Babalong's Birth
Established in 2001, Babalong Studios is what happens when two fabulous women (Babs Lucas and Cara Long) began designing frilly bum bloomers and bosom cupcakes paying homage to the still, very fresh scene of Burlesque.When the once forgotten Vancouver City Hotel of Gastown (91 Powell Street) came up for rent in 2001, they leaped on the opportunity. With 3 floors of "turn of the century" wrought iron spiral staircases, a 17ft solid Pine bar, and 25-foot ceilings, well, lets just say they saw the potential to host quite a party! They spent six weeks restoring the 2300 square foot Victorian Studio into a veritable paradise of costumes, photographs and marionettes collected from one of Babs many trips around the world.
There are many reasons why Vancouver's top performers, celebrities and "coolest cats" have come to party in Babalong, but both the girls will admit it was the Burlesque that brought them back, over and over again. Babalong and its guests have seen many a performer tip her hat and twirl her pasties, but dressing up is not just for the pros. The studio is host to the largest free tickle trunk in town and holds just over 280 hats, 200 costumes, and 16 tutus, which are strategically placed around the studio for ALL to play with, and hopefully leave for the next patron to enjoy. The studio plays host to the most exclusive art exhibits and private costume parties Vancouver's underground has ever seen. With a fabulously sexy, safe, silly and sassy atmosphere, how could you go wrong?Beatles photographer, the late Jerry Dieter, once said that the space is "like a kind of Playboy Mansion for empowered women - they're in charge, they have fun, and they are delightful to watch while hosting events to the hundreds of Babalong patrons.
Babalong has been host to MTV shoots, Fashion TV, ZTV interviews and party's, films such as "Connie and Carla" starring Nia Vardalos and David Duchovny.
Fine art exhibitions including the likes of Firemans' incredible paintings and musical sculptures, Sharpies' erotic hand cut art, and Babs' Tibetan and Himalayan photographs.
Musicians and talents of all genres have graced the floors including the Wet Spots, Inject, Zenobia Salik, Christina Sing, Watermelon, and the world famous rhyme and rapper, Baba Brinkman.
World class D.J.'s such as Timothy Wisdom, Mark Brennan, Ghetto, Jacob Cino, Woodhead, and Hebegebee are just some of the many talents to spin their vinyl fast, to shake the room hard.
Both Babs and Cara have continued to pursue their Burlesque careers, with Babs as Babalicious, and Cara as Caramilk. Both have been deeply involved with the scene since the days of "The Empire Burlesque", "Fluffgirls", and the "Corrupt cabaret" produced by Bonnie Kilroe, back in 2001.
But Cara has taken the Burlesque scene even one step further, and with the encouragement of Vancouvers most sassy MC and Burlesque performer Crystal Precious, the two gave birth to Sweetsoul Burlesque. Established in the spring of 2004, and very well known around Vancouver. The troupe can be booked by calling Crystal Precious at 778-229-6749.
Sweet Soul Designs was a vision that Babs and Cara shared for nearly 2 years. But it became apparent that the ladies of Vancouver needed to follow their own dreams, and Babs left the company to start her own. Sweetsoul is now owned and operated solely by Cara Long, which has become a hip, edgy line of burlesque-inspired lingerie, retro-casuals, and Contemporary Street wear. From polka-dot chemises to their World Famous "Bosom Cupcakes", the naughty-but-nice Sweet Soul line is widely distributed throughout North America and Europe. Cara's new studio is located at 1222 East Pender.www.sweetsoul.biz
Babs Designs, owned by Babs Lucas, is a stunning Mod-Asian collection that re-introduces the mysterious Queen of textiles, Hand-woven silk. Babs' focus is creating a line that encompasses and celebrates all shapes and sizes, making her designs available from size 2-26. Babs, who often travels extensively throughout Asia, designs and purchases the fabrics herself from the AAC, which is an Artist Association in Cambodia. The organization focuses on employment and training for landmine victims, recovering sexually abused women, and victims of a recovering war-torn country.New location for Babs and Babalong? To be announced!
www.babs.ca
