Word on the street here in Seattle is that snow is coming by the end of the weekend. That means it’s going to chilly here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Sounds like the real winter is on its way nationwide so why not get out and enjoy some live entertainment that’s sure to get you a little warm under the collar? I’m talking tassles, glitter, pasties and tasteful titillation. That’s burlesque people… or, keeping with the winter theme, burrrr-lesque!

Here’s a smörgåsbord of bump and grind for all our burlesque fans out there. Get out and get warmed up before the chill hits! You’ll be glad you did.

TONIGHT! Friday, January 13

Bergamot Burlesque featuring Dee Milo-Portland – Portland, Oregon  Bergamot Burlesque is proud to present an evening of opulent, classic burlesque bringing together a living legend from the golden era of burlesque, Dee Milo “Venus of Dance” alongside an world renowned cast of elegant performers. Bergamot Burlesque is bringing Oregon two entrancing evenings in two cities hosted by international emcee Vincent Drambuie. Performances by: Dee Milo “Venus of Dance,” Hai Fleisch, Charlotte Treuse, Itty Bitty Bang Bang, Infamous Nina Nightshade and Bettina May. Online sales have ended for this event. Tickets may still be available at the door.

Psychedelic Spectacle – Saint Paul, Minnesota  Established in February of 2010, Abbie Rhode’s Psychedelic Spectacle presents a special performance at the Lowry Lab Theater. With a core cast that encompasses burlesque dancers, belly dancers, musicians and comedians; they are the self-named “Laugh In” of the burlesque community. The original core cast is inspired by 1960’s cultural ideals such as experimentation, hope, joy and–naturally–the Beatles’ swingin’ sounds. This open invitation for creativity has attracted a wide range of regular performers who strip-tease, belly dance, sing, lip-synch, costume-change and immolate puppets in most ingenious ways. Online sales have ended for this event. Tickets may still be available at the door.

Sharkbite Sideshow – New York, New York  Joe the Shark is proud to bring a little taste of Coney Island to the Lower East Side.  Featuring regular performances by sideshow performer Kryssy Kocktail, Sasha Fire Gypsy and trickster Nelson Lugo, the show will also feature burlesque performances from the best NYC has to offer. Online sales have ended for this event. Tickets may still be available at the door.

The Bad Luck Bazaar – Portland, Maine  Unlucky you! On Friday the 13th, The Dirty Dishes Burlesque Revue, Pussyfoot Burlesque and Eternal Otter Records proudly present The Bad Luck Bazaar. Beginning with a carnival of desires, featuring sexy games and saucy prizes, the vendor fair includes representatives from Nomia Boutique, CS Boutique, USM’s Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity and other sex-positive local vendors. Stay on for performances by The Dishes, Pussyfoot, musical guests Over A Cardboard Sea, an aerially-fixated Apparatus Dance Theater and your lovely hostess for the evening, Bunny Wonderland. With a climactic and interactive showdown after which you may require a shower and a 13th hour dance party courtesy of DJ DarkCity, sponsored by Salacious Magazine.

Saturday, January 14

Rock On! The Jigglewatts Get Rough! – Austin, Texas  Bring your rock fingers and your mullet, the Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue presents a knock down drag out fun time. Leave your bats at home! The Jigglewatts welcome back Jolie Ampére Goodnight, Coco Lectric, Ruby Joule, Goldie Candela, Ruby Lamb and Pearl Lux to show you a side of them they can’t take out of Austin!

Slow Burn Burlesque Does America – New Orleans, Louisiana  Slow Burn Burlesque is back with another wild tribute. This time they’re lampooning the country they love with their presentation of “Slow Burn Does America.” Just as the name says they’re doing the down and dirty to the land of the free and the home of the brave with irreverent tributes to the culture of the good ole’ U.S. of A.  Join Slow Burn for a beauty pageant where the contestants are less than deserving of the crown. Find out where has-been lounge singers go to die. See the South and your pants rise again. Find love in China Town. Be enchanted by a New Orleans voodoo priestess. Listen to ridiculous politicians try to win your vote while trying to steal your wallet and your wife. Plus, they have Replicant Girl of Singe joining the show to light up the stage the American way with a glorious, shining, neon light show, and, much, much, more. Don’t miss out on the patriotic pasties and amber waves of glitter! Starring: Moxie Sazerac, Nona Narcisse, Ginger Licious, Roxie le Rouge, Lady Lucerne, Ruby Rage, and Ben Wisdom with special guest, Replicant Girl!

** Warning! This video may not be appropriate for all viewers. **
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Bon Appétit Burlesque’s Best of 2011 – Northampton, Massachusetts You are not ready for this show! In January, we’re taking ten of our favorite neo-burlesque acts from 2011 and putting them together all in one place. Come out and relive acts from some of your favorite Bon Appétit Burlesque performers, check out local art, play some games, win some prizes, laugh, hoot and holler! Featuring: Harley Foxx, Dot Mitzvah, Mrs. Haggerty, Kitty Katastrophe, Blitzen Von Schtupp, Bettysioux Tailor, Lady Naboombu, Captain Elastico, Sensei Chanel, Lily la Vamp, Bunny Hill and Moe Wood. Hosted by the sassiest MC this side of the Mississippi, Hors D’oeuvres, and music from the man who wants you to get your groove on, Studebaker Hawk. Get there early to check out fabulous fashion on display from Bettysioux Tailor!

The Big Blue Ball – Seattle, Washington  Do the winter months always leave you a little frigid? Finding the heat used to be difficult in winters passed. For all of the frosty receptions of the season, sometimes a little formality can help ease the tension and find a more relaxed state. Wait, what am I saying? Formal? Here? It can happen but only if it makes for things to be really, really hot. Purple Devil Productions presents The Big Blue Ball, an evening of burlesque, music, and belly dance to make these cold, cold nights hot again. The Big Blue Ball features the talents of: Miss Kitty Baby, La Petite Mort, Kendra Hayes, Violet DeVille, Camilla St. Sin, Scandal from Bohemia, Sara Dipity and Chesty La Rue. Hosted by Miss Gams Galore!

The Circus, Sideshow and Burlesque Show of Doom – Columbia, South Carolina This dark circus and burlesque variety show will be hosted by the Carny Preacher himself, Armitage Shanks, who was director and ringmaster of Seattle’s Circus Contraption, is the star of the upcoming feature film “The Burlesque Assassins” and is regarded as one of the top emcees in the international burlesque community. Also on the bill: Philadelphia’s vaudeville comedy duo Sidetracked, DC Sideshow Queen Mab, Just Mab, Columbia’s own Alternacirque, the Vaudeville music and comedy stylings of Mark Slomski of Richmond, Virginia, aerials, dance, hooping and acrobatics of Biz’Cirque from Knoxville, Tennessee, burlesque by Kryss Sta and Kali of New Orleans, Menage A Trois Burlesque Company from Charleston and aerial performance by The Wondersons also hailing from Charleston.

Sunday, January 15

Backbar Beauties at the Copper Gate – Seattle, Washington  Neo-burlesque troupe based out of Seattle, Washington. Have a cocktail and enjoy an amazing show!

Austin Academy of Burlesque – Austin, Texas  Release your inner burlesque starlet with an emphasis of classic dance techniques, statuesque poses and walks, and utilization of props all to sassy, swinging big band music. The class consists of a variety of stretches and warm-ups based on dance, pilates and yoga, followed by across the floor routines which utilize jazz, ballet and classic bumps and grinds in a short dance combination. For the full experience, please bring high-heeled shoes.

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Image courtesy of Burlesque In London blog