Posts Tagged ‘Kim Blank’
L.A. Knockers in Rapture
July 9, 2010
For this photo session from August 1982, in fashionable black outfits for the opening number “Rapture”, we find that 3 favorite dancers have come back into the L. A. Knockers line-up: Kim Blank, Kimberlee Carlson and Marilyn Corwin. Then we have 3 new dancers: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Suzi Lonergan, Dee Dee Rescher. See a photo of the three of them below. And the blonde bombshell Marilyn Corwin happily back and dancing with Becky Jordan.
L.A. Knockers love Jennifer
July 9, 2010
The 6 girls line up, like dancers do, in their multi-colored leotards and fishnet stockings: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Kimberlee Carlson, Dee Dee Rescher, Marilyn Corwin, Kim Blank, Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan.
Then they huddle around Jennifer Stace, beaming in her short hairdo, who loves all of her girls like a big sister and they love her back.
L.A. Knockers do the Twist
July 9, 2010
Here’s a hot dance number inspired by the Twist, choreographed by Vincent Paterson, especially for the L.A. Knockers’ upcoming tour to Tokyo, Japan. In wigs and short dresses: Lisa Lecover (Kessler), Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan, Kim Blank.
Watch the other video edited by Marilyn Corwin for You Tube: Part 1.
L. A. Knockers Japan
July 15, 2010
The LA Knockers performed in Japan for 3 years in a row (1980, 1981, 1982), at the Latin Quarter club in Tokyo, and became very popular. Here are 2 postcards we found, thanks to DeeDee, about their last engagement in October 1982.
Jennifer remembers: “We were booked in Japan for six weeks over a three year period. What a treat. We had a magnificent stage at the Latin Quarter in Akasaka, fabulous lighting and great audiences. The Japanese men were crazy about us, big goofey girls, and they understood our comedy. We stayed in darling tiny rooms at the Akasaka Hotel and were showered with huge bouquets of exotic flowers. Those photos from the postcards hung on the wall of the Latin Quarter advertising our show. It was trippy! It was a sensational booking! We fell in love with the country and the people.” read more under comments…
Some of the regular dancers were not able to travel. DeeDee wrote to us about her very good reason to stay home: she had been cast as Sally Bowles in CABARET! Jennifer was very understanding and sent her these postcards, that she framed. Read her amusing story under comments.
L.A. Knockers Lhasa Club
July 15, 2010
In January 1983, I was having an exhibit of my photographs at the Lhasa Club (see here the invitation, designed by my friend Ave Pildas). We were planning a big party for opening night, so I asked Jennifer if the LA Knockers could perform. She graciously agreed and organized a special show for the occasion, in the cast, along with Kim Blank and Suzi Lonergan, as regulars, were some of the replacement dancers who had just returned from their 8 weeks engagement in Japan.
It was a big success, more that 200 people attended, watched the printed images on the walls and a slide show in the theater, then were exhilarated by the amazing performance of the L.A Knockers.
I took some snapshots, so here they are.
Kim Blank
August 3, 2010
Kim wrote (August 17)
My first performance with Jennifer Stace and The L.A. Knockers was in 1975. I was introduced by Joan Wulfsohn, it was during the period when Jennifer and Joan were both teaching at Dupree Dance Academy on 3rd St. in L.A. Between then and sometime in the mid-80’s I had the chance to perform with the group in various clubs and venues in L.A., and to travel to Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, El Toro Marine Base, and Tokyo, Japan. Beginning with a New Year’s Eve performance for the dawning of the 1980’s, we had a regular gig working at the venerable El Cid of Silver Lake (we alternated with the Flamenco show, performing for the locals, as well as Japanese tourists.) Along the way I had the opportunity to test my skills as a dancer/performer and choreographer, and assume some wild and outrageous costumes and identities while I was still searching for my own. It was fun, tough, crazy, eye-opening, and amazing!!! I made friends lifelong friends in the process.
A few months ago I attended a concert that featured three acts, dominated by women; I was transported back to my days with the L.A. Knockers, by the music, the apparel, the wigs, the attitudes, the raw energy, and style. I didn’t want to say, to my young friends, “been there, done, that…” but yeah…kinda had been!
So thanks for this fabulous layout Elisa!!! Thank you for documenting us so aptly and beautifully, back then, and and thank you for bringing it all up to date for us now. All my love to my fellow Knockers. Thank you Jennifer, for giving us an opportunity to work, develop and be creative!!!
I currently teach a full schedule of dance and fitness classes in L.A., and work doing choreography for film, television, and commercials. kimblank.com
Kimberlee as Dracula 1979
June 19, 2015
Here’s another pose of Kimberlee Carlson as Dracula, biting the neck of Kim Blank.
See the color post about the movie spoofs at the Playboy Club show.
See the page dedicated to Kimberlee with her story.
See more photos of this dance routine in Black & White in this post and one more here.
Bite away!
White leotards 1979
June 24, 2015
This dance routine in white leotards, chains and leggings, created for the 1979 Playboy Club show, is called “Vision Aurora,” a song composed by Michael Cavenaugh, the son of Jennifer Stace.
(standing) Jolli Neal, Patti Nelson, Becky Jordan, Kim Blank, (kneeling) Kimberlee Carlson, Leticia Ibarra, Jennifer Stace, Debbie Petersen.
Square format
July 24, 2015
At that same photo session of August 1982, besides using my Nikon 35mm cameras, I also shot a roll of Ektachrome 120mm film, larger square format, with my Hasselblad. So you can see the dancers’ full figures above: Lisa Le Cover (Kessler), Kimberlee Carlson, Dee Dee Rescher, Marilyn Corwin, Kim Blank, Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan. And below another pose with the same dancers and costumes, on 35mm, smaller size film, rectangular format. See earlier post. And how these photos were printed on postcards to advertise the LA Knockers performances in Tokyo, Japan.
Let’s Twist Again
July 25, 2015
Photo session in my studio, August 1982. 1960s mini-skirts for the Twist dance routine: Lisa Le Cover (Kessler), Suzi Lonergan, Becky Jordan, Kim Blank.
Above a 35mm photo, smaller rectangular format, with my Nikon FE2 camera.
Below a 120mm square format photo, shot with my Hasselblad camera. See earlier post