A Competition of New York Proportions!
Nelson Lugo, Rubie Fizz and Richard Kent Green, the producers of Vaudeville Nouveau (and hereafter referred to as “the Producers”), are pleased and proud to announce the first annual
CRYSTAL STILETTO AWARDS:
A NEW YORK BURLESQUE COMPETITION
Hello Dear Vaudeville Fans
Boy, do we have some exciting news to share with all of you!
We here at Vaudeville Nouveau are always looking for, and thinking about, creative ways to promote the variety-burlesque community. So, we've decided to host the first-annual "The Crystal Stiletto" Awards, a New York Burlesque Competition. We want it to be an industry-supported contest -- a completely encompassing, community event of the people, by the people, for the people - at least, all those who love the art of the tease. Burlesque Producers from all over NYC are being invited to nominate the best shimmy-shakers this town has to offer.
The plan is to start with a field of 18 terrific Big Apple Burly-Q performers, whittle that group down to 9 fabulous semi-finalists, then, through a series of three semi-finals and a grand night of finals, crown the city's favorite burlesque artist.
The first round of competition will be an "Invitational" on Sunday March 9 in the afternoon. By the end of the which, 9 semi-finalists will have been selected from the field of contestants. The next phase will be the Semi-Finals on Saturdays, April 19, May 17 and June 14. At each of these three shows, 3 of the semi-finalists will perform. One finalist will be chosen by the audience at the end of each show, leaving 3 finalists. Lastly, the Finals will be held on July 19, at a venue yet to be determined. The 3 finalists will perform in a special edition of Vaudeville Nouveau. A winner will be chosen by a panel of three industry professionals. That fortunate individual will be anointed Ms (or Mr.) New York Burlesque (complete with crown and sash) and receive the "Crystal Stiletto" trophy, a cash prize of not less than $400 and an invitation to perform (for pay) in the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show. First and second-place prizes will be awarded, but they are yet-to-be-determined.
In a word... This is going to be huge!
The Nomination Process
Qualifications:
The “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards: a New York Burlesque Competition, is open to any person, male or female, who has performed (or will perform) strip-tease in the burlesque style at a New York City (including all five boroughs) venue (on or) prior to Saturday, February 16, 2008. Only producers of New York City burlesque presentations invited by the Producers may nominate artists to compete, though an effort will be made to discover and invite all who would qualify. Nominating producers (“nominators”) will receive four ballots, nominating one artist per ballot (“nominees”), for a total of up to four nominated artists. Any nominator who is a burlesque performer may nominate themselves and three other artists. Ballots will include a space for the names of both nominator and nominee and both names must appear on a ballot for it to be valid. (Please print clearly – we will be reading them for the first time in public!) Co-producers of Vaudeville Nouveau and their spouses and/or “significant others” are ineligible.
Nominations:
A specially-designated, locked ballot box, as well as ballots, will be available from 2/16 to 2/24 at pre-announced locations. Subject to change, they are:
• Saturday 2/16 – Vaudeville Nouveau
• Sunday 2/17 – Kitty Nights
• Monday 2/18 – Vaudeville Nouveau “Roadshow” @ Galapagos
• Tuesday 2/19 – Hosty Totsy
• Wednesday 2/20 – ???
• Thursday 2/21 – ???
• Friday 2/22 – Slipper Room
• Saturday 2/23 – Le Scandal
• Sunday 2/24 – Sweet and Nasty
A nominator need not be a host of, performer in, or paying customer at a show to deliver ballots. Nominators may deliver ballots until the beginning of the drawing. “Last call” will be given. If a nominator can’t make any of these shows, their ballots may be personally hand-delivered by the nominator - in a sealed envelope - before the show on the 24th to a Producer who agrees to deliver them. However, the Producers shall not be held liable for undelivered ballots.
The Drawing:
With the venue producer’s permission, a drawing will be held on Sunday 2/24 toward the end of, or after, their show. The box will be unlocked and ballots will be drawn one at a time. Only the names of the nominees will be announced (not the nominators’). Once the drawing begins, undelivered ballots will be disqualified. If a drawn name is repeated, another ballot will be drawn. Ballots will continue to be drawn until eighteen different nominees are chosen. Should a total of less than eighteen different artists be nominated, the contest will be run with the number that are. If a nominee’s name is announced and they aren’t in attendance, the nominee will be notified by the Producers. The eighteen nominees chosen will be invited to perform as contestants in the “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards. If less than eighteen nominees are available and interested in competing, the contest will be run with the number that are.
