Sexy Saturday - A BurlyQ Interview

Sexy Saturday, doesn't that sound like an awful weekend bar activity? Bad wording I guess, but all jokes aside, what I have to offer is a short interview with the very sexy Charlotte Treuse. Charlotte is a burlesque star in my book, and many books in Portland, I am sure. I know I have some aspiring burlesque readers and some veterans of the game, so I thought I would share my interview with Charlotte with you all.

1. What got you into burlesque?
I've been a performer of some sort ever since my mother stuck me into a bluebird suit and put me in the church musical. I've dabbled in theater and for years was a primary dancer in a well known neo-tribal belly dance troupe, Muraja.

Burlesque was a natural fit for me. It combines everything I love, theater, dance, and vintage glamor with extravagant costuming and the freedom to orchestrate every bit of my act.
Burlesque was the first performance art form that I was able to fully develop my own character and really express myself. I choose my own music, choreograph my routine and build my costumes and props from the ground up. After spending so much time being directed, or bound with very rigid dance steps, I found burlesque very refreshing.


2. Are you inspired by vintage / early era burlesque?
I am endlessly fascinated by the Burlesque queens of the past. The first Burlesque Queen I ever saw a picture of was Zorita, and I still think that the statuesque woman with the black-and-platinum pompadour and the snake was about as fabulous as you can get.
I am certainly inspired by vintage burlesque..... the hair, makeup and costuming is all compelling, and the music is made for the bump and grind. I try to bring an element of the classic into all of my routines.
Beyond the glamorous vintage aesthetic, however, I am inspired by the commitment of the neo-burlesque community to the former queens. Amongst the current performers there is a true reverence for the times past.

3. Where do you get your costumes or do you make them?
I make about 90% of my costumes and props. That's part of the fun for me! I've been sewing since I was a kid, and I really just love taking a huge pile of fabric and feathers and turning it into something fabulous. I have a hard time sitting totally still..... I actually enjoy the tedious tasks like gluing 1,600 rhinestones on a high heeled shoe.

4. Where do you hope to go with your burlesque dancing?
I feel like I am already getting so much out of burlesque. The artistic fulfillment of a polished number alone is huge. Besides that, however, I love that dancing allows me to travel. The festivals are so much fun! This year burlesque gave me the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas and New Orleans, and I am planning on auditioning for a few more of the festivals in 2010.

Here is a performance from New Orleans Burlesque Festival performed by Charlotte herself:


Charlotte can also be found on Myspace. She is nice as pie, and very pretty too! Who wouldn't want to be her friend?