Interview: Burlesque's Madame Rosebud

Le Poisson Rouge hosted a music-and-burlesque tribute to surrealist filmmaker David Lynch. On Sunday, October 14, Pittsburgh musical combo Silencio paid tribute to the works of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, while Francine “The Lucid Dream” and her Pink Room Burlesque pals (including Amelia Bareparts, Legs Malone, Nasty Canasta, Ruby Valentine, Foxy Vermouth and Schäffer the Darklord) supplied a slightly more salacious salute to the neonoir filmmaker. The result: a suitably surreal homage to cinematic weirdness. You might also like Phtoos: New York Burlesque Festival's Golden Pastie Awards The New York Burlesque Festival welcomed burly-Q's best to the extravaganza's closing ceremonies. When: Sunday, September 30The scene: The New York Burlesque Festival’s Golden Pastie AwardsThe tenth annual fest drew to a close with the Golden Pastie Awards, as a gaggle of performers strutted, both onstage and off, in their finest fancy-wear. Weimar vixen Miss Astrid compered the proceedings with plenty of of snark; the event’s producers, Jen Gapay and Angie Pontani, toasted to another decade; octogenarian legend Tempest Storm held court; and everyone reflected on a ten years of our city’s celebration of strip. You might also like Photos: New York Burlesque Festival 2012 preview Photos: The Premiere Party Photos: The Saturday Spectacular Photos: Miss Coney Island Beauty Pagaent Photos: Miss Coney Island Burlesque Beauty Pagaent A bevy of the city's burlesque performers vie for the coveted crown. With a lineage that includes the lofty likes of Julie Atlas Muz, Lefty Lucy, Bambi the Mermaid, Gal Friday and BB Heart, the title of Miss Coney Island is a heavy burden to bear. But we have a feeling that the winner of this year’s pageant, Miss Cherry Delight—who, on Friday, September 14, beat out the likes of Scooter Pie, the Flying Fox and Dame Cuchifrita at the event’s tenth edition—will wear the crown with grace and style throughout her one-year reign. The Tank presents Epic Win Burlesque: Sci-Fi TVGotham Burlesque at the TriadD20 Burlesque: Stripped of Our Sanity Phtotos: Epic Win Burlesque goes steampunk The troupe presents an evening of fantastical burly-Q shenanigans. Burly-Q went steampunk at Epic Win Burlesque’s latest extravaganza, the subtly monikered Clocktease, at Nuyorican Poets Café on Saturday, August 18. Described by Epic Win host and producer Nelson Lugo as "a steam-powered scientific exhibition of professional ecdysiasts,” the night featured start turns from the lovely likes of Hazel Honeysuckle, Moxie Kat, Mary Cyn, Minnie d'Moocha, Emily Linstrom, Zelda Bloomer and Kobayashi Maru (who may or may not be Nasty Canasta in biomechanical-geisha mode). And, needless to say, it was a fantastical hoot. Photos: Room 69Photos: Epic Win Burlesque Presents X-Men!Photos: Gotham Burlesque at the Triad Best burlesque shows in New York City Nuit Blanche: Circus Dances of Vice brings a glamorous menagerie of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District for this regular burlesque show. With an all-new production each week, the affair features three sets of performances, followed by a dance party with DJ Eve Salvail. For tonight's big-top-themed show, the onstage allure comes courtesy of Heather Holliday, Donny Vomit, Miss Ekaterina, Medianoche and Ms.Tickle. For dinner reservations, call 212-675-2400 (or just imbibe a cocktail or three). Dulce's Juke Joint Sultry songstress Dulce DeLeche ("The Caramel Crooner") is behind this night of burlesque and entertainment in the Brooklyn outpost of Beauty Bar, with musical accompaniment coming courtesy of bassist Jay Sanford and guitarist Jordan Hyde. This installment features performances from tap-dancing cutie Helen Pontani and contortionist supreme Topher Bousquet. The Love Show: Mon Petit Chou The latest sexy salvo from the Love Show coterie features elements of burlesque, magic, song and dance. The Great Dubini, Angela Harriell and the Love Show Dancers, chanteuse Andrea Andert and others do their best to bring the romance of Paris to the Lower East Side. Spanking of the Lower East Side The ’50s-pinup–inspired venue Nurse Bettie (named for Bettie Page, one of the 20th century's premier hotsy-totsies) is a natural setting for burlesque performers. This weekly get-together is produced by "Asian sexsation" Calamity Chang, and