Known originally for casting sultry, macabre shadows with her burlesque, Artina Darkly has since diversified her aesthetic… and produces a number of her own events as well.
Thotyssey: Artina, hello! Happy February! I see you were at a “Clown Cult” event at a Purgatory last night, how did that go?
Artina Darkly: Hello! I’m doing great! “Clown Cult” went amazing! It felt good to be seen as BoBina the Burlesque Clown, and to be able to have her perform in a space where she was truly appreciated.
You do a lot of different types of shows and presentations with your burlesque. Would you say there are any overall through lines and themes in your numbers and looks?
You know, when I first started doing burlesque and creating my “persona,” I had the idea I was always gonna have a Dark / Classical vibe. But with acts like “The Heat” or “An Artist, a Dream” taught me I have so many other layers to me, and things I wanna say through my art. I can be Dark… but also funny, quirky or even messy!
Can you tell us a bit about where your from, what your artistic background is, and how you ultimately discovered burlesque?
So I am a New York native, raised in a Latin family. We didn’t have much growing up, but music was the foundation of who we were and the richest part of my childhood. My father is a DJ, my mother use to dance, and my sisters and brothers were also creatives exposing me to various forms of art and genres of music.
I started off in a hip-hop, all girls dance group in school, and everything just kind of snowballed from there. I took musical theater in high school and a bit in college, and then dropped out to become a full time stripper… which is where my true journey started. It led me to discovering burlesque at “Sideshow Theater” in Coney Island while actually going through a breakup with a now ex! The irony of it all! I saw these amazing performances, and it all clicked that “I can do this!?” I’ve always just wanted to do theater. I loved stripping, but it didn’t give me the creative freedom or drive that I have with burlesque. Burlesque saved me.
Did you have a favorite number that you do?
Oh man, that’s a hard one! I love all my numbers; they all serve a very specific purpose, and the ideas just keep flowing! I guess if I was forced to choose just one, it would be “The Heat” which was created on a whim and was influenced by my fiancé as a love letter to him! It’s become a staple act, and it’s taught me so much about myself!
You also have your own event brand, Darkly Productions! What motivated the creation of that?
I’ll admit it—I have a bit of a control streak! But honestly, it’s more about my passion for showmanship. I’ve always wanted to produce shows and events that not only serve the community, but also tap into what I like to call the “grimy” side of entertainment. There’s something magical about those small, hole-in-the-wall performances—where people wander in by chance, not knowing what they’re about to experience. And the best part? Talking to them afterward and hearing, “I’ve never seen anything like this,” or “I never knew this existed!” That’s what keeps me going.
You’ve got some interesting things coming up, both stuff you’re producing and shows you’re taking part in. On Wednesday, February 5th at The Bush in Brooklyn, there’s “Love Without Limits,” a night of “speed dating for the queer and disabled!’
Well, I am full of love being a new fiancé! I’m also queer and disabled! So I just genuinely wanted to tap into a market I never had before.
Congratulations! Is there anything you want to share about your disability?
Thank you! I am on the spectrum as well as other underlining mental illnesses that impact me every day; my performances actually help me stay grounded and heal!
The healing powers of art! You’re also producing “Dark Opulence” at Pink Metal on Saturday, with a large “macabre” burlesque cast.
Oh, heck yeah! It’s a “Kittening” ceremony! It’s the first ever of its kind. It’s how we are kicking off the new year cycle, with a show every second Saturday of every month! So basically we are having the 2024 kittens giving us their best performances, as well as handing over the baton to the 2025 kittens! It’s ritual and community!
Then on Wednesday the 12th, you’ll be at House of Yes for Poetry Brothel’s “Sweethearts Soirée.” Looks like there will be both poetry along with performance.
Yes but I won’t be performing in that! I’ll be kittening myself, or as they call us, “token sluts.”
“Amor Caliente” at Sleepwalk is on Valentines Day Eve! That’s quite a sultry cast!
Yes, it is an all Latin-X cast with variety performances! We also have a token white person playing our Cupid, ’cause why the hell not, lol! It’s gonna be a very spicy, beautiful show, paying tribute to my people!
And this is gonna be big: “Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque” at Le Poisson Rouge on on Valentines Day proper!
OMG yes! I’m so happy Jen (Thirsty Girl Productions) thought of me! It’s such an honor to perform in such an iconic location!
Anything else you wanna mention?
Yes! I just want people to know that these next four years are so important for our community, and if your not supporting your Queer, Trans, Sex Worker, small
Business owner friends then…what the hell are you doing!?
Indeed! Okay. I shall conclude with: how important is nightlife in these potentially dark days ahead of us?
So important! Everything that’s going on around us impacts nightlife greatly! Nightlife and show have always been used as an escape for the general public… and if that gets taken, I fear of what will come next.
A stark but necessary conclusion! Thanks, Artina!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Artina Darkly’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and LinkTree.
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