Troy Wise Art & Photography: Image Amplified.

STARS AND GARTERS: Photos from the Performance, Part 1

These photos of Stars and Garters Burlesque Show were taken on January 29th at Jump-Start Theater. Featured in the show were Red Snapper, Vivienne Vermouth and Brigitte Noir. Also appearing on stage were Black Orchid, Foxy Blue Orchid, as well as performers from Big Star Burlesque and Scarlet Darlings.

I owe a huge thanks to Dino Foxx and the Jump-Start crew for letting me in to get these shots. And I also want to thank the performers for their willingness to be photographed. As one would imagine, the issue of exposure can be a delicate matter. I can only hope my appreciation and sincere enjoyment of the night has translated into the images. Yes, these photos have been a blast to work on, and I'm not nearly done. So I hope you enjoy and check back for more.

PHOTOS FROM STARS AND GARTERS: A Preview

This show at Jump-Start Theater featured such burlesque performers as Red Snapper, Vivienne Vermouth, Brigitte Noir, Black Orchid and boy-lesque Foxy Blue Orchid. What a night! Here's a peek at the photos to come.

AN EARLY LOOK: Tragic Bitches, Coming February 24

This truly is a fierce and fearless piece of work. For those like me who missed The Tragic Bitches performances back in 2008, this presentation is an electric bolt of "personal + political." Of course, I'd love to see this material performed live because, as Dino described it to me, it's about celebrating those moments nobody talks about. And let's face it, there'd only be power in that if we were talking really real  moments. And this is not fake confessional stuff. Even in written form, the strength that comes from shaming the devil with truth, resonates.

I could try to go and on. But luckily, smarter and more articulate people have already done that part. I got to shoot the cover of the book. And for that invitation, I'm ecstatic and honored.

Tragic Bitches, written by Adelina Anthony, Dino Foxx and Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano will be released on February 24th with a reading at the Resistencia Bookstore in Austin. I'll be passing along more information as I get it.

PHOTOS (PART 7) FROM JUMP-START PERFORMANCE CO. PERFORMANCE PARTY XXVI: Line-Up Including The Push Pens, Ms Black Orchid, Erik Bosse, Devil Bunnies. Hosted by Dino Foxx, Cross Esquivel, Annele Spector and Kitty Williams

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but concluding the Performance Party with fire eating (and inviting audience participation, no less) conveyed a lot about where this performance company's head is. Jump-Start takes risks, and does so with humor and a degree of fearlessness. And sometimes it's up to the audience to "get it." I think I do. And so I'm looking forward to their take on 2011.

PHOTOS (PART 4) FROM JUMP-START PERFORMANCE CO. PERFORMANCE PARTY XXVI: Line-Up Including The Push Pens, Ms Black Orchid, Erik Bosse, Devil Bunnies. Hosted by Dino Foxx, Cross Esquivel, Annele Spector and Kitty Williams

This was my first time seeing the Devil Bunnies. And as far as the Performance Party acts go, this was one of the stand-outs. Mysterious black hoods, de-winged angels, fire eating... Sparks were flying, alright. What great props.