usually includes six or seven acts, as well as preshow go-go dancers. Prepare to get up close and personal in the small, intimate bar space. The Wasabassco Hellfire Club Doc Wasabassco and his parade of vaudevillians and burlesque beauties present what they're calling their "most adult show ever"—which for this libidinous bunch is really saying something. This month's onstage sirens include Nasty Canasta, Stormy Leather, Deity Delgado, Gal Friday, Marlo Marquise and Nikki Le Villain; Lauren is the night's host, while Evelyn Vinyl serves as stage kitten. Seating is limited to 30 daring patrons, so get your tickets pronto. A Burlesque Affaire Every Friday and Saturday, Doc Wasabassco presents this burlesque get-together at French bistro Affaire, featuring entertainers from the Wasabassco stable (Amber Ray, Evelyn Vinyl, Gal Friday, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche, Nasty Canasta, Natasha King, Nikki Le Villain, Peekaboo Pointe, Penny Wren and Tansy among them) strutting their considerable stuff. Go to wasabassco.com for more information. Burlesque-a-Pades Produced by none other than burlesque vet Angie Pontani and Gary Beeber (director of the documentary Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque), and directed by downtown-theater pot-stirrer Trav S.D., the weekly Burlesque-A-Pades aims to chronicle the history of the art form via performances and real-life stories. Angie, her sisters Helen and Tara, and an array of top burly-Q talent—including the Maine Attraction, Gal Friday, Pinkie Special and cohosts Tigger! and Albert Cadabra—will be appearing onstage. Sure, it’ll be informative, but we have a feeling that there’ll be enough bump-’n’-grind action to keep even casual fans happy. The Degenerates Bastard Keith and Madame Rosebud team up for this new venture, a rockin’ and rollin’ neoburlesque extravaganza held at Bowlmor Lanes’ Greenwich Village Country Club. Tonight's kickoff edition sees contributions from guest performers Stormy Leather, Go-Go Harder and hula-hoop gal Justina Flash. Doors open at 8pm; the show starts two hours later. E-mail dpark@bowlmor.com to get on the reduced-admission list. A Burlesque Affaire Every Friday and Saturday, Doc Wasabassco presents this burlesque get-together at French bistro Affaire, featuring entertainers from the Wasabassco stable (Amber Ray, Evelyn Vinyl, Gal Friday, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche, Nasty Canasta, Natasha King, Nikki Le Villain, Peekaboo Pointe, Penny Wren and Tansy among them) strutting their considerable stuff. Go to wasabassco.com for more information. Wasabassco at Bathtub Gin Doc Wasabassco brings his parade of vaudevillians and burlesque beauties to this speakeasy-style boîte for another dose of bump ’n’ grind action. Tonight's show features lovely ladies Evelyn Vinyl, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche and Nasty Canasta. Go to wasabassco.com for more info. Kitty Nights Burlesque This burlesque show has been purring along since 2006, featuring Fem Appeal and stars of the local scene titillating the crowd on a weekly basis with their bump-and-grind allure. Go to kittynights.com for more information. Drunken Dragon Nights Another outpost of the burgeoning Calamity Chang empire, Drunken Dragon Nights—held in Tribeca's mixology-oriented Macao Trading Co.—features Ms. Chang and her guests performing their hearts out in high burlesque style. Tonight's show includes onstage turns from purveyors of pulchritude Gal Friday, Nikki LeVillain and Medianoche, with Minx Arcana serving as stage kitten. R.S.V.P. (it's a must) at info@macaonyc.com. Go to calamitychang.com for more info. Unmasked Unmasked aims to give a glimpse behind the onstage facades of those in the variety arts (sideshow, burlesque, circus and otherwise). The show's first half features the night's artists performing in character; later, the cast is welcomed back for a stripped-down storytelling session, sans makeup, costumes or props. This installment sees the Lady Aye and Mistress B welcoming burlesque mainstay Jo "Boobs" Weldon and drag performer–pastry chef Chocolatina Q. Dessert to the Kraine stage. The Shanghai Siren Tease Calamity Chang adds to her empire with this new burlesque outing at East Village drink spot Madam Geneva, where she and her pals will be shimmying to the sounds of Chinese lounge music circa the ’30s