San Francisco area burlesque for July 21 to July 27, 2010

There's just a few burlesque events happening this week, but they're very special events!

This Thursday, Burlesque Moulin - Le Grande Premiere is happening at the Shattuck Down Low in Berkeley. Produced by Isis Starr and Eva Valentina, this show will be a dressy one with seating and a French flair. Ooh la la! There's not many burlesque shows in Berkeley, so you'll not want to miss this show especially if you reside in the East Bay!

Have you been reading media accounts of the documentary by Leslie Zemeckis, "Behind the Burly Q"? I've been following the stories and reviews as the film has screened across the country, and now it has come to San Francisco! Catch the show this week from Thursday through Sunday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. If you're at all interested in the history of burlesque, you won't want to miss this movie. And as an added bonus, Red Hots Burlesque's School of Shimmy will be conducting a Burlesque 101 class just before the film screens starting at 5:30pm! It's being offered for a discounted rate of $15, and $10 if you'll also be seeing the film! Please visit Redhotsburlesque.com for more information.

On Friday, Scotty the Blue Bunny returns to Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio in San Francisco! One of the most recognizable performers in SF burlesque, Scotty returns to the show he once emceed before traveling the world and exploring new and foreign rabbit holes. Performing with Scotty will be local favorites Alotta Boutté, Kitten on the Keys, Bunny Pistol, and RHB's very own Dottie Lux!

Add in the weekly Hubba Hubba Revue show on Monday, and that rounds out the week in San Francisco burlesque. Enjoy these special shows!

• Thursday, July 22: Burlesque Moulin - Le Grande Premiere at the Shattuck Down Low in Berkeley, 2284 Shattuck Avenue. It's a sit-down, dress-up burlesque show with a European flair! Living Legend of Burlesque Isis Starr and Miss Eva Valentina invite you to join them for the premiere of their show, Burlesque Moulin! Enjoy gastronomic treats for Chef Anna Rose, a glass or bottle of champagne, or some absinthe along with the show. Featuring Isis Starr, Eva Valentina wit Corey “Le Coq” Grande, Pin Key Lee, Dottie Lux, Lily Le Rouge, Josie Starre, Bitter Waitress with Sugar Main, and Ophelia Coeur de Noir. With a special performance by MoniQue! Vertical pole performance by Anika Adair. Vocal performance by Casey Castille. The MC Kalri$$isan's Chachi “Le Vipère” Harlem and the DJ Monsieur Keylo Valenzuela, both of Kalri$$ian! Doors at 7:15pm, show at 8:30. $7-160, advance tickets available at burlesquemoulin.eventbrite.com. 21 and older.


• Also Thursday through Sunday, July 25: "Behind the Burly Q" at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts screening room in San Francisco, 701 Mission Street. A documentary film by Leslie Zemeckis that's been getting nationwide media attention. Burlesque and vaudeville acts were America's most popular form of live entertainment in the first half of the 20th century — until cinema drove them from the mainstream. To add insult to injury, the art of burlesque became vilified and misunderstood, and was largely left out of our cultural history. By telling the intimate and surprising stories from its golden age through the women (and men!) who lived it, "Behind the Burly Q" reveals the true story of burlesque, even as it experiences a new renaissance. (2010, 98 min, digital video). Shows Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm. Two shows Sunday at 4pm and 6pm. $8 general admission, advance tickets available at Ybca.org.


• Friday, July 23: Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio in San Francisco, 3158 Mission Street. It's the return of Scotty the Blue Bunny from faraway, distant rabbit holes! Scotty is joined by Alotta Boutté, Kitten on the Keys, Dottie Lux and Bunny Pistol. Show at 7:30pm. $5-10, sliding scale. 21+ w/ID.


• Monday, July 26: Uptown Hubba Hubba at the Uptown in Oakland, 1928 Telegraph Avenue. Join emcees Kingfish and Eddie for some sizzling summer burlesque! This week's show will star Sid Scenic, Bunny LaRoux, Paige Lawrence, Electrikat, Ophelia Love, Peaches Velour, Kitty von Quimm, and Zip the What-Is-It?! With comedienne Mary Van Note, and special guest, Lola Martinet! Doors at 9pm, show at 10:15. $5, 21+ w/ID.

As always, for more information, please check the calendar above. Also, you may want to check back during the week to see if there are any late additions to the schedule. And if you have a burlesque show or information about a show that you would like to add to the calendar, please email me at sfbr AT gmx DOT com.