Kunst ist Scheisse

Schall und Rauch ~ Music of the Berlin Cabaret Era

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:38:13 GMT

Greetings to all,

The producer of this exquisite collection has informed me that the recording is no longer in print but copies are still available for purchase through Provocateur Media. Sound and Smoke was the most significant music played at our wedding reception and I can say that everyone onboard The Lexington was dancing with excitement. Additional information is available in the “Media Room” section of the website. It would be a shame not to have this in your collection if you are a devotee of German Cabaret.

Alles Gute! Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

~donna

Eclectic vintage costume/art event!

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:22:22 GMT

DANCES OF VICE invites all modern dandies, decadents, aesthetes, artists, thinkers, and dreamers to join them on February 8th and 9th for the 2008 Dances of Vice Festival in New York City! Avant garde cello-rock ensemble RASPUTINA will be headlining the festival with a very special show in the exciting context of a Neo-Victorian costumed ball.

The festival will feature such performances and displays as Victorian-era fencing, musical saws, marionette operettas, dance art, live music, theatre, avant garde fashion vendors, an art gallery, an elaborate vintage Polaroid photo booth, and much more - with tickets sold to attendees traveling from as far as Australia, London, and Vancouver.

The Dances of Vice Festival promises to be the most elegant and sensational spectacle of the year for all enthusiasts of vintage culture, Victoriana, gothic subculture, steampunk, performance art, dark cabaret and other creative alternative subcultures. Advance tickets are available for purchase through the website at http://www.dancesofvice.com.

Details regarding the festival proceedings can be found in our official Program Booklet: dovprogdigi.pdf (3.62 MB)

http://www.myspace.com/dancesofvice

---

Dances of Vice Roster:

I. Music Artists

Rasputina
The Deadfly Ensemble
Nicki Jaine
Oryx Incruentus
What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?

II. Performing Artists

Desert Sin
Black Forest Fancies

III. Exhibiting Artists

Molly Crabapple
Symon Chow
Tina Imel
Scott Irvine
bd miller
Zoetica Ebb
Lisa Mei Ling Fong (Eerie Art)
Ryan Toth
Mashinka Firunts

II. Special Guests

Martinez Academy of Arms
Jen Zakrzewski
His Master's Voice
DJ Delecti
DJ Johnny Sake

http://www.dancesofvice.com
http://www.myspace.com/dancesofvice
http://community.livejournal.com/dancesofvicenyc

Threepenny Opera icons

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:19:46 GMT

Most of them are from the 2006 revival.

A few examples:

The rest are here.

Attn NYC: Roaring Twenties Dances of Vice Blue Moon Masquerade, October 20th!

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:24:04 GMT

October 20th: Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra in
- The BLUE MOON MASQUERADE - $20 in advance

The exclusive DANCES OF VICE Blue Moon Masquerade Ball will take place in less than 10 days, on October 20th! Prepare for scandal as you don your masks and join us in dancing to hot 1920-30s jazz performed by Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra starting at 11pm. Live DJs (His Masters Voice; Matthew) will follow with the best early jazz, blues, swing, big band, cabaret, and tango music of the 1920-30s for your dancing pleasure.

Just added to the Blue Moon Masquerade program is the enchanting Autumn Ward, who will be plucking the moon from the night sky in a dreamy and theatrical dance performance.

To celebrate the release of Issue 3 of Steampunk Magazine, a variety of gifts from Steampunk Magazine will be offered as prizes and giveaways throughout the evening, with an additional assortment of trinkets offered for the best masquerade costumes!

An elaborate vintage paper moon photo booth will also be featured at the event, so "get out and get under the moon" with your special sweetheart on October 20th! Your photo will be taken by distinguished burlesque and fine art photographers Don Spiro and Jen Zakrzewzski using vintage polaroid cameras for an authentic vintage look.

As always, requested attire for Dances of Vice events remains: 1920-30s Vintage, Victorian, Edwardian, Avant Garde, Decadent- or formal evening attire. Extravagance is surely encouraged for our exclusive masquerade ball, so plan on wearing something special! Finally, don't forget to bring a mask! It has been firmly established that unmasked attendees will be fair game for a good spanking.

