My Mother's Red Shawl - El Rebozo Colorado
Veronica Vex - Burlesque Dancer
When I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a showgirl, an actress, a star. I remember telling my grade school friends that I wanted to be a Las Vegas showgirl. They laughed and ridiculed me. They thought I was joking. I was hurt by their reaction because I knew it was my truth however it didn’t fit in with everyone else so I suppressed my desires and went along with the masses.
I remember being drawn to everything and anything sparkly (I still am), pink, frilly, poofy, and princess-like. I remember one Christmas I refused to wear what I was supposed to wear because I wanted to wear my big white poofy crinoline and camisole and already wanting to wear undergarments as an outfit at age 8.
At 10 I told my parents that I wanted to be an actress and asked if they would enroll me in acting classes. My mom pooh-poohed the idea and encouraged me to find something more realistic or go to school and study for a real job. My dad’s response was even worse, one that stayed with me for years and inevitably became my belief about myself. He said that I didn’t have what it takes to be an actress; I didn’t have the right personality for it. I had to be more like my cousin Stephanie who was incredibly outgoing and a total attention seeker. Basically in a nutshell ‘you are not good enough’. I was crushed.
Don’t get me wrong, my parents are wonderful and have supported me in all my choices as an adult. I don’t blame them for anything for they were only doing what they thought was best for me not realizing that those five words affected my self esteem, my confidence and stunted my ability to accept myself for who I was.
As I grew into my teens and then twenties and now thirties I struggled with my identity and was always seeking approval from outside sources. I would take on other personalities and wished that I were something else or somebody else because I didn’t like who I was. I didn’t think I was good enough, taking on other personalities, trying to be someone else. The irony does not escape me. I am two different people. I am Michelle Miguez; massage therapist, Reiki master, chartered herbalist, hippy healing, nature loving intuitive, sister and daughter. I am Veronica Vex; burlesque sex kitten, classy broad, dancer, performer, pin-up model, artist. These are two personas that share one body. Two personas that differ in lifestyles, but share the same desire to express oneself, to love, to be free, to help and to inspire others on their life journey.
Burlesque found me during a time of chaos and turmoil. It was a time where I had no idea who I was, consumed by fear and completely disconnected from myself, from Source, God, I AM presence. I was heartbroken and had endured a severe blow to the ego. I also became very ill. I suffer from a genetic illness called cystic fibrosis. CF affects all the organs predominantly the pancreas, lungs and digestive system. I’ve lived very well and healthy with this illness my whole life until the summer of 2009. I experienced an exacerbation caused by pneumonia. I was hospitalized for two weeks and on IV antibiotics. I had two very important and challenging tasks ahead of me; heal my body and heal my heart.
I persevered and shortly after my recovery I stumbled across Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society. Thus began my giant leap into the burlesque world. I graduated from Screaming Chicken’s burlesque class in 2010. I am so grateful to Screaming Chicken for taking an insecure, timid, lost little girl and helping her blossom into a powerful, creative, confidant woman. I am grateful everyday that I have the opportunity to express myself through this amazing art form and share my talents with Vancouver and internationally. I have made the best friends I’ve ever had through burlesque and continue to be inspired by all the talented performers in Vancouver, old and new.
Burlesque allows me to create, dance, be imaginative, express myself, to laugh, to dress up, be beautiful, be sexy, be funny, be anything I desire, it is my opportunity to be larger than life. This was my dream as a child. I am finally living it.
Raúl Guerrero Montemayor Padre-Compadre
Alexandra Waterhouse-Hayward Maestra
Shirley Gnome Singer/Provocateur
Yeva & Thoenn Glover Dancers/Choreographers
JJ Lee Writer
Jacqueline Model
Cathy Marsden Psychiatrist
André De Mondo Wanderer
Colin MacDonald Saxophonist/Composer
Nina Gouveia Yoga Instructor
Stacey Hutton Excercise Physiologist
Colleen Wheeler Actor
Sarah Rodgers Actor, Director,Mother
Kiera Hill Dancer
Johnna Wright & Sascha Director/Mother - Son/Dreamer
Decker & Nick Hunt Cat & 19th century amateur
George Bowering Poet
Celia Duthie Gallerist
Linda Lorenzo Mother
Katheryn Petersen Accordionist
Stefanie Denz Artist
Ivette Hernández Actress
Byron Chief-Moon Actor/Dancer
Colin Horricks Doctor
Ian Mulgrew Vancouver Sun Columnist
Jocelyn Morlock Composer
Corinne McConchie Librarian
Rachel Ditor Dramaturg
Patrick Reid Statesman, Flag Designer
Michael Varga CBC Cameraman
Bronwen Marsden Playwright/Actress/Director
David Baines Vancouver Sun Columnist
Alex Waterhouse-Hayward Photographer
Lauren Elizabeth Stewart Student
Sandrine Cassini Dancer/Choreographer
Meredith Kalaman Dancer/Choreographer
Juliya Kate Dominatrix