and ’40s. Tonight's kickoff soiree features the eye-popping talents of guests Gal Friday, Gin Minsky and Nikki Le Villain. Les Fleurs de Shanghai The romance and decadence of old Shanghai (or, as it was sometimes called, "the Whore of Asia") come to life at Tribeca eatery-lounge Duane Park. Calamity Chang and her guests provide the burlesque; music from the ’20s through the ’50s comes courtesy of the Night Fragrance Band, featuring Dances of Vice's Shien Lee on vocals. Go to calamitychang.com for more info. Nuit Blanche: Savage Beauty Dances of Vice brings a glamorous collection of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District for this burlesque affair, which features three sets in an all-new production each week. Tonight's show, dedicated to all the wild women out there, boasts the talents of Gal Friday, Nikki LeVillain, Anna Evans, Albert Cadabra and Delysia La Chatte. A dance party with DJ Eve Salvail follows the performance, keeping the action coming till 2am. For dinner reservations, call 212-675-2400 (or just imbibe a cocktail or three). Nurse Bettie Burlesque Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene. Shaken & Stirred Breathtaking burlesque, gorgeous go-go, DJ Jess on the decks—and free shots! What more could you ask for? Sugar Shack Burlesque's RunAround Sue serves as the weekly soiree's host, and performers along the lines of Ekaterina, Gal Friday and Stormy Leather regularly stop by to wow the crowd. Best parties in New York City See more of New York's best clubbing and nightlife See more of New York's best

The Pink Room Burlesque producer and performer Francine "The Lucid Dream" pays tribute to the work of David Lynch. Producer and performer Francine “The Lucid Dream” is the force behind The Pink Room Burlesque, the David Lynch–inspired series of shows that merge surrealist quirk with bump ’n’ grind action. On Sunday, October 14 at Le Poisson Rouge, Francine and her troupe join forces with the Pittsburgh’s Silencio, a talented combo that specializes in covering the Angelo Badalamenti–composed music from Lynch’s works Time Out New York: How did you first get into burlesque? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I took my first class at the New York School of Burlesque about three years ago. It was just for fun; I had no idea that this would be something I’d be doing. But I got so drawn into it, and it became a bigger and bigger thing. Anyway, my first class was taught by Jo Weldon, and at the end of that class, she asked if anyone was interested in go-go dancing at the Slipper Room. I just shot up my hand, and I really liked it. That was my gateway. So I took more classes: I took one from Dr. Lucky, and that class turned into a showcase. And at that showcase, producers were coming up to me and booking me on the spot! I did not expect that at all. And that was it. Time Out New York: Can you pinpoint when your David Lynch fascination began? Francine "The Lucid Dream": That’s been since Twin Peaks was first on the air. Time Out New York: What were you, like, two years old? Francine "The Lucid Dream": Ha! Well, I was very young, and I didn’t get half of it. I was like, What is this weirdness? As I got older, I watched all the reruns on Bravo, and then I really got obsessed. It’s definitely been a big influence on my life in various ways. Time Out New York: And how did you decide to combine the two obsessions? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I made some really wonderful friends through that class that led to the showcase performance, and as it turns out, a lot of them were also David Lynch fans. At one point, I sad something like, “Wouldn’t it be really fun to do something like a Twin Peaks burlesque show?” And everyone was like, “Oh my God, yes!” Actually, there was another girl in the class who had the same idea. About a year after I started to perform, I was like, “You know, let’s just do this.” I thought it was going to be a one-off, just for fun; I was just hoping our friends would come. But there was a line out the door at the Parkside, and it sold out. I couldn’t believe it. Clearly, there are a lot of David Lynch fans out there. Time Out New York: Yeah, even though it’s been six years since Inland Empire came out—and that wasn’t exactly his most popular film—it seems like Lynch fever is at an all-time high. Yes, I’ve noticed that! Time Out New