February 9th, 2012 
Mena Domina shimmies and shakes. Photo credit: Brian Nichols
Now in its fourth year, the Dallas Burlesque Festival, sponsored by Secrets in Lace, has grown to a four-day racy affair attracting hundreds. The kick-off night on Thursday, February 2nd featured a tantalizing Pin Up Pageant hosted by Houston model and writer Miss V Haven, performances by Mena Domina, The Diamond Bettys and Dem Damn Dames, and a corsetry fashion show. In burlesque style, the opening night was a playful tease to upcoming events and shows for the remainder of the festival.
Beauties flaunting lingerie and lace, seamed fishnet thigh highs, and cinched and laced corsets revealing best and biggest assets, pranced the stage in hopes to be crowned “Miss Dallas Burlesque Festival Pinup 2012” and receive a feature in Pin Up America Magazine and lots of great prizes. Many of the ladies donned the Bettie Paige do, rolled hair, or feathers, and I’m pretty sure I also spotted Marilyn Monroe. Contestants were required to respond to a series of complicated questions such as “Who do you prefer, James Dean or Elvis Presley?” before being narrowed down to four finalists by three prestigious judges – Lynn of Vintage Flair, Sara of Dynamite Dames, and international pinup and fetish cover model Angela Ryan. The audience chose the winner, a blond bombshell named Mary Lynn Mayhem.
The night also included a fun, fresh and “untailored” fashion show highlighting Jupiter Moon 3 designer corsets. Burlesque models shimmied across the stage in taffeta or ruffled panties, laced-up in spectacular corsets of every color, fabric and print. Designer/Seamstress Jennifer Gonzalez (aka Jupiter Moon 3) has an eye for sensual fashion having constructed close to 1,000 custom-made designer corsets in most of the 50 states and around the world. Based in San Antonio, Jennifer made an appearance and showcased numerous corsets and burlesque accessories from pasties and panties to calendars and her new coffee table book, Phantasamagoria, a compendium of her corsetry and latex designs.
Of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without a few performances. One of the highlights included a memorably flirtatious number by the talented Mena Domina of Santa Fe’s Zircus Erotique Burlesque Company. She started with a slow tease of graceful movements and poses, gently untying, unsnapping and removing layers of garments until the music switched, fringe flashed, shoulders shimmied and hips shook 180 bpm.
Based on opening night, the Dallas Burlesque Festival 2012 will be grand. Professionally produced by Missy Lisa, Ginger Valentine, and Black Mariah, all well-established, notable burlesque dancers, the festival captures the burlesque movement, showcasing the best in theater, dance, costumes and entertainment.
