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Okay... where do I begin?
Why with Amethyst Mariani, Founder and Belle
Emeritus. Gerald Zepeda, then entertainment
director, had spoken to her about putting
together an all girls group that acted and
sang naughty songs at faire. We started as a
bunch of actors, some of which could sing.
We've now grown to including some singers
that can really act, as well! But even back
then, when our singing wasn't what it is
today, it was always about the fun. Our goal
was to have a funny show that got the
audience involved and having a great time.
There had been plenty of amazing singing
groups before us, but many failed because it
wasn't about the fun, or about getting the
audience involved. We packed our shows even
back then! So now, we've become stronger
musically, but we never want to forget our
roots - funny, naughty, musical, audience
participation...I'd describe us as
Renaissance vaudeville.
The Belles started singing and hanging
out at the Inn the fall of 2000 up north. At
northern 2001, they had a "clean" stage
show. I joined in southern 2002, just after
Gerald approached Amethyst about a naughty
girls show. That was our first year on the
NC-17 stage, and we've been going strong
since.
We've had our rocky times. Cast members
come and they go, but nothing hit us harder
then when Am became ill in the summer of
2003. She was not able to do Northern Faire
at the last minute. At that point she had
carried a good deal of the show (as well as
the direction) on her strong shoulders.
Several others were unable to work that
season, and those of us that were left
really had to step up quickly - and we did!
She died mid-season, and somehow we managed
the strength to continue. Now, when one of
our cast moves on, people often say "whoever
will replace so and so?" I don't want to
knock anyone's value, but if we could lose
our STRONGEST member and still survive - we
can survive anything!
I think today with a CD out, 2 more in
the works, new DVDs planned for shooting, 3
and very soon 4 shows, a plethora of
non-faire gigs, put together with our
musical growth and continuous focus on our
comedic roots - Moira (Amethyst) would be
very proud of her sisters!
Oh, and the name... A "Belle" is a
beautiful woman (and all of the sisters are
beautiful in their own way), and since bells
also ring or sing it kind of fits that we
should be beautiful girls that sing.
"Bedlam" is a shortened version of
"Bethlehem," where crazy people were often
sent in England. And yes, that implies that
we're all a bit nuts.
I hope this helps! It was quite cathartic
for me! |
