Hip hop meets burlesque with Dallas’ Ruby Revue

by Joanna Cattanach of Chick Talk Dallas

They're cut, lean, scary-six-pack-girls that make audiences involuntarily suck in their cellulite. Like the Pussycat Dolls, the ladies of Dallas-based Ruby Revue are making a name for themselves locally, one steamy, heel stomping routine at a time.

As the world’s first urban burlesque dance troupe, the Ruby Revue combines modern hip hop music with regimented dance routines. Dressed in barely there shorts and tight bra tops, fishnets and sports socks, and, of course, their signature ruby red heels, Ruby Revue is a unique mix of athletic dancers with a sexy flair.

It’s not traditional burlesque — pasties, jazz music, comic routines, feather fluttering — but it’s definitely changing the burlesque scene. “I love that we’re doing something different,” said group founder and director, Elisa Davis, a dance instructor in North Dallas. “There’s a place for it in the burlesque community.”

Burlesque is “fun, it’s playful, it’s sexy and risqué,” said Davis. “My mom and my aunt love that it has women of all shapes and sizes.” But while some girls go down to two inch barely there pasties and g-strings, the Rubies keep it covered, sorta. Davis admits the outfits have gotten a little shorter, a little tighter, but they don’t bare all. A lot of people say, “Oh, it’s not burlesque unless it’s pasties,” said Davis, but, “a lot of women don’t feel comfortable going to that level.” And her girls don’t uncover.

The group’s Dallas connection is a unique one. “I’ve just always been obsessed with the JFK conspiracy,” said Davis. And with Jack Ruby’s Carousel Club that once occupied the 1312½ Commerce Street. The club had pictures of scantily clad women and charged a $2 cover charge. And when she heard the old Texas Theater in Oak Cliff was available, “I knew I had to have it,” said Davis who helped organize the Dallas Burlesque Festival last February.

Davis says it’s important for women to be a part of the burlesque scene, “If women are running it, then they keep it classy and sexy at the same time. Men cross a line of what is seductive verses what is sexy.”

This Sunday, the group is auditioning for new dancers. They’re looking for ladies with a look, attitude, and confidence who are physically fit. They’re also looking for women with belly dancing, ballroom, salsa, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and burlesque training. Fierce girls on stage welcome -- divas backstage, not so much. The show will consist on solo acts and group performances. Dancers are asked to come with a 30 second to one minute solo piece to show the producers. Any style of music is welcome, feel free to be creative and show your personality in your routine.

If you want to wear the ruby red heels (or sneakers), stop by the Dallas Power House of Dance, 12300 Inwood Rd. No. 124, from 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday. Email your name or stage name, dance experience, and a photo to RubyRevue@gmail.com.