The Divas want to send out a huge thanks to all of you who came out to support Velocity Dance Center at the Next Fest NW kickoff last Thursday! The whole event was pure FIRE. We met some fabulous new friends. We watched our fellow Leo, Robbie Turner, take control of the limelight and bring out all of our inner Divas. We saw some break-taking performances by Velocity birds and warrior princesses. We had chocolate bon bons melting in our mouths as Miss Kitty Baby shimmied all around the floor. We even had a last minute Kiki with Miss DonnaTella Howe. By the end of the night, everyone at the Cabaret was stunned.

Not only did the event bring together a wild group of performers and art junkies, but it also racked up funds to continue Velocity’s work in the dance community. By the end of the evening, Velocity Is Burning! had raised a total of $2,200. As if that wasn’t a large accomplishment, a Velocity enthusiast then decided to make a matching donation, bringing the final numbers to $4,400 in support of Velocity Dance Center and the art of dance in general. A huge congratulations and thank you to all who made that accomplishment possible.

If you didn’t make it or if you just want to relive the awesomeness of the evening, check out this video below. One of the favorites of the night were the absurd birds, a performance put together by Annie McGhee and Rachel Grant. Many thanks to the fabulous vounteer, Miz Liz Barlow, who caught them on video to provide laughs and squawks for all!

Check out the rest of the photos from the event on the Team Diva Facebook Page!

Besides our usual Diva event suspects, Miss DonnaTella Howe and Miss Kitty Baby Burlesque, we are super excited to announce the wonderful Velocity Dance Center artists that will also be performing. These performers have an impressive list of artistic ventures and have quite a night in store for everyone. Read more about all of the NEXT Fest NW 2012 Velocity performers that will be at Velocity Is Burning! below:

Alice Gosti Goes VOGUE

Alice Gosti goes VOGUE
Alice Gosti is a 27 year-old space transformer. Born and raised in Perugia, Italy, she is the daughter of the dynamic art duo Sandford&Gosti. She trained in her hometown at Ass. Culturale Dance Gallery with Rita Petrone and Valentina Romito, and graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in Dance from the University of Washington. In college she developed an interest in experimental film and installation. She is an emerging dancer/choreographer/performer/filmmaker. Alice has performed in works by Paige Barnes, Keith Hennessy, Carolyn Carlson, PB_TMOG, Bruno Collinet, Jane Comfort, Laara Garcia, Mark Haim, Tonya Lockyer, Monica Mata Gilliam, Tiffany Mills, Amy O’Neal, Fritha Pingelly, Jennifer Salk and Ellie Sandstrom. This year she has received – the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Dance 2012 and Dance Web Scholarship 2012 for ImPuls Tanz in Vienna. Alice’s videos have been presented in group shows in Seattle, Perugia, Cascia, Spoleto (Italy) and Tokyo (Japan). Her choreography has been shown in Italy, Germany and in the United States. Since 2009, she has been curating a quarterly series of restaurant cabaret/performances at the Pink Door (Seattle). In 2010 Alice created the Spaghetti CO. saga. 

Jacob Rosen Plays With FIRE

Jacob Rosen plays with FIRE
Jacob Rosen is a Cinematographer born and raised in Lewiston, ID. He recently lensed the 2012 Fly Film ‘CB’ Directed by Nathan Williams, which premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in June. His work has been shown at SIFF, Northwest Film Forum, and One Reel festival; along with fashion blogs, including Norway based Paranaiv. Jacob regularly collaborates with Seattle based choreographer Kate Wallich; they are currently in development on their third short film. He recently just finished filming video instillations with Seattle based artists zoe|juniper for their show at City Arts Festival. Jacob has photographed a number of full-length/short Films, Commercials and Music Videos, and has worked along side and mentored by filmmakers Lynn Shelton, Benjamin Kasulke, Dayna Hanson and Michael Ragen.

