Recognising a burlesque pioneer: Immodesty Blaize & World Burlesque Day.

I had no idea a month after World Burlesque Day 2022 I would be in Monte Carlo for the first time to present legend and icon Immodesty Blaize with the first World Burlesque Day 2022 Certificate of Contribution, but I was!

According to Wikipedia, Monte Carlo is situated on a prominent?escarpment?at the base of the?Maritime Alps?along the?French Riviera. Near the quarter’s western end is the “world-famous Place du Casino, the?gambling?center … that has made Monte Carlo an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth”.[1]?It is also the location of the?H?tel de Paris,?Café de Paris?and Salle Garnier (the casino theatre which is the home of the?Opéra de Monte-Carlo). The quarter’s eastern part includes the community of Larvotto with Monaco’s only public beach, as well as its new convention center (the?Grimaldi Forum), and the?Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. At the quarter’s eastern border, one crosses into the?French?town of?Beausoleil?(sometimes referred to as Monte-Carlo-Supérieur), and 8 kilometres (5?mi) to its east is the western border of?Italy.???(Monte Carlo – Wikipedia, 2022)

I arrived just as the city was preparing for the Monaco Grand Prix and the place was abuzz with tourists, the hum of Formula 1 racing cars and the who’s who of the racing world. It was exciting to say the least.

This trip was a beautiful coming ‘full circle’. Many who have read my memoir?Burlesque or Bust?will know the song?Tones?is so important to me and is a go-to piece of soothing piano music. Tones was composed by the band Nova Nova and pianist, Marc Durif, has become a long time friend. The song, which is on the Cafe Del Mar compilations, is part of the history behind why I started my event the Ibiza Burlesque Festival, too.

Marc picked me up from Nice airport and we lunched in Italy which is just short drive across the border, I then stayed in Beausoleil and took a step across the border into Monaco just so I could complete a goal of saying I’d been in 4 countries in one day. It’s not every day you get to say that!

The following morning I had the pleasure of being with Immodesty Blaize to present her with the World Burlesque Day 2022 Certificate of Contribution.

Immodesty Blaize is Europe’s biggest burlesque star, and a Las Vegas Burlesque Hall of Fame?alumnus, having won the coveted ‘Queen of Burlesque’ title, alongside various other awards over her 20 year career.

Immodesty Blaize has performed her opulent showpieces to a consistently dazzling clientele worldwide including

– Dior

– Cartier

– Damien Hirst

– Depeche Mode

– Sony Pictures

– Deutsche Bank

– MTV and international Royalty.

Immodesty has graced the stages of historic venues globally, including Royal Opera House, Blenheim Palace, Sydney State Theatre, Orpheum Theatre Hollywood. A performer’s performer, she’s starred in shows and videos with artistes such as the late James Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Roxy Music, Nick Cave, and Marc Almond to name a few. She has also choreographed burlesque for clients including Monte Carlo Casino, Channel 4, and BBC.

It is in fact Blaize’s pioneering work in the 2003 hit ‘Train’ on Mute Record starring in the music video of iconic music band Goldfrapp directed by Dawn Shadworth that redefined the sounds being used to accompany burlesque shows bringing electronic beats and synth laden melodies to the neo-burlesque landscape.

Immodesty was delighted to receive the award and noted she would be putting it up at home which made the whole trip even more worthwhile.

We need to thank our champions and legends and I enjoyed doing it so much.