Saturday, October 18, 2008

Eva LaDare : Fire-Twirling, Stilt-Walking Burlesque Beauty

Eva LaDare is one of the featured dancers who perform with Bongo Fury, Tuesday nights at Harvelle's. Among some of the best, sexiest, hottest international roster Walter Davis employs, Eva LaDare (literally) stands above them all. 

Stilt-dancing with her incredible curves above and beyond an average man's eyeline, Eva brings a vibe (and a derriére) like no other "gentlemen's club" has been privileged to host.

She is an amazing performer, and worth stopping by to see. (check out the videos below)



Thursday, October 16, 2008

Hilary VanLier : Bewitching Chanteuse



I must admit, I've become bewitched by Hilary VanLier (above with Ryan Cross, top, and Chelsea Nichole).

Her movie star looks and So-Cal style make her the uniqu-est of musical creatures... the born-again lounge singer. Aligning herself with Ryan Cross, Gene Coye and Brandon Coleman - some of the most innovative players around - has been a smart choice for Ms. VanLier who knows "it ain't what you do - it's the way that you do it" and she knows how to do it - showcase her voice, that is.

Somewhere between Steely Dan's jazzy playfulness and Jill Scott's rock-solid soul, she takes an ernest "Carlyle Hotel"-approach, and then performs it with the straight-forwardness of Debbie Harry. 

She's a chanteuse. 
How many of them do YOU know?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Miss Willie Brown : Which One's Willie?







Remeniscent of Pink Floyd t-shirts in the 1970s that read "Which one's Pink?", a "Which One's Willie?" campaign might be something that the Southern women might wanna consider. The answer is that Amanda (the one who plays guitar) and Kasey (the one who doesn't) are collectively and officially Miss Willie Brown; 2 Venice locals who wait tables at one of the city's best Bar-B-Que joints, but with their sweet harmonies and their kick ass approach, the day job looks dangerously close to being not needed. They have what it takes. 

Completely engaging the crowd, even jumping onto the dance floor for a brief twirl with some enthusiastic fans, their songs are about freedom, relationships and .... 
bad relationships!

The intense 4 piece band pushed it to the max, dynamically backing the women. No small task, considering Kasey and Amanda's bookended high energy dose. Given genrous solos throughout the night the guitar/bass/drums/keyboards 4 piece opened the second set with some authentic Memphis-style r& b instrumentals.
(pix courtesy my camera phone)