20 Questions with ABADDON

D E S T R O Y  T H E  J O I N T  B U R L E S Q U E !

Next in the 20 Questions: The Star Destroyer Series, is  ABADDON.

A STAR DESTROYER in every sense of the word..."Stage strongman. Self-destructive idiot. Man-child. God-like destroyer."

He hasn't met a phonebook nor a stereotype he can't rip apart.  Meagan Patroni and I were on the same page when we thought this man is the perfect man to be on a DESTROYER stage and make a statement.... because strong men DO NOT tolerate sexism.



Strong men may tolerate nails in their noses but they DO NOT tolerate sexism.

There's not much more I can say about Abaddon other than men want to be like him and women, well women... like him J.  Particularly because this is how he rolls;

"It never occurred to me that there was a gender war until I realised later in life that there were in fact many people who thought that women weren't people. They make me profoundly uncomfortable...  The idea that women are 'born into' a certain role due to some kind of wrinkle of physiology or hormones or circumstances is profoundly stupid."

A B A D D O N

1. what’s your breakfast of champions?

Fruit, yoghurt, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, coffee, coffee again, protein. I need feeding.

 2. do you have a pre performance ritual?

I listen to the Goatwhore song "when steel and bone meet". Sums things up well.



3. what inspires you?

People who could sack up when they didn't have to. Lincoln, William Lloyd Garrison, Laplace, Paul Wellstone. Men of principle.

4. what’s your last passport stamp?

NZ about a month ago. Work. True story.

5. Time travel; where, when and why?

Either back to first amino acids into cells or 120 years forward to see if we're still here.

6. the book that shook you up was...?

Catch-22 or Marabou Stork Nightmares. 

7. what’s your biggest indulgence?

Really, REALLY expensive beer. 

8. What do you want to be remembered for

Changing something very specific and important.

9. Any fictional character most like you?

I have honestly no idea. Knowing this seems ludicrously self indulgent.

10. Who would play you in a movie of your life?

An unknown male lead in a minor tele-movie. Where everyone died or got confused.



A strong man of principle.



11. We all know you’re mega talented but what’s your HIDDEN talent?

Eerie ability to remember whole texts, show scripts or similar. Still can't do jokes though.

12. A dinner party of 8; you and

Seven other strongmen. I eat at dinner. Jesus or Thomas Paine or Gandhi would NOT be down with the table manners. 

13. What’s your power colour?

????

14. Swings or slides?

I am a grown man. Seriously? (swings)

15. the creative masterpiece (book/film/song/painting/photograph/etc) you wish you had created?

The Pantera album 'Vulgar Display of Power'. It's like a nailbomb but in a good way.

16. if you led the country you would...?

Punch Christopher Pyne. I'd have policies too but you gotta have priorities.

17. Sex is…

Hugely important and equally hugely misunderstood. 

18. Equality means…

What it says. Doesn't require a speech, requires action.

19. Women and Men are....

Similar yet different, fighting the same and different battles, Troilus and Cressida. Stuck in the same battle for a better planet. 

20. How do you DESTROY THE JOINT?

Oh you'll see...

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ABADDON'S FACEBOOK PAGE LINK.

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20 Questions with MEAGAN PATRONI

D E S T R O Y  T H E  J O I N T  B U R L E S Q U E !

Starting off  20 Questions: The Star Destroyer Series, is... MEGA STAR DESTROYER, this (above) event's Producer MEAGAN PATRONI!

Meagan is the Owner/Director of Aloha Creative.  She is a journalist, social media manager, event, radio & audio producer, social worker and performer.
Known for her journalistic integrity, her compassion, her stance on equality, business efficiency, performance creativity, brilliance and beauty, Meagan is a multi-talented, multi-tasking powerhouse. 
Southern US Americans call their strong, beautiful women Steel Magnolias... Meagan Patroni is definitely a luscious, brilliant Steel Bloom.  

M E A G A N  P A T R O N I

1. what’s your breakfast of champions?
Mmm poached eggs on toast with spinach and tomato.

2. do you have a pre performance ritual?
My performances are usually inspired by a life experience - the memory of which is invoked by music - so I dance out my story -pleasure or pain.
Therefore, if I had any sort of ritual it would just be visualizing my inspiration - particularly if its a sexy act inspired by a sexy someone!


3. what inspires you?
Life - the briefness of life. I'm pushed to see, do, experience all! This world is amazing - we are all so fragile and beautiful in our own right.

