Check Out Cherry Wilde’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherry Wilde

Hi Cherry, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had wanted to do burlesque for over 10 years before finally gettng into it. I’ve always been an artistic person – I’ve played the violin since I was 10, sang in choirs, and was Thespian President of our troupe in high school.

When I was 18 years old, I was in a production of Bat Boy the Musical at a now defunct theatre company in Orange County. This theatre company also did late night burlesque shows after the mainstage plays. I had grown up entranced by the works of Bob Fosse, and was exposed to The Rocky Horror Picture Show at a younger age than I probably should have been. So the prospect of getting to wear garter belts and corsets was very appealing to me. I begged to join their troupe but was ignored, probably rightfully so. I was still just a high school kid at the time.

Over the next decade I found myself in relationships with men that were largely jealous and insecure. One boyfriend “forbid” me from participating in a collaborative photoshoot with a male photographer friend because I mentioned I would be wearing sheer tights and a bra. So I dare not entertain the idea of getting onstage and taking off *almost* all of my clothes.

Covid happened, and as the world started opening up again, I also started finding myself again. I had been a watered down version of myself for the better part of the last two years. I wasn’t able to participate in theatre, or any of the other creative endeavors that I felt made me, “me”. I started an Instagram account where I visited still-standing midcentury relics. From there, I found and started attending events in the “vintage community” – Rockabilly nights at bars where people jive and swing dance, and dress in their best vintage fashions. I brought my then-boyfriend to one of these events and stood on the sidelines as everyone else danced – because he didn’t know how, and he didn’t want me to dance with anyone else. I remember feeling determined not to miss out on all of these events and opportunities – I had to make a change.

This led me to take up swing dancing classes at Atomic Ballroom in Irvine (operated by a great dancer and Burlesque performer). One of their instructors also offered a weekly Burlesque class – I dropped in a few times, and from there took an intensive course which led to a Burlesque performance at the end. I took the course, I debuted, and what happened afterwards is a story all on it’s own…

Nowadays, I produce and co-produce Burlesque shows which lean into Cult Classic films and all of the music/shows that I love. For example, one of our shows is our Rocky Horror Shadow Cabaret – a shadow cast Rocky experience elevated by Burlesque, Aerial, and Fire performers. It’s such a dream and awesome way for the interests of “high school Cherry” to come full circle.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To say it’s not been a smooth road would be an understatement, haha. There has been a lot of trial and error, a lot of rejection, and a lot of learning hard lessons both on and off stage.

2023 was a rollercoaster for me. The very high level summary is, I tolerated a lot that year that I shouldn’t have. Without giving the person in question too much attention, I will just say this: at the end of 2023, I learned that where I draw the line with disrespect from other people ends with my art. If someone tries to take that from me, or somehow interfere with it, I will stand my ground big time, make no mistake about that. I took my power back, and I’m proud of myself for that.

I’m also eternally grateful to the friends that stood by me during this time period, and took a stand with me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a burlesque dancer whose specialty is marrying the elements of Classic Burlesque with other genres of music – mostly 60s-80s Rock/Glam Rock/Punk.

Last year, I produced my first Bowie-lesque, which is an event celebrating the life and career of one of my personal heroes, David Bowie. It was mainly a Burlesque show, but we also had great vendors, someone doing live painting, and a live tribute band play afterwards. It was probably one of the greatest nights of my life. I felt so validated after what I went through for the event to come to fruition. January 11th, 2025 our second edition of Bowie-lesque will take place at The Offbeat in Highland Park.

I share a production company with another amazing dancer/producer Daphne Moon, Wildemoon Productions. We recently did “Crampsmas”, which was a Burlesque show comprised entirely of the music of The Cramps. Our headliner for the show was Burlesque legend Kitten de Ville who was famously featured in their Ultra Twist music video. That was a pretty surreal moment for us – very humbling to have someone that has been so influential to your craft dance in your show. Earlier this year we did a Mad Men themed show (which we plan to bring back next year) and I was proud of that because it’s definitely a theme I hadn’t seen done before. Also on the agenda for next year are a Beatles show, and a Lou Reed/Velvet Underground show.

This year, I produced or co-produced eight shows. And none of them were a flop or disaster! I’m pretty dang proud of that – just that I/we did the damn thing, multiple times. My co-producers and I dreamt things up and made them a reality. Each show takes MONTHS of planning, promoting, creating materials. It’s no easy feat, to do it for even one successful show. For us to have repeated success shows me it’s no fluke.

What matters most to you? Why?
I can summarize it as: Artistic fulfillment, done ethically.

I do Burlesque as a creative outlet, and make a little extra money. During the week, I work full time in the legal field.

So, I do this to feel good. I work in the legal field because the pursuit of equality, upholding civil rights, and justice have always been important to me. That being said, I’m not interested in taking gigs with problematic people just for the attention or little money that would come with it. I’m invested in protecting myself, and my fellow creatives. I take pride in producing shows were peoples’ time is respected, communication is clear, and everyone is safe.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cherrywildeburlesque
• Other: IG: wildemoonproductions

Image Credits
1. Sven Stucky
2. Daniel Sliwa
3. Meredith Carlson
4. Daniel Sliwa