A Dirty Dozen with MIDNIGHTWATERFAIRY of THE 2019 MICHIGAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL – July 2019

According to a recent press release: “The Michigan Burlesque Festival started in 2012 with the intent to bring some of the world’s most unique performers to Detroit in hopes of reuniting the traditional concepts of original burlesque theater, where dancers and vaudevillians shared a stage to provide well rounded and entertaining sexy comedic show. It has grown into a two-day festival featuring not-to-miss local talent and award-winning performance artists and world renown burlesque performers, such as past headliners: Lushes LaMoan, Bella Sin, The Weird Sisters, Red Hot Annie, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque, Russell Brunner, Roxi D’Lite, Dangrrr Doll, Ray Gunn, Mr. Gorgeous, Jeez Loueez, Satori Circus, Hank E Panky, Dirty Martini along with so many more phenomenal performers.” We get the performer Midnightwaterfairy to discuss routines, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest developed routine.  What drove you to choose the particular piece of music, create the costume, and pull together the specific moves in the routine?  Are there any links between that routine and your “real life” that tie the two side of you together?

The most recent piece I been working on is my mermaid number, the costume was created by both me and my partner who runs a company sparklesmackpasties. They helped me sew the tail and make my pasties and I stoned my tail myself. The music I chose was a mix between a few songs one is from a old Russian Little Mermaid movie because it catches the feeling of the ocean and what it’s like to be underwater more then any sound I have heard (and also loved this song ever since I was 6 when I first saw the film) but also the second song is “The Seed” by Aurora, who is a magical soul that creates beautiful music with strong meanings of love and unity. This song fit perfectly! It says when everything is poisoned and destroyed we won’t be able to eat money. All of this together created this number where I try to reflect the stars off pure clean water to remind people how beautiful the land was before we destroyed it… the skills are of course contortion where I perform on canes. The art of contortion was created in some parts of the world as a religion to reflect nature around you and that is what I am trying to do.

2. What got you into burlesque, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a performer? Building on that, is there a specific performer or act that guided your performances in the beginning?

Definitely my Martina Marracino and Gabe Gabriel – they where the first to hire me for a full time cast spot for their aerialist queer circus, but then I ended up seeing burlesque and fell in love with all the Glamour.

3. Who would be your main influences or performers you admire?

My main influence was probably Dita Von Tease – I was obsessed with the corsets and the sparkles she brought to the stage so of course I had to follow with adding as much crystals to a costume I can! Aside from that there are definitely many different artist from circus and music that I draw inspiration from.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a routine with, who would it be, and why?

Probably Adam Divine… I feel like it’s we work along side each other for so long it’s about time we did something together.

5. How would you describe your performance style to someone who’d never seen you perform before? What is one review from the media, an audience member, or a fan has made that made you cringe?

My performance style I’d say a good description is ethereal! One cringe comment I got from the internet was “it’s better when a girl does it,” but also I have a hard time listening when people describe my acts in front of me cause it gets uncomfortable no matter what they are saying good or bad.

6. When it comes to the musical component of your performance, is there a certain musical genre, artist, or specific song you have always wanted to use?  What was the first song you ever used – and what does that song mean to you now?

My music is a huge part of my act people don’t even understand how many hours I go through listing to all my tracks to find the perfect song. I normally go for music with a good lesson behind it or world music because it leave so much more room for interpretation for the audience member. The first song I ever performed to was “Stay” by Shakespeare’s Sister… it meant so much to me because struggle with love is something I seemed to go through a lot so could connect and feel those emotions so much stronger to share on stage.

7. What is one thing you wish audience members knew about you, your performances, or burlesque in general?  What do you feel is the biggest misconception about you and your burlesque career?

I would like people to know about my art is that I work hours a day maintaining my skills to perform and grow. That way I make sure I am the most flexible I can be for each performance. I think the misconception in my burlesque is that some people find my burlesque to be more of a circus act though I feel like contortion and flexibility has always been in burlesque.

8. When was the last time you were star struck by a burlesque performer and who was it?

The last time I was starstruck was Dita Von Teese when she came to perform in Minneapolis.

9. What is the best part of being a burlesque performer?  Conversely, what is the worst part? If you could no longer be a performer for whatever reason, what would be your other artistic outlet?

The best part of being a burlesque performer is to be able to express my art the beautiful sparkling sexy fashion. The worst part would probably be the judgement that comes from peoples discomfort who don’t understand it. If I couldn’t do burlesque I’d probably go to into circus or painting.

10. What is one question you have always wanted someone to ask you as a performer – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I wish people would ask me more about the meanings behind my numbers because I normally put a lot of thought and back story behind each number. On the opposite side I am tired of being asked how much I train – haha – it’s a lot!

11. Looking back over your burlesque career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I would probably go back and change how nervous I get before certain shows so I had a clearer head to perform.

12. What is one thing you still want to achieve in the burlesque world?  At the end of the day, what contribution to the local burlesque scene do you hope you will be remembered for?

I would love to incorporate awareness about the planet and it’s life. Also, show how sexy androgynous is; that people can realize there isn’t a need for gender roles we could all be and do what we need for are spirits to grow and evolve. I want to contribute a drive to the community to inspire them to work hard and create more art!

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Category: Interviews