Interviewer: Laurie Kurutz
Interview Date: January 9, 2022
Location: Portland, Oregon; interview conducted over Zoom
Duration: 1:13:42
Luz de la Concha introduces herself as a Latina Burlesque performer and defines Burlesque as a movement based art form of musicality, grandeur and glamour however that is defined by the person creating it. She likes this art form because she’s in control of all artistic aspects in creating how she presents herself in performance.
BIPOC and Latina-focused Burlesqe festivals play a large part in de la Concha’s performance career. She has been invited to perform at the Ohio Burlesque Festival, founded by Bella Sin, and the First Annual International Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festival in Florida. De la Concha has traveled internationally to perform at the Salvaje International Burlesque Festival of Argentina and at the Panama Burlesque Festival.
De la Concha spoke at length about the Burlesque Legends and their importance as trailblazers and role models. Legends are the performers from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. She shared her personal connection and relationship with Cuban Legend Marinka, who was an international performer who was a trans woman. De la Concha describes her tribute act which celebrates the Chilean bullfighter, Conchita Cintron, who was one of the few, if not the only, female bullfighters of her time.
De la Concha describes the impact of the COVID pandemic on Burlesque, how some people’s incomes dried up and how other performers pivoted to online shows. She explains the new safety protocols around vaccinations and masking for both performers and the audience, now that venues are opening up.
De la Concha gives credit to BIPOC Burlesque producers for leading the way for more diversity in the art form, including size, physical abilities, as well as creating space for BIPOC performers. She celebrates how Burlesque can create uplifting affinity spaces for transformation anc social change to happen.
Dublin Core
Title
Description
BIPOC and Latina-focused Burlesqe festivals play a large part in de la Concha’s performance career. She has been invited to perform at the Ohio Burlesque Festival, founded by Bella Sin, and the First Annual International Latin and Hispanic Burlesque Festival in Florida. De la Concha has traveled internationally to perform at the Salvaje International Burlesque Festival of Argentina and at the Panama Burlesque Festival.
De la Concha spoke at length about the Burlesque Legends and their importance as trailblazers and role models. Legends are the performers from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. She shared her personal connection and relationship with Cuban Legend Marinka, who was an international performer who was a trans woman. De la Concha describes her tribute act which celebrates the Chilean bullfighter, Conchita Cintron, who was one of the few, if not the only, female bullfighters of her time.
De la Concha describes the impact of the COVID pandemic on Burlesque, how some people’s incomes dried up and how other performers pivoted to online shows. She explains the new safety protocols around vaccinations and masking for both performers and the audience, now that venues are opening up.
De la Concha gives credit to BIPOC Burlesque producers for leading the way for more diversity in the art form, including size, physical abilities, as well as creating space for BIPOC performers. She celebrates how Burlesque can create uplifting affinity spaces for transformation anc social change to happen.