4. what’s your last passport stamp?
South Africa! I'm excited to be collecting a lot more stamps in my passport from now and throughout 2013.

5. Time travel; where, when and why?

This is very thought provoking! Hmmmm....

6.the book that shook you up was...?
'A Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood (as a teen).
'Henry and June' by Anais Nin (as a woman)! Wow! 

7.what’s your biggest indulgence?
Sleep!

8.What do you want to be remembered for?

Giving of my gifts! I'd like for people to think of me as hard working, driven and dedicated to sharing some of the beauty of this world - in my own unique ways! 

9. Any fictional character most like you?
Aphrodite - though I say she was (and still is) a real Goddess...some may argue fictional!

10.Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Monica Bellucci - she can do anything - including me! Innuendo intended! As research she would have to have sex with me! 

11.We all know you’re mega talented but what’s your HIDDEN talent?

This is a hard question because I think I share my talents - not for recognition but because I am grateful to have them - and think it's a must to be giving of them - what a waste if we didn't share our talents... so people know of them.

Besides, I don't want to be a noodle and harp on about myself!

12. A dinner party of 8; you and…?
Is this one of those dead or alive celeb dinner parties? If so...

Michael Jackson, Marilyn Manson, Peter Rosethorn, Dita Von Tease, Denzel Washington, Monica Bellucci, Whoopi Goldberg. 

13. What’s your power colour?
Green

14. Swings or slides?
Swings

15.the creative masterpiece you wish you had created?

16. if you led the country you would...?

Add more days in a week! So many people ask for this - time is just a construct! 

17.Sex is…
Awesome! Delicious! Sharing! Pleasure!

18.Equality means…

The right to dream and do uninhibited by gender! It's that simple and benefits all! 

19. Women and Men are...

Powerful - especially together! 

20. How do you DESTROY THE JOINT?

I destroy the joint by doing! Whenever inspiration strikes me - I hit back - make my dreams happen. I don't listen to those that say too hard or ask why bother - and what annoys me most - how do you do it all and fit it all in...I work hard, I sacrifice...achieve! 

THANK YOU STAR DESTROYER!

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Destroy The Joint Burlesque

By now you have all heard of the fall of Alan Jones...because of his abysmal comments regarding the PM* and because he thinks women are "destroying the joint."
Yet now he is crying "victim" because he didn't expect a backlash.

*regardless of your personal politics, a person's sex should never be the reason to doubt their capability. 

Newsflash Alan. Women and MEN do not tolerate sexism.

Unfortunately, sexism exists and it's here, based on fear and we won't get used to it. Ever.
Women don't want to be treated like men, we want to be treated like women with the same social, economic, political and human rights as any other sex that inhabits this universe.

...and some of us feminists like having our physical doors opened for us because as Meagan Patroni says; "it's just ettiquette." ...  as we believe; "I open all my own doors of opportunity."

Vive la difference between the sexes but ditch the inequality. We want sex without the 'ism'!
So we are taking action and invite you to join us and, in doing so, stand up and show that HUMAN BEINGS do not tolerate sexism! 

This event is proudly produced by Aloha Creative Productions (main producer) and Australian Burlesque Calendar and is a fundraiser for ZONTA – an international organisation for the advancement of women in society.

Aloha Creative is a company directed by journalist, (event, radio & audio) producer, social worker and performer Meagan Patroni.
She has been destroying the joint since her birth in 1982 – with her loud mouthed determination and her refusal to just be seen and not heard!  She is seen!  She is not just heard, she is listened to.

Australian Burlesque Calendar (audience of over 100,000) is run by Dusk Devi Gold – photographer, journalist, social media manager, burlesque promoter and Jedi.
She has been destroying the joint since the dawn of her time, laughing at those who say she can't or mustn't simply because she is female.  Dusk can and does because she is Dusk. 

Some of Australia's TOP burlesque performers are stampeding and stomping (elegantly and sensually with lots of attitude) the stage, along with a renowned Strongman (because strong men do not tolerate sexism) and a few surprises.
These performers were chosen not just because they are top performers but because they are Equalists.  They were chosen because of their strong feminist ethos on and off the stage....without sacrificing their womanhood. 

MCs' Kelfi & Fikel...well, they'll have you gasping in shock and with laughter!
JOIN US sisters and brothers, lovers and warriors!  Help us build a better world by helping us DESTROY THE JOINT! 

Click image (below) to take you to the Facebook event page.

Pre purchase your tickets here (Moshtix), some tickets will be available at door but best to get in early.

