Events! Week of 3/22

Hey Chicago, what is up?! Is spring here? It kinda feels like it, then it snows, shit! Well, that’s Chicago weather for you. Luckily there are LOTS of burlesque events this week to keep you feelin’ hot!~

WEDNESDAY

Carnival Burlesque @ No-Tell Motel
Debonair Social Club, 1575 North Milwaukee Avenue
12am
No Cover Charge

Lady Jack presents this show, a fine mix of funny & classic burlesque & belly dance. Last week I was here and I thoroughly enjoyed the hipster dance party before & after the show.
What’s it like? You can see pics here !
http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2010/03/no-tell-motel-at-debonair-social-club-week-two/

THE BREAST SHOW EVER
7:30pm – 10:30pm
Mary’s Attic, 5400 N Clark
No Cover Charge

Brought to you by Girlie-Q and two local organizations, the Lesbian Community Care Project of Howard Brown Health Center and Bright Pink, this free show is all about boobs (duh). I hear there will be swag bags, and the first 30 attendees receive an extra gift!

THURSDAY

Vaudezilla’s All Lathered Up! Free Bartop Burlesque Show

Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Ave
10:00pm (SHARP!)
No Cover Charge

Seriously… good food, $4 well drinks & drafts, a free bartop show… You can’t go wrong on a Thursday night!

http://vaudezilla.com/bluebayou.htm

FRIDAY

BROADZILLA! The Burlesque Beast
10:30pm & 1:00am TWO SHOWS
Exit Chicago, 1315 W North Av
Cover Charge: FREE!
http://vaudezilla.com/broadzilla.htm

A wide variety of burlesque acts in two different shows, plus audience participation bits and prizes. Very fun, and very FREE! $2 PBRs

Varietease Cabaret
10:30 PM
Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N Broadway
$15.00 tickets
http://www.lakeshoretheater.com/ShowDetail.aspx?ShowID=172

Not only is this a great and highly entertaining show—this month, it’s a special birthday party for Backdoor Aly! Expect a packed house—buy tickets in advance.

What’s it like? Click on the tickets link and scroll down to check out photos & videos!

The Flaming Dames in ‘Nerdlesque’
Fridays : 10:15 p.m. (March 26 through May 7) Except April 16
The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway
Price: $20 Event
http://www.nmtchicago.org

“Burlesque dancers portray characters from comic books, “Star Wars,” Tarantino films, ’80s cartoons and more.” ???!!! Sounds like a great concept! I can’t wait to check out this show. It will be running every Friday until May 7.

SATURDAY

Glam Buccaneer
8:00pm
Fulton Street Collective, 2000 W. Fulton
$10 suggested donation includes PBR refreshments

‘If Black Beard and Bowie had a baby it would be this party’
It’ll be a rocksteady event of local art, music, and all around flashyness, with a little bit of burlesque too! Costumes strongly encouraged, and the first 50 attendee’s will receive eye patches & arm bands. Anyone attending in Khaki’s will have the opportunity to auction them off for charity.

Week of 3/16

WEDNESDAY

March Madness 2010! A Green Freak Erotic Adventure
Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State Street
Doors @8pm
Cover: $10

Fetish Burlesque/Erotic performance, loud music, magic, and comedy. It’s gonna be loud & messy.

No-Tell Motel: Pin-Up Patty
Debonair Social Club
12am Midnight
No Cover Charge

Hosted by Lady Jack. The theme is “Pinup,” so expect to see pretty, sexy ladies doing pretty, sexy burlesque. …And Bellydance & Hooping, too!

 THURSDAY

 Vaudezilla Presents “All Lathered Up!: Bartop Burlesque Show”
Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Av
10:00pm (SHARP!)
No Cover Charge 

The show is FREE and features 7-9 different performers from the roster every Thursday. $4 Well Drinks and Sapporo drafts and Lemon Shots and a free, boisterous show makes this a no-brainer.

FRIDAY

In The Dark: Shadows & Echoes Nite II
The Nineteen Hundred & One Gallery/Theatre, 1901 W. Belmont Ave.
Midnite – Friday & Saturday, March 19 – 20, 2010
$15 Donation
BYOB

“Two Enchanted Evenings of Gothic & Erotic Performance & Dance Theatre”
www.myspace.com/thenineteenhundredandone

 SATURDAY

Mouthwatering Moxie Medley
The Spot, 4437 N Broadway
9:00pm
$15 – open bar ’til 10pm / $20 VIP room with Private Show

The Mouthwatering Moxie Medley is a burlesque cabaret collective of four talented performers, who are doing this show/fundraiser to hit the road for a West Coast Tour this Spring (March 26-April 4). “…a true theatrical experience for all.”