Tickets for the Blue Moon Masquerade are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. This event is expected to sell out, and space is limited, so reserve your tickets now! Visit http://www.dancesofvice.com for ticketing information.

Here is a preview of some of the prizes and giveaways you can expect to win at next week's Blue Moon Masquerade, graciously provided by Jaborwhalky Productions, in association with Steampunk Magazine:

A brand new ACOUSTIC GUITAR!
Swing and jazz MUSIC CDs!
Gorgeous custom masks by Madame Khufu!
Issues of STEAMPUNK MAGAZINE 1 through 3!
Silent film DVDs!
Vintage style men's ties!
Vintage hats, and sunglasses!
Designer makeup kits!
..and much more!

Reserve your ticket early and you will be entered in the raffle for a chance to receive any one of these fine gifts. There will be wonderful gift baskets for costume winners and door prizes for all, so please come early and dress to impress!

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:20:32 GMT

The Dada-Constructivist meeting at Weimar, autumn 1922.
From: Art and Politics in the Weimar Period by John Willett

Dances of Vice: Villains and Visionaries 9/15: JILL TRACY, Tempest, Don Spiro

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 23:49:17 GMT

The official Dances of Vice website is now online! Dances of Vice is a newmonthly 1920s/30s dance/cabaret night held in the spirit of the early 20th century days of forgotten elegance, decadence, creativity, and vice. Please visit http://www.dancesofvice.com for information regarding future Dances of Vice events, pictures and playlists from previous events, artist biographies, and more.

Our next evening affair falls on September 15th, and we will be featuring sensational pianist/chanteuse Jill Tracy on stage, who promises to enchant audiences with her signature concoction of dark parlour & classical piano, haunting lyrics and seductive style. Nouveau Noir Dancer Tempest will also weave her magic on stage with her unique belly dance performance influenced by early 20th century aestheticism & such artists as Theda Bara & Ruth St. Denis. In addition, distinguished photographer Don Spiro will be showcasing his work as part of our “Villains and Visionaries” theme, with a series of Weimarian images depicting the destructive passions of lusty vamps devoted to the intricate drug culture of a lost world.

http://www.jilltracy.com
http://www.darklydramatic.com
http://www.donspiro.com

Dances of Vice next Saturday in New York City 8/18

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:27:37 GMT

The opening night of Dances of Vice, a new monthly 1920s/30s themed dance/cabaret event in New York City, is taking place next Saturday at the Pussycat Lounge. As the hostess of the evening, I would like to invite you to flaunt your most desirable fashions and admire those designed by Vecona (http://www.vecona.de), which will be showcased in a theatrical period fashion show (covering Baroque, Victorian, steampunk, 1940s inspired fashions and more) as the main attraction of the evening. Other attractions include live musical performances by Lucas Lanthier (http://www.myspace.com/lucaslanthier) and Oryx Incruentus (http://www.oryx-music.com), who will be performing selected songs from Hell Is Repetition, accompanied by scenes from the 1911 silent film L'Inferno. I hope to have the pleasure of entertaining you at our opening night on August 18th!

http://www.myspace.com/dancesofvice

Vecona designs:

Oryx Incruentus:

Stills from Anders als die Andern (1919), starring Conrad Veidt

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:26:38 GMT

"Korner recalls how out of place he felt when his fellow university students forced him to go along to a bordello."

Here are some stills from one of the most groundbreaking films of early German cinema, Different From the Others. Conrad Veidt plays Korner, a homosexual man who is blackmailed for his sexual orientation and is pressured to commit suicide. Weimar Berlin's "Priestess of Depravity" Anita Berber even plays a small role as Korner's sister.

"Korner recalls how he went to a hypnotist in a vain effort to be cured of his homosexuality."

"In the flashback, Bolleck accompanies Korner home and then shocks him by demanding hush money."

"Blackmail victim Paul Korner reads obituaries of individuals who committed suicide 'for reasons unknown.'"

