Behind the Burlesque: The Producers of LatinEsque
01/16/25
Located on the 7th floor of The Emily Hotel, Selva is a cocktail bar inspired by the energy of Mexico by night. Stylishly moody and intriguingly vibrant, it's here you’ll find an elevated list of handcrafted cocktails that will transport you to another place.
Home to a diverse array of entertainment, Selva is proud to host one of Chicago's most dynamic and engaging performances, the Jungle Dimension, every last Wednesday of the month.
Set against the backdrop of the bar's evocative ambiance, this monthly event draws its inspiration from the outlet’s name - a Spanish translation for the word 'jungle'.
A one-of-a-kind experience brought to you by LatinEsque and powered by Kombi, Fulton Market welcomed The Jungle Dimension to the Selva Stage for the first time in the Summer of 2024. Join us as we meet the visionaries behind the show's performances and discover the inspirations fueling their unparalleled creativity.
LatinEsque is an intimate, immersive Latinx movement designed to showcase the diverse art forms that Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, Afro-Latino, and other Latinx communities have to offer.
Based in Chicago, this burlesque production features a global roster of performers, reflecting the wide-reaching diversity of Latinx culture.
Founded by the visionary trio SioBast, Sally Marvel, and Vivi Valens - LatinEsque delves into themes of confidence, nudity, and sexuality within the Latinx community. By challenging societal norms, the group invites audiences to broaden their perspectives and embrace new expressions of identity.
With a rich Salvadorian and Mexican heritage, Sio Bast's cultural background has profoundly shaped her artistic journey. She fondly remembers the swish of her little jean skirt as she danced to Lambada as a toddler, a moment that would set the tone for her lifelong passion for movement.
As she grew, she honed her Latin dance skills, starting with Salsa and eventually exploring other rhythms like bachata and merengue.
After spending 13 years working in the service industry, Sio came to a pivotal realization—she wanted more than just a career. She craved something that would nourish her spirit. That turning point came when she was invited to a burlesque show, an experience that left her captivated.
For the first time, she saw a form of entertainment that was completely different from anything she had ever performed or witnessed before—one that combined freedom, sensuality, and sparkle in a way that felt uniquely empowering. There was no going back.
"My goal is to entertain. There are few things in life that bring me more joy than putting a smile on someone’s face. I’d like to bring folks happiness, encouragement, and excitement! The dream is to leave a positive footprint, wherever I go."
Sally Marvel has been captivating audiences since she first set foot in Chicago in 2011. What began as a humble journey has since evolved into an internationally recognized career.
With performances spanning the U.S., Canada, Singapore, and the Philippines, Sally has worked alongside prestigious groups such as Hellzapoppin and Universal Studios, earning a reputation as a master of her craft.
A Chicago-based sideshow and burlesque artist, Sally is a member of a rare and daring sisterhood—one of only around 50 female sword swallowers in the world. Strange, alluring, and death-defying, she merges the feminine with the bizarre to create mesmerizing, visceral experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Through her acts, Sally invites her audiences to step outside the ordinary—to challenge the boundaries of possibility, explore the depths of their imagination, and momentarily escape the mundane. Each performance is not just a spectacle, but an invitation to question the limits of what can be done, and what can be felt.
Vivi Valens is a fourth-generation Mexican-American artist whose work and performances have left an indelible mark on the Chicago arts scene. From an early age, artistic expression has been a cornerstone of her life, beginning with drawing and painting. This passion evolved throughout her school years and culminated in a BFA in Communication Design. Armed with a foundation in commercial art, Vivi launched a successful career in Advertising and Graphic Design.
However, as her career progressed, so did her creative ambitions. Vivi ventured into the world of live performance, making her mark in the Chicago Burlesque scene. Over the past eight years, she has cultivated a persona that blends classic charm with humor and sultriness, drawing inspiration from the iconic vixens of the 1950s and 1960s.
All the while, Vivi has continued to expand her commercial art career, taking on new artistic endeavors with the same fierce creativity that defines her performances. For her, expression is everything.
". . .in many ways I feel my voice as a WOC can go unheard, but when I create something: a logo, website, costume or striptease - you must look AT & acknowledge me. That person has to open their eyes and see me, even if they don’t like it they can not deny me. And in that way I am always heard."
As the vibrant energy of LatinEsque continues to captivate audiences across the city, our upcoming event at Selva on January 29 promises to be an unforgettable night of creativity and connection.
Don’t miss this celebration of Latinx culture - Join us on the seventh floor for The Jungle Dimension: A Selva Burlesque Experience.
