© Site Design by Ray Harris
Attitude Activities
All rights reserved
All wrongs reversed
|
gorgeous gangsters
Sydney - Saturday 5th September - The Metro Theatre
Brisbane - Saturday 17th October - The Tivoli Theatre
Melbourne - Saturday 7th November - The Forum Theatre
Gorgeous Festivals & Special Events
|



The Gangsters Ball
A Swing Dancing, Burlesque & Cabaret Extravaganza!
The standout event on the Australian Swing Dancing & Burlesque calendar.
The Gangsters’ Ball is a fully themed night of non-stop entertainment featuring the biggest names in Australian & International Burlesque, Cabaret and Swing Dancing.
This year the Gangsters’ Ball will big bigger, bolder and better than ever, traveling to Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.
The Gangsters Ball 2008 was an amazing success, selling out 700 tickets some 4 weeks in advance with nearly 200 people queuing at the door for up to 3 hours to purchase the remaining 50 tickets.
It was widely regarded by those who attended as “the best event of its type ever held in Sydney”.
The Drum Media Street Press Magazine voted the Gangsters Ball in it's 2008 Readers Poll Edition as the “best Swing/Rockabilly Event of 2008”.
And this year, Brisbane & Melbourne will join Sydey to host their own Gangsters Ball.
|

The promoters are extremely excited to announce
the following stellar line-up for 2009:
Special Guest MC/Performer:
Meow Meow!
(New York’s world renowned Cabaret Starlet)
Live Band:
The Velvet Set 10-piece Swing Band
(Australia’s most dynamic swing band)
Burlesque & Cabaret:
(with city of performance)
Bree Robertson (Contortionist) - Syd
Imogen Kelly (burlesque/aerials) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Lola the Vamp (burlesque) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Tasia (burlesque) - Syd & Melb
Mark Winmill (cabaret/hula hoops/aerials) - Syd & Bris
Sarina Del Fuego (burlesque) - Syd & Bris
The Birdmann (vaudeville cabaret) - Melb
Kitty Van Horne (singing burlesque) - Syd
Rosy Rabbit (burlesque) - Syd & Bris
Frankie Valentine (burlesque) - Syd, Melb & Bris
Hi Ball Burlesque (burlesque troupe) - Melb
Laura la Reyna (cabaret/hula hoops/aerials) - Melb
B.B. le Buff (burlesque) - Bris
La Viola Vixen (burlesque) - Bris
Swing Dancing Performances:
(with city of performance)
Swing Patrol Performance Troupe - Syd & Melb
Swingtime Performance Troupe - Syd
Swing Dance Brisbane - Bris
Every show also features:
DJ’s: The country’s best Swing, Rockabilly and 50’s Rock & Roll DJ’s
Including Limpin’ Jimmy & the Swingin’ Kitten & Jack Shit
The Gambling Den:
FREE Poker, Roulette and Black Jack tables
Dance Competitions:
Swing and 50’s Rock & Roll dancing contests with great prizes
Plus:
Cigarette girls & pin-up models, merchandise stalls, cocktail bar,
themed photo booth and fantastic prizes for the best dressed,
best dancers and lucky door
Dress Code:
Strictly Gangster, Moll, Flapper, Burlesque & Vintage
Prizes Galore:
Best Swing Dancers
Best Rock 'n' Roll Dancers
Best Dressed Guys
Best Dressed Gals
Best Dressed Couples
Lucky Door Prizes
Gorgeous Gear Gift Vouchers
More Prizes to be announced
|
|
Special Guest MC/Performer: Meow Meow
From the psychotic to cool to kitsch cabaret, multimedia performance art and virtuosic contemporary opera, New York’s world renowned Cabaret Starlet Meow-Meow performs solo & with companies including Opera Factory (London), Elision Ensemble (Australia), Robyn Orlin (South Africa/Berlin), John Jesurun & Mikel Rouse (NYC), in venues as diverse as NY’s Lincoln Center Berlin’s Philharmonic, the Hebbel Theater, B-Dungeon, Sydney’s Opera House, Theater Spektakel Zürich, Joe’s Pub NY, Tokyo’s Saitama Theatre, The Glamour Room Shanghai, the Dublin Spiegeltent & numerous international arts festivals.
