Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Glamazons at Spiegelworld

The invite read as follows:

THE GLAMAZONS in...America's Got Backfat!

WHAT: The behind the scenes of everything you didn’t get to see on TV! Come see the girls tell their story, sing their new music and reveal the secrets of what really happened over the past year

WHEN: FRI & SAT, October 24 & 25, 2008 -- 9:00 PM

WHERE: Spiegelworld (NYC)Pier 17, South Street Seaport (South Street & Beekman Street)

I got an email from my "homie" Mia Amber asking me if I'd like to attend the show with her. I had checked out the ladies stint on America's Got Talent and I was very curious to see what they were gonna do live. I caught The Glamazons live a few years back when they performed at a fashion showcase for plus sized designer Monif C. I will be honest here....while I loved what they were trying to do and the whole "baudiness" of the show (complete with dancing & singing on the bar) I was less impressed with their vocals at the time. I thought it was a cute concept but the lineup just wasn't "locking" vocally - ya know?

So yeah....I was definitely interested in seeing if anything had changed.

Mia & I hooked up at Penn Station and took the A train to the seaport. Showtime was slated for 9pm and we were actually a little late but because they had a large crowd - they were still seating folks when we arrived. We took a seat in a booth off to the side and a few moments later the lights dimmed and we were off!

Playing to a packed room they started the show off by reading letters from their fans (including the not so nice ones) and then personally answering them in song. I was pleased to find that they made some changes to their lineup and guess what? Yeah! The unit CLICKS!!! They gave us a set of 18 songs and they came out strong and hard on the opening song "Sugar Rush" and the remaining 11 songs. However, I thought they made a misstep with their interpretation of "Joyful, Joyful" from the movie "Sister Act 2". They changed the lyrics and made it a "tribute" song to their large gay following but for some reason (chalk it up to my "church girl" background) it made me a little uncomfortable. I am glad that they are doing original tunes now but some of the harmonies were a little shaky on the remaining 6 songs. I think once they work out the kinks on the original tunes they will have a kick ass show for real!

The standout song of the show for me was the original tune "Shakit" an anthem to plus sized women everywhere (ya'll should record and shoot a video for this song ladies!). I also very much enjoyed the retelling of their Branson, Missouri gig immediately following the finals of America's Got Talent. It was absolutely hilarious!

Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to chat with the Glamazons following the show because they were mobbed by their fans. But we did manage to snag a couple of Glamazon Calendars to take home along with a cute little bag of pre halloween candy!
For those of you who are NOT hip to The Glamazons yet, let me introduce you quickly:

Sandy "Candy Apple" May

A sweet, sassy blonde bombshell, Miss May is a big girl with a big heart! She grew up on a farm in Iowa and left milking cows behind to come to the “big city” to pursue her passion. After graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, she met Miss Lady Finger and they’ve been dancing up a storm ever since.

Sandy bring a slight twist of innocence to the Glamazons with her version of “Brand New Key” but the diva shines through with “Big Blonde & Beautiful”. Sandy has been seen in such shows as “The King and I”, “Blood Brothers”, “Company”, “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”, “The Sound of Music” and “Hamlet”. Sandy is very proud to be part of the Glamazons and the girls have become her family. “We are proof that beauty and strength comes in all shapes and sizes”.


Lady Finger (Meryl Finger)

...has a beautiiful voice and possesses entrancing sexuality”
- Dan’s Papers

A fierce, fun-loving, full-figured triple threat from Brooklyn, NY, Miss Finger started tap dancing and singing at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since. A graduate of NYU with a BFA in Drama and an MA in Educational Theatre, Meryl has appeared in fashion shows such as Lane Bryant, and Imitation of Christ.

She appeared in music videos for Tom Jones and Wyclef Jean, Kevin Aviance, and has been seen on the pages of VIBE, BUST, GOTHAM, Marie Claire and BBW magazines. She graced the stage of the Hampton’s Guild Hall this past summer in “ROUGE:The New Bohemia”, a collaboration of cabaret artists in a “retro-bent-bump-and-grind-show of dance and song” (Elle Magazine).

Meryl has appeared at numerous corporate and private events including clients such as Piaget and The Hamptons Film Festival, as well as weddings and Bar Mitzvah’s!


Laura “Caramella” Johnson

Laura has been performing her whole life. Singing and dancing has been her raison d'être ever since the age of three when she used to line up potatoes as her audience and put on shows for them. She has performed around the world in a variety of genres and has sung background vocals for artists ranging from Brandy to Susanna Hoffs to Hattie Gossett, among others.

While in college she studied Ethnomusicology and the dynamics of the human voice. Currently she has been singing backup for Pyeng Threadgill and Ayanda Hutchinson. She has a musical background deeply rooted in Hip Hop, Rhythm and Blues and Jazz influences. Her voice is a smooth blend of soulful, funky and folky sexiness.

Sarah "Ginger Snap" Orr

Sarah "Ginger Snap" Orr is thrilled to be the newest member of the Glamazons!

Born and raised in Southern California, Sarah left the sun and surf for the Big Apple to pursue her dream of making it big on Broadway. Along the way Sarah found "The biggest act in New York City " The Glamazons!" and instantly fell in love with the idea.

She also works as a plus size model. You may have seen her working the runway for Eileen Fisher, modeling Always for Me Swimwear for Beauty Plus Power, or her editorial in V-Style Magazine.

Most recently Sarah starred in the New York Musical Theatre Festival's A New Generation of Song. Some of Sarah's favorite roles include: The Witch in Into The Woods; Vicki in the Full Monty; Peppermint Patty in Snoopy! The Musical; Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show; Germaine in Picasso at the Lapin Agile; Emilia in Othello. Thus far her most favorite role is "Ginger Snap". Love to her family and friends, and the Glamazons for showing her what true beauty really is.


For more on The Glamazons check them out at http://www.glamazongirls.com/ and on My Space www.myspace.com/theglamazons

Here's a clip from America's Got Talent: Enjoy!










"Life is an occasion....Rise to it!"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

They have some really great Branson shows!