Mardi Gras is fast approaching! Though the official “Fat Tuesday” is February 12, parades start taking the Big Easy’s streets this coming Saturday, January 19. Therefore, in honor of the great city of New Orleans, this week on the Tuesday Tease, we are interviewing Ben Wisdom, co-producer of New Orleans-based burlesque troupe Slow Burn Burlesque.

New Orleans has a long history of burlesque, with Bourbon Street’s heyday spanning the mid-40s to the mid-60s. Even back then, New Orleans performers pushed the envelope of burlesque performance, with many dancers introducing props like giant champagne glasses and oyster shells. Grandiose clubs like the 500 Club and Stormy’s Casino Royale were decked out with luxurious décor, raised stages and theatrical lighting, bringing a higher production value to the art of burlesque, and all shows were, of course, set to a hot jazz soundtrack, the music that New Orleans birthed. In fact, legendary New Orleans saxophonist Sam Butera got his start in Bourbon Street burlesque clubs and Louis Prima’s brother Leon owned the 500 Club for many years.

While Bourbon Street has definitely changed, the burlesque flame is still alive and well in the Big Easy thanks to folks like Slow Burn Burlesque, The Dirty Dime Peepshow, The Storyville Starlets, Fleur de Tease, Freaksheaux To Geaux, Bustout Burlesque and the internationally recognized New Orleans Burlesque Festival. Plus, troupes like Slow Burn, while being a decidedly “neo-burlesque” troupe, pay tribute to New Orleans’ burlesque history by featuring live music and by re-visiting classic burlesque routines, albeit with a modern flair.

Ben Wisdom was kind enough to take some time out from his busy schedule to talk about Slow Burn, the New Orleans burlesque scene, their upcoming show “The Big Sleazy” (Friday, January 25 at the Howlin’ Wolf. Tickets available right over here) and to offer some advice to up-and-coming burlesque performers and emcees.

So, with out further ado, Mr. Ben Wisdom:

Can you give us a brief history of Slow Burn Burlesque? When did the troupe start?

Slow Burn is produced by Ben Wisdom, Ginger Licious, and founder Nona Narcisse.

The troupe was created in the spring of 2009 by Nona Narcisse. Nona and some of the other girls had been performing with another group in town, but decided to branch out on their own so that they could have more creative control and do their own thing. I was approached by Nona to be the emcee. We started out performing to audiences as small as 25 people in the courtyard of a wine bar in New Orleans’ Bywater neighborhood.

We needed a better venue, so we moved to the Dragon’s Den on New Orleans’ famous Frenchman street and soon started playing to crowds of 100 and better. The Den was busting at the seams for our shows (the floor could be heard creaking beneath the audience), so it was time to move again.

After a short search, we ended up at the Howlin’ Wolf, which is one of New Orleans premier venues. This has been our home since 2010.

Do you consider yourselves a more traditional burlesque troupe or more of a “neo-burlesque” troupe?

We are definitely a neo-burlesque troupe, however we incorporate the classic elements. All of the crazy makeup, rhinestones, glitter, feather fans, boas, elegant costumes are all still there, but with a modern twist. And, we still keep it real by doing plenty of classic numbers.

One of our performers, Roxie le Rouge has a degree in modern dance, and she burns the stage down with her classic acts. Ruby Rage often likes to pay homage to her Texas roots with sultry and energetic classic style numbers performed to music by artists like Patsy Cline. Of course when it comes to neo-burlesque we are always seeking to do something new and different. Another one of our artists and original members is The Lady Lucerne. She came to New Orleans by way of New York, which has a tradition of not just breaking boundaries, but totally nuking the s**t out of them. People always walk away from Lucerne’s acts in shock and awe.

When people come to a Slow Burn show, they will always be surprised by the innovation and modern creativity, but at the same time they will get a big dose of that familiar classic vibe.

You seem to mix a little bit of everything in your shows: burlesque, music, aerial and more. What can folks expect at a typical Slow Burn show?

Our audience can always expect a fabulous and exciting time with some of the best performers in the burlesque business.. There will always be the most outrageous and glamorous striptease acts and lots of variety.

Our co-producer, Ginger Licious is a really amazing aerial artist and acrobatic performer so almost every show features Ginger showing off one of those skills. People can even expect to learn something at our shows. Slow Burn member Moxie Sazerac, is known for her fun and light-hearted numbers, but she has more serious fare that touches on topics that you may never expect in a burlesque show like Hurricane Katrina. And, our founder Nona Narcisse, is known for moving audiences all over the country with her tributes to New Orleans’ infamous Storyville, and the Mexican saint of death Santa Muerte.

We incorporate lots of guests in our shows to bring variety. It changes every month so any time you see Slow Burn you might be exposed to singers, musicians, block heads (pounds nails, and drills into skull), ladies performing on a bed of nails, magicians, crazy stilt walkers, and almost any other over the top thing that we think is cool or out there. In addition, we are very fortunate to be able to operate here in the Big Easy where there is no shortage of stellar burlesque dancers. Frequent guests include Little Luna, Bella Blue, Kitty Twist, Trixie Minx, Perle Noir, Gogo McGregor, and Cherry Brown just to name a few.