York: Do you have any explanation for why that is? Francine "The Lucid Dream": Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since he’s had a new one come out? I’m not sure, really. I know when I first started doing this show, there were a lot of Lynch anniversaries coming up. Time Out New York: Like “The 20th anniversary of Twin Peaks” kind of things? Francine "The Lucid Dream": Yeah, exactly. So I think people were maybe thinking about him anyway. But I owe a lot to the Welcome to Twin Peaks website. By coincidence, that started up around the same time I started doing the show. So all of a sudden, there was this place to go to for all of your David Lynch needs. That definitely helped. And there’s always stuff floating around. Just today, somebody posted something on my Facebook page. There’s this designer who creates burlesquey kind of hairpieces—really beautiful stuff—and now she has a line of Twin Peaks–themed hairpieces. It’s constant. And it’s pretty cool. Time Out New York: Didn’t you go to the Twin Peaks Fest in Washington State last year? Francine "The Lucid Dream": And it turned out to the best year I possibly could have been there! Sherilyn Fenn and Sheryl Lee, who played Audrey Horne and Laura Palmer, were both there. And Ray Wise, who played Leland Palmer, was there too. I got to meet all them, and got to geek out a lot. Time Out New York: Are there any other David Lynch burlesque nights anywhere? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I know that people have done one-offs here and there; I’ve heard of stuff on the West Coast. And I know that there’s a Lynchian-themed burlesque show in London. I’m dying to go see that. From what I’ve heard, that show is very different from ours. Time Out New York: How many editions of the Pink Room have there been so far? Francine "The Lucid Dream": We’ve done Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive… We’ve done a lot. I’m not sure if we’ll ever do The Straight Story, though. [Laughs] Time Out New York: That one might not lend itself to burlesque so well. For those not so well versed in David Lynch, what does the Pink Room refer to? Francine "The Lucid Dream": It’s a reference to Fire Walk with Me, the prequel to Twin Peaks. It’s a song, which we play in every single show. But it’s linked to this one scene, one of the most debaucherous scenes. It’s where you get to see Laura Palmer’s real life, when she’s not being the homecoming queen. Time Out New York: There seems to be some vague connection between burlesque and the work of David Lynch. Maybe it’s that their shared staginess, or perhaps it’s just that they’re both a bit surreal, but there’s something there. Francine "The Lucid Dream": Yes, I think so, too. Before I was first started doing this, I remember thinking that this was such a strange idea. But I felt like it would work, because there are at least a few things that connect David Lynch’s work and burlesque. Number one is that he always has a bunch of really foxy ladies. [Laughs] There’s always a lot of sexual tension building up in his films. But also, his movies can go from quirky and funny to dark and macabre—and, for me, a really great burlesque show is the same way. I always try to have some of each in my shows. I don’t like either too much darkness or too much weird comedy; I like it to be layered. Time Out New York: I imagine that when you’re focusing on some of Lynch’s films, like Lost Highway, it’s kind of hard to avoid going pretty dark. Francine "The Lucid Dream": We actually had a few funny numbers in the Lost Highway show. We had one performer, Hard Corey, doing a number as Robert Blake’s character, the Mystery Man. I can’t even explain it; it was so weird and so funny. But yeah, overall, it might have been a bit darker than our usual shows. Time Out New York: What can you tell me about the upcoming a Night of Lynch show at Le Poisson Rouge? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I did a show with Silencio last spring, which was basically a musical performance; I did a couple of numbers with them. But for this show, we wanted to go a little bigger. It’s not quite a Twin Peaks festival, but it’s a full night of Lynch. We’ve brought in the Welcome to Twin Peaks people, who’ll be curating a Twin Peaks exhibit. And Silencio is amazing! They sound so much like the original music. They’ll be doing their set, and I’ll be doing some numbers with them. But after that, it’s going to be a full-on Pink Room Burlesque show, the way we can do it—very based in performing arts. I’m really excited about it. I think it will be pretty wild. Time Out New York: You certainly have an all-star cast: Schäffer the Darklord, Legs Malone, Nasty Canasta, Ruby Valentine, Foxy Vermouth, and of course, Amelia Bareparts as the Log Lady. Has it has it gotten to the point where people are asking to be in the show? Francine "The Lucid Dream": Yeah, which is so nice, because when I first started the show it was always like, Which one of my friends can I beg to be in this? Now people are like, “I wanna be in your show!” I think that now that all the Twin Peaks episodes are available on Netflix, people have been watching it and going, “Oh, that’s what this is all about!” People know about David Lynch now. He was just on the Louis C.K. show! Time Out New York: I missed that one! Francine "The Lucid Dream": I can even explain it. It was so brilliant. His scenes were shot in a real Lynchian style. Time Out New York: When are you going to work with David Lynch? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I don’t know.… But that is a dream of mine! Time Out New York: Is he aware of the Pink Room Burlesque? Francine "The Lucid Dream": I’m not sure. But I met Kyle MacLachlan briefly a few months ago, when he was here to promote his wine. I told him about it; he seemed a little shy, so I didn’t know how he was going to respond, but he seemed kind of flattered by it. He even said, “David would be very flattered.” And I’ve had dreams where I was onstage during a Pink Room show, and I could make out David Lynch’s hair in the audience. That would be my dream come true. A Night of Lynch: Silencio + The Pink Room Burlesque is at Le Poisson Rouge Sunday, Oct 14. You might also like Photos: The Golden Pastie Awards The New York Burlesque Festival welcomed burly-Q's best to the extravaganza's closing ceremonies. When: Sunday, September 30The scene: The New York Burlesque Festival’s Golden Pastie AwardsThe tenth annual fest drew to a close with the Golden Pastie Awards, as a gaggle of performers strutted, both onstage and off, in their finest fancy-wear. Weimar vixen Miss Astrid compered the proceedings with plenty of of snark; the event’s producers, Jen Gapay and Angie Pontani, toasted to another decade; octogenarian legend Tempest Storm held court; and everyone reflected on a ten years of our city’s celebration of strip. You might also like Photos: New York Burlesque Festival 2012 preview Photos: The Premiere Party Photos: The Saturday Spectacular Photos: Miss Coney Island Beauty Pagaent Photos: The Saturday Spectacular At B.B. King's on Sat Oct 3, host Murray Hill introduced a bevy of beauties. Photographs by Jim Kiernan RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of the New York Burlesque Festival Photos: The Premiere Party The tenth annual New York Burlesque Festival lent a touch of glitter and glamour to Williamsburg's Brooklyn Bowl RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of the New York Burlesque Festival Four days of glitter, feathers and bump ’n’ grind fun—that’s the just-completed New York Burlesque Festival, which celebrated its tenth year of burly-Q action, in a nutshell. The Premiere Party, held on Friday, September 28 at Brooklyn Bowl and featuring the red-hot likes of Peekaboo Pointe, Calamity Chang, Francine "The Lucid Dream," Go-Go Harder and host Scott the Blue Bunny, was a hoot—and here’s the photos to prove it. You might also like:Photos: New York Burlesque Festival 2012 previewPhotos: Miss Coney Island Burlesque Beauty PagaentPhotos: Gotham Burlesque at the Triad Photos: Room 69 Catch the burlesque escapades at Calamity Chang's intimate Friday-night affair. Burlesque is all about spectacle—but sometimes the most fun is had when that spectacle is delivered in up-close-and-personal, and that’s what Calamity Chang’s Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way is all about. Friday, June 22’s edition featured burly-Q contributions from an all-star cast that included Stormy Leather, Dame Cuchifrita, Hazel Honeysuckle, Ruby Valentine, Mr. Gorgeous and Nikki Le Villain; you can catch more stars of the local scene every Friday night.Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way is at Hotel Chantelle every Friday.

