I amvery proud to announce the release of my first book, "The Velvet Hammer Burlesque; Glorifying the American Gal Since 1995". It will be released in January 2008. A big hard cover coffee table book of photography and essays covering a decade of the Velvet Hammer Burlesque at The El Rey Theater. It is being published by Die Gestalten Verlag ( www.die-gestalten.de ).Michelle Carr's fertile imagination has garnered a career in the arts and entertainment industry for over 17 years.
At the very young age of 20, Michelle Carr along with her partner Gary Dent created Jabberjaw, the main location for underground music in Los Angeles between 1989-1997. For many new bands and fans Jabberjaw would become a kind of headquarters for the young open-minded and experimentally inclined. Carr's studied attention to rare "high" kitsch and eccentric style in decor (which would eventually land her on the cover of the L.A. Weekly's Design Issue) provided a cozy home away from home favored by many traveling bands. Jabberjaw was a launching pad for revolutionary underground bands as well as a place already famous acts would play out of appreciation for the venue, such as Nirvana, Beck, Sonic Youth, The Beastie Boys, Weezer and Elliott Smith. Free to invent its own program from scratch, Jabberjaw released two critically acclaimed compilation albums, "Good To The Last Drop" and "Pure Sweet Hell" and joined forces with legendary silk screen rock poster artists Kozik, Coop, Lindsey Kuhn, Pablo and The Pizz, thus contributing to the rebirth of the classic rock poster.
Currently Michelle Carr is compiling an anthology about Jabberjaw, "Los Angeles is Like Nowhere and Everyone is Lost" published by Kill Your Idols featuring stories and essays by Jabberjaw regulars and enthusiasts including Drew Barrymore, Rick Ruben and Iggy Pop.
In 1995 during the height of Jabberjaw’s success, Carr brought her personal obsession for Burlesque culture to life, creating multi-media extravaganza; "The Velvet Hammer Burlesque". This was to be an ambitious feat, not only collaboratng with a stellar team of graphic designers, artists, photographers and costume designers but also producing and directing a cast and crew of thirty talented performers of every stripe. Thus, arguably sparking what is now known as the "Neo-burlesque movement". Carr’s profound loving attention to detail and aesthetics grabbed the attention of savvy promoters across the country. The Velvet Hammer Burlesque enjoyed a regular engagement at the historical El Rey Theater in Los Angeles and naturally went on to perform sold out theaters in San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans and New York City.
Three documentaries were made about the Velvet Hammer Burlesque, "Welcome Sinners“, "The Velvet Hammer Story" and "Striptease", which was produced by the Franco/German cultural television channel Arte. Gaining the attention of an enthusiastic European audience, Carr moved to Berlin in 2005 and currently performs, lectures and teaches workshops on the art of Burlesque in Madrid, Paris, Zurich and Istanbul.
Over the last twelve years The Velvet Hammer Burlesque has attracted guest appearances by entertainer extraordinaire Ann Magnuson, "Will and Grace" producer and comedian Laura Kightlinger, comedian/actress Mary Lynn Rajskob, performance artist Ron Athey and chanteuse Rebecca Del Rio of 'Mulholland Drive' fame.
Slated for release January 2008 by Berlin's Die Gestalten Verlag, is a book of photography covering a glittering decade of the Velvet Hammer Burlesque by Michelle Carr. Die Gestalten Verlag specializes in developing content for aficionados of cutting-edge visual culture worldwide.
Carr's eccentric and provocative theatricality has been high in demand and commissioned for private events by like-minded movers and shakers such as Agent Provocateur's Los Angeles Boutique grand opening as well as the launch of their signature perfume in London, the grand opening party of the Downtown Standard Hotel, Floral designer Eric Butterbaugh's birthday gala and French author Michel Houellebecq’s book reading at the Armand Hammer Museum in Westwood.
If that is not enough, Carr co-created, produced and directed the wildly popular Mexican wrestling and striptease hybrid "Luchavavoom“.
Michelle Carr possesses the uncanny ability to attract and meld together an unlikely ensemble of characters into one audience that ranges from the most cutting edge underground artists like Bruce La Bruce and Joe Coleman to pop culture icons like Peter Falk, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Elton John; even Sarah Ferguson, the Dutchess of York.
Other skills Carr possesses that make her the well rounded worldly lass that she is:
Vintage clothing / textile / accesories expert
Certified Hypnotherapist
Trained Luchadora
Floral designer
All around wisenheimerVelvet Hammer Burlesque part 1
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Velvet Hammer Burlesque part 2
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Velvet Hammer Burlesque part 3
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Velvet Hammer Burlesque part 4
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