Check us out on the cover of the Motif!
If you haven’t picked up a copy of the Motif yet please do, and read the feature story on Speakeasy!
The web version should be up on their website soon!
More Speakeasy! Photos
Natalie has posted her photos from the Winter Blues Ball for everyone to see! We’d like to thank her, for her continued great work with all of us at Speakeasy! The new photos are at the beginning of her Flickr set; check them out and see if you can find yourself in them!
Created with flickr shildshow.
Route .44
[singlepic id=15 w=290 h=220 float=right]Speakeasy’s “Winter Blues Ball” is TOMORROW and we’re very excited to see you there! If you need any further convincing that it’s going to be an incredible time, we’d like to tell you a little more about our featured band, Route .44! Route .44 is a highly celebrated rock & blues outfit, hailing from our beloved Providence, RI. Last year they were awarded Motif Magazine’s “Band of the Year,” and their album “This is My America” won both Motif’s “Album of the Year,” as well as the Phoenix’s “Best Local Album” awards.
We had a chance to watch them blow the doors off the Blackstone recently, and were excited by the raw energy they bring to the stage! Their blues infused melodies are guaranteed to get you on your feet! Check out what other people have had to say about them, and a few pictures from their gig last week. And of course check them out again tomorrow at Speakeasy!
[singlepic id=16 w=290 h=220 float=left]“Route .44 lets us in on experiencing the thick, lowdown sludgy wonder and glory that IS one of the defining sounds of the New England area.” Mike Loce – The Noise Boston 08/07
“Route .44’s second disc, This Is My America, mixes many of the roots of American music with a no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll attitude and pointed lyrics with a distinct lack of roots-music preciousness.” Rick Massimo – The Providence Journal 05/09
“Call it rootsy-blues, an eclectic indie symphony, or fired-up folk — the Route .44 sound is impossible to pigeonhole.” Chris Conti – The Providence Phoenix 05/09
More information about Route .44 can be found on their website.
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Interview with Bettysioux Tailor!
We are lucky enough to have the incredible Bettysioux Tailor working her burlesque magic at our Winter Blues Ball! We sat down for a little chat with Ms. Tailor, to find out what we can expect from her at the next Speakeasy!
Most people know you as a fashion designer, but tell us a little bit about how you got into performance.
I have always loved to dance and have been taking dance lessons for years. When I started going to burlesque shows I realized that I could put my love of dance together with my love of costume and tell a story. I have always been a bit campy and over the top in general so burlesque just seemed like the right creative outlet for me.
What influences your creative process when you are planning a performance?
This varies from act to act. Sometimes I hear a song and I think “oh that would be a great song for a burlesque act” but lately I have been coming up with a theme first and then pick music and create the costume based on that theme. I think this is mostly because I perform monthly at the Empire Revue for AS220 and all the music has to be original, therefore I work a theme out with the creator of the show Keith Munslow and he writes the music and I come up with the act. That’s how I was able to incorporate singing into my act.
What eras do you find most inspiring, for crafting a performance or in general?
I have always been drawn to the 40′s and 50’s but my costuming tends to take on a sort of hybrid of modern style and vintage.
Can you tell us a little bit about what the audience has in store at our Winter Blues Ball January 23rd?
I plan on performing one of my winter acts which has a very snowy Blue and white costume that is one of my personal favorites, the routine itself is very light and flirty but will definitely melt any ice on the sidewalks! I also plan on pulling out one of my musical acts I don’t want to give too much away but it will definitely be a learning experience.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I think it’s a little sexier when there’s a bit of mystery…but I will say that I like presents 
.
.For more information about Bettysioux Tailor check out her Myspace page.
TONIGHT! Speakeasy Presents A Winter Blues Ball!