The New York Burlesque Festival welcomed burly-Q's best to the extravaganza's closing ceremonies. When: Sunday, September 30The scene: The New York Burlesque Festival’s Golden Pastie AwardsThe tenth annual fest drew to a close with the Golden Pastie Awards, as a gaggle of performers strutted, both onstage and off, in their finest fancy-wear. Weimar vixen Miss Astrid compered the proceedings with plenty of of snark; the event’s producers, Jen Gapay and Angie Pontani, toasted to another decade; octogenarian legend Tempest Storm held court; and everyone reflected on a ten years of our city’s celebration of strip. You might also like Photos: New York Burlesque Festival 2012 preview Photos: The Premiere Party Photos: The Saturday Spectacular Photos: Miss Coney Island Beauty Pagaent

Drunken Dragon Nights Another outpost of the burgeoning Calamity Chang empire, Drunken Dragon Nights—held in Tribeca's mixology-oriented Macao Trading Co.—features Ms. Chang and her guests performing their hearts out in high burlesque style. Tonight's show includes onstage turns from purveyors of pulchritude Gal Friday, Nikki LeVillain and Medianoche, with Minx Arcana serving as stage kitten. R.S.V.P. (it's a must) at info@macaonyc.com. Go to calamitychang.com for more info. Unmasked Unmasked aims to give a glimpse behind the onstage facades of those in the variety arts (sideshow, burlesque, circus and otherwise). The show's first half features the night's artists performing in character; later, the cast is welcomed back for a stripped-down storytelling session, sans makeup, costumes or props. This installment sees the Lady Aye and Mistress B welcoming burlesque mainstay Jo "Boobs" Weldon and drag performer–pastry chef Chocolatina Q. Dessert to the Kraine stage. The Shanghai Siren Tease Calamity Chang adds to her empire with this new burlesque outing at East Village drink spot Madam Geneva, where she and her pals will be shimmying to the sounds of Chinese lounge music circa the ’30s and ’40s. Tonight's kickoff soiree features the eye-popping talents of guests Gal Friday, Gin Minsky and Nikki Le Villain. Les Fleurs de Shanghai The romance and decadence of old Shanghai (or, as it was sometimes called, "the Whore of Asia") come to life at Tribeca eatery-lounge Duane Park. Calamity Chang and her guests provide the burlesque; music from the ’20s through the ’50s comes courtesy of the Night Fragrance Band, featuring Dances of Vice's Shien Lee on vocals. Go to calamitychang.com for more info. Nuit Blanche: Savage Beauty Dances of Vice brings a glamorous collection of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District for this burlesque affair, which features three sets in an all-new production each week. Tonight's show, dedicated to all the wild women out there, boasts the talents of Gal Friday, Nikki LeVillain, Anna Evans, Albert Cadabra and Delysia La Chatte. A dance party with DJ Eve Salvail follows the performance, keeping the action coming till 2am. For dinner reservations, call 212-675-2400 (or just imbibe a cocktail or three). Nurse Bettie Burlesque Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene. Shaken & Stirred Breathtaking burlesque, gorgeous go-go, DJ Jess on the decks—and free shots! What more could you ask for? Sugar Shack Burlesque's RunAround Sue serves as the weekly soiree's host, and performers along the lines of Ekaterina, Gal Friday and Stormy Leather regularly stop by to wow the crowd. Spanking of the Lower East Side The ’50s-pinup–inspired venue Nurse Bettie (named for Bettie Page, one of the 20th century's premier hotsy-totsies) is a natural setting for burlesque performers. This weekly get-together is produced by "Asian sexsation" Calamity Chang, and usually includes six or seven acts, as well as preshow go-go dancers. Prepare to get up close and personal in the small, intimate bar space. Wasabassco at the Way Station Doc Wasabassco's burlesque empire stretches to Prospect Heights, where Nasty Canasta, Medianoche, Poison Ivory and stage kitten Mischief Molly will wow the crowd with their grace, beauty and various other attributes. Pinchbottom Burlesque: You Only Pinch Twice Burlesque and James Bond—they go together like vodka and vermouth. Jonny Porkpie and his Pinchbottom cohorts (including Jo “Boobs” Weldon and Tigger!) are reviving their Bond parody just ahead of the release of the new 007 flick, Skyfall. Expect an all-star complement of burly-Q guys and gals in the show's bumpin' and grindin' cast. Brown Girls Burlesque Fifth-Anniversary Show The Brown Girls Burlesque troupe is celebrating its anniversary in guitar-god style, with the gals shimmying and shaking to an all–Jimi Hendrix set of tunes. Chicava HoneyChild, Essence Revealed, exHOTic Other, Jazabel Jade, Sister Selva and Sweet Lorraine will be performing to "Purple Haze," "Fire" and, we'll just bet, "Foxy Lady." Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way The busy burlesque babe Calamity Chang is the host of this weekly parade of pulchritude on Hotel Chantelle's street-level floor, with her and her guests strutting their stuff as you tipple your cocktail. Burlesque-a-Pades Produced by none other than burlesque vet Angie Pontani and Gary Beeber (director of the documentary Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque), and directed by downtown-theater pot-stirrer Trav S.D., the weekly Burlesque-A-Pades aims to chronicle the history of the art form via performances and real-life stories. Angie, her sisters Helen and Tara, and an array of top burly-Q talent—including the Maine Attraction, Gal Friday, Pinkie Special and cohosts Tigger! and Albert Cadabra—will be appearing onstage. Sure, it’ll be informative, but we have a feeling that there’ll be enough bump-’n’-grind action to keep even casual fans happy. A Burlesque Affaire Every Friday and Saturday, Doc Wasabassco presents this burlesque get-together at French bistro Affaire, featuring entertainers from the Wasabassco stable (Amber Ray, Evelyn Vinyl, Gal Friday, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche, Nasty Canasta, Natasha King, Nikki Le Villain, Peekaboo Pointe, Penny Wren and Tansy among them) strutting their considerable stuff. Go to wasabassco.com for more information. The Loose Caboose Show Hold on to your heinies—Ms. Tina Cione and Kyle Petersen are bringing another dose of vaudeville, comedy, circus and sideshow to the Lower East Side. Tonight's spectacular features burlesque from the Chi-Ciones, Gigi Bonbon and Creamy Stevens; circus performances come courtesy of Petersen, Greg Mistein and Joshua Dean, while Rob Paravonian and a mystery guest provide the night's comedy stylings. Your host is the hula-hooping Miss Saturn. Pinchbottom Burlesque: You Only Pinch Twice Burlesque and James Bond—they go together like vodka and vermouth. Jonny Porkpie and his Pinchbottom cohorts (including Jo “Boobs” Weldon and Tigger!) are reviving their Bond parody just ahead of the release of the new 007 flick, Skyfall. Expect an all-star complement of burly-Q guys and gals in the show's bumpin' and grindin' cast. The Love Show Presents Dance Mayhem: A Grindhouse Ballet The folks behind the salacious Nutcracker: Rated R extravaganza host another night of ballet-meets-burlesque, with Angela Harriell and her troupe of hot hoofers paying tribute to the gritty world of grindhouse cinema. Sharkbite Sideshow Joe the Shark brings a bit of Coney Island to the Lower East Side at this night of burlesque and sideshow diversions, with stars of the Gotham scene rolling through to wow the crowd. This Halloween installment sees onstage action coming courtesy of Trixie Little, Aurura Black, boylesquers Brief Sweat and Mack Knife, Faithpants, Francine "The Lucid Dream" and Sasha FireGypsy. The Moth's Peter Aguero is the evening's host, Cheri Cols serves as stage kitten, and additional go-go action comes courtesy of Amanda Topchik. Tim Burton Burlesque Marinara Stardust is back with another of her themed burly-Q bashes, this one (in holiday-appropriate manner) saluting the auteur behind Frankenweenie and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Hosted by Bambi Galore, the night features performances from Vanil LaFrappe, Miss Vivian, Vada James, Tiny D, Sincerely Yours, Poison Eve, Miss Poison Ivory, Miss Em, Aaliyah Martinez and Corvette LeFace. Ruby Vroom serves as stage kitten, while Our Man app spins the between-act tunes. Burlesque at 92Y: Pink Light Burlesque Pink Light Burlesque (pinklightburlesque.com), a division of Jo Weldon's New York School of Burlesque, provides free classes for