The Velvet Hammer Burlesque

The Velvet Hammer Burlesque presents “Illuminata”
a night of rhapsody & abandon
a kate west review
created, produced & directed by Michelle Carr
at The Avalon Theater
1739 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, (323) 466-0270
and The Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
playing California in April
Contact www.velvethammerburlesque.com for upcoming tour information!!!

Straight from the glamour and glitz of the 1930’s and 40’s cabaret-style floor shows comes the outrageously (and naked!) modern version by the Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Their latest effort is “Illuminata,” is a three-hour-full extravaganza of scrumptiously and scandalously costumed Hollywood allure and style.

The brainchild of Michelle Carr, the show features comics Bill Chott, Laura Kightlinger, Jeremy Kramer, Blaine Capatch and Dave Cox, with varied levels of comedic talent. Mr. Uncertain is a middling retro piano player who can also be seen at Hollywood’s Parlour Club. Lord Millionaire and his Arhythmacrats bring the house down with their rousting band and the delightful Velvet Hammer chorus girls come on between acts to dance their way into creating a retro fan’s heaven.

Miss Astrid, the one-eyed German dominatrix is the Mistress of Ceremonies, sparring raunchily with the audience between numbers. She does need to pick up the pace as her sexual innuendos tend to drag on. As each act is brand new, there are no real costume changes so her stalling technique is a bit perplexing.

But then of course, there are the strippers, each girl act more spectacular than the next. The many fantastic numbers include Dorothy Gale being accosted by flying monkeys, two flamenco dancers stripping each other, a sex robot being created and there are many ball gowns and designer dresses which all come off slowly and in other cases furiously, inspiring wolf whistles from the audience. This is a show that is even better the more you drink, and at the Avalon Theater, there is ample opportunity.

With names like Scarlette Fever, Aurora Borealis and Venus de Mille you could not ask for better entertainment. There is even a vivaciously sexy little person in the show named Bobby Pinz as well as twin maids called the Poubelle Twins. Very exciting and well worth the steep price of $30. So take a trip back to ludicrous vaudeville and bawdy burlesque and enjoy yourself!

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The Parlour Club

The Parlour Club
a kate west recommendation

7702 Santa Monica Blvd., Russian Quarter, West Hollywood
(323) 650-7968, every Friday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

$5 for 21 and over; www.parlourclub.com.

Come back in time to revel in incredible 1920’s Jazz music, dance and fun cabaret style. Yes, it’s true. Show up late Friday night at the Parlour Club and the crazy cats there will reveal their secret of time travel in the amazingly bright and sassy show, “Bricktops.” Starring such sparkling entertainers as Mr. Uncertain (see below) and Vaginal Davis, plus DJ Bernice Bobserhair spinning les hot jazz nuggets and Tin Pan Alley favorites, the show features a group of talented cross-gender sprites who will make you believe in being young again.

Everyone dresses up 1920’s, so girls, be sure to go vintage shopping ahead of time and get those long strands of pearls and yummy fringe flapper dresses and guys, get those scrumptious era hats and come Charleston with the regulars. Fair warning - a poor, lost, wandering tourist may feel stuck in a time warp in his modern era blue jeans. Everyone, regardless of attire, will have the time of their lives.

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