Events! Week of 2/23/10

Hey guys! Sorry I missed last week! Life has been crazy. Were you all dying to know what burlesque shows you can see??? HMMM?

 WEDNESDAY

Angela Eve & Eve’s Parlor Burlesque @ No-Tell Motel
Debonair Social Club, 1575 North Milwaukee Avenue
12am
No Cover Charge

There are only a few local burlesquers in this show. So if you’re a veteran on the local scene, here’s a good chance to see something unique! In fact, it’s possibly your last chance to see Angela Eve perform in Chicago for a while. “Angela Eve as always will end her set flying in the rafters performing aerial burlesque. The sound will be a mix of old skool bump and grind rock and roll, rockabilly, sexy blues with a bit of vaudeville punk and rock.”

THURSDAY

Vaudezilla’s Heartbreakers Burlesque Free Bartop Burlesque Show Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Ave
10:00pm (SHARP!)
No Cover Charge
http://vaudezilla.com/bluebayou.htm

Come early and have some gumbo, baby …I’m trying to make that into a euphemism, but it’s just not coming to me.  

Festival of Flesh
Lucky Number Grill, 1931 N. Milwaukee Ave.
9 p.m.
$6

 Burlesque & Circus freak acts w/ a goth & fetish vibe. Cheap drinks!

FRIDAY

BROADZILLA! The Burlesque Beast10:30pm & 1:00am TWO SHOWS
Exit Chicago, 1315 W North Av
Cover Charge: FREE!

Two free, completely different shows featuring seasoned local pros, plus comedy, goodie bags, BOYLESQUE, and $2 PBRs – this is definitely the best bang for your buck! http://vaudezilla.com/broadzilla.htm

 SATURDAY

Belmont Burlesque Revue!
The Playground Theater, 3209 N Halsted
12AM
Tickets $10 – and they ALWAYS SELL OUT!
http://www.belmontburlesque.com/home.php

A long-running Chicago standard! Classic striptease, hilarious MCs, and you can see my fave magic guy, The Amazing Tomas!

The Wild Party Variety Hour
Prop Thtr. 3502-04 N. Elston
10:30pm
$10.00, variety@silenttheatre.com or 312.533.8023 for more information

A one-hour variety show featuring burlesque by Lady Jack.

A&M Burlesque
Ongoing Saturdays : 9:30 p.m. (ends February 27)
Price: $15
The Viaduct Theater 3111 N. Western Ave

FRIDAY & SATURDAY – ONGOING

The Flaming Dames in Bourbon Street Burlesque
Fridays and Saturdays @ 10:15pm
The Spot on Broadway, 4437 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tickets $20.
FOR TICKETS CALL: (312) 458-9083 or visit www.nmtchicago.org

A lively show featuring great polished and enjoyable acts by the Flaming Dames.

Events: the Dreaded V-Day Week

2/10/10 – Well, it’s Valentine’s Day week! As you can expect, there are a SHITton of burlesque-related events going on. I’m going to be real light on the commentary this time, and just post the shit. If you want some info or recommendations, please comment and I’ll chat ya up!

WEDNESDAY
No-Tell Motel
Debonair Social Club, 1575 North Milwaukee Avenue
Well, it’s Debonair. I can’t find any info on this show, but I think it’s happening. Expect sleazy wannabe hipsters who are alllllmost too cool to actually watch the show, and the sting of over-priced drinks.

THURSDAY
Vaudezilla’s Heartbreakers Burlesque Free Bartop Burlesque Show
Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Ave
10:00pm (SHARP!)
No Cover Charge
http://vaudezilla.com/bluebayou.htm  

If you like burlesque, this is the most fun you’ll have on a Thursday night, for free!

For the Love of Guilty Pleasures
Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark Street
7:30pm
Tickets are $10 in advance (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/97868 ) or $15 at the door. 21 and up.

“Join Girlie-Q, Chicago’s First & Only Queer Burlesque & Entertainment company… [for] a Valentine’s (and anti-Valentine’s)-themed evening of performance & pleasure.”

FRIDAY
Vaudezilla’s Schtick With Us
Skokie Theatre, 7924 N Lincoln Av, Skokie IL
8:00pm
Tickets: $15 in advance / $20 at the door:
https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?performance=51065  

Full-length, scripted play! It’s a raucous, vaudeville-inspired burlesque show featuring a number of different variety acts. Very light on the burlesque. It’s practically family-friendly! Seriously though folks, this is the one to bring your theater-lovin’ friends & family to.