"In his mind's eye, Korner visualises a sombre quenue of historical homosexuals, shakled together and advancing under a sword of Damocles inscribed 175."

"Korner commits suicide by swallowing a poison pill."

"Kurt Sivers blames himself for Korner's death, while his sister Else (far left- played by Anita Berber!) despairs of consoling him."

Plot summary and background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_als_die_Andern

If you're an enthusiast of the culture and film of this era living in New York, I'd like to invite you to the following event: http://www.myspace.com/dancesofvice

Tänze des Lasters, early century cabaret/dance night in NYC

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:45:11 GMT

Tänze des Lasters (Dances of Vice) is a new monthly dance/cabaret night held in the spirit of the early century days of forgotten elegance, decadence, vice and creativity. Named after the expressionist Rosa von Praunheim film "Anita: Tänze des Lasters" about Anita Berber, the legendary nude dancer of Weimar Berlin, Dances of Vice carries the theme of rebellion, creative expression, and the triumph of madness and pleasure over societal restraints. There is certainly a darker, macabre element associated with the figure and period, which can be expected of the evening. Although the evening will have a more 1920s and 30s flair, I also hope to attract enthusiasts of the darker side of the Victorian era to the event.

Dances of Vice invites all modern day flappers, dandies, neo-Victorians, crazies, crooks andne'er-do-wells to join us in dancing to the hottest tunes of the Roaring Twenties, Dirty Thirties and Flying Forties from 10pm to 4am every third Saturday of the month at the Pussycat Lounge in New York City! The debut night is taking place on Saturday, AUGUST 18th at the Pussycat Lounge. There will be special performances planned for each evening, which will commence at 11:00pm. Dances of Vice not only aims to promote appreciation for the music and culture of the past, but will also feature (both live and DJ'ed) music from contemporary musicians either influenced by music of the early century, or in the avant garde spirit of the period in general.

Requested Attire: 1920-40s style, Avant Garde, Victorian, Steampunk, Gothic, Glamourous, Decadent etc- an additional entry fee will be charged for attendees in casual attire. Extravagance is surely encouraged- it is impossible to overdress for Tänze des Lasters.

For details, please visit: http://www.myspace.com/dancesofvice

Friedrichstraße

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:34:43 GMT

I don't think I ever posted the finished product, just the half-done version. Anyway, here's my tattoo based on E.L. Kirchner's Friedrichstraße.

Don't mind the swollen leg. The photo was taken the evening it was completed.

Tattoo executed Cecelia at Braindrops in San Francisco.

ETA: Thanks to everyone for the lovely compliments.

The GOLEM -Weimar movies

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:23:55 GMT

I am very impressed by the images producted by the german film makers around the Weimar republic period, such as Fritz Lang of course and other unknown. Here is "Der Golem wie er in die Welt Kam" , ein deutsches film von Paul Wegener, 1920.

The film takes place in Prague at the XVI th century.The Rabbin Loew feel that the jewsih community is in danger and decide to protect them by appealing to an old legend the Golem. He gives birth to this man made of clay, and magic power. the Golem saves the Emperor who decide to save the jewish. This is really fascinating as this is so promonitory, so revealing the fear and the fragility around being jewsish in this period in Germany. And also the Golem went mad after that and a child cured him by removing the little yellow star he had on his heart... really odd.

Claude Cahun 1927

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:00:10 GMT

Claude Cahun the third sex 1927
The french Claude Cahun exploring the 3rd sex selfportraits

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:28:41 GMT

Hey all - I'm new, ignorant, and interested.

Next weekend I'm going to be performing some Brecht/Weill songs in a cabaret performance, and I'm looking for images of (female) cabaret singers from this era for costume ideas. Anyone have any particularly striking images? links? other source recommendations?

180 degrees

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:03:05 GMT

so apparently in this Schad's painting the lady in pink is a transvestite; taking into account her see-through dress, what do you think would happen had (s)he turned around?

