episode 6: burlesque is for every body

this is the sixth episode of "it's always about race: a performance art podcast by frankie fingerling", featuring special guests sepia jewel and dahlia kash!

 

sepia jewel is an ageless treasure born with a smoldering demeanor. in 2016, sepia jewel took the burlesque scene by storm. she quickly became an award-winning international burlesque performer. at 55 years old she was looking for something to help her thrive again. after taking a hiatus from dancing, modeling, acting and clothing design she found her joy again in coco l'amour's burlesque class. in less than 2 years her first student solo "endangered species" became a signature act. sepia is a 2017 nudie nubie's san francisco winner. she was on fire in 2018, capturing the fresh face feature international at the vancouver international burlesque festival, 2nd runner-up at humboldt burlesque festival, and also bared her soul at the burlesque hall of fame's movers, shakers and innovators showcase. former member of bless your heart burlesque. she was a co-producer with twirlisha devine of showgirl sunday dinner podcast. her captivating vulnerability is why she is known as san diego's seductress of slay! she has been leaving trails of glitter on stages worldwide. sepia has used her sewing skills that her mother taught her at a young age to create dazzling costumes. she was a dancer and costume designer for the san diego ebony elite's. little known fact, sepia was in a singing, rapping group in the 90s that was signed to epic records. this lyric she penned from her rapping days says it all, "mother nature did a hell of a job on me!"

 

dahlia kash is known as the mocha mae west for her quick wit and sultry moves, and she is no wallflower!!! she's the producer of portland's melange: a queer and poc variety show, as well as mischief: a melanated variety show, and solo endeavor, the rock show both in olympia, washington. bay area raised, and pnw based, dahlia has been shakin' it up and down the west coast and beyond since 2013. this queer fat femme is gonna rock your world!!

 

listen to sepia and dahlia share about their introductions to the world of burlesque, how their art has been impacted by spaces created by and for black, indigenous, and people of colour, and some nuggets of wisdom for navigating bullshit.