SATURDAY

The Wild Party Variety Hour
Prop Theater, 3502-04 N. Elston
10:30pm
$10.00
variety@silenttheatre.com or 312.533.8023 for more information

“Burlesque! Vaudeville! Tomfoolery! Party after the show!” Should be a fun and artsy production by the Silent Theater Company, with burlesque by Lady Jack.

Hottest Night of Winter
Music Box Theater, 3733 N Southport Ave
7:00pm
Tickets are $20, $35 for two

“…steamy show full of glamor and camp as Chicago’s Dutchess [sic] and her world famous Starlets take the stage.”

Hottest Night After Party
Vertigo, 2 W. Erie St.
9:00pm
Price: $20, or free w/ Hottest Night ticket

A&M Burlesque
The Viaduct Theater 3111 N. Western Ave
Ongoing Saturdays : 9:30 p.m. (ends February 27)
Price: $15

Post Apocalyptic Burlesque
National Pastime Theater Neighborhood, 4139 N. Broadway
10:00pm
$15 http://www.npt2.com/guest2.html

“Come and see Mistress Xena, Ammunition, and Miss Kay command your attention, your admiration and your desires …blood thirsty females…Discordant music and industrial beats… Happy the Human Drum Machine… See this show or spend eternity regretting it.”

FRIDAY & SATURDAY – ONGOING

The Flaming Dames in Bourbon Street Burlesque
The Spot on Broadway, 4437 N. Broadway, Chicago
Fridays and Saturdays @ 10:15pm
Tickets $20.
FOR TICKETS CALL: (312) 458-9083 or visit www.nmtchicago.org

A lively show featuring great polished and enjoyable acts by the Flaming Dames.

shop & sparkle

Being a burlesque dancer really changes how you look at the world. For example, as I write this, I’m wearing glitter-crusted false eyelashes. The world is a fuckin’ disco ball.

I’ve always had a vice for drunken shopping. When Akira has those open house w/ free booze events, FORGET about it. I wake up in the morning w/ 3 new pairs of shoes, a $200 pair of jeans, and 4 sluttastic knit dresses that I don’t even know …how to put on.

Now things are different. Today in the mail I received one giant, SPARKLY, Carmen Miranda-style fruit hat.

what the hell

Events 2/2/10

There are SO many things going on this weekend! If you don’t get out to see some ass, you’re not lookin’!

THURSDAY
Vaudezilla’s Heartbreakers Burlesque Free Bartop Burlesque Show
10:00pm (SHARP!)
No Cover Charge
Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport Ave

what you can expect
The show starts right at 10pm and usually it’s standing room only. The bar will be packed with Northsiders and “Friends of Burlesque.” Since the girls dance on the bartop, you’ll get a great show from anywhere in the house. You’re not doing anything Thursday night anyways. Service is slow and drink specials aren’t THAT great, but you’re getting a free show so shut the hell up and enjoy your $4 Bud Light.

http://vaudezilla.com/bluebayou.htm

FRIDAY
Bon V Burlesque
9pm Open Bar; 10pm Show
Bon V, 1100 W Randolph Ave
Reservations Required

what you can expect
Seems like a clubby, hip affair. I don’t know much about this. But I bet you’re gonna see some really sexy, polished burlesque (there are only 3 performers and they’re all fantastic) in a club setting. So ample opportunity to pick up chicks rockin’ those Bumpits. tottering in stilettos & knit dresses, bib rhinestone necklaces, and smokey eyes.

Varietease Cabaret
10:30 PM
Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N Broadway
$15.00 tickets

what you can expect
This is a real stage show! You get to sit in a padded seat! In an Auditorium!

You’re going to get a great mix of different kinds of burlesque performances, and the crowd will be just as varied. Not only are you gonna get plenty of Lakeviewers wandering in already toasted, but for those who haven’t imbibed enough to heckle tits– Lakeshore theater has a bar! There will be lots of hooting and hollering. But the host Backdoor Aly, and the live band keep the show moving at an energetic pace. Expect a packed house—buy tickets in advance.

http://www.lakeshoretheater.com/ShowDetail.aspx?ShowID=172

FRIDAY & SATURDAY – ongoing!

The Flaming Dames in Bourbon Street Burlesque
February 5-27, Fridays and Saturdays @ 10:15
NO SHOW FEB 12-13.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON MARDI GRAS (Feb. 16) @ 10:15
The Spot on Broadway, 4437 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tickets $20.
FOR TICKETS CALL: (312) 458-9083 or visit www.nmtchicago.org

what to expect
The Flaming Dames are a tight knit troupe who always put on a fun, polished show. You will see awesome groups acts and unique solos, shit like suspended hoop dancing! Acts are edgy and comedic. The show goes on in the 2nd level of The Spot, on a raised stage. If you arrive early you can grab one of the tables in the front to enjoy the show. The crowd is a good mix of well-dressed older Uptowner’s who’d fit in at the nearby Green Mill, and ex-goths & club kids who love the Flaming Dames’ trademark edginess. (Disclaimer: I saw their Halloween show there, so my experience might have been a bit different). Anyways, Go See IT!