Meow-Meow…‘lets loose AN EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE ENERGY…[her] physical and vocal performance is acrobatic and virtuosic’ Tages-Anzeiger (Zürich).
|
|
Live Band: The Velvet Set 10 piece Swing Band
The Velvet Set feature some of Sydney’s most talented jazz musicians, uniquely combining male & female vocals to faithfully recreate the classic tunes of the 1930’s, 40’s & 50's.
The Velvet Set performs all the swing & jazz classics by: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Glenn Miller & Cole Porter to name but a few. They also play the best neo-swing such as Royal Crown Review, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy & the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Regarded by many as Australia’s most dynamic swing band, the Velvet Set will light up the stage with 3 sets of the best classic & neo-swing to keep the dance floor jumping & jiving all night long!
|
|
Renowned contortionist & entertainer: Bree Robertson
Bree performs a unique style of contortion, combining her flexibility, strength & control with elegance, grace & a hint of burlesque & cabaret, an unique combination of skills as an actress, contorionist, model & dancer which will entice and amaze any audience.
Bree has performed at Louis Vuitton Event, Audamars Piguet Launch in Hong Kong, America's Next Top Model TV show, Parliament House, World Transplant Games Opening Ceremony, World Congress, ARIA Awards, Australian Quality Awards, Blackberry Launch, Just Jeans Show for L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, New Years Eve Show in India, Cleo Magazine Swimsuit Issue Launch, Sydney Opera House, David Jones Event, Commonwealth Bank Event, Telstra Event, Royal Easter Show & the Ponsonby Fringe Festival in New Zealand.
|
|
Australia’s first lady of strip tease: Imogen Kelly
After completing a BFA in performance , Imogen started touring at age nineteen & has since hoochy cooched in Japan, China, Mongolia, Nepal, India, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico & the good old USA. She trained in a circus in the UK in 1997 with Romainian Gypsies to whom she owes her aerial prowess.
She has performed at The Opera House, La Clique, The Assembly Rooms Edinburgh, New York Burlesque Festival & Tease-o-rama, now touring Australia with her hit show Tarnished.
Her new show The Undressing Room received sold out houses & rave reviews in Sydney & Adelaide. Imogen was a regular guest on ABC TV’s ‘Sideshow where she became known for her satirical characters & comedic grind.
|
|
Burlesque Celebrity & Tease-o-Rama Headliner: Lola the Vamp
Penthouse Pet, Tabloid TV star! Lola The Vamp is amongst the most luminous of burlesque performers today. She has performed with Nick Cave, Dita Von Teese & Cirque Du Soleil, Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Canberra Fringe.
Lola has posed for the Archibald Prize & appeared in articles in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Times, & The Age M magazine cover. The Age described her as, "A highly developed aesthetic, a sly wit, super sexy without ever being tawdry, Lola is in a league of her own".
Her short film, The Poor Slob & The Good Fairy, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 & her Australian solo tours attract sold-out audiences. Lola's shows are a fantasy of Belle Epoque Paris with spectacular of props, costumes, choreography & cabaret.
|
|
Male Burlesque & Gender Bender Performer: Mark Winmill
Mark is renowned as "The Boylesque Boywonder".
Riding the crest of this male phenomena, he fuses Circus, Dance, Burlesque & gender bending theatrics, Aerial Acrobatics, Comic Hula Hoop, giving the strongman a new bent edge with a twisted comical nature resulting in sell-outs wherever & whenever he performs.
Mark is a true showman, with his pin up good looks & unique style he has made his mark both in Australia & globally.
