Jac Bowie
Encyclopedia
Jac Bowie is an Australian burlesque
agent, promoter and producer. A former flight attendant, she gained recognition for transforming burlesque
, banned in 19th century US, into the burlesque ball, a contemporary Australian event of class and sophistication.
Bowie staged the first burlesque ball in Sydney in 2006. It is now an annual event, showcasing high-end performers, costumes and props. The burlesque ball tours in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Past international performers include Julie Atlas Muz
, Roxi Dlite
, Amber Ray, Peekaboo Pointe, Ophelia Bitz, Lola The Vamp
, and Rachel St. James.
Burlesque was banned in 19th century US because of nudity and cheap thrills, but its wider appeal never died, resurfacing in many forms over the years, including in the film Moulin Rouge
. Bowie’s burlesque ball is designed to entertain, and not to offend.
Over the years, burlesque underwent a renaissance in Australia. The Jac Bowie PR and Events is a burlesque, vaudeville and vintage agency that staged the burlesque ball on a grand scale. Viva Valentine who entertains and titillates in equal measure, has emerged as Australia’s answer to Dita Von Teese
, ‘the world’s most fashionable woman’ who revived burlesque
in the US.
Bowie is director of the International Vaudeville and Vintage Agency. Her business revolves around four key events: The Burlesque Ball, The Ruby Revue, Bijou Cabaret and Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. The other business elements encompass event and artist management for burlesque performers and a school for burlesque
and cabaret performers.
Every month, Bowie also produces The Ruby Revue, a burlesque event featuring magic, comedy, music and striptease in Sydney and Melbourne. Voted Sydney’s No.1 burlesque show, it is dubbed ‘naughty enough to get the crowd rowdy, but classy enough to bring the granny.’
Bowie is branch director of Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School (owned by illustrator Molly Crabapple
) in Sydney.
with Johnny Young
and Pat Cash
.
At age 14, Bowie was a drama student at the prestigious Newtown High School of The Performing Arts. At the school, she took on her first role as Assistant Director. She has also been a singer / model. She starred in the Tropfest film "The Unsound."
In 2005, Bowie sang vocals for the single 'Where Did You Come From" which achieved airplay on FBi Radio and several films. The song was produced by Michael Pearson Adams of Shakaya
fame. She also was the face of Sarah Jane Boutique in Sydney for many years.
Bowie freelanced in events and production for over two years after previous career choices as a flight attendant, a drama teacher, and in cosmetic sales and management, hospitality management, and cruise ship work. She was also the NSW State Manager for an international promotions & marketing agency. But in 2004 she started thinking about running a business based around burlesque—a performance art form that includes song, dance, comedy and acts of daring, with lush costumes, dramatic music and lighting, and a saucy and satirical edge.
Bowie decided to create her own dream job---instead of facing the difficulties of working 9 to 5 and being a full-time mum. "I borrowed some money from my parents to get the burlesque ball off the ground, which covered my venue costs and my photo shoot; that's about it," says Bowie. "I couldn't afford to do flyers or anything like that, so nearly everyone who came to the event heard about it through MySpace."
Aside from organizing burlesque events, Bowie stages A-list events and productions. “I also do publicity and find gigs for burlesque performers,” Bowie says. “I work occasionally as a fashion / film makeup artist & stylist.”
In June 2010, Bowie joined forces with former Miss Nude World (Entertainer of the Year) Cassandra Atkins to form a new company, The Bijou Group. Incorporating their new competition Miss Burlesque International, and existing events The Burlesque Ball, The Ruby Revue and a new entertainment agency.
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
agent, promoter and producer. A former flight attendant, she gained recognition for transforming burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
, banned in 19th century US, into the burlesque ball, a contemporary Australian event of class and sophistication.
Bowie staged the first burlesque ball in Sydney in 2006. It is now an annual event, showcasing high-end performers, costumes and props. The burlesque ball tours in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Past international performers include Julie Atlas Muz
Julie Atlas Muz
Julie Atlas Muz is a New York City-based performance artist, dancer, burlesque artist, stage director, and actress....
, Roxi Dlite
Roxi Dlite
Roxi DLite is a Canadian burlesque performer, model and photographer from Windsor, Ontario. She was crowned the Reigning Queen of Burlesque and Miss Exotic World 2010 at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Her tagline is the Drinkin’, Strippin’, Smokin’ Machine.-Background:Roxi DLite resides...
, Amber Ray, Peekaboo Pointe, Ophelia Bitz, Lola The Vamp
Lola the Vamp
Lola The Vamp is the only burlesque performer in theatrical history to perform burlesque for the academic award of PhD. She is undertaking a creative component PhD involving the production of creative product and thesis at Griffith University...
, and Rachel St. James.
Burlesque was banned in 19th century US because of nudity and cheap thrills, but its wider appeal never died, resurfacing in many forms over the years, including in the film Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a cabaret built in 1889 by Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. The closest métro station is Blanche.The Moulin Rouge is...
. Bowie’s burlesque ball is designed to entertain, and not to offend.
Over the years, burlesque underwent a renaissance in Australia. The Jac Bowie PR and Events is a burlesque, vaudeville and vintage agency that staged the burlesque ball on a grand scale. Viva Valentine who entertains and titillates in equal measure, has emerged as Australia’s answer to Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
, ‘the world’s most fashionable woman’ who revived burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
in the US.
Bowie is director of the International Vaudeville and Vintage Agency. Her business revolves around four key events: The Burlesque Ball, The Ruby Revue, Bijou Cabaret and Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. The other business elements encompass event and artist management for burlesque performers and a school for burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
and cabaret performers.
Every month, Bowie also produces The Ruby Revue, a burlesque event featuring magic, comedy, music and striptease in Sydney and Melbourne. Voted Sydney’s No.1 burlesque show, it is dubbed ‘naughty enough to get the crowd rowdy, but classy enough to bring the granny.’
Bowie is branch director of Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School (owned by illustrator Molly Crabapple
Molly Crabapple
Molly Crabapple is an American artist, author and entrepreneur.The AP Wire once compared her work to "limerick shared amongst good company in a Victorian parlor."-Early life:...
) in Sydney.
Early days
Born Jacqueline Eleanor Carmichael, Jac Bowie was a child actor from age eight. Since 1987, Bowie has appeared in television, theatre and short films. The Australian TV shows include Home & Away, Heartbreak High, GP, and the television commercials include Wonderland SydneyWonderland Sydney
Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park was the largest one in the southern hemisphere. It remained open for almost nineteen years and was the premier theme park in New South Wales for much of its life, but it closed in 2004...
with Johnny Young
Johnny Young
Johnny Young is an Australian singer, composer, record producer, disc jockey, television producer and host. Originally from Netherlands, his family settled in Perth, Western Australia in the early 1950s...
and Pat Cash
Pat Cash
Patrick Hart "Pat" Cash is a retired Australian professional tennis player who won the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 1987.-Early career:...
.
At age 14, Bowie was a drama student at the prestigious Newtown High School of The Performing Arts. At the school, she took on her first role as Assistant Director. She has also been a singer / model. She starred in the Tropfest film "The Unsound."
In 2005, Bowie sang vocals for the single 'Where Did You Come From" which achieved airplay on FBi Radio and several films. The song was produced by Michael Pearson Adams of Shakaya
Shakaya
Shakaya were a two-piece girl group from Australia, that consisted of Simone Stacey and Naomi Wenitong, two Cairns, North Queensland based songwriters and performers. The two met at the Atsic Music College in 1999 while studying an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander music course and they had...
fame. She also was the face of Sarah Jane Boutique in Sydney for many years.
Bowie freelanced in events and production for over two years after previous career choices as a flight attendant, a drama teacher, and in cosmetic sales and management, hospitality management, and cruise ship work. She was also the NSW State Manager for an international promotions & marketing agency. But in 2004 she started thinking about running a business based around burlesque—a performance art form that includes song, dance, comedy and acts of daring, with lush costumes, dramatic music and lighting, and a saucy and satirical edge.
Bowie decided to create her own dream job---instead of facing the difficulties of working 9 to 5 and being a full-time mum. "I borrowed some money from my parents to get the burlesque ball off the ground, which covered my venue costs and my photo shoot; that's about it," says Bowie. "I couldn't afford to do flyers or anything like that, so nearly everyone who came to the event heard about it through MySpace."
Aside from organizing burlesque events, Bowie stages A-list events and productions. “I also do publicity and find gigs for burlesque performers,” Bowie says. “I work occasionally as a fashion / film makeup artist & stylist.”
In June 2010, Bowie joined forces with former Miss Nude World (Entertainer of the Year) Cassandra Atkins to form a new company, The Bijou Group. Incorporating their new competition Miss Burlesque International, and existing events The Burlesque Ball, The Ruby Revue and a new entertainment agency.
Personal life
Bowie is the mother of two children, Kai Alexander Bowie and Alizienne Grace Wright. In 2010 she separated from husband Jon Wright. She lives with her two children in Melbourne. She has two younger sisters—model and socialite Monique Swart, and Annaliese Swart.External links
- Jac Bowie's Official Site http://www.jacbowie.com/blog
- The Bijou Group http://www.bijougroup.com.au
- The Burlesque Ball http://www.burlesqueball.com
- Miss Burlesque International Competition http://www.missburlesqueinternational.com