Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Gavit.
Dani, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Six years ago I was just getting started as a Burlesque performer and was working on breaking into the scene and booking gigs. I had a regular spot performing in a show at the old Absinthe Lounge on Lamar. It was a good show but small. I was there for about six months before the show abruptly ended, leaving me without a place to perform. I auditioned for a couple of local troupes but they were not a fit. That was when I ran into a friend that I had not seen in a while and she was working at a bar called Wits End in Deep Ellum and she invited us down there for the metal night. My husband and I accepted the invite and wandered down to the bar and instantly fell in love. I had been thinking about putting a show together and knew that Wits End was the place that it had to be at. I had several very talented friends and started contacting them to be in the show that I was putting together. We talked to the bar and they loved the idea and they gave us a Thursday night. My husband was a stilt-walking Satan for local haunts and we decided to have him emcee the show in character and call it Deadly Sins Burlesque and Sideshow. Our first show was a success and we were invited to come back two weeks later on a Friday and then our next show was on a Saturday and we did a show on New Year’s Eve, which we have done for the last five years and it is always a fun time. What I had originally intended to be a one time show, became a monthly show and I gained a wonderful troupe of lovely talented performers that are very dedicated and love what they do. The whole thing grew organically and we just celebrated our five year anniversary.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a show is not always easy, it definitely has its challenges. When we first started I was not an experienced producer; I had to learn some things through trial and error. They were nothing major just had to figure out the logistics of it all. We needed branding and our flyers were terrible starting out. I had no idea who to contact for these things. Thankfully, I met a wonderful graphic designer and photographer that created our logo and has been designing our very eye-catching and fabulous flyers for the past five years. Photo by Nikki has been an absolute joy to work with, and I am always excited to see what she has created for us month after month. She is also our very talented show photographer. I still stress and worry about minor things that are not always in my control, such as weather. We have had some shows during terrible weather which has impacted attendance. As a producer, you want to pack the bar and provide a good crowd for your performers and the bar staff. We have had performers get sick on the day of shows and having to find a replacement is not always easy. I am lucky that I work with so many wonderful people that are always willing and able to help in whatever way possible.
Please tell us about the Deadly Sins Burlesque and Sideshow.
I run a burlesque and sideshow troupe in Deep Ellum. We have a monthly show at Wits End. I am proud of the talent that I get to work with every month. We are different than your traditional burlesque shows. We add a circus and sideshow edge. You never really know what to expect a Deadly Sins show. One thing I can guarantee is that it will be fun. We have a variety of different types of entertainment for everyone. I also run Burlesque Bingo at Duke’s Ice House in Addison every Tuesday and run a sideshow troupe called Sideshow Rats, which is only circus and sideshow acts.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I remember being in dance when I was a kid. I loved dance and recital days were magical to me. I would get to dress up in cute sparkly outfits and wear makeup and perform on stage in front of an audience. I loved being on stage; it is something that I have carried over with me into adulthood. I later became involved in drama in school and I really enjoyed being behind the scenes as well. That is one of the things that inspired me to become a burlesque and sideshow performer. I am also a makeup artist as well and love getting others stage ready. I love to share the joy of the spotlight with others.
Contact Info:
- Email: janieslash@gmail.com
- Instagram: @janieslash
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deadlysinsdfw/
Image Credit:
PhotobyNikki Nikki Arnold
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