Maya Soto Unleashes Her Warrior PRINCESS

Maya Soto unleashes her warrior PRINCESS
Maya Soto has been creating/performing/teaching dance in Seattle since 1999, drawing inspiration from integrating a wide variety of movement styles. Maya teaches at Velocity dance center and directs a full time dance program at the Arts and Academics Academy, a public arts high school in White Center. Maya creates work both collaboratively as part of NWDS and as an independent artist. Her work has been shown in venues such as On the Boards, Annex Theater, the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, and the Tacoma Museum of Glass. Her work with NWDS has received support from Allied Arts Foundation and Walrus Performance Productions. Maya has danced with LeGendre Performance Group, Big Red Dance Company, Amy O’Neal and SANDSTROMMOVEMENT. Recent work has been featured in festivals including Seattle International Dance Festival, the BOOST Dance Festival, BAM Artsfair, Arts In Nature Festival and Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts. She earned her BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts  For more info: sotostyledance & nwdancesyndrome

Annie McGhee + Rachel Grant Ruffle Their FEATHERS

Annie McGhee + Rachel Grant ruffle their FEATHERS
Annie McGhee and Rachel Grant are both independent dance artists living and working in the Seattle area.  In 2011, these native Southeasteners teamed up to form the collaborative partnership currently known as Pidge + Midge.  As a choreographic team, the two have created work seen at the popular series Modern Dance Behind the Pink Door,and recently premiered Sanctuary, a dance for seven women in Evoke Productions’ Full Tilt 2012.  Fueled by their shared interest in honest performative experiences along with a mutual appreciation for bird behavior, P+M have embarked on a mission to create alternate realities in a proscenium context.  Get ready to see them shake a tailfeather at Velocity Is Burning!

Alicia Mullikin Is Crowned the Raunchy Queen of the CABARET

Alicia Mullikin is crowned the raunchy queen of the CABARET
Alicia Mullikin holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington where was the recipient of The Outstanding Dance Major Award. Alicia is the artistic director and choreographer of Seattle Performance Collective, an experimental music and dance collaboration which recently performed in and around the Seattle area. She received an artist residency from Velocity Dance Center for the development of her work in The Bridge Project 2012. In 2009 Riverside City College of California selected her dance Breath Before Failure for adjudication in the American College Dance Festival at the University of Southern Utah. She has since been a guest choreographer for the Seattle Academy of the Arts and Sciences, BFA Concerts at Cornish College of the Arts, Kinetic Conversations at Riverside City College, and the Fontana AB Miller High School Dance Conservatory, California.

Mark our calendars for December 6th and RSVP for Velocity is Burning on Facebook, and buy your tickets online ASAP!

The fabulous Miss DonnaTella Howe and Miss Kitty Baby

Team Diva is once again proud to announce that our resident divas, Miss DonnaTella Howe and Miss Kitty Baby Burlesque will be shaking what they’ve got at the kickoff for Velocity Dance Center’s NEXT Fest NW Real/Time. These two ladies have been working it like the true divas since day one and always give it their all for their audiences. Sexy, sassy, and stylish, these gals know are always a cornerstone of any Diva event.

DonnaTella Howe has been a Diva pal and resident performer for quite some time now. Having met her at the annual Chez Diva Halloween Bash, we knew she would fit into the posse perfectly. She fit in so perfectly in fact that DonnaTella (AKA Michael) is one of the Team Diva family’s newest Diva Dwellers! DonnaTella Howe is one of the central cast members of the Lashes Cabaret show at RPlace. She has been a full time cast member of their weekend show since 2008. Most recently we had the pleasure of seeing her work it like a Diva at the crazy hilarious Queen’s Brunch that takes place every third Saturday of the month in Columbia City.

Shortly after meeting DonnaTella, she introduced us to Miss Kitty Baby. Ever since then, we have been diehard fans of this sassy, sexy, sailor gal. Not only is she just a hoot to watch, but she does it all for charity, donating all of her burlesque earnings to supporting elderly burlesque legends and troops overseas through her own organization The Pinup Angels. As she peels off those pom poms and twirls those tassles, everyone in the room just goes crazy for her. We are proud to have her back for yet another Diva event.

