The layman’s guide to burlesque in Dallas-Fort Worth

by Shoshana Portnoy of DallasPinup.com

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Burlesque comes in many forms through a variety of groups, including Viva Dallas Burlesque, The Lollie Bombs, and the annual Hot Rods and Heels.

Photo by Elliott Muñoz

The Lollie Bombs

There is much debate even within the burlesque community on what burlesque is, and for every person you ask you will get a different definition, much like asking someone to define rock and roll. Just like with rock and roll, there is much diversity within burlesque in DFW. Which is why if you’ve seen one show, you have not seen them all.

I’m not one that believes burlesque is for everyone -- it certainly isn’t, but burlesque has a much wider appeal than you may think. The trick is in finding the right show for you, or finding your favorite performers to follow.

In order to describe the area shows, there are first some terms to know:

Classic/Traditional Burlesque -- seeks to emulate burlesque as it was during the original American burlesque revolution of the 1930s–'50s. What audiences should expect: jazz music from the '20s-'40s, feather fans or boas, bump and grind, emphasis on the sultry strip tease itself.

Comedic Burlesque -- Focuses on comedy within the strip through song choice, characters portrayed, satire, or physical comedy in the choreography.

Neo-burlesque -- Seeks to build a new burlesque for a new generation. More emphasis on the storytelling, and may use modern music selections or be more liberal with choreography.

Vaudevillian -- Incorporates many other performance types besides strippers, such as comedians, magicians, singers, jugglers, and other performance artists.

Fetish -- A niche within a niche, performances tend to be darker in both music selection and theme, and often seek to appeal to particular fetishes.

Havi Frost

Ruby Revue

On with the show:

Twice a month:

Broads and Panties –- Iron Horse Bar & Grill, Fort Worth. Broads and Panties is certainly a neo-burlesque show, which seeks to be experimental, pushing the boundaries of burlesque. The producer, Vivienne Vermuth, summed it up as “Broads and Panties is about the ridiculous and making a spectacle of both performer and audience.” Audience is a younger crowd, admission is free.

Monthly shows:

Viva Dallas Burlesque -- Held the first Friday of every month at the Lakewood Theater in Dallas. The performers rotate monthly, with a mix of both classic and neo-burlesque artists, with the emphasis on seasoned performers throughout Texas. The show has a very upscale yet comfortable feel in that the entire audience is seated and the venue is a beautiful historic theater. Audience: Very diverse crowd. Tickets are $20.

Ruby Revue -- Monthly at the House of Blues Cambridge Room (the smaller room adjacent to the main room) in Dallas. Dates vary. This show is a very intimate approach to burlesque, with performers just feet from the audience, and very limited seating, with the majority of the audience being standing room. The performances themselves are best defined by the two producers. Ginger Valentine brings her very classic and traditional burlesque style, while Elisa’s style is very urban dance music inspired. Live band. Fairly diverse crowd. Tickets are $20.

Every other month:

The Lollie Bombs –- Every other month at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre (Late night show) in Dallas. One of the longest running burlesque troupes in Texas, the Lollie Bombs are a neo-burlesque troupe, which borders fetish at times, in their penchant for the dark. Cozy theater environment and a very loyal crowd in their 20s and 30s, all seated audience with food & drink service. Shows sell out quickly, get tickets in advance. Tickets $20 and are available by calling the theater.

Photo by John P. Meyer

Dallas Burlesque Festival.

Quarterly:

Bewitching Burlesque – Four times a year at the Plaza Arts Center in Carrollton. Bewitching Burlesque is a neo-burlesque show whose mission is to support local performers, and introduce new performers. This is where you’ll find new talent, and local favorites. Very diverse crowd, all seated audience. Tickets are $15.

Annually:

Dallas Burlesque Fest -- First Weekend in February at the Texas Theater in Dallas. Showcase of absolutely everything in burlesque from Texas and all over the country. Tickets are $15.

Hot Rods and Heels -- In May, a Saturday between Memorial Day and Mother’s Day at Lakewood Theater. A festival of all things vintage including burlesque, hot rod car show, and pin-up models. Tickets are $22.

Ed note: The original story omitted this local group:

La Divina Burlesque has put on occasional large shows at the Lakewood Theater and smaller club shows as well as a program picked up from Chicago called "Naked Girls Reading," which is exactly what it sounds like. We reviewed one of their extravaganzas last year.

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More information on local burlesque can be found at Dallas Burlesque.