Today we’d like to introduce you to Ms. B LaRose.
Ms. B, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
In the fall of 2014, I moved back to Chicago to find a sense of self, find my voice. I had run myself to the ground working 50 plus hours a week at my 9 to 5 feeling very little joy in what I did. I left my job and in an attempt to establish connections, I met a few old friends at a sports bar in the gold coast, and it was there I had unexpectedly witnessed my first burlesque show. I will never forget the sensation that overcame me walking away from watching these beautiful humans all different sizes, shapes, melanin fill the room with such amazing energy with their “nothing can do me wrong” attitude. I knew from that moment I wanted to be just as influential and change individuals’ outlook on their day to day in a similar way in which I had experienced. That night after the show, I walked up to the producer & MC, and told them, “You don’t know who I am, but I am going to be in your next show.” You can say the few cocktails I had got the best of me, but sure enough, we exchanged information. I showed up to the next audition, and the spring of 2015 Ms. B LaRose was born.
Years of following someone else’s blueprint for landing the “important” job, securing a house, and finding the “right” partner, left me with very focus on the most important asset to life, myself. My work as a performer peels back the layers of self-doubt and showcases the gains of self-love. The stage is my journal and burlesque is my pen. And within this journey of continuous self-discovery, I have come to meet amazing individuals who share in the same like journey including my partner in life who none of this would possible without.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
As a burlesque performer, I am nothing without the people that take their time out of the day to make time to see me on stage. Creating a one of kind dialogue with an audience that can never be recreated ever again is my inspiration. I want to be sure that when I hit the floor, I am able to move with intention and have them feel what I felt the first time I had ever seen burlesque – empowered.
When I create a new performance piece, I ask why I feel the way I do. A lot of my early pieces, although sounds cliché, stem from heartbreak and self-doubt. For example, in my piece entitled Gold, the act combines raw, sultry stylized dance with burlesque to depict a woman made to love but herself because she knows her worth (Gold). This act was made just after getting out of an intense relationship and for a moment, I questioned my self-worth. And with most post-breakup habits, we learn in hard listening to songs we used to listen to as a couple. I turned a song that once made me think “us”, to a song that is really for “me.” I listen to the song, Gold by Chet Faker for hours on days. Getting a feel of every upbeat and downbeat until I see the character develop, a ferocious woman standing tall and strong. I then scoop out attire on how I would want that to look how I would want “her” to look. And then it’s hitting the pavement whether it be in a living room, bathroom or studio in creating a dialogue of dance, where she’s an image of ferocious strength relaying the message of self-love and power with every strip of clothing shed from the body.
It is interesting creating now three years later. I am at a place where I have grown more comfortable and confident with the person that I am becoming, and I have met inspiring humans and artists full of amazing energy. So, a lot of my newer pieces are coming from a place of love, excitement, guilty pleasures and childlike wonder.
What empowers me is living my life on the day to day as Latina-Filipina, queer woman. I try to live my life to its fullest and encourage others to treat me with the same respect, kindness, and compassion as what I offer. Respect, kindness, and compassion. We deserve nothing less. And so, I dance my heart out, I move with intention and am vulnerable in sharing myself to make people lose their collective minds, make them anxious, and give them another perspective than what they see from their day to day. Make them see that brown, unique, queer humans are beautiful outside their perspective. What I do with my body is my choice – what we do with our body is our choice. Show them being unique is life. There are so much positivity and excitement for what we burlesque artists love to do.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
As an artist, one of the biggest challenges is being the artist, the advocate, and the business person all at once. You are continuously redefining your practice, and at the same time, you need to know how to market yourself and build engagement in the community, support each other, get in touch with potential producers/clients, get booked, and get the work out there. And to tops finding that balance between being that business person without compromising your art and integrity.
I feel that my identity is linked so deeply to my creative outlet and, personally, the battle between self-doubt and self-discipline grows. I often ask myself, “Am I genuinely taking the time to improve my skill sets? Am I am improving as a dancer and a businesswoman while still being a good person, partner, friend?” In these spaces, I remember to always to go back to gratitude, kindness, and patience with myself and with others.
My advice: Comb the scene for favorite artists, dancers, photographers, and designers. Reach out to them for mentorship & advice. You are not alone. You’d be surprised how willing people are to lend a hand and offer advice to an aspiring performer/artist. I am reminded that I am lucky to live the life I live doing what I love to do. Grateful to have made such amazing memories with the people that inspire me daily.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I love to travel and perform across the US and Europe. The best way to find the most up-to-date schedule is to follow my Instagram (@ms.b.larose). In Chicago, I perform regularly at Untitled, The Drifter Chicago (at the Green Door Tavern), The Big Sexy Show at The Comedy Bar, Foundation Cabaret at House of Blues, Vaudeville Thursdays & Cabaret A-Go-Go Fridays (at Bordel Chicago), Backdoor Saloon, and Undressed Burlesque (at Simone’s).
The best way to support my work is to support burlesque! Come see the performances live, bring cash for tipping your performers (just like you would tip a server or bartender, this should be a common practice too), rock performer merchandise to show your support, be proactive to finding out where the next show is, be an enthusiastic audience member (but remember consent is not just sexy, it’s mandatory – don’t touch the performers), and recommend burlesque to other friends and venues to spread the word. As a producer, I curate private event spaces paired with Classic Hollywood Glamorous Burlesque, High Energy Samaba or Latin Pieces, Vaudeville Flapper Performances, utilizing some of the city’s most talented performers. So, if you’re looking to transform an event or show to an unforgettable experience or know someone looking, book a performance à la carte or as a package at ms.b.larose@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Email: ms.b.larose@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ms.b.larose
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ms.b.larose
Image Credit:
Peter Serocki Visuals, BsukmaneePresents, Greg Bell, Pez Photo, Dapper Fella Photo, Greg Inda, Rami Doha
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
