Burlesque Needs You

7.00pm Sunday 12th July @ Proud, Camden

The Burlesque Womens Institute invites you to Come and join in with our “Save Burlesque” campaign fundraiser on Sunday 12^th July at Proud Camden and behold as a burlesque show as never seen before unfolds before your eyes. Be dazzled and amazed as some of the UKs top performers entertain you in an evening of burlesque turned on its head with their UK reverse strip premiers.

Your compere, the indomitable Fred Bear will weave together the beguiling performances from;

Mysti Vine – taunts you with her stand up vagina and dark shadows
Ruby Rose – shows you her gloves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tempest Rose – reveals her new............ habit...
Kiki Kaboom – Winner of the London Burlesque Festival Best Newcomer
Cecilia Rouge – Our own northern light bedecked in rose petals

with our special guest stars;

Jo King – Britains Grand Dame of burlesque
Gwendoline Lamour – the epitome of burlesque G’Lamour

Together with music from;

Tricity Vogue – with her little pink instrument.
Twin & Tonic – Sensational swing band and morally outraged!
DJ Lady Kamikaze – Slinky spinner of Lady Luck Club renown

However, you are warned that this show may contain heavy amounts of humour, mockery, irony and suggestive remarks. Although, Camden Council will be able to sleep safely knowing that not one of their regulations will be broken and you can rest assured that whilst we have made all effort to remove any references of a sexual nature, any attempt at striptease will be heavily censored by the Burlesque Womens Institute Censorship Team;

As requested by Camden Council

There will be no visible striptease
Performers will not apply their clothing in a “sexual manner”
Performers will be allowed to dance in pasties and knickers

We have also been informed that anyone wishing to gogo/podium dance in bikinis in a lewd, suggestive and overtly sexual way is more than welcome to do so during our DJs performance.

Disclaimer

Camden Council may send some inspectors to ensure that there is nothing of a sexual nature in the show. Whilst we understand that this is purely subjective The Burlesque Womens Institute cannot be held responsible for the methods or implements Camden Council may choose to calibrate your or their levels of arousal.

Tickets £6 in advance or £8 on the door
[BUY ONLINE]

Breaking news! the campaign grows

The Burlesque Womens Institute has now joined forces with the Pastie Protest and a famous political activist who is now working on the campaign. So don't forget to keep the 23rd July free in your diary. The protest begins at 12.00pm and there is a signup form [click here] on the website for everyone who wishes to receive further details.

Conversations with Camden - 20th May 2009

My lack of knowledge in the passing of new laws lead me into further investigation and armed with new research I decided to question the council on how they were able to implement a law that as yet was un-passed.

When I asked how Camden Council are implementing an as yet un-passed law I was informed that they are not!, they are actually invoking a section of the Licensing Act 2003 but were unable to inform me as to the exact section, although, they were able to inform me that "The Licensing Act covers topless bar staff and some burlesque performances fall into this category" and that "the government has allowed Camden "flexibility within the license" which is how they are implementing this section to cover burlesque shows.

Further to this I was informed that "the definition of adult entertainment can only be defined by a magistrate."

I am currently at this point lost for words and am going to lie down with a stiff gin....

Conversations with Camden - 12th May 2009

I'm now feeling a little braver and I'm armed with a direct line into Camdens licensing team!

For todays challenge I tried to find out how much a license would cost, which given that this query really was the holy grail of questions for me you can understand my complete shock when today my little helper was prepared to inform me. So eyes down for todays installments;

The cost of a license is calculated in correspondence to the rateable value of the property. For example a license application for Proud Camden would cost approximately £635 you are then legally required to place a public notice in a newspaper local to your event which in Camden would cost a further £350. So to apply for a license you have to spend at least £985 with no guarantee it will be approved. Oops, I nearly forgot £21 pounds to the local constabulary for a "temporary event notice"

I decided as things were moving along swimmingly to push things a little further and ask "what classifies an act as a sexual encounter?" and "how it is assessed?" and was informed that "If Camden Council are unsure about the content of your event they may send one of their Enforcement Officers to "inspect" the performances and whilst Camden council are aware that all their officers have different opinions about what is sexual, they are trying to create uniformity in what they deem sexual and non sexual."

I'm afraid I couldn't resist asking the obvious in how they achieved this, "was dictated by the quality of their erection," thankfully this remark was received with a hearty chuckle and the response that all the male staff are putting their names down for the job!

With that cleared up I did manage to get a breakdown of what parameters need to be met to preclude your event from the license;

1. Performers can appears partially nude/dressed
2. You are allowed to get dressed on stage as long as it is not done in a sexual manner.
3. You cannot use the word burlesque for the promotion of your event.
4. You cannot perform in the style of "Dita Von Tease"
5. Podium/Gogo dancers no matter how scantily clad or how provocatively they dance are allowed.
6. Semi nude Tableaux Vivants are allowed, ensuring that nipples, and genitals are covered.

Now you know the rules ladies and gentlemen go forth and create!

Conversations With Camden - 11th May 2009

My initial contact with Camden Council was made with some trepidation, I fully expected to have my number taken and to be summarily dismissed. However, I was put through to a delightful young chap who informed me that they weren't terribly well informed on the situation however if I cared to wait a moment he would see what the computer had to say about it, and yes, the computer said no.

Here are the guidlines that he read out;

Any event including the following will required a "Sexual Encounter Entertainment License"

1. Any act that involves stripping.
2. Any act that involves nudity.
3. Using the word "Burlesque" in relation to or for the promotion of a show.
4. Any performance that is in the style of Dita Von Tease.

Sadly he was unable to inform me as to the cost of a license.