Hot: Detroit's Burlesque Scene

Roxi Dlite. Sparkly Devil. Lottie the Body.

Names that suggest women of dangerous character, who make you think twice about who you're dealing with. Just who are these ladies, and what's with the elaborate stage names?

These are the notorious ladies of Detroit's burlesque scene.

Most might not be familiar with them, unless they happen to also attend such memorable Detroit events such as The Dirty Show, The Marquis De Sade Ball recently held at the Eagle Theater in Pontiac, Michigan, and the extremely successful "Wonderland", a sexy production of the Lewis Carroll classic. It seems that a healthy world of erotica is thriving in the Motor City, and these ladies have made it their mission to raise public awareness (among other things) and fiercely practice the art of burlesque.

Historically, burlesque was created by Lydia Thompson and her British Blondes, then introduced to America in the late 1860's. They performed traditional theater with racy costumes and eventually elements of vaudeville, cabaret and striptease were thrown into the mix. This was followed by the modern strip club, which unfortunately may have caused a decline of interest in the subtle arts of burlesque. However, thanks to the efforts of such groups as SPAG, Causing a Scene Productions and Where the Boys Are, the beauty of this almost lost practice will not be forgotten. At least one thing's for sure - the ladies won't let you.

A great opportunity to see the fine art of burlesque will be the upcoming Detroit Erotica Ball on October 24, 2009 at Bert's Warehouse in Eastern Market. Let these lovely ladies remind you that titillation needn't be in the form of a $20 lap dance. And bring a date - you can both have a good time.

By Raquel Salaysay of examiner.com

Lily Verlaine's Nightcap Burlesque

A packed house attended the Triple Door last night to see the latest Burlesque show in the Nightcap series. This one did not disappoint. With a smaller cast than a full length show, producer Lily Verlaine presented a compact and consistent show with a regular high calibre of performer. She herself kicked the show off with a quality turn to the musical accompaniment of La Vie en Rose, and then produced a Charleston like dance, successfully transporting us back into an earlier era.

What came next was equally invigorating as a young dancer ca lled Fuschia Foxx belly danced as exotically as anything I have seen in the inevitable belly dance scene in a Bond film. She really is very good and demonstrated a total control over every extremity as she gyrated to the accompaniment.

Minnesotan Nadine Dubois guest hosted the show but probably it requires a longer show and perhaps a drunker audience to eke the best out of a lady of such personality. Indigo Blue was also on hand performing an inventive and original routine involving a fetish for biscotti. It’s always welcome to see even the most experienced of performers coming up with new routines. The audience loved this one, and in general love Miss Indigo, as do I. Still wondering how I get to meet her though. ;-)

Babette LaFavre has an extraordinary angle on this art form. She performs largely from behind a tarpaulin. Nonetheless with incredibly inventive use of lighting, she achieves some incredible effects and manages to alleviate our disappointment that we don’t get a little more of her flesh. It is though quite a stunning act.

The only male performer was called Ultra who lip-synched through two numbers. During the first he barely moved or acted, and the audience, comprised mainly of females, began to get restless, although you could feel they wanted to love him. In his second number, he moved, disrobed and entertained, convincing me that he has what it takes to keep an audience captivated with a better selection of act.

Each of the female artists did two separate turns and didn’t disappoint with either. The next venture for Lily is somewhat more ambitious than a short late Saturday show. She has been asked to do the Nutcracker for a ten day run, doing two shows a night in December, starting on the 14th. With twenty houses to fill, I’ll be interested to see how she does. It’s quite a task and her success will demonstrate just how strong Burlesque has become in Seattle.
By Steve Clare of examiner.com

Strip Tease Symposium with Penny Starr Jr

Penny Starr, Jr. is one of those rare ladies who can truly say she has burlesque in her blood. The granddaughter of Philadelphia’s legendary Penny Starr, Penny Jr. produced the documentary film “The Velvet Hammer Burlesque” before turning her attention to performance and continuing her grandmother’s legacy.

This August, Vaudezilla plays the role of gracious host as Penny pays the Windy City a visit all the way from Hollywood, California. After you see her perform in our free bar-top show at Blue Bayou and in our free BROADZILLA! show at Exit, Penny will be conducting an afternoon’s worth of burlesque workshops. Whether you’re a beginner who wants to learn the basics of the fine art of bump and grind, or if you’re a seasoned pro looking for a few new tricks for your sparkly bag, Penny’s workshops have everything you’ll need.

These workshops will be held at Think Big Studios, and the scheduled sessions include:

11am-12pm - "A Burlesque Routine in 10 Moves or Less”
12:15pm-1:15pm - "Rhinestone Application & Design Principles”
1:30pm-2:30pm - “Take it Off: Pop Vs. Peel Striptease Techniques”

Individual sessions: $45 (day of) or $35 (pre-register on-line)
All Three: $110 (day of) or $85 (pre-register on-line)
Sign up for all three classes, and Red Hot Annie will be providing you with free lunch!

Take advantage of the pre-registration savings by signing up for your sessions on-line today at http://vaudezilla.com/pennystarrjr.htm

Charlotte Burlesque troupes taking off

It's 11 on a Friday night. In a dimly lit underground club, girls in stockings, garters and corsets mingle with customers before taking the stage. A smart-mouthed, chain-smoking announcer clad in shirtsleeves and a vest announces the performers to catcalls from the crowd – Mistress Colette, Cherry Von Bomb, Mademoiselle Kashka among them.

