Cleaning with camera, part II

Xmas tree number one.

Spying Maro the dog watching TV.

Pikku pulla got tired.

Article about my current exhibition in today's Turun Sanomat.

I have made my way to the study. Still looking for missing

maracas, matryoshka & other souvenirs from Moscow.

Instead I colour-coordinated my burlesque materials.

Blue & green.

Red & pink.

Black & violet.

Orange & yellow.

Things really tend to pile up.

One of the things I love about embroidery is the colors of the threads!

Halleluja! Here they are - the most beautiful little things from Moscow!
Now I can go and start to decorate the house!

Welcome to the Human Zoo

Animals and humans, exhibitions, exotica and art- something I seem to bump into on a daily basis. A few days ago I got a lovely message from Hilja, who was photographing the burlesque party "Human Zoo" in Turku more than a year ago.

Ants in my pants by Hilja Mustonen

She is just simply wonderful! And if you don't believe me, go and have a look at her blog!

DJ's Miroslove Satan & Naja Naja by Hilja Mustonen

Campfire in a Zoo -exhibition by Turku based artists Annika Dahlsten and Markku Laakso are one of the must-see-things during the summer holidays! In addition to the Mechanical Music Museum in Varkaus, where Miroslove wants to visit every 10 years.

Annika Dahlsten & Markku Laakso: "Campfire in a Zoo"
The Finnish Museum of Photography 15.6. - 31.7.2011
(Photo: The Finnish Museum of Photography)

And just to stay in the wonderful world of the exotic other, jungle, palm trees, zoos and bizarre things, here is a little crazy video made about the Kokonut Kult burlesque club and our rituals. 

KOKONUT KULT

Music: Ismo Laakso Psychoboogie Explosion featuring Petri Bäckström

Original club photos: Kerttu Malinen

Get involved!

If You are wondering whether to buy a few pints of beer or a new mascara, go and have a look at these fabulous ladies and support the amazing documentary films that are being made of!

I've found my religion.

It's not too late to become a member or a victim (choice is yours) of the KOKONUT KULT! Next meeting will be held June 30th 2011 at Kokomo Tikibar in Helsinki but here is a short clip how to prepare and practice your religion!

Have fun while watching and see you nect time at the FRUIT BOWL 30.6.2011 AT KOKOMO!

Exotic beauty and tropical treats are brought to you by Olivia Rouge, Gigi Praline, Honey Pomelo, Kitty Lit Ter, Mr. M. Erald, Rudie Ruthless & Titania Hill as well as Kokonut Kult priestess's Kiki Hawaiji & Bettie Blackheart.

Hot shaking tunes served by Ismo Laakso Psychoboogie Explosion feat. Petri Bäckström & DJ Mr. Atom of Finland.

+ Also amazing carvedfruitdecoration competition, judged by the"ice ice baby" Bent van der Bleu.

Tickets in advance 9 euros from Tiketti >
http://www.tiketti.fi/tapahtuma/11520
Tickets from the door 10 euros.

PS: If you want to have dinner in Kokomo before the club, please reserve table beforehand - the restaurant is super busy! Ticket to the burlesque club has to be bought in advance or from the door, no exceptions. Doors to the club open 8 pm.

Kitty Litter by Atelier O. Haapala

Olivia Rouge

Rudie Ruthless

Honey Pomelo by Emilia Kallinen Photography

Gigi Praline by Roy Bäckström

Gold Dust

W O W O W O W O W

Fabulous, touching, wild, cool and crazy experiences, stories, photos and videos from the Burlesque Hall of Fame 2011 are filling up every possible channel in the wide world of social media. And I thank all the glittery gods for that, 'cause that's the way poor bastards staying in Finland (like myself), can have a little of bit of fun too!

It's amazing to think that the first Helsinki Burlesque Festival was organized only in year 2008, marking the birth of Finnish burlesque scene. Today, it's even more amazing to see how far our homegirls and -boys have gone!