He has performed extensively, including The Sydney Opera House, Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival & the Sydney Festival. Most recently was a guest Aerialist in " La Clique " in London’s West End.
|
|
Burlesque & Striptease Performer: Tasia
Dancing before she could walk, fascinated by the innocence of technicolour musicals, charmed by the innuendo of exotic 1930's Japanese cigarette girls, enchanted by the glamour of Hollywood Screen Sirens, Tasia was always destined to be in the spotlight.
Whether it's traditional Burlesque Shimmy, character based striptease, tongue in cheek parody of modern day rock anthems, Tasia's unique performance style brings something different to every occasion, with the perfect blend of sex appeal payfulness & tease.
Tasia captivates from the moment she takes the stageHer charisma, exotic beauty & masterful choreography create a scintillating combination of sass, humour, old world glamour & embellish a modern Burlesque artist.
|
|
Circus & Dance Performer: Sarina Del Fuego
The world of performance, circus, dance & art was always Sarina del Fuego's destiny & she was brought up with an intense love of all genres of music, a great love of art deco, art nouveau, pre-raphaelite & surrealism.
It wasn't long before Sarina combined her studies of art history & the role of women along with her collection of all things vintage & antique with her passion for dance & theatre.
Inspired by the wonderful world of classical dance, 1920's Europe, through to the cheekiness of the 1950's & 1960's & continuing on throughout the ages to combine an exciting modern edge or a contemporary feel within many of her shows. Sarina is also experienced in photography shoots, life modeling for art classes & many other creative projects.
|
|
Vaudville & Escapology Performer: The Birdmann
A man with an ill-fitting suit, styling hair & fastidious humour, touring to 15 Countries.
The Birdmann accidently debuted on a tour of Universal Studios at age 5 & has gone on to wow audiences in The Tiny Top, The Spiegel Tent, the international Burlesque scene, the Melbourne Comedy Festival & the Edinburgh Fringe. The Vanguard of Vaudeville delivers unusual facts & unique acts, combining object manipulation with escapology.
The Birdmann will come direct from the New York club scene with an innovative mix of the vintage and the contemporary.
“There’s a sense that the Birdmann creates in isolation, channeling the vaudeville of old to create a genre that is all his own” thegroggysqirrel.com.
|
|
Hula Hoops & Adagio Performer: Laura la Reyna
Laura is a captivating performer, particularly renowned for her skillful command of the aerial ring & tissue, creating a style that is a rendezvous of pop culture, burlesque with a dash of fantasy thrown in for good measure - & lets not forget the secret ingredient... love.
Laura has honed her circus skills at Vulcana Women’s Circus (Brisbane), training with a range of national & international artists and performing in the circus arts for the last six years.
Her stage presence & grace have drawn on a number of other disciplines including ballet, capoeira & Suzuki Method performance training. Laura has delighted audiences at events including Adelaide Fringe Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Red Door Burlesque, Melbourne Fringe Festival & various corporate & community events across Australia.
|
|
Cabaret & Burlesque Performer: Kitty Van Horne
Born out of a NIDA Cabaret course, Kitty has been showcasing her burlesque inspired performances in Sydney since 2006. Her voice is equal parts velvet, honey & catnip.
Fascinated by vintage styling & performance, she channels the allure & seduction of performers from traditional bump-n-grind balloon-pop, to embodying a ‘perfect’ 1950’s housewife with a dark side, to crooning a tune into her be-jewelled vintage microphone.
With her va-va-voom attitude oozing from every pore, prowling around & purring sweet nothings, Kitty is mesmerising.
In fact, you can’t take your eyes off her every shake & shimmy. She will delight you with her sumptuous curves, tantalising moves & delicious vocals!
|
|
Burlesque & Dancing Performer: Rosy Rabbit
Rosy Rabbit with her partner in crime Miss L'amour, are elegant, scintillating & playful, leaving audience in raptures!
Burlesque embraces femininity & celebrates the beauty & grace of being a woman in an art form that is as timeless as it is ever-changing, & Rosy's burlesque is not only about tease & titillation, there's the sensual art of seduction that any woman can both identify with & admire.
