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Tuesday Tease: This Week in Burlesque!

Arts >

6646One thing that I love about the modern burlesque scene is that it’s constantly looking for things in popular culture to parody or pay tribute to. I mean, technically, this is what the original definition of burlesque was: “a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.” This week, we have some great events that do just that. We got  a tribute to Saturday morning cartoons happening in Seattle, a Wizard of Oz-themed show set to the music of Pink Floyd in New York and a tribute to Joss Whedon in Baltimore.

Ironically, what we think of as “classic” burlesque, isn’t as much about parody as it is about sensuality and grace. We got tons of shows that feature burlesque of the early to mid 20th century variety as well. There are burlesque classes and festivals happening and even a 6th annversary party for Atlanta’s Syrens of the South! Also, Gotham Burlesque in New York is offering a special discount for this week’s show for our readers.

Basically, this week’s Tuesday Tease is just an opportunity for us to brag about the amazing producer that work with us and highlight some of the amazing burlesque events happening this weekend. I guarantee you’ll find something to get you off the couch and out supporting your local burlesque scene.

Looks like this is going to be one HOT August!

Friday, August 2

The Sugar Frosted Crunchy Flake Friday Evening Cartoon Hour!Seattle, Washington   Featured in last week’s Tuesday Tease, The Sugar Frosted Crunchy Flake Friday Evening Cartoon Hour!  is a burlesque tribute to the cartoons, commercials and cereals of your childhood! Come relive and re-examine the cartoons you grew up watching with Scarlett O’Hairdye and her friends!  From superheroes to super-villains, awesome toy commercials and even cereal mascots, the Friday Evening Cartoon Hour is certain to amuse and delight.

Burlesque S’il Vous PlaitPortland, Oregon  This is Zora Phoenix‘s monthly show at Crush Bar that features classic burlesque with a contemporary variety twist! This show happens on the first Friday of every month and is a great opportunity to see veterans of the Portland burly scene performing alongside newcomers. Zora’s a great hostess and if you’re in Portland this weekend, this show is not to be missed!

Black Cherry BurlesqueTucson, Arizona   Surly Wench Pub is home to the beloved Black Cherry Burlesque, a monthly striptease spectacle created by the owners of the pub. Black Cherry has been running for seven years, charming the pants off desert dwellers with creative and original productions. Live theatrics, stunning striptease, dancing, singing, and bawdy humor all tip a hat to burlesque’s extensive history.

Whedonism II: 2nd Annual Burlesque Tribute to Joss WhedonBaltimore, Maryland   In 2012, the Evil League of Ecdysiasts sold out the Red Palace in Washington, DC and The Windup Space in Baltimore with the inaugural edition of Whedonism. After a triumphant return with two sold out shows in DC at the Black Cat, Cherie and GiGi are coming back to The Windup Space with some new faces and returning stars from last year. Whedonism II features Reverend Valentine of Valentine Candy Burlesque; budding boylesque musical guest Harry Como; Kay “over the top and under the influence” Sera, the producer of Naked Girls Reading DC, Cherokee Rose; producer of Lord of the Pasties: The Two Tassels and member of Black Tassel Boolesque, Mourna Handful; and the luscious Missy Aggravation, as well as the evildoers themselves, Cherie Sweetbottom and GiGi Holliday.

!BadAss! presents: Dark Side of the Rainbow!New York, New York   This Friday, !BadAss! Burlesque, the World Famous *BOB* & Michael Formika Jones are hosting a psychedelic cast and crew that are sure to rock the dark side of the August 2nd waning moon in their performance of The Wizard of Oz set to the entire Pink Floyd magnum opus: Dark Side of the Moon! The show features Nik Sin, Mary Cyn, Legs Malone, Ammo O’Day, Minnie Tonka, Deity Delgado, Stormy Leather, Albert Cadabra, Francis Stallings, Velocity Chyaldd, Man-ee Champagne, Eric Schmalenberger and Reverend Mother Flash. Expect far out audio & visual, mind bending raffle prizes and demented surprises, like the world premier of the 3 Velocity Chyaldd “Electra” music video featuring: Ammo, Stormy Leather, Deity Delgado, Legs Malone, Danger Doll, Nasty Canasta and others.

Saturday, August 3

GiGi Holliday Presents: Chocolate LoungeWashington, DC   We have all heard of Josephine Baker, but what about Toni Ellington? Lottie the Body? Bronze Blonde Bombshell Ms. Joyce Bryant? Burlesque history is rich, deep and full of performers of color. Yesterday’s shake dancers are now today’s legends and they have paved the way for today’s burlesque beauties. D.C.’s own GiGi Holliday presents Chocolate Lounge, a performers of color burlesque/variety show. This revue will display the many talents and beauty of Baltimore and D.C.’s performers of color.

** SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR TUESDAY TEASE READERS!!! ** GOTHAM BURLESQUENew York, New York   Gotham Burlesque was voted the “Best Burlesque Night” and one of “New York’s Best things to do and places to go 2012” by Time Out New York. This month’s installment features Gal Friday “The Five-Alarm Fire of Burlesque” and is hosted by “The Great Deceiver” Albert Cadabra. Also on the bill are Bettina May, Poppy Tart, Nasty Canasta, chanteuse Grace Gotham, world champion trick roper Chris McDaniel and Miss Saturn, “a hula-hooping demon.” The producers are offering a special summer offer for our readers:

Get Premium Seating, which regular goes for $55 at the discounted price of $41.75 by entering the discount code “burlesque.”

Or, get Balcony Seating, which regularly goes for $39 for the discounted price of $29.95 by entering the discount code “Gotham.”

Ohio Burlesque Festival ClassesCleveland, Ohio   The award-winning Boston Babydolls are proud to bring their expertise to The Ohio Burlesque Festival! This Saturday, they will be swapping their pasties for professors’ gowns to teach you everything you need to know to bring your performance up to the next level! Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a veteran burlesque performer, these practical and useful classes will improve your performances, your marketability, and your skills as a dancer. Classes are one-hour long, and registration is $20 per class — or all six classes for $100! Click the link above for more information on the classes.

Syrens of the South 6th Anniversary Show!Atlanta, Georgia   For six years Syrens of the South have been bringing you the best in burlesque and variety performances from all over the world.  They’ve had the pleasure of working with so many different performers over the years that it would take forever to list them all. To carry on the tradition there will be astounding performances by some of the best in Atlanta and beyond, including: opening band: Good Golly Svengali, Chad Sanborn, E-CuPP (Bourgeois Betty and Persephone Phoenix), Fonda Lingue, Katherine Lashe, Peppy Schlongstocking (Tennessee), Sadie Hawkins, Talloolah Love, Violet Vixxxen (Kentucky) and many more! The Syrens are giving a present to all of our fans who have supported us over the years by offering tickets for $15 at the door to anyone wearing a Syrens of the South or Southern Fried Burlesque Fest T-Shirt. There will also be a raffle at the end of each show to benefit Southern Fried Burlesque Fest, one ticket for $5 and 3 tickets for $10.

Next week, we’ll feature an interview with CoCo Lectric, Austin’s reigning burlesque queen. We’ll talk about her upcoming Jigglewatts Burlesque Revue “Trail of Bling” Tour which kicks off on Wednesday, August 7th. Stay tuned for that and we’ll see you next week on the Tease!