Save Burlesque Protest

SAVE BURLESQUE CAMPAIGN

In an attempt to clarify the issues and to present the views of Twin & Tonic and the Burlesque community; fans and performers; I have compiled what I can find that has been written about the problem that Burlesque is facing at the moment.

Under the proposed Policing and Crime Bill, Venues in Camden hosting burlesque nights have to apply for a sexual encounter entertainment license.

Camden Council have said, ""Dancers can go onstage in an outfit but not take their clothes off to get to that outfit."

So you are allowed dancers in skimpy costumes, you are just not allowed to take of any clothes to get to that stage!

The Burlesque Womens Institute is spearheading a campaign to save burlesque in the UK.

'We are petitioning the government to amend Section 25 of the impending "Policing and Crime Bill 2008-09" so that performances that involve the removal of clothing without nudity (as described in section 25) being involved to be excluded from the requirement to obtain a "Sexual Encounter Entertainment License"

There is a clause in the Policing and Crime bill that says, 'Any venue holding no more than one event per month and with a total of no more than eleven events per year is exempt from the licence requirements.'

However, the current regulations set by Camden Council are taken from the Licensing Act 2003. They have stated to the BWI that "the Government allows them flexibility in their implementation of the law," and they have further stated that "any event with burlesque in the title/advertising, anything in the style of Dita Von Teese or anything involving stripping regardless whether it ends in nudity or not requires a Sex Encounter License."

Camden Council's stance on burlesque will have a profound negative effect on the whole burlesque industry and on modern day culture and what's more it looks like they a have no legal right to do so.

Just to apply for the license for a Burlesque event it would cost nearly £1,000!

The council says it has acted to “protect the public, especially children from harm” but these burlesque performances were taking place in licensed premises away from children and before adult audiences. Burlesque – which features comedy, song and dance – is not primarily about titillation and the content of burlesque shows is no more “adult in nature” that many plays in theatres across the West End such as Blue Angel, Equus and Chicago.

Therefore surely the bill will also include many theatre and opera productions as anyone who even takes a coat off onstage would theoretically be breaking the law, also Gok couldnt' do his shop window or fashion naked bit and a panto dame couldn't do a mock undress in giant bloomers without going on the sex offenders list!. If they are then allowed to do this then burlesque perfomers will still be allowed to perform or it will be unfair and they really haven't thought this through.

I have found this post by the lovely Miss Dolly Rose which sums up our thoughts entirely; "I can say that the vast majority of burlesque audiences are incredibly polite, and as it happens mainly female; a burlesque event will not attract the type of people that could be a threat or nusiance to an area, in the way that some 'adult' forms of entertainment potentially could. Therefore the council does not have grounds for banning burlesque in the interest of public welfare, and is simply imposing it's personal judgements on other people in a way in which, in my opinion, it has no right to do so. Burlesque is performed to adults who have paid to see it and no-one outside of the event has to have anything to do with it, or recieve any negative experiences as a result of it - I have never heard of any incidents of anti-social behaviour caused by the presence of a burlesque event in an area. Therefore why should it be banned? It is not the place of the council to impose it's personal moral judgements on people who are not causing harm to others." Tempest Rose has also made a very good point; "Burlesque is a theatrical art that has been around for well over 100 years that brings together comedy, satire and parody with theatrical skills such as singing and dance and circus skills along with an appreciation of the human form. I have seen more nudity in major West End shows and on prime time television that I have seen in most burlesque clubs! The blossoming of the new burlesque scene is also part of a wider wonderful and much needed resurgence in the UK cabaret and variety scene, it would be a far worse crime than seeing a nipple tassel to have this ruined by a council that obviously has no idea what it is talking about!"


FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE: 12 JULY

The Burlesque Women's Institute have decided to create our their very own non burlesque revue in honour of Camden Council.

