In its tireless march toward world domination burlesque has evolved far beyond it’s original incarnations. It’s Lamarckian transformations have allowed it to branch out into many and varying forms, creating a lush and vibrant (and sparkly) family tree.

The branch of the burlesque family tree we are focusing on today is boylesque! No longer is the world of glitter and feathers the strict domain of women. More and more men are stepping out on stage to show audiences what they’ve got. The art has even gotten a recent write up in the New York Times!

Often the boys are preforming along side of the girls so it can be a challenge to find a show where you can just watch the boys dance. But, luckily for you, I have gone and done that heavy lifting and here are the fruits of those labours. The best boylesque shows (and burlesque shows featuring male performers) from every corner of the county!

Los Angeles, California

Monday, November 26 | Monday Night Tease! presents MEATFEST 3 Come join Monday Night tease in celebrating the men of burlesque with their third annual production of Meatfest! This all male show will feature performances by Bobbie Burlesque Harry Merkin, Mr Snapper, Tito Bonito, Lee T Killer, Doctor Lust and “the reason it’s always wet in Portland” 2012 Reigning King of Burlesque, Russell Bruner!

Seattle, Washington

Friday, December 14 through Monday, December 24 | Homo For The Holidays! This December Homo for the Holidays will be bringing you two shows a night on the 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd at 7:00pm and 10:00pm. Along with a Christmas Eve show on the 24th at 10:00pm! “Homo For The Holidays! is a seasonal spectacle guaranteed to make even the most stubborn Yuletide gay! An unforgettable all-star cast of burlesque, cabaret, dance, drag, and musical local luminaries come together in a display of glittering grandeur.”

Anchorage, Alaska

Friday, November 30 through Saturday, December 15 | VivaVoom Brr-Lesque Presents: Surprise Santa! A Nut-Crackin’ Bedtime Burlesque Story Going by my most recent estimate, there are nearly 100 different renditions of the Nutcracker currently on sale through Brown Paper Tickets. This production however is a slightly more than slightly different version of the story. The folks at VivaVoom Brr-Lesque have made a few improvements like hot white trash, blow-up dolls, drunken fights, men in tights, Circus acts and high-kick hotness!

Brooklyn, New York

Friday, December 7 through Sunday, December 16 | THE HOUSE OF YES CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 2012: Xmas Through the Ages “The fourth annual House of Yes Xmas Spectacular is a theatrical extravaganza of non-stop holiday joy featuring ravishing dance numbers, astounding aerial acrobatics, circus spectacles, breathtaking burlesque and ridiculous production numbers that will have you loving the holidays like never before.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7u0-aFR6fM&w=560&h=315]