You guys are performing to a live band for your upcoming show. Suprisingly, this is relatively uncommon these days. Why do you prefer performing to live music as opposed to canned music?

Usually, we perform to canned music. We’ve performed with live bands in the past, but because expanding the cast by adding a band is so expensive, we haven’t always been able to do it. However, we kept hearing our fans say, “We want to see you with a live band”, so we’re giving the people what they want.

For the “Big Sleazy” on January 25th we decided to mix it up for the first weekend of Mardi Gras and bring on This Stunted Sextette to perform with us. We couldn’t be more excited about this pairing. This Stunted Sextette is led by a really stellar local musician named, Dahktur Sick. This guy is pure rock star and the band can’t be touched. Our audience is going to hear the set flow from traditional New Orleans jazz, to rockabilly, to Eastern European gypsy songs, to bluegrass and more. And, of course there will be some crazy stripping going on to it.

But, to answer the question, performing with a live band just increases that energy in the audience and in the performers. And, we all feed off of that energy and that’s what makes a good show. Even though we don’t always perform with a live band, it’s a direction that we are moving in, so that we can grow the show and the audience.

New Orleans has a rich burlesque history. What’s the scene like in the Big Easy today and what makes the New Orleans scene unique to other scenes around the country?

New Orleans is a magical place. Creativity flows here like the waters of the Mississippi escaping her banks during a wet spring. Not only is there a rich burlesque history, but there is an enormous wealth of music, painting, photography, writing, dancing and more. Creative people are drawn to the magic of the city, so it’s like we sit at a creative crossroads. All of these talented people make their way here and collide into an explosion of inspiration. And, that’s what sets New Orleans apart. There’s a magic and an attitude. Nola performers just bring it!

** WARNING! This video may not be appropriate for all viewers. **

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoNUs5vS51E]

Tell us about your upcoming tribute to New Orleans, “The Big Sleazy.”

“The Big Sleazy” is our tribute to New Orleans, so guests will see us performing numbers that shout out to the city. In the past we’ve had tributes to the rats in the French Quarter (both real and human), the vampire history of New Orleans, homages to Storyville, and lot’s more. People will have to come see the show to find out what we are doing this year. But, one thing they can count on is that it will be a pure New Orleans experience brimming with all of the attitude, charm and magic this great city exudes.

Any big plans for Mardi Gras?

This show is our big Mardi Gras show. After that we will be taking it to the streets to enjoy the debauchery of Carnival.

Are there any other burlesque performers or scenes that are catching your eye right now?

Well, we are huge fans of other scenes. We love the craziness and originality of the New York scene. The Pacific Northwest has some amazing things happening. The Texas scene is very groovy as well. We’ve been seeing some great festivals and stellar performers coming out of the friendly state. Also, Baltimore has a cool scene. They like to keep it weird in Charm City and that’s fine by us.

Got any advice for upcoming burlesque performers?

Make your costume bangin’ from the dress to the undies to the pasties. Whatever you are wearing needs to scream “BURLESQUE.” Don’t ever underestimate the power of face. Tell your story with your face. Bring that attitude! There’s nothing worse than watching a performer who is just going through the motions. You gotta be sexy all the time even when you ain’t.

And for burlesque emcees, SHUT UP! I had to learn that the hard way. Be concise, funny, and charming. Then get that next act out there ASAP. The audience will love you a whole lot more for it.

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As we said, New Orleans has a thriving and unique performance scene and Freaksheaux to Geaux are another incredible burlesque/circus/sideshow/magic/vaudeville troupe that are making waves in the Big Easy and beyond. Check out their upcoming show if you’re in the area or headed that way:

Saturday, February 23 I Freaksheaux to Geaux presents Love Songs for Weirdos  Oh yes, my friends, Carnival has begun! And with Valentine’s Day so close upon the heals of Mardi Gras, Freaksheaux to Geaux understands that you may find yourself a bit too weary to fully express your –ahem– appreciation for your loved one. Fear not! Freaksheaux will give you the excuse and the opportunity that you need to feast upon and fulfill some of your more Lupercalian desires! Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, Freaksheaux to Geaux is bringing you a show dedicated to all the L’s that weave themselves throughout our lives to make them that much more interesting – love, lust, and loathing! Come out to the AllWays Lounge and find out just what happens when freaks get freaky.

Also, for a little insight into New Orleans’ seamier history be sure to check out the New Orleans Original Red Light Tour:

Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday I New Orleans’ Original Red Light Tour  New Orleans’ Original RED LIGHT TOUR takes you on a journey through ribald tales of Storyville, the Tango Belt, The Last Madame’s house and much more. New Orleans has always had a somewhat proud, if often controversial, relationship with the world’s oldest profession. From the royal courtesans sent to offer relaxation to a Napoleon that never arrived to the nation’s much storied “legal” district of prostitution. It’s difficult to walk a block in the French Quarter without feeling the presence of thousands of sultry sex sellers over the last four centuries. The Red Light Tour’s experienced guides are sure to delight with some of the Quarter’s worst kept secrets. They offer the best view of the Vieux as they disrobe its legends and throw open the shutters to some of its most decadent brothels. It is New Orleans at its naughtiest. You won’t believe your ears