San Francisco Bay Area burlesque for May 5 - May 11, 2011

Once again, there are some very cool burlesque happenings going on this week in the Bay Area!

This evening, "On Tour" (Tournee) has been chosen to close the San Francisco International Film Festival at the Castro Theatre. This French film stars our very own Kitten on the Keys and Roky Roulette, along with Mimi Le Meaux, Dirty Martini, Julie Atlas Muz, and Evie Lovelle. It was a celebrated film in France, where it competed for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year and was nominated for seven César Awards. I had heard that the film woudn't be released in the U.S., so this may be one of the few chances we have of seeing it! Plus there will be an after party featuring performances by Kitten on the Keys, Roky Roulette, Mimi Le Meaux and Evie Lovelle at at the Factory, 525 Harrison Street. Tickets are a tad spendy at $30 for just the movie, but it's less than a plane ticket to see it in another country!

Also happening this Friday will be the 10th birthday of the Hot Pink Feathers at the DNA Lounge! If you're a fan, you won't want to miss this show, as the show will feature not only the Feathers and Blue Bone Express, but also Kingfish of the Hubba Hubba Revue, the Devil-Ettes, Gorilla X, and more!

First Friday Follies will have a "Seis de Mayo" show at the Stork Club in Oakland, and Risk-A Cabaret will help prepare us for "Thee End Times" at the Aubergine After Dark in Sebastopol. Both of these shows will also be happening on Friday evening.

Next Tuesday evening, Bombshell Betty and Fromagique will be presenting a Burlesqueteer Prom at the Elbo Room in San Francisco. I bet we all wish our proms could be like that one!

Please feel free to read through the shows and see which ones interest you. Now that the weather is nice, it's time to head out and see some shows! Enjoy! :-)

• Thursday, May 5: "On Tour" (Tournee) is the closing film for the SFIFF at The Castro Theatre in San Francisco, 429 Castro Street (map). This French film was in competition for the Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival and won a best director prize for its director and star, Mathieu Amalric ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"). The film was also nominated for seven César Awards. It also stars real-life burlesque stars Kitten on the Keys, Mimi Le Meaux, Dirty Martini, Julie Atlas Muz, Roky Roulette, and Evie Lovelle. The film is about a producer/promoter (Amalric), who recruits a burlesque troupe from America and promises them a spectacular show in Paris, but first there is a lot of traveling and performing in various French towns. The screening starts at 7pm. There is also an after party featuring live performances by Kitten on the Keys, Roky Roulette, Mimi Le Meaux and Evie Lovelle at at the Factory, 525 Harrison Street (map), which will begin at 9:30pm. Tickets are $25-$30 film only; $65-$140 for film and after-party. For advance tickets, please visit http://sffs.org/tickets. The after party is 21+.


• Also Thursday: Red Hots Burlesque and El Rio presents "Go Deep: Let's Wrestle!" at El Rio in San Francisco, 3158 Mission Street (map). The moment you've all been waiting for, Red Hots Burlesque SF's Best Bump and Grind have been conspiring with your friends at El Rio to bring you an all girl monthly lube wrestling party. Celebrity wrestlers from Belladonna Beauties, Glama-Rama Salon, The Thrillpeddlers, Yelp.com and more! Burlesque by La Chica Boom and Kiss Me Kate! Plus food and prizes! Doors open and sign-ups start at 8pm, show at 9. $10 to $15, sliding scale. 21+.
  


• Friday, May 6: Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio in San Francisco, 3158 Mission Street (map).Red Hots Burlesque has been bumping and grinding in this regular Friday spot for over 3 years now! With guest comedian Kevin Young and performance artist Ginger Murray. Burlesque from Dottie Lux, Kitty Von Quim, Kiss Me Kate, and more. Come see what all the fuss is about! 7:30pm. $5-$10 sliding scale. 21+.


• Also Friday: 10 Years of Hot Pink Feathers: A Burlesque Birthday Bonanza at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, 375 11th Street (map). You're invited to a birthday party like no other! Booty-shaking bliss awaits you, along with miles and miles of showgirls, Feathers past and present, electrifying live music and special guests! Celebrate a decade of the award-winning Hot Pink Feathers - led by 2008 Carnaval SF Queen Kellita. Enter the pearly gates of DNA Lounge and immerse yourself in showgirl & horn heaven, complete with live music, group & solo burlesque numbers, go-go performances, Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Showgirl antics and more! With special guests the Devil-Ettes, SF Boylesque's Bohemian Brethren, Gorilla X, Molotov, and MC Kingfish! Doors at 8pm, show at 9. $10 budget ticket available at the box office from 8pm to 8:30pm. General admission is $15. $25 ticket includes a gift, and the $75 package includes reserved seating, gift, and champagne. Advance tickets available at http://bit.ly/hpf10yrs. 21+.


