24. Aurora Natrix

In honor of our Artopia party on February 10, Cultist proudly presents "100 Creatives," where we feature Miami's cultural superheroes in random order. Have suggestions for future profiles? Email [email protected] with the whos and whys.

24. Aurora Natrix
When the budding British pinup model Aurora Natrix first walked into South Miami's gothic-friendly (and now defunct) Club Ozone to beg for a bartending job back in 2000, she didn't think she'd end up spurring a performance career.

"They asked me if I knew how to bartend, and I said 'no, but I know how to drink, so, I'm sure I can figure it out.' Then they asked me 'do you know how to dance?' and I said 'Sure.' And although I was prude and shy, the girl who would change in the toilet while the other girls changed in the locker room, I took the job."

Soon after, she began incorporating her love of DIY fashion, which she

developed at a young age as a result of "being broke and having very

expensive taste," into her dancing creating ensembles inspired by Gypsy

Rose Lee, Mae West, a random piece of fabric, a pump, or even "an

umbrella that was red and white stripped that I felt just had to be part

of a costume."

Natrix eventually started a group with other dancers

called "Doll Parts" playing odd gigs around Miami and West Palm, and

being that no one in South Florida was really doing the kind of erotic

performance art she was serving up at the time, Natrix "didn't even

realize that what I was doing back then was burlesque until someone

slapped a label on it."

Fast forward a few years and Natrix snatched a

spot in South Florida's best known tease-troop Shameless Burlesque, the position of stylist for Terribly Girly (a studio that specializes in pin up photography), and is starting her own line of burlesque accessories called sukora // auruki,

which includes pasties, tassels, and intricate mini top hats and

teardrop hats done up with ostrich feathers and Swarovski crystals.

"Just frilly little things," says Natrix full of enthusiasm. "I'm very

stubborn, very determined, and I've been very broke, and with those

three things combined, you can do amazing things."

-Anything that sparkles

-The loud cheers of an adoring crowd

-Finding a vintage treasure while thrifting. There's just something incredible about walking into a Salvation Army and finding a pair of 1930s heels for a dollar fifty.

-My idiot dogs, Roxy and Bowie. They're hysterical, the comedic duo.

-Procrastination, there's nothing like a fire up my ass to get a job done. I do incredible things when I'm down to the wire.

2. What was your last big project?

I had an opportunity to travel across the Midwest performing burlesque on a national tour. It spanned 25 shows across 16 states, taking us out to Las Vegas. I just got back form that last December. It was nuts. It was really cool.

3. What's your next big project?

I have a few things up my sleeve. This spring, I'm launching burlesque classes and parties at Terribly Girly Studio. Brainstorming a day-to-day diary blog called Cheap Bitch based on my mind-set when I go into shops and find these amazing pieces. There's also talks of a TV show in the works...but I can't share all my secrets with you. There has to be something left for the tease.

4. Why do you do what you do?

I've never given it that much thought. But performing is like breathing, it runs through me and keeps my heart beating. Without it I wouldn't know what to do. It's just who I am.

5. What's something you want Miami to know about you?

Besides the blood sucking mosquitoes that fill the summer air, Miami, I really quite like you, until the sweltering heat seeps back in.

What's something you don't want Miami to know about you?

I learned how to do my makeup years ago from drag queens, but actually, I don't mind that. Let everyone know!

Follow Aurora Natrix on Twitter and on Facebook.

The Creatives so far:

25. Gean Moreno
26. Yaddyra Peralta
27. Barron Sherer
28. Brigid Baker
29. Daniel Fila
30. McLaine Oberhellmann
31. Fro Rojas
32. Annie Hollingsworth
33. Preston Allen
34. Cristina Molina
35. David Josef Tamargo
36. Jillian Mayer
37. Alfonso Vega
38. Natasha Lopez de Victoria
39. Aholsniffsglue

40. Heather Maloney
41. Jorge Rubiera
42. Elaine Lancaster
43. Nick Duckart
44. Danielle Estefan
45. John Dufresne
46. Monica Lopez de Victoria
47. Bill Bilowit
48. Alette Simmons-Jimenez
49. Tawnie Silva
50. Ginger Bardot
51. Jonathan David Kane
52. Naomi Fisher
53. Rocky Grimes
54. Teresa Barcelo
55. Paul Tei
56. Lee Materazzi