The videos linked here show the Finns conquering the stage in Las Vegas in June. Super funny and cute Itty Bitty Tease Cabaret has been shaking their tail feathers since the beginning, as well as fiery redhead, sometimes gothic scissor-hands Olivia Rouge and the winner of the Best Debut in Tournament of Tease at BHoF'11, gorgeous LouLou D'vil.

I'm so proud of these women - their creativity, ambition, courage and unique style! And I hope the future will take more and more local performers to the top of the burlesque world. So You've been warned, this tiny little corner of the globe has more spicy, sexy and steaming hot stuff to show You!
XOX
PS. Congratulations to ALL of the winners, performers & participants of the BHoF'11, especially to Miss Indigo Blue !

Sweatshop and bagels

or spending a sunny day in a glazed balcony. I moved my craft stuff there (sorry M!) and for the past two days, I've been making tassels, pasties, tassels, pasties, tassels, pasties. In the end, I had 12 pairs. Which I hope, helps with the fact, that I always break or misplace (read loose) them.

Today I also once again thought how strange it is, that for some performances the idea, the costume, the props, the make-up and all that takes time and time to get in shape. And others, just pop up in your head and everything is ready before you know it! So, come and see what I've been working with to the Kokonut Kult burlesque club, June 30th at the Kokomo Tikibar!

Speaking of fruits, I've only recently discovered the delights of smoothies!! How have I survived this long without them!?!! I played a little housewife this morning, making breakfast (to be eaten outside in the balcony) and baking bagels! Also for the first time in my life! They turned out tasty but ugly, a very common outcome in this household :)

Since it's summer, it's nice to remind of lovely things You can get from the sales after Christmas. Look how pretty bird I found! I let him (for some reason I think it's male) out of the cage even though a real bird aka shit torpedo had been having some sort of riot out there couple of nights ago.

The balcony offers in addition to craft workshop and home made breakfast, also a little bit of modern art! This gorgeous tray (portray of me me me) was painted by, once again my super talented and dear friend Petra Innanen aka Bettie Blackheart, who actually at this very moment is setting her tatas on fire at the Venice Biennale!

Art, dyeing, disasters and a couple of free days

 How about a little art while doing your daily shopping? Sculptures made by Turku based artist Jouna Karsi are exhibited in hypermarket Prisma (Kalevantie, Turku) until 6th June. After that, they are moved to another Prisma market in Vanha Tampereentie, Turku.

A wish to bring art closer to the people has guided the artistic work. When works of art are presented in an every day environment, they become involved in fulfilling the basic needs. Karsi's miniature worlds are compact in size, like other items in the supermarket shelf.

 The project is part of the collaboration between Artist as Neighbour, Turku 2011 foundation and Turun Osuuskauppa. Have a look at them if you are in town, you'll be surprised!

I was documenting these while shopping for washing machine textile colors. My previous attempt to dye green embroidery fabric to black failed totally, so it was time for a second attempt. Hmmm...

It all started well, and me and Maro the dog were watching curiously how the colour was spinning in the drum. Our old washing machine has never tried harder to make me happy. However, the disaster was about the occur. I forgot that in the morning I had removed the whateverthislittleplugthereisinthecornerofthemachine and all the coloured water came out! 

Well, the machine is still spinning, let's see what the results will be. Meanwhile I'll concentrate on this:

This is my burlesque costume storage at the moment. This week's mission is to sort it out and make some sensible arrangement which will NOT explode the next time I need something. After I'm finished, I'll treat myself with a little film. And with a few days of holiday! Super!

 And yes, also that single eyelash has been there for TOO long. Time to let her go.

Highlights 14 + 15 / 2011

On Friday 15th April I went to Pori to give a burlesque workshop for the Rappio-seminar. By car. I haven't driven that long for ages,  but it was definitely worth it! And oh, how I love culture house Annis - wish we had that in Turku too!

Poster for the Kokonut Kult is finally getting ready - I can't wait to begin the club, it's going to be one fabulous explosion of entertainment. Tickets for the first night "TABOO" are being sold at Tiketti ! Right now!

Oijoijoi, I almost forgot - early this week I was give a very special gift. What it was, is a secret until May, but oh boy, it's a dream come true - a dream, I didn't know I even had! I also had a chance to participate in the new photo series of gifted, talented, gorgeous Marco & Saara from Atelier O. Haapala.