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 01:20:49 GMT

hey! check out dykeriot

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:22:34 GMT

an interesting show I had a chance to see at the Syracuse Univeristy art gallery today - the TIME covers by Boris Artzybasheff from the WWII era. It is crucial that you view these works after seeing the Met's Glitter and Doom. For it is essential to understand Otto Dix's influence on the Artzybasheff oeuvre. All the Nazi leaders' portraits are there - I never knew they made it to the TIME cover back in the 40's; the Japanese militarists are on view too.

check this out and keep Dix's portraiture in mind:

weimar

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:27:40 GMT

a great guide to the Weimar period and the Met's Glitter and Doom show is Peter Gay's "Weimar Culture: an Outsider as Insider". I read it and I loved it. It is not easy to swallow and you have to be acquainted with some German history and word stock, but it's definitely worth the try.

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:18:17 GMT

A very good book I ordered online and received today.

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 20:40:55 GMT

does anyone know where i can find cds or mp3s of weintraub's syncopators?

" lit darly or lit brightly ?"

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:02:06 GMT

Anita Berber...

Berlin in the 20's really swung hard. The mark was worthless and you could buy ANY sexual depravity for 10 dollars US .

Anita Berber was the original "burns the candle at both ends" entertainer. Read "The Seven Addictions and five professions od Anita Berber" to find out more. ( if you've ever been to the Kitkat club ..you know what I mean)

Here is a sample that shows what a flat boring culture we really live in now days...

P.S. has anyone here read "A dance between the flames" ?????

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:24:32 GMT

Emil Nolde Painting Found After 25 Years

BERLIN (Dec. 8) -- A portrait by German expressionist Emil Nolde worth about $660,000 has been discovered more than 25 years after it went missing, a spokesman for Baden-Wuerttemberg state police said Friday.

The oil painting "Nadja" was discovered by an art historian who said he stumbled across it when cleaning out his attic and realized the work did not belong to him. The man, whose name was not released, handed it over to state police, said Ulrich Heffner, a spokesman for Baden-Wuerttemberg authorities.

Painted in 1919, the portrait originally belonged to Walther Rathenau, the foreign minister of Germany's Weimar Republic who was murdered in 1922. Rathenau's brother then inherited the picture, which went missing while in the hands of a transport company in the late 1970s.

The Emil Nolde Foundation in the German town of Seebuell confirmed the painting was original and estimated its value.

Police are now trying to determine who is the rightful owner of the painting.

Nolde was a member of the German group the Bridge — Bruecke in German — set up in Dresden in 1905. His works are distinguished by simplified, sometimes deliberately crude forms, and intense color.

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:51:51 GMT

As a rabid opponent of spam in all its recipes, I hesitated to post this, but, after some consideration, it suddenly seemed not completely inappropriate given the ideology of this club, and I appeal to the good sense of the moderators not to toss this out.

What are the good folk of kunst_weimar doing when they aren't talking about schadographs and the New Objectivity? Why, I'll tell you. Those who aren't already, should be down at the barbary_club, a discreet "virtual" lounge for those who live à rebours, where one may meet interesting individuals for the exchange of sparkling repartée, preposterous ideas, and household hints. Just ring the bell. When the panel slides open, the password is "panache".

To those who find this announcement in extraodinarily bad taste, please accept my sincerest apologies.

a tribute to the Weimar's decadent style

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 11:41:55 GMT

As I love the decadent and glamourous style 20's, I often do reference to this style in my paintings. I decided to share with you the recent Portrait of Madame k (acrylic on canvas).

Man Ray

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:04:54 GMT

Hi there, this is one of Man Ray's works I love most.

Noire et Blanche, 1926

The Bohemianauts

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:09:15 GMT

The Bohemianauts - Songs of Unrequited Dread

8th November 7.30-10PM

Kinky Mambo
144-145 Upper St, Islington, London

This unconventional duo features singer/accordionista from
Fantasmagoria,
Tom Baker, and saxophonist and leader of the Big Buzzard Boogie Band,
Andy
Williamson. Their repertoire of Chansons Franglais, Cabaret Noir and
Gypsy
Lounge Trash sits somewhere between Gogol Bordello, The Tiger Lillies,
and
Tom Waits, and yet is something altogether different.