DEMONS on the DANCE FLOOR
With fringe and sass, the “Devil-Ettes” preserve a lost art with their spunky, fun go-go dancing performances
They call themselves the Rock ‘n’ Roll version of the Rockettes — a group of sassy women who love to “shake their fringe.”
For nearly twenty years, the “DevilEttes” dance troupe has kept go-go dancing center stage, with PG-rated, bubbly and quirky performances that pay homage to 1960’s-era rock. With white go-go boots, bright lipstick, tiny, glittery devil horns and stage names like “The Teacher’s Pet” and “The Assassin,” the group brings to life a genre of dance they say is a lost art.
“Over time we have really become about preserving this historical set of dances,” said the Devil-Ettes’ 45-year-old founder, who goes by Baby Doe Von Stroheim. “It’s about that energy and that exuberance and happiness. Go-go dancing is really about having a good time. You can’t not smile when you’re go-go dancing.”
The 14-member, San Francisco-based troupe, which will mark its 20th anniversary next year, will perform at the Ritz in San Jose on Thursday with singer-songwriter El Vez, “the Mexican Elvis,” for a holiday show.
Inspired by the twist, go-go dancing originated in the late 1950s, becoming one of the first genres that didn’t require a partner. Though go-go dancers are often known for their sexy, sultry performances at nightclubs or bars, the DevilEttes pride themselves on being a clean family act that focuses on the art of gogo dancing itself.
The group started in December 1998 as a fluke — several of the women were working at bars and restaurants in the Mission District when they performed a group dance for a holiday talent show hosted by a local bar. Soon after their act, one of the other talent show participants asked them to perform at a gig the following month. Then came another request.
“Our first two Devil-Ette gigs were for sold out crowds in San Francisco and people had no idea what they were seeing,” said Von Stroheim, a freelance designer who lives in San Francisco. “No one at the time was doing dance at rock ‘n’ roll clubs.”
“What ended up happening was that a community was formed with our ladies,”
she added. “We formed friendships and sisterhoods and we just really love exploring this genre that was a little lost and forgotten.”
The group has attracted women from all walks of life and from across the Bay Area throughout the years. Among the current members are an emergency room doctor, a teacher, designers and tech employees, who've all formed a tight bond commemorating this special genre.
Together they've performed all over the U.S., from bars and clubs to street corners and flash mobs at Las Vegas hotels. The troupe's members were required to audition in order to join, and the group has had about 40 total members throughout its 20-year existence.
The group draws inspiration from old beach party movies and past gogo performers, Von Stroheim said.
The women wore white ankle boots, high-waisted shorts, mini skirts and their signature glittery devil horns during a recent rehearsal at a dance
studio in San Francisco. With dramatic hand gestures, silly, innocent facial expressions and plenty of quick, calculated footwork, the ladies rehearsed every detail of an upcoming performance until they were in perfect coordination.
“Remember the story you're telling as you're going,” Von Stroheim reminded them.
Alix Tyler, better known as, “The Starlet,” remembers the moment she first saw the Devil-Ettes perform in a prom-themed show back when the group had just started.
“I had never been to a show like this,” Tyler said. “All the girls were dressed in amazing prom dresses, they had their sparkly horns. The whole place was decorated and I was like, ‘what is this magical world?'”
“I was so dazzled by it,” she added.
Tyler, of Oakland, who works in the tech industry, auditioned shortly after, and joined the Devil-Ettes in 2000. The group has significantly broadened its audience throughout the years, she said.
“In those early days, there was a little bit of mystery about us. People didn't really know what to
expect,” Tyler said.
At 32, Allison Jones, or “Wild One,” is the youngest Devil-Ette. Jones, of San Francisco, who joined in 2015, said the group is
more like a sisterhood.
“We are not best friends, we're sisters,” she said, echoing words from founder Baby Doe when she was initiated into the
group. “We don't always like each other or get along but we're always pretty good at working together.”
“For me it's really awesome to be around so many
smart and fun, talented women that are also totally different,” Jones added.