Steampunk The Thames Shines The Light On Local Talent     

 

The Steampunk The Thames festival is known for serving up a showcase of local art and creativity and inspiring local talent to extend themselves to the edge of their comfort zones.  With events both new and established, this year’s festival offered a spectrum of creative opportunities for local performance artists.      

 

One such event was ‘Steamy Hot Night’ – Steampunk The Thames’ first ever drag show.  The show was one of several new events for the festival that gets bigger, bolder and brighter every year.  Audiences flocked to experience ‘naughty nightlife’ the likes of which had never been seen before in Thames. Limelight Cabaret headlined Steamy Hot Night, supported by the Brazilian Divas from Dancing With The Stars. Thames’ very own Tristan Fisher debuted as feature guest artist ‘Miss Pitch’, alongside Limelight Cabaret performers; Svetlana Squashed Bnana, Vanessa Bayonet LaRoux, Medulla Oblongata and Macau Johnson-Hadley. 

 

The Drag Queens from Limelight Cabaret performed a collaboration of dance, comedy, outrageous costumes and amazing drag performances. Alongside entertainers the Brazilian Diva’s, Thames was treated to carnival-like flair, colour and comedy, bringing the razzle, dazzle and sizzle to Steampunk.    

 

The Steampunk Ball is one of the cornerstone events of the festival, and it continues to wow and delight attendees as an all-out event spectacular.  For Rachel McDowell from Tairua, the ‘Around The World Ball’ was her first introduction to Steampunk The Thames – as an on-stage dance performer.     

 

“It was an awesome experience performing in the Steampunk Ball,” said Rachel.  “I loved the effort that goes into Steampunk – Thames do it so well.”   

 

Rachel was part of the ‘Organised Chaos Engine’ – a Thames-based dance troupe who were part of the evening’s entertainment.  The choreography was developed by the dancers and the performance was themed as an Indiana Jones-style adventure.    

 

Rehearsals for the performance began back in April, with the six dancers practising 3-4 times per week during the month leading up to the Ball.  The troupe performed their dance over two nights.     

 

“I love to dance, and have done several different types of dance over the years, but this was my first on-stage performance as an adult,” said Rachel, who also took part in the Steampunk Parade.  

 

She recommends the experience to anyone passionate about performing, adding that getting to know the other people involved was a real highlight.  “I’d definitely do it again,” she said.   

 

Article published 30 November 2018

 

*  ‘Steamy Hot Night’ Photo credit: The League Of The Splendidly Attired 

  • * ‘Organised Chaos Engine’ dancers pictured: Rachel McDowell and Lola Chick
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