Eager to tease: Black Diamond Burlesque celebrates four years

For the last four years, the performers in Sarasota’s Black Diamond Burlesque troupe have lived up to their tagline — “stunning eye candy for the sophisticated voyeur.” They’ve tantalized audiences with their commanding stage presence, vaudevillian sensibilities and, most importantly, their dedication to the art of the reveal.

Following their 2010 debut, they've lassoed our collective imagination with gaudy feathered boas, reeled us in and secured their spot in Sarasota's performance scene as tightly as their glittery corsets.

Throughout the years of sold-out shows, ever-evolving acts and sex appeal to spare, there’s been one woman behind the scenes: Laura Daniel Gale —the group’s founder, producer and matriarch, who, come show time, can be found stage right, proudly watching the performance from behind a glass of Jack and Coke.

Now, days before the troupe's fourth anniversary celebration, she sits in a downtown café, her pink-tinged hair pulled into pigtails, sipping coffee and reflecting on the troupe's formation.

"It gets me really emotional," she says. "It was the perfect storm of events. Sarasota can be very supportive of new ideas, and it can conspire to make them happen."

The idea was first conceived in 2010. At the time, Daniel Gale owned a boutique in the Rosemary District, and she hosted a regular arts event, called Rosemary Rising. As the event continued to grow, she wanted to evolve it into something more performance-driven, and she noticed a void in the form of burlesque variety shows, which were beginning to peak in their resurgence in other cities. With the help of performer Virginia Hughes and DJ Russ Deep, Daniel Gale formed Black Diamond Burlesque and hosted the troupe's debut performance just six weeks later.

The show made an impression on the local arts scene and garnered the support of people like Les McCurdy, co-owner of McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, which helped further propel the group's success. In addition to community support, Daniel Gale says she attributes Black Diamond's success to its commitment to tradition.

"We're really old school," she says. "We're feathers and boas and beaded gowns all the way. It's sexy; it's provocative and it's cheeky — but there's an innocence and classiness to it. We're really mindful of our image in that way, and it's something that's really important to us."

As the woman behind the scenes, Daniel Gale says she takes a lot of pride in watching the performers continue to grow and reach new heights.

"Those are my proudest moments," she says. "Sometimes, they'll just make my jaw drop. Maybe that's just the mom in me, but seeing them reach a new pinnacle and seeing the audience respond to it is so rewarding."

As the anniversary show approaches, her sights are set on the future — more shows, bigger venues — evolving and staying fresh while staying true to the tradition she loves.

"My goals for the future?," she says. "We're just going to keep teasing Sarasota."

IF YOU GO:

Black Diamond Burlesque Fourth Anniversary Celebration — takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, At Louie's Modern. Features cocktails, naked sushi bar and live performance with special guests. $80.

featured image by Matthew Holler