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Tuesday Tease: Cirque-Lesque!

Arts >

 Poster with Trapeze ArtistOn this date in 1956, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed its very last “Big Tent” show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, signalling the end of an era; all subsequent circus shows would be held in sports arenas. This is significant because it was the end of the golden era of the circus. Once they entered sporting arenas a lot of the magic of the circus disappeared. For those of us that grew up in the 70s and 80s, arenas are we went to see the circus but somehow, sitting on grand stands in a cement box with sticky floors was not the circus that I imagined in my boyhood fantasies and it wasn’t until I was introduced to the cirque-noir movement in the late 90s via Circus Contraption and Bindlestiff Family Cirkus did I start to experience some of the “magic” of the old circus of my boyhood dreams.

Burlesque and circus have always operated in similar universes and many modern burlesque troupes incorporate circus arts into their shows and routines. This week on the Tuesday Tease, I want to highlight shows happening this week that incorporate a little bit of circus into their shows so I’m talking clowns, acrobats, magic and sideshow acts. While the big tents may be gone, we can still re-visit the magic of the magical circus days of yore.

Thursday, July 18 

Carnivale Revolver Presents…A Vaudeville Gala!St. Cloud, Minneapolis   Carnivale Revolver will be taking the main stage at the Red Carpet Nightclub this Thursday. The show will include a wide variety of performances including burlesque, sideshow, magic, cabaret, comedy, miming, and more! There will be local & guest performers coming from far and near to join in the fun and provide you with amazing entertainment.

Friday, July 19

The Pretty Things PeepshowEdinburgh, Scotland   Invoking the cotton-candy mystique of Coney Island, The Pretty Things Peepshow, internationally acclaimed New York-based travelling burlesque and sideshow, comes to Edinburgh this Friday. Expect daring sideshow stunts, pulse-racing striptease and tongue in cheek humor; all delivered with expert vaudevillian poise. A rare chance to catch a show born and raised in New York which has since that has travelled across Europe, Australia and the USA.

Freaksheaux to Geaux presents: Where the Wild Things WentNew Orleans, Louisiana   A vaudevillian tribute to the beloved children’s book and a midsummer wild rumpus featuring monsters, boogiemen, and other things that go bump in the night! Featuring: Mistress Kali, Chatty the Mime, Ooops the Clown, Kitty Kaos, Jak Locke, Thugsy da Clown, Doctor Sick, GoGo McGregor, Hannah KB, Tallulah St. James, Mike Singleton and Vinsantos. Special Guests: August Hoerr and Niki Frisky.

Naked July: VaudezillaChicago, Illinois   Join Vaudezilla as they take a walk on the wild side in the “Urban Jungle” cabaret, a fast-paced 60 minute show that examines the hot hot heat of the Windy City at night. In this stunning combination of burlesque and performance art, follow a variety of cabaret performers on a journey through missed connections, public transportation foibles, and what it’s like to be a starving artist in the big city. The show features some of Chicago’s best known burlesque performers like Mister Junior, Zara Estelle, Lilly Rascal, and Raven Gemini, as well as special appearances from Chicago burlesque superstars Red Hot Annie & Po’Chop. Also appearing are variety performers Noel Williams (clown), Moxie (bellydance), & Samantha Lee (song).

The Jumpin’ Jupiter Road ShowSt. Louis, Missouri   The Jumpin’ Jupiter show has hit the road and is performing at various venues around town! Come and check out the fabulous Lu Lu La Toosh, “Your Society Chanteuse,” as she guides you through the theatrics presented throughout the night. You will be dazzled by amazing dancers, aerial acts, acrobatics…and dare we mention a hint of burlesque. It’s sexy, it’s fun, and so much more. Check it out!

Saturday, July 20

Fly By Night CabaretKilauea, Hawaii   High Sky Dance presents Fly By Night Cabaret, a show filled with laughter, amazement, and fantastic entertainment. This Saturday, they’ll be unveiling the most incredible variety show Kaua’i has ever seen. Featuring cirque, cabaret, burlesque and showcasing aerial dance. Mature audience please!