Drawing inspiration from American burlesque, Hollywood Glamour & Parisian romance Rosy Rabbit's innovative routines & dazzling costumes will capture hearts the world over.
Rosy has danced at The Big Day Out, Sweet Jelly Roll, Red Door Burlesque, The Ruby Review, Crystal Burlesque, High Noon Ball & featured in several film clips & short films.
|
|
Burlesque Performer: Frankie Valentine
An extremely sexy force to be reckoned with, Frankie has a new, fresh take on the ancient art form of the tease, incorporating a dazzling mixture of modern & classic, contemporary & vintage, in her music as well as her costumes.
Frankie makes all her costumes herself, as well as making custom made corsetry for others.
Since starting with the House Of Burlesque Frankie has performed both with the troupe & solo at Melbourne Fringe Festival, House of Burlesque New Years Eve Extravaganza, 2007 & 2008, a residency at Kinky, Black Cherry in Sydney, Red Door Burlesque & Meow.
Frankie was featured in Melbourne Rock City's videos, Crystal Burlesque, Blonde On the Rocks, the Brothers Grim & Jack Nasty Face & many other events & functions.
|
|
Burlesque Troup Performers: Hi Ball Burlesque
Take two parts glamour, combine with one part vintage styling, add a dash of saucy humour & you've got Hi Ball Burlesque
Hi Ball Burlesque is dedicated to reviving the golden era of burlesque, with authentic vintage costumes, props & music. As the name suggests, Hi Ball Burlesque is steeped in 1950's cocktail culture - from their pin-up style costumes right down to their stage names: Brandy Alexander, Rusty Nail, Dolores Daiquiri & Muffy Manhattan.
With classic bump & grind tunes, big band & raunchy R&B, a Hi Ball Burlesque show is an experience to remember. Clad in fishnets & feathers, the girls take audiences back to a time when burlesque was risque' yet elegant, & striptease was much more about the tease.
|
|
Burlesque & Cheesecake Performer: Miss B.B le Buff
This cheesecake sweetie is a rising starlet, & is shimmying her way to notoriety!
Known for her sinfully sweet burlesque & circus acts, she was destined to be in the spotlight from an early age, as her passion for dance, vaudeville, technicolour movies; traveling circus’ & sideshow carnivals is immediately apparent in all that she does.
Miss B.B le Buff never strays far from her beloved hula hoops, ostrich feather fans, aerial silk, stock whip & an awesome array of costumes.
BB can also be found performing with the luscious ladies of the Rock’n’Roll Revue, teaching her own brand of burlesque & hula hoop classes, & additionally, hosting her very own variety show “CABBARET".
|
|
Burlesque & Theatre Performer: La Viola Vixen
Viola is known as the “Buxom Burlesque Bombshell”, & is a dream of golden age burlesque, with immense creativity.
Viola commands attention – her captivating acts matched only by her unabashed beauty.
With an impressive string of performances, Viola is at the Forefront of Australia’s burlesque comeback. An impeccable sense of theatricality sees her mix elements of old school Burly-Q with her theatre & circus background. Her bump ‘n’ grind will blow your mind, her shimmies have been called ‘dangerous’ & her arabesque is a sight to behold!
Viola draws her inspiration from the hootchie kootchie girls of American Burly Q through to beautiful Parisian cabaret & there is no theme she dares not tackle!!
|

Where are the Gangsters Balls going to be held ???
SYDNEY
The Metro Theatre
Saturday 5th September
BRISBANE
The Tivoli Theatre
Saturday 17th October
MELBOURNE
The Forum Theatre
Saturday 7th November
So what do you wear ???