Competition Dates and Guidelines
Sunday, March 9, 2008: “The Invitational” - 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
This round will be presented as three one-hour sets, back-to-back, with a short intermission between each set, on the Main Stage of the WorkShop Theater Company - 312 W. 36th Street, 4th floor, NYC - and hosted by the Producers. There is no fee to enter the competition and there will be no pay for competing. A nominal admission ($5 for one hour, $10 for all three) will be charged to attendees of the Invitational to help cover costs of the contest and prizes. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Each hour, six contestants will perform. At the end of the hour, the contestants who performed that hour will stand in a line on the stage and the audience will vote on each contestant individually, selecting three semi-finalists per hour, for a total of nine semi-finalists by the end of the afternoon. If, for any reason, a scheduled contestant cannot perform that afternoon, they forfeit their chance to compete.
April 19 – Semi-Final One: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
May 17 – Semi-Final Two: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
June 14 – Semi-Final Three: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
Audience vote shall follow the same rules as at the Invitational. Which semi-finalists perform at which shows will be determined by the Producers, taking into account the semi-finalists’ schedules on a first-come-first-served basis. Switching with other semi-finalists who have not yet competed will be allowed, but once the schedule is established, the Producers reserve the right to disqualify any contestant because they are unable to perform, for any reason, at their scheduled Semi-Final.
July 19 – The Finals: will be presented at a venue yet to be determined. The three finalists will perform in a special edition of Vaudeville Nouveau. The winner of the “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards will be determined by a panel of three industry professionals, judging in four categories: Personal Presentation (costume, hair & make-up, etc.) Creativity (uniqueness, daring), Showmanship (poise and execution) and Sex Appeal (they’re on their own here). The judges, with no discussion between them, will rank the finalists on a scale from one to five (five being the best possible score). The judges will give their findings to the Producers, who will then determine the finalist with the highest score. In the event of any ties, a final determination will be made by the Producers. The winner will be crowned Ms (or Mr.) Big Apple Burlesque (with a crown and sash) and receive the “Crystal Stiletto” trophy, a cash prize of not less than $400 and an invitation to perform (for pay) in the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show. First and second-place prizes will be awarded, but they are yet-to-be-determined. In the event the winner is not available to perform at the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show, the invitation will pass to the first-place winner; failing that, the second-place winner, then the Producers’ choice of semi-finalists.
CRYSTAL STILETTO AWARDS:
A NEW YORK BURLESQUE COMPETITION
Hello Dear Vaudeville Fans
Boy, do we have some exciting news to share with all of you!
We here at Vaudeville Nouveau are always looking for, and thinking about, creative ways to promote the variety-burlesque community. So, we've decided to host the first-annual "The Crystal Stiletto" Awards, a New York Burlesque Competition. We want it to be an industry-supported contest -- a completely encompassing, community event of the people, by the people, for the people - at least, all those who love the art of the tease. Burlesque Producers from all over NYC are being invited to nominate the best shimmy-shakers this town has to offer.
The plan is to start with a field of 18 terrific Big Apple Burly-Q performers, whittle that group down to 9 fabulous semi-finalists, then, through a series of three semi-finals and a grand night of finals, crown the city's favorite burlesque artist.
The first round of competition will be an "Invitational" on Sunday March 9 in the afternoon. By the end of the which, 9 semi-finalists will have been selected from the field of contestants. The next phase will be the Semi-Finals on Saturdays, April 19, May 17 and June 14. At each of these three shows, 3 of the semi-finalists will perform. One finalist will be chosen by the audience at the end of each show, leaving 3 finalists. Lastly, the Finals will be held on July 19, at a venue yet to be determined. The 3 finalists will perform in a special edition of Vaudeville Nouveau. A winner will be chosen by a panel of three industry professionals. That fortunate individual will be anointed Ms (or Mr.) New York Burlesque (complete with crown and sash) and receive the "Crystal Stiletto" trophy, a cash prize of not less than $400 and an invitation to perform (for pay) in the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show. First and second-place prizes will be awarded, but they are yet-to-be-determined.
In a word... This is going to be huge!
The Nomination Process
Qualifications:
The “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards: a New York Burlesque Competition, is open to any person, male or female, who has performed (or will perform) strip-tease in the burlesque style at a New York City (including all five boroughs) venue (on or) prior to Saturday, February 16, 2008. Only producers of New York City burlesque presentations invited by the Producers may nominate artists to compete, though an effort will be made to discover and invite all who would qualify. Nominating producers (“nominators”) will receive four ballots, nominating one artist per ballot (“nominees”), for a total of up to four nominated artists. Any nominator who is a burlesque performer may nominate themselves and three other artists. Ballots will include a space for the names of both nominator and nominee and both names must appear on a ballot for it to be valid. (Please print clearly – we will be reading them for the first time in public!) Co-producers of Vaudeville Nouveau and their spouses and/or “significant others” are ineligible.