We know we are super stoked to be having Diva crowd favorites Miss DonnaTella Howe and Miss Kitty Baby back for more. They have always been some of the biggest crowd draws and never leave the audience disappointed. You just have to come and witness the showstopping energy that these two emit to really understand. So what are you waiting for? Come check them out in one placenext week to celebrate Velocity Dance Center’s kickoff for NEXT Fest NW 2012!

Event Details:
Date: December 6th / 8-11PM
Location: Velocity Dance Center (1621 12th Ave)
Tickets: $15 online / $20 at the door

Robbie Turner performs as Liza Minelli at Le Faux

Team Diva first met the infamous Robbie Turner just about a year ago when we went to go see our friend Jinkx Monsoon at her new posting in Le Faux Drag Show at Julia’s on Broadway. We had seen Robbie perform so many times, but meeting was a whole new experience. We finally were able to see the radiance that is the (wo)man behind the makeup.

There’s no doubt that Robbie Turner is a local Seattle celebrity. With his stunning performances ranging from Liza Minelli to Lady Gaga, you can’t walk across Capitol Hill without at least hearing whispers of his name. I mean, this Diva sure knows how to work a crowd! A founding member of Le Faux, Robbie has been performing there every Friday and Saturday for years, never disappointing audiences and always garnering new fans. At Pride 2011, he even put on a show-stopping Gaga performance that had crowds talking for months. When a top-notch performance is needed, there’s no stopping Robbie.

That is why we beyond excited to announce that Mr. Robbie Turner will be acting as our host and emcee for Velocity Dance Center’s kickoff event for NEXT Fest NW 2012, “Velocity is Burning“. Not only is Robbie’s energy and pizzazz perfect for the peeps at Velocity, but his skills as a performer mesh perfectly with the occasion. Come see Robbie rock the Cabaret on December 6^th – and maybe even keep a lookout for a little Liza!

Mark our calendars for December 6th and RSVP for Velocity is Burning on Facebook, and buy your tickets online ASAP!

Come kick off Velocity’s NEXT NW 2012: Real/Time festival with the holiday party to end all holiday parties, hosted by the fabulous emcee Robbie Turner. The gorgeous Alice Gosti goes VOGUE, filmmaker Jacob Rosen plays with FIRE, Maya Soto unleashes her warrior PRINCESS, Annie McGhee + Rachel Grant ruffle their FEATHERS, Alicia Garcia Mullikin is crowned the raunchy queen of the CABARET. Sponsored by Team Diva Real Estate.

Come to the Emerald City, this Saturday!

One of the events of the season is just around the corner and we Divas could not be more excited! Kt Niehoff’s Lingo Dance Company and CityArts Fest are presenting the next installment Lingo Dance’s Collision Theory exhibition this Saturday, October 20th from 8:00-11:00 PM. Collision Theory is an extended performance art experience, aimed at entangling people in a creative adventure full of dinner parties, fashion shows, dance exhibitions, and more. We have loved following up on the goings-on of Collision Theory since it began in June of this year and we cannot wait to see what is in store with the next big event.

This next installment of Collision Theory is called Emerald City: Be Seen in Green. As the title seems to suggest, tonight will be the night to don yourself in your most fabulous green dress and make an appearance in the Emerald City (AKA the unique boutique, Baby&Co). This event is sure to be a hit, with live dance performances, musical entertainment, and lots of good-lookin’ peeps (with makeup by the artist to the stars, Lindsey Watkins – she’s even done Taylor Swift’s makeup!). Oh, and did me mention that there will be a full bar? Yes, a full bar. What could be better? Absolutely nothing. We really hope to be seeing every one of you strutting your stuff and getting your groove on at this event. Dress to the nines (but remember green is the key) and come get stalked by the paparazzi, or at least by our resident photographer.

What should you do next? Well tell all your friends and gather your posse – if nothing less, let us know if you want to go! Next, purchase your tickets for whatever time you would like to arrive in the Emerald City. Finally, pick your outfit and dress to kill. See you on all this Saturday, October 20! Be there. Be seen in Green.