But it's not 19th century Paris, and this isn't the Moulin Rouge.

Instead, it's 2009 and the art of burlesque is enjoying a resurgence in Charlotte, thanks to such local troupes as La Petite Mort Burlesque and Big Mamma's House of Burlesque.

Deana Pendragon (affectionately known as Big Mamma D) started her group in 2006. She puts on a themed show bimonthly at Elizabeth's Visulite Theatre, drawing a surprisingly female-heavy (and vocal) audience. Last week's theme was “Under the Big Tops,” complete with an act from Sideshow Bennie, a few tricks from Hannibal the Magician and a striptease from “Siamese twins.”

Although the Big Mamma's girls do take off their heavily sequined and fringed costumes (made by Mamma D herself), there's no nudity – just a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flash of pastie-covered breasts. Instead, Pendragon's show harkens to classic burlesque: There's singing, sketch comedy and usually a few tongue-in-cheek stripteases (read: the Siamese twins above).

Mena Killough's La Petite Mort is a little more risque, at times bordering on crass. Miss Mena's girls – including Colette, Cherry and Kashka – perform monthly at Halo at the N.C. Music Factory. Pasties here are revealed for longer than just a flash, and dollar bills are thrown onstage.

Performances at their most recent show last month included a strange pas de deux between a naughty nurse and her mentally ill patient, and an equally jarring S&M-laced routine. (To be sure, there's some classic burlesque mixed in: a cupcake-adorned “baker” stripped down to little more than an apron in a cute dance.)

One word of advice: Don't go into these shows expecting a Dita Von Teese look-alike in a giant martini glass or a song-and-dance routine a la the Pussycat Dolls. Instead, it's about classic burlesque that gives women of all shapes and sizes a feeling of empowerment.

La Petite Mort Burlesque
Next show: 11 p.m. Aug. 21. Halo, 820 Hamilton St. (inside the N.C. Music Factory). $7. www.haloclt.com.

Big Mamma's
Next show: Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $12 in advance. www.visulite.com.

By S. Aarthun of the Charlotte Observer

BROOKLYN: A Burlesque Tribute

Gowanus? Then come and get us! On Monday, August 17, Sweet and Nasty presents BROOKLYN at Public Assembly: a night of tassel-twirling burlesque tributes to the people, places and things that make Brooklyn great. Local burlesque superstars will take it all off for Brooklyn - proving that, despite 'The Great Mistake of 1898,' we're still the hottest borough of all!

"Did you know that Brooklyn is the birthplace of hip-hop, hipster moms, and Barbra Streisand? We'll be presenting striptease tributes to all these and more," promises Nasty Canasta - host, producer, and the reigning Cheese Queen of Coney Island. "Of course, Brooklyn is also the birthplace of Gold's Horseradish," adds Canasta. "But I'm not sure if we can do anything with that. For one thing, it'd probably burn a lot."

Since 2006, Sweet and Nasty has been adding its own unique mix of glam camp, historical fact, and blatant lies to the New York burlesque scene, and currently appears monthly at Public Assembly. Their August spectacular, BROOKLYN: A Burlesque Tribute, is the centerpiece of a jam-packed night of burlesque entertainment that will begin with go-go by Robert Moses at 9pm, and continue until Tuesday morning. As a special offer, wear your snazziest Brooklyn t-shirt for 2-for-1 admission!

What do Brooklyn and burlesque performers have in common? Find out with Clams Casino, Miss Coney Island Gal Friday, GiGi La Femme, Minnie Tonka, host Nasty Canasta and more at BROOKLYN: A Burlesque Tribute.

SWEET AND NASTY BURLESQUE presents
BROOKLYN: A Burlesque Tribute
Monday, August 17
doors at 9 pm | show at 10 pm
at Public Assembly - 70 N. 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Admission: $10

Rollin’ Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque

Take one of the biggest cult movies in recent memory. Add the hottest new burlesque troupe in Chicago. Put it all on the stage of Gorilla Tango Theatre, and what do you get?

“Rollin’ Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque”

Don’t be out of your element! Join Vaudezilla Productions for an epic variety show featuring your favorite Bums, Achievers, and What-Have-You from the classic Coen Brothers film. All of the Vaudezilla girls will be there doing sexy stripteases.

You’ll also be treated to original skits, music, and the chance to win some prizes by testing your knowledge of “The Big Lebowski.”

So slip on your favorite jellies, grab the ringer, mix a White Russian, and head on down to Gorilla Tango this September for a night of sexy fun that not even Jackie Treehorn can beat! And be sure to get your tickets NOW, because there are a limited number of seats and we have already sold a significant number of them. This is going to be one hot ticket, so don’t look for a handout, man! Go out and achieve anyway!

Starring: Red Hot Annie, Wham Bam Pam, Donna Touch, Bonny Babs, and Maria May I. Special appearance by The Vaudezilla Vixens. Featuring the talents of Logan Conner, Dick Dijon, Michael Kunc, and Matt Leuck.

When: September 5, 12, 19, 26 - 10:00pm

Where: Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N Milwaukee Av, Chicago

Advance Tickets available NOW here.