Here's a few ideas to get ya "creative juices" flowing
You can also check out the pikkies shown below,
to see what people wore at last year's ball
So here's a few pikkies from last year to
"give you the flavour" of these fabulous balls
There's shots of performers - but most are
shots of the people in attendance - & you
can easily see how much fun they had
So check out the following Gangsters Ball
websites for more info & tickets
The Gangsters Balls are Extravaganza's - fully themed nights
of non-stop entertainment featuring the biggest names
in Australian & International Burlesque & Cabaret
There's absolutely nothing else in the Australian Swing,
Rockabilly & Rock 'n' Roll calendar like the annual
Gangsters Balls - they're the standout events
This year the Gangsters Balls will be even bigger, bolder
& better than ever, so make sure you don't miss them
gorgeous contact details
p o box 69, craigieburn, vic, 3064, australia.
Australian Info:
tel: 03 9305 6509
fax: 03 9305 7737
mob: 0414 811 525 (Ray)
mob: 0414 811 081 (Mary)
|
International Info:
tel: +61 3 9305 6509
fax: +61 3 9305 7737
cell: +61 414 811 525 (Ray)
cell: +61 414 811 081 (Mary)
|
If you live in Melbourne, Australia - or you're here for a visit, then
you're most welcome to make a time to call in to personally
check out our gorgeous range of shoes, clothes, etc
at our home-based showroom in Craigieburn…
We also display our range at rock `n' roll & swing dances, classes
& festivals in Melbourne, Victoria & occasionally Interstate…
You'll be most impressed with both the quality & range of items
that you certainly “won't find in your local shopping mall”…
Not to mention our friendly & personal, efficient Aussie service…
|
We've been experiencing quite a few email
problems lately - both sending & receiving...
If you send us an email to our usual address at:
& you don't receive a timely answer,
then please try our alternative email at:
|
FREE INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS
You can talk to us at gorgeous from your computer absolutely FREE
It's just like talking over the telephone - but you don't have to pay
those horrendously expensive international phone call rates
You'll need to install a clever little freeware program called "Skype"
Once you've installed "Skype", search for us under "gorgeous-gear"
in Australia - & you can then speak to us completely FREE
You can even call people who don't have "Skype", or have a computer
Yes, it does cost you a little, but we really do mean "a little" - & it's
also considerably less than those International Phone Cards
eg: Check out the costs of a 30 minute call between Australia & the
following Countries - & the costs are the same in either direction:
USA:
|
US 62 cents
|
 |
New Zealand:
|
NZ 98 cents
|
Canada:
|
CA 72 cents
|
 |
South Africa:
|
Rand 3.8
|
United Kingdom:
|
UK 35 pence
|
 |
Japan:
|
Yen 73
|
Europe:
|
Euro 51 cents
|
 |
Singapore:
|
SG 98 cents
|
Switzerland:
|
Franc 0.80
|
 |
China:
|
Yuan 5
|
Details are on the "Skype" site - under "SkypeOut"
If you have a webcam, we can even "eyeball" while we're talking
with "Skype" video calling - & this is also completely FREE
"Skype's" PRIVATE chat function includes a conference call facility
In the course of our gorgeous business, we make many calls to our
customers right across the world - & as you can probably tell
from all this, we're absolutley rapt with "Skype"
"Skype" is a fabulous utility & so easy to use - it's saving us a "bundle"
“I knew it was over when I downloaded Skype,” Michael Powell, chairman, Federal Communications Commission, explained. “When the inventors of KaZaA are distributing for free a little program that you can use to talk to anybody else, and the quality is fantastic, and it’s free – it’s over. The world will change now inevitably.”
Fortune Magazine, February 16, 2004
|
|
gorgeous are located "down under"
in Melbourne, Australia
The current time here is:
Please note time differences between
where "we are" - & where "you are"
if you intend to skype or phone us
If you "click on the clock", it will go to the
"World Time Server" website - showing
you the Day & Date here in Australia, & you
can even see our local Weather forecast
|
If you live in - or you're visiting Melbourne, & you're
lookin' for somewhere to "dance ya sox off"...
then check out Mel's fabulous gig-guide & site at:
|
|