Performed by: “Melody and The Dramatics” and leading cabaret artists in the Twin Cities.
STARRING the best Cabaret talent in the Twin Cities…
Levi Hunter Kotas, Melody and The Dramatics, Nick Diffatte, Paulie Graff, Sweetpea, Taiyo, Victoria DeVille, The Illusionettes and many more!
Le Chat Dramatique productions presents: “Vaudeville or Bust,” cabaret fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This highly entertaining theatrical event pays homage to the vaudeville-inspired touring shows of a century ago. Complete with sword swallowing, knife throwing, sketch comedy, live music from “Melody and The Dramatics,” drag and yes, lots of scantily clad women!
***Smitten Kitten is giving away prizes for the first 25 tickets sold and there will be a silent auction! ***
A large portion of the show is going toward the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the generosity of the performers, ticket sales, silent auction and donations from local businesses. Several local businesses are sponsoring the event including, Bryant Lake Bowl, Lunalux Art Design Workshop and Jungle Red Hair Salon.
Melody Mendis, Producer
Melody Mendis performs all over the twin cities with her very eclectic jazzy/pop inspired band “Melody and The Dramatics.” She has been seen performing at The Dakota, the Red Stag, Honey Lounge, and various clubs and restaurants around the Twin Cities. Some notable past performances include a cabaret debut at the L’aupin Agile Cabaret in Paris, touring England and competing at the Eisteffodd music festival in Wales, and a tour throughout North America. Melody was honored with a nomination to attend the prestigious Yale Cabaret Conference where she worked with cabaret legend Julie Wilson and Manhattan Transfer vocal ensemble founder Laurel Masse. She had also performed at the magnificent “Carnegie Hall” in New York City. She was a company member of Kari Margolis Brown production of “Sleepwalkers” at the O’shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She had also performed at the magnificent “Carnegie Hall” in New York City. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing with her beagle “Bacon” and hubby, Chris Hauseman…not necessarily in that order, but the Beagle has an irresistible cuteness…haha!
Travis Thompson/Taiyo, Assistant Producer
“Taiyo” Travis Thompson is a local dancer/musician who has lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for the past 8 years. He has been seen performing at Patrick’s Cabaret, the Red Stag, Bryant Lake Bowl and with various PRIDE events including in St. Cloud, and Mankato. He has had the good fortune of performing with a troupe in New Orleans and recently choreographed for Christopher St., the musical, as a part of the Minneapolis Fringe Fest. Travis is currently attending the Art Institute International to study audio production and can regularly be found performing with Dragged Out at the Townhouse in St. Paul and can be contacted via facebook or email at Taiyo1@rocketmail.com.
Paulie Graff/Vocalist/Entertainer
Paulie Graff, the Sapphic Chanteuse,can be heard singing in burlesque, drag, and cabaret shows throughout the Twin Cities. She’s tackled the work of artists from Nina Simone, Etta James and Adele, to David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Pink, and Florence and the Machine. Paulie’s performed in shows produced by Grown and Sexy Productions, Black Hearts Burlesque, Dykes Do Drag, Toil and Trouble Productions, Sequin Sundays, Nadine Dubois, Sweetpea, Sweet LillyBee, Musette the Mistress O Mischief, and others. She studied musical theatre at Carnegie Mellon University and is the proud draglesque-daughter of Mistress Victoria DeVille. http://www.facebook.com/paulie.graff paulie.graff@gmail.com
Sweetpea/Burlesque Dancer/Entertainer
“Hard Body. Tender Heart.” Sweetpea has been pleasing the palate of burlesque for nearly a decade. She’s producer of the Best of Midwest Burlesk Festival, Minneapolis’ Naked Girls Reading, Grown & Sexy Productions, AND just this year joined the production team for the Burlesque Hall of Fame. “The First Lady of Sweet” pioneered the Twin Cities’ Neo-Burlesque movement, helping to create and direct Lili’s Burlesque Revue as well as starring in revues, cabarets, and variety shows across town. Audiences across the country have been seduced, charmed, and made giddy by her sincere smile, fit physique, and chameleon prowess. Known for her hoop-tease and for her patented move, “the paint-shaker,” this dancing powerhouse has been given such taglines as, “The Hip-Shaking Wizard from the Land of the Blizzards” and, “The Fastest Ass in the U.S.” http://www.facebook.com/TheSweetpea
Nick Diffatte/Magician/Comedian
Nick Diffatte is a comic magician, fire eater, whip cracker, and sideshow performer who has been performing all over the midwest and beyond for the past 10 years. At only 16 Nick has created a unique style of variety performance by combining his skills with dry humor and quick wit that has won him multiple awards such as “America’s Funniest Magician 2011” and the “International Brotherhood of Magicians Presidential Challenge 2011”. www.nicksmagic.com
The Illusionettes/Magicians/Entertainers
The Illusionettes is a collection of female magicians from Minneapolis, MN. They perform a wide variety of magic acts which include large illusions, dove magic, and other stage tricks. http://www.facebook.com/TheIllusionettes
Mia Malone-Jennings/Performer/Burlesque Chair Dancer
Mia has been a burlesque performer ever since Le Cirque Rouge De Gus opened. She’s performed in NYC with various troupes and began Dr. Farrago’s Burlesque Theater in 2002 at First Avenue Nightclub. They’ve performed regular shows at Ground Zero Nightclub since August 2010. http://www.facebook.com/mia.malonejennings
