Today we’d like to introduce you to Mx. Pucks A’plenty
Mx. Pucks, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got started doing burlesque back in 2017.
I was involved with an organization planning a fundraiser and ended up meeting several burlesque performers during the production back in 2016.
I studied under Miss Indigo Blue in Seattle, Washington and debuted in the summer of 2017. I thought I was just scratching an item off my bucket list.
Almost seven years later I have appeared in almost 20 burlesque festivals, and have headlined in US and Canada. I now produce two burlesque festivals of my own, a conference, and was even one of the Grand Marshals of the Seattle Pride Parade in 2023.
Burlesque has played a HUGE part in my journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road is never smooth!
I am Black, Fat, Queer, Nonbinary, Disabled, and a Parent… people that look like me aren’t supposed to succeed. Many of the challenges I faced along the way were centered around lack of costuming options for Fat bodies, lack of diversity in casting, and trying to balance home life with the path of being an artist. I went through a painful separation and divorce less than a year into be burlesque career. It was hard, very hard.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I started Puckduction in the summer of 2018. Our mission is to support marginalized creators, educators, and activists with a focus on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities, and People of Size. We use art & culture to activate spaces, build community, and provide financial compensation for marginalized performing artists.
Our flagship event is What the Funk?! An All BIPOC Burlesque Fest that we co-produce with the Stay Up Late Show, yearly, at The Triple Door in downtown Seattle. Celebrating 5 years in 2024.
Fatlesque Fest Northwest (FFNW) is an all plus burlesque festival started in 2023. Fatlesque Fest Northwest is on a mission to disrupt perceptions surrounding burlesque while providing an art, culture, and entertainment experience through a Fat Liberation and body positive lens.
#ShowTHEM Burlesque Basics is an 8-week intro to a burlesque journey through a BIPOC and Fat Liberation lens. We invite you to a burlesque basic program that will take you through the history of burlesque, character creation, movement, costuming, and finally a showcase of a complete burlesque act for your family, friends, and the Seattle burlesque community. With guest instructions from some of Seattle’s most treasured performers, including a 1:1 with a guest instructor and auxiliary workshops.
Our newest venture is Fat Con, an one-of-a-kind event and conference that seeks to improve the lives of Fat Humans through art, health, public policy and community outreach. By improving visibility and uplifting the voices of people of size, we don’t seek acceptance, we seek Fat Liberation. Featuring 30+ workshops, panels, fashion shows, size-inclusive vendors, and more! Heading into our 2nd year in January of 2025.
We have also produced a documentary about our burlesque festival, What the Funk?! A Love Letter to the POC Community which was the opening night film for the Seattle Queer Film Festival in 2022, and the closing film for the Seattle Black Film Festival in 2023.
What were you like growing up?
I have always been an entertainer. Even as a small child I used to keep my parents and their friends laughing with my weird turn of phrases and off beat sense of humor. Even now, I enjoy making people laugh, there is nothing like it in the world.
I was in choir in elementary school and played the violin through high school. I competed in local talent shows growing up, mostly as a dance and lip syncing artist. I even competed for Kent Cornucopia in 2002.
Writing and storytelling have also been part of how I expressed myself. When I was 12 years old I announced that I was going to be a screenwriter and director. In December of 2020 I directed a music video, sort of fulfilling that promise I made to my 12 year old self.
I started a newspaper in junior high school and nearly got suspended for it. It was an unauthorized newspaper, but I started it so that students that couldn’t get into journalism due to terrible scheduling on the school’s part, could have an opportunity to write for a school paper. We published 4 editions before we got shut down. My mom defended by actions to the principal and I avoided the suspension. I am pretty sure this was the moment that continues to fuel a lot of what I do, how can I make things better for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poweredbyshunpike.org/c/PBS/a/puckduction
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puckduction
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefatcon
Image Credits
Photo in Blue robe was taken by Bettina May Studios
All other photos are by Keith Johnson ( @paradeimages on IG and FB)