Thursday, June 3, 2010

Photographer For the Band!


Let me just say the 60's are still alive and well in San Francisco!
Our daughter recently got an apartment right on Haight Street, and I visited a couple of weeks ago to check it out and take a few pictures of her burlesque troop, Mama Queso's Burlesque Show.

When I arrived, I was welcomed by her friends. They were so excited for their "photo shoot!"
While they got into their costumes, I set up the mise en scene! I blacked out the windows and created a vintage feel with rosy lighting. An old scratchy jazz record was playing on the turntable setting the mood.

Mama Queso is on the left. She has an incredible voice, reminiscent of Janis Joplin. The girls also do skits and dance. Apparently burlesque is making a come back! Here is what they say about themselves:

"Mama Queso's Burlesque Show is a unique performance of its own theatrical genre. It is an eclectic group of gypsy jazz musicians who lead the dancing, singing and acting of the most beautiful, sassy women you've seen in this City.
They will put you back a few decades into their club of vaudeville-like strip teases, literary burlesque, comedic parodies and risque leg shows"

It was like a party! They all were so fun to be with and made me feel so welcome. Not once did I feel like there was a generation gap.

I think I took 500 pictures! Everyone wanted to be in the photograph here! The San Francisco bluegrass band Jugtown Pirates were there for moral support. The burlesque troop performs with them.

Today is Ashley's 24th birthday!
She is living the dream in the City by the Bay, building her catering business and performing for fun. I'm suggesting she get a day job!

Not much has really changed since she was little. She always liked playing dress up....

And dancing....

And showing "a little risque leg!"
Happy Birthday Ash!

For fun, check out Mama Queso's Burlesque Show's Facebook page.
They will be performing again June 30th in San Francisco at Milk Bar. If you're in the City, check it out!

Can we say day job?

I'm linking up to A Few of My Favorite Things for Favorite Things Friday, as well as Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday, because this day, and this girl is one of my favorite "things" ever!

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18 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Delores, cute post. I am sure that was fun taking their pictures. Wow, she caters and performs. I'm not sure she has time for a day job. Thanks for sharing and happy birthday to her.

D.B. said...

I love this post and San Francisco Is one of my favorite places! Kudos to Ashley for pursuing the dream.....it takes courage! Looks like she's having the time of her life and isn't that really the point? Congrats Mom.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

How fun! "Girls just want to have fun". Happy Birthday to Ashley. She should explore all her dreams now and have the time of her life!. Aw SF. our city by the bay... My husband was born and raised in SF. many found memories for him.
Have a great day, its beautiful in Menlo Park today!
Hugs,Elizabeth

Privet and Holly said...

Delores, I was JUST thinking about TODAY about how nice it is when different generations of women get together and just CLICK and ages are put aside. And here is the proof! It's SO exciting to see our girls follow their dreams. What an adventure your Ashley is having ~ I love San Francisco and wish I lived closer. {Cute seeing her little girl shots, too.} Happy Thursday! xx Suzanne

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Oh I love this!! It is awesome and she is beautiful!! Girl if I had it to do all over again, this would be the life for me!!

Happy Birthday to her and if I lived closer I would go and see them!!!

Lou Cinda :)

Katy Noelle said...

Happy birthday to your lovely daughter. The photos of her when she was young(er) are so adorable!

Love, katy

Julio said...

What a fun and fabulous post! We have been renting a 2 bedroom condo on the corner of Baker & Haight since March of this year. However, we only have until July 20th. At first, I didn't care for the location because of the noise due to Haight/Ashbury popularity. Now, I love it and am already sad thinking about leaving in July. This post makes me want to stay even longer. Ashley is stunning and so lucky to be following her dreams. On top of that, she has a wonderfully talented mother that is so hip and trans-generational.
xoxo
Julio

Blue Creek Home said...

I know that you must be so proud! She is a lovely young woman.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Lovin' the photo in diapers and heels!

Rhonda

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi sweetie, I can see where you had a lot of fun. The girls are a hoot.. what a gift they have. ohhhhhh to be young and brave again. lol.. I'm glad she's able to enjoy life and follow her dreams. I'm sure she's glad to have a young and active mother. You are trul blest to have such a beautiful talented daughter.. hugs ~lynne~

Nancy said...

She is a cutie and a beautie!! I'm glad she's living her dream in the city...oh, to be.......anyway, good work, Mom!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

How great to be young and living your dream...You go girl!

Tamra said...

A caterer who performs burlesque on the side.....you could say she's "The Tease with Taste" HA!!

This rates as the best "feel good post" in a long time! What fun and how proud you must be!

Kifus said...

Happy (belated!) 24th birthday to Ashley! She is so lovely and you are the perfect proud momma! Those pics are hilarious, thanks for letting us see them!
Have a great weekend Delores!

Rettabug said...

What a fun post, Delores! That last shot, showing off in the diaper & heels is just priceless!! Too funny!
I wish her much success so she doesn't have to get a boring day job. ;-p

Atticmag said...

OMG Delores they look so much better than anyone did in the 60s! The absence of hairspray alone... Congrats on having a beautiful talented child and what pleasure to hang out with her and the Quesos.Hope you'll stop by and get in on our powder room sink giveaway. Jane F.

Anne said...

DeLores,

You must be one cool mom to have such an amazing and talented daughter! Good for Ashley that she is pursuing her dreams, with your support. The small college town where I live has 2 burlesque groups that perform regularly and draw quite a following. I admire the bravery of the performers. Thanks for sharing this with us!
xoxo,
Anne

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, what a photographer you are! Of course, you did have great subjects to photograph. Ashley is beautiful, and the rest of the group is too. This group knew what they were doing when they asked you to photograph them. These photos are fabulous (of course, I'm sure the photography fees were good too!). Love those photos of her playing dress up too. laurie

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