We hope you’ll join us for the next Speakeasy TONIGHT at The 201! We will be hosting a Winter Blues Ball with some fabulous winter themed entertainment! We are delighted to welcome back Tempest, whose Nouveau Noir belly dance will have you shivering with excitement! Also providing chills and thrills will be the fabulous Bettysioux Tailor treating us to an incredible burlesque performance! The lovely Lulu Locks of Providence Pin-Up returns as our host, and Into the Wardrobe will be vending some hand picked vintage selections to complete your look. Our staff photographers will make sure to capture you in your finest moments, and our sponsor Narragansett Beer will be giving away merchandise all night!
Also joining us for the first time will be the immensely talented Route .44, whose many accolades include Motif Magazine Band of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Female Vocalist as well as Providence Phoenix Best Local Act, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Local Album! Needless to say, these folks are incredible, and their blue-infused melodies are sure to get everyone on their feet!
This is an event not to be missed, so come beat the winter blues the way it was originally done at Speakeasy!
Those of imbibing age should come by 201 Westminster St. at 9 PM, and for a $5 bribe our doorman will tell you the password.
Event details
- Begin: September 5, 2010 at 21:30
- End: September 5, 2010 at 02:00
- Add to your calendar: Download ics file
- Place: 201 Westminster Street, Providence, RI
Jingle Belles
We are excited to announce that Speakeasy’s own DJ Delicti will be spinning at this Friday’s “Santa Claus Gala,” part of Perishable Theatre’s “Jingle Belles And A Few Balls” annual fundraiser. Additionally, we have crafted a special music compilation that will be given out as part of the swag bags for the event. You may recognize a few songs from past events, as well as be delighted by some playful surprises!
Perishable Theatre is affiliated with AS220, and as such is a driving force for preserving and promoting independent art here in Providence, which is something that we at Speakeasy care deeply about. Tickets for the “Santa Claus Gala” are $50, and are available on Perishable Theatre’s web site; more coverage can be found on The Daily Dose.
Event details
- Begin: December 11, 2009 at 18:30
- End: December 11, 2009 at 23:45
- Add to your calendar: Download ics file
- Place: 95 Empire Street, Providence, RI
Photos from Speakeasy!
We’re still glowing from this past Saturday, but we received even more good news today! Our photographers from last night finished processing their photos, and have put them online for everyone! We have put together a small slide show of the photos, but feel free to view the full-size versions at Natalie’s flickr stream. Enjoy!
Thanks for Coming!
Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made Speakeasy such a success! Thank you to our dancers, Tempest and “Sparkles McTitsty” of Thru the Keyhole, and to Brokedown Serenade for a great acoustic set. And most of all, thanks to the 20s flappers, 30s and 40s guys and gals, 50s rockabilly kids, and all the other lovely folks who came out! It was great seeing a full dancefloor of couples swing dancing, a bar full of martinis being sipped, and everyone enjoying the sights and sounds of eras past!
The photographers took some great photos which will be posted to the site shortly. Stay tuned for announcements about our January event; we’ve got even bigger and better things planned!
Tonight’s Photographers
We are pleased to announce that our friends Dana and Natalie will be providing free photography services at tonight’s Speakeasy! Be sure to stop by the glowing umbrellas tonight and get a portrait photo of yourself in your vintage finest!
For your perusal, examples of Natalie’s day-to-day photo adventures can be found here:
Next Speakeasy! Saturday, Nov. 21st!
Join us Saturday, November 21st, for Speakeasy! If you are a fan of swing, cabaret, blues, jazz, and the modern reinterpretations thereof, Speakeasy! is the place to be! Break out your vintage finest (or best imitation) from the wardrobe so that our staff photographers can record your revelry! Enjoy the tantalizing burlesque of Thru the Keyhole, and the mysterious enchantment of Nouveau Noir dance with Tempest! Brokedown Serenade provide the musical accompaniment and LuLu of ProvidencePinup.com provides her hosting duties. This is not to be missed!
Those of imbibing age should come by 201 Westminster St. in Providence at 9:30 and for a small bribe our doorman will tell you the password.
Event details
- Begin: November 21, 2009 at 21:30
- End: November 22, 2009 at 02:00
- Add to your calendar: Download ics file
- Place: 201 Westminster St, Providence, RI
