January Performer Spotlight: Mary Strawberry

Photo by Costello Knight

I have had the pleasure of seeing Mary Strawberry grow as a performer from her kittening, to very first performances to where she is now.  She has come a very long way and has grown a lot as a performer in a very short period of time.

1. How did you come up with your stage name and tag line?  Does it have a special meaning to you?

My name comes from my Great Aunt Mary, who I was named after, and who meant a lot to me. She was very active during WWII and even in her later days was full of life and kindness. I found out shortly after I started using my stage name that my Dad, whom I am very close to, had wanted my first name to be Mary. Strawberry is a combination of my love of the fruit, the color of my hair, and the fact that rhyming names are easier to remember. 

My current tagline - onstage or off stage, she's sure to dazzle you with her...wits! - just came to me in a moment while preparing for a show. I like it because it reminds people that I'm also a technician, and I enjoy intelligent conversations and learning, while still being sexy. 

2. How did you get started in burlesque?

I've always been fascinated by the human body; the shapes it has and the way it moves, and I've always been passionate about dancing. It seemed like a logical progression from there. I love that I can combine so many things that I'm passionate about while empowering myself and other people to feel good about themselves and their bodies. Technically my first strip was my senior project for my BA in performance studies... My project was on the difference between sexuality and sensuality and the use of the body in performance and art. My mom was in the front row. It was very nerve-wracking.

3. What has been your best moment as a performer so far?

Being able to travel more and being so warmly welcomed everywhere I go has been great. I've been invited to potlucks, shows, and other great events across North America and it really warms my heart and makes me love this community so much more. 

On a more serious note, I had a devastating moment earlier this year where I got my first festival rejection letter. However, I took it in stride and instead of getting defensive, I decided use it to recognize that I have a lot more work to do in order to improve myself as a performer. It's really motivated me to take more classes, talk with more performers, and spend more time and energy practicing and perfecting all the elements of my acts.

4. What is your favorite act to perform?

I love all my acts for different reasons. They're all so distinct from each other. Sasquatch has probably been on the top of my choreographed numbers though, since I always get such interesting reactions to it. I've gotten everything from nonstop laughter to people feeling strange about how hot they thought it was to appalled looks. I've even had people say they see it as my signature act. It adds something to the experience when the audience can both enjoy the show and feel changed by it. 

5. What is your burlesque dream show?

I'd love to eventually showcase something at BHoF (Burlesque Hall of Fame) in Vegas. It's a great place to see incredible acts from around the world, and I've met some wonderful performers and true friends while attending and working backstage there. I'm not to that level yet, but I will be someday! For now, I'm hoping to be able to workshop a new number at BurlyCon next fall. I have so much respect for the opinions of my peers, especially when they have been dancing longer than me.

Photo by Marc Turnley

6. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I'd love to continue to travel as a dancer. It's one of my favorite parts of this job because not only do I get to do what I love, I also get to meet wonderful people and see new places along the way. Five years from now it would be great, although very ambitious, to be able to say that I've performed in at least half the states and a handful of other countries.

7. Tell us something outside of burlesque that you are involved or interested in.

My "day job" is actually still very artistic. I design and build sets, props, and costumes for theaters all over Atlanta and currently teach theater carpentry at a grade school and a university. It's been an interesting challenge trying to keep my two lives separate at certain times!

8. What do you think is your greatest skill, not including burlesque?

I'm a doer, not a talker. If I have a dream, even if it's intimidating or lofty, I will find a way to make it happen. It drives me crazy when people talk about their dreams and desires but never do anything to achieve them. Working hard to be happy and do what I love is so gratifying and fulfilling, and has taken me a long way in life already.

9. What are you most looking forward to this year as a burlesque performer? As a civilian?

As a performer I'm most looking forward to getting my first festival acceptance as a solo performer. I got to compete, and win, with the Greater Atlanta Goddess Society this fall and it was a great experience. Now I'm hoping that all my hard work and positive energy will get me accepted on my own.

As a civilian, I just finished my application for grad school. I've fallen in love with a program out in Austin, Texas, a city I visited for the first time this summer, and I'd love to use it to deepen my understanding of the history of performance arts and become a better performer. If I'm accepted, I'll be the first woman in my family to get a masters degree.

10. Who is your favorite performer to watch?

There are so many! I'm infatuated with a lot of the Seattle performers... I'll admit I had to contain a fangirl freakout last summer when Waxie Moon asked me to help him with his costume backstage at BHoF. Getting to go to BurlyCon this year and take classes with Iva Handfull, Paris Original, and so many other incredible performers was mind-blowing. I'm always amazed by the very athletic performers who clearly spend a lot of time perfecting their craft. I also love edgy artists who break expectations, like Bunny Mew-Guns, Tigger!, and World Famous Bob.

Photo by Marc Turnley

Upcoming shows:

8- Burlesque Atlanta Society January Meeting, Elliot St. Pub, Atlanta, GA

13- Syrens of the South Tease Tuesday, Red Light Cafe, Atlanta, GA

16- Last Pasties Standing, Red Light Cafe, Atlanta, GA

2013-08-03 RIP Dixie Evans, the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque

Dixie Evans, The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, press photo.

Dixie Evans, The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, passed away yesterday morning, she was 86.  Dixie was an amazing burlesque performer and performed Marilyn Monroe tribute routines due to her very similar look.  However, even though her career as a headliner was very impressive, what she did in her retirement would inspire generations of performers.

After Jennie Lee's passing, Dixie took over the Goat Farm and created the Miss Exotic World competition which would later become the Burlesque Hall of Fame.  The museum, the legend shows and panels, classes and sense of family that these events have brought to the burlesque community through out the world is because of Dixie.  I have learned more about the history of burlesque by sitting in panels, drinking at bars, and just being around the amazing legends that this weekend draws each year.

Myself, Dixie Evans, Talloolah Love and Siren Santina at BHoF 2008.

Dixie, herself, was a petite woman who was a class act all the way.  She was gracious whenever she met anyone, always willing to pose for a picture.  She wanted to meet everyone and was always encouraging newer performers to express themselves and make their act their own burlesque.  Dixie loved burlesque and the fact that it was evolving into something new, a cross between the classic elements and the influence of modern times.  I encourage everyone to read Jo Weldon Interviews Dixie Evans.  It is an amazing article from how she got into burlesque, becoming the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque and the evolution of the Museum.

Thanks to Dixie keeping the art alive and available to future generations I will always know exactly where I was when I heard the news, I was at the Syrens of the South 6 year anniversary show.  The show I produce has been running for 6 years, it can now go to kindergarten.  With out Dixie's inspiration and love of burlesque we may never have even known about burlesque.  Burlesque has given me some of my most amazing memories, stories I will definitely be repeating while I'm in the old folks home, and friendships that will last a life time.  It is this amazing part of my existence and I have Dixie Evans to thank for that.

When Dixie suffered her stroke a few months ago the entire burlesque community came together from around the world to create Dixie Evans Week.  Syrens of the South's show is scheduled for August 27th at The Shelter in Atlanta.  We will still be doing that show in her honor because that's what she would have wanted.  There is discussion of having a legend's fund to help the burlesque legends with medical bills and such or it will be donated to the Burlesque Hall of Fame to keep her dream and what she started alive.

On a side not, Marilyn Monroe passed away on August 5, 1962.  Dixie Evans, the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, passed away on August 3, 2013 during Marilyn Memorial Weekend.  We got an addition 51 years of Dixie.  I know it's just a coincidence, but I prefer to think of it as dedication to her art, she stayed in character until the end because that's what class acts do!  We love you Dixie!