By Amy Kuhre, SFR InternK Suave's Talk Show
7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 7
$5
Backroad Pizza
1807 Second St.
955-9055
What do you call a lounge singing, burlesque dancing, story-spinning and magic wielding clown? There is one simple syllable for this dizzying array of entertainment and her name is Sleam. A shortcut to her given name Sarah Leamy, Sleam is the artist at work behind the otherwise unassuming persona. A native Brit, Sleam has performed throughout the Southwest since 1989. In her travels across Europe and Central America she's corralled a caravan of characters along for the ride. Featured this Saturday is the notorious K. Suave, Sleam's interpretation of a lounge singer.
SFR caught up with the artist for a few questions on the essence of Sleam.
SFR: I understand you grew up in Britain and have traveled a lot since. How have your travels influenced your work?
Sleam: That's correct, I grew up in small-town Britain as a very shy young girl. It wasn't until I'd traveled that I came out of my shell and stopped caring about other peoples' perception of me.
In your vaudeville show there are many characters. Have they always been there or did you acquire some in your travels?
Well, growing up in such a reserved society, I found a lot of humor in how strict some of my teachers were. Miss Mabel is a character of mine that really developed out of my younger years. She's strict and self-righteous but a lot of fun to play! And then I developed K Suave when I moved to San Francisco and attended clown school. All of us had these characters that we created. He's great though, a lot of fun as well.
Since you brought up Mr. Suave, I understand he will be the MC for your performance this weekend. How is he different from your other personalities?
K Suave is that really cheesy 1970's lounge singer that wears the terrible polyester suits and is just very easy to laugh at. That's why he's perfect for an MC.
So K Suave is more of a host?
Yeah, he'll start with some singing and then Jasmine Quinsier will belly dancer, then back to Suave for some magic or storytelling. There's a whole line-up of performers.
Lastly, I'm very interested in why you are drawn to clowns. I, like others I know, have a fear of clowns and it's intriguing to talk to some one who embraces the culture.
I think the concept of the American clown is what people fear most. It's the idea of this overly-enthusiastic, painted-up individual with a giant red wig. It's all very overwhelming, especially for children who take things very literally. But I think when they see me with my little red nose, a bit of make-up, wearing my funny suit I'm more accessible. They want to play with me and climb all over me and it's that aspect of communication that I love about it. Not to mention it's an outlet for me to be goofy and outgoing even though I'm really quite shy.
Sleam, aka K Suave, performs along side artists Jasmine Quinsier, Chicks with Chainsaws, Zircus Erotique and Wenda Watch.
K Suave's Talk Show
7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 7
$5
Backroad Pizza
1807 Second St.
955-9055
