Jezebel Sinfell (aka Liz Stolz) loves to perform as well as a gained appreciation for the art of vaudeville and burlesque. It’s why she helped form Creme de les Femmes, an Indianapolis-based burlesque troupe. Beyond the art of burlesque, she loves to bring in performance art into the performance.

Often times campy (in the most flattering of compliments), edgy and always entertaining, Creme de les Femmes will be returning to Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn, performing this Saturday (July 2) with Harley Poe and Farler’s Fury.

Links:

facebook.com/jezebelsinfell
facebook.com/cremedelesfemmes
www.jezebelsinfell.com

What is it about the burlesque art form that you found appealing and what was it that made you want to become a burlesque dancer?

Dressing up is what really appealed to me, I love the glitter and the sparkle. As someone who can’t sing or play an instrument, but has always been involved in the local music scene, I wanted to find a way to perform too. Burlesque was/is the perfect fit for me. I love dressing up and getting into character and the empowerment I feel on stage. Taking my clothes off is just a small part of it.

What attracted you to want to join with Creme de les Femmes? What is it about the group that find so interesting and that differentiates itself from other troupes?

I had been in another burlesque troupe for a couple years and myself and some other girls broke off to start Crème de les Femmes, mainly because we wanted to perform more than a few times a year. We also wanted to perform in a wider variety of venues.

Crème de les Femmes’ current focus is performing more, collaborating with other artists, bringing Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School back. (Dr. Sketchy is a drink and draw event with a live figure model)

Our acts tend to be a bit campier, we tend to have more humor. We like to say that our acts are geared towards women. We are more traditional vaudeville. We also donate a portion of our proceeds to charity.

How much of the group looks at traditional elements of the style versus modern elements?

It’s a pretty even mix. We have the vaudeville, comedy aspect that is very traditional, but we tend to do more involved acts that are more than just prancing and peeling. Our music selections vary between traditional and modern. Every act tends to have a classic element, but is also updated, even the acts that are paying omege to specific burlesque traditions.

What you do is not just jumping on stage and dancing, there is much more. You have various plot set ups, there is a degree of acting much like the early silent film era, and then the build up to a climactic conclusion. How important do you find that to enhance your skill as a dancer and performer?

I am definitely a performer first, dance is secondary. I don’t have dance background, so I don’t approach burlesque from a dance point of view. Silent film is great comparison to what I do. My strongest acts are conceptual; they tell a story that just happens to involve taking my clothes off. I do some sideshow-esque acts, but I try to tell a story with those as opposed to just going for shock value.

How do you feel that something like Punk Rock Night is a good setup for the group’s performance? Peforming at the Melody before, what do you have in store this time around?

Punk Rock Night was my very first performance, with Harley Poe in fact, so this show is extra-special to me. I feel that Punk Rock Night will be a great opportunity to connect with our original fan base and make new ones that haven’t made it out to our previous shows. The neo-burlesque movement in Indianapolis began at Punk Rock Night so it’s really great to be going back to where it began.

This show is going to have new acts and some fan favorites. I’m performing a new piece to Elvis Presley’s “Devil in Disguise” and my current favorite “Drinking Problem”. It should be a really fun, engaging show for the audience. There’s going to be signature Creme de les Femmes shots that you can win!

What do you have in store for the rest of the year?

Up next is Comix Rock at Local’s Only on July 9th. That will be a Dr. Sketchy. We have gig for Gen Con in August. I’ve got a couple of new venues, partnerships and acts on the horizon. We have a lot in store, but I don’t want to give away too many secrets just yet. You’ll just have to stay tuned!

You can keep up to date with me and Creme de les Femmes through Facebook or my website.