Pin a Little Diva on Your Pinterest

You know how a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, knowing the importance of using images to communicate, the Divas have become obsessed with a social media tool that uses pictures to share a variety of information – Pinterest. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that enables users to organize all of the things they love on the internet by “pinning” photos with links to the website onto different boards. These “pins” are made available to the entire Pinterest community and can be repinned by anyone who feels the information is valuable.

We Team Diva gals have created our own Pinterest board where we can share the things we love. We post striking images of things that inspire us with new ideas, knowing that images make it easier to remember these ideas down the road. We Divas love posting our favorite homes, local shops and restaurants, DIY ideas, tech tools, recipes, and more. I, Diva Kaz, have my own Pinterest site where I am organizing ideas for redecorating my home. Diva Chavi’s board  is all about gardening ideas, and Diva Kim’s board is all about Seattle’s arts events.

If you haven’t done so already, check out Pinterest and find out how online pinboards can work for you. Also, check out Team Diva’s board and follow us for great home and gardening ideas, recipes, and Seattle happenings. Let’s share our ideas with each other.

The Divas are not joking around this weekend. GO OUT AND SEE THESE SHOWS. Why? Cause it will change the fabric of who you think you are. There are two performances happening this weekend. On the Boards is hosting Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion and our beloved Spectrum Dance Theater is performing Petruchska, Donald Byrd’s re-imagining of the Igor Stravinsky/Alexandre Benois ballet about ill-fated love. These shows are performing from two different theaters. Two perspectives. Two amazing dance intellects but from different generations. Below is a quick run down on these shows:

On the Boards – Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion

Kyle Abraham photo from On the Boards

The best and brightest creative talent to emerge from New York City in the age of Obama.” – Out Magazine. Personally, I’ve watched several videos of Kyle dancing and made it my mission to see this person live. Maybe it is the glitter, the training, the athletics but I get a feeling there is something really important in this work.
More info after the jump>

Spectrum Dance Theater + Donald Byrd | Petruchska

Spectrum Dance Theater Company Members Photo from SDT

Oh Spectrum – how I love you and sometimes it is an uncomfortable love. Petruchska is staged at Spectrum’s Lake Washington HQ. My favorite review from the show comes from Sunbreak “Byrd’s Petruchska-this-time is as much art installation and “happening” as it is dance. The inimitable Byrd tricks you into taking your place, that, too late, you determine is a dunk tank’s seat, over a pool of eerie, erotic thrashings. There’s the pitch! Down you go, metaphorically.” That is enough to get me to cross town!
More info after the jump>

FIUTS is one of our favorite Community Partners and we are passionate advocates for them as an organization in Seattle. Every fall we and many of our Diva Dwellers and Divotees host students from all over the world. The experience for our students is a place to settle and adjust to the American culture. More importantly they make a connection that often lasts a lifetime. For the host families, we feel that every student is a blessing and gives us a much wider view into the world. Simply said – we LOVE FIUTS!

FIUTS does not run on its own. The small staff at FIUTS help over a 1,000 international students a year as they experience life at the University of Washington. They do not ask for much but when they do Team Diva feels strongly that we need to support this fabulous and super talented team. Team Diva is proud to sponsor CulturalFest for the second year. CulturalFest is both an international celebration and it is an important fundraiser for FIUTS‘s programming.

Event Details: On February 10, 2012 FIUTS will once again present CulturalFest, a unique community event and long-standing tradition that showcases both the University of Washington’s global campus and its student leadership. This day-long celebration is produced by FIUTS staff and the FIUTS Student Board, and will welcome thousands of globally-minded community members of all ages and backgrounds to the UW campus to see a day of country exhibitions and an evening filled with cultural music, dance performances, and the FIUTS silent auction reception. Learn more about this exciting event by following the links below.

Below is More Information and a Schedule of CulturalFest Events
Location: Meany Hall on the University of Washington Campus. For information on directions and parking at Meany Hall, click here.
Date: Friday, February 10, 2012

International Culture Expo 11a.m. – 3 p.m.
Free Admission

Team Diva Sponsored Evening Reception & Silent Auction 5:30-7:30pm
Buy Tickets online

Cultural Music and Dance Performances 8:00-10:00pm
Buy Tickets online

Fireworks by Local 1520 Roy and Peter

Happy 2012 Diva Dwellers and Divotees. It was an amazing year in the world and for Team Diva. The makeup of our clients in 2011 was an amazing, eclectic group containing urbanites, younger folks buying their first homes who were super savers, older single Diva Dwellers who found their “forever in Seattle” home and lots of sellers who were relocating to San Francisco. All of them were inspiring and super interesting, but the best part is that we were with them during a very important time in their lives.