breast cancer patients and survivors. Tonight's showcase—the first of a series of monthly burlesque events at the 92nd Street Y—boasts an all-star cast, with Weldon, Angie Pontani, Jezebel Express and the Pink Light Dancers among those treading the boards. D20 Burlesque: A Tribute to H.P. Lovecraft D20 Burlesque is a troupe that puts on shows with gaming and online culture themes—and if the promise of burly-Q babes isn't enough to get you out of the rec room or away from the computin' machine, we don't know what is. Tonight's edition is the third annual salute to every gamer's favorite horror writer (we're just guessing), H.P. Lovecraft, with creep-show performances coming from Anja Keister, Hazel Honeysuckle, Falana Fox and, direct from Boston, the Rogue Burlesque troupe's Dewie Decimator, Ms. Sassypants and Busty Keaton. Dolly Debutante provides additional go-go pizzazz, Iris Explosion hosts, and Kita St. Cyr tries her hand at the deejaying arts. Burlesque Bingo Brunch Bingo queen Linda Simpson and burlesque king Murray Hill get together (as they are regularly wont to do) for a boozy brunch featuring bingo games and burlesque stars Medianoche, Bettina May, Go-Go Harder and Broadway Brassy, and Francine "The Lucid Dream." Kitty Nights Burlesque This burlesque show has been purring along since 2006, featuring Fem Appeal and stars of the local scene titillating the crowd on a weekly basis with their bump-and-grind allure. Go to kittynights.com for more information. Cabaret Mystique Bandleader and MC Dandy Wellington brings his "haunting cabaret extravaganza" to Tribeca's Macao Trading Co. for a night of song and scandal, with Wellington and his combo supplying the former, and an array of burlesque beauties—Gal Friday, Gin Minsky and Amber Ray—handling the latter. R.S.V.P. (it's a must) at info@macaonyc.com. The Juke Joint Revue with Empire Beats Rhythm & blues combo Empire Beats, featuring New Orleans vocalist Camille Atkinson, hosts this night of music, burlesque, comedy and more at the lovably divey Parkside Lounge. Go to empirebeatsnyc.com for more info. Temple of the Virgins We'll have to take their word for it regarding the “virgins” bit, but this monthly burlesque night—held in a Mexican restaurant—certainly showcases a caliente array of talent. Tonight's fiesta features performances from Bettina May, Dangrrr Doll, Stella Chuu, Üla Überbusen and Apathy Angel; Broadway Brassy (“The Golden Throat of Burlesque”) is the evening's host. Burlesque: Strip, Strip, Hooray with Dita Von Teese International burlesque icon Dita Von Teese alights in Gotham for a dazzling showcase of ecdysiastic action, with Murray Hill serving as MC and an array of Von Teese's burly-Q buddies joining the star onstage. Debauchery The mighty (mighty scary, at least) Clown Kong and burlesque gal Stormy Leather are the hosts of this monthly get-together. Tonight's shindig features another red-hot lineup, with the considerable talents of Fifi Dupree, Misty Meaner, Essence Revealed, Christopher Bousquet, Matthew Holtzclaw, Mocha Delight and Evelyn Vinyl, all on display for your amusement. The Love Show Presents Dance Mayhem: A Grindhouse Ballet The folks behind the salacious Nutcracker: Rated R extravaganza host another night of ballet-meets-burlesque, with Angela Harriell and her troupe of hot hoofers paying tribute to the gritty world of grindhouse cinema. Epic Win Burlesque: Hotties of Horror Part burly-Q bash and part costume ball, this is is probably the biggest hoedown yet for "the nerdiest burlesque show in town." The evening kicks off with a display of onstage allure from Apathy angel, BB Heart, Aurora Black, Cliff Hanger, Mary Cyn, Nelson Lugo and host Schäffer the Darklord; at 10pm, the Deadman's Dance Party takes over and goes on late into the night. Nurse Bettie Burlesque Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene. Shaken & Stirred Breathtaking burlesque, gorgeous go-go, DJ Jess on the decks—and free shots! What more could you ask for? Sugar Shack Burlesque's RunAround Sue serves as the weekly soiree's host, and performers along the lines of Ekaterina, Gal Friday and Stormy Leather regularly stop by to wow the crowd. Best parties in New York City See more of New York's best clubbing and nightlife See more of New York's best