One good Lola deserves another.
Yesterday I waxed rhapsodic about Lola Frost. Today I'd like to say a few words about Atlanta's Lady of Legitude, Lola LeSoleil.
I think it's fair to say that, when Southeastern burlesque is discussed, it's not as well-represented on the international stage as several other areas I could name. And while it may be true that New York City has more headlining performers per capita than Atlanta, that doesn't mean that the best of The Dirty South can't stand toe-to-toe with everyone else. Lola LeSoleil is Exhibit A in that argument.
She's never less than magnetic on stage, but in ways, she's as good a performer off-stage. Some of her greatest numbers feature her entering from the audience, working the crowd, building anticipation so that when she finally arrives in front of everyone, they're primed to go crazy. Which they do, every time.
Lola is one of the few Southeastern performers to solo at BHoF. Her "Stood Up" number there speaks to so many things she does well...telling an empowering story, owning an innate sense of musicality, and communicating a sheer joy expressed through movement. I love the moments when she just lets it fly onstage and dances it out, because she can MOVE, but that number also shows she can work with relative stillness and still never lose her audience. Why? Because STAGE PRESENCE.
She's also frequently the most stylish lady in the room, both at burlesque events and just hanging out IRL, but you can see that in the picture.
I met Lola before she became a performer at, ironically, a burlesque show, when we were just a couple of people looking to enjoy a fun show, so I've been fortunate to witness her progression as an artist after she decided to perform herself. Some people work and get on stage for months or even years before it clicks for them and they truly up their game. I think Lola had "It" from Day One.
Yesterday I waxed rhapsodic about Lola Frost. Today I'd like to say a few words about Atlanta's Lady of Legitude, Lola LeSoleil.
I think it's fair to say that, when Southeastern burlesque is discussed, it's not as well-represented on the international stage as several other areas I could name. And while it may be true that New York City has more headlining performers per capita than Atlanta, that doesn't mean that the best of The Dirty South can't stand toe-to-toe with everyone else. Lola LeSoleil is Exhibit A in that argument.
She's never less than magnetic on stage, but in ways, she's as good a performer off-stage. Some of her greatest numbers feature her entering from the audience, working the crowd, building anticipation so that when she finally arrives in front of everyone, they're primed to go crazy. Which they do, every time.
Lola is one of the few Southeastern performers to solo at BHoF. Her "Stood Up" number there speaks to so many things she does well...telling an empowering story, owning an innate sense of musicality, and communicating a sheer joy expressed through movement. I love the moments when she just lets it fly onstage and dances it out, because she can MOVE, but that number also shows she can work with relative stillness and still never lose her audience. Why? Because STAGE PRESENCE.
She's also frequently the most stylish lady in the room, both at burlesque events and just hanging out IRL, but you can see that in the picture.
I met Lola before she became a performer at, ironically, a burlesque show, when we were just a couple of people looking to enjoy a fun show, so I've been fortunate to witness her progression as an artist after she decided to perform herself. Some people work and get on stage for months or even years before it clicks for them and they truly up their game. I think Lola had "It" from Day One.
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