled to be a part of it!

If it’s someones first show, what do you hope they take with them after the performance?

My goal as a performer of burlesque is for people to go away feeling good. I want them to have enjoyed the performance, the routines, the costumes, the glamour and the love we share with them through the energy we strive to bring to our shows. We always try and entertain with a tease, but also very much with our technique. All of the performers in the Houston Burlesque Revue have had background in either dance classes or vocal coaching and we want to show off our chops. We want them to think: “Those girls where hot, and damn, they can DANCE!” These shows are for women, just as much as they are for men and we want both sexes enjoying themselves and possibly feeling confident in their own sexiness later in the night!

Kicks and giggles from individual members

Who is your favorite performer?

Lady Jae: My favorite performer is Michelle L’amour. She is a powerhouse of sex appeal and complete control. She can captivate an audience with an eyebrow lift and has one of the most banging bodies on earth!

Belle De Fuego: My favorite performer is Dita Von Teese. She is so classy.

Lauren Miller: Dita is the Queen, as far as I am concerned.

St. Stella: Ginger Valentine (She is stunning and knows how to reach out grab you and turn you on! She never leaves you unsatisfied)

Sera Curran: I have many favorite performers but I have always adored Dixie Evans with her classic Monroe looks and her cheeky routines, she was a true great!

What is your favorite song to sing or dance to?

Lady Jae: My favorite song I dance to right now is “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” It is fun, fast and always a crowd pleaser. It makes me feel glamorous and girly and nothing is better than feeling BEAUTIFUL!

Bella De Fuego: “Animal” by Kat De Luna.

Lauren Miller: You Can Leave Your Hat On- Etta James

St. Stella: Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. May seem generic but without a doubt always gets me excited when I here the intro and I can sing and dance circles around it.

Sera Curran: I couldn’t pick a favorite. Every moment on stage is priceless.

Favorite lip stick?

Lady Jae: NARS Turkish delight Gloss

Bella De Fuego: Anything RED!

Lauren Miller: MAC Red.

St. Stella: Hot pink. It’s not as popular as timeless red, but just as loud and fun to wear ~ more to my personality.

Sera Curran: Sephora’s always red liquid matte red.

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Well there they are. If you can’t make it out this weekend then be sure to make plans for Houston Burlesque Revue presents: We Like To Party, a 21st birthday celebration celebrating HBRs own Sera Curran’s big 2-1 at #’s May 3rd. But why wait all the way til May to see them? Head out to Avant Garden April 13 for the Benefit Betties’ (who happen to have recently become an OFFICIAL non-profit) Masquerade Ball. With Betties AND Burlesque it’s bound to be a great Saturday.
MUAH!

1.  Fifteen by Goldroom – This song reminds me of how much I miss being, 15. Of innocence lost and forgotten.

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Hello everyone! We are back and with a podcast from SXSW! On this weeks episode we have a special guest, Johnny Goudie. Some of you may know him from one of his bands SkyRocket or Liars and Saints. Or you may know him from his own podcast How Did I Get Here? Jodi, Liz, and I had a great time chatting it up with him about how he was inspired to start his own podcast and he even gave us a few podcasting tips. The conversation continues with talk of SXSW, Jodi describes her perfect man, we sing a little bit of Ace of Base, reflect on the documentary How to Die in Oregon, and we wonder about the where abouts of Richard Ashcroft. Then we take a turn as Johnny tells us about the guy who ruined his day, how he has figured out James Franco’s deal, drunk texting at 9:30, and his issues with dating. It wouldn’t be a well rounded conversation without discussing Johnny and Jodi’s fetishes, now would it? Enjoy…

The Oceanaire
5061 Westheimer Rd. Suite 8050
Houston, TX 77056

I’m hitting the road today, headed northwest to Austin for a weekend of SXSWing. My bags are packed in the car, oil’s changed, car’s inspected, tank full of gas, sunglasses on; now all I need is a sweet mix of road trip music. I present to you fine folks some of what I’ll be listening to while I’m driving the bluebonnet-lined Texas Highways.

I’m Amazed:::My Morning Jacket. La Cinega Just Smiled:::Ryan Adams. Ferryman::: Come See My Dead Person. You Ain’t Alone::: Alabama Shakes. Victory Dance::: My Morning Jacket. Airplane::: Widespread Panic. I Summon You::: Spoon. Come Pick Me Up::: Ryan Adams. Wonderful (The Way I Feel)::: My Morning Jacket. Can’t Get High::: Ryan Adams. Oh My Sweet Caroline::: Ryan Adams. God You Devil::: Come See My Dead Person.

Road Trip

Photos by Ron Wooten Photography and G-Town Surf.