• Also Friday: First Friday Follies presents "Seis de Mayo" at the Stork Club in Oakland, 2330 Telegraph Avenue (map). Join your hostess Miss Bella Trixx for a rollicking free show following Oakland Art Murmur, the monthly art walk. With fantastic performances by Bunny Pistol, Cherry Galette, Lizzy D. Vine, Delicio del Toro, Vera DeVille, AJ Molecular, and Roxy Picaflor! With musical guest Mermaid Bones! 9:30pm. No cover, but donations welcome. 21+.


• Also Friday: Risk-A Cabaret presents "Thee End Times" at Aubergine After Dark in Sebastopol, 755 Petaluma Avenue (map). With 2012 looming ominously ahead, an apparent rapture just weeks away, and Mother Nature being horrendously pissed, what's an everyday human to do? Party like there's no tomorrow of course! Come and brave the calamitous out-of-doors to shake your booty and forget your woes with a special burlesque DJ performance with DJ JoDiesel and friends! Check out the beautiful freaks of the Displayed Labors Sideshow! With performances by musician and singer JD Limelight, burlesque darling Eva D'Luscious, belly dancers Dusty Paik, Blackhoodygrrl, and Joweh! Fire performance by Max Ashley! Show at 9pm. $10, or arrive calamitously clothed or in apocalyptic attire and get in for $7. 21+.
  


• Saturday, May 7: Blazing Burlesque at Vega's Nightclub and Sports Bar in Sacramento, 910 2nd Street (map). Blazing Burlesque has moved to the heart of Old Sacramento and is back by popular demand! Blazing Burlesque, Sacramento's premiere burlesque revue, is held once a month on the first Saturday of every month. Door at 9pm, show at 10. $5. 21+ .


• Monday, May 9: Uptown Hubba Hubba at the Uptown Club in Oakland, 1928 Telegraph Avenue (map). Join Kingfish and Lee Presson as they heat up the spring the only way they know how. By introducing burlesque performers! Featuring performances by Miss Balla Fire, The Scarlet Ladders, Cyanide Cyn, Truvy Trollop, Ava Lanche, and Joie de Vivre! Plus songs of sin and whiskey with Vagabondage! Doors 9:00pm, show 10:15. $5. 21+.


• Tuesday, May 10: Séduction Féroce at the Era Art Bar and Lounge in Oakland, 19 Grand Avenue (map). Séduction Féroce is a burlesque cabaret variety show that happens every second Tuesday of the month! This month they have an amazing line-up of performers to tantalize your taste buds. They will have drag, burlesque, belly dancing and so much more. Hosted by the lovely Ms. Ruby Vixen and the man that'll be keeping the show on flow, DJ Paul Rosas! Performances by The Mischievious Maidens, Fagatron, Sheba, Ooh La La, Dakota Belle Witt, Patricia Misery, Tali Tart, Alexis Von Fierce, Lizzy D. Vine, Thugsy the Clown, Emchy & her Accordion, and the Front Row sketch comedy troupe! Doors open at 8pm and show starts at 9pm. $5. 21+.


• Also Tuesday: Bombshell Betty and Fromagique presents Burlesqueteer Prom at the Elbo Room in San Francisco, 647 Valencia Street (map). Take it off like a prom dress! Get out your powder blue tuxedo, your taffeta dresses, and order your corsage from the florist! It's time for another Bombshell Betty and Fromagique show at the Elbo Room. Performances by returning Burlesqueteers including Bombshell Betty, Red Velvet, Red Delicious, Pickles Kintaro, Pearl E. Gates, Kinkie d'Orleans, Andi Stardust, Holly Highbeams, Cinnamon Stick, Mistress Marla Spanks, Pyro Pantera, Pearl E. Gates, Laura Borealis, and Candy Pie! Plus debut acts from the most recent Burlesquercise graduates AlexPoseIt, Lady Brett, Candi Land, Bo Peek, Candy Spankins, Kitty McCoy, Aurora Bootyalis, Little Bumpy Foo Foo, Ginger Snapped, and Miss Creant! With your cool emcees, Patina DeCopper and A. Randy Johnson! Live music by San Francisco's cheesiest band, Fromagique! Doors at 9pm, show at 9:30. $10 general, $30 for a cabaret table for two. Advance tickets available at www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html. 21+.
  


• Wednesday, May 11: Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio in San Francisco, 3158 Mission Street (map). Join Dottie Lux for Red Hots Burlesque as it expands to its second day of the week! A new and different show twice a week, including bizarre beauties, senseless sideshow, drag, burlesque and comedy! 7:30pm. $5 to $10, sliding scale. 21+.

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 on the blog. 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.