The Burlypicks, an international competition that pits burlesque performers against each other in a bid to entertain, kicks off today at The Venue.
“Cutthroat” probably isn’t the first description people think of when it comes to burlesque, but the stage can be a competitive world.
The Burlypicks is an international competition that pits burlesque performers against each other in a bid to entertain. Today, Florida’s statewide event will be held at The Venue, 511 Virginia Ave., Orlando. (Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $25 VIP. Ages 21 and older. Details at brownpapertickets.com.)
Three years ago, Jenna Beth started Florida’s regional competition. The past two years it has been held in West Palm Beach. “I thought having it in Orlando would make it more central for performers,” says the Fort Lauderdale resident, explaining the change in venue.
Performances fall into four categories: lip-syncing, comedy, singing and amazement, which can include anything from contortion to fire eating. Applicants can nominate themselves for as many categories as they think are appropriate for their act. This includes a video of a performance, which is reviewed by Beth and national director Crystal Swarovski.
“I’m looking for their skill level … how entertaining they are,” says Beth.
The contest has three judges pulled from the world of burlesque. Winners, named masters, will be crowned in each category and a first, second and third place will be selected for overall. Winners will advance to August’s national competition in Denver.
Last year’s Florida winner, Franki Markstone, is a judge this time around.
“I’m looking for polished acts,” says the Lakeland resident. “Sometimes you can see in someone’s face when they’re counting out choreography in their head. I’m looking for confidence in themselves.”
Markstone, 35, admits that such confidence is not always easy to come by. “It’s very difficult to get up in front of people and do anything, and it’s 10 times worse when you’re doing it in the buff,” she says.
A 14-year veteran of the stage who now performs full-time, Markstone reminds viewers that burlesque is “a very expensive business to be in. Burlesque is fun and it’s liberating and all of those wonderful descriptors, but it’s still a business . ... You have to put a lot in before you get any of those returns.”
To that end, Beth asks audience members to come prepared to tip. “Bring your ones,” she says.
Mekaella Demure from Ocala will compete this year with what she calls her “Mad King George” act. The 27-year-old lost last year, but she still finds value in the experience.
“When you try for titles, there’s a sense of prestige,” she says. “It’s always nice to have accolades added onto your resume and your website. But I walked away with advice from judges that was career changing in itself. So it’s still educational even if I don’t win.”
Beth notes new audiences are often surprised at the diversity on the stage.
“It’s men, it’s women, we have absolutely all shapes and sizes. It’s all different colors, all different whatever,” she says. “It’s more allencompassing than people think.”