Vancouvers burlesque artists certainly know how to warm up those cold winter nights. As well as all the regular performances, there are some extra special dates coming up:
On January 10, Tarantino Burlesque at the Fan Club promises to bring grindhouse back to Vancouver theatres. Hosted by Fairlith Harvey of Geekenders fame, the nine acts will re-imagine scenes from Quentin Tarantino movies from Pulp Fiction to Death Proof while the Rock and Roll Burlesque Band, led by guitarist Blue Morris and featuring Red Heartbreaker on vocals, provide the soundtrack. Performers include Little Miss Risk, Voodoo Pixie, Sparkle Plenty, Mama Fortuna, Ariel Helvetica and Fairlith Harvey. Details at BlueMorris.com.
Prefer director Tim Burton's dark and quirky view of the world? Geekenders presents Nightmare After Christmas, a Tim Burton-inspired burlesque show and dance party on January 18 at The Cellar (1006 Granville.) It features "eerie magic, music, belly-dancing and burlesque" performances by Aleister Crane, Jessica Mayhew, Riannaconda, Velvet Von Doff, and Busty Summers, with stage kitty skills by Ruby Slickeur. Doing their best Jack Skellington and Sally (from The Nightmare Before Christmas) are hosts Graeme Thompson and Fairlith Harvey. Doors open at 6; show starts at 6:30; tickets are $10. Go to Geekenders.ca for details.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 17 to February 2, In the House is teaming up with Vancouver FanClub for an interactive evening of dinner, theatre, burlesque, circus and live music. (They say, Think Tony & Tinys Wedding meets Cirque du Soleil with more than its share of sexy.) Each patron is given an alias as they enter the world of Atlantis, with three possible endings to the show. Costumes encouraged. Tickets: $50 with three-course meal (arrival between 6 and 6:45pm); $25 for a cocktail ticket (arrival between 8 and 8:15pm); $15 for just the music showcase and DJs (arrival between 10:30 and 11:00); $10 for just the DJs (arrival after midnight). Details at BlueMorris.com.
Just in time for the sixth anniversary celebration of Kitty Nights burlesque (January 19 at the Biltmore Cabaret), producers Kristen Hogan, aka Burgundy Brixx, and her husband Doug Thomas, aka The Purrfessor, have an even better reason to throw a party. They finally became landed immigrants! After a three-year struggle, a 1,750-signature petition and a fundraising rally, the former New Yorkers drove over the Peace Arch boarder crossing on December 21 as official permanent residents. It almost makes you want to take off your clothes with glee... Tickets are $9. For details go to KittyNights.com.
