by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Carine Bouchard a.k.a. Miss Blue Cherry

Age: 28

Occupation: Burlesque performer

Bio: This busty Plateau bombshell has been dancing in one form or another since childhood—be it ballet, flamenco, or, most recently, burlesque. A founding member of Montreal’s very own Blue Light Burlesque troupe (www.bluelightburlesque.com), Carine, who doubles as a hairdresser, says she enjoys burlesque because it gives her the opportunity “to be someone else, a really girly, positive woman. I can smile and wear a pink dress if I want—as opposed to the dark, vampire-like characters” she’s found herself portraying at some of the “underground fashion shows” she’s danced at in the past. Incorporating elements of vintage 1950s burlesque into a “21st century show,” you can get to know Carine in all her exquisite detail when the BLB get down and do their thing June 9 at la Tulipe (4530 Papineau, corner of Mont-Royal, 9 p.m., tix $15 advance, $20 door).

Did her choice of stage name, Miss Blue Cherry, have anything to do with the physical health of her vagina? No.

Was it weird being on-stage in her skivvies for the first time? Not especially. “People need to accept their body as it is, faults and everything—which is what I do. The thing with burlesque is to be natural. [The BLB is about] girls with nice bodies but different bodies—not too thin. We don’t care if a girl has a bit of a belly, a large bra-size or a small one, what we really want are people who are comfortable with their bodies—on stage at least.”

Does she “take it all off”? “Oh no, we always wear pasties and/or a G-string.”

Have any of her male friends copped to masturbating to her semi-nude image yet? None so far.

Does she have any “special” uncles who make damn sure to never miss a performance? “No, but I don’t care if my uncles come see me. I’m proud of our show. I think it’s good and it’s got class. But I do have friends who aren’t allowed to look when it’s my turn on-stage. Like my ex-boyfriend’s best friend Vincent, he can look at all the girls on-stage except me. I don’t think he wants to see me doing this any more than I want him to anyway—we’re kind of like brother and sister, you know?”

Does performing get her horny? “A little bit maybe, because to project you have to feel sexy, but it’s more of an adrenaline rush, like an actor or musician might feel.”

Do people ever come to performances not quite getting it, yelling stuff at the stage like “Enough tease, already, get on the pole and show us some pink”? “People encourage us, but not like that. Hey, I’d be the first one to come down off the stage and throw a punch if that were to happen. You know, have fun, but be nice.”

Where she hangs: Café Chaos, Saphir.

Musical preferences: Sisters of Mercy, Nina Hagen.

Last book read: Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown.

Words of wisdom: “Always trust your instincts.”

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca