Meet Ginger N. Whiskey | Burlesque Producer, Performer, and Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ginger N. Whiskey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ginger N., why did you pursue a creative career?
I picked an artistic/creative career because I want to cultivate and nurture joy in a capitalistic society.
This career gives me the freedom to live authentically, be in the throes of passion and inspiration, and experience the utmost pride when visions come to fruition. It’s a way to grow community, bring awareness to social/political downfalls while amplifying important voices on how to take action.
I gives me a space to guide, mentor, and lead with everyone’s best interests in mind.
This career reminds me that everything is temporary, to not take myself too seriously, and provides resilience in my ability to adapt, change, and hustle.
Art gives me the grace to grieve, celebrate, and evolve while using this scope of emotions to build a performance piece where I can be raw and vulnerable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Burlesque is the art of the striptease. It celebrates bodily autonomy, creativity, satire, sensuality, and is/should be political.
I strive to create shows that are inclusive, safe, educational and fun. I want my audience to walk away feeling like they had a unique experience and a beautiful escape from the every day mundane.
I produce 4 different shows in San Diego:
Body Language at Sycamore Den, a free community based show where we highlight and fundraise for mutual aid.
Birds of Paradise at Botanica which is a tropicalia omakase brunch experience.
Leather Rebel at Good Bar where we revel in wild at heart performances to rock, punk, and metal.
Frisky Funk at Riviera Supper Club’s Turquoise Room which I coproduce with Feisty as Whiskey & Fuego. It’s a one of a kind show where the performers freestyle to soul & funk vinyl while our guests enjoy dinner and cocktails.
A couple things I’m most proud of are Great Gig in the Sky which is a Pink Floyd inspired theater show that incorporates a psychedelic storyline and multimedia. W&F will be reviving it February 2025.
The other thing I’m most currently proud of is I will be competing in Japan for the first Japan International Burlesque Festival. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m immensely grateful
This journey hasn’t been easy. It took me almost 7 years to find my voice in this art. I’ve been a dancer my whole life but a CT lot of my experiences weren’t necessarily healthy. It took some radical changes in my life for me to discover who I am at my core.
I’ve learned that everything takes patience. There is no timeline for growth. One for in front of the other. In that patience I’ve learned where my strengths lie, when to let go, and when to reach out for support.
I want people to leave my classes and my shows feeling like they are seen, cherished, and empowered.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d take them to Balboa Park for a picnic, roller skate date, museum stroll, etc.
the beach is always a must.
Kearny Mesa for all my favorite restaurants (can’t pick one because there are so many great ones in the Convoy District).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My business partner Feisty Fuego is not only a best friend but someone whose artistic vision compliments mine. We produce together and separately and have a strong and loving dynamic. I wouldn’t have survived this long in this career without her.

My partner is one of the most supportive humans I’ve ever met. He loves me exactly as I am and loves what I do. He makes me feel safe and seen. It’s hard to come by in this line of work. I’m very grateful and lucky for our deep soul connection.

My family has been cheering me on throughout my burlesque journey and respect my decision to choose this artistic hustle as a career.

Sex workers have paved the way for this art to exist and I have worked in different types of SW . I have the utmost admiration for their ability to create opportunity and abundance.

My community as a whole deserves a shout out. The way everyone has shown up for me through the challenging times has been key to my survival. Existence is too damn hard without people picking you up when you’re down. I feel so thankful for everyone that is there for the highs and lows.

Website: https://www.whiskeyandfuego.com/

Instagram: gingernwhiskey

Image Credits
Christina Liu
Slowhand Photography
Hanuit
Becky DiGiglio