Divas Kim, Chavi and Kaz cannot be the hard working Divas we are without the amazing support of our team. There is a myth in Real Estate land that one broker has the ability to make it happen for their clients. In Diva land, it’s a family of people who come together and get the work done regardless of the time of day, location, economic means or whatever else life throws at us. We really want to give extra big thanks to our marketing coordinator Chris Clem, Ricardo Ibarra for his design work and party planning, Craig Labenz for web magic, Miss DonnaTella, Rocky Flowers for constant support, our Team Diva Partners and the entire Saturday Night Club who come to every event, open house and all of you who promote the heck out of Team Diva. Below is a quick run down of what we were up to in 2011!

Top Agent Ohio: The truly inspiring and energetic Sean Carpenter asked Team Diva to participate in Top Agent Ohio based on the recommendation of the #SwaggurGurlz, Debra Trappen and Linda Aaron. At the conference, Divas Kim and Chavi presented on how Team Diva integrates community relationships with small businesses and non-profits into the Diva business model.  It was great to get the recognition on how Team Diva is taking real estate in a new and inspiring direction.

Divas Take the Hill: Launched an amazing event with our dearest pals at Retail Therapy to celebrate Gay Pride on Capitol Hill. Two of our stars from the event, Jinkx Monsoon and DonnaTella Howe, have gone on to receive huge praise and awards in the local community. The event also helped to inspire the creation of CHEW: Capitol Hill Entrepreneurial Woman.

The HimTern Enters our Lives: Good old Chris Clem spent the summer interning with our team, turned 21 and was given many Diva style words of wisdom. Later in the fall, we hired Chris as our Marketing Coordinator. He was the force behind the Donate Like a Diva Campaign. Chris leaves in January for another exciting adventure in his study abroad program.

Diva Dweller Soiree at Chez Diva: Every year we throw a client party for our Diva Dwellers. This past summer we hosted the event at the house – Chez Diva. Our very own Creative Director, Ricardo Ibarra, completely transformed Chez Diva into a magical Luau themed paradise. It was down right the best Diva Dweller Soiree on record. We had close to 60 people join us, meet each other and become lifelong Diva Divotees!

Zoe|Juniper Premiered in Seattle at On the Boards: Team Diva joined the board of Zoe|Juniper this past spring. We worked with the creative team throughout the year on their audience development and fundraising. A few of the dancers stayed at Chez Diva and with Diva Dwellers Deb and Dean. In December they premiered their work in Seattle at On the Boards to rave reviews. It renewed our commitment to local arts and helping our community to develop new works that are inspiring and keep the genre moving forward.

Union on Union: It was a true honor to be part of Capitol Hill’s launch party of the Oola Distillery and 10 degrees on 14th and Union this past holiday season. The event was attended by well over 200 people. It included previews of KT Niehoff’s Lingo Dance, aerliests, fabulous local booze and so much more. Best holiday party Capitol Hill has ever seen! Check out the photos on Team Diva’s Facebook page»

Nominated for Best of Capitol Hill by Umpqua Bank: Our good pals at the Broadway branch of Umpqua Bank nominated Team Diva for Best of Capitol Hill. On January 4th we find out the results of the campaign. Regardless of who wins we want to thank all of you who voted, voted some more and, as usual, rocked our world with your support!

One of the Top Teams at Coldwell Banker Bain: Team Diva is dedicated to being actively involved in Seattle and ensuring it’s one of the best places to live. Thanks to you and our involvement in the community of small businesses and local non-profits, Team Diva earned our way into the top ranks of teams at Coldwell Banker Bain for 2011!

Thanks to all of you for an amazing 2011 and we are looking forward to seeing you in in 2012!