You can get half-price tickets here! I bet they’ll go fast, so snatch that shit up now!
http://www.goldstar.com/suppliers/2143/listings/25674

Events: weekend of January 29-31

Hey, kids! Want to check out a burlesque show this weekend? You can find all the shimmy-shakin’ you can handle at one of these shows!

I demand that you brave the cold weather and check out one of these hot events …or else.

FRIDAY

Vaudezilla’s BROADZILLA: The Burlesque Beast
http://vaudezilla.com/broadzilla.htm

the bare bones
Exit Chicago
1315 W North Av
January 29, 10:30pm & 1:00am (two different shows)
No Cover Charge (FREE!)

official story
Red Hot Annie and Wham Bam Pam host two jam-packed sets of burlesque. No cover. $2 PBR cans. Tons of free giveaways. And as always, Vaudezilla is pleased to present a lineup of the hottest performers in town! (Click the link for a complete list of performers)

what you can expect
The usual Exit punkers will be haunting the bar downstairs, but the show is upstairs! There are two bars and cocktail waitresses, so the drinks flow. The early show is more laid-back, but nice & loud: Chicago locals in jeans & leather jackets, dolled up parties of girlies, bachelor & -ette parties, wannabe rockabillies, the usual burlesque scenesters, and the occasional goth. The late show is more rowdy, the crowd is much drunker, more appreciative, and more likely to wander on the “stage” during an act.

The acts here are “anything goes;” performers are encouraged to bring anything shocking, new, & untraditional. But of course there are always a couple who always bring the classy. Expect 10-13 acts per set in wide variety of music/dance styles.

$2 PBRs and $5 well drinks!!

SATURDAY

Sweet-N-Lowbrow: A Burlesk Benefit for NPT

the bare bones
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 10:30pm
National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
tickets are $15

 official story
http://www.sweetnlowbrow.com/live/
The National Pastime Theater, Chicago’s most fearless theater company, in co-production with Sweet-and-Lowbrow Productions boldly embraces the burlesque renaissance now emerging in Chicago by becoming the premier late-night home of Burlesque.

Proceeds go to help maintain this beautiful theater– the old speakeasy where Chicago’s most bodacious burlesque babes can now be found!

The show will be hosted by Oosha Boom, and will feature Chee Chee Claquette, Ms. Spanky Bottoms, JuJu Minxxx (the Reigning “Burlesk Idol”), Star Kitty, and, all the way from Champaign, Illinois, Eva Avarice, Lolly Trollop, and MANY more! From the seedy to the sublime, and everything in-between, this show has something for everybody.

 what you can expect
I haven’t had the chance to check this one out yet! Here are some pics from the last time: http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/12/burlesk-idol-at-national-pastime-theater-photo-gallery/

Expect to see performers who challenge your ideas of conventional beauty, and who are dedicated to burlesque as theatrical art w/ a message. Alongside these seasoned pros, you’ll have the distinct pleasure of checking out some newbies giving it their first shot in the Idol competition! Participants get 4-minutes to improv a burlesque striptease for a panel of judges.

….Coming up next week…. 
Wednesday: No-Tell Motel @ Debonair
Thursday: Vaudezilla Bartop BQ @ Blue Bayou
Friday: Varietease @ Lakeshore Theater. Naked Girls Reading @ Studio L’amour.

What is burlesque? Part 1

Oh my god, as if every fucking burlesque blog has to start out like this. Do you REALLY need an answer to this question! FFS, go check out the wiki!

It looks like this. Always.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlesque

Of course I love burlesque (I’m a dancer and a fan myself). But this blog is really about something I love even more—this awesome, wonderful, windy city we live in. Chicago! And the point of this blog is to bring you up to date on the burlesque scene in Chicago. What’s it like? Who’s watching? Where can I go see it? And the most important question of all: Are there drink specials?!

So in this blog, I shall be bringing you the following:
- a weekly roundup of all the burlesquery you can find in the Windy City –land area
- Anecdotes about my experiences as a dancer
- Feature articles on the lovely local ladies
- And when I’m really drunk, I’ll wax on the meaning of burlesque and how it makes me feel (sexually)

If you enjoy, please comment and share this blog w/ others! Thanks, and so long for now!