Meet Leah Ficarola of the Bella-Donna’s Burlesque

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Ficarola.

Leah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started off as a classical ballet dancer studying year-round on scholarship with the San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. I was very dedicated and thought ballet was going to be my path but I was a late bloomer and didn’t develop into my “woman” body till later.

Once I did, I was no longer considered a promising ballerina. Frustrated and not really sure what to do next I felt Los Angeles calling my name. When I arrived in Los Angeles one evening I went to the very popular burlesque bar “Forty Deuce.” The jazz band blew my mind and the dancers that came out were so powerful, so free, so connected to their bodies music, and sensuality I was floored! Each dancer that came out had very different body types, curves and all, and they owned it!

It was life changing and ever since then, I embarked on my journey to become a burlesque dancer. In 2012 after many years performing as a burlesque/cabaret dancer I felt like something was missing. I missed utilizing the lines and technique that are only many years of ballet can create. I missed my pointe shoes! So I gathered together a few of my burlesque dancer friends who also have a ballet background and created a show with a mixture of choreographed group numbers and burlesque solo’s.

We started with a weekly residency at Los Globos in Silverlake. From there, it lead to big corporate gig’s such as KCRW’S Halloween Masquerade Ball two years in a row as well as Playboy’s Black ‘N’ White Masquerade Ball. We opened up for the Suicide Girls burlesque show at the famous El Rey Theather and even traveled to New Mexico with a 12-piece jazz band to perform at Mountain of the Gods Casino.

Currently, we continue to perform at private parties and events in the greater Los Angeles area and have a residency at Seventy7 Lounge in Culver City every third Wednesday of the month starting at 9:30pm. We are a burlesque show with a ballet twist that can be adapted to a space and any place. Big or small. I wrote this mission statement when I first started the company and it still reigns very true to our ethos today; “Burlesque just by the sheer nature of the female form is a very sensual art form. However, for us, it’s more than just that. It’s more about stripping away our layers and getting right down to the bare essentials. It’s about allowing yourself to be seen.”

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I never put any pressure on the Bella-Donnas to be anything other than what it is. The gigs come in in waves. Sometimes it’s slower than other times but that is to be expected.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are the only burlesque troupe that puts an emphasis on ballet. I think the dichotomy of the two contradicting dance forms creates something very unique and beautiful.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always dancing and playing dress up. I guess I just never grew up!

Contact Info:

• Address: 1833 N. Normandie Ave. #306
  Los Angeles, CA 90027
• Website: www.thebella-donnas.com
• Phone: 310-663-8487
• Email: lficarola@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebelladonnas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebelladonnas4

Image Credit:
Shaun Vadella
Hector Barreto

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.