"Proud" Camden will be our hosts for a glittering evening on 12th July where you will be delighted and dazzeled by a fine selection of performers from the UK cabaret scene, and some of the most beautiful displays of women getting dressed you wil have ever seen."

Twin & Tonic will be performing at this fabulous event!

So come and join us for and evening of light hearted "Reverse Burlesque" which will stay strictly within the bounds of Camden Councils requirements.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60473769952

Tickets and more info here: http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/events.html

Midnight Cabaret - 20th, 21st & 22nd July

For three nights preceeding the protest march there is a Midnight Cabaret presenting top DJs, performers and burlesque artists all performing for your delectation.

Twin & Tonic will be doing a midnight performance on the 22nd July

please click here for more info:
http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/burlesque_protest.html

DEMONSTRATION: 23 JULY

“The Burlesque Womens’ Institute will be descending upon Camden council on Thursday 23rd July in a show of solidarity not seen amongst ladies since the WRVS began! In an attempt to highlight the ignorance of their actions. Come and join us on our protest march which will culminate out the offices of Camden Council. The days events will begin at 12.00pm”
http://www.burlesquewomensinstitute.com/save_burlesque/burlesque_protest.html

Pls sign the petition here! http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveBurlesque/

Letters: Twin and Tonic in Blitz era London

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to bring to your attention a most curious incident that befell me the past Saturday evening. The reason that I believe it to be of interest to you is that during what I can only assume to be a concussion induced delusion I do believe that I saw your wonderful band Twin and Tonic playing to an extravagant party in Blitz era London! I did not believe previously that time travel was possible, but the events of said evening are leading me to believe otherwise…

It all began when, during one of my regular aerial excursions in my reconditioned Hawker Hurricane, I was forced to make an emergency landing in the Shoreditch area of London. Swerving to avoid a young hoodlum with a rather peculiar asymmetrical hair style, I crashed through a wall of a bricked warehouse building causing me to bang my head rather severely and in turn to lose consciousness. It is difficult for me to ascertain how long I was unconscious for, but rather than the clocks having sped forward they appeared to have sped back, as I found myself back circa 1942 and in the throws of the aforementioned party!

There is no doubting that the party must have been organised by somebody of the highest office as the assembled revelers included high ranking generals from both army and navy all perfectly turned out in full military regalia, most evidently taking a much needed rest from keeping Jerry at bay. It was also jolly good to see that the wives were able to join in the festivities, looking quite ravishing as they danced the Lindy Hop and celebrating with a gay abandon I’ve never previously bourn witness to. Oh, what luck to have the opportunity to relive a type of decadent youth that I missed at the first time of asking!

And then there was you, the gentlemen and ladies of Twin and Tonic, on stage and providing the most wondrous entertainment. Your singers looked gorgeous as ever in their military outfits, and the boys looked most dashing too. It was no small wonder that the crowd were reveling in both music and the spectacle. And as if that wasn’t enough, your headline band Ta Mère raised the rafters to a new level with their wonderful combination of violin, double bass, guitar and harmonica. What a top evening!

I have to say that my recollection of events started to get rather hazy at this point, no doubt as a result of my concussion but certainly not helped by rather liberal quantities of Spitfire larger that I’d taken quite a fancy to! However, I do recall meeting a rather ravishing young lady named Margaret who I do believe was celebrating her birthday that evening, and dancing with a number of fair and beautifully dressed ladies. Now what were their names? Trisha, Maya, Jess, Rowena, Zoe... There’s certainly life within this old dog!

Sad to report that I woke up the next morning in a bed at The Royal London Hospital with aching joints and a large bruise to my forehead. Apparently I’d been found wondering the streets of East London at 3 o'clock in the morning mumbling about a fantastic war time party of dancing, music, and great merriment. I tried to tell the nurse what I’ve now told you, but she returned an unbelieving and disinterested look that I believe the young reserve solely for the old.

But with all honesty I can barely believe myself that what I have said is true. Can it possibly be?

Regards,

xxxxxx xxxxxxx