Dead Flowers Presents: The Smokin’ Gun Revue @ The Station Tonight.

Dead Flowers is an independent group of artists and performers who have formed a circus troupe of sorts. They feature fire breathers, burlesque dancers, sword swallowers, comedians and aerialists. They’ve been organizing events and putting together eclectic shows since 2009. Tonight, the crew will be at The Station, with Bunny Savage and the Handymen performing between acts.

Our John Clements spoke with Dead Flowers leaders Jason Lutz and Christen Rhoadarmer (right).

What exactly is Dead Flowers?

Lutz: We are a small circus company that lives and performs in the city of Philadelphia. We strive for the unique nature that is accompanied by unique people and the strange yet amazing talents they have. The Dead Flowers provide a venue for performers of various talents such as burlesque dance, comedians, musicians, artists, sword swallowers and pretty much any other kind of performer that can provide great entertainment to an audience. It’s all about the entertainment factor and the passions in each and every one of us that drive us to do what we do, and we are absolutely in love with what we do.

Can you explain the circus theme behind Dead Flowers?

Lutz: I always have had a love for the circus. It’s been truly inspiring to me. I can identify with it in the traditional sense of an event that is composed of peasant artists and performers who travel and perform on a level that is much different than what is considered usual. The circus also has this romantic side to it which really intrigues me.

Can you elaborate on what intrigues you about the circus?

Lutz: Well, this may sound a bit cliché but it’s magical. You can’t put your finger on it exactly but there is something romantic about being a free spirit. The circus, to me, symbolizes something greater in life than just working a 9-5 job day in and day out. It’s not about the money and it’s not about winning any sort of popularity contest. It’s all about capturing the magic that captivates people.

Rhoadarmer: I agree. I really am in love with the whole experience that a circus has to offer. It has a lot of personality to it, and that personality is extremely diverse. It really provides a sort of flexibility that you can depict aesthetically any way you want to, and I live for the diversity of it all.

Where did the Dead Flowers name come from?

Lutz: The name Dead Flowers is in reference to a clip that Ed Wood shot with Bela Lugosi right before he died. It’s one of his last moments captured on film and it is appropriate because I think it describes us in this weird yet beautiful way. It has this contrast which umbrellas the whole circus theme of what it is we do.

What are the origins of Dead Flowers?

Lutz:  Well, I guess I should start at the beginning. Christen and I first met back in 2005 when we both attended the University of the Arts. We had a couple of classes together, and we collaborated on a few projects here and there. We quickly became friends because we realized that we had shared the same vision and passions for the arts, and we started planning events together soon after that. We started out at first holding art shows and exhibits for new and different kinds of art, and then later that evolved into open mic nights.

It was only as recently as of last October that we turned this fascination of ours for the weird, the avant garde and the music into a small circus company. We got in contact with some local performers such as burlesque dancers and comedians at first which eventually evolved into aerialists, fire spinners, jugglers, belly dancers, sword swallowers, fire breathers and other unusual acts that would just demand your attention without ever letting go. Our evolution was based really on the fact that what we do is all about the sheer entertainment aspect of the performers, and the unique performances that they bring to the stage.

Tell us what inspired you to become the ring leader of a circus?

Lutz:  Well, it’s funny really because, even though I have always had a passion for this culture through the Coney Island sideshows that I used to go to when I was younger and of course the classic Vaudeville performances that heavily influenced me. I’ve always really enjoyed throwing really big parties. I like to do it because it’s just fun for everyone. I always liked the idea that everyone can be involved in some way or another. With that in mind, I met some great people, with some great talents that just demanded to be seen in front of a live audience and I just had to take this opportunity. It’s really like a dream come true in a kind of a sick and twisted but in a good kind of dream way. It’s one of those things that I thought would never happen in a million years until I just started doing it. I took my inspirations and used that along with what I love to do and that’s really how I became the ring leader in the Dead Flowers circus.

Christen, what is your favorite aspect of designing for a variety show like this?

Rhoadarmer:  Well, it’s simply amazing to have this much freedom in what I do. I mean when I graduated college, I found a job and I had felt for some time that I was in a box just following the grid you know, college then work. This, however, has allowed me to really experience not only who I am as a creative person but who I can be as a designer. Our main objective with Dead Flowers is to allow each of us to fully interject ourselves into our work and by being able to really take the art direction down any avenue it has allowed us to build a strangely familiar but distinctly different vision of the world we have created.

You mentioned that Dead Flowers provides a fascinating medium for performers as well as musicians, can you go into more detail about the musicians you look for and musicians that you have worked with in the past?

Lutz:  Oh, absolutely. We look for bands that are completely unique to what is out there. We are a circus company and we are constantly looking for bands that are willing to take it to that next level with us and entertain people. We look for musicians in and around the Philadelphia area that offer something more than just a great stage presence; showmanship is a must. We’ve hosted quite a few Philadelphian based bands such as Harsh Vibes, S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D, Goldteque and Mike Bruno and the Black Magic Family Band, which we are all looking forward to working with again soon. DJ’s with variety are also always welcomed. That really is the biggest idea behind what we do and that is variety. I have discovered that it is possible to produce a show where things are still cohesive even if they are of different genres. The fun part for me is figuring out how to marry them all together.

What we can expect to see tonight?

Lutz:  The Smokin’ Gun Revue is at The Station, at 16th and McKean, and tickets are only $8. The doors will open at 9pm and the show starts at 10pm. Our talented performers will amaze you with acts including Lady Katie Kill (right) and Magick Mike. Surly Temper will be performing her stunning aerialist act as well as a few other surprises from performers, including Queen Yareli, Wendybird Hoops, Halley Jane, and The Cuttlefish Circus just to name a few. There will be sword swallowing, fire breathing, belly dancing, light bulb eating and much, much more. Our musical act Friday night will be Bunny Savage and The Handymen, who is a real staple of the Philly folk/punk community. We are glad to have him back entertaining with us again.

Dead Flowers have worked with Bunny Savage and The Handymen in the past?

Lutz:  Yea once or twice, I believe. Bunny is such an amazing performer that understands his art better than most people ever will. He has such a unique taste and is quite eclectic to say the least; his music is comedic and extremely entertaining. He has played with other Philly legends such as The Dead Milkmen and Bunny is truly a Philadelphian gem that we are honored to support and provide a stage for.

Do you have any other thoughts that you would like to share with our readers?

Lutz: We do several different events a month, including different mixtures of acts, and we are always looking for new performers to join our troupe or to perform alongside us. So make sure to like our Facebook page to stay up to date with all of the upcoming Dead Flowers events and sideshows in the next few months.