 And finally, after touring 9 months in 9 different neighborhood libraries giving art workshops for kids - it's over. Or almost, there is going to be exhibition about the results in May, I'll tell you more later!

A Short Story Long or A Long Story Short: The life of Kiki Hawaiji

"Creature of the tropics - passionate and unstable"

- Sherlock Holmes-

2004:

• Kiki Hawaiji is born.
• Becoming friends with gorgeous Bettie Blackheart and her husband Frank Doggenstein.

2005:

• Learning how to do Go Go Robics with the World Famous Pontani Sisters.
• Being amazed and stunned by the photos of Katharina Bosse in her book New Burlesque.

2006:

• Trip to New York and visiting Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art-School & Starshine Burlesque.
• Founding of Hulapirates - the first Finnish burlesque group together with Bettie Blackheart & Frank Doggenstein.

2007:

• Going around Helsinki and asking clubs for a possibility to arrange a burlesque party. No luck here, no luck there. 
• Except with bar Päiväkoti in Turku where the first Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art-School Finland is held in March 2007. 
• After sailing across the sea with Tattoobåten, me, Bettie and Frank came to a decision: Hell, let's have our own party! The official birth of Helsinki Burlesque.

2008:

• First Helsinki Burlesque Festival starring the Amazing Knicker Kittens Burlesque Revue, Miss Anne Thropy and Sugar Kane.  

Burlesque projects, spring 2011

Lovegame burlesque club 25th March 2011

What a fun night we had at the Lovegame burlesque club last friday! I had a chance to do a premiere of my vintage inspired Blossom -routine, hang out with gorgeous Bettie Blackheart and all the other fabulous people including Honey Pomelo, Sir Willy Waterlily, Welma Jackpot, Sandy Jungle, Milova Penestrada, Candy Stripe, Miss Corahzon de Sugar & Voluptous Honey Bun!

Thanks to the producers of the Lovegame: Sophie le Sucré, Minerva Minette, Dorianne Crimson, Mirriam Burmillah ja Marquis de Marashino & Shalimar Hibiscus and pickup beauty Miss Charming Daisy and everybody! PS. Click the photo to see more of Lovegame burlesque club show!

Join the cult - the KOKONUT KULT!

Kuule tropiikin kutsu ja antaudu hypnoottisten sävelten, villien tanssiaskelien, eksoottisten makuelämysten ja kohtalokkaiden kurvien vietäväksi...

Kokonut Kult on livemusiikkia ja burleskia yhdistävä klubi, jonka iltojen teemat johdattavat yleisön Mondo Exotican saloihin: 19.5. TABOO, 30.6. FRUIT BOWL & 25.8. DEMON NIGHT @ Kokomo Tikibar, Helsinki.

Kokonut Kultin papittarina toimivat BETTIE "Hellsinki Hellcat, Queen of the Firetassels" BLACKHEART ja KIKI "Creature of the Tropics - Passionate and Unstable" HAWAIJI. Tunnelmaa kuumentaa lisäksi Ismo Laakso Psychoboogie Explosion feat. Petri Bäckström sekä vierailevat DJt.

Lisätietoja: kokonutkult(ät)gmail.com

★★★★★★★★

Hear the luring whisper of the tropics and surrender yourself to the hypnotic sounds, wild moves, exotic tidbits and dangerous curves...

Kokonut Kult is new club combining live music and burlesque. Each night has it's own theme, which leads the audiece into the Mondo Exotica: May 19th TABOO, 30th June FRUIT BOWL and August 25th DEMON NIGHT @ Kokomo Tikibar, Helsinki.

The priestesses of Kokonut Kult are BETTIE "Hellsinki Hellcat, Queen of the Firetassels" BLACKHEART ja KIKI "Creature of the Tropics - Passionate and Unstable" HAWAIJI. Steaming hot rhytms are served by Ismo Laakso Psychoboogie Explosion feat. Petri Bäckström together with visiting DJ's. 

A picture mystery...

To be revealed next week!