Roll up! Rock on! The Circus is in town!

The Russian Rock'n'Roll Burlesque Circus... a mouthful but WOW, what a mind full of images that title conveys!

Why Russian?

"When I was growing up the Russians were known for the circus, the Great Moscow Circus and I liked the exotic nature sound of it but really the only thing Russian is the venue, the vodka and one of the performers!"

So says the enigmatic Donna Lorenz, the organiser and mastermind of the event.  Donna is Donnamatrix... the Mistress of Ceremonies and no she is not a dominatrix, she is a "Lady of Many Dimensions" [Donna = Lady | Matrix = Dimensions]. 

Most certainly she is.  Stunning, tall and elegant and calm, the kind of calmness that you know stems from depth and gravitas.


Donnamatrix | Image by John Dunn

How did the idea for this event come about?  What inspired the 2011 show?

"Last year was a bit of a burst of action, a call to friendship arms so to speak... Last year my friend Bree Taylor was diagnosed with cancer and we wanted to help raise funds to support her integrated medicine treatment. She felt that traditional medicine wasn’t for her. And of course medicare doesn’t cover the cost of alternative medicine..."

"I brainstormed with a mutual friend to see what we could do for Bre, how we could help.  In a former life I was an Event Manager and that's what I thought! Let's put on an event!  I had seen the burlesque festival and got inspired plus I knew someone who did burlesque poker nights and he knew people in rockabilly bands and also knew some circus performers!"


Zeil Sprite | Image by John Dunn

Esque: A Review by Veronica Bloom

Accompanying photographer (and Australian Burlesque Calendar creator) Dusk Devi to New Theatre to experience ‘Esque’ - a Sydney Fringe event, I was keen to view a contemporary dance troupe’s take on burlesque and more importantly, eager to spy the audience for their reaction to what was presented.

As a burlesque performer, I often find that folk expect burleque will be something of a Cher/Christina stage show. It (burlesque) is not. Anything Cher-esque would be, in my view, cabaret!

Esque is a fine boutique production - a cast of three beautiful, slender female dancers, two gentleman actors and an MC. What they presented was entertaining and absolutely rewarding...but it was not burlesque.
It was sexy dance wrapped in well written dialogue presented by the two melodramatic male characters - oh, and a somewhat redundant compere that introduced the show with humor - touching on the neo-feminist elements of burlesque.

Dubbed as being from the Moulin Rouge, I expected magic from dancer Shikye Smith. Her high kicks were mastered, her hip movements smooth and sinewy.  She prowled sensually around her prop but needs just a bit more raw (roar?).

Clearly a well trained dancer, Jessie Karam was cute as a kitten and she performed a sensual silhouette shadow act that moved me, but still, I was left craving a touch of nudity.
To me there is nothing more beautiful or more powerful than the fluid lines of a naked body. Instead there were intersects to her shadow act - where knickers cut into skin and broke the line of the silhouette.

It was hard to keep my eyes off Shannon O’Shea who conveyed so much fun and sensuality - all from her eyes. And her movements were mesmerising. 

Daniel Poole played Reginald, a homesick stage hand - desperate to return to England. He was, in a word, fabulous. With brilliant writing, this actor leaped at the opportunity to delicately break the fourth wall and invite the audience into the drama and hilarity of his anecdotes - even having his head caught up his arse. 

David Adlam is one amazing actor. The second stage hand, he used space, voice, body and every bit of his being into playing Francis - a former property financier that secretly wanted to be a dancer. Reginald and Francis were the most wonderful device to entertain the audience whilst the dancers changed costumes - they also prepared the stage. Very clever. 

Beautiful costumes and long legs to wear them - the dancers moved to classic cabaret songs, showcasing their fine feminine forms and charisma with crafty theming - however, what was missing for me was the raw, natural and empowering element of exposure.

[see an album of pre production images here]

It was obvious that the dancers were well trained - the routines they presented were cleverly choreographed - but there was no joyous, invigorating reveal of breasts, no lifting of layers.

This was not a weakness of the show, no. It highlighted to me what a magnificant burlesque community we have here in Sydney; stunning women of all ages and body shapes, raw, powerful and able to perform without holding anything back - nudity is just one aspect of that!

Wrapping up - Esque was a tight production that started and finished on time (how we love that on a school night). The lighting was simple and effective - the New Theatre, a cosy and appropriate space for this event.

I simply ask for an encore - with a little more real roar and exposure!!!

Veronica Bloom,
Mistress of the Decadent Arts