Nominations:
A specially-designated, locked ballot box, as well as ballots, will be available from 2/16 to 2/24 at pre-announced locations. Subject to change, they are:
• Saturday 2/16 – Vaudeville Nouveau
• Sunday 2/17 – Kitty Nights
• Monday 2/18 – Vaudeville Nouveau “Roadshow” @ Galapagos
• Tuesday 2/19 – Hosty Totsy
• Wednesday 2/20 – ???
• Thursday 2/21 – ???
• Friday 2/22 – Slipper Room
• Saturday 2/23 – Le Scandal
• Sunday 2/24 – Sweet and Nasty
A nominator need not be a host of, performer in, or paying customer at a show to deliver ballots. Nominators may deliver ballots until the beginning of the drawing. “Last call” will be given. If a nominator can’t make any of these shows, their ballots may be personally hand-delivered by the nominator - in a sealed envelope - before the show on the 24th to a Producer who agrees to deliver them. However, the Producers shall not be held liable for undelivered ballots.
The Drawing:
With the venue producer’s permission, a drawing will be held on Sunday 2/24 toward the end of, or after, their show. The box will be unlocked and ballots will be drawn one at a time. Only the names of the nominees will be announced (not the nominators’). Once the drawing begins, undelivered ballots will be disqualified. If a drawn name is repeated, another ballot will be drawn. Ballots will continue to be drawn until eighteen different nominees are chosen. Should a total of less than eighteen different artists be nominated, the contest will be run with the number that are. If a nominee’s name is announced and they aren’t in attendance, the nominee will be notified by the Producers. The eighteen nominees chosen will be invited to perform as contestants in the “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards. If less than eighteen nominees are available and interested in competing, the contest will be run with the number that are.
Competition Dates and Guidelines
Sunday, March 9, 2008: “The Invitational” - 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
This round will be presented as three one-hour sets, back-to-back, with a short intermission between each set, on the Main Stage of the WorkShop Theater Company - 312 W. 36th Street, 4th floor, NYC - and hosted by the Producers. There is no fee to enter the competition and there will be no pay for competing. A nominal admission ($5 for one hour, $10 for all three) will be charged to attendees of the Invitational to help cover costs of the contest and prizes. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Each hour, six contestants will perform. At the end of the hour, the contestants who performed that hour will stand in a line on the stage and the audience will vote on each contestant individually, selecting three semi-finalists per hour, for a total of nine semi-finalists by the end of the afternoon. If, for any reason, a scheduled contestant cannot perform that afternoon, they forfeit their chance to compete.
April 19 – Semi-Final One: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
May 17 – Semi-Final Two: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
June 14 – Semi-Final Three: three of the semi-finalists will perform in Vaudeville Nouveau. One finalist will be selected at the end of the show, by audience vote.
Audience vote shall follow the same rules as at the Invitational. Which semi-finalists perform at which shows will be determined by the Producers, taking into account the semi-finalists’ schedules on a first-come-first-served basis. Switching with other semi-finalists who have not yet competed will be allowed, but once the schedule is established, the Producers reserve the right to disqualify any contestant because they are unable to perform, for any reason, at their scheduled Semi-Final.
July 19 – The Finals: will be presented at a venue yet to be determined. The three finalists will perform in a special edition of Vaudeville Nouveau. The winner of the “The Crystal Stiletto” Awards will be determined by a panel of three industry professionals, judging in four categories: Personal Presentation (costume, hair & make-up, etc.) Creativity (uniqueness, daring), Showmanship (poise and execution) and Sex Appeal (they’re on their own here). The judges, with no discussion between them, will rank the finalists on a scale from one to five (five being the best possible score). The judges will give their findings to the Producers, who will then determine the finalist with the highest score. In the event of any ties, a final determination will be made by the Producers. The winner will be crowned Ms (or Mr.) Big Apple Burlesque (with a crown and sash) and receive the “Crystal Stiletto” trophy, a cash prize of not less than $400 and an invitation to perform (for pay) in the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show. First and second-place prizes will be awarded, but they are yet-to-be-determined. In the event the winner is not available to perform at the Vaudeville Nouveau Anniversary Show, the invitation will pass to the first-place winner; failing that, the second-place winner, then the Producers’ choice of semi-finalists.