If you follow any of my other sites you know that I spent a month in Gainesville, Florida to play drums and percussion for The Addams Family Musical at Buchholz High School (my Alma mater).
I’ve played drums for musicals at BHS for 10+ years now (my first being Aida in 2004), and I love working with such talented students and a drama teacher (Ted Lewis) that truly cares about their students and showing off their individual talents.
Over a year ago, before we even moved, Ted told me that he was going to be doing The Addams Family Musical this May and I immediately committed to flying back to play drums for it. I think everyone thought I was joking, but how could I possibly turn down the opportunity to play for such an awesome musical! (And dress epic-ly for every show.) It ended up being my favorite musical out of all of the ones I’ve played for. The kids were so committed and had so much fun, you could really tell when they performed.
And a huge thank you to Tobin Wagstaff at Studio Percussion Music and Dance Center for sponsoring the drum set that I played on for the show! Studio Percussion Music & Dance Center is very close to my heart and is a great nonprofit in Gainesville, Florida dedicated to bringing arts opportunities to everyone. I first worked with them when I was 13 years old, and they continue to be an amazing organization bringing music to everyone. Check them out and donate to their efforts at www.studiopercussion.org
Also check out Tobin Wagstaff’s Full Drum & Percussion Online School at www.tobinwagstaff.com!
While I was in town, the beautiful ladies of The Mischievous Madams Burlesque Troupe booked me for a shoot, and we got some amazing shots of all of the beautiful ladies in a bunch of different costumes. And we got the unexpected opportunity to shoot with a beautiful classic Impala that perfectly matched the black and red theme that the girls planned for with their group shot!
(Left to Right: Phoenix Mydnight, Sally Sucre, Jenny Castle, Lillie De Luna, Della Darling, Stella O’Hare, Sally B Dash)
They are absolutely amazing models and performers! I highly recommend checking them out if you are nearby any of them when they are performing! Incredibly entertaining, sexy, and sometimes funny! I always find myself smiling from ear to ear during their shows. 🙂 I cannot wait to shoot them again next time I’m in town!
Huge thanks to Market Street Pub and Cabaret in downtown Gainesville for letting us shoot there! Such an awesome, large, and varied location to shoot in, and there’s alcohol! Hope to fill you with sexy ladies again soon!
Seriously, if you are in the area you should check out Market Street. Go check out some live music, or burlesque performers, and some nights they even have aerial bartenders! I am so sad that we are so far away now that Market Street has been taken over by new owners who are doing so much cool stuff there. I went and hung out just to edit photos and work on costumes, and it was the perfect spot!
I also got the chance to shoot individually with Lillie De Luna in some of her burlesque costumes and in some absolutely adorable pin up wardrobe. And I shot with the amazingly talented Jenny Castle (who also taught me how to eat fire while I was in town!).
I can’t wait to finish editing the photos from all of these stunning ladies, and shoot them again!
The beautiful ladies of the Mischievous Madams Burlesque Troupe and the Market Street Revue also chose my photos to advertise for the amazing girls! It is such an honor to have my images used, and I cannot express my gratitude to all of them.
Sally B Dash and I in front of the poster for the Market Street Revue with the photo of her that I took.
The poster in front of Market Street Pub and Cabaret with photos I took of Lillie De Luna, Sally Sucre, and Pheonix Mydnight on it.
I also got to check out the Amazing Acro-Cats Cat Circus at The Hippodrome theater while I was in town! So adorable and fun. If I wasn’t already a model and photographer, I would absolutely run off and join the cat circus. I can’t wait until they come out to the Bay Area so I can take all of my West Coast friends!
I also got to see two of my favorite people in the world, Formaldehyde Flower and her amazing husband. She was 9 months pregnant when I visited and has since given birth to her absolutely beautiful baby girl, Silver. I am beyond happy for them and know that they will raise the most perfect daughter and be the best parents in the world. I am so lucky to have people like them in my life.
It was an amazing trip full of amazing people. ❤
Check out all of my safe for work photos from my trip here.
Check out photos from all of the various gigs I’ve played for here.
Check out photos from The Mischievous Madams Burlesque Troupe’s Second Anniversary show here.
Chelsea Christian 