Back in the '90s, traveling burlesque troupes had not yet refined their understandings of what audiences wanted from a retro-vaudeville performance. (Today's burlesque troupes haven't, either, which is that audiences don't want them, period.)
This explains the bricolage approach of The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, today's entry in a series featuring old photos from the Pitch music archives that will keep going until someone comes and takes eight boxes of worthless old promo photos off my damn hands.
As I was saying, the Bindlestiffers didn't know what the fuck to do with their act, so they threw it all in. You got the Confused Toby Keith Flautist, the Worlds-Smallest-Sword-Swallowing Joseph Fiennes Lookalike, the Poor-Alt-Girl's Scarlett Johannson, the Obligatory Bettie Page Haircut in Sequin Shorts, the Guy With a What Is That Is That A Toaster? on His Head, and the Big Italian Guy in a Latex Bunny Suit. Oh, Bindlestiff Family, your time was short, but you burned with a hard, gem-like flame.
Thousands of wonderful photos like this are taking up space in my office that my boss requires for other purposes. Please come get them. E-mail me to make an offer to pick them up for free.
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Thanks, Willy. You also just reminded me that the term for a hankerchief-tied bundle around a stick -- the classic runaway symbol -- is called a "bindle."
I've got a stiffy for obscure words.
Greetings!
This is Bindlestiff Willy of the KC SOB (Kansas City Society of Burlesque). Just chiming in to say thanks for calling me 'cute', and no, I am not affiliated with The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus in any way, shape, or form. My performer name is a combination of hobo slang (Bindlestiff- a tramp that will steal from other tramps, and Willy-also slang for a tramp, and a nod to Emmett Kelly) and horrible pun (BindleSTIFF WILLY).
Like a lot performers, I have a real job (artist at Hallmark) and I entertain nights and weekends, so I am, in fact, an imitation hobo.
cheers!
B. W.
Bindlestiff Willie is pretty cute, actually. And he bears a striking resemblence to Tiny Sword Swallower. But, yes, Jason, I agree. Ol' BW should probably get a real job.
I can't wait to see all the comments you get from burlesque troupes.
Actually, the guy in the bunny suit looks like he was dressing up as The Tick for Halloween.
And apparently, they're still active. Bindlestiff.org
Calendar editor Crystal "Hobo Joe" Wiebe informs me that an entertainer named Bindlestiff Willie is performing at the Clownvis Circus Burlesque Show on Saturday June 20 at Crosstown. I wonder if he's affiliated with the